By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Euroleague’s regular season ended and before we get to Top16, it’s time to look back at the first 10 weeks of action and pick the most interesting bits of wisdom that the season provided us thus far. So let’s start the count down
- Every competition that respect itself should be careful and schedule every last week game to be played on the same time: We don’t think that we have to elaborate more…
- Real Madrid is scary: It’s not just the 10-0 streak. After reaching the final last season, Real is on a mission, has a tone of talent, the best offense (88.9 ppg), the best defence (65.2 ppg), the best player of the league according to his 20.5 PIR who is of course Nikola Mirotic and our favorite guy to watch, Sergio Rodriguez. So far few point guards have stolen the spotlight and he is the best among them, a real flour general, a master of tempo and the guy which will provide offensive solutions on five on five situations, which proved to be the Achilles heal of Real last season.
- Olympiacos is clutch: If there is a team with a “refuse to lose” mentality in Europe, it’s the champions. Despite playing with fire even in “easy games”, like the home contest against Zielona Gora, Olympiacos somehow found the way to win and stay perfect (10-0). The resilience of coach Bartzokas’ team is admirable and makes them once again a top contender in their quest for a three-peat.
- Lokomotiv Kuban is no ordinary newcomer: The “other” Russian team of Euroleague locked a Top16 spot early and we expect them to play a big role not just in the second phase, but even in the play offs. Yes, they can get there and even fight for the home court advantage – which in most cases means also a place in the Final Four. It will be an interesting duel against CSKA Moscow in Top16.
- A slow start means nothing: Yes, Barcelona and CSKA Moscow are not sizzling. But guess what… They will start Top16 at zero and they have the talent, despite their problems to get at least to the Final Four. Until now they produced mediocre results and basketball, but they could be just warming up.
- Bayern Munich is the future: Everyone expected them to get a wildcard and they have met the expectations. It’s not only a good team, but a relevant team. A big club with full gym and national media interest. Euroleague can only benefit from those kind of teams.
- Zeljko Obradovic can do miracles: In no time the Serbian mastermind is worshiped in Turkey, his work in progress finished on top of the standings in a tough group including CSKA and Barcelona and coincidentally Fener‘s results helped Partizan get to Top16 without injured Leo Westermann. What else can you ask?
- NBA is watching even older talent: After some good games in Euroleague, Alexis Ajinca returned to the States. It’s one more proof that NBA teams at this point not only watch the up and coming draft eligible players of Europe’s top competition, but also older guys who can help a franchise on the other side of the Atlantic. You would be surprise to know how many players, even Americans with a long career in Europe, are getting at last the right kind of exposure to the NBA through Euroleague.
- The mid-level teams are catching up: This year only one team, Strasbourg, wasn’t a real factor in its group standings, despite ending the regular season with a respectable 3-7 record. Even Lietuvos Rytas which had only win, got it in the first game against Panathinaikos, creating drama for the start. Newcomers like Zielona Gora and Budivelnyk were competitive, teams with tradition like Crvena Zvezda showed that they belonged in the league and surprises like Nanterre were in the run for a Top16 ticket until the last game.
- End or an era for Siena: We have pointed out that after the move to Florence, Siena just doesn’t feel the same. The Italian champs fought until the last second with pride, but missing the Top16 seems to be the start of disastrous domino waiting to happen. The financial troubles are confirmed even by the club, Daniel Hackett is leaving and it will not be a surprise if Siena during the summer loses its A type license in Euroleague. Still, coach Crespi and his players can be more than proud, because even if we get to this, the reason will not be the results and the performance of the team on the court.