For anyone carrying any doubt of what Paris is capable of, any and all of those doubts should have perished with its impressive 90-96 win over Olympiacos.
Doubt no more, Paris and Shorts are playing (like) giants
Article
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 14 of 34
Group Regular Season
l
w
l
w
w
w
w
w
w
w
It may not scientifically proven, but it certainly seem it's second nature to human beings to doubt things that are new. This is true in all aspects of life and basketball is no different.
So, while Paris Basketball, a newcomer to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, has gone on an impressive winning streak in recent weeks, it's has not been all that surprising that there have been doubters who waited for the EuroLeague debutant from the French capital to hit a wall.
The winning streak reached nine games on Tuesday, but the place, for many, where Paris would get a long-time-coming really check was supposed to be its Round 14 road game against perennial powerhouse and title contender Olympiacos Piraeus.
But for anyone carrying any doubt of what Paris is capable of, and how far it can go, any and all of those doubts should have perished with Paris's impressive 90-96 triumph in Greece.
In a fantastic game, which is what losing coach Georgios Bartzokas called it, Paris went into a sold out Peace and Friendship Stadium and proved beyond any doubt that this team is deservedly sitting atop the standings.
What's more, if this was a 'prove it' game for Paris, the team aced the test and even managed to do so twice during a 40-minute encounter.
"Competing like there is no tomorrow"
First, Paris did so by totally outplaying the home favorites and building a 60-80 lead with 7 minutes to go. Then, it went on to prove it in an even tougher way when Olympiacos answered with an astonishing 22-0 run to take a lead with just over 3 minutes left to play.
With the home team charging in a memorable way, their backs suddenly against the wall and odds rapidly growing against them, Paris showed what this team is made of by stopping the bleeding when it was least expected. Nadir Hifi, TJ Shorts and then eventually Maodo Lo each knocked down a three-pointer and Paris got out of the hole and escaped with a win, the team's 10th straight.
"I am proud of these guys, of everything", first-year coach Tiago Splitter said in the press conference following the big win. "No one gave us nothing in the beginning. Since I got to this group, I felt like they are different. This is a special group. Not just the players individually, but the group. It is really an awesome group to coach. I am lucky.
"It is special", Splitter continued, "The team is playing awesome. They are staying together, they are humble and they have no egos. They compete every night like there is no tomorrow and I am proud of them."
"We approach every single game like it is our last"
When one watches Paris, the first thing that catches everyone's eye is the speed at which this team plays basketball.
"This is what we do. We play fast. Sometimes we shoot a little early, sometimes we shoot some crazy shots that people are not used to. But it is all part of the plan", Splitter explained.
So, it is not all that surprising that its style of play has helped Paris rank third in the EuroLeague in scoring with 86.5 points per game, second in average three-point shots attempted (29.8 3FGA) and fourth in three-pointers made (10.4 3FGM).
What is impressive, however, is that despite such a style, Paris has committed only 10.9 turnovers per game. Meanwhile, the Paris defense has forced 13.1 turnovers and held its opposition to just 31.0% three-point shooting; both marks are the third-lowest in the league.
"We approach every single game like it is our last", swingman Tyson Ward said to EuroLeague TV after the win in Piraeus. "I think you can tell that by the way we play."
The leader of this pack is Shorts, the recently crowned November MVP. Standing at only 1.75 meters, Shorts ranks third in average index rating (22.4), third in scoring (18.6 ppg.) and third in assists (7.9 apg.).
"He is a giant. Forget about his height, he is a giant. He's the leader of this team, he get's everybody going and he is not afraid. A helluva player," Splitter gushed of his point guard.
Ward did not hold back in his praise, either.
"He is easy, he makes our lives easier," Ward said. "What he does is truly gifted. He brings it every single night. It is a testament to his work and his confidence in himself. And he believes in us as well. When you have somebody like that who leads your team and does not waver in certain situations, makes it a lot easier on you."
'If we look ahead, we are gonna be fools'
Sitting alone atop of the standings, sporting a 10-game winning streak, and after a victory like this one, Paris has certainly moved into the title contender conversation, a rare feat for a EuroLeague debutant.
