Andy Betts, Aris BSA 2003
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 To open their Eurocup Quarterfinals two-game series, Aris BSA 2003 and Power Electronics faced each other for the first time since 1999. After Valencia managed to win Game 1 in Thessaloniki, Greece by a good-as-gold seven-point margin, Aris faces a tough situation, but also has the fortune to rely on a experienced team that knows what it takes to go far in European club competitions. Few players will be more motivated than center Andy Betts, for whom winning the series also means the chance to go back to Vitoria, Spain for the Eurocup Finals. Betts played for two seasons in Vitoria, helping that city's pride, Tau Ceramica, reach the Euroleague title game in 2005. In Game 1 against Valencia, Betts drew 7 fouls that managed to limit the playing time of Valencia big men Kosta Perovic and Serhiy Lishchuk. Aris, which played without scoring ace Jeremy Richardson, now needs to bounce back and give its best to make it to the Eurocup Finals. "I still think we have a good chance to win the series. It is not going to be easy because we go to a difficult place down in the score, but we are not too far off," Betts told Eurocupbasketball.com. "We have to go there being positive and try to win by the points we need and go to the Eurocup Finals."
Hello Andy. Everything is possible in this series despite your loss against Valencia, but what did they do well to beat Aris?
"It is difficult to say, because we prepared the game really well. They made it difficult for us to do the things we normally do. Of course, we knew it was going to be a tough game and how strong Valencia is. We made some mistakes that we don't normally make. All that has not put us in a great position to win the series. It is not impossible, but it is not what we would have wanted."
Of course, Aris missed injured star Jeremy Richardson. How much was he missed in such an important game?
"We missed him, yes, because he has played really well for us lately. He has been scoring a lot and for me, it would help to have him on the court a little bit more because he stretches the defense. His shots don't let them put so many people inside the key because they have to stop him... so yes, we missed him. He has been playing really well, especially in the last few games. I hope he has the chance to play in Valencia - I don't know right now, though."
You had the chance to put Kosta Perovic and Serhiy Lishchuk into foul trouble. How important can that be in the second leg in Valencia?
"I am not so happy with the game I played. I was able to draw some fouls but also missed easy shots, so I don't think I did a very good job on scoring the ball in the low post. I know what I have to do to improve and try to do it in the next game. It is not very often that I look somebody eye-to-eye like I did with Perovic last night (laughs). I had played against him before when he was with Partizan and I was with Joventut. He is still young and has a great future."
 Aris switched coaches during the season and David Blatt became the new boss. How has he improved the team?
"I think he has been very positive since he arrived in here. The team had bad feelings before he arrived and it was all a bit negative. He is a very likeable and positive kind of guy. He is always full of enthusiasm in practices and games. On the court, we have been more aggressive since he arrived, especially on defense - trapping and all kind of different things. He always tries to stop the other team from doing the things they do normally."
The Eurocup Finals take place in Vitoria, a special place for you, since you played for Baskonia in the past, reaching a Euroleague final. Is it an extra motivation to win the series and go back to Vitoria to challenge for a title?
"Yes, of course. I was very happy when it was announced. It would be great for me to go back to Vitoria playing for a Greek team. Personally, those were not the greatest playing days in my life but I played in one of the best teams I remember. I had the chance to play with great players, great coaches and it was a good experience. Maybe the coach and I didn't work in a good fit together there, but I don't have any regrets from my time in Vitoria. I played for a great team in a great city with great people. I have nothing but good memories."
You have played with Michalis Kakiouzis and Demos Dikoudis in AEK long ago. Incredibly enough, you were with Aaron Miles and back with Kakiouzis in Cajasol. How important was to have you in the team in order for them to adapt to a new team like Aris?
"Playing with Michalis and Demos once again is great. I was talking to them in the summer, especially with Dikoudis, as I had decided to come back and he had a chance to come. I was really pushing for him to sign because I have remained friends with them all these years. I used to talk to them in summers and during the seasons. It is really great to play with them again and obviously makes it all a little bit easier. We know each other very well, and the way we play. It is really fun to play with then again. We won the Greek League together and have good things to talk about. Somehow, during the week, we always find a chance to talk about this!"
 Of course, Aris has one of the most amazing home crowds in European basketball. What do you think about Aris fans and how much pressure do they put on your opponents?
"I can't say enough good things about our fans. They amaze me by how they come to every game like they are. I would say that this season we haven't been as good as we should have been overall, especially in the Greek League, where we are not in the position we should be. Still, they are always behind us and never get down on us. Every team that comes in says it is a very difficult place to play. That only can be good for us."
Aris has never won the Eurocup and last lifted a European trophy in 2003. What would it mean for you and Aris to go all the way and win the title in Vitoria?
"This team deserves to have some chance to win the title. It would be great for the club and I would love to win the title with this team. I really enjoyed my time with Aris. I have nothing but good times with the people and the organization is great. It would be great to win something with them. I still think we have a good chance to win the series. It is not going to be easy because we go to a difficult place down in the score, but we are not too far off. We have to go there being positive and try to win by the points we need and go to the Eurocup Finals."
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Friday, March 26, 2010
Javier Gancedo, Eurocupbasketball.com
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