By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Now how does an ongoing remake of a semifinal from last year’s Final Four sound? This time, filmed with the background of a playoffs clash. Especially when one of the two teams has a burning desire for a revenge while the other wants to defend its crown. Yummy, isn’t it? Make some pop-corn and get ready for the unique spectacle that is going to be the series between Fenerbahce and Real Madrid.
During the majority of the Top 16, Fenerbahce looked like – and perhaps was – the most powerful team in Euroleague. Full stop. They won games with any way imaginable. By imposing physical defense on their opponents and through sublime offensive displays. By being clearly superior for 40 minutes or by making some emphatic comebacks. They could simply not lose, hence the reason why they finished the stage with 11-3, which was the best record by any team.
Of course, all these happened with Jan Vesely on board. His shocking injury that will keep him sidelined during the playoffs is a major setback for Fenerbahce. The Czech center averaged 12 points, 7 rebounds and 1 block per game, plus he provided a dominant presence on both ends which cannot be described in numbers.
And now Fener wants to advance in the Final Four by eliminating the reigning champion, the team that almost blasted them in the 2015 semifinal. No, Obradovic’s players will not charge in the games shouting “vengeance is mine” but what happened in last May, is an ingredient that makes an already flavorful series, extra spicy.
Real Madrid enters the playoffs having the same victories as losses (12-12). They managed to qualify by beating Khimki Moscow in the very last match of the Top 16. Before that, the Madridistas had shown great inconsistencies in their game, especially when it came to guarding their territory. Receiving 83.1 points per game in the Top 16, is not exactly flattering, but Real has not paid the price for that. So far.
Unless the champs vastly improve their defensive behavior, they need something better than their offensive average of 83.8 against a Fenerbahce that allows only 73 points per game. Real might not have the home court advantage, but possesses experience, quality, a tricky playing style and, more importantly, winning mentality that allows them to successfully react even in the most difficult of situations and when everything seems against them.
The enormous offensive talent of Luigi Datome has made him one of the pillars in the structure of Fenerbahce. He wasn’t only the first scorer of his team in the Top 16 (13.6 p.p.g.) but also extremely economical in his attempts, shooting with 62% in his two-point shots and 55% from the three-point line. Very difficult to be stopped when he is in the zone and also sort of a “nightmare match-up” for most Real Madrid’s forwards.
As his team’s first scorer (13.5 p.p.g.) and second best passer (4.9 a.p.g.), Sergio Llull already covers much of the demand and supply for points but his job wont end there against Fenerbahce. Since he always guards the most dangerous opposing guard, Llull will be the one that will try to reduce the cunning action of Bobby Dixon, while still delivering the goods on the other end.
The ground of the low post will be shaken in the battle of the giants between Ekpe Udoh and Gustavo Ayon. Although vastly different as players, they both influence the game of their teams to a huge extent. With Jan Vesely absent, Udoh, as the best blocker (2.1 p.g.) in the competition and an excellent defender in general will be needed to hold his ground like a colossus especially against the Mexican center. The reasons are simple…
When Ayon receives the ball near the basket, he is crafty enough to be ultra dangerous in a variety of ways. Apart from scoring (11 p.p.g.) he can also assist (2.4 p.g.) to his teammates. Without the ball, he is the best offensive rebounder (three per game) in the competition, thanks to his timing and positioning. He, along with Felipe Reyes will definitely target Udoh, and try to draw quick fouls that will put him out of their way.
The X-Factors:
Their notable ability to speak when all others are silenced, is almost extraordinary. And it is not their only power, of course. Bogdan Bogdanovic and Sergio Rodriguez are the “not so hidden” aces in their coaches’ sleeves. Among all other services they provide, their effect on turning the tide in favor of their team when things seem to go wrong is what makes them even more special.
Zeljko Obradovic has been qualified to a Final Four six times (2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015) after seven (six with Panathinaikos, one with Fenerbahce) previous playoff series. He has lost only once (2006) while he has a winning record of 17-7. There’s a reason why he is the most celebrated coach in Euroleague, isn’t it?
Every single participation in the Top 8 gives a ticket for the Final Four to Pablo Laso so far. He has won three ( 2013, 2014, 2015) playoff series in his career, all of them with Real Madrid, and has a record of 9-3 in the games.
The Tradition:
It’s “sweep or be sweeped” for Fenerbahce in Euroleague. The Turkish team went down with 2-0 in the series of 2005 (vs CSKA Moscow) and 2008 (vs Montepaschi Siena), while they first gained entry to the Final Four last year by dominating champion Maccabi 3-0.
Real Madrid has advanced to a Final Four after the 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015 playoffs series. The Top 8 became end of the road for the Madridistas in 2009 and 2010, while their victory record in the stage is 14-11.
Easter Egg:
Zeljko Obradovic was the head coach of Real Madrid when the Spaniards won the 1995 European Championship. Flash-forward 20 years later: Obradovic leads Fenerbahce to the Final Four but is defeated in the semifinal by Real which then proceeds to win its first Euroleague title since he was at the helm of the team. Also in his last two years in Real Madrid (1995-1997) one of his players was… Pablo Laso!