Obradovic praises Nunn's effort after his decisive performance

Kendrick Nunn has completed a historic performance against Real Madrid that has left his coach speechless. Željko Obradovic did not hesitate to praise the American guard after Panathinaikos' victory, highlighting the quality and commitment shown by a player who has had to overcome very particular circumstances since the start of the season in the Euroleague.

Nunn's situation has been unusual, as Obradovic himself revealed in a press conference. The Serbian coach explained that he had never experienced a situation like this in his long career with a player who played more games than he could practice with the team. This circumstance reflects the difficulties the American has faced in adapting to the Greek team’s project.

A challenging start without preseason

Nunn did not have the opportunity to participate in the preseason, a shortcoming that significantly complicated his integration into the group. His first game came just after half a practice with the team, which was a considerable challenge for any professional. Despite these limitations, the guard has shown unwavering determination to reach his best performance.

Obradovic emphasized the passion that characterizes Nunn for basketball, a factor that has been crucial in his development. The coach acknowledged that the player has done extensive work both in individual training and with specialists, constantly seeking to improve his competitive level. “This is not easy, but he is a person who loves basketball. He works alone, with coaches, and we all know the quality he has,” Obradovic stated.

Patience as a key in development

The Panathinaikos coach insisted on the need to maintain patience with his players, not only with Nunn but also with Kostas Sloukas and other members of the roster recovering from injuries. Returning to competition after a prolonged two-month break poses considerable physical and mental challenges, something Obradovic fully understood.

The American guard’s performance in the match against Real Madrid has fully validated the trust placed in him. His 33 points, with an astonishing 23 scored in the last quarter, represent a historic milestone in the continental competition. This offensive explosion in the decisive moments of the game demonstrated Nunn’s ability to perform under pressure and become a determining factor in the victory.

Obradovic's tactical analysis: possession control

Beyond individual praise, Obradovic also delved into the tactical aspects that the Panathinaikos needed to correct before facing the Madrid team. Turnovers were a central focus in his analysis, a recurring problem that had affected the team in previous matches.

The coach made a revealing comparison between the games against Anadolu Efes and Aris. While the match against the Turks was labeled as “bad,” the performance against Aris showed substantial improvement. However, on both occasions, possession turnovers were a problematic factor that limited offensive performance.

Against Aris, Panathinaikos managed to score 91 points despite committing 20 turnovers and missing 12 free throws. According to Obradovic, these numbers evidenced the team’s offensive potential but also the urgent need to improve possession management. “That means the team has potential on offense, but we have to take better care of this,” he pointed out.

The strategic importance against Real Madrid

Obradovic emphasized that reducing turnovers was particularly critical against a rival like Real Madrid, known for its ability to play at a high pace and capitalize on fast breaks. The offensive fluidity of the Madrid team severely punishes any mistakes in ball management, turning lost possessions into transition opportunities.

The Serbian coach’s analysis highlighted the importance of offensive discipline as a differential element in high-level competitive matches. It is not just about scoring points, but doing so while maintaining possession control and minimizing unnecessary risks. This mentality was what allowed Panathinaikos to achieve victory against the Madrid team.

The convergence of Kendrick Nunn's exceptional performance and the collective tactical work of the Greek team generated the necessary conditions to defeat a rival of Real Madrid's stature. Obradovic acknowledged that both factors were essential for achieving a positive result, emphasizing that success in the Euroleague requires both individual flashes of quality and collective discipline.

Obradovic's message after the victory was clear: Panathinaikos has the necessary resources to compete at the highest level, as long as they maintain defensive concentration and precision in offensive management. Kendrick Nunn, with his historic performance, has shown that effort and dedication can overcome even the most adverse circumstances, offering hope and confidence for the upcoming commitments of the season in European competition.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Obradovic valora el esfuerzo de Nunn tras su actuación decisiva