By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
The time has come. After a long, highly fascinating and filled with surprises, season, the Eurocup Finals are at hand. Galatasaray and Strasbourg survived all obstacles in their path towards this last battle, the decisive duo of games from which the champion will rise.
And if the trophy itself is not a hefty and prestigious enough prize, do not forget that the winner will find a golden ticket to the 2016/2017 Euroleague inside the shiny cup that the Eurocup winners will hold in their hands.
That is perhaps the greatest reward for either Strasbourg or Galatasaray which have never been so close to claiming an international title. Until now. Galatasaray reached the Eurocup semifinal in 2008, while Strasbourg played in the quarterfinal games of 2007. Let’s see which of these teams is ready, and able, to make some history.
Total dominance
If there is a team that can be characterized as at least a “slight” favorite in the Finals, then it is no other than Galatasaray. Coach Ergin Ataman’s players have been powerful enough to produce 96.73 index rating per game of theirs, which is the second best team output in the competition. While they score with an average of 84 points they have the second best assist/turnover ratio (17.6 assists/11.5 turnovers) among all other teams, a testament of their efficient basketball. At the same time, they bring out the worst possible self from their opponents. The teams that face them average an index rating of 75. A huge contrast to Galatasaray’s own output, right?
Multitasking
The talent overload in Galatasaray, often makes the team appear like a hydra, of sorts, on offense. You never know which heads is going to strike, how it will strike and what kind of bite it is going to take. Plus, if you cut it, then more will appear in its place. This isn’t only evident from the fact that three different players (Errick McCollum, Stephane Lasme and Blake Schilb) average double-digit numbers in scoring, but also because many can create baskets either for themselves or for their teammates quite easily. Anyone can contribute, heavily if needed and the “hero gene” might make its appearance inside any player, at any moment of a game.
Together as one
There is no shortage of players who can make buckets from Strasbourg’s side either, of course, but the French’s greatest strength lies in teamwork. The average number of 19.1 assists is a pretty good number for the 81 points which Strasbourg scores per game. Vincent Collet’s guys are always on the lookout for the right or extra pass and when they show patience in their game, they can get extremely dangerous. This can become a great tool against a Galatasaray that shows a bit of defensive naivety during some periods in its matches.
Sucker-punching
Strasbourg is also one of the best teams of the competition when it comes to destroying the other team’s’ game, forcing them into making 15.9 turnovers per game. Now, since Galatasaray makes really few of them (11.5 per game) it will be interesting to see if the French will still be able to utilize this very important weapon of theirs, that doesn’t only messes the scoring efforts of their opponents, but increases the opportunities in its own offense as well. If a team like Galatasaray, that performs with great confidence, begins to second-guess its choices, due to an increasing number of turnovers, then Strasbourg can thrive on that with benefiting consequences that will expand on both ends on court.
The Stars
He was named the MVP of the season in Eurocup, and rightfully so. Errick McCollum is the best performer (20 average in the index rating) and second best scorer (18.7 p.p.g.) in the competition. He hasn’t scored less than 15 points in a game since the eighth-finals, which means that it is almost impossible to shut him down completely. Perhaps his temperature might be cooled down a bit, but even then he will win fouls (6.6 per game) or help his teammates’ efforts (3.7 assists per game). There are players in Strasbourg who can provide a solid defensive match-up, but the safest solution against him, is by creating the traps (quick double-teaming for example) that will cause McCollum to make the turnover or take a forced shot.
There are few things which Mardy Collins does not do for Strasbourg. To be honest, the American swingman provides a full spectrum of services for his team’s game. He is the second best scorer (13.2 p.p.g, while Rodrigue Beaubois, first scorer averages 13.3.), and rebounder (4.6 p.g.), first in assists (4.3 p.g.) and second in steals (1.3). Nothing less than a one-man orchestra with a large impact on both ends. He leads his team with his mere presence on court. It is always difficult to stop someone who can find so many ways to help his team. Targeting him with dangerous, and faster players, like McCollum, in order to make him foul more than usual (he commits only two per game) might be a top choice for Galatasaray.
The Key Match-Up
His playing time has been greatly increased after the eighth-finals and his role has been totally upgraded, particularly in the semifinal series against Trento. Bangaly Fofana has emerged as the basic and most trusted center of Strasbourg in the previous Eurocup stages, through his performances. Being the executor of many pick n’ roll plays, while holding his ground on defense, Fofana averaged 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4.5 (!) assists in the quarterfinals, while delivering a stellar second semifinal match against Trento with 20 points and 7 rebounds. He has enriched his team’s game enough to even now pose an tricky riddle to coach Ataman. Especially if you also add the fact that he isn’t only taller than Galatasaray’s big guys, but also quite mobile, thus not easy to guard against.
So you can realize that Stephane Lasme must put his experience skills in full motion on court. The Gabonese center averages 11.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, plus doing all the little things needed in order to patch up some holes in his team’s defense. He will protect his territory at all costs, and his control of the rebounds and air-traffic will be of vital importance, especially considering the fact that his opponents have found an extra weapon in their frontline arsenal. It will be vital for him to protect himself from fouls (he averages 4.5 in the knock-out stages).
Safety at home vs cruising on the road
In this kind of double knock-out series, performing well at home can make a difference between life and death. “Thanks for the heads-up, but we kindly disagree”, will Strasbourg say to that. The French team has managed to advance the Finals, with zero (0) at home during the three (eighth-finals, quarterfinals, semifinals) elimination rounds, and by winning in all six road games it has given since the eighth-finals stage.
Peculiar and remarkable at the same time, isn’t it? No? Well, if you haven’t been amazed by this information, take notice of the fact that they have beaten their opponents on the road during the knock-out stages, with an average difference of 16-points (75 – 91)! This has allowed Strasbourg to make up for the 78 – 85, which is the equivalent number at its home games.
When it comes to Galatasaray, the “Abdi Ipekci” arena in Istanbul is something more than an almost impregnable fortress (10-1 record in this season’s Eurocup). It is a place of… torment for every foe, since in the three elimination rounds, the Turkish team has scored 84 points at home, while receiving only 66. On the contrary, things weren’t pretty for the team on the road, at least in the knock-out stages, where Galatasaray loses by an average of 86 – 78.
Of course, these habits are can change. Regardless of what Strasbourg has shown so far in its impressive ventures on the road, it wont be easy to appear so aggressive in one of the hottest arenas in Europe. Therefore the French must not only win at home, but also finish the game with a solid lead.
On the other hand, Galatasaray will still rely in its indisputably awesome home-court power. But it can be so much easier for coach Ataman’s players to handle the pressure of the favorite in front of their fans, and in a packed arena, if they have taken care at least a good part of the job first, by finally delivering the goods away from home.