Credit: Imago Scanpix
Credit Imago Scanpix

There were not many people believing in ALBA Berlin's chances in their fight for a playoff spot before their trip to Istanbul at the beginning of the week, but they keep surprising everyone, probably including themselves.

2-pointers this season

52%
18,5
Points made: 18,5
Accuracy: 51,6%
Place in standings: 14
Record max: 25
Record min: 11
Most made 2FGs: Oscar da Silva

Despite not having Luke Sikma, Marcus Eriksson, Tamir Blatt, and Luis Olinde, the basketball hipster team of Berlin kept their hopes alive behind Yovel Zoosman's career-high 20 points and Jaleen Smith's 19 clutch points.

The head coach, Israel Gonzalez, gives much more credit to the style of his team rather than the result.

"I'm really proud and happy because we played a great game," Gonzalez said after the game. "The most important for me is how we fight together, considering the problems we endured this season. We are competing against Fenerbahce, which is a very difficult thing to do. Very proud of the players doing, how they are doing."

As Gonzalez revealed earlier to Basketnews, ALBA is not a club that prioritizes winning only but also running after other ideals, like making players perform in a happy environment.

Asked about whether they will temporarily trade that attitude for a more relentless "winning at all cost" mentality to reach the playoffs, Gonzalez revealed once again that the playoff race is still not on the top of their agenda.

"I'm thinking that we have to try to improve and try to be better every time. Try to be better than at the end of the season compared to what we were in the beginning. EuroLeague is difficult, and we have to try to play better than today. Let's see what is coming after, but we are not worried about them afterward. Our goal is to play every time better."

ALBA has a peculiar but clear-cut style. Grabbing 10 offensive rebounds against Fenerbahce was by no means a coincidence as they are the second-highest offensive rebounding team per game after Real Madrid.

How does Gonzalez make sure that ALBA maintains that high rate of second chance creation?

"First, you have to have the players of that capability. Secondly, you have to make them believe that they can actually take those offensive boards. I believe that we have a group of good habits. Going for the offensive rebounds is another good habit we have and emphasize every day," Gonzalez noted.

ALBA Berlin also distinguishe themselves with their offensive style as they are the team with the fewest share of pick and roll ball handler plays in EuroLeague. 

Perhaps, not being dependent on one or two players for offensive creation helped them to sustain the offensive structure despite the injuries and Covid-19 related problems.

"The style depends on the characteristic of the players you have," explained Gonzales. 

"Of course, we have Luke Sikma that we brought to our team 4-5 years ago and started to build our style. Players coming into the team are learning the way how we are playing, and I think it became our ID to play with the passes, play with handoffs, and change the direction of the attack from one side to the other inside-outside. Pick and roll is an important part of the game, but we are trying to play different another style."

"I don't know if it really helps us when the main players are not there as they are important for us to have good chemistry. But together, we can reach the goal, and today, we did it," Gonzalez concluded.

Despite the win, ALBA Berlin does not have many luxuries to lose again until the end of the season. Their next game is against Anadolu Efes, who no longer sit in a comfort zone regarding their final position. 

Comments:
We want to hear from you. Be the first to comment!
Thank you for reporting a comment

Add comment

We have the right to remove comments which are offensive, contains abusive language, or violates other rules of the website