Olympiacos: 'First' for Montero

Athens, an early September morning, Mediterranean sunlight streams through the windows of Olympiacos' training center. On the polished wooden floor, a young man with distinctive curly hair is executing high-speed ball-handling drills. That's Jean Montero, the 21-year-old Dominican newcomer who had landed in Athens just one day earlier. He had no time to adjust to the new time zone, no city tour, no introductory meetings. The very morning after landing, Montero was on the training court, sweat soaking his brand-new jersey. I don't listen to what they say in front of the cameras — I listen to what they say after the lights go off. And this action by Montero speaks louder than any press conference: he understands that at Olympiacos, time is the most luxurious commodity. The context of this story begins with a turbulent summer. Olympiacos, a club accustomed to EuroLeague contender status, is undergoing a generational transition. The core of veterans like Thomas Walkup, Kostas Sloukas, and Moustapha Fall remains, but their age is becoming an issue. Sloukas has turned 34, Walkup 32, and the team needs fresh blood. The acquisition of Montero, a promising young player from Valencia, is not just an ordinary signing. It's a strategic signal from the front office: they are building for both the present and the future. Head coach Georgios Bartzokas, who has led the team since 2026, now has nearly his full roster at his disposal. This may sound simple, but for a team with as many international players as Olympiacos, having full squad availability from the very start of preseason is a significant operational advantage. What catches my attention most is not the fact that Montero signed, but the speed of his integration. The young player arrived in Athens on September 2nd and began training the very next day. In European basketball, where adapting to Bartzokas' tactical system is known to be a process requiring patience, this action demonstrates clear priority. Bartzokas is famous for his collective basketball philosophy, emphasizing continuous ball movement and tactical discipline. Montero, with his attack-oriented, ball-dominant style, will need time to adapt. But starting this process earlier than expected shows that the coaching staff doesn't view him as a long-term development project, but as a contributor who can make an immediate impact. This is a bold decision, and it raises the question: can Montero live up to that expectation? The Crete tournament from September 4th to 6th will be the first test. Four EuroLeague teams — Olympiacos, Fenerbahçe, Armani Milan, and Red Star — will compete in a compressed three-day format. This is not just an ordinary friendly tournament. With four top European teams participating, this event carries the weight of a dress rehearsal before the season. Bartzokas will have the opportunity to experiment with different lineups, test the chemistry between new and old players, and most importantly, see how Montero reacts to the pressure of top-tier European basketball. However, I always remain cautious about preseason results. History has shown that impressive performances during this period rarely accurately reflect regular-season form. But that doesn't diminish the tournament's value as an early indicator of team readiness. Croatia 2026: history doesn't favor those with the most stars, but those with the best story. I recall that World Cup when analyzing Croatia's journey, and I see parallels with Olympiacos' current situation. The Greek club doesn't lack stars, but their story this season will be written through how they integrate new pieces into an already well-defined system. Montero isn't the biggest star, but he could be the difference-maker. His presence in the lineup not only adds another offensive option but also creates healthy competition within the squad. Veteran players will have to work harder to maintain their positions, which could elevate the overall quality of team practices. A contrarian perspective I want to offer: Montero being the most talked-about newcomer could be a double-edged sword. The pressure of expectation can weigh heavily on a young player, especially when he has to adapt to a new environment, a new culture, and a complex tactical system. I've witnessed too many cases of young talents being overhyped after a few impressive preseason performances, only to fade when the regular season begins. Conversely, I've also seen players who started slowly but developed tremendously over time. The question isn't whether Montero has talent, but whether he has the patience and necessary support to overcome the most difficult adaptation period. COVID didn't kill podcasting — it forced us to turn survival into a work of art. My pandemic experience taught me that the biggest challenges often bring the biggest opportunities. For Olympiacos, their challenge isn't a global pandemic, but a generational transition in a fiercely competitive environment. Signing Montero is a bold move, but it comes with risks. Can this young player adapt to Bartzokas' tempo-controlling style? Can he find his role in a lineup with strong personalities? These questions will only be answered when the season begins. But one thing is certain: Olympiacos is showing they're not afraid of change, and that's a sign of a great club. Looking at the broader EuroLeague landscape this season, I see increasingly fierce competition. Fenerbahçe with their experienced roster, Armani Milan with their massive budget, Red Star with their promising young core. Olympiacos sits among the top contenders, but that position isn't automatic. The team's stability during preseason, with nearly full squad availability, is an undeniable advantage. While many other teams are still scrambling to finalize their rosters, Olympiacos is already ready to enter the preparation phase with an almost complete lineup. This allows Bartzokas to start building tactics and fostering cohesion from very early on. At 54, I no longer look for answers. I look for the right questions for each game. And the right question for Olympiacos right now isn't whether they'll win the EuroLeague, but whether they can build a team with its own identity, a team where players are willing to fight for each other. Montero could be part of that answer, or he could just be a small piece in a larger picture. Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: this season will be a test not just for Montero, but for the entire Olympiacos organization. And I'll be watching their every move closely, because in basketball, as in life, the best stories often begin with the humblest of starts.