Βy Stathis Trapezanlidis/ info@eurohoops.net
TBL is one of the most interesting, unpredictable and competitive leagues in Europe. According to Eurohoops’ criteria, it is the second best after Liga Endesa holding the top for one more year. The three Euroleague teams – Fenerbahce Ulker, Galatasaray and Anadolu Efes – are going to fight for the championship, while Banvit, Besiktas and Pinar Karsiyaka have higher ambitions than last season and there are also a couple of interesting newcomers. Eurohoops presents them.
Three teams at the same starting point
It’s easy for someone to write that Fenerbahce is the big favorite to win the league according to its roster. However, how could someone underestimate the new, young and talented Anadolu Efes and Dusan Ivkovic, the best coach in Europe in building new teams and promoting talented players? Who could also think that Ataman’s Galatasaray, a very competitive, ambitious and always solid team does not have enough chances to win the title?
Fenerbahce/ Ulker: Zelimir Obradovic’s team impressed during the summer adding great players in its roster like Andrew Goudelock, Ricky Hickman, Jan Vesely and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Despite this, there are still many question marks for the champions, who already lost their first title of this season to Pinar Karsiyaka. The keys for Fenerbahce for a successful season are chemistry, clear roles on the court and solid play from the centers!
Anadolu Efes: The last season the team disappointed its fans failing both in Euroleague and TBL. After announcing Dusan Ivkovic, they already made one step forward to their goal, which is the Turkish championship and creating a core from young and talented players, which will be able to dominate next seasons in Europe. The Serbian coach added youngsters with quality and experienced players, creating an excellent “cocktail” which can lead the team to the championship and even to the Euroleague’s Final Four. The adaption, the efficiency and the development of the young players during the long season is the key to success, while an interesting question mark for “Duda” is his choices at point guards.
Galatasaray: Ergin Ataman’s teams are always considered the third favorite for the title, but during the season they prove they have more than real chances for the championship. This summer the last season runner up added a lot of quality players to its roster like Ian Vougioukas Vladimir Micov, Martynas Pocius, Pietro Aradori and Nolan Smith. Coach Ataman after the incredible misfortune of last season, hopes that everyone will be healthy and his team will be able to fight for the championship in its best possible form.
The ambitious trio
Pinar Karsiyaka: After winning the President’s Cup against Fenerbace they proved that this season they are going to be a very competitive in both Eurocup and TBL. Every year, they becomes better aiming to the semis of Turkish championship and then to Euroleague. They does not have the quality and the depth in they roster to beat the trio Fener, Efes, Galatasaray in a series, but in Europe they want to make one more step forward (last year eliminated at the second phase).
Banvit: The coach, Dimitris Itoudis, left, but Banvit kept its main core and the key players from last season. It has high aspirations for one more season, chasing the dream of Euroleague. It was really close last year after being the best team in the regular season, but it did not manage to qualify for the finals. It will try to break the top trio of contenders and probably this time it’s going to be more ready than the other teams. The interesting question marks of the upcoming season are the new things coach Zoran Lukic is going to add to the game of his team.
Besiktas: After winning the second championship of its history (season 2011-12) the sequel was not the expected and two mediocre seasons followed. The team is not as competitive it was, but it’s not an easy opponent for everyone. This season the club wants to regain its lost glory and return to the best teams of the league. The semis of the championship and the playoffs in Eurocup will constitute a successful season.
The furious newcomers
Dogus Darussafaka: After the deal with Dogus Holding company and with Oktay Mahmuti on the bench, this is not your usual Darussafaka. Lynn Greer, Jamon Gordon and Reinaldas Seibutis on the roster are also proving that, as the team is evolving into something bigger than ever,
Istanbul BSB: They say you can measure a league but its “smallest” club. Newly promoted “İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor” Sports club has a roster that includes former Panathinaikos guard Zack Wright, Lithuanian guard Steponas Babrauskas and Slovenian international forward Jure Balazic. Can you ask for more?