By Bastian Teinert
“Do you know what the difference is between Alba and Panathinaikos? If they don’t like a player, they just get a new one. We try to make the player better.”
Alba coach Israel González (48) before the duel in the Euroleague on Friday in the Mercedes-Benz Arena against Panathinaikos Athens (8 p.m.).
Kendrick Nunn (20) was most recently under contract in the NBA with the Washington Wizards. Now he should make his debut for Panathinaikos against Alba Photo: picture alliance/AP
The best proof: The team from Athens, which is full of stars, was able to look forward to reinforcements on Tuesday. US guard Kendrick Nunn (28) was just signed at short notice and signed with the Greeks until the end of the season. Nunn played 212 NBA games for the Miami Heat, LA Lakers and Washington Wizards. He should make his debut for Athens against Alba.
And the Berliners? They are happy that all the players are healthy.
center Yanni Wetzell (27) made his comeback on Monday with the victory in Tübingen (97:81). Gonzalez: “We finally have all the big men back. Of course they are still a bit lacking in form, especially Wetzell, but it is very good that we are complete again under the basket.”
The trainer’s goal: to get better! “The big men will of course help us a lot and make us better, especially when it comes to rebounds and our physical presence under the baskets,” explains the coach.
Gonzalez knows that Alba can only survive in the Euroleague with a lot of fight and will. Like the first win against Milan (85:82) and the very decent performance despite the defeat in Valencia (71:79).
The Berliners lost six top performers before the season and are in the middle of rebuilding with many young players. Gonzalez: “One day we want to win the Euroleague. But this only happens step by step. Our path must be to make our young players better. We just don’t have the money to sign stars at Euroleague level.”
Just like Athens! Nevertheless, Alba can hold its own against Panathinaikos and win. Then the Berliners (1 win, 5 defeats) would even be level on points with the Greeks (2 wins, 4 defeats).