One mistake. That was all it took to unleash the beast. Kostas Sloukas took out his frustrations in style on Thursday to guide Panathinaikos to Game 2 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Euroleague Basketball playoffs
If this is how Kostas Sloukas responds to one mistake, imagine what he’d do after an actually bad performance. Sloukas was imperious for Panathinaikos as they levelled their Euroleague playoff series with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Total motivation
It took literally one mistake to turn what already looked like Playoff Sloukas into another beast entirely. At the end of Game 1, a game where he’d recorded 12 points, 13 assists, and 2 steals, Sloukas turned the ball over. It was his lone turnover on the night. That mistake cost Panathinaikos its last chance to save the match-up.
The word last there is important. The Greens had lots of chances to both not throw away their big lead and come back once they did. Both statistically and by the eyeball test, Kostas Sloukas was fantastic in that game.
No matter. He came into Game 2 with an anger that is rarely seen in him. The fire took a few minutes to truly take hold. Once it did, everything else that happened in the Oaka felt like it would be academic. In the Euroleague playoffs, he finds another level.
Taking charge…
Things didn’t go according to plan for Panathinaikos at the start of the encounter. With Maccabi Tel Aviv holding a 28-20 lead, the second quarter was time for Daddy to go work. Sloukas unloaded. His 13 point barrage felt like one man taking out all of his fury on the very sport of basketball. How dare basketball fail him, even once, in Game 1. This was an outrage that Sloukas simply would not let stand. Panathinaikos needed something offensively and he was the cavalry.
It’s rare to see this side of Sloukas on the court. That he can take over games is nothing new. Nor are big moments late in an encounter. This was an emotional release. That he had erred from the narrative just once was too much. A wrong was being righted. By the end of the half, it felt like the game was done.
BallinEurope is ramping up its YouTube game this season. Subscribe to our channel now for player exclusives, analysis videos, and much more.
…and coming to the rescue
Panathinaikos couldn’t make life easy for themselves. That would be sensible and this is not something they have done this Euroleague Basketball season. No, of course not, they had to find a way to get into trouble again.
A lead that was as great as 16 points at one stage and 11 points entering the fourth quarter was shaved to a single possession. Sloukas stepped up once more to end the debate for the night. His final line of 29 points on 75% shooting with 4 assists and 3 rebounds told the real story. That he had double the turnovers, that is to say 2, from the prior night was an afterthought. He came into the Oaka on Thursday to take over and remind Maccabi Tel Aviv that you don’t mess with his narrative.
This was basically a public yet really productive therapy session for Sloukas. He took charge of his fate and, with it, put Panathinaikos right back in this series. If it works, it works. That’s what mattered.
BallinEurope has a book, a real life actual book called I Like it Loud, and you can buy it on Amazon now. It’s here as a book and here in Kindle form.
A different mood
The switch for Game 3 will require a lot of planning on the part of Panathinaikos. Ergin Ataman has been clear, he expects his side to be in the Euroleague Basketball Final Four. To do that, they must win at least one of two games in odd surroundings.
There won’t be any fans in the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall. Riding a wave of emotion from fans won’t be any option here. It’s an environment that Maccabi Tel Aviv have grown used to over the course of the season. Adapting will be vital for the Greens in these games.
If there’s one man you could ask to get his side in that frame of mind right now, it’s Kostas Sloukas. He took ownership of the failure on Tuesday when it had many fathers. Now, he will demand everyone on the Panathinaikos roster steps up to take at least one victory (although preferably two) next week.
