Lakovic, of course: “We have to face the game with life or death”

The highest technical manager of the Claretian team, Jaka Lakovic, assured this Friday that “the game in Bilbao was not how we wanted, it is not how we want to be, it was a clear defeat and, for that reason, the weeks are also long. In addition to working and preparing things, you can stay a lot in the game that has just happened.”

«You no longer cut the week and play the next game to change these feelings, you have to live with this all week and sometimes it takes a long time, but we have also had time to rest, prepare for this game with desire and ambition because home games We have to win them, while in away games we have to go with the intention of competing very well because we are going to play against teams that will fight to be there or not and it is not easy,” analyzed the Slovenian coach before the media. in the press room of the Gran Canaria Arena.

Questioned about the bipolarity of accumulating eight consecutive victories at the Gran Canaria Arena and chaining four consecutive defeats away from the island, focusing on whether it was a problem of concentration, the Claretian coach said that “more than concentration, of these four defeats away from home I would separate the Tenerife game a little, where I thought we were focused, competing very well and we could also deserve more than what we got. More than concentration, I think it is the mentality of being from minute one to 40 going for it, both on a physical level and in intensity.«.

«If you don’t start like this, then it’s difficult and we know that in the Endesa League if you are not at 100% any team can beat you, especially Bilbao, which has won the last six games at home and is always a difficult field, but I would say that our mentality to face away games, which are normally more difficult. Here we have our people behind us and it always seems that the team is more engaged, with an extra gear when it is time to come back with our people. “I think this is what is missing at home,” he added.

Regarding the team led by Natxo Lezkano, who will appear on the island with two wins in the last three league dates, Lakovic believes that “Andorra is a team that competes very well, they have personnel that is very talented, especially in the perimeter with Harding, Montero, Okoye and Borg“, his best outside shooters in the last five games.”

«In the position of four the intensity of Tyson Perez that in our first game he was not there and inside Marige, who is having a good season. This makes them a competitive and dangerous team.as long as you don’t pay attention and respect to them, that’s why we have to face the game with life or death because all these six remaining games are going to decide who and in what position will be in the playoffs.

Regarding the former yellow player Jean Montero, who declared his rebellion last summer and did not want to return to Granca, he noted that “we understand that players are always motivated to play against their old team, but Montero has a lot of quality, a lot of talent and his role on the team, both as a scorer and as a playmaker, is very important.“That’s why we have to be very attentive and focused to defend him not only on an individual level but as a team.”

«I don’t know, I already closed this issue, since summer for me it has been over and it was resolved as it was resolved. I can’t know how our people may feel, I think they may have felt a little upset, like everyone, not only because of the resolution and the final decision, which can be one or the other and it is understood, but always the way of doing things comes first. But it has happened, the fans will receive him as they see fit and for us to simply concentrate on what we are doing, on the game and doing it as best as possible during the 40 minutes, that’s it,” he said after being questioned about the reception that the Dominican outsider will receive. .

Lakovic elaborated that «We can all imagine what would have happened if, but it is difficult to comment. Since the preseason and since this issue ended, I stopped thinking about it and we have faced the season without him. Now I don’t even consider thinking about that because there are many more other things to think about.

The tribute to Jaycee Carroll

Lakovic referred to the recognition that the Gran Canaria Basketball Club will make to former North American player Jaycee Carroll, who left an indelible mark in the two seasons he defended the yellow jersey. «Yes, Jaycee Carroll has left a good legacy here, also outside Gran Canaria, but the people will receive him in a big way. We are psyched first to secure the Playoff, we know how things are unlike one match with Murcia and Tenerife and unlike two with Baskonia, which is out of the Playoff. “We will be prepared to compete and secure our place in the Playoff and then see our position.”

«I think that the enthusiasm of everyone and, above all, of the fans who have followed Granca all these years and seeing all these players grow in the ACB League and Europe, I think it creates a huge illusion. And with this enthusiasm, added to everything, a domino effect is created that also affects the team when it comes to putting all the effort and intensity into the game,” concluded the Balkan coach.