GRE/RUS – Blatt considers what’s needed at Aris following play-off exit

THESSALONIKI (A1 Ethniki) - Aris coach David Blatt offered the opinion that the club needs “maturity, stability and tranquility” to be a force in Greek basketball again following its elimination from the A1 Ethniki play-offs on Monday night.

A star-studded Olympiacos that is coached by Panagiotis Yannakis beat the Thessaloniki outfit 85-75 with the Reds' Josh Childress scoring 22 points.

Olympiacos and three other teams completed 2-0 sweeps in the first round on Monday.

Blatt, who became the third coach of Aris following Fotis Katsikaris’ resignation in January, will now turn his attention to getting Russia ready for the FIBA World Championship.

He doesn't know if he'll return for next season.

“I've loved every day I've lived here at Aris," he said.

“I wish I could help the team do better. I have improved some things, but maybe not enough.

“If I stay, there should be many changes, and I do not think that the administration of the club will have trouble making those changes.

“Apart from the changes, there also needs to be a different philosophy.

“We cannot change three coaches in one season.

"You need maturity, stability, tranquility, a disciplined effort that will result in a certain direction, to build a team not only for today but for the future.”

Andrea Mazzon began the season as the Aris coach but he was fired after the team's horrendous second leg in their Euroleague qualifying tie against Maroussi.

Aris won the first game 69-67 but then crashed to an 89-60 second-leg defeat.

Katsikaris and the Blatt coached Aris in the Eurocup, with the club making it as far as the Quarter-Finals before losing to eventual champions Power Electronics Valencia over two legs.

Olympiacos, who are in the Euroleague Final Four, will now take on Maroussi in the Greek domestic semi-finals.

William Keys scored 17 points as Maroussi defeated Colossus 87-72 on Monday.

Panathinaikos blew out Panionios 107-59.

They will face Panellinios in the other semi-final.

Panellinios made it to the last four in Greece for the first time in their history to continue what has been a truly magnificent season for the club.

"I want to give many congratulations to the players, to my colleagues and to those who have an interest in this group," an elated Panellinios coach Ilias Zouros said.

"I want to thank the management team, which has always there for us from day one.

"We have a great qualification for the first time in the history of Panellinios and this is very important."

Zouros guided the club to the Eurocup Finals in Vitoria and was voted Coach of the Year in that competition.

FIBA