By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
With only one team having a perfect record, it’s only natural that one of the biggest jumps in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Power Rankings belongs to the only unbeaten team, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul.
Status, momentum, form, and the importance of the results so far were once again the main criteria for ranking the 18 teams.
Without further ado, here are the rankings:
#18 FC BAYERN MUNICH
Previous ranking: tied for ninth (-9)
Record: 0-5
At home: 0-3
Away: 0-2
Offense-Defense ppg.: 70.2-77
Five games, five defeats, five times Bayern has failed to present some signs of its playoff-qualifying team that made it to the post-season in both of the last two years. It had its chance against Crvena Zvezda (78-72 R5) in Belgrade to avoid being the only team without a win and now everyone is wondering when the first “W” will come.
#17 CRVENA ZVEZDA MTS BELGRADE
Previous ranking: 14 (-3)
Record: 1-4
At home: 1-1
Away: 0-3
Offense-Defense ppg.: 68.6-77
Crvena Zvezda had to wait until Round 5 to celebrate its first victory (vs. Bayern Munich, 78-72), and, based on its performances so far, it could have waited even longer. The signing of Luka Vildoza has eased the problems on the offensive end, but Zvezda still has a lot to sort out.
#16 PANATHINAIKOS ATHENS
Previous ranking: 11 (-5)
Record: 1-4
At home: 0-2
Away: 1-2
Offense-Defense ppg.: 72.8-81.6
Panathinaikos hoped that the new season would be different from the last two. However, the team’s performances and the results in the first five games, even at OAKA, are not signs of improvement. The return of Nate Walters from injury and the signing of Dwayne Bacon may revive that hope.
#15 LDLC ASVEL VILLEURBANNE
Previous ranking: tied for 16th (+1)
Record: 2-3
At home: 1-1
Away: 1-2
Offense-Defense ppg.: 71.6-75.6
After losing by 21 (at Fenerbahce, 84-63) and 19 points (at Maccabi, 88-69), ASVEL won by 26 (against Baskonia, 87-61) last week, erasing doubts about its true potential. Now the question is consistency, for which Alex Tyus is asked to contribute as the replacement for injured Joffrey Lauvergne, who is sidelined after suffering an ACL rupture in his right knee.
#14 ZALGIRIS KAUNAS
Previous ranking: tied for 16th (+2)
Record: 2-3
At home: 2-0
Away: 0-3
Offense-Defense ppg.: 76-79.6
Zalgiris has not yet managed to find the missing ingredient for a win away from Kaunas, but it has defeated Virtus Segafredo Bologna and FC Barcelona at home. However, despite having only two wins, the team has been competitive in defeats and seems on course to get even better.
#13 VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA
Previous ranking: tied for ninth (-4)
Record: 2-3
At home: 1-1
Away: 1-2
Offense-Defense ppg.: 70.8-79
Virtus had just one win in the first four games with a team-high 66 points coming in a narrow victory over Bayern in Round 2 before erupting for 95 to get past Real Madrid in Round 5. Is this is going to be the rule from now on or it was just an exception? It will be seen soon when Toko Sengelia enters the rotation as well.
#12 PARTIZAN MOZZART BET BELGRADE
Previous ranking: 12 (-)
Record: 2-3
At home: 2-1
Away: 0-2
Offense-Defense ppg.: 86.4-84.2
Three consecutive games in Belgrade allowed Partizan to find the right momentum in the EuroLeague, along with a couple of badly needed wins (vs. Virtus in Round 4 and Zalgiris in Round 5). Now the team will be tested in Greece at OAKA (Nov. 3) and Peace and Friendship Stadium (Nov. 11) and needs to demonstrate the spirit infused by nine-time EuroLeague champion, Coach Zeljko Obradovic.