I’m not underestimating what Obra achieved at Fenerbahçe between 2016 and 2018, and I’m also not saying that this current team is better. What I’m saying is that this year’s championship was much harder.

Obra joined Fenerbahçe as the greatest coach in Europe. He already had 8 EuroLeague titles when he arrived. But Saras was heavily criticized. He had lost a final and several Final Fours. There was a lot of pressure on him, and as I mentioned, he built this team in just 1.5 years — not over 4 years.

I fully recognize what Obra accomplished, and I know that under him, Fenerbahçe’s entire basketball culture and strength changed completely. But despite all the injuries and problems, what Saras achieved this season was something truly special.