By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
It’s not an easy job, especially after a preseason with EuroLeague teams having so many absences due to the Eurobasket, but at least on paper some teams already look more than good. We evaluated the 18 teams on a scale from 1 to 10 in five different areas that can reveal the dynamic of each at the start of the year. Let’s start by reviewing those criteria.
THE CRITERIA
Quality of the roster: What is evaluated here is the talent of all the players on the roster of every team and their depth at every position.
Chemistry: The big and fancy names do not always 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.
Status: The name and history of a 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 that were made in the transfer market and estimate the weakening or strengthening of a team.
How far they will go: Our assessment regarding each team’s course. The teams that are big favorites to get in the Final Four and win the title are graded with a 9, the teams that aim for an appearance in the big event and have good chances of making it are graded with an 8, and the teams whose big goal is to reach the playoffs with a 7, the teams that are expected to have a decent run with a 6, and those that are out of the running for qualification early on are graded with a 5.
Of course, especially the evaluation in this last criterion is the first that will change in many cases during the season and that’s why at the start of the season a number of teams start from the same spot and we have a number of ties.
#18-16 ALBA BERLIN
Quality of the roster: 6
Chemistry: 8
Status: 5
Transfer moves: 6
How far they will go: 5
Total: 30
ALBA Berlin is the EuroLeague team that made the fewest changes in the offseason. The departure of Oscar da Silva stands out in the whole give-and-take, but the bottom line is that the core remained untouched. Is this what Coach Israel Gonzalez was looking for aiming for a more stable and dignified path? High-level competition does not leave much room for high ambitions…
#18-16 ZALGIRIS KAUNAS
Quality of the roster: 6
Chemistry: 7
Status: 6
Transfer moves: 6
How far they will go: 5
Total: 30
The motto “for the love of the game” will always drive a team like Zalgiris Kaunas from a country like Lithuania where basketball means so much. Coach Kazys Maksvytis, who replaced Jure Zdovc, hopes his players fully embrace it, especially since he has a lot of youth to work with on the roster. The presence of Ignas Brazdeikis stands out against the mass departures of players such as Arturas Milaknis, Josh Nebo, and Joffrey Lauvergne, while Paulius Jankunas retired.
#18-16 LDLC ASVEL VILLEURBANNE
Quality of the roster: 6
Chemistry: 7
Status: 6
Transfer moves: 6
How far they will go: 5
Total: 30
One could say that ASVEL changed a lot, with Chris Jones and Eli Okombo being the most significant departures, as it looks to improve on last season’s 8-20. With signings like Nando De Colo and Joffrey Lauvergne, the club now has the experience to be better. Overall, though, Coach TJ Parker has a tough job to do.
#15 CAZOO BASKONIA VITORIA-GASTEIZ
Quality of the roster: 6
Chemistry: 7
Status: 6
Transfer moves: 6
How far they will go: 6
Total: 31
Baskonia has always been a team that loves to destroy predictions, but maybe things this season are much more obvious. Coach Joan Penarroya replaced Neven Spahja and his roster lost the likes of Wade Baldwin, Alec Peters, Jason Granger, and Simone Fontecchio. They have been replaced with players from the Spanish market (Dani Diez), the EuroCup (Maik Kotsar, Darius Thompson), and even from the NBA (Marcus Howard), but most of them are rookies in the EuroLeague.