Game Videos
- 02:21
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/20/vs5ExyHSOWBsx6nBYopp8cciJ9mZP4PF-1734737677154.jpg]()
Evan Fournier: 'The fans are showing me so much love'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/5f67b32e-ec3f-4741-9352-c34ce6ee1c1b.jpg]()
Olympiacos Piraeus-ALBA Berlin | RS Round 17 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:22
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/0c2861e2-6311-4d04-9f5f-1d48c453aed2.jpg?crop=1250%3A704%3Anowe%3A50%3A50]()
Great reverse slam from McKissic! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:21
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c04a8bf8-d88a-482f-b804-bc0e00f92630.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A118%3A40]()
Fall with a big two-hander! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:16
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/0c37103a-2490-4008-aa2b-2187d96b3c34.jpg?crop=1172%3A659%3Anowe%3A83%3A65]()
McKissic with a huge dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 01:34
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/18/TvN8Rz7xLiJ4q131G2Fk2ChFufDpRjgI-1734558979792.jpg]()
Sasha Vezenkov: 'We are a great team and we need to prove it every week'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2705678b-bcca-415f-867f-87dc8c8d2cc3.jpg]()
Olympiacos Piraeus-Virtus Segafredo Bologna | RS Round 16 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/397f4153-095b-47b1-9f9f-e18c0bd7adc4.jpg?crop=1279%3A719%3Anowe%3A18%3A146]()
Milutinov with a huge dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/36806259-9f66-44e5-b34f-d4071f91fb78.jpg?crop=1183%3A666%3Anowe%3A95%3A49]()
A big dunk from Vezenkov! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/31d2f38e-82c2-406d-9ee8-b84c3f9bb801.jpg]()
Paris Basketball-Real Madrid | RS Round 16 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/721a96c8-b75b-47fb-ae1e-bbac8270816a.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A164%3A68]()
Hayes’s block on Feliz! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/qjOMJXwMKt4/maxresdefault.jpg]()
LDLC ASVEL Vileurbanne-Paris Basketball | RS Round 15 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/1412894e-5172-484a-9d4e-12b852388528.jpg]()
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade-Olympiacos Piraeus | RS Round 15 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/VmMh4X0ihEo/maxresdefault.jpg]()
EuroLeague & Friends: Spanoulis's start, the play of Maledon and Shorts...
- 01:33
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/06/arkyjdB5il2rXGgfFlfXpTTBZB6G7tfL-1733521039606.jpg]()
TJ Shorts: 'They're going to continue to doubt me...'
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/gSh0AE1ujw8/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Olympiacos Piraeus-Paris Basketball | RS Round 14 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:15
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/4f26bb24-b3c1-4c2c-bfb1-d35acabdc51e.jpg?crop=1225%3A689%3Anowe%3A45%3A37]()
Reds go stealing and dunking! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/087959e3-208d-44a8-89cb-a4506a46ad73.png?crop=1920%3A1080%3Anowe%3A0%3A0]()
TJ Shorts November MVP exclusive interview: 'I set the tone'
- 00:43
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/04/yJsxJM4p2d6gnq49nI3SjpydXXw6vE9k-1733349370174.jpg]()
Shaq McKissic: 'I appreciate Coach for allowing me to play through my mistakes'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/7e18fc91-7b10-458b-ac54-e73b637e0544.jpg]()
AS Monaco-Olympiacos Piraeus | RS Round 13 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/C8xJMcVe3kA/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Matteo Spagnolo joins Episode 6 of EuroLeague & Friends
- 00:51
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/03/j9M1GcQg8xUvfIHllgg60ZQBSpTRFKpn-1733265844292.jpg]()
TJ Shorts: 'We found our energy'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2770484b-7a2a-40f7-9d12-e7bf0689d4fb.jpg]()
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv-Paris Basketball | RS Round 13 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/721a96c8-b75b-47fb-ae1e-bbac8270816a.jpg?crop=1171%3A658%3Anowe%3A155%3A74]()
Thunder dunk by Kevarrius Hayes! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/rqHknWewwgU/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Paris Basketball-Virtus Segafredo Bologna | RS Round 12 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/3fd47d46-1057-44e7-8a55-5b24ba352d51.jpg]()
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade-Olympiacos Piraeus | RS Round 12 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/LLAQ-3xQlsE/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Olympiacos Piraeus-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | RS Round 11 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 01:15
