By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
The season gets under way in a few days and the time has come for the top 100 Euroleague Rankings. A difficult concept, subjective, one that – by nature – creates differing opinions and disagreements!
Eurohoops begins the presentation from the bottom up and the main thing that has to be made clear is that our Rankings are not made based on those that are published about NBA players in the USA. It’s true that the individual element is very important, but we equally evaluate the team’s dynamics and potential.
Criteria
1. PLAYER’S VALUE: The overall competitive evaluation of players. The characteristics of their game, their worth, their leadership skills, their quality as a unit independent of the team they play for.
2. PLAYER’S ROLE: The importance of a player for their team as we evaluate and predict it for the new season.
3. TEAM’S WORTH: The team the player we choose plays for, its apparent value in the league in the long term and the potential it has. How far the player’s team that is chosen for the new Euroleague season can go.
4. INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL: The individual potential of the player, exclusively. The extent to which they can grow and improve, how high they can go based on their value, talent and age.
5. THE NUMBERS: The statistics we speculate the player can tally on average, when their team’s run in the Euroleague is completed. This is definitely an important criterion but the last priority for our choices, since it depends directly on the quality of the team they play for and their role in the team.
These are the 5 criteria that we factor in in order to reach an overall assessment of every player individually and from that point to draw the Top 100 Ranks. If you consider that around 240 players are registered on the rosters of the Euroleague, you will comprehend how hard and tortuous it was to make these selections!
So many players of value that we respect infinitely for whom there was not enough space and, really, from a total of 150 players, the list of the 100 was drawn up with great difficulty. Especially in the bottom 20 slots, there could be any name from the 50 that were necessarily not included and we ask for your understanding for this in advance.
If you missed it, here’s our 100 to 91 rankings and the 90 to 81 as well.
So let’s continue to countdown.
#80 Mantas Kalnietis 1986 1m.95 G Armani Milano
The Lithuanian guard is experienced and of proven quality but hasn’t managed to make appearances in the Euroleague comparable to those he has made with his country’s national team. He’s coming off a mediocre – for his standards – season and it will be interesting to see how he’s going to fit in Armani. A tall guard with great quality in creation and on a good night he can also fulfill the role of the scorer. He needs consistency and limiting his errors.
#79 Scottie Wilbekin 1993 1m.88 G Darussafaka
David Blatt entrusted him again with a place on this year’s roster as well. He has talent mostly offense and he’s fast and explosive. This season is going to be a landmark in his career. He’s called upon to prove whether he can make a difference in a team that wants to reach the Final Four and whether he has a way to consistently make his teammates better, regardless of whether he himself is on a good day. Controlling the pace and decision-making are important elements for the American in order to get established at the top level.
#78 Andrey Vorontsevich 1987 2m.04 F CSKA Moscow
It’s impressive how at the age of 29 he’s getting ready for his 11th season with CSKA! Under the instructions of Dimitrios Itoudis he was fixed as a starter in the rotation and proved that he’s a modern ‘4’. He plays defense, helps out with rebounding and scores with consistency from the three-point line, which is a must for the ‘4’ position in modern basketball. We expect him to have the same role this year and he now has the experience to deliver.
#77 Nikita Kurbanov 1986 2m.02 F CSKA Moscow
Even now, few will have realized how big his contribution was in last year’s team, on the road to the title. Tremendous contribution in every defensive situation, especially in the frontline role, against charismatic guards. As long as he’s on the court he’s a threat in offense too, with a reliable shot and good cuts inside the key. A big key in supporting but crucial roles, one of those who were missing from the “bear” in the years of failing in the Final Four.
#76 Stefan Jovic 1990 1m.98 G Crvena Zvezda
The holder of the record for assists in a single game (19!) who won the silver medal in the Olympic Games as a solution in the ‘1’ position behind Milos Teodosic. Now in his third season in the Euroleague, he will have a leading role in his team once again. His number one priority is creating, he also works hard in defense, while, with time, he improves his effectiveness in offense as well. A very useful point guard with a big frame, who can raise even further the level of his game.