By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Fenerbahce/ Ulker needs to win at home against Cantu in order to advance to Euroleague’s Top16. The Turkish team is the favorite in the upcoming game and a defeat will be considered an upset. Coach Simone Pianigiani, however, is not satisfied by the performance of his unit and it’s clear that there is a problem in the power forward position.
The Italian coach used Mike Batiste in that spot, but it’s obvious to him that the experienced American will be much more effective as a center. One solution that was tried in the game against Panathinaikos was that of Emir Preldzic, but he is more a perimeter oriented forward than a post player. David Andersen is the best “big” of the team, but he is also better as a center and struggles when he is asked to defend the opponent’s power forward. So what’s left? Ilkan Karaman who has until now 4.8 ppg and 2.7 rebounds in 14 mpg. Fener needs an upgrade in order to truly knock the door of the Euroleague elite.
According to Eurohoops sources from Turkey, Fener’s management wants to take advantage of the possible Top16 disqualification of EA7 Milano in order to make a run for signing Antonis Fotsis (photo), whose contract with the Italians end this summer! The same applies also to Panathinaikos and the Greek team will also intensify its effort to get the player, as EA7 Milano will be in Athens next week in order to face Olympiacos in the game that could be its last in Euroleague this season.
What could lure EA7 Milano to trade Fotsis? Fenerbahce is ready to offer J.R.Bremer paid until the end of the season and also a respectable amount of money! The American was added in the Turkish team roster some time ago, he have been used just for three games and Fener is ready to sacrifice him for Fotsis. Bremer finished last season as a player of Milano. The news are that Antonis Fotsis is a target of Fenerbahce which needs a PF! The reality? EA7 Milano has the first and last word on the matter and the decision is not an easy one, since its main goal this season is dethroning Siena from the top of Legabasket.