On the eve of Game 1 of the Quarter Finals between Germani Brescia and Estra Pistoia, Coach Alessandro Magro presents the series: On the eve of Game 1 of the Quarter Finals between Germani Brescia and Estra Pistoia, Coach Alessandro Magro presents the series:
“We present the match against Pistoia, a team we thought we would find, the odds were very high, and what we expected happened. We want to start these playoffs, we have followed a path that certainly makes us happy and satisfied with regards to the regular season. We have shown that we can play good basketball both in attack and defense, we have shown that we know how to compete and hold the top of the table for many days, and therefore it is always nice to remember that being here to hold this conference is never a given , given that unfortunately these days last year we were already on holiday given what happened in the last match in Scafati. Let’s face the big surprise of the season, Pistoia which had started with 4 defeats in a row after deservedly winning the A2 championship. A team that was built excellently by Sambugaro and all the staff who participated and contributed to the choice of players. They did it with a budget that was certainly lower than other teams, but it often happens that you have some ideas in mind and you have to make some bets. Nicola Brienza was very good at putting everyone together, and it takes skill and a bit of luck to make sure that all the pieces fall into place. It is no coincidence that Pistoia, like us, is one of the teams that has changed the least since the start of the season, because they have found continuity and great enthusiasm. They are a team that despite having a very hot pitch in PalaCarrara, ironically, of the 15 victories that have come, 8 have been away victories, even on difficult and important pitches, because it is a team that knows how to play lightly, but that has great talent especially in the attacking half of the field.
We are eager to get started and want to test ourselves and dive into this new beginning. We had a really positive week of training, the players are focused and want to try to demonstrate what their value can be. To play well in the playoffs, and to cradle ambitious dreams, we cannot do without defense; therefore, we will certainly have to start again from what was one of the best defenses in the championship. We want to start again there, because that must be our certainty regardless of the opponent we face. In the specific case of Pistoia, we know well how they are built and they have in their wingers package, Moore and Willis, who at the end of the season were the best scorers in the championship. Moore, especially in the role of point guard, is able to create a lot with the ball in his hands both for himself and for his teammates. In Varnado, another player capable of dancing in the role of 3 or 4, and who has double dimensions with the ability to attack from the dribble, the ability to shoot from 3 points and a great danger with his back to the basket. Another big surprise of the championship is certainly Ogbeide, who has shown that he keeps his level, and that he knows how to fight under the boards and protect the area with his skills as a shot blocker and jumper. They are a team that has 6 players always in rotation, and the impact of the Italians, thanks to a great sense of belonging, has given them the possibility of having great performances and great victories also thanks to the contribution of these players. Last but not least, the great impact of the 3-point shot because they are a team that manages to create from the dribble, that manages to create many penetrating and unloading situations and they have many players capable of triggering what is a weapon that has a huge impact in modern basketball. It will be a long and complicated series, where there will be many elements to put on the table, certainly as often happens, during the series, the various adjustments and adaptations that can be made will affect the final result. We absolutely must think about one game at a time with great humility and with a great desire to demonstrate what our value can be. There is the desire to try to get through the first round and reach the semi-final for the first time since I have been lucky enough to lead this group as Head Coach and we won’t be able to do it alone. Despite the controversy, or what has been written and said in recent days, I absolutely don’t want to get into it, but I expect, hope and wish to have a full and warm building because we absolutely need everyone’s support and we have the desire to try to have great performances also for our fans and together with our fans.”
“We present the match against Pistoia, a team we thought we would find, the odds were very high, and what we expected happened. We want to start these playoffs, we have followed a path that certainly makes us happy and satisfied with regards to the regular season. We have shown that we can play good basketball both in attack and defense, we have shown that we know how to compete and hold the top of the table for many days, and therefore it is always nice to remember that being here to hold this conference is never a given , given that unfortunately these days last year we were already on holiday given what happened in the last match in Scafati. Let’s face the big surprise of the season, Pistoia which had started with 4 defeats in a row after deservedly winning the A2 championship. A team that was built excellently by Sambugaro and all the staff who participated and contributed to the choice of players. They did it with a budget that was certainly lower than other teams, but it often happens that you have some ideas in mind and you have to make some bets. Nicola Brienza was very good at putting everyone together, and it takes skill and a bit of luck to make sure that all the pieces fall into place. It is no coincidence that Pistoia, like us, is one of the teams that has changed the least since the start of the season, because they have found continuity and great enthusiasm. They are a team that despite having a very hot pitch in PalaCarrara, ironically, of the 15 victories that have come, 8 have been away victories, even on difficult and important pitches, because it is a team that knows how to play lightly, but that has great talent especially in the attacking half of the field.
We are eager to get started and want to test ourselves and dive into this new beginning. We had a really positive week of training, the players are focused and want to try to demonstrate what their value can be. To play well in the playoffs, and to cradle ambitious dreams, we cannot do without defense; therefore, we will certainly have to start again from what was one of the best defenses in the championship. We want to start again there, because that must be our certainty regardless of the opponent we face. In the specific case of Pistoia, we know well how they are built and they have in their wingers package, Moore and Willis, who at the end of the season were the best scorers in the championship. Moore, especially in the role of point guard, is able to create a lot with the ball in his hands both for himself and for his teammates. In Varnado, another player capable of dancing in the role of 3 or 4, and who has double dimensions with the ability to attack from the dribble, the ability to shoot from 3 points and a great danger with his back to the basket. Another big surprise of the championship is certainly Ogbeide, who has shown that he keeps his level, and that he knows how to fight under the boards and protect the area with his skills as a shot blocker and jumper. They are a team that has 6 players always in rotation, and the impact of the Italians, thanks to a great sense of belonging, has given them the possibility of having great performances and great victories also thanks to the contribution of these players. Last but not least, the great impact of the 3-point shot because they are a team that manages to create from the dribble, that manages to create many penetrating and unloading situations and they have many players capable of triggering what is a weapon that has a huge impact in modern basketball. It will be a long and complicated series, where there will be many elements to put on the table, certainly as often happens, during the series, the various adjustments and adaptations that can be made will affect the final result. We absolutely must think about one game at a time with great humility and with a great desire to demonstrate what our value can be. There is the desire to try to get through the first round and reach the semi-final for the first time since I have been lucky enough to lead this group as Head Coach and we won’t be able to do it alone. Despite the controversy, or what has been written and said in recent days, I absolutely don’t want to get into it, but I expect, hope and wish to have a full and warm building because we absolutely need everyone’s support and we have the desire to try to have great performances also for our fans and together with our fans.”
