Cedi Osman's 15 Points Not Enough: Olympiakos Beat PAOK 101-96 to Win Fifth Straight Greek Super Cup

There was a moment late in the Greek Super Cup final that I rewound four times just to make sure I wasn't seeing things. Marcus Foster — a name few in America would recognize — cut the ball and brought PAOK from a double-digit deficit down to just one point: 94-93. The entire arena seemed to hold its breath. Olympiakos, a team that had led by 20 points in the first half, suddenly stood on the brink of one of the most humiliating collapses in Greek cup history. Then Jean Montero stepped up, scored a crucial basket and two ice-cold free throws, and the score settled at 101-96. Olympiakos won their fifth consecutive title. And Cedi Osman — the former NBA player signed to change the dynamic — watched with 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in hand, unable to turn the tide.

This is not a story about a strong team beating a weak team. This is a story about a strong team almost shooting itself in the foot, and a weaker team that found a way to play exactly the kind of basketball they needed — but didn't have enough time to finish the job. And within it lies a lesson about European basketball that analysts like me in America routinely overlook.

I was born in Germany, grew up in European basketball culture, but I work in Miami — where people only talk about the NBA. That's why I'm always drawn to games like this: a Greek national cup final, between two teams American audiences barely know, containing more tactical layers than a dozen routine NBA games.

Let me start with the number 50-36.

First Half: When Olympiakos Showed They Were Still Olympiakos

Olympiakos entered this final as four-time defending champions. They are the most decorated team in Greek basketball, with resources comparable to a mid-tier EuroLeague team, and a history no domestic rival can replicate. Meanwhile, PAOK — the team from Thessaloniki — entered the game with a roster designed to compete, but not to dominate.

The first half unfolded according to a script anyone following Greek basketball would have predicted. Olympiakos imposed their pace from the opening whistle, controlled the boards with Sasha Vezenkov and Donta Hall, and repeatedly attacked the gap between PAOK's paint and three-point line. The halftime score was 50-36 — a 14-point margin, but in reality, Olympiakos had led by 20 at one point. They threatened to turn the final into a one-sided display.

Sasha Vezenkov was the soul of this half. The Bulgarian forward, who spent time with the Sacramento Kings in the NBA, scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the game — a double-double in a tense final. What's notable is that Vezenkov didn't score in any overly complicated way. He moved without the ball, found space, and made the most of assists from Montero and Fournier. This is the basketball of a European-trained player: efficient over flashy.

But here's what I want you to notice. When I rewatched the first-half footage, I saw that PAOK wasn't playing badly at all. They shot well, they moved the ball, they tried to create structured attacks. Their problem was simpler: they didn't have enough interior firepower to match Vezenkov and Hall in the first half, and Olympiakos exploited that to the maximum.

Kyle Alexander scored 15 points and grabbed 8 rebounds for PAOK — a commendable effort, but he faced a peak-form Vezenkov and a solid Hall on defense. The quality gap in the paint is exactly why Olympiakos could lead by 20 even without playing at their highest intensity.

Third Quarter: When PAOK Found the Formula

If there's one moment in this game I want to preserve for analysis for underdog teams, it's the third quarter. PAOK made 7 three-pointers in a single quarter. This wasn't random. It was the result of a clear strategy: if you can't beat your opponent in the paint, pull them beyond the three-point line and hope for probability.

I know many analysts will look at the number 7 threes and call it "luck" or "a hot streak." But if you rewatch how PAOK created those threes, you'll see a clear structure. They used pick-and-rolls to pull Vezenkov and Hall out of the paint, then looked for three-point shooters in the corners. Cedi Osman, Marcus Foster, and Kendrick Ray — players with deep shooting ability — were positioned to receive the ball in favorable situations.

And here's the most important thing: PAOK didn't just shoot threes. They shot threes at high speed, and they repeatedly attacked the weaknesses they discovered in Olympiakos's defensive system. That's how they cut the lead from 20 down to 9 entering the fourth quarter, with the score at 74-65.

