By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The basketball world has faced many challenges throughout its history and whether those faced through 2020 have been the toughest so far or not, they will certainly be remembered.
EuroLeague decided to continue as normally as possible and while the teams went through some tough weeks, things seem to have balanced out quite a bit toward the end of the year.
It’s not perfect, it could’ve gone better but all things considered, 2020 ends on a positive note and with amazing displays by a number of players and teams.
Co-MVPs: Wade Baldwin IV and Nikola Milutinov
Bayern Munich was perhaps the biggest surprise this season so far and they ended 2020 with a big win over Barcelona. As was the case so far, Wade Baldwin played a key role in the squad’s performance but he certainly outdid himself this time with a career performance.
The 24-year-old American guard banked in 29 points and added seven assists, three rebounds, two steals, one block. He also drew ten fouls and accumulated a total of 41 PIR.
As for Nikola Milutinov… Oh boy, did he have a historic night and on his birthday at that. He logged 17 points and 19 rebounds in CSKA‘s overtime win vs. Milano. He reached 30 PIR but the most impressive stat was – 16 offensive rebounds. That’s a EuroLeague record and a convincing one as the number to beat was 11 (it had been since 2001).
Best Five
- Kostas Sloukas: The experienced point guard had everything under control for Olympiacos against Khimki, logging 25 points on 8-12 shooting including 5-7 from deep while also dishing five assists.
- Wade Baldwin IV: Happy New Year.
- Nigel Hayes: Zalgiris forward went for 18 points on 7-9 shooting. Added six rebounds, two blocks and two steals as well.
- Achille Polonara: Baskonia pulled off a comeback against Valencia and Polonara was the man of the night with 18 points, seven boards, four blocks, two steals, two assists and a crucial three-pointer in crunch time.
- Nikola Milutinov: Happy Birthday.
Coach of the Week: Pablo Laso
Real Madrid had a so-so start to the season but they certainly stepped up a notch going forward. The Spaniards are on a six-game winning streak and they’ve won 11 out of the last 12 games in EuroLeague. Only one loss in the past two months.
The latest victory came in Istanbul against Anadolu Efes after the ‘Whites’ exploded in crunch time to steal the win and end the year at the second spot with a 12-5 record.
Dejan Radonjic victorious in EuroLeague return with Crvena Zvezda
Crvena Zvezda has been the first team to make a coaching change so far this season by bringing back Dejan Radonjic to replace Sasa Obradovic.
Although the fans might have been troubled by Zvezda’s debacle against Igokea in ABA League, Radonjic made sure to leave that loss behind and push the team forward.
The leading scorer in Jordan Loyd has been missing but the red-and-white squad put on a rather solid display and eventually came out victorious despite a late-comeback scare from Panathinaikos. Perhaps a sign of things yet to come.
A New Year Wish
As usual, Andrea Trinchieri stole the spotlight post-game and his words surely represent everybody’s wish for basketball in 2021. Fans to the stands.
Andrea Trinchieri has one wish for 2021 pic.twitter.com/EXNruM24He
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) December 30, 2020