Table of Contents
2024-10-05 08:00:00
DESCRIBED – Beyond the final result, find out what our journalist liked most and what he didn’t like at the Adidas Arena on Friday, during Paris Basketball‘s great debut in the Euroleague.
FAVORITE
Shorts, like a big one
From the height of his 75 meters, TJ Shorts looked like a giant on Friday, during “his” Paris Basket’s 77-80 defeat against Etoile Rouge. This is also the term used by his coach, Tiago Splitter, to describe him. The question was about his minor injury and his return to the locker room: “He’s a warrior, he’s a giant. He had a little problem but he came back“. And he almost let the Parisians make the decision. In any case, it was he who brought his team back to -3 at the start of the last minute, before… a bad pass that sealed some hopes of the Parisians Parisians. Yet, the MVP of the 2023 Champions League, then MVP of the 2024 Eurocup, demonstrated that he has his place in the big table, in the Euroleague with 16 points at 6/11, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 interceptions.
Read alsoBasketball: for its great debut in the Euroleague, Paris Basketball lost on the wire… in Belgrade-sur-Seine
Impeccable off the pitch
It was the big night. Winner of the Eurocup in 2024, Paris Basketball has won the right to compete in the Euroleague, “the best league outside of the NBA, and on some nights, maybe even better», as David Kahn told us before the meeting. “It’s a very special moment. We are all very proud“he added, evoking a level of excitement at “11 out of 10“. And this great evening went smoothly for the young Parisian club, founded in 2018. New store at the Adidas Arena, new logo, new women’s team… Everything happens very quickly. But Paris Basketball is keen to take care of “the experience» of those who come to watch their matches. The mapping on the scoreboards before the match, the banners to celebrate the Eurocup and Leaders Cup titles, the concert after the match… No false news. And also a great atmosphere. But it wasn’t just thanks to the Parisians…
Nedovic almost perfect
No Milos Teodosic to grace the Adidas Arena with his magic tricks. No matter, Red Star benefited from the push of another Serbian international, Nemanja Nedovic. At 33, he gave his all coming off the bench, fueling his team’s comeback in the second half. 21 points at 5/6 beyond the arc of the circle. Add to that a 2/2 two-pointer and also a flawless shot (2/2), and it’s a near-perfect night.
CLAWS STRIKES
The Serbian fans (a little too much) feel at home
It is important to note that Parisian supporters made their voices heard during the meeting. We can’t blame them at all. “We are very proud of our fans, they are incredible”traffic Nadir Hifi. Serbian fans, however, arrived in large numbers. There were the 500 official supporters, but also everyone else. Unequal fight. A trip? “I wouldn’t go so far as to say we felt like we were on the outside. Personally I was in my game, in my little bubble.”the international tricolor still slips. However, the aforementioned Serbian fans, beyond their chants, spent their time insulting, giving the middle finger, smoking, vaping and finally throwing cups towards the floor. There were no big outbursts, there simply wasn’t much elegance in the stand reserved for them.
Paris is in crisis
«We have the level for the Euroleague», promises Nadir Hifi. And Paris Basketball proved it by leading by 13 points early in the second half. Before the collapse. In the attack, the Paris ship was derailed. In defense, Coach Splitter’s boys are unable to stop Nedovic’s fever. Above all, the Parisians caught the wave of rebounds (29-43). Difficult to survive in these conditions, even losing only four small balls. “We made a lot of stops but we could have taken advantage of it with more rebounds. We must do better collectively. But we made other mistakes, in defense, in the combinations… We need to review the images and talk to the boys to progress», indicated Tiago Splitter, also refereeing for the first time as coach number 1 on the bench. Next match in the Euroleague? Friday 11 October on the tables of Milan, before welcoming Pana.
Read also‘I live for these moments’: Nadir Hifi ‘stays positive’ despite Paris Basketball’s Euroleague defeat
Clumsy hi-fi system
There are evenings like that… Of course Hifi brought the Adidas Arena back to its feet with a shot he had the secret to in the second half, to give the reins back to his team. Are you looking for a show player, Hifi is there. The French defense, however, was shocked by his skill in this match: 12 points to his credit, with a small 4/13 in shots. This is obviously not enough. Don’t worry, the shots will be added next time. Or the next one.
#Adult #shorts #Parisians #lose #track.. #Favorites #scratches