The season is gone. It was not bad. We had some tough moments. We were much more tired this year as we had to carry a heavy load of expectations. It was more difficult to keep the team in the right way, to help them to perform, to press them when it was necessary. Season was with so many ups and downs, few injuries and team chemistry and organization problems. At the beginning of the season we were playing bad, without chemistry and with many doubts in our heads. I know I made some mistakes. I take full responsibility for that, I’m not perfect I make mistakes, I learn from a move on.
This season the first entry was about new players who we added to the roster. We took the players from the bottom teams of Romanian league. But this was because of our budget, for us was impossible to sign better players. Only three players from last year’s roster were brought back. And Cooley came back in November. I’m happy that Peciukas and Masiulis came to our team and led the team in difficult games. The level of expectations outside and inside the club was big. It’s many little things, but very important things, on which depends team performance. One of that is a psychological chemistry in the team that defines how players relate to each other, for us was difficult to stay together and have good relationships. In previous(my first season here)season we were in very good relationships and team spirit was strong.
What’s important, we reached the quarterfinal round. The quarterfinal series against Cluj was extremely difficult. They have solid and deep roster, good coaching staff and was coming off a successful regular season. All that makes them a very tough team to beat.
We lost, but we have 3 very good games and 2 wins. I’m happy about that games but not about the result of playoff. The good thing is that we came up with a win against Cluj after two defeats. In my opinion the difference in that quarterfinal series was not technical or tactical preparation, but mental toughness. Also is difficult psychologically and physically to play two games in two days.
The main reason that we lost three games was our defense. We allowed too many easy baskets. We could have won one of those games even scoring 70 points, if we could have been more consistent defensively.
We’ve been trying different options defensively, we’ve made many mistakes in man-to-man and zone defenses and allowed the Cluj team to get many offensive rebounds. Poor rebounding was a crucial factor in all lost games. And in all season games too.
Another reason was that we were undisciplined. The players on the court were unsure about our priorities in offense in these specific moments, what we were prepared for playoff games. We were doing things that were not standing in the logical succession of priorities for few very important moments on those games.
And the one more – Zoran Krstanovic, who stepped up and showed incredible leadership not only in terms of points or rebounds, but in terms of leading the team by example for the all season. He played like his reputation.
We lost against very good team with strong organization, they have a very experienced, solid and deep roster, the team who has continuity in few years, what is very important, the best results showing teams who working together more than one season, not only in Romania.
The coaching job in playoffs is really hard, because I need to deal with people with their abilities, emotions and creativity and to work under big pressure.
I would like to thank my assistants Barni and George, conditioning coach Cristi and wish them to be more and more important as their role in the team. Being my assistant is not difficult, but at the same time it might be difficult sometimes. I never disturb anybody past usual working hours. After the game I’m so tired, usually we were going out to drink coffee or tea together, to speak and to clarify some ideas, then we were going to sleep.
We made a small step up in our team organization this season, but we need to improve a lot to be stronger team. I believe that the team performance depends not only on that what players and coaches we have, but also on many small things in team organization.
I would like to thank our fans. Those who traveled with the team. Those who came to our home games. Those who followed up on the internet. It’s very nice to play home games when gym is crowded, and people who is coming to the games is gives us big support with passion.
At the end of this post I would like to thank everyone in club council without whose support we cannot have this team.