By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
We are in the heart of winter, it may be cold outside, but not in Euroleague’s courts! The Top16 started, as expected, with some impressive games, amazing performances and bitter rivarlies taking their next step.
Only two teams managed to get the road win, but those results can’t be considered surprises. So the MVP is the guy who “killed” an entire army at the buzzer…
MVP
Alexey Shved
Against his old team he had a total of 28 points, a 33 PIR and the winning shot as Khimki Moscow Region prevailed over CSKA Moscow. This is the first game in which Shved emerged as the leader of his new team, he combined perfectly with Tyrese Rice and delivered the final blow. And this may be just the start…
Best Five
- Sergio Rodriguez: With the champs on the ropes, “El Chacho” scored 22 points in the second half and also had 8 assists, 3 steals and 3 rebounds as Real Madrid survived Brose Baskets.
- Malcolm Delaney: He couldn’t be denied, finishing the game with 31 points and 8 assists and scoring 24 of those points in the first half. Lokomotiv was a real train against Cedevita.
- Alexey Shved: Killing CSKA Moscow softly…
- Ekpe Udoh: He had 16 points, 8/11 field goals, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 blocks without making any turnover! His contribution in Fenerbahce‘s win over Panathinaikos is obvious.
- Bryant Dunston: He had 21 points in just 24 minutes of action, having made 7/8 field goals. Defense is his calling card, but he made offensive damage for Anadolu Efes against Crvena Zvezda.
Best losing performance: Maik Zirbes
The German center is having a break out year, finding a role in Crvena Zvezda‘s system that helps him shine. He stayed almost 31 minutes on the court and finished the game with a double double (22 p., 12 r.), just one turnover and two assists. Against the loaded front line of Efes, he held his ground.
Coach of the week: Giannis Sfairopoulos
Since the miracle of Istanbul, Olympiacos had three different coaches. Giannis Sfairopoulos is the only one who hasn’t won the Euroleague – yet – but his mentality and philosophy is the perfect continuation of what happened before him. The defense of Olympiacos stopped the offensive arsenal of Barcelona and even if the Catalans played two big games in 48 hours – Real for Liga Endesa – the way the Reds got their way, it was just impressive.
Biggest win: Khimki Moscow Region
There’s still a long way to go to Top16, but CSKA Moscow rarely starts with a defeat and not from a cross town rival. Not only Khimki got a “W” against a team from which many will be defeated at home, but turned heads all around Europe. Will there be room for a second Russian team in Berlin? That’s the question.
The French connection: Unicaja Malaga
Edwin Jackson didn’t had the chance to show what he can do in Barcelona, but things can change. He led Unicaja Malaga to the win against Dogus Darussafaka by scoring 20 points. Can the Spaniards make this year the extra step and do something more than just participate in the Top16? Jackson may be the key to that…
The tough guys: Laboral Kutxa
Zalgiris is a team that loves to run, but even at home against the defense of Laboral Kutxa couldn’t do that. Arguably the hosts had a bad shooting night with just 4/14 threes, still you have to admire the tenacity of Laboral Kutxa. In a season during which the team of Perasovic in theory was weaker compared to the recent past, “character Baskonia” is back.
Last word: “Inspired by Shved”
Malcolm Delaney had an amazing game and the obvious comparison was Steph Curry. Still his motive resides in Russia! As he said after his 31 points performance, he was inspired by Alexey Shved. Let a new rivarly begin!