Why PAO is much worse this season?
Many people, especially the Panathinaikos fans expected this to be THE SEASON. I mean, they were for 2 consecutive seasons almost reaching the Final 4, finishing at 4th position and having the bad luck to meet in the playoff, each year, the strongest teams. They were trashed in the playoff series by Fenerbahce and next year, by Real Madrid, teams who eventually won the Euroleague title the last 2 editions.
This year started with joy and hope for PAO, but after 10 rounds it looks like a nightmare and the goal of the Final 4 this year is so, so far. We have the eternal contenders, CSKA, Real Madrid, Olympiacos and Fenerbahce, but even more, other teams like Anadolu Efes, Olimpia Milano, Zalgiris, Barcelona and Baskonia are keeping the eyes on the Euroleague title. With so many competitors, it will be even harder for Panathinaikos to qualify for the final event in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
But let’s take a deeper look at the changes operated by the Greek team this summer. They’ve kept on the roster a number of 8 players, especially Greeks and they finished the contract with 7 American players, most of them with NBA or Euroleague experience (Mike James, K.C. Rivers, ZachAuguste, Kenny Gabriel, Chris Singleton, Marcus Denmon, Adreian Payne). Instead of them, PAO brings in a combination of Americans and local players like (Old) Keith Langford, (Grandpa) Stephane Lasme, DeShaun Thomas, Ioannis Papapetrou and Georgios Papagiannis (who scores just 2 ppg.).
For you to see better the difference I made a powerpoint where it is more than clear why PAO roster is weaker this year. So how the management could expect better perfomances? I don’t say that all the Americans from last season had to be kept, but they all vanished and in their place, I see other “stars” who ruin the chances of PAO to be up in the European competition. Or maybe this is the meaning, to relax this year, to be there just to be there, because, anyway, you have an A Licence for Euroleague and if it will be possible in 2020 or 2021 to organize the Final 4 in Athens and win it!
Gratian Cormos, info@brainbasketball.net
