By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
You didn’t see that coming right? After four weeks of action Fenerbahce is the only unbeaten team in Top16, while Lokomotiv Kuban and Khimki Moscow Region are the only two with a 3-1 record!
The “Group of death” is already a mess with six teams at 2-2 and Zalgiris following at 1-3, while in the other group four teams are tied at 2-2, Panathinaikos has only one win after four games and Dogus Darussafaka is alone at 0-4 as you can see at the full standings. It was a round of big games, big performances and of an amazing “Clasico”. Which brings us to this guy…
MVP
This week he was the defination of the MVP . Playing on the road against Real Madrid he gave to Barcelona the win by making the last shot of the game. That alone could be considered enough, but he in total he scored 24 points on 6/7 threes, he had 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist. It was a night to remember for him as a Barca’s player, because for the first time he demonstrated his leading qualities against the arch-rival of the Catalans.
Best Five
- Dontaye Draper: He combined a career best of 20 points on 6/8 threes with a win over Panathinaikos, the third of Lokomotiv Kuban over the Greeks. He is a player known for his defense, but he did damage on both sides of the court.
- Bobby Dixon: He found his rhythm and he is just impressive. In the road win of Fenerbahce over Darussafaka he finished the game with 24 points on 6/8 threes, 3 assists, 3 tunorvers, 1 steal and 4 rebounds. He has the heart and he has the tools…
- Alexey Shved: It wasn’t his best game, despite scoring 22 points. He had 7/17 field goals, 5 assists and 5 turnovers. Still his almost half court three at the end of third quarter proved to be a back breaker for feisty Brose Baskets, leading Khimki Moscow Region to the win.
- Justin Doellman: A great game and a great win for Barcelona.
- Giannis Bourousis: He is having an amazing season and that was the case once more as Laboral Kutxa beat CSKA Moscow. Bourousis had 19 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists and the big three that practically decided the outcome.
Best losing performance: Luke Harangody
In a game that appeared to be lost, Harangody didn’t give up and gave hope to Dogus Darussafaka. Against the loaded frontime of Fenerbahce he had 22 points on 8/11 two-pointers, 2/4 threes and he also grabbed 6 rebounds. It was not enough, but it’s more than noteworthy. And his team will need more night like this from him in order to do also something noteworthy in the Top16.
Coach of the week: Sarunas Jasikevicius
A 20 points win against Olympiacos it’s not something new for Saras. On the other hand this win for a rookie coach who knew before the game that his main point guard was sold, it’s a small miracle. You can argue that the Reds were on an off night, still it’s a fact that Jasikevicius noticed what happened one week ago in Pireaus by Brose Baskets and he did it again. Can a legendary point guard become also a legendary coach? In any case, he is off to a great start.
Biggest win: FC Barcelona Lassa
It’s one of the biggest rivarlies in the world of sports and Barcelona got a road win over Real Madrid on the road. “It was one of the best Euroleague games ever”, said coach Xavi Pascual in the press conference and he was not wrong. Two great teams, a celebration of offensive basketball, a full gym, Real leading for most of the game and then the drama of losing to Barcelona on the last shot. Plus Barcelona after this win feels much more closer to the home court advantage to the playoffs. It was the whole package from every possible angle.
The Upset: Zalgiris Kaunas
They say that lighting can’t strike twice, but Olympiacos after losing at home to Brose Baskets was also defeated by Zalgiris in Kaunas. It was the first win of Zalgiris in the Top16 against a team which in the recent GM’s survey was voted as a lock to make the Final Four. The underdog once more brought down the favorite, like the Reds had done it time after time…
The ex-Yugos: Crvena Zvezda, Cedevita
Who expected that Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade and Cedevita Zagreb will have a 2-2 record at this point and will be not just factors, but contenders in the playoffs race? They beat at home Unicaja Malaga and Anadolu Efes respectively, Cedevita had the talent of Marko Arapovic exploding in the top stage and if this is their last season in the Euroleague, they have one more reason to go out with a bang. Still, this talent and basketball tradition will always find a way to be prominent on the big stage.
The last word: The exes
Thursday and Friday were celebrated in Athens and Piraeus, even if Panathinaikos and Olympiacos were defeated. How can this possible you ask? On Thursday former Olympiacos coach Giorgos Bartzokas beat for the third time this season the Greens and one day later Panathinaikos fan favorite Sarunas Jasikevicius prevailed over the Reds. Yes, everything is always connected with this rivarly in this part of the Balkans and things will not change.