Scariolo: "Against a direct rival it's important to show you can compete and win"

Real Madrid consolidated their lead in the Liga Endesa after defeating Valencia Basket. After the clash, Scariolo and Hezonja spoke to the media. The coach had this to say: “The key was the second half and the second quarter. We made a huge effort there, recovering from the abyss we got ourselves into with that very successful start from them; of course, it was a bit soft on our part. Then the momentum had changed. We managed to score some baskets from distance, which we hadn't been able to do all the first half, and run a bit more, controlling the rebound better and defending more aggressively.”

“We knew that against this team we had to do something very different from the defence we have as a system. We had to use more switches and be more confident that our big players could hold their own one-on-one against their small players, and that our small players could close down the rebounding and ask their big guys to take advantage in the paint. When we adjusted it went better, the start was quite hesitant. The defence generated the attack and from that point on we improved, even in front after that start with cold hands.”

Energy and determination
"We're pleased with this important victory, and it's important because of the respect we have for our opponents, who have a very strong technical line and identity that they show with consistency. We had to change the way we defended against this team. The risk was that the players were a bit lost, as happened at the start. It was my responsibility, but we didn't change anything more than what we had been doing, we even put a bit more energy into it. Our captain, Sergio Llull, was an injection of determination and desire."

Playing for the lead
“That's the only motivation for today's game. It's a Regular Season league game and when you play against a direct rival it's important to show that you can compete against them and possibly win. But it was also something that was very much on our minds. All the players have told me how important it is to step on the gas a bit now, because last year they felt very bad playing three games in a row. We tried to push to avoid that.”

Hezonja: “Everyone is performing at a high level”
“The most important thing is that the team is taking steps forward. It's very important for us because the important things are starting. Everyone is performing at a high level and that's the only way we can compete to win everything and for everyone to enjoy it.”

“We talked a lot with Scariolo and he is helping me to take a step forward in my career. I told him this morning that the big win or loss this season is going to be that I'm going to go out as a ‘4’. I don't care, if I'm on the court and I can help my team win in any position, on the ball or off the ball, I'm happy.”