Anadolu Efes head coach Pablo Laso spoke to SKWEEK about the team\u2019s future following Shane Larkin\u2019s departure, explaining the club\u2019s strategy during the summer transfer window and highlighting the importance of collective growth over individual performances.<\/p>\n
The Spanish coach emphasized that Efes cannot rely on a single player and must maintain its identity beyond individual talents.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that Efes is a club that should be higher up. To achieve that, we have to do many things the right way. In this answer, I have not talked about Shane Larkin, Jordan Loyd, Ercan Osmani or Pablo Laso. Efes must be bigger than every player and every coach,\u201d<\/em> Laso said.<\/p>\n The former Real Madrid coach then acknowledged Larkin\u2019s importance in the recent history of the club, highlighting the American guard\u2019s contribution to Efes\u2019 success.<\/p>\n \u201cShane Larkin has been one of the best players in Europe over the last 10-15 years. He brought titles to Efes. It would not be correct to say that we are happy because Larkin left. But as a team, we have to move forward and continue growing.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Laso explained that he did not have any conversations with the American star regarding his departure, while also recalling the long injury layoff that limited Larkin\u2019s availability last season.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I did not speak with him. When I arrived in December, Shane was not able to be with the team almost until April. After he returned, however, he gave us an important contribution.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Looking at the construction of the new roster, Laso highlighted the need to strengthen the frontcourt after Vincent Poirier\u2019s departure.<\/p>\n \u201cVincent Poirier was one of the most dominant big men in Europe. His contract ended and, because of the injury he suffered, we were not able to continue together. That is why we needed to improve that position.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Among the new additions, the Spanish coach also discussed Dario Saric, praising his ability to play multiple positions.<\/p>\n \u201cSaric can play both the four and the five. He knows the club and he knows Istanbul. He will make an important contribution to our interior rotation.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Laso also commented on the arrival of Matthew Strazel, who is expected to provide new options in the backcourt.<\/p>\n \u201cHe can play both point guard and shooting guard. He can score, pass the ball and read the game well. But we cannot expect one signing to change everything.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The Efes coach also expanded on his evaluation of Jordan Loyd, who is often viewed only as a scorer, and clarified PJ Dozier\u2019s role after he was frequently used out of position last season.<\/p>\n \u201cMany people see Jordan Loyd only as a scorer. I see him as a player who can run the game. As for PJ Dozier, last year we were forced to use him many times as a small forward. In reality, his natural positions are the one and the two.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Finally, Laso stressed the need for more physicality among the wings and urged patience regarding Georgios Papagiannis\u2019 return after a lengthy absence.<\/p>\n \u201cYou cannot expect a player who has been away from basketball for 10 months to be at his best in the first game. Papagiannis will give us a lot, but he needs time.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Spanish coach discussed the Turkish club\u2019s future after Shane Larkin\u2019s departure, the team\u2019s new market strategy and the latest additions to the roster.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":178,"featured_media":481476,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[315,199],"tags":[],"rumors":[],"typology":[],"posizionamento":[],"class_list":["post-506459","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bsl","category-euroleague"],"yoast_head":"\n