In the end everything went according to plan: the party in Milan for title number 31the regrets of Bologna for a final that took its way home Olympia when at a certain point everything foreshadowed a different epilogue. But the values, those that emerged on the field, did not leave room for many recriminations: too long, profound and (perhaps) talented the EA7 to think you can give way to one Virtus who also sold his life dearly, but sooner or later had to come up against his own limits. Those limits than for long stretches of the season Luca Banchi has hidden it admirablybut which in the decisive moments of the series (and in general of the season) came out without too many frills.
Messina’s revenge: in the end the season saved it
He won Milan, and it’s a relief for too Ettore Messina. That on the grill he was there for a good part of the way, while harboring a strong hope that the ending would be worthy of the club’s history and coat of arms. How far away are the controversies at the end of 2023 now, with the resignations announced and then instantly withdrawn, indeed seasoned by the announcement of the extension of the agreement in the guise of President of Basketball Operations.
Hard for anyone to remove Hector from the armchair: in the end he brought the numbers back, even if for some the scudetto was the basic objective, the minimum wage to “save” the season. That for Milan he recounted many tribulations: the ballet on the play first, the injuries of Mirotic and Shields then, the failure to qualify for the post season Euroleague and also the (net) defeats in Super Cup and Italian Cup. It remained the same scudetto with lifeline and Olympia he knew how to take advantage of the opportunity. Also because those who had been called to make a difference in the meantime have decided to enter the scene.
Mirotic, but not only: these are the real objectives of Milan
Nikola Mirotic it was the blow with which Milan he had decided to send a message to the rest of the continent. But in Europe the former Barcelona player flopped (even through no fault of his own), while in Italy he found himself at the right time. It is right to attribute to him the LBA Finals MVP title: what was done in the two evenings in Milan was something that is rarely seen in these latitudes, two tests of pure talent to reiterate to the whole world that, if the physique holds up, Mirotic he can be devastating against any defense. The Montenegrin took the team by the hand at the right time and led it towards a comfortable progress.
The fact that though Olimpia is heading towards a half market revolution (The giant is coming Nebo and the point guard Dimitrijevic) testifies that many things will have to change to make a concentration of undisputed talent perform at its best (think of Shields, Hall And Napier) with chosen praetorians (Melli above all) and honest followers who know what they are doing (Flaccadors docet). If he were to come back too Danilo Gallinari, then the bar will be raised even higher.
Bologna, there is a roster to rebuild (and rejuvenate)
There Virtus does not emerge diminished by the lost final (the third in a row: paradoxically Bologna the one in which they started the most underdog in the forecast wonor the first of the 4 lined up), but what we have seen in the series certainly demonstrates that the gap with Milan is there.
Shengelia he screwed up game 4, even though before that he did things that aren’t always seen in these latitudes. Belinelli serves the 38 springs and cannot always and only be the man who solves problems, while Lundberg And Lanyard they have demonstrated that they deserve trust, but that they cannot resolve certain issues alone. At the level of roster, it was known that Olimpia was superior: having thrown away game 1 in overtime made the path of Virtus too impervious and ended up delivering to EA7 the way to turn things in your favor.
Banchi’s accusation: “We were penalized throughout the series”
Luca Banchi this year he gave a face to one Virtus exited with broken bones Scariolo affair. And at the end of the series that awarded him the scudetto he admitted that he felt a little harassed by the referees, although he was the first to know that it was difficult to do more than that. “We were penalized a bit throughout the series, but we fought with great pride and we can say that we are going out with our heads held high. Talent, dedication and sacrifice cannot be measured only in the presence of victories: I will always say thank you to my boys for being able to make me experience a very long season, which seems to have lasted 10 years instead of 9 months”.
Words that some interpret as a farewell signal (in Europe there’s a queue to pick up Desks), but the Virtus however, she will be called upon to make important choices: the renewal of the sponsorship Segafredo it’s a sign that there is a desire to continue competing. Although bridge the gap with Milan it will become more and more complicated.
 and is waiting for Gallinari. Banchi launches an accusation){kind=link}