By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
The new Eurocup season is finally upon us and has arrived with a no small amount of intense, close games that produced narrow victories, two… rather impressