Sarunas Jasikevicius: 'It was important to hold Efes to 30 points'

Fenerbahçe Beko Head Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius spoke after the 89-84 victory against Anadolu Efes. 

Sarunas Jasikevicius said, "I think what we needed to do in the first half was very clear and obvious. We were really good defensively in the second half. Maybe we couldn't control Larkin, but who can anyway?"

Continuing his remarks, Jasikevicius added, "We shouldn't get too complacent. We need to maintain our concentration. We started such a big game a bit scattered. We need to understand how we improved in the second half. We need to take the positives. Of course, it was important to hold them to 30 points in the second half."

Jasikevicius concluded his words by saying, "I wish for peace for the new year. It saddens us to open and read the news during this period. Painful things are happening in the world. I wish for peace to prevail in the world." 

Sarunas Jasikevicius also made statements at the press conference following the match.

Jasikevicius said, "I thank both the players and the fans. We couldn't start the game with the right physicality or approach. In many positions, Anadolu Efes was one step ahead of us. We finished the first half somehow. We stopped them in the second half and allowed 32 points. We need to look at what happened in the first half, but what matters is how we finished the game."

"Actually, regarding the way the game was played, Calathes and Hayes-Davis stood out, and that was no coincidence," said Jasikevicius. "I have been here for a very short time. We are in a period of information flow. Who can do what, who can play what... I have players I know and players I don't. I want the players I don't know very well to keep fighting and not give up. Tarık Biberovic is the best example of this. He is much better in practice. He was incredible in the Darüşşafaka match. He earned our trust. He played 17 minutes in the second half. Let this be an example to other players, and please let them continue to fight." 

Responding to the question, "Anadolu Efes was able to score 14-15 very easy points in the paint at the beginning of the match; what changed in the second half?" the Lithuanian coach said, "The team played much tougher and better defense in the second half. It is very difficult to play against a team like Anadolu Efes without a lot of contact, speed, and physicality. Our defense has improved a lot. We played better defense in the second half because the players changed their approach and physicality."

Touching on Nick Calathes' performance, Jasikevicius remarked, "He was one of the best defenders in Spain. He is one of the best defensive players in the EuroLeague over the last 10 years, but he has never received the necessary respect in this regard."

News Source: 12punto