By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
We rated all 18 teams – with 10 being the highest grade – in five different areas that show the potential of each team at the start of the season.
THE CRITERIA
The quality of the roster: What is evaluated here is the talent of all the players on the roster of every team and their depth at every position.
Chemistry: The big and fancy names do not always guarantee a good team. Even though it’s very early and the teams are still trying to create their core, the chemistry that the players have between them is very important, as is the level of familiarity with their coach.
Status: The name and history of a team do not play basketball, but in crucial games sometimes the “weight” of the jersey can determine the outcome.
Transfer moves: In this particular category we evaluate the moves that were made in the transfer market and estimate the weakening or strengthening of a team.
How far they will go: Our assessment regarding the course of each team. The teams that are big favorites to get in the Final Four and win the title are graded with a 9, the teams that aim for an appearance in Berlin and have good chances of making it are graded with an 8, the teams whose big goal is to reach the playoffs with a 7, the teams that are expected to have a decent run with a 6, and those that are out of the running for qualification early on are graded with a 5.
The evaluation regarding the course and dynamics of every team has, of course, been developed before any official games have begun and so it is expected to change throughout the season.
#16 ALBA BERLIN
Quality of the roster: 6
Chemistry: 7
Status: 6
Transfer moves: 6
How far they will go: 5
Total: 30
“For the love of the game” being their motto, ALBA Berlin is getting ready for yet another interesting season. New boss Israel Gonzalez learned at the side of Aito Reneses. The latter’s departure from the bench was also the most significant change in the roster, which no longer has Peyton Siva but which does have German League MVP Jaleen Smith.
#16 CRVENA ZVEZDA MTS BELGRADE
Quality of the roster: 6
Chemistry: 7
Status: 6
Transfer moves: 6
How far they will go: 5
Total: 30
Except for 2017, when they missed out on qualification for the playoffs in a tie, Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade has struggled to shed its role as a supporting actor. Dejan Radonjic and his players will strive for something better with the return of Nikola Kalinic to a team Jordan Loyd is no longer part of.
#16 LDLC ASVEL VILLEURBANNE
Quality of the roster: 6
Chemistry: 7
Status: 6
Transfer moves: 6
How far they will go: 5
Total: 30
Provided that LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne has learned from its mistakes, the team is on the right track for the new season. There isn’t a lot of experience on the roster that Coach TJ Parker has at his disposal, and the departures (Norris Cole, Guerschon Yabusele, Moustapha Fall) seem more substantial than the arrivals, but perhaps the enthusiasm will fill the gap.
#14 ZALGIRIS KAUNAS
Quality of the roster: 6
Chemistry: 7
Status: 6
Transfer moves: 7
How far they will go: 5
Total: 31
The challenge that Coach Martin Schiller’s team is facing is to continue being a pleasant surprise. The Lithuanian element was always strong on the roster, with the absence now of Marius Grigonis, but with the presence once again of Edgaras Ulanovas, while there is also significant reinforcement from afar (Emmanuel Mudiay).
#14 PANATHINAIKOS OPAP ATHENS
Quality of the roster: 6
Chemistry: 7
Status: 7
Transfer moves: 6
How far they will go: 5
Total: 31
After the worst placement in team history in the EuroLeague (16th) for what became their first absence from the playoffs since 2010, Panathinaikos OPAP Athens can only aim higher. The departure of Dinos Mitoglou will be felt, however, Coach Dimitris Priftis is banking on the experience of the older players and the enthusiasm of the younger ones.
#13 AS MONACO
Quality of the roster: 7
Chemistry: 6
Status: 6
Transfer moves: 8
How far they will go: 5
Total: 32
Winning the 7DAYS EuroCup led AS Monaco to another historic moment, its first participation in the EuroLeague. Now the next challenge lies ahead. The almost fully refurbished roster, where the signing of Mike James stands out, looks very promising, and it remains to be seen to what extent it will be able to succeed.
#12 UNICS KAZAN
Quality of the roster: 7
Chemistry: 6
Status: 6
Transfer moves: 8
How far they will go: 6
Total: 33
As finalists in the EuroCup, UNICS Kazan has returned to the EuroLeague after four years. However, it won’t mean much if the team can’t make the most of it. Coach Velimir Perasovic can be hopeful with a roster that includes Mario Hezonja, O.J. Mayo and Tonye Jekiri.
#10 BASKONIA VITORIA-GASTEIZ
Quality of the roster: 7
Chemistry: 7
Status: 7
Transfer moves: 7
How far they will go: 7
Total: 35
After its first absence from the playoffs since 2015 it will be interesting to see how far Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz goes. Coach Dusko Ivanovic no longer counts on players like Pierria Henry, Luca Vildoza and Achille Polonara, but the addition of others, such as Wade Baldwin IV, Jayson Granger and Simone Fontecchio, keeps the value of the roster high.
#10 OLYMPIACOS PIRAEUS
Quality of the roster: 7
Chemistry: 7
Status: 7
Transfer moves: 7
How far they will go: 7
Total: 35
Vassilis Spanoulis put an end to a most brilliant career and now Coach Georgios Bartzokas’s Olympiacos Piraeus is called upon to prove it is not stuck in the past. It looks like Kostas Sloukas will carry the weight of the responsibility to continue the legacy, with a roster to which few and careful changes were made.
#9 FC BAYERN MUNICH
Quality of the roster: 7
Chemistry: 7
Status: 7
Transfer moves: 8
How far they will go: 7
Total: 36
FC Bayern Munich returns for a seventh season aiming to upset the EuroLeague once again. The departures were significant (Baldwin IV, Jalen Reynolds) but so were the arrivals (Darrun Hilliard, Deshaun Thomas, Othello Hunter), and Coach Andrea Trinchieri’s projects are always interesting.
#8 MACCABI PLAYTIKA TEL AVIV
Quality of the roster: 8
Chemistry: 7
Status: 8
Transfer moves: 8
How far they will go: 7
Total: 38
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv aims high every season, however, they still haven’t made the playoffs under the current format (2016-today). The coronavirus pandemic canceled the 2019-20 playoffs plans with Maccabi tied for fourth place as the season was abandoned. The made-in-the-USA reinforcement might put an end to the wait for Coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos and his players, among them now James Nunnally, Derrick Williams and Reynolds.