By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The first almost two months of competitive action have passed, but there is still a long way to go in the 2024/25 EuroLeague season. However, after 1/3 of the season is completed, it’s time to draw some conclusions.
Some teams and players have stood out for different reasons. Eurohoops presents the highs and lows of the eventful season of the top continental competition so far.
At the very start, it was Zalgiris that filled the headlines across Europe, but as time passed, two teams that stole the show were definitely Bayern Munich and debutant Paris. Their players in particular, T.J. Shorts and Carsen Edwards, took the EuroLeague by storm in the first two months.
On the other hand, there are teams that didn’t meet expectations or even went far below the expected level, and players who started the season on the wrong foot when pretty much everyone believed it was their time to shine.
But, for the beginning, let’s start on a positive note.
Paris: Impressive Debutant with Eight Straight Victories
Paris Basketball, founded in 2018, has surprised everyone in its EuroLeague debut, with a 9-3 record. After winning the 2022-23 EuroCup, they’re tied for second place. At home, they have a 5-1 record, losing only to Crvena Zvezda. On the road, they’ve beaten Barcelona, Monaco, and Anadolu Efes. Their high-scoring offense (85.5 PPG) is led by EuroLeague rookie T.J. Shorts on the courtn and from the bench by head coach Thiago Splitter, who has seamlessly transitioned into the role.
Bayern: Flawless Offense and Munich’s Stronghold
Bayern Munich, with an 8-3 record, is tied for second place. They’re undefeated at home (6-0), with notable wins over Olympiacos, Real Madrid, and Barcelona. Bayern leads the EuroLeague in scoring (89.6 PPG) and is also the top three-point shooting team. While their road record (2-3) isn’t perfect, they’ve been impressive overall.
Zalgiris: Defense and Grit
Zalgiris has had a solid start, sitting at 7-5. They thrive on team defense, allowing the least points per game (73.5) in the EuroLeague. Coach Andrea Trinchieri has led them with a defense-first approach, despite having one of the worst offenses. Former NBA player Lonnie Walker has been key, and Zalgiris remains a tough, disciplined squad.
T.J. Shorts: Defying Expectations and Dominating EuroLeague
T.J. Shorts has quickly adapted to the EuroLeague with Paris, averaging 18 points and 7.7 assists per game. His performance has been outstanding, with a high PIR (22.1). Shorts has been consistent, with double-figure scoring in 10 of 11 games and a standout 28-point, 10-assist game against Monaco.
Carsen Edwards: EuroLeague’s Top Scorer
Carsen Edwards leads the EuroLeague in scoring with 21.4 points per game. The Bayern guard has been on fire this season, shooting 92.9% from the free-throw line and 36.4% from three. He also averages 3.1 assists and 2.5 rebounds, with multiple 30-point performances already this season.
Theo Maledon: Leader of ASVEL
Theo Maledon has stepped up as Villeurbanne’s leader, averaging 17.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. His scoring has been impressive, with a high of 31 points against Olympiacos and a PIR of 37. After a solid EuroLeague debut, Maledon has made significant strides in his second season.
After the positives, let’s go through the teams that fell short of expectations at the beginning of the EuroLeague season.
Armani Milano: Struggling with Consistency
Armani Milano has won four of their last five EuroLeague games, but their season has been marked by inconsistency. Despite the talent of their roster and coach Ettore Messina, they’ve struggled to maintain leads and find long-term success. The team continues to face issues with sustaining their performance.
It’s also worth mentioning that they had a 27-point lead in the third quarter of a home game against Zalgiris—and lost.
Virtus Bologna Finding It Hard to Win
Virtus Bologna is sitting second to last in the EuroLeague (2-10 record); they’ve lost four straight games. Will Clyburn’s arrival hasn’t helped, with Toko Sengelia left to carry the load. Virtus ranks low in scoring and rebounds, while their defense is among the worst in the league.
Marcus Howard’s Shooting Struggles
After a breakout season with Baskonia, Marcus Howard has underperformed, contributing to the team’s slump (5-7 record). Averaging just 10.4 points, he’s shooting 37.1% from 2-pointers, 28.9% from three-point line, with only one standout game—26 points against Alba.
💢🥶 Marcus Howard is having a rough stretch from behind the arc!
❌ 0/4 vs Anadolus Efes
❌ 0/5 vs Monaco
❌ 0/5 vs Olympiacos
❌ 0/7 vs Zalgiris pic.twitter.com/Z0gBfSKXAO— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) November 28, 2024
Stanley Johnson’s Disappointment
He came to Anadolu Efes after playing 450 games in the NBA, but it is not necessary for a player’s CV to be enough to dominate the EuroLeague. Stanley Johnson has struggled to make an impact, averaging just nine minutes per game and scoring 2.1 points.
Boban Marjanović: A Bomb That Didn’t Go Off
Boban Marjanović, touted as a surprise signing, has failed to impress at Fenerbahçe. With minimal playing time and disappointing stats (4.8 points, 3.6 rebounds), he’s been mostly inactive under coach Jasikevicius.