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Euroleague.net interview: Mike Batiste, Panathinaikos
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When the going gets tough, there isn't a team on the planet that wouldn't want power forward Mike Batiste of Panathinaikos in uniform. The defending champs have had it so tough in the Top 16 that they must win against Partizan in Belgrade on Wednesday or give up the Euroleague crown. But they have Batiste in uniform, and his personal Top 16 couldn't be much better. He ranks third among all Top 16 players in performance index rating and second in two-point shooting accuracy while leading the Greens in both scoring and rebounding. A stand-up performer on the court, Batiste was just as professional off it while talking with Euroleague.net about the situation that the champs must confront on Wednesday in Belgrade. "The road to a Final Four is never picture perfect," Batiste said. "There are always going to be bumps and bruises along the way. This is just part of the scenario we have to go through. We put ourselves in this situation, and the only way to get back to normal is to work our way out of it. We understand the situation, we're focused and we're ready to play."
Hi Mike. First, everyone wants to know how you guys feel going to Belgrade to try to keep the season alive against Partizan?
"We feel good, but at the same time, we do not underestimate Partizan at all. They are a good team and a young team that plays with a lot of energy and fights every single second they are on the court. If we don't match their energy it will be a long night for us. We know it will be difficult, but we have been in a lot of difficult situations before and we are willing to get the job done tomorrow."
You've had three previous games with Partizan this season, all close, but you won them all. Is that a good sign for you?
"Yeah, but at same time Partizan knows that without making one turnover or getting one extra possession they could have won those games. We have to really be careful against them. They are a dangerous team. But like you said, we beat them three times, so we know we can do the job for the fourth."
After three games against them, what do you expect from Partizan on Wednesday?
"I expect, first of all, for them to play extremely hard. The crowd they play in front of at home is one of the most unbelievable crowds in Europe. The people of Serbia love basketball and they push their team to play to the best of their ability. But we've played in hostile environments before and we know what we've got to do."
And what exactly does Panathinaikos need to do to win in a tough gym like Pionir this time?
"First of all, we've got to make sure not to let them have second-chance points. They are a good offensive rebounding team. We also have to avoid turnovers, which are one of big reasons why we've been struggling in this round. We're averaging almost 17 turnovers a game. We're the kind of team that needs to score to put pressure on an opponent, so we have to cut to down the turnovers, and if we can do this tomorrow night, it'll be an advantage for us."
Is you team's experience an advantage going into the game?
"Of course, we've got to make experience work for us against such a good team. This is a team that fights and has talent. Their post man, Nikola Pekovic, is having a great season. Milt Palacio at guard keeps the fire going for them. Then you got Uros Tripkovic, Milenko Tepic and Dusan Kecman on the perimeter, all of them dangerous. Of course, they know they are playing against a better team, but at the same time, they aren't the kind of players to complain. They just fight hard, and that's the reason they win. They go 100 percent until the game is over and what happens, happens."
Is it fair to say Panathinaikos didn't expect to be in this situation? Looking back, did you realize it was such a tough Top 16 draw?
"I can say yes and no. It was tough but fair because of the players we have. Regardless, the road to a Final Four is never picture perfect. There are always going to be bumps and bruises along the way. This is just part of the scenario we have to go through. We put ourselves in this situation, and the only way to get back to normal is to work our way out of it. We understand the situation, we're focused and we're ready to play."
As a frontcourt guy, you would know better than anyone: how much have the injuries to big men Dejan Tomasevic and Kostas Tsartsaris affected Panathinaikos in the Top 16?
"They have really affected us a lot, especially for a guy like me, playing inside, who now must carry most of the load instead of getting help from them. They are guys who know their roles on the team and what's expected of them. Dejan was out most of the season, but Kostas is someone we are really missing in this round. He's another defender down low, another rebounder and another three-point shooter. He can guard the five, four and even three spots if needed. His versatility as a big man is something. We're missing a lot with him out."
Pionir Arena might be the closest in crowd similarity to OAKA in all the world. Some players prefer that loud atmosphere, even as visitors, because it gets their adrenaline working. How about you?
"It's the same for me, yeah. We play for the fans, first of all, whether in Greece, Italy, Spain or Serbia. And the energy that the Serbian fans of Partizan bring to the game is unbelievable. There a are 8,000 or so of them, not an empty seat, and they are singing and chanting, on their feet, behind their team every minute. That gives the opposing team energy, too. I love to play these types of games in a full gym with so much atmosphere, and I'm eager to play this one."
Now that you are in the thick of trying to do it for the first time, what can you say about how difficult it is to repeat as Euroleague champion?
"It's more difficult than you think. Last year, we were the hunter. We were hungry and wanted to go out and win everything. We are still hungry, but at the same time, we are the hunted now. Every team in Europe and every domestic team wants to beat you. It's like you are a marked man every single game. To become the Euroleague champ means making history for any team. For that reason, there's a lot more pressure this year than last."
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Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Frank Lawlor, Euroleague.net
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