The new Aris coach, David Blatt, spoke about his ambition and expressed his will to create a team in line with the club’s tradition, at his official presentation, which was held at Alexandrio Melathro.
The renowned American-Israeli coach was introduved by the president of Aris BSA 2003, Yannis Damianidis, who said: “It’s a great honor for Aris to have such a prestigious coach. David Blatt made all the way to the top level of European basketball thanks to his hard work, his seriousness and his value. I wish him to help the team reach as near as possible to the targets that have been set. I’m sure that in the end of the season, in June, there will be much more to say”.
After mr. Damianidis’s statement, David Blatt explained the reasons which made him sign for Aris: “One of the main reasons I’m here is because of my long friendship with Yannis and with Aris club. I’ve been here many times before and always admired the electric atmosphere the fans created. Also, the achievements of the club and of the players and coaches who have been here speak for themselves. In Aris I found the competitive environment and the challenge which I was looking for. In addition, Thessaloniki is a great city to live in, which is an important factor for a man of my age. I’m looking forward to facing the challenges which await us and help Aris be part of the top level of Greek and European basketball. In other circumstances they have called me ‘magician’, but that’s not true. It all takes a lot of work, commitment and dedication. Along with the players, the staff, the administration and the fans, we’ll do everything possible to have a top level team”.
He also said that “Aris is very good in defence. In offense, we will have to change the style somewhat. But above and beyond all, the most important is to regain the special mentality of this club. Aris traditionally had a certain attitude, fighting spirit and effort, things which I don’t see now. It’s something that must return to the team. Aris, the ancient Greek god of war, taught us something: That we have to fight! You can’t win any war unless you fight. That has always been the main characteristic of Aris and that’s what I saw in this team every time I came here as an opponent”.
When asked about possible changes in the roster, the American-Israeli coach said: “Before starting to talk about changing the team from the outside, we must start changing it from inside. However, there are always talks in every team about how to improve in certain fields. Making changes in the roster is a possibility. I’m not saying that it’s the first thing we have in mind, but I’m not saying the opposite either”.
On the same subject, he added that “I want to make clear that I didn’t come here with the demand of bringing new players. On the other side, all the players in team must understand that if they don’t behave and act as they must, there will be the possibility of changes in the roster. It’s not only how many three-point shots you make or how many rebounds you get. There are some other things that matter, too. However, we have a good group, with good players. The team has got talent, ability and depth, with substitutes in any position. The team wasn’t built bad, although there are things which can get better”.
David Blatt also highlighted the fact that “there are good players in the team, who enjoy the special environment of this club. But now they should stop just enjoying it and try to act and give back something in return. The kind of consistency I’m looking in a team is to find a core of players who will be able to be here for a longer period of time and also to make everyone realize the importance of playing for Aris. To understand what it’s necessary for them to do on a daily basis, in order to help the club preserve and extend the characteristics which make Aris special. For example, whenever we are talking with Yannis Damianidis about some player, we always ask ourselves ‘can he be an Aris player?’. Talent isn’t enough. It take a certain attitude and character for a player to be able to fit in this environment”.
Furthermore, the new Aris coach described the characteristics which he wants his teams to have: “Philosophically speaking, I want my players to follow four basic principles, which are quite simple actually: 1. Play hard. 2. Play as a team. 3. Play to win. 4. Enjoy what you’re doing. These are the four pillars of my philosophy in basketball coaching. However, when you are in such a special environment, you must add another thing, too: To understand where you are and what this club stands for. I think that I understand and feel in my heart what the Aris fans want from their team. I’m not sure, though, that all players have understood this as well. So, this will be something that I will have to teach them. And if I can’t teach them, obviously there will have to be some changes“.
Regarding the 2nd leg of the Hellenic Cup semifinals, against Olympiacos (Wednesday 20/01, 19:00), which Aris will have to win by 15 to qualify to the final, he commented: “It would be a very tough game for us anyway. Olympiacos is a high quality team, built to aim for the top in all competitions. The fact that we will have to win by 15 makes it even more difficult for us. What I’d like to see from Aris in this game is to fight for every point, to fight in every play and not to think so much about the score. If we win the little battles, then we might have a chance to win the war, too. That won’t be easy at all, I’m not a fool... But on the other hand, when you make a little step forward at a time, then you get the opportunity to achieve something special”.
Mr. Blatt also stated that “I wasn’t here when this team was getting done, in the beginning of the season. I won’t lie to you, this is a unique situation for me, as it’s the first time I take over in the middle of the season. However, life is all about challenges and this is one of them, which I’m looking forward to face. And I’m happy that the first time will be here. I’m excited about the choice I made and came here. I had turned down several job offers. Aris is a special challenge for me”.
Wrapping it up, when asked about the technical staff he met in Aris and his many different assistants in the past, the American-Israeli coach seized the opportunity and said the following things: “I’m very glad for having met Dimitris Priftis and Stefanos Dedas and for having worked with them in the last days. They did a great job in the game against Kavala, under no easy circumstances, and they led Aris to the victory. I think that I’m very easy to work with. I also know that the people I worked with have always had an important career after the end of our collaboration. Today, there are seven head coaches working all over Europe, who had worked with me in the past. This is a source of pride for me. I hope that I will be able to help the staff I met here, as well. At the same time, I hope that I will find the same kind of loyalty and contribution which I have always enjoyed from my assistants. Let me remind you that the last coach who led Aris to a title win, Charles Barton, had worked with me as an assistant coach in Maccabi Tel Aviv. Hopefully my actual assistants in Aris will win trophies in the future as head coaches, either here or elsewhere”.
