Dejan Radonjić: "Being in the game after nine turnovers was a good opportunity to continue"

Zenit head coach Dejan Radonjić summed up the results of the home game against BETCITY PARMA (74:64). The Round 31 game of the VTB United League regular season took place today, March 10, in Saint Petersburg.

— Congrats to our players for this win. It was very very tough game for sure. As we talk, you know, beginning was not good, nine turnovers, but we were in the game which was very important for us. You know, after the nine turnovers to be in the game is it was a good opportunity to continue. Offensively first half was not good enough what we expected. Most important was what we did especially during the last quarter. We were very focused to play possession by possession, defense by defense, offense by so offense and we did in that case good job. We tried to beat the result step by step, and this was the most important reason why we won this game defensively and offensively.

— It is not a secret that Zenit has radically changed its game defense. The team showed a rather aggressive pressure on the perimeter, on the other half of the opponent. Do you think in terms of physicality for players, could they perform on the same level and defensively for every game, will we have enough energy to show the same defensive approach during the playoffs?

— I hope so, but I don't think it's possible to do that good in all games, but I hope so. And we will try to do everything to have them and see us to play like that. So it's not about only us, it's about some opponents. We have some time in front of us to to work, to do everything what is possible to get ready for the playoff. Of course there will be very important how we're going to play defensively offensively but still we have time to do it and, of course, some new players will be on the court, I hope so, during the next week.

— How difficult is it to build a team during the season without preseason and achieve results at the same time?

— It's very difficult, for sure. But what we can do, you know. We have to do everything what is possible to make us better. We did everything, what was planned, day by day. So, as I said, we still have some time to work. Some players will come then this is what it is. It's not easy, but I hope so will be okay.

— How would you assess Trent Frazier’s performance today, and how important is his versatility?

— So we can discuss so many things tonight but for me as a coach the most important was that we did a good job as a team.