By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
The second round of Top16 means also that every player registered after the start of the second phase of Euroleague is eligible to play. The rosters are now locked, no other additions can be made and Eurohoops presents you the nine last signings of the season.
Lamar Odom (Laboral Kutxa)
He arrived in Spain last week, however he wasn’t used in the last Liga Endesa game of his new team. Odom is one of the biggest NBA names to ever play in the current version of Euroleague and the question which surrounds him is simple. Can he be the player he used to be, or at least a factor in the European game. We will have to wait for him to play in order to get a clear image, he has the talent and the basketball IQ to help his new team and it remains to be seen if he also has the motive and the physical condition.
Jamario Moon (Olympiacos)
One more newcomer to Euroleague who was signed by Olympiacos almost two months ago. That’s how he had the time to adapt, as the Reds are already using him in Greek league games. Αt this point the question for him is which will be his role to the team, since he was added in order to help while Brent Petway was injured, but now Petway is also healthy and ready to go. So far Moon brings energy and quality from the bench.
Giorgi Shermadini (Olympiacos)
The Reds managed to get him signed just before the deadline, he will miss this week’s game, but he is expected to be a contributor in no time. After all, “Sherma” was a member of the champs last year, he helped them win the Euroleague and he is more than familiar with his new/old team.
Blagota Sekulic (Fenerbahce/ Ulker)
It’s the best season of his long career, having been a standout in Liga Endesa as a member of Iberostar Tenerife and then getting signed by Fenerbahce in order to replace injured Gasper Vidmar. He has the experience to give what coach Obradovic wants and had 20 days to get accustomed to his new environment.
Pierre Jackson (Fenerbahce/ Ulker)
The rookie guard who was signed last week is expected to make his debut against Olympiacos and that will be quite a crash test. He is a gifted scorer, he proved it in the NBADL, but his new team needs defense and also play making ability, after missing due to injury point guard Kenan Sipahi. After all offensive talent was the only thing not missing to Fener, even after its injury woes.
Zach Wright (Panathinaikos)
He signed the same day with Jackson, but he is more than familiar with European basketball. He started the season in Brose Baskets, he has played in Greece and his coaches wanted exactly what he brings. Stability, defense and play making in order to lift some burden from Diamantidis shoulders. He is expected to deliver.
Andrija Zizic (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
He has the experience and the pedigree to help any team in Europe, despite his age. That’s why he was chosen as Maccabi was in need of a tried solution, when Shawn James went down due to injury.
Anton Ponkrashov (Lokomotiv Kuban)
He is the replacement of Bykov, he is well respected player in Russia, a former member of CSKA Moscow and he is expected to have a limited role in the team. Despite his shortcomings, evident by the decision of CSKA Moscow to cut ties with him, he is still one of the best Russian guards.
Sasha Pavlovic (Partizan)
That’ s a very interesting case. He wants to resurrect his career and that’s how he decided after years in the NBA to play for Partizan. He has already been used in two Adriatic league games and so far he wasn’t spectacular. Still, he can shoot and he wants to shine in the big stage of Euroleague in a team with relatively few high quality players.