I've watched a lot of European basketball, and I can tell you this: Greek teams, especially those without enormous budgets, often develop a style based on maximizing probability. They can't compete on athleticism or roster depth, so they focus on creating as many quality three-point shots as possible. It's a sound strategy, and in a single-elimination game like a national cup final, it can produce surprises.

PAOK nearly produced that surprise. But they didn't, and the reason lies on the other side of the court.

Fourth Quarter: When Montero Proved His Worth

Jean Montero is one of the most interesting young players I've followed in recent years. He's not a superstar in the traditional sense. He doesn't have ideal height, doesn't have overwhelming athleticism, and doesn't have one skill that's too outstanding. But he has something many young players lack: composure in decisive moments.

In the fourth quarter, as PAOK kept cutting the lead and eventually tied it at 94-93, Montero was the one with the ball. He scored a crucial basket to put Olympiakos back in front, then made free throws to seal the win. That's 20 points and 5 assists for the game, but Montero's real value lay in those final minutes — when the pressure was greatest and mistakes could destroy everything.

This is what I want to say about European basketball. In the NBA, we often evaluate players based on season averages. We talk about PER, True Shooting Percentage, Win Shares. But in European basketball, especially in cup games, a player's value is measured by their ability to deliver in the most important moments. A player who averages 20 points per game but never delivers in the fourth quarter is considered a disappointment. Conversely, a player who averages 12 points but is always excellent when the game is tight is considered priceless.

Montero displayed exactly that quality in this final. He wasn't the leading scorer — that was Vezenkov with 25 points. But he was the one responsible for the most important decisions.

Olympiakos's Problem: A Worrying Victory

Now, I'll say what many Olympiakos fans won't want to hear. Allowing PAOK to cut a 20-point lead down to 1 is not the mark of a champion. It's the mark of a team with problems.

Let me explain. Olympiakos are the stronger team at every position. They have Vezenkov — the game's best player. They have Fournier — an NBA veteran with experience at the highest level. They have Montero — a rising young player. They have Hall — a reliable rim protector. Theoretically, they should win this game comfortably.

But they didn't. They let PAOK make 7 threes in the third quarter. They let Foster — an underrated player — cut the lead to 1. And in the final minutes, they depended on Montero to save the situation.

This reveals a clear tactical problem: Olympiakos lack consistent perimeter defense. When opponents shoot threes well, they struggle to adjust. In a cup game, this may not be too serious because they still have enough talent to win. But in a EuroLeague season, where every team can shoot threes well, this could be a major issue.

I've followed EuroLeague for years, and I can tell you that top teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Fenerbahçe won't let Olympiakos escape a game like this. They'll exploit the weaknesses in the defensive system to the fullest, and they won't give Montero the chance to make decisive plays.

Cedi Osman: When Expectations Exceed Reality

And now, we come to the protagonist of this story: Cedi Osman.

When Osman left the NBA to return to Europe, there were many expectations. He was considered one of the biggest signings of the summer in Europe, a player capable of changing a team's dynamic. And to some extent, he met those expectations. In this final, he scored 15 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and dished 3 assists — a decent, even good, stat line.

But here's the problem: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists weren't enough to beat Olympiakos. And if PAOK want to compete with the top Greek teams, Osman needs to do more than that.

I'm not saying Osman played badly. He played well. But he didn't play excellently, and that's the difference between a good player and a game-changing player. In the NBA, Osman was a role player — a supporting piece, not a star. He can shoot threes, he can defend, he can create some offensive plays. But he's not someone who can carry a team.

And that's PAOK's problem. They signed Osman expecting him to become the team's star. But Osman isn't a star. He's a good player in a good system. If PAOK want to compete with Olympiakos, they need more than that.

I've seen this before. In 2026, I sat in a bar in Miami watching the Euro final between Portugal and France. When Ronaldo got injured and left the field, I turned to my friend at the table and said: "Portugal will win." Everyone laughed at me. But I was right. And the lesson I learned that night was: sometimes, a team losing their star liberates them to play a better brand of football.

