In a wide-ranging chat, Sasha Vezenkov shared thoughts on Giorgos Bartzokas, EuroLeague talents like TJ Shorts, Olympiacos' culture, hot arenas, and his hopes for a Greek final.
Sasha Vezenkov, the newly-awarded EuroLeague Playoffs MVP, made a guest appearance on Pick & Talk by Stoiximan GBL, for a relaxed yet insightful conversation.
Points this season
Olympiacos Piraeus
EuroLeague
TheOlympiacos Piraeusforward touched on everything from coaches and chants to EuroLeague talent and NBA favorites.
Asked to describe Olympiacos head coach Giorgos Bartzokas in three words, Vezenkov smiled: "He's not what you see."
A cryptic but affectionate answer from a player who thrived under Bartzokas' guidance.
When quizzed on which EuroLeague player he'd love to team up with, Vezenkov chose TJ Shorts, the undersized but electrifying guard. He even doubled down, predicting Shorts as the EuroLeague player most likely to make the NBA leap in the near future.
On the toughest arenas in Europe outside the Peace and Friendship Stadium, he named Partizan's raucous home and Panathinaikos' OAKA — two of the most intense basketball environments on the continent.
In terms of rising talent from the Greek league, Vezenkov highlighted AEK's Jordan Hale as a player with EuroLeague potential.
Turning to the NBA, Vezenkov wants the Denver Nuggets to win the title — "but I believe the Boston Celtics will take it," he admitted.
When asked about the biggest trash-talker he's faced, he gave the nod to AS Monaco's Alpha Diallo. "He doesn't go overboard," he clarified. In the NBA? "Anthony Edwards."
Projecting into the future, Vezenkov was asked how many EuroLeague trophies Olympiacos will have by 2035. His answer? "Hopefully, I do."
Finally, on what makes Olympiacos stand out from other clubs, he praised the team's "family atmosphere." While other teams also have good chemistry, he believes there's something uniquely special about the bond in Piraeus.
And as for the prospect of a Greek EuroLeague final in Abu Dhabi? "It would be great, but what matters is that we're there. The rest is secondary."
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