PAOK Upsets Olimpia Milano in Preseason Friendly: Positive Signal or Illusion?

In an evening that Greek basketball fans are unlikely to forget, PAOK caused a genuine upset by defeating Olimpia Milano 89-77 in a preseason friendly. This was no ordinary game – it was a performance that helped the Thessaloniki-based team complete an undefeated 3-0 Italian tour, wrapping up their preseason preparation with an impressive victory against a top European opponent. Cedi Osman, the former Cleveland Cavaliers player, scored 19 points to lead PAOK's offense, while Nick Mitrou-Long added 16 more. This duo formed an effective combination under coach Andrea Trinchieri, who is attempting to rebuild PAOK after a disappointing season. The game against Milano was described as the "most challenging test" of the preparation period, and PAOK passed it convincingly. What's notable is that Messina's team was missing several key players in this match. Both Rayshaun Gray and Bryn Forbes were absent – a detail many overlook when looking at the final score. Forbes, a former NBA player who played for Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks, is still in individual training in Thessaloniki, suggesting the coaching staff is taking a cautious recovery approach for their foreign players. Statistics from the game show PAOK attempted 30 three-pointers and made 12, achieving a 40% rate – significantly higher than the 35-38% average of EuroLeague teams. This figure, though impressive on paper, raises questions about the true value of this victory when the opponent wasn't fielding their strongest lineup. Forgotten matches have taught me: basketball always speaks, just that few people bother to listen. Tactically, the offensive system Trinchieri is building seems to be taking effect. Not relying on a single individual to score – with both Osman and Mitrou-Long carrying the scoring burden – is a positive sign for team structure. This is the "team damage" principle top European coaches often emphasize: when a team distributes scoring load, they become harder to stop. However, deeper analysis reveals concerning blind spots. First, a 40% three-point rate in a single friendly game has no statistical significance – it could be an exceptional shooting night or simply opponents not adjusting defense at maximum intensity. Second, the absence of Forbes and Gray means PAOK has never played with their strongest lineup, making this performance an incomplete test. Third, there's no data on points allowed – 89 points scored is notable, but allowing 77 also harbors defensive issues that need addressing. A major question arises: can Osman maintain this form in the regular season? The former Cavaliers player is in late-prime years (29-30), and while his game relies on perimeter shooting and fluid movement rather than elite first-step speed, the lack of consistent playing time last NBA season could affect his consistency. The 19-point performance in a friendly is a positive signal, but more data on shooting efficiency (FG%, 3PT%) is needed for accurate assessment. Financially and strategically, PAOK's signing of Osman clearly carries commercial elements. The former NBA player has fan appeal, increasing ticket sales and media rights revenue – a "brand" strategy many Greek clubs use when competing with larger opponents. However, expectations from the "3-0 Italy tour" may have been inflated, and if PAOK starts the Greek League season below expectations, media pressure will fall on Trinchieri and his players. The big picture shows PAOK is in a transitional phase. They're not Greek League championship contenders – that title still belongs to Panathinaikos and Olympiacos – but the Italian tour shows they could become a mid-table challenging force. Trinchieri, with extensive experience in top European leagues, appears to have brought cultural change to the club. The tactical style based on off-ball movement and spacing is gradually taking root in the team's play. PAOK's next step is the OAKA tournament – the legendary arena in Athens – where they'll continue testing their system against other opponents. This is when things truly begin. I said from the season's start: every friendly victory is just a stepping stone, and the road ahead is the real challenge. Trinchieri's system needs time to develop, and with Forbes and Gray returning soon, PAOK could be significantly stronger when the regular season tips off. The remaining question: can they maintain the balance between expectations and reality, or will they drown under pressure from impressive victories that don't represent true capability?