Sasa Obradovic spoke at a press conference after the third-round EuroLeague game in which Monaco visited Crvena Zvezda.
After the final buzzer, the score was 82-76 in favor of the French team, marking their first EuroLeague win of the season.
“I think we deserved to win. It was a very tough game. After the loss to Virtus, we lost confidence, which you could see in the first half today. Some rebounds gave Crvena Zvezda an advantage, but we regained control in the second half. We reduced turnovers, and that made the difference in the end,” said Sasa Obradovic.
“This is a basketball festival, unfortunately, both Serbian teams lost, and maybe it was a bit of luck that we won. After the Virtus game, I was thinking about how I’d go back home. This is a basketball country, people love basketball and live for it. I am completely sure that both Partizan and Crvena Zvezda, with this kind of fan support, will find their way,” added Obradovic.
What happened in the first two EuroLeague games?
“People don’t know the problems we’ve had; it’s not easy to explain with a simple sentence. We had no preparation; our preparations began through the French league. We also had problems with players who made a difference, like Jordan Loyd. New players need to get accustomed, but such a start isn’t uncommon. Partizan started the same way last year and was one step away from the Final Four. This game can be a turning point for us.
Artificial stories are being created that we are the top favorites to win the EuroLeague. We need to lower the expectations. It’s a long journey, I know what I have and what I don’t, and what I would like to have. I’ll do my best to get the maximum out of it. If someone were to ask me, I would be satisfied with making it to the playoffs.”
Sasa Obradovic about mixed feelings
“It’s really not easy for me; I can’t describe how I feel inside. I have a certain kind of sadness towards the team that is my childhood, my youth, and my upbringing. I am completely sure that even this loss is just part of the process. They have a new team, and it takes time for that to settle. I’m sure they will be even better.”
“Ambitions are high, but patience is required for everything. The key is for everyone to be patient, but it’s not easy here. We need to support each other and stand behind both losses and victories. That’s the only way to achieve something great.
I would probably still be here if things were different. I’m sorry; every part, and before each game, leaves some regret for what I didn’t experience, even though I really wanted to,” said Sasa Obradovic.
Sasa Obradović about Monaco’s defense and Kemba Walker
“We have a lot of quality, and I can’t complain too much about our defense except for Virtus. The bigger problem was our offense. I can’t remember when we scored below 70 points in the worst cases. That has been a problem throughout this period, and it’s good that people understand the importance of playing defense. Offensive talent is definitely there. Mike James behaves a bit differently, a completely different person; I just can’t say it in front of him. This won’t get to him; he won’t be translating Serbian.
We lost games where we were outrebounded; we should have had a chance, as we did until the end. I think it would be simpler to gain an advantage in rebounding, and we shouldn’t have had turnovers.”
“We’ll see when he can perform at that level; it’s his first game. I don’t know when he last played, but you can see that he lacks the competitive rhythm, maybe a bit of conditioning. All in all, the biggest name, at least based on what he did in the NBA, is with us. Whether he can play the way he did in America, I’m very happy to have that kind of person in the team and around me,” Sasa Obradovic concluded.
The next challenge for the team from the “Principality” in the premier European competition will be Berlin’s Alba on French soil.