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/21/vfQEXrG4nvbfbuI3KYuDNZAEBX9Yb4jP-1732224141174.jpg]()
Evan Fournier: 'It's a privilege and a pleasure to play in front of these fans’
- 01:17
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/21/FSuCilTUcB2xdhYs9boyfyk5ZbMsrN5x-1732221727185.jpg]()
TJ Shorts: 'We're taking it game by game'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/682d4129-3f07-4c67-a998-91e30a90a6b0.jpg]()
Anadolu Efes Istanbul-Paris Basketball | RS Round 11 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2190ac6b-32d7-46c9-a202-41ec7f6e3216.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A190%3A94]()
Shorts breaks Poirier's ankle! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/792c7725-bc50-433d-b859-3a20b4ccb96b.jpg?crop=1214%3A683%3Anowe%3A45%3A33]()
Malcolm throws it down! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/8235ef01-44f5-44f8-a466-1964eb14fd52.jpg?crop=1920%3A1080%3Anowe%3A0%3A0]()
EuroLeague & Friends, ep. 4: The Belgrade derby, Paris's form and much more
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/PjpIeli7J0k/maxresdefault.jpg]()
FC Barcelona-Paris Basketball | RS Round 10 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:56
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/15/PVm49BOVnU72TwN6NdV9bb9dVHZGdaky-1731708203592.jpg]()
TJ Shorts: 'It was my whole team stepping up'
- 01:07
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/14/NIRBtMcJZX6G9PKWDNVKEhL3VSfw0RP1-1731627614364.jpg]()
Sasha Vezenkov: 'We are more than happy'
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/GAahGoLP8mc/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv–Olympiacos Piraeus | RS Round 10 highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/86b0777d-c4eb-47a5-8f92-55f2634799e5.jpg]()
Paris Basketball-Zalgiris Kaunas | RS Round 9 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 01:18
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/13/6tyXqOgvW8toa1uWPc63YSzHDsGAesGY-1731535111272.jpg]()
TJ Shorts: 'This was an all-around team effort'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/8acdc8ab-1031-491c-bd5a-fc7673ca1aac.jpg?crop=1920%3A1080%3Anowe%3A0%3A0]()
EuroLeague & Friends episode 3: Greek derby, Real Madrid’s struggles and more
- 01:00
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/12/QkWnsxEcIVVAVXCeP6E7OrJseYGagdho-1731450766360.jpg]()
Nikola Milutinov: 'This is why the EuroLeague is so strong'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/e39b5d5c-233a-4266-93e7-07b525ab25ec.jpg]()
Olympiacos Piraeus-LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne | RS Round 9 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/9XlNrSbFaFo/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Straight from the court: Fournier and Vezenkov analyze Greek derby outcome | Post-game show
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/VqglhccWNHE/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens-Olympiacos Piraeus | RS Round 8 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 01:23
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/08/dFyqHTzLRYwE43sl07HhTdMmmOQuFpnA-1731100739780.jpg]()
Sasha Vezenkov: 'I missed this derby so much'
- 01:42
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/67a45145-909c-4243-a8f1-cb6b85acb1c4.jpg?crop=2400%3A1350%3Anowe%3A372%3A0]()
Shaq McKissic relives his best Greek derby plays
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/Y6MhglxthpI/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Paris Basketball-Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade | RS Round 8 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:49
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/07/um6QkIp0Xa60CRKnQ6pWsr5wz32bslV1-1731017848593.jpg]()
Tiago Splitter: 'We just kept fighting'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/4ce89cd5-5a80-4fdd-bbe7-1a0fd30199d9.jpg?crop=800%3A450%3Anowe%3A0%3A0]()
Sasha Vezenkov joins the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge podcast!
- 00:59
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/01/wRc5ZkYbwdCKq9rmuUeXd48FHV4QSzD2-1730498030922.jpg]()
Mikael Jantunen: 'This was the most physical battle we've had so far'
"From the beginning everybody was asking us what was our goals. I am going to keep saying the same thing. We got one game in front of us, if we look ahead, we are gonna be fools", Splitter said.
In addition, Splitter is aware that keeping up the style of play is already becoming a challenge:
"It's harder. Everybody is figuring it out, the way we play it is not a surprise anymore", he admitted. "But I am still pushing every day in practice."
What the EuroLeague certainly does not allow is for a team to sit and enjoy its past success, because the next game is always just a few days away. And in the case of Paris, it's another road test, and this time an all-French derby against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in this week's Rivalry Series game.