By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
It was just the season opening week, the regular season standings are far from their final form yet, but we had already some games to remember. Yes, boys and girls, Euroleague is back not only with one, but with many bangs. From dominating Russian performances to a night to remember in Izmir here’s what happened in the first week of Euroleague action.
MVP
16 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists against the front line of Barcelona is not a small thing. Specially when you lead your team to its first ever Euroleague win versus one of the perennial title contenders of the competition. Yes, according to the numbers the best game of the week belongs to Olympiacos‘ Patric Young, but the Reds beat Cedevita, while Karsiyaka has a night to remember.
BEST FIVE
- Thomas Heurtel: Playing at his country against Limoges he had one more amazing game with a double double (10 p., 15 as.) and a personal best in assists. He also had 6 turnovers but with those numbers he can be forgiven.
- Nando De Colo: In the amazing game of CSKA he was the leading offensive force for the winners with 17 points on 7/11 shots in just 20 minutes of action. He didn’t have to do much more.
- Mindaugas Kuzminskas: He did everything on the floor for Unicaja in the close win over Brose Baskets. He scored 18 points and also had 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
- Colton Iverson: 16 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists against the front line of Barcelona is MVP staff.
- Marko Todorovic: Against Real Madrid the former player of Barcelona and Bilbao had a more than solid game with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 1 assist. And his team beat the champs!
Best coach: Ufuk Sarica
Despite the changes in his roster, coach Sarica created already a new solid verson of Karsiyaka. The defensive identity and the fighting spirit of the team remained the same and made the difference on the win over Barcelona. Not a bad way to return in the league after his season with Efes.
Best losing performance: Heiko Schaffartzik
He had an outstanding game with 20 points (4/4 FT, 2/3 2P, 4/5 3p.), 1 rebounds, 5 assists and no turnovers. He couldn’t alter the fate of Limoges against Anadolu Efes, but he proved that he is more than a valuable addition for the French champs.
Biggest win: CSKA Moscow
CSKA started the season being the only team which scored 100 points and forcing Maccabi Tel Aviv to its worst opening night defeat. Despite losing key members like Kirilenko and Kaun, the Russian powerhouse is once again a favorite to go all the way and they wanted to demonstrate this from the get go. No matter what, we expect to see them in Berlin.
The upset: Karsiyaka
Barcelona has won the Supercopa and started the Liga Endesa with a win. The story in Izmir, however, was very different, as the defending Turkish champs got what they wanted. Karsiyaka had a plan and finished the game the right way, proving that at least at home they can beat anyone.
The Russians and the Turks
Just after the first week of action, it’s obvious that basketball elite is moving in the East. Not only CSKA, but also Lokomotiv Kuban against Panathinaikos and Khimki against Real Madrid got important wins. Not only Karsiyaka shocked Barcelona, but also Dogus Darussafaka, Fenerbahce and Anadolu Efes smiled. All Turkish and Russians teams registered a “W” and this is sign for things to come.
Τhe come back: Laboral Kutxa
EA7 Milano got the win, but blew a 20 points lead with just 4 minutes to go. Laboral Kutxa with an impressive 19-2 made the big come back, still couldn’t win the game at the end. It makes you wonder, what if the players of coach Perasovic had started to play basketball just one minute earlier…
Last word: The “Alain Gilles trophy” to Nando
It’s the golden age of French basketball with international stars like Tony Parker mesmerizing the global audience. Still for the 2014-15 season the best basketball player, male or female, as voted by the French media and awarded by the French Federation played in Moscow. Nando De Colo got the “Alain Gilles” award with 107 points, over Rudy Gobert (72 p.), Sandrine Gruda (58 p.) and Adrien Moerman (5 p.). He got the trophy and celebrated it with a big win over Maccabi and his family! As the French say “Chapeau”!