PAOK didn't lose their star in this game. But they learned that one star isn't enough to beat a better-organized team.

Euro 2026 taught me a lesson: a hot take doesn't need to be right, only timely.

The Roster Depth Gap

One thing I always emphasize when talking about European basketball is the importance of roster depth. In the NBA, top teams can rely on one or two superstars to win. But in Europe, especially in EuroLeague and national leagues, roster depth is often the deciding factor.

Look at Olympiakos's stat line in this game. Vezenkov scored 25. Montero scored 20. Fournier scored 19. Hall scored 12. That's four players scoring 12 or more. And that's why they could win this game even without playing at their highest intensity.

Compare with PAOK. Foster scored 18. Osman scored 15. Alexander scored 15. Mitrou-Long, Calathes, and Hudgins each scored 11. That's six players scoring 11 or more — a fairly balanced scoring distribution. But the problem is none of them scored enough to make a difference.

In basketball, there's a concept I call the "20-point threshold." If a team has one player scoring 20 or more, their chances of winning increase significantly. If they have two players scoring 20 or more, they almost certainly win. Olympiakos had two players scoring 20 or more in this game, while PAOK had only one player close to 20.

That's the difference between a champion team and a nearly-champion team. That's the difference between Olympiakos and PAOK.

What We Still Don't Know

I have to admit there's a lot we don't know about this game. We don't have True Shooting Percentage data, we don't have offensive and defensive efficiency per 100 possessions, and we don't have on-court impact data for each player.

That's a major limitation when analyzing European basketball. European leagues don't publish detailed stats like the NBA, making analysis harder. We have to rely on what our eyes see and what basic stats tell us.

But even with those limitations, there are some conclusions we can draw with confidence.

First, Olympiakos are the stronger team. This is no surprise. They have a better roster, championship experience, and a system built over years.

Second, PAOK played better than expected. They fought to the final minute and nearly produced one of the season's biggest upsets. That's an achievement to be proud of, even without the win.

Third, Cedi Osman is still adapting to European basketball. He needs time to adjust his game, and he needs a system that suits him to maximize his abilities. Can PAOK provide that? We'll have to wait and see.

The Contrarian View: Is Olympiakos Really a Concern?

I said that Olympiakos allowing PAOK to cut the lead to 1 is a worrying sign. But I must also acknowledge another perspective.

One could argue that Olympiakos keeping their composure and winning a game where they nearly lost their advantage is a sign of maturity. Champion teams aren't teams that never face difficulty. They're teams that know how to overcome difficulty when it appears.

And Olympiakos did that. When PAOK tied it at 94-93, Olympiakos didn't panic. They stayed calm, executed effective attacks, and won. That's the quality of a champion.

I've seen many teams lose big leads and never recover. I've seen teams collapse mentally when opponents got close. Olympiakos didn't do that. They fought to the end, and they won.

So am I being too harsh on Olympiakos? Maybe. But I believe pointing out potential problems is important, even when a team is winning. Because those problems won't disappear. They'll only become clearer against stronger opponents.

And Olympiakos will face stronger opponents. EuroLeague is a ruthless competition where every mistake can be punished. If Olympiakos want to compete at the highest level of European basketball, they need to solve their defensive problems.

On Cedi Osman's Development

I want to spend some time on Cedi Osman, because I believe he's one of the most interesting players to watch this season.

Osman is a product of Turkish basketball, a rich and ambitious basketball tradition. He started his career at Anadolu Efes, one of Turkey's top teams, before moving to the NBA to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers and later the San Antonio Spurs.

During his NBA time, Osman was known as an energetic player with three-point shooting and versatile defense. He never became a star, but he was a reliable role player — a player any team would want on their roster.

But European basketball is different from the NBA. In Europe, Osman is expected to become a star, not just a role player. He's expected to carry the team, make crucial plays, and lead his teammates.

