Olimpia Milano beats Maccabi, Ettore Messina stresses growth
The words of Ettore Messina after the victory with Maccabi Tel Aviv
Ettore Messina, coach of Olimpia Milano, commented on the success against Maccabi (98-86) in the Euroleague in a press conference: "The team played an excellent game. Everyone who came in helped us, even those who played less. They sacrificed, they moved the ball well in attack. We beat a good team like Maccabi, with athleticism, shooting, one-on-one play, organized well offensively. Not an easy win to get".
"&It is important that the team is improving race after race,” added the Red and White coach. The other thing is that tonight as in the home of Partizan, we defended well in the fourth period. Our standard must become the defense we had in the second and fourth quarters. Some times because of fouls, or with some key players on the bench to rest, we concede more points. But it is one thing è to concede 22, another 27/29. We have to keep working like this despite injuries and constant changes to the quintet for players in and out. Communication è better, the effort is there. We hope to continue like thisì".
On Armoni Brooks: "Everyone knew he was a great shooter, he has a shooting range one step behind the NBA three line. But he’s also adjusting to playing more on contact when they force him on blocks. He is improving in defensive performance. The numbers in the Italian league are resounding, almost 18 points average, 6 rebounds, almost 55% from three. Lì for him è definitely easier. But in the last two Euroleague games he has made noticeable strides. Let’s hope he continues thisì too".
" I am proud of what the boys are doing. We said it at the presentation in the preseason that this would be a team that would try to run more. It is one thing è to run if after the ball goes out of the basket or after a rebound. Running while conceding so much, as unfortunately è happened often in this first phase, è difficult to win. If you can also match defense you become an interesting team. We are working on it, we are succeeding" concluded Messina.
