Paolo Galbiati’s Thoughts After the Dunk-tastic Defeat in the Playoffs
Paolo Galbiati Talks About the Game
After the second game against Asisa Joventut, where his team, Kosner Baskonia, fell short with a score of 82 to 63, coach Paolo Galbiati faced the press to share his thoughts. And let me tell you, it was a rollercoaster of emotions!
"First off, hats off to Asisa Joventut. They played like their sneakers were on fire while we were more like deer caught in headlights," Galbiati admitted. "Our fans really brought the energy—loving their intensity! But our squad? Let’s just say we missed more layups than a toddler learning to shoot hoops. It was an impressive 19 offensive rebounds, yet we somehow managed to score a grand total of 0 points on second chances. I’m pretty sure that’s a record of some sort."
He continued, "Defensively, we were about as shaky as a table leg. It’s 1-1 now, and we’re heading home. Our fans will give us the extra juice we desperately need because, believe me, we need it! See you on Sunday!"
Galbiati didn’t hold back, saying, "Honestly, that was probably our worst showing in the Liga Endesa. Asisa Joventut deserves credit for their tough defense and their understanding of the refs’ level. We, on the other hand? Not so much. We committed silly fouls and struggled in one-on-one defense. But the real problem was our offense. With just 8 assists total, we might as well have been playing hot potato with the ball! That’s not our style."
"We have tons of room to improve—definitely on offense, where we need better quality and a chill vibe. When you’re aiming for the semifinals, you can’t let nerves get the best of you. In the first half, they ran the court like they were in a race against time. In the second half, we just panicked. And that’s a no-go!"
Switching gears, he declared, "Luwawu-Cabarrot? I’d call him my MVP for the season. He’s been under the spotlight, and the opposing teams prepped like they were getting ready for a science fair project. Our coaching staff and teammates need to back him up, help him find his rhythm, and keep that momentum rolling like we did all season long!"
On the topic of the referees, he humorously added, "Look, officiating is the hardest gig in the world. We need to roll with what they see. Today in Badalona? They set the bar high! Kurucs saw a foul on Forrest—two hands on his back, and it went unnoticed, so he had to step up and make a ‘sensible’ foul. Then there’s Ricky Rubio, who’s been around the playoff block. He knows how to get his crowd hyped up. It’s all part of the game."
Add in the unforgettable month Valencia Basket had, scoring a title in the Liga Femenina Endesa and showcasing their first-ever Final Four appearance in Euroliga? Yeah, you bet that’s something we’ll remember!
