Codi Miller-McIntyre impressed against Anadolu Efes (8 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 0 turnovers), giving Georgios Bartzokas a first meaningful glimpse of what he can offer by combining his playmaking with greater aggression.
Codi Miller-McIntyre did not start well against Anadolu Efes, and Georgios Bartzokas took him out before five minutes had even elapsed at SUNEL Arena. When he returned for the second half, however, he made a different impact and offered a glimpse of things to come. He sparked the third-quarter surge and helped Olympiacos secure an emphatic 89–66 victory, delivering his best EuroLeague performance in red and white so far this season.
For the experienced guard, the main value of this night lies in its potential as a starting point. The 32-year-old knows the demands of the competition and has already established his credentials as a playmaker. Adjusting to the reigning European and Greek champions, though, requires more than finding the right pass. To become an asset to an elite team, you have to understand when the group needs you to organise the offence, when it needs you to threaten the basket yourself, and how much intensity you must bring to every defensive possession.
After three years across Baskonia and Crvena Zvezda, Miller-McIntyre took the big step last summer, signing a lucrative contract worth more than $2 million per year. The move brought a dual challenge: to absorb Bartzokas’ philosophy and fill Thomas Walkup’s shoes at point guard. It is a role that carries responsibility for ball movement, decision-making and the first line of defence. Getting familiar with his teammates and the coach’s expectations is, naturally, part of that process.
His playmaking was already evident over the first three rounds of the EuroLeague. He dished out 6 assists against Baskonia, another 6 against Zalgiris and 8 in Bologna. His overall influence, however, remained below what he was capable of offering. He scored 2, 4 and 0 points respectively, shooting a combined 3-for-10 from the field and committing 8 turnovers. The willingness to create was there, but Olympiacos needed greater assertiveness from their ball-handler and a more consistent presence at the defensive end.
He had approached the adjustment with composure. “I feel ready, but it is still early in the season. As we have seen in previous years, how you start the season does not matter as much as how you finish it. Every player needs time to absorb a new system,” he had stressed shortly before the season opener. His words put the adaptation process into perspective. The next step required a more complete performance on the court.
That came against Efes. “CMM” finished with 8 points on 4-for-6 shooting, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and no turnovers. Above all, he was central to the spell that allowed Olympiacos to impose themselves after the break. His individual production went hand in hand with the team’s improvement, and his decisions showed the clarity a coach needs from his point guard.
This is where the real benefit lies for Bartzokas’ game plan. A ball-handler who attacks the basket decisively forces the defence to pay closer attention to him. He can draw help, pull a second defender out of position and create better opportunities for the next pass. For Miller-McIntyre, his own scoring threat can strengthen the very thing he does best: creating for others.
His ability in that department already has a place in the history books. On February 8, 2024, playing for Baskonia against ASVEL, he delivered an extraordinary 20 assists to set the EuroLeague single-game record. The task now is to fit that quality into Olympiacos’ needs: to recognise scoring opportunities with the same readiness with which he looks for an open teammate.
His individual defence, meanwhile, remains an area where he needs consistency—and that is a must for Bartzokas. Pressure on the opposing ball-handler, concentration and sustained physical engagement have to accompany his creative contribution.
The upcoming road double-header against Valencia and Barcelona immediately offers a demanding benchmark, with tests against guards such as TJ Shorts and Kevin Punter. Against Efes, Miller-McIntyre received the confidence boost he needed and delivered an initial response.
Now he has to turn that second half at SUNEL Arena into a more familiar sight. With aggression, clear decisions and defensive focus, his role in Bartzokas’ plans can continue to grow.
