By George Orfanakis / info@eurohoops.net
The new format of the EuroLeague has increased the level of interest and every week basketball fans enjoy eight close games between the best teams in Europe.
The big protagonists are of course the players themselves! Some were disappointing, some satisfying and some others shined on the court. These last ones make up the All-EuroLeague First Team at the end of the first phase. The criteria for the final selection were the following:
- Performance: A player’s individual performance and the degree to which he met the demands in terms of what was expected of him.
- Role: The role each player has in his team and the extent to which the team can cope without him on the court.
- Subjective view: When we’re dealing with the best of a bunch of players, there are always many objections and disagreements. As is normal, the subjective criterion is what directly affects the final decision.
It’s worth noting that the choices were made in such a way so that the team could compete in a basketball game with a proper line-up consisting of three “small” players and two “big” ones.
Nick Calathes (Panathinaikos)
Stats: 13.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 17.3 PIR
Nick Calathes offers everything a coach can ask for from their starting point guard! He’s an excellent organizer, constantly willing to run the team, with energy in offense and defense, a high basketball IQ and an excellent drive.
These elements have helped him contribute to Panathinaikos 13.6 points per game and, at the same time, to keep his teammates satisfied with 7.9 assists. This performance, in fact, is the best in the entire EuroLeague.
So, as is perfectly normal, he was chosen to the All-EuroLeague First Team, as he will be the one launching and organizing every attack.
Νando De Colo (CSKA Moscow)
Stats: 16.2 points, 4.1 assists, 47.6% threes, 20 PIR
Nando De Colo can be the anchor of this team in scoring and he is again one of the leading candidates for the MVP award. He is having a great season, shots the ball with a career-high 47,6% in threes and he is by far the most consistent player of the “Army Team”.
His performance is one of the main reasons for CSKA Moscow being on top of the league standings. He is also dishing more than four assists per game and he also doesn’t miss from the free throws line (94,6%).
Stats: 18.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 25.9 PIR
According to the data so far, Luka Doncic is the main contender to win the EuroLeague’s MVP award and it makes sense that he couldn’t be missing from Eurohoops’ All-EuroLeague First Team.
Real Madrid’s leader is putting up mythical performances that make you question his age. His maturity in no case reminds you of an 18-year-old and the way he contributes in every aspect of the game is rare.
It’s telling that Doncic is the only guard among the Top 30 rebounders in the competition while leading the EuroLeague in PIR.
Georgios Printezis (Olympiacos)
Stats: 12.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 14.3 PIR
The leading figure of this team is Georgios Printezis! A player who has reached the top of Europe twice and has stepped up when Olympiacos needed him to do so many times more.
The Reds’ power forward is the best post player in the entire EuroLeague and his presence is considered indispensable. He will contribute many points, he will pile fouls on his rival big men, he will provide solutions in rebounding and, above all, he will bring experience and a winning spirit.
As long as ‘Pri’ is on the court, the chances of winning as the expiration sounds are increased!
Jan Vesely (Fenerbahce)
Stats: 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 18.1 PIR
Jan Vesely, Luka Doncic and Nick Calathes in the same team? The best occasion for the pick and roll and the alley-oop! Jan Vesely and Georgios Printezis the duo of big men? This team cannot lose!
The Czech has raised his performance levels even higher this season and, as a result, he’s considered by far the best center in the competition. His big body in combination with his long limbs and his athletic qualities make it impossible to go past him in defense, both down low as well as over the rim.
With regard to offense, his 14.6 points with a hit rate of 63.7% confirm the fact that he’s having the most productive season of his career. When Zeljko Obradovic keeps him on the court for more than 30 minutes, how could he be missing from Eurohoops’ choices…?