If this is Olimpia Milano trying to save the season, their opponents need not fear. And life will be very short
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Shavon Shields “high-fives” himself. Undoubtedly hilarious scene during the second quarter of the match between Olimpia Milano and Trento
May 13, 2024May 13, 2024
The ‘usual’ Shields isn’t enough, on a day with too many subpar players for a playoff match
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If we then exclude the Scudetto final matches, it hasn’t happened since game 2 with Dinamo Sassari in 2019. There is also a comparison to make, but we’ll reserve it for the end.
How could this happen? “Ball don’t lie” gentlemen. There are no doubts. You are the child of the season, of the months of joint work, if you find yourself forced to throw Billy Baron into the mix, who played four matches in the season, and hadn’t seen the field since the end of December, it means that you know you have nothing in your hands.
You know that you still have to overturn, amaze, play another substantial card. You are chasing, you always will. Then, esteemed colleagues, talk about Voigtmann, about the choice to give up the long man for a winger.
Despite what Messina said yesterday, I believe that for all these playoffs, or as long as there will be, this is the roster idea. One less long man, one more winger. Then, with all due respect to Cooke, if Melli and Hines fail to oppose it, the problem is much more serious.
It’s like thinking of shoring up two gigantic columns that are about to come down. If Melli and Hines can’t oppose LBA’s big men with Mirotic and Ricci, you’re in trouble. And with Voigtmann, or Poythress, you don’t save the day.
Then, legitimately, you can point out the solid red signal of the SIR reserve. But let’s face it frankly, today focusing on the good Alex would be like dusting off Baron after months. It remains an improvisation, also the result of the terrible assembly work (looking at the results) carried out by Ettore Messina and his staff in recent months.
In short, too bad to be true, with that clear feeling of a group, if not divided, certainly divided. Not united. Together? No. Right into the heart of this team. And that does nothing to involve his strongest player, Nikola Mirotic.
Two further questions: is the Montenegrin doing something to get involved? Did Ettore Messina really draw something to involve the Montenegrin?
Lots of small issues, but ultimately the defense was lacking in game 1. Collective. And a bit of clarity, given that Tonut knew he could and had to foul. It’s not a trial, “Tonno” did so much more, he fought.
Olimpia is 1-0 down, they will probably turn this series around due to pride, little, superiority, a lot, wear and tear on their rivals, above all. But this start to the playoffs reminds us a lot of those of 2017 and 2019. After Capo d’Orlando and Avellino come Trento and Sassari. “Ball don’t lie”.
