Željko Obradović returns to Belgrade Arena as Panathinaikos’ head coach, facing Partizan, the club he led for years. Among the players waiting for him will be Carlik Jones, who still has great affection for his former coach but has no intention of making things easy for him. The hug, Jones says, will probably have to wait until after the game.
Panathinaikos arrives in Belgrade as one of the leading contenders for the EuroLeague title, but Jones is comfortable in the underdog role. He believes Partizan can compete with anyone and draws extra motivation from facing teams considered more likely to win. He’s eagerly anticipating the matchup with Obradović, hoping to spoil his team’s visit to Belgrade.
What do you expect from a game that many people say is bigger than just a regular game?
“I think we, as players, need to approach it like every other game. Sometimes, when you think of it any other way, you start overthinking things and doing things you normally wouldn’t do in a game. So I think we all need to approach it as normal. Of course, we all know our former coach is coming back. The atmosphere is going to be amazing, probably one of the best we’ll see all year. But I think we need to keep the same mentality and really focus on the game. Like I said, focusing on other things could make the difference between winning and losing for us”.
Coach Joan Peñarroya described Panathinaikos as an All-Star team with tremendous depth at every position. How do you see them?
“I see them as a good team. They’re stacked at every position. But I’m an underdog kind of guy, so I’m going to stick to that. If they feel like they’re an All-Star team, we’ll see them tomorrow. We’re going to approach the game the same way we’ve approached the last four games. I’m ready. I think we’re ready, and like I said, it’s going to be pretty exciting”.
What’s the atmosphere like within the team? By now, you know the team, the city and the fans very well. You can feel everything surrounding the club. Can you describe the mood in the locker room? The team considered the strongest in the EuroLeague right now is coming here, with a coach who means much more than just basketball to this city and this country. You know what all of that means. What’s the feeling among the players?
“Amazing. We’re all in good moods. We’re excited. Like I said, everybody’s speaking so highly of Panathinaikos. We respect them, but I feel like we’re a team that can compete with anybody. We all know that in this league, anybody can be beaten on any given night. The energy is going to be great, but they have to put their jerseys on just like we do, and they have to approach the game the same way we do. Our goal is to be physical, to set the tone first, and like I said, the rest will play its part”.
Carlik, you’ve told us many times how important motivation is to you. We saw that with your Fantasy price. Does facing Panathinaikos and Željko Obradović give you extra motivation?
“Of course. Like I said, this is another team that I’m pretty sure everybody outside of Partizan fans thinks is much better than us or ranks above us in the EuroLeague. So I think we should all use that as motivation, not just me. I’m really excited. I don’t think there are words to explain how excited I am to play tomorrow, and it’s not just because of Coach. Even if he weren’t there, that team would still be very good. Like I said, I like being the underdog, and I always want to beat the teams that are picked over us”.
How do you think Željko Obradović is doing as Panathinaikos’ coach this season?
“He’s leading that team. A lot of guys have joined Panathinaikos who would be the main guy if they were still on their previous teams or playing for another team. So I think if there’s anybody who can get those guys to adjust and work together, it’s him”.
Players want to play every game, and you’re that kind of player. But you didn’t play yesterday. How do you handle situations like that, and how did you feel about it?
“I don’t think too much about it. Coach had a conversation with me before the game. Of course, I was ready to play, but I respect his decision. Like we said, we have a big week coming up, and I just want to be ready to perform and be at my best. I watched the guys, and I love cheering them on from the sideline. They played well and did their job. So I’m just focused on tomorrow, and we’ll go from there”.
Have you prepared anything to say to Željko when you see him?
“I’ll give him a hug. I’ll let him know that I still have a lot of love for him and that I appreciate him. But I’ll probably do that after the game. I’m going to keep it professional until then”.
Carlik, you look like you can’t wait for the game to start. You’re one of the guys who sets the mood in the locker room. Do you think you’ll be able to stay calm over the next 24 or 25 hours?
“Oh yeah, man. I’m excited, but once I walk off this floor, it’s back to normal life. I have a family. I’ll go home, chill and relax with them. But I’m really excited. I’ll start thinking more about the game when I step back into the arena. Of course, I’ll approach shootaround locked in and focused, but I’m pretty sure that once I’m in the car driving to the arena, that’s when it’ll really kick in”.