Giorgos Kouvaris leaves aside Panathinaikos’ game against Baskonia where he performed another excellent performance in a period of less than 48 hours and stands by the injury of the great unlucky, Matias Lesor.
Now look what has happened… Instead of talking about his new great victory Panathinaikou in Euroleagueinstead of focusing only on the highly improved face of the team, instead of conveying the atmosphere of euphoria that would exist in the locker room, the only thing that interests the entire basketball world of Europe, is his injury Lessor.
Nothing else matters. It’s one of those moments when you say “this is not happening…” I wish there was a way to tap into a supposed remote control of time the “rewind» and let’s go back to the halftime break against the Baskonia. And then let him lose Panathinaikos. Let the Basques turn the match around. Let us write today about causes of defeat and retreat. As long as he was well Lessor. No, tell me. And I’m addressing his friends Panathinaikou. Wouldn’t you buy it? I’ll tell you: You’d buy it anyway!
Unfortunately the injury curse struck a player who looked more steely than anyone in the Euroleague. Last year he went an entire year playing 30-35 minutes and not having the slightest muscle injury. Summer day. He didn’t understand anything at all. And the bad time is coming. A sharp tap and a self-sacrificing move for a steal were enough to “freeze” time for the French center.
Don’t wait so long for the giant
As the whole “froze”. OAKA. In a few seconds the chants, songs and enthusiasm for the extraordinary face of the team gave way to a roar. The 18,000 fans held their heads with their mouths open. Crying eyes. No one could believe what had happened. THE Juancho sulking, he was “hitting” seeing him Lessor to thrash on the floor and with his leg almost… turned. THE Sloukas the same. THE Nan. THE Mitoglou. All. As many as nine faints occurred in the stands. The doctors called from end to end for first aid. It was a period of 10-15 minutes of absolute silence, anxiety and worry.
I really could write and share with you a lot about the match. But it is one of those moments when all of this is second and third rate. Especially everyone who was at OAKA will be able to understand exactly what I mean. There was no desire to celebrate. But the Lessor it is a strong ship. We said: Summer day. He doesn’t understand anything. He got up and ran “limp” at speed… Usain Bolt in the locker room. He was smiling in the ambulance. He tweeted that he will come back stronger. Does anyone think otherwise? Although recovery is estimated to be between three and four months, don’t see him coming back any sooner. Please don’t wait so long the giant.
However, his injury situation could have been much worse. Essentially, of the very bad scenarios that existed for his injury, the least bad one prevailed. I don’t know if the saying “lucky in his misfortune” should be used, but surely if the shin had been “teased” as well, then we would be talking about an even longer period of abstinence. Fibula fracture the official opinion. Now there is an open possibility to see him again on the courts from this year. And of course we will see him if all goes well with his recovery and rehabilitation. But since in medicine and especially in serious injuries, no one can be sure of anything, let’s wait…
What is certain is that Panathinaikos is on the market for a player. Impossible to replace him worthily if you want my opinion. We are talking about her best centre Euroleague. What does this automatically mean? It can’t get better through the organization and having the time to push as the team moves Euroleague in a group Euroleague will be allowed until 12/26. Otherwise the “greens” will have to turn to other markets. Although I think that now the Yurtseven it should come forward. To play BOTH for the team AND for him, but BOTH for him Lessor.
The absolute RESPECT in Howard and Baskonia
After his injury Matias, three things made a terrible impression on me. One during the match, the second immediately after the end of the match and the third after an hour had passed after the end.
First: His emotion Juancho Hernangomet. It really was a shocking moment when he hit a three-pointer and in the close-up of the camera panning on defense, he couldn’t help his watery eyes. What a terrible man you are, Spaniard. Amount! It continues to prove that the Panathinaikos it’s not just the team that plays basketball and his professional roof from which he is paid handsomely, but his (second) family. I don’t care if he ever says it. He shows it (and even continuously) with his actions. And that matters.
Second: His terrible movement Marcus Howard her Baskonia after the end of the match. After waiting patiently for the “zdo” of the “greens”, he then joined the circle of his opponents as if he were a member of Panathinaikou and prayed for him Lessor. His teammates followed him. All 23 players became a “chain” for the sake of the French center. I’m writing this and I shudder. Really.
Bigger than Basketball ❤️ @markushoward11 joins the @Paobcgr squad to pray and show support for Lessort 🙏 pic.twitter.com/lsEYUywcP7
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) December 19, 2024
Third: The team’s visit to the hospital to find out about his condition Lessor, to see him up close and tell him something words support. Really a very family atmosphere. It has become a “cliché” that the expression in question is sometimes said simply for the sake of saying it but because I cover his reporting Panathinaikou many years, I can assure you that in the last two years the word “family” has been expressed to the fullest extent in the locker room. Even the (hardest) Ataman who does not express himself easily for the team players and is not particularly effusive either, was there. For him Matias.
The great irony for the best Panathinaikos of the season
How nice and how different everything would be if it weren’t for this damned moment. And look to see irony. All this happened in the best, perhaps, competitive 48 hours of the season for him Panathinaikos. With back to back “constituents” in Euroleague! With terrible appearances. With the total points difference against Armani Milan and Baskonia to reach 64 points!
With one Kendrick Nunn out of the best basketball stories scoring in the “devil’s week” 65 points (32.5 average) on 14/28 three-pointers. With him Panagiotis Kalaitzakis becoming an important “factor” in “green” outbreaks and earning with his sword a place in the starting five and an average of 15.5 minutes in those games.
With him Juancho Hernangomet to bring out his well-known energy in defense and rebounding and at the same time “find” his hand from the perimeter. With him Lorenzo Brown to (finally) make an excellent offensive game and score 13 of the 18 points in the last period and even with elaborate actions winning him in turn the applause of the platform.
With him Panathinaikos to move the ball excellently with the perfect distances. No dribble abuse. With extra passes. With 23 assists for 9 errors. With high percentages inside children (74% in two-pointers and 44% in three-pointers). And the main thing? Starting games with the right mindset. The defender. Coincidentally, the total score of the first quarters in these two matches with Armani Milan and Baskonia was it 71-27?
But what to do with it? Everything was overshadowed by his injury Matias Lessor about whom all of basketball Europe had something good to say. The current “eternal” rival but above all brotherly friend, Evan Fournier. THE Edi Tavares who characterized him Lessor “her best center Euroleague“, her teams Euroleague. Most of her groups Euroleague. Everyone there. By his side…
Goodbye Matias!
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