By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Interesting input was shared via the annual midseason survey of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague general managers, presented by Euroleague Basketball Wednesday.
Asked about the MVP of the 2022-23 season, 61.1% of the votes went to Sasha Vezenkov of Olympiacos. Netting 25.3 per game, he currently leads the list of players with the highest PIR average.
The GM’s vote on the best head coach was largely split between Greek tacticians. Olympiacos’ Giorgos Bartzokas edged out Fenerbahce Beko’s Dimitris Itoudis, 38.9-27.8%.
On to the best breakout season, Fener’s Johnathan Motley got 33.3%. At 16.7% was Dzanan Musa of Real Madrid.
Resurfacing Vezenkov, the leading star of the Reds would be the player to sign for 27.8% of the GM field. Vasilije Micic of Anadolu Efes packed 16.7%.
Half of the votes on the best passer went to Nick Calathes, yet another representation of Fenerbahce. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv’s Lorenzo Brown earned 16.7%.
AS Monaco’s Mike James was tagged as the most clutch player. Behind the leading 44.4% was Olympiacos floor general Kostas Sloukas with 16.7%.
Markus Howard of Cazoo Baskonia was the response of a third of the general managers asked to pick the best pure shooter. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan’s Billy Baron with 27.8% slid in second.
Back to La Roca Team’s James, he went for 33.3% in the question about the most spectacular player. Efes’ Will Clyburn got 16.7%.
Reigning back-to-back Final Four MVP Micic was named as the best leader in 22.% of the survey answers. Maccabi’s Brown, Monaco’s James, and Olympiacos’ Sloukas tied at 11.1% apiece.
Emerging as the top pick for the best defender, Real’s towering center Walter Tavares. Olympiacos guard Thomas Walkup is the second most popular option with 27.8%.
The midseason look on the rising star showcased Alba Berlin’s Gabriele Procida earning 22.2% of the votes.
At 55.6%, Baskonia was named the most surprising team.
The question about the most uncomfortable opponent produced a four-way tie between Efes, Monaco, Fener, and Olympiacos.
A three-way tie between Monaco, Baskonia, and Olympiacos was shaped by the answers to the most fun-to-watch team.
As for the Final Four predictions, Olympiacos was selected by 88.9%, Barca got 77.8%, Fenerbahce was the third favorite with 72.2% and back-to-back champions Efes was voted by 61.1% of the GMs.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net