Kapono on fire, Turkish teams misfire

By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net

The year 2012 ended for Euroleague the best way possible. The revamped Top16 premiered and all around Europe basketball fans were given an incredible holiday present. The most interesting part of the season just started in the old continent and the opening gameday was full of thrilling duels. On Friday night Panathinaikos survived Zalgiris in Athens, while CSKA Moscow and Barcelona destroyed Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahce/ Ulker respectevely. The aftermath is here, made by Eurohoops

Eurohoops MVP

Maciej Lampe

His talent is undisputed, but his consistency still is a question. However the big man from Poland had the best night of his Euroleague career (25 p., 10/19 FG, 3 r., 2 st., 1 bl.) in the win of Caja Laboral against defending champions Olympiacos (82-74). If he continues to produce like this, then Caja just found its new star.

Best five

1. Zoran Planinic: Ηe was the key in one more Khimki’s win, this time on the road against Besiktas. The experienced floor general had a full stat line (13 p., 9 as., 5 r., 2 st., 6/12 FG) staying on the court for 37 minutes.
2. Jason Kapono: His Euroleague debut was what his team expected. He was Panathinaikos’ top scorer with 16 points on 4/6 threes in a 67-66 win against Zalgiris Kaunas.
3. Sonny Weems: CSKA Moscow destroyed Efes and Sonny was “in the zone”, scoring 22 points on 4/5 threes, dishing 3 assists and having also 3 rebounds.
4. Andy Panko: Spain suits him! After leaving Panathinaikos for Unicaja, in his first Euroleague game for his new team he had 16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and two important free throws in the 85-82 win over Brose Baskets.
5. Maciej Lampe: It was his night…

The best losing performance: Jordan Farmar

He had 24 points and he was the only double digits scorer of Anadolu Efes in the Moscow defeat. The American guard tried to keep his team close to CSKA, he did it in the first half (42-42) but he was all alone and couldn’t keep up till the end. He didn’t gave up, but the Russians were better. Also Anton Gavel had an impressive game for Brose Baskets in Malaga.

The biggest win: Caja Laboral

Many doubted Caja in the regular season, but after the shock of firing Dusko Ivanovic and hiring coach Zan Tabak the Basques turned things around. That was evident in their 82-74 win against Olympiacos. It was the third time the two teams played each other, the Reds won both games in regular season, but Caja got its revenge.

The upset: Khimki

The Russian club on the shadow of CSKA is trying to build a winning tradition in Euroleague and the positive result against Besiktas (80-75) was a good step forward. Don’t get us wrong, Khimki is the better team, but many times before in similar scenarios the Russians just didn’t get the job done. That wasn’t the case in Istanbul against a team that thrives in its home court.

The disappointment: Fenerbahce/ Ulker

In the long run the 100-78 road defeat by Barcelona may not mean much, but Fenerbahce was created in order to compete for the Final Four and on paper it has the talent to be in London. Of course, this will not happen if the unit of coach Pianigiani continues to play like this, specially on defense. Six players of Barcelona scored in double digits and that’s says it all.

The underachiever: Maccabi Tel Aviv

The first two games between Maccabi and Siena in regular season were incredible battles that were decided by two points difference with the two teams sharing the victories. The third game was a relatively easy win of Siena (79-69) with the Israelis scoring just for the second time this season in Euroleague less than 70 points.

The last word: Theo Papaloukas

In his 35 years, he returned to CSKA Moscow and he was used just after two practices in the game against Anadolu Efes. He played for five minutes and had one assist. Not a bad start, considering that it was his season debut…

Euroleague 2012-2013 – 11th Day