By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
There were behind-the-back passes, buzzer-beating 3-balls and points poured in by super subs in Gameday 6 action of the Basketball Champions League.
Bear that in mind when you check out our Team of the Week
D.J. Kennedy, Guard
Never be fooled into thinking that a player who comes off the bench is not one of the most important players of the team. Of course, we already knew that was the case for D.J. Kennedy, an MVP of the Week already once this season. The Pinar Karsiyaka powerhouse was at it again on Gameday 6. With his team down 16 points at home to Enisey Krasnoyarsk, Kennedy did what great players do. He led his team back with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists while racking up a +37 efficiency rating. Most important of all, Kennedy’s contributions led to a 97-81 triumph.
Manny Harris, Guard
When you pour over the boxscore of AEK Athens’ 91-73 rout of Petrol Olimpija, one name stands out: Manny Harris. Someone’s going to have to write a song about the man from Motown if he keeps this up because the 28-year-old Harris did everything for the Greek club and did it well. Not only on offense, but on defense, too. Harris had 3 steals to go with his 26 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and it all added up to a +28 efficiency.
Arnas Butkevicius, Forward
The latest Lithuanian sensation is now in elite company. On Wednesday night, the 2011 U19 World Championship winner with Lithuania became just the second player in Basketball Champions League history to have a triple-double. His 19 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in a win over PAOK were a nice little reminder why Neptunas are one of the best teams in the Basketball Champions League. It showed once again, too, why Butkevicius is in Lithuania’s squad for November’s World Cup Qualifiers. The best part of Butkevicius’ big night was not that he had that +42 efficiency rating that glistened. No, it was that his teammates seemed to enjoyed his excellence more than he did! They ran immediately to him at the final buzzer to celebrate and that is a sign of a team that’s together.
Rickey Paulding, Forward
Veteran Paulding had that look in his eye when Juventus Utena opened up a double-digit lead in the first half of Wednesday’s game. The look was a message that effectively said, “You want to play? Okay, let’s play. You better be ready!” Paulding was simply amazing, whether he was dunking or stepping over mid-court and making a buzzer-beating 3-pointer before half-time. He finished 6 of 7 from deep and walked off the court with a +40 efficiency!
Achille Polonara, Forward
Dinamo Sassari were desperate for a win on Wednesday night at home to Holon and they got it thanks to the amazing Achille. Yes, Achille Polonara sliced and diced his way to 18 points and came up just two rebounds shy of a double-double in a 98-84 triumph over the visitors from Israel.