Shabazz Napier spoke after the fifth round of the ABA League in which Partizan and Crvena Zvezda faced off.
For the second time this season, Crvena Zvezda left the court with their heads down after a duel with Partizan. On Monday evening, the black and white team secured a win by 98-87. Shabazz Napier was the top scorer in the losing team with 23 points and had eight assists.
“We were close; we made a good run in the third quarter, but we couldn’t turn it around. It was tough for us because we missed shots, and individually, we couldn’t do much,” said Napier. He then added:
“I’m trying to help the team but also to understand why I’m shooting so poorly. In the end, I’ll figure out what the problem is.”
When asked about the problem, he responded, “In my opinion, this is a new team, and I’m trying to understand when to be aggressive, when not to, to grasp the rhythm, new plays, teammates, the coach… I’m trying to figure out how to be most effective for the team. Right now, I’m struggling, and it’s a shame. I’m putting in the most effort I can, I’m not missing shots on purpose. If I’m not making shots, I try to get my teammates involved. But I’ll figure it out. It’s not good to be in this position, but I know I’ll get out of it.”
He was also asked about the difference between Dusko Ivanovic and Ioannis Sfairopoulos.
“The biggest difference is that Sfairopoulos gives a spark to every player, in a positive sense. It doesn’t matter if you’re the first or last player; he believes in them. Dusko believed too, but now we talk more. We understand that every player is important. It’s one of the first things Ioannis told us when he came, that all players are important, and we need to start winning.”
Regarding what the team needs to do after two losses in derbies, he said, “We didn’t want to lose, everyone is trying to figure out how to be the best for the team. We have stretches where we are good, but then we have moments when we struggle offensively, defensively, with rotations… It’s tough; everyone is fighting and trying to win. We will solve this. Each of us works hard, it’s not good to be in this situation. We’re all frustrated because of this, but we will get out of it.”
In the next game, Crvena Zvezda faces Bayern in Munich in the sixth round of the EuroLeague.