That's not an easy transition. Many NBA players have tried to return to Europe and failed because they couldn't adapt to the new role. They were used to being supported by other stars, and when they became the star, they didn't know how to handle the pressure.

Osman seems to be handling the transition fairly well. His 15-point, 7-rebound, 3-assist line in this final is a positive sign. But he needs to do more if PAOK want to compete with Olympiakos.

World Cup 2026, I mispronounced Modric. That whole night I learned about twist.

Lessons from This Game

So what can we learn from this Greek Super Cup final?

The first lesson is about the importance of roster depth. Olympiakos won not because they had the single best star, but because they had many good players. In European basketball, roster depth often matters more than individual talent.

The second lesson is about the danger of relying on probability. PAOK played well in the third quarter by shooting threes efficiently. But they couldn't sustain that efficiency in the fourth quarter. Three-point shooting is a high-variance strategy — it can bring you surprise wins, but it can also cause you to lose.

The third lesson is about the importance of execution in decisive moments. Montero proved he can deliver when the game is tight. That's a quality that can't be measured by stats, but it can be the deciding factor between winning and losing.

And the fourth lesson, perhaps the most important, is about the nature of European basketball. This is a different brand of basketball from the NBA. It's slower, more tactical, and demands a different type of player. NBA players who want to succeed in Europe need to adjust their game, and they need to understand they won't be the only star on the court.

What's Next?

As I write this, the new season is approaching. Olympiakos will enter EuroLeague as one of the expected contenders, but with questions about their perimeter defense. PAOK will try to build on their performance in this final, but they'll need more than that if they want to compete at the highest level.

And Cedi Osman? He'll continue adapting to European basketball, continue trying to find his role on a new team, and continue proving he can be an important player at the highest level of European basketball.

Bubble NBA 2026 had no fans. I could only listen to myself.

I've learned that basketball, wherever it is, is always a game of moments. A three-pointer at one moment can change the course of a game. A free throw at another can decide the fate of a season. And in those moments, what we see on the court isn't just technique or athleticism — it's character, composure, the ability to deliver when everything is against you.

Olympiakos showed those qualities in this final. They won their fifth consecutive title, and they deserved it. But they also left unanswered questions.

I forge hot takes, but truth is what I forge longest.

Deep Analysis of Player Stat Lines

Let me go deeper into each key player's stat line in this game.

Sasha Vezenkov: 25 Points, 10 Rebounds

Vezenkov was the game's best player, and it's no surprise he led both teams in scoring and rebounding. What's notable is that Vezenkov achieved these numbers without needing to shoot excessively. He's an efficient player who knows how to maximize the opportunities he has.

What I like most about Vezenkov is his ability to play both inside and outside. He can score in the paint, but he can also shoot threes. That makes him a dual threat that defenses struggle to handle.

In this game, Vezenkov scored mainly from off-ball movement and paint attacks. He doesn't need the ball in his hands to make an impact — he finds space, and his teammates find him.

This is the style of basketball I call "smart basketball." It's not flashy, but it's effective. And in European basketball, effectiveness is always valued over flashiness.

Jean Montero: 20 Points, 5 Assists

Montero is the youngest of Olympiakos's stars, and he proved he deserves that role. 20 points and 5 assists is an impressive stat line, but as I said, Montero's real value lies in those final minutes.

Montero is a player capable of creating plays for himself and his teammates. He has speed, he has skill, and he has the composure to deliver in important moments. That's a rare combination in a young player.

What I want to see from Montero next season is growth in leadership ability. He has the talent to become one of EuroLeague's top players, but he needs to prove he can sustain that performance over a whole season, not just one game.

Evan Fournier: 19 Points

Fournier is an NBA veteran with experience at the highest level. He's played for several NBA teams, including the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks. At 32, he's in the late stage of his career, but he can still score efficiently.

