After Olympiacos’ latest title win, the Angelopoulos brothers praised coach Georgios Bartzokas’ stability, expressed admiration for Alec Peters while leaving his future open, and said a potential friendly with the New York Knicks would depend on NBA approval and is not simple to arrange.
Olympiacos Piraeus claimed their third EuroLeague title on Sunday in the Angelopoulos brothers’ leadership era.
Olympiacos Piraeus / Schedule
Greek billionaire brothers Giorgos and Panagiotis Angelopoulos have been involved in Olympiacos’ administration since 2004 and became full owners of the club in 2009.
Under their leadership, the team has won multiple Greek League and Greek Cup titles, along with back-to-back EuroLeague championships in 2012 and 2013, and has since added another EuroLeague crown.
Following the latest major triumph, the brothers spoke to Sport24, addressing several key topics about the club’s present and future.
On how long head coach Georgios Bartzokas will stay, Giorgos Angelopoulos said: “I think that’s not the issue. I was afraid he would leave last year; that was our main concern. It came very close, but we managed to prevent it.”
Panagiotis Angelopoulos also commented on Bartzokas: “The negotiations are not financial. We share a common philosophy. We have never had long financial discussions with Bartzokas.”
Credit ZUMAPRESS.com – Scanpix
Panagiotis also addressed the situation of power forward Alec Peters, who has been linked with a move to Olimpia Milano: “That is the player’s decision, as his contract is expiring. We love him, and the fans showed their support as well.
“There have been no discussions since the Final Four. He proved his value there too, both as a stretch four and a three-point shooter – his role was crucial.”
He added: “It’s difficult to expect Alec to always deliver at the same level for so many years. It’s not easy playing behind Sasha Vezenkov, the EuroLeague MVP, but he is clearly an important part of the team.”
Credit REUTERS – Scanpix
Finally, on the idea of a friendly game against the New York Knicks, Panagiotis Angelopoulos said: “Nikos Tsakos is an enthusiastic person, and I would like it to happen, but it’s not that simple. The NBA makes those decisions. I don’t know when it last happened.
“Some teams do come to Europe for friendlies. Whether it happens in New York or elsewhere, especially given the large Greek diaspora there, we’ll have to see.”
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