Panathinaikos have begun laying the foundations for the new season and, as everyone emphasized, their preparations will be built around two key principles: hard work and respect.
Panathinaikos held their first official practice ahead of the new campaign on Tuesday, August 25, in an upbeat atmosphere filled with smiles and a strong desire to work. Several of the club’s new signings were present at Telekom Center, alongside the returning players, members of the coaching staff — with particular attention on Mike Batiste and Dimitris Diamantidis — and, of course, Zeljko Obradovic, who set the tone from day one.
The seven-time European champions know they have assembled one of the deepest and most talented rosters in Europe. At the same time, they have the greatest European coach of all time on their bench. Nevertheless, both “Zoc” and his players stayed away from grand declarations, focusing instead on the daily grind, teamwork and the importance of remaining united when difficult moments inevitably arise during the season.
The Serbian coach described the high expectations surrounding the new-look Panathinaikos as perfectly normal, while stressing that simply bringing together a group of high-quality players will not be enough.
“Expectations are something… normal for me. It is logical, given the players we have, but the important thing is to play as a team. Unfortunately, we will not have many days to work together as a complete group, but it is what it is. I will never complain. I have spoken with the staff and the players. Expectations are high. Our goal must be to stay united during the difficult moments, to understand that the season is long and that our daily work is very important,” he said.
The amount of time available for the entire squad to prepare together may not be what Obradovic would ideally want. Absences due to national-team commitments are a given, while Kendrick Nunn is also sidelined through injury. However, the experienced coach made it clear that he has no intention of using the schedule as an excuse. Instead, he expressed confidence in the quality and basketball IQ of his players, while underlining the need for patience.
“We will have time. These are players who already understand how to play basketball. Their quality is the reason they are here. But you always need time. You need to work on certain things, discuss them and talk. We will take it slowly and everything will be fine,” he noted.
Obradovic’s most significant statement, however, was not about matters on the court. The EuroLeague’s “Lord of the Rings” placed particular emphasis on the culture of Panathinaikos, the presence of people who know the club’s history and the need for everyone within the team to understand what the green jersey represents.
“We have some people from the past here. ‘Fragki’ is here, Diamantidis is here, Mike is here. I also have players I have worked with before. That is useful for us. The culture of Panathinaikos is special. We have to return to that and make sure everyone understands what Panathinaikos is and learns what Panathinaikos means. We have to be a team in life in general, not only in basketball. Everyone must understand that. We have to perform at the level befitting Panathinaikos. Everyone: the players, the staff and the coaches,” he declared.
Those words captured the way Obradovic intends to approach the new project. The objective is not limited to creating a group capable of operating effectively within the four lines of the court — or on the glass floor. He wants a shared mentality across the entire organization, from the players and coaching staff to everyone who works around the team on a daily basis.
Kostas Sloukas also focused on the importance of mentality. The captain of the Greek Cup winners expressed his delight at the opportunity to work with Obradovic, referred to the great memories surrounding the Serbian coach’s return and highlighted the ambition that has always defined him.
“I am particularly happy that I will work with Obradovic, while the entire Panathinaikos fanbase had also been eagerly awaiting this agreement. It brings back great memories; he spent 13 years at Panathinaikos. He has ambition on his mind, while success and hunger run through his veins. We are waiting to see whether those expectations will ultimately have the best possible outcome,” the international guard said.
The 36-year-old star also addressed the pressure that inevitably comes with representing Panathinaikos. As he underlined, competing for trophies is a permanent obligation for anyone who wears the green jersey, especially after a campaign that did not end as the club had hoped.
“When you play for Panathinaikos, you are obliged to compete for titles. Last season was not successful. There is pressure to succeed. The question is whether this mix will work. We have a very good coach, an excellent roster and incredible fans,” he stressed.
Asked what message he would like to pass on to his teammates, the Panathinaikos captain chose just one word: “There is one word: respect. It is the main ingredient a team needs in order to succeed.”
Respect was also a recurring theme in Guerschon Yabusele’s comments. The former NBA player refused to make promises about how the season would unfold, but committed to giving 100 percent in every game and in any role he is asked to fill.
“A promise? I cannot make promises; promises are not a good thing. What I can say for certain is that I will give 100 percent in every game and at every position. I will play hard, try to help us win as many games as possible, play as a team and fight for this jersey,” he initially stated.
Yabusele also echoed Sloukas’ message, emphasizing the respect everyone must show toward the team and its supporters.
“Captain Kostas Sloukas said that we have to respect one another and that all of us must respect Panathinaikos. That is absolutely true. Coming to this team, this city and this country, we know that Greece lives for basketball. Everyone watches it and is crazy about it. But we have to respect each other and play together. Above all, we have to respect the fans, the jersey and the organization, and come here ready to fight every night,” he explained.
Moustapha Fall, for his part, appeared confident that the group would develop the necessary chemistry. The experienced center highlighted the toughness he wants to bring to the team and the importance of producing positive results over the course of the season.
“Building chemistry will be easy. We will simply try to bring toughness to our game and achieve good results,” he said.
Fall also issued a rallying call to the Panathinaikos supporters, asking them to give the team their full backing.
“Come to the arena and make as much noise as possible. We will truly fight for them and give our very best. I hope we can make it happen.”
Panathinaikos’ first official practice therefore ended with smiles and an evident appetite for work, but without any rushed conclusions. Obradovic and his players acknowledged the high expectations, established teamwork as their foundation and agreed on the two principles upon which the new Panathinaikos will be built: hard work and respect.