“The relationship between a point guard and a coach is essential.” The phrase was uploaded to Twitter by Monica Baldwin, the mother of Baldwin IV, a player who did not finish with Ivanovic. Well with Spahija he played every minute of the first quarter. Enoch and Nnoko also played a leading role. The latter was a few days ago even with a foot and a half outside a Bitci Baskonia who broke the streak of four consecutive defeats in the Euroleague after defeating the Red Star (93-74).
The Red Star arrived in Vitoria without Wolters or Mitrovic but took the “other Ivanovic”, Nikola, onto the court. She has an innate talent and she opened the scent jar in the first quarter. Bitci’s starting quintet was formed by Granger, Baldwin, Sedekerskis, Giedratis and Enoch. Then Marinkovic, Fontecchio and Nnoko, among others, entered the rotation.
Neven Spahija appeared on the court in a dark suit, blue tie and brown shoes. Always very active in the plays of the team and the rival, he continually turned to the bench to comment on details to his players and assistants. He meets David Gil from his time in Vitoria (2007-08) and, in fact, he worked as an assistant during the match.
The Serbs were the team that received the fewest points in the competition, with an average of 66. But by the end of the first quarter, they had already conceded 25. The hypermotivation of the Vitorian players was noticed, eager to prove their worth to the new coach. The best in those first ten minutes was Tadas Sedekerskis, very serious in defense and effective in attack.
The Belgrade team took more than four minutes to score in the second quarter. In fact, those of Spahija won that second installment with a partial of 30-10. Hollins, who had hit some impossible triples in the first period, disappeared in the second. In the whole of Alava everything flowed: defense, direction, rotations, rebounds and choral effectiveness.
At halftime, the only players who had not appeared at Bitci Baskonia were Kurucs, Barrera and Costello. The rest had had minutes, including the team’s latest addition, point guard Lamar Peters. Baldwin played of one and of two and showed his motivation. At times, and as a counterpoint, shouts of “Dusko, Dusko …” were heard from the stands.
The local team started the third quarter with a difference of 23 points, the maximum it had achieved during the clash. He won the rebound by 17 to 10 and had barely committed 3 losses while his rival added 7. In addition, he had 13 assists that showed the good work in attack on the part of the bases. And also people like Fontecchio, with 4. The assessment was favorable to the Basques by 77 to 15. There were five Serbian players with a negative ranking.
Second time
The dynamics of the third quarter were more favorable for the visitors. In the first 6 minutes, the set was 8-12 for the Balkans. But a great Enoch, scoring and rebounding, as well as a very inspired Giedraitis, kept the differences comfortable for Baskonia.. Kalinic, star of the Serbs, was missing in action. More bench than anything else. More punishment than anything too.
But it should not be trusted since, with 9:30 minutes remaining, the Red Star approached 14 points (68-54) and had possession to get to 12 or even 11. But the one who took the cut was Simone Fontecchio with two consecutive triples. In that way, it cooled down Belgrade morale and, with a neat last quarter, Baskonia secured victory.
Special match for a Landry Nnoko who was in the wrong (like Baldwin in his day, when fatherhood created a disagreement) and who vindicated himself before his former team. Costello, who alternated the bench with the bicycle, did not play due to knee discomfort. It was something that transcended during the same game. On Friday, a first-class challenge, against CSKA de Shengelia.