By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
The regular season is over and here’s the Top16 groups which many can argue that are the main event in Euroleague. Still the finish of the regular season had some big games which will be remembered, as ambitious teams like EA7 Emporio Armani Milano and Maccabi Tel Aviv will continue their season to Eurocup and many underdogs got what they wanted. And speaking of underdogs…
MVP
Quincy Miller
By the numbers, Maik Zirbes was better, but Miller not only finished the game with a double double (21 p., 11 r.) but he made the three pointer which decided the outcome. He gave a 81-74 lead to Crvena Zvezda in the last minute of the game and that was enough to send his team to the Top16 and leaving Bayern Munich out as the Serbs prevailed (85-76).
Best five
- Malcolm Delaney: He scored 17 of his total 19 points in the second half and also had 9 assists, leading Lokomotiv Kuban to the 78-74 win over Barcelona and the top spot of Group C.
- Fabien Causer: He ended the regular season with a 31 PIR thanks to 20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals as Laboral Kutxa beat with ease Cedevita (92-70).
- Jeff Taylor: He had 16 points on 7/8 two points shots in the win over Strasbourg which sealed a Top16 tickets, proving that he can be an offensive weapon for Real Madrid
- Quincy Miller: He is a Euroleague rookie, but he is making things happen
- Jan Vesely: He finished the regular season in style, having 19 points on 7/11 shots, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 4 turnovers and 2 blocks in Fenerbahce’s road win over Khimki (70-68)
Best losing performance: Furkan Aldemir
The Turkish forward had 12 points and 6 rebounds in 14 minutes of action, being the top scorer of Dogus Darusssafaka in the 70-66 defeat of his team by Maccabi Tel Aviv. So why he is the best from the losing teams? Simply because those numbers were enough for the Turkish club to qualify to Top16, despite not winning.
Coach of the week: Dimitris Itoudis
CSKA is the de facto favorite every season. However this fact doesn’t change what the numbers prove. The Russians are the only team with a 9-1 record, they have the best offense of the league (911) and 127 points difference compared to the points of their opponents (784). All that while missing their best center, Joel Freeland who just returned to action. Dimitris Itoudis’ team will be judge, as always, in the later stages of the season, but his work can’t be denied.
Biggest win: Crvena Zvezda
The way the game was played, the electric atmosphere at Belgrade and the final result can make every basketball fan happy. Unless you were cheering for Bayern Munich, this was the way basketball games should be. A wild celebration of emotions and a party at the end of the buzzer. Crvena Zvezda got to the Top16 and turned heads once more.
The disappointment: Maccabi Tel Aviv
This is going to be the first ever Top16 in which Maccabi Tel Aviv will not play. Things couldn’t get worst for the Israeli powerhouse, which on paper had an improved roster compared to last season especially on the backcourt. Alas, theory and action are not always the same…
The last word: Parody…
#Εuroleague @MaccabitlvBC trying for the overime pic.twitter.com/kvqfsenPFs
— Eurohoops.net (@Eurohoopsnet) December 17, 2015
You can argue that all is fair in love and war and sport is a little bit of both. Still the way Maccabi Tel Aviv was trying to get to overtime and Dogus Darussafaka just wanted to end the game not tied left a sour taste to everyone’s mouth. You can understand what was going on, you can even justify both sides, but you can’t like this…