By Giorgos Orfanakis / info@eurohoops.net
A little over two months have gone by since the day Real Madrid were crowned European champions and basketball fans are already looking forward to the start of the new season.
The first jump ball is set for October 11 and until then the various transfer moves and friendly preparation games will be at the center of attention. Several clubs have already materialized the greatest part of their transfer plans, which means that the first conclusions regarding the strength of the rosters have been made.
Eurohoops asks the fans to vote for the best backcourt duo of the new EuroLeague season. Take a look at the presentation (random order) and pick those who will form the biggest… nightmare for rival defenses.
Thomas Heurtel – Kevin Pangos (Barcelona)
Barcelona’s management created a powerful backcourt duo with two players that share many qualities. Thomas Heurtel and Kevin Pangos, who will be responsible for organizing the Catalans’ game with the aim of getting the team back on the road to success, have high basketball IQ, a flair for creation, excellent ball-handling skills, a very good shot and the ability to threaten from any range.
The French point guard is coming off a very good season averaging 11.3 points and 6.4 assists, while the Canadian had 12.7 points and 5.9 assists per game in the best season of his career.
It will be very interesting to see how Svetislav Pesic is going to use the two players and the playing time he will allocate to each of them. There are some, though, who note that the size and limited athletic qualities of Heurtel (1.89m) and Pangos (1.88m) can be a problem, mainly on the defensive end.
Shane Larkin – Rodrigue Beaubois (Anadolu Efes)
Two players who have a history but also a future. Rodrigue Beaubois and Shane Larkin played together in the colors of Baskonia in the 2016-2017 season and now they will form the duo that will be responsible for “carrying” Anadolu Efes in the EuroLeague.
Without a doubt, they are two top-shelf players and their transfer to the Turkish club is a huge success for the management.
The way the competitive styles of Beaubois and Larkin click on the court is especially interesting. The French guard can threaten from any range as a spot shooter or after a dribble, while the American can drive and has better creative skills.
Ergin Ataman has in his hands two super weapons that give Efes the chance to attack from the guard positions in every way. If Larkin and Beaubois find the requisite chemistry between them quickly, then the Turkish fans can hope that their team will go a long way.