The protagonist
About ten days after the unforgettable battle with Virtus, for Max Menetti it is time to open the casket of memories, impressions, evaluations, perspectives, curiosities, backstories accumulated on a sixth place that is also indelible in everyone’s mind. The main concept is that this group was by far the best the coach ever had, extraordinary results not due to chance but to work and organization. And the construction of the more or less new TvB has just begun.
THE SOCIETY
«First of all my thoughts go to the club. At the beginning, in full Covid, Vazzoler, Favaro and Gracis secured the first full season in the history of Treviso Basket, putting us in a position to always work without any problem. And here I am also referring to Dr. Motta’s medical staff during the pandemic, he did an incredible job with a great sense of responsibility. Of course, we also had some positives, we stopped twice without having it spread to the team. Regarding the athletic part, the arrival of Francesco Cuzzolin allowed the creation of the “performance department”, with innovative work that led to great attention to detail. The result was few physical problems, and I assure you it’s not just luck. In back to back in Bologna we played better garadue than game one ».
THE TEAM
«Now that it’s over let me tell you: I’m close to 500 benches in Serie A but I had never coached a group like this. They gave everything unconditionally, showing great attachment to the shirt. No one has ever demanded anything personal, from the minutes to the technical project, they have always been available to the staff. And behind this sixth place there is a really fantastic team: never a disciplinary problem, all great professionals. I told him: now we are aiming for seventh place, then for sixth, maybe even fourth: I would say that we have also gone beyond our limits. To build this De ‘Longhi we had two ways: the most convenient one was to find the right players to have the best TvB possible, or to build the game idea with the players. I admit that until the arrival of Sokolowski the problems in defense were evident, then I asked not to go beyond the 80 and the team replied ».
THE REPLIES
«Well, Virtus’ 2-0 in Brindisi gave more value to our elimination. And I still believe that Bologna remains the favorite of the Scudetto. Then, of course, if we look back we missed a basket both in garadue and in game one. In the regular season, however, we have won all the key races, and I must also admit that the team has made its path even in defeats, let’s say that every 3-4 years you play very badly but we have always found the strength to react. However, the first objective was and will remain salvation: the fact that Cantù is relegated after 23 years will mean something ».
THE TURNING POINT
«The success at Fortitudo: there we attacked an opponent in difficulty. But also the victory in Varese and the one in Trento with Logan’s problems gave us the impression of having given everything. We played four games without a US player but Piccin was very good: there was the courage to let the Italians play ».
MISTAKES
«Cheese was a gamble of an economic nature: we realized that this tournament is less and less suitable for rookies. In Carroll, on the other hand, we believed a lot, we signed him first, but another truth is that the impact with Serie A is not the same for everyone and Jeffrey was unable to integrate. However, we made up for it well with Sokolowski and Lockett, thanks also to the work of our scouting officer, Nicola Egidio. Soko gave us solidity and defense, Trent, despite a year’s stop, a lot of personality, even in small things ».
THE BACKSCENE
“You can’t even imagine the arguments between Russell and Mekowulu over preparing their pick and roll. One said “I’ll give you the ball there”, the other “no, give it to me there”. In short, by dint of discussing the agreement they found it all right, I think. Chris made a lot of fouls with the small pivots, we studied a system to “protect him” and he grew up. And then Vildera. At first he almost wanted to self-beat because he saw that he couldn’t give it his all, then he did it. But he was also an extraordinary man-locker room: do you remember the celebrations that his teammates gave him when he scored 18 at Fortitudo? Even those have a very precise explanation, Giovanni made himself loved ».
I VOTI
«Honestly, I struggle and then I shouldn’t be giving them but you, but if you ask me for our season I can only give 10. I underline the sense of belonging and responsibility shown by each one. I repeat that this De ‘Longhi has gone beyond all expectations ».
EUROPE
«Treviso Basket is a club that wants to grow, and the growth also passes through the double commitment for a club that 10 years ago was still in Promotion and now wants to play abroad as well. We will play the Champions League, with all that that entails, the expansion of the roster to 12 players, the problems of school for the youngest when there will be away matches. But nothing to do with Benetton’s international experience: behind us we have the Consortium, a unique reality in Italy even if other realities are similar to ours. Of course, now the difficult part begins, but I will not tire of saying that the primary objective must be staying in Serie A ».
THE FUTURE
«What is certain is that with a European competition Treviso Basket, in its first experience of the kind, will have to make a substantial upgrade, including financial. I imagine it will be difficult to achieve the goal we would like, that is to confirm everyone, in any case, apart from the formula we will choose (6 + 6, ed) we will try to get to experienced players or at least that the Cups have already lived them. Playing in Europe will be important for everyone, even for the De ‘Longhi company which this year has shown itself to be closer than ever and interested in the fate of the team ». –
Silvano Focarelli