With a €60 million roster and extraordinary talent, many expected this season’s Panathinaikos to be defined by their offense. Željko Obradović had other ideas: relentless defense, clear principles and meticulous attention to detail. The Serbian coach has reintroduced himself by staying true to his identity.
The conversation around Panathinaikos this summer naturally began with the marquee names, the cost of the roster and the players’ offensive potential. With so much quality on one team, expectations of high scores and spectacular basketball were inevitable.
Željko Obradović, however, established his own priorities from the outset. Through five EuroLeague rounds, with Panathinaikos a perfect 5-0, their defining feature has been the seriousness with which they approach every defensive assignment.
The Serbian’s return to Partizan provided a particularly revealing test. Obradović received a rapturous reception at an arena where his ties remain strong, then watched his team dictate the contest. The 72-55 victory was Panathinaikos’ first away win against Partizan since 2010 and preserved their unbeaten record. Above all, it showcased a group that understood how to handle a demanding night.
Talent comes with responsibilities
Panathinaikos have a wealth of options, but their collective value lies in how they fit together. The players follow shared principles, communicate at both ends, make adjustments as games unfold and take on responsibilities that a glance at the box score can easily overlook. Ball pressure, a properly executed switch and a timely reaction away from the ball all demand sustained concentration. Obradović expects the considerable talent at his disposal to serve that collective structure on every possession.
That is one of the most compelling aspects of this team. With so many established players, the distribution of responsibilities shapes cohesion long before it influences the final score. So far, everyone appears to be finding a way to contribute, even without a prominent offensive role. Different lineups can maintain the intensity, allowing the coach to make changes without compromising his core principles. Everyone looks in sync, working towards the same objective.
That depth was tested in Belgrade without three important players: Kostas Sloukas, Kendrick Nunn and Isaac Bonga. Even so, Panathinaikos maintained their concentration and held Partizan to 55 points. The achievement becomes more significant considering the hosts had averaged 86.5 points before the game. The visitors’ defense fundamentally changed the conditions in which Partizan could run their offense.
Nigel Hayes-Davis, Juancho Hernangómez and Mathias Lessort each demonstrated that commitment in different ways. Moustapha Fall provided valuable support in the second half, underlining the importance of having alternatives with different skill sets and genuine variety within the group.
Once again, Panathinaikos could change personnel and find fresh answers. Their performance remained cohesive, with the players recognising what the team needed at each stage of the contest to secure a commanding road win.
Obradović keeps his focus on the court
A start like this inevitably fuels the debate about title favourites across European basketball. Obradović, however, offered a clear response at his postgame press conference.
“Everyone has the right to express their opinion, name their favourites and make their own assessments. I don’t pay attention to that. I focus on what happens on the court and work with people who are fully committed to their jobs.”
The comments explain how the greatest coach of all time is approaching this particular team. Expectations come with his name and the scale of Dimitris Giannakopoulos’ investment. Yet Obradović chooses to direct attention towards the things Panathinaikos can control: preparation, collaboration and each player’s improvement. That also makes his admission that the Partizan game was their “worst offensively” particularly telling. Even after a comfortable road victory, his assessment remains demanding and precise.
Equally significant were his comments about the working environment across the organisation.
“I have to say, in all honesty, that I work at a club that has given me the opportunity to focus exclusively on what happens on the court.”
European basketball’s “Lord of the Rings” linked that freedom to the support provided to the players, allowing them to concentrate solely on basketball. He was describing an environment designed to protect their focus and support the daily work.
The first results are already visible on the floor. Panathinaikos combine physicality with clear thinking, keep their hands active and treat defense as a shared responsibility. That allows them to win even when their offense lacks the rhythm they want.
Five games, of course, are not enough to judge a season. That reminder has been a recurring theme in public comments, with the team still at the beginning of a long journey. The early evidence is nevertheless enough to identify its priorities.
This Panathinaikos team has the talent to deliver spectacular offensive basketball. Already, though, it is winning through discipline, teamwork and attention to detail. Obradović is back, and his standards are evident on every defensive possession.