By Stefan Djordjevic / info@eurohoops.net
Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Round 6 featured six matchups (two games postponed) and while Anadolu Efes grabbed much attention for multiple reasons, Marius Grigonis’ big performance, Igor Kokoskov’s motivational skils and Barcelona’s win in the final moments didn’t go unnoticed.
It was truly a week of the small ball as the guards and forwards took over, hence, the smaller than usual Eurohoops Best Five on the head with the MVP in Marius Grigonis.
MVP: Marius Grigonis
It was a very close call this week for the MVP choice but Grigonis’ career-high 25 points and 27 PIR deserved some love, especially as the 26-year-old has become the heart and soul of Zalgiris with an abundance of responsibility.
He hasn’t disappointed so far, though, and big things are to be expected from the Lithuanian. Take a look at his best output yet in the road win against ASVEL.
Best Five
- Marius Grigonis: Well played.
- Errick McCollum: It was McCollum’s first game in EuroLeague this season and he was exactly what Khimki needed in order to log their first win. He banked 22 of his 23 points in the second half on 4-5 from deep including two dagger threes.
- Vasilije Micic: Bryant Dunston made history, Shane Larkin returned, but it was Micic that paced Efes past Olympiacos with 20 points, seven assists, 2 rebounds, and one steal
- Will Clyburn: Perhaps not up to his usual standards but if the 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal who put on in CSKA’s win over Valencia are his ‘average game’, better watch out going forward.
- Nikola Mirotic: Baskonia was always a very hard opponent for Barcelona as most recent matchups went the former’s way, however, Mirotic banked 18 points on 8-12 shooting along with seven boards, two assists, two steals, and one block to make sure his squad won this one. And that block? It was on a potential game-winner with a couple of seconds left.
Bryant Dunston makes history
Bryant Dunston debuted in EuroLeague back in the 2013-14 season and has been a part of the competition ever since. Fast forward seven years and 197 games later, the American center succeeded in making history when it comes to blocks.
He reached 251 blocks during the game against Olympiacos and passed Fran Vazquez who was holding the top spot with 249. Kyle Hines follows the two with 234.
All-time leader in blocks! https://t.co/tA4pGeNVAi
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) October 30, 2020
Shane Larkin’s return
Another storyline connected with Anadolu Efes this week and the moment everybody was waiting for. The return of Shane Larkin.
Arguably the best player in EuroLeague played his first game this season and the first one since March. As fate would have it, that last game was also against Olympiacos. The one in which he banked 40 points.
He was far more humble this time around as he’s trying to bounce back from the long hiatus and knee surgery but it was enough to help his team pull through. He logged 15 points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Coach of the Week: Igor Kokoskov
While last week Igor Kokoskov got ejected in the first half and his squad went on to suffer a loss, the Serbian expert came back this week with a mission. He re-directed all the energy through his players and told them to take the Round 6 clash against Maccabi Tel Aviv personal.
And that was what they did. The team came together with great ball movement and high shooting percentages including 11-22 from the three-point range, grabbing the 75-65 road win.
Bobby Dixon and Fenerbahce took the game vs. Maccabi “personal” pic.twitter.com/hKQXqxV2rS
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) October 29, 2020
Young Gun: Usman Garuba
Usman Garuba has established himself as a regular on the Real Madrid roster and the 18-year-old has been using his chances to the fullest, so it shouldn’t surprise that he is once again the best young player of the week.
He spent 22 minutes on the floor in Real Madrid’s win over Bayern Munich, logging eight points with one miss from the field while adding three rebounds, one assist, and one block.