Miikka Muurinen will not get playing time in the Euroleague.
Partizan’s Miikka Muurinen has become familiar with the bench. PDO
Miikka Muurinen once again sat on the bench for Partizan when the Belgrade club visited Hapoel Tel Aviv’s away ground in Sofia.
The head coach Željko Obradović couldn’t find a suitable replacement for the Finnish teenager in the match that ended in Partizan’s defeat 84–97.
The youngster’s playing time was zero. In the previous Euro match against Paris Basketball, Muurinen was on the court for only 36 seconds.
– Even the fact that he is named among the 12 players is a really hard performance. It must be remembered that he is only an 18-year-old player with practically no experience in the Euroleague basket, Antero Lehto start.
In his first four Euroleague games, Muurinen has played an average of less than two minutes and scored a total of one point from the free throw line.
As an average, it means 0.25 points per match.
– In any case, there is no reason to worry. However, he has been able to get minutes in the Adriatic League quite effectively. However, it is the main series for him, Lehto continues.
Develops in training
On Wednesday, Obradović gave a debut to the new acquisition Bruno for Fernando. The Angolan, who has played more than 220 NBA games, gives a measure of what kind of teammates Muurinen is fighting for playing time with.
– Partizan is trying to win the Euroleague, and there are really tough signings. It’s quite understandable that the 18-year-old still doesn’t get playing time in such a tough team.
In the ranks of Partizan, for example, in the shirt of Germany, they have won World Cup and European Championship gold Isaac Bonga and led Serbia to Olympic bronze Vanja Marinković.
According to Lehto, Muurinen develops just by training with friends of this level.
– The most important thing is that he is constantly involved in an extremely competitive environment.
Muurinen has been given more responsibility in the Adriatic League. PDO
Lehto admitted that the EC final tournament is probably of a lower level than the Euroleague for club teams.
– The Euroleague is played by really tough former NBA players. There are experienced and qualified guys there. In a way, the Euroleague is tougher because there are so many American players.
Finland’s head coach Lassi Tuovi found more use for Muurinen than Obradović in the European Championships.
– You can’t think of it in such black and white terms. Of course, his role hit the spot in Susijeng.
Tough place
When there is no playing time at all, the athlete finds himself in a tough place mentally.
– Of course it is extremely heavy. It’s difficult to be in a role where you can’t foresee the moment when you would be able to play, says Lehto.
– Especially for a young player, pressure can pile up when he wants to show everything he can in the shortest possible time. Then it’s easy to squeeze too much. I hope Miikka can handle this matter correctly.
Lehto does not want to give any specific schedule within which Muurinen should get on the field in the Euroleague as well.
– If the minutes were to drop drastically in the Adriatic League, one would have to wonder if Partizan was the optimal choice for this year.
Muurinen’s casting hit the spot in Susijengi. Jussi Saarinen
Even if the season is spent on the bench, after that Muurinen is still only 19 years old.
So nothing is lost. In addition, Partizan’s 65-year-old Serbian coach has a long history of polishing diamonds.
– Obradović really cares about Muurisen. Loud text comes out all the time – whether it went well or badly.
– If the coach didn’t say anything, it would tell in those countries that they don’t really care anymore.