Olympiacos basketball tactical and roster changes

Olympiacos basketball coach Georgios Bartzokas is working to evolve the team’s playing style for the upcoming season by increasing transition speed and overall tempo while maintaining defensive principles. To support this shift, the club has prioritized early roster reinforcements, including the addition of Jan Videv and Kendrick Nunn to improve open court play. Ahead of the EuroLeague SuperCup in Abu Dhabi, new guard Kostis Miller-McIntyre shared insights into his transition from Red Star Belgrade. While he noted that leaving the Serbian club was a difficult decision due to his connection with its fans, he described joining Olympiacos as an “ideal career move.” Miller-McIntyre emphasized that adapting to the team’s tactical system requires significant adjustment to his playing style as he learns the specific habits of his new teammates. He also commented on the temperament of Bartzokas, describing him as a relaxed individual off the court who undergoes a transformation once a game begins, stating, “It is amazing. You can understand that he is very passionate about basketball... when the game starts, something changes.” As the team prepares for its opening match against Baskonia, Bartzokas has characterized the current phase as a “small rebuild” intended to renew motivation. He emphasized the importance of integrating new talent and building on-court chemistry that matches the squad's locker room connection. Highlighting the potential of players Sasa Vezenkov and Yann Montes, Bartzokas noted their dual ability to score and pass. Reflecting on the team's previous EuroLeague championship, Vezenkov stated that while the achievement was a dream realized, the squad must focus on the present to fight for the future. In recent preparations, Bartzokas has noted that while the squad is talented, they require time to build chemistry and must improve defensive intensity to match their competitive ambitions.