Tyler Dorsey discusses Olympiacos' improvement as of late and the challenges that the EuroLeague derby against Panathinaikos presents. The Greek-American guard also highlights a change in many EuroLeague teams' style and leaves a question mark regarding his future with the Greek NT.
Following Olympiacos Piraeus' loss to FC Bayern Munich (80-84) in EuroLeague Round 5, Tyler Dorsey was asked about what his team should change in order to improve its sloppy 2-3 record at the time.
"Defense and confidence," the Greek-American guard told NOVASPORTS. "Sometimes, our confidence isn't high. So, we got to find a way to be confident on the road. That's the only way to win."
Two days later, Olympiacos immersed themselves deeper into the season's first crisis when they dropped their Greek league derby against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens at the Peace and Friendship Stadium (71-78).
The result was just the tip of the iceberg, as the team was struggling on both ends, and the night could have ended on an even lower note, as the Greens held a double-digit lead for a considerable part of the game.
Over the course of the next seven days, the Reds did everything to flip the script. First came a 10-point win (79-69) over last year's EuroLeague finalists Real Madrid.
It was followed by a resounding 95-74 blowout against FC Barcelona and a convincing 96-77 romp against AEK for the domestic league.
"We just have to keep our roll going," Dorsey thinks.
"It's a good week, a big momentum for us. To see wins back to back, to continue this momentum and get out of our struggles for a little bit. It's always good to show some character," the naturalized guard added when BasketNews asked him to convey his impressions from his team's effort in the EuroLeague double-week.
But what about the two factors (confidence and defense) Dorsey said Olympiacos were lacking?
"This week, we showed those two things," he firmly replied.
Of course, the OAKA arena and the contest against the reigning EuroLeague and Greek champs is a task that will serve as the ultimate test for Olympiacos. Coming off a winning streak allows them to take some pressure off and prove that they're on the right track.
Panathinaikos' home court has been quite hospitable for their main rivals over the past few seasons. Since October 2020, Olympiacos have won all four derbies that took place at OAKA.
Dorsey thinks it's high time the Reds got payback for their Greek league loss to their main rivals.
"They kind of whooped our ass for the Greek league," he explicitly remarked.
"Excuse my language, but they
