Time to make memories

May 25, 2012

Is everybody ready for Final Four weekend? I certainly am! You work all season with this goal in mind, focusing on getting to the Final Four, and now that it's so close, you just want to be there and win! Personally, I would rather have a shorter time in between the playoffs and the Final Four, although it really doesn't matter, because it's the same for all teams, so there's no advantages or disadvantages. But there is so much anticipation leading up to the Final Four, you just want to start playing! The other reason that I am excited to get back to this event is that last time I was there, I left with a sour taste in my mouth -- and I still have it! It was 2008 and we were up big on Maccabi in the semifinal, but we just didn't play the second half, and lost. I have always felt like we let a big opportunity get away from us. Now, I am hoping we make up for last time and do something special.

The truth is that in 2008, it was great until the end of that semifinal game. It was a great experience and a lot of fun getting there, but after we lost, I couldn't enjoy myself at all. I always believed we should have been in the final, and thought all that season that we were one of the teams that matched up well with CSKA, the eventual winner. Sure, we might have lost the final, but it would have been great to try. What hurts is never knowing. I would like a different memory of the Final Four to replace that one for me now. That's why we are going to Barcelona this week very hungry. I have my reasons, my teammate Rimas Kaukenas couldn't play in 2008 due to an injury, so you know he's excited to get back. Bo McCalebb went there last year, played great, but lost two games. He wants to know what it feels like to win, too.

We just have to make sure we're ready, and I know that we will be. We've seen Bo, after he was out two months with an injury, getting better every day in practice. He's got his speed and aggressiveness back. We saw Malik Hairston explode in the playoffs. He came on at the perfect time, right when we needed another scorer and a guy helping on the boards. The same with Marko Jaric, whose great touch and feel for the game came back, in the playoffs, with perfect timing. In that sense, we are in better shape now than at any time all season. We're excited and thing we have a great opportunity to do some special stuff.

We've played against our semifinals opponent, Panathinaikos, a lot over the years, so we feel pretty familiar with them. They've made some changes, but for the most part have some of the same players they've had for years. We have beaten them some, it's true, but they are a team that has won the Euroleague more than once, and in that sense, we are not at their level yet. We have to stop them Friday to get there. It's a great rivalry, with two great coaches, and this year, our friend Romain Sato, who played with us for four years, on their side. This will be the first time we ever play against him and that will be strange at first. We're happy he's there, but friendship goes out the door as soon as we walk on the floor. As good a friend as he may be, for once we are hoping that he loses. Even if it's your brother on the other team, you go out there and do everything you can to win.

Of course, off the court the Final Four will be a huge party for those who are attending. I've got family and friends coming from the U.S. this time. For some of my friends, it's the first time they will see European basketball live. That's always fun for them, and for me to see their reaction. During the playoffs, in fact, I had my high school coach at the last two games in Siena, and it was the first time for him, too. Everyone who comes here from the U.S. is amazed, first at the crowd and then at the level of basketball we play. They kind of have that stereotype of European basketball being a little softer than what it is, but they learn quick. They are always impressed with the physicality of basketball here and how high the skill levels are. All they see in the U.S. is college basketball and the NBA. They don't see this, and when they do, they understand it's totally different, and a pleasant surprise for them. So there's another motivation for me, to have the people closest to me in the stands, and to hopefully share something big with them.

Now, enough talk, let's play some basketball!

POSTED BY

SHAUN STONEROOK - SIENA, ITALY

DATE:

Monday, May 02, 2011