EuroLeague: Top 100 players (50-41)

10/Oct/17 15:48

The countdown towards the top spots of our “EuroLeague: Best 100” selections continues with the players ranked between 50 to 41!

By Nikos Varlas / info@eurohoops.net

Let’s get started for another season! A concept established in Europe by Eurohoops.net regarding the top league and which is, by nature, subjective! It can generate disagreements, objections, agreements, and, above all… interest!

In recent seasons, the choices are becoming even harder and more torturous to make! Because all the good players are packed in 16 teams and the top clubs in Europe have greater depth in their rosters in order to manage the new format of the EuroLeague and the levels of energy it requires. Which makes the ranking very difficult and leaves out of the list of the EuroLeague’s Top 100 players, athletes that could have easily been among our choices.

As we wrote last season, there are at least 50 players who could have been objective and subjective choices, especially between 100 and 80, and we ask for your understanding because, unfortunately, there is not enough room for everyone.

However, we promise that after the first 15 rounds, when we will have a substantial sample by the end of the first phase, we will rank the Top 100 players based on their performance up to that point, and so, any possible mistake will be rectified! You are familiar with our criteria from previous seasons. The only footnote is that, some players who are coming back from a long absence due to injury (for example, Zoran Dragic) were not ranked and that this will happen during the season. With the exception of Sergio Lull, who is in a category of his own!

Criteria:

1. The individual quality of the player IN COMBINATION with the role and playing time we anticipate he will get in his team.

2. The strength of the club he plays for. The players of the teams that are in the Top 8 and that are title contenders every season always have an edge because they combine individual quality with their club’s high aspirations.

3. What each player has achieved in his career in the EuroLeague combined with the prospects he has for the 2017-18 season.

The rest of the ranking:

#50 Janis Timma (Baskonia)

Year of birth: 1992

Height: 2.01m

Position: F

Make a note of his name. He’s going to be one of this season’s revelations and one of the best rookies in the league! He’s very strong and fast, he does everything on the court both in set plays as well as in transition, he’s a good defender and rebounder, he can pass and, at the same time, he’s a prolific package in offense. He has game in the post, strong finishes and he’s constantly improving his skills in execution from the perimeter. Keep an eye on him.

#49 Jamel McLean (Olympiacos)

Year of birth: 1988

Height: 2.03m

Position: F/C

He’s coming off a mediocre – for his standards – season, but he made a big signing. He has attacking virtues, he can finish plays with both hands close to the basket, he can back creations in the pick-and-roll and, at the same time, he has a reliable mid-range shot. Considering the demands of Olympiacos’s level and game style, he has to improve his defense, his rebounding ability and, generally, to develop into a tougher big man. Coach Sfairopoulos will definitely push him in this direction.

#48 Ante Tomic (Barcelona)

Year of birth: 1987

Height: 2.17m

Position: C

Last season, for the first time in his career in Barca, he didn’t have a double-digit number of points (8.8 points and 5.9 rebounds). His impact in offense is waning and it was the worst season in Barcelona’s modern history, so it makes sense that he lost ground in our ranking this year. Basketball changes, the demands in the ‘5’ position become different and Tomic is called to prove that he can remain a key player for a top-level team. His quality in the post and his very good knowledge of the fundamentals have been proven and are not disputed.

#47 Matt Lojeski (Panathinaikos)

Year of birth: 1985

Height: 1.98m

Position: F

One of the best shooters in the league. Excellent in transition situations, capable of “killing off” rival defenses if he has rhythm and confidence. Under certain circumstances, he can function as a creator too, but not on a regular basis. He has been plagued by injuries and the most important thing for Lojeski, who changed teams but not cities, is to remain healthy.

#46 Kostas Papanikolaou (Olympiacos)

Year of birth: 1990

Height: 2.04m

Position: F

One of those cases of players whose stats don’t reflect the overall contribution and impact they have on their team. An energy-producing machine, he’s involved and contributes in all areas of the game. A dedicated defender, with range from positions ‘1’ to ‘4’, a good rebounder, he can bolster the offensive function and he has good movement away from the ball as well. When his hand is hot from long-range then he becomes a big X-Factor and a very important part of Olympiacos.

#45 James Gist (Panathinaikos)

Year of birth: 1986

Height: 2.06m

Position: F

This season we’re going to see him play in ‘5’ for long periods of time. A team player, his trademark is his athletic qualities, his energy and his wide range defensively. A good finisher after the pick-and-roll, last season he didn’t shoot well and showed a decline in his productivity as well as his percentages, but he also had injuries. A valuable tool who contributes consistently and who sacrifices himself for the team, even on a mediocre night.

#44 Fabien Causeur (Real Madrid)

Year of birth: 1987

Height: 1.96m

Position: G

Signing with Real, especially in a season that Sergio Llull will be missing for a long time, is a big challenge. A guard who can do everything on the court at a good level: play consistent defense, create, score with drives or from the perimeter. Under a lot of pressure in a huge club, his leadership skills, performance and effectiveness in history-making games will be tested and evaluated.

#43 Jayson Granger (Baskonia)

Year of birth: 1988

Height: 1.89m

Position: G

A guard with athletic skills whose trademark is his explosive first step that helps him score with drives and create when the defense adjusts to him. Good on the open court, rather effective in defense and rebounding, has improved from outside the 6m.75. Sometimes he lags behind in his decision-making. Baskonia’s style suits him and he will most likely have a full season with elevated stats.

#42 Νikola Kalinic (Fenerbahce)

Year of birth: 1991

Height: 2.02m

Position: G

Stats don’t play such a big role in his case. He’s a European champion and the period he was in form coincided with his team, when they won everything. An amazing defender, one of the smartest we’ve seen in recent years in the league. He quietly contributes in all areas, he understands easily and correctly the roles that he’s given in offense, and, as he proved last season, when it counts, he can also become a “killer” from outside the three-point line. A luxury role player, one of those that championship teams need.

Tags Ante Tomić Baskonia Erick Green fabien causeur Jamel McLean James Gist Janis Timma Kostas Papanikolaou Matt Lojeski Nikola Kalinic Panathinaikos valencia