[lptitle title=”Start the countdown”]
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By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
The countdown for the start of the season has began and Eurohoops.net ranks the teams according to their dynamics, evaluating each one in five different areas.
We rated the teams with 10 the highest grade in five different areas that can reveal the capacity of each team at the start of the season.
The criteria
The quality of the roster: What is evaluated here is the talent of all the players on the roster of every team and their completeness in every position.
Chemistry: The big and fancy names do not guarantee a good team. Even though it’s very early and the teams are still trying to create their core, the chemistry that the players have between them is very important, as is the level of familiarity with their coach.
Tradition: The name and the history of the team do not play basketball but in crucial games sometimes the weight of the jersey can determine the outcome.
Transfer moves: In this particular category we evaluate the moves made in the transfer market and estimate the weakening or strengthening of a team.
How far they’ll go: Our assessment regarding the course of each team. The teams that are big favorites to get in the Final Four and win the title are graded with a 9, the teams that have a targeted presence in Berlin and good chances of making it are graded with an 8, the teams whose big goal is to reach the Final Four with a 7, the teams that are expected to have a dignified presence to the Top16 with a 6, and the teams that would consider advancement to the next phase as a big success with a 5.
The evaluation regarding the course and dynamics of every team has of course been developed before any official games have begun and so it is expected that it will change throughout the season.
Here are the full rosters of the 24 teams and their moves during the summer
Here are the teams ranked 24-17
Here are the teams ranked 16-9
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[lptitle title=”8. Maccabi“]
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Quality of roster 8
Chemistry 7
Tradition 8
Transfer moves 7
Reach 7
Total 37
Maccabi’s formula remains the same even though there are several new faces this year. After the failed season last year, Goodes will not have Pargo, Haynes, Tyus, Schortsanitis or Alexander at his disposal and he will be called upon to bring the Israelis back on the road of successes (advancing to the Top 8 is considered the minimum goal) by building a team that has big advantages and several weaknesses. The duo of Rochestie and Farmar along the perimeter is excellent offensively but has a few defensive issues, while Randle and Mbakwe can provide many solutions close to the basket with their athletic qualities. However, the bench has no real depth, and there aren’t many alternative options or action plans. Even if the bet of the very talented Bender is won, Maccabi is going to need a lot more in order to get into the Final Four.
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[lptitle title=”7. Anadolu Efes“]
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Quality of roster 8
Chemistry 8
Tradition 7
Transfer moves 8
Reach 8
Total 39
Efes has been following a plan for the last two years that is ready to start bearing even more fruit. Dusan Ivkovic has created a team with amazing levels of athleticism with the additions of Granger, Brown, Tyus and Dunston, and Efes can definitely make the difference in the Euroleague due to this element. At the same time, the production and promotion of talent (Osman, Saric, Korkmaz, Ulubay) continues unabated. The foundation of the team is the same as last year and this will help considerably. Efes aims to at least reach the Euroleague playoffs with the secret hope of advancing to the Final Four for the first time in 16 years.
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[lptitle title=”6. Panathinaikos“]
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Quality of roster 8
Chemistry 7
Tradition 8
Transfer moves 8
Reach 8
Total 39
Panathinaikos got a new coach, handing the keys to Sasa Djordjevic who returns to the Euroleague after four years. The “greens” were reinforced significantly, adding depth to their roster, along with some quality solutions along the perimeter (Calathes, Feldeine, Pavlovic) and the frontline (Raduljica, Kuzmic) that didn’t exist in last year’s version. Panathinaikos considers advancing to the Top 8 as their minimum objective but they would like to return to the Final Four for the first time since 2012. The heavy name of the team and the renewal of their roster can provide that extra something, even though Djordjevic will have to essentially build a team from scratch. The only risk in this roster is the lack of a quality guard until the return of the injured Pappas and Bochoridis.
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[lptitle title=”5. Olympiacos“]
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Quality of roster 8
Chemistry 8
Tradition 8
Transfer moves 8
Reach 8
Total 40
Olympiacos has been in three of the last four Euroleague finals, which shows a remarkable consistency. Once again this year their minimum target is their 11th consecutive presence in the playoffs and of course they’d consider it a big success if they got in the Final Four. The “red and whites” lost Sloukas and Dunston, but their biggest problem, especially at the start of the season, will be one of chemistry due to the change of four out of the six foreign players. The core of the Greeks has remained the same and Sfairopoulos will follow the same principles this year, as he’ll have at his disposal players that are hungry to get established at the highest level of the Euroleague (Young, Strawberry, Hackett, Milutinov).
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[lptitle title=”4. Fenerbahce“]
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Quality of roster 9
Chemistry 7
Tradition 7
Transfer moves 9
Reach 8
Total 40
Fenerbahce got into the Final Four last year for the first time in their history and this year they’d like to repeat that success and do even better. The Turks have lost their two top scorers and perhaps best players last year (Bjelica, Goudelock) and this is why Zeljko Obradovic has to construct the team from scratch, because the philosophy of the Turkish team will have to be different. Bobby Dixon can function in a better way for the team compared to Andrew Goudelock, but the question is how the team will function without Bjelica. However, the additions of Sloukas, Datome and Kalinic add a lot of athleticism, making Fenerbahce a team with lots of solutions. With the help of Udoh, Vesely will not be the only athletic big man, while Antic is going to add elements that the team was missing before.
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[lptitle title=”3. Barcelona “]
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Quality of roster 9
Chemistry 8
Tradition 8
Transfer moves 8
Reach 9
Total 42
Since 2009 Barcelona has only missed two Final Fours but has won only one. Xavi Pascual once again aims to the top, having made several changes to his roster, mostly in complementary roles though, as Huertas, Pleiss, Hezonja, Nachbar, Lampe and Jackson have departed. However, the Catalans acquired two mobile big men (Shane Lawal and Samardo Samuels) correcting their mistake from last year and reinforcing their roster with experienced players (Arroyo, Perperoglou, Ribas) who can immediately make a difference. Vezenkov and Diagne also point to the direction of renewal that is being attempted in the last few years. Barcelona, then, are fresher, have a more comprehensive roster and seem like they’re among the favorites for the Final Four once again.
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[lptitle title=”2. CSKA Moscow“]
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Quality of roster 9
Chemistry 9
Tradition 9
Transfer moves 8
Reach 9
Total 44
Since 2003 CSKA have only missed one Final Four, but have won the Euroleague only two times. They are consistent, but every year without a trophy is characterized unsuccessful, since the big goal is only one. Still, though, they’re among the big favorites to at least reach London. Itoudis has maintained last year’s core and among the starters, Weems, Kaun, Kirilenko and Markoishvili are the ones who have left. Freeland will definitely add another dimension to the game close to the basket, while Higgins can become part of the whole. In terms of transfers, the ‘3’ position could have been better supplemented so CSKA could have more flexibility in different formations. The chemistry is high because of the presence of the three guards, Teodosic, De Colo and Jackson who will set the pace once again. However, in order to make the big leap, a hero is needed for the two nights of the Final Four.
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