Fournier's 19 points in this game were an important contribution to Olympiakos. He's a threat from the three-point line, and he can create offensive plays for himself. That makes him a reliable offensive option for Olympiakos.

However, Fournier has defensive limitations. He's no longer as quick as he was when young, and he can be exploited by faster players. That's why he's used mainly as an offensive player, and why Olympiakos need good defenders around him.

Donta Hall: 12 Points, 8 Rebounds

Hall was one of Olympiakos's most important players in this game, even though his stat line wasn't overly impressive. 12 points and 8 rebounds is a good contribution, but Hall's value lies in his defense and rim protection.

Hall is a mobile center who can protect the rim and grab rebounds. He's not an excellent offensive player, but he does the dirty work every team needs. That's the type of player I call "invisible" — he doesn't get much attention, but his team can't succeed without him.

Marcus Foster: 18 Points, 5 Assists

Foster was PAOK's leading scorer in this game, and he had a commendable performance. 18 points and 5 assists is an impressive stat line, especially in a game where he faced a stronger team.

Foster is a player with three-point shooting and playmaking ability. He's an important part of PAOK's offensive system, and he proved he can deliver in big games.

However, like Osman, Foster couldn't carry the team alone. He needed support from teammates, and in this game, that support wasn't enough to make a difference.

Cedi Osman: 15 Points, 7 Rebounds, 3 Assists

And finally, we return to Osman. As I said, his stat line is decent, but not excellent. He scored 15 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and had 3 assists. He played well, but he didn't play excellently.

What I want to see from Osman is the ability to deliver in important moments. In this game, he didn't have the chance to do that. PAOK fought to the final minute, but they couldn't create enough opportunities for Osman to make a difference.

In the future, Osman will need to find ways to impact the game even when he's not scoring much. He needs to become a leader, a player his teammates can trust in difficult moments. That's what PAOK need from him, and that's what he needs to provide if he wants to succeed in Europe.

On Greek Sports Culture

I want to spend some time on Greek sports culture, because it's an important part of this game's context.

Basketball in Greece isn't the most popular sport — that's football. But basketball holds a special place in the hearts of Greek fans. Games between Olympiakos and Panathinaikos are among the most intense in Europe, and the atmosphere in those games can compare to any NBA game.

Olympiakos and PAOK are two teams from two different cities — Athens and Thessaloniki — and there's a historic rivalry between them. This Greek Super Cup final isn't just a basketball game — it's a clash between two cities, two cultures, and two histories.

That means the pressure in this game was much greater than in an ordinary game. Players aren't just playing for themselves — they're playing for their city, their fans, and their team's history.

That's why Olympiakos allowing PAOK to cut the lead to 1 is a problem. In a game with such pressure, losing a big lead can cause serious psychological consequences. Olympiakos were lucky to have Montero to save the situation, but they can't rely on luck forever.

Sports culture is the endless argument after the final whistle.

Conclusion: A Win with Many Questions

Olympiakos won the Greek Super Cup final for the fifth consecutive time, and that's an impressive achievement. They're the strongest team in Greece, and they deserve the title.

But this win leaves more questions than answers. Can Olympiakos solve their defensive problems before the EuroLeague season starts? Can Cedi Osman adapt to European basketball and become the star PAOK need? Can PAOK build on their performance in this game to compete with the top Greek teams?

I don't have answers to those questions. But I know one thing: European basketball is a complex and surprising world, and games like this are why I love it.

I don't write to be right, I write to explore an angle no one has seen.

And the angle I want to explore in this article is this: Olympiakos won this game, but they didn't win convincingly. And in European basketball, sometimes winning unconvincingly is more worrying than losing. Because it hides problems you need to solve, and it creates a false sense of security that can cause you to fail when facing bigger challenges.

Olympiakos will face bigger challenges. And I'll be watching to see if they can overcome them.

That's basketball. That's why we love it. And that's why games like this, even if it's just a Greek national cup final, matter far more than their appearance suggests.

See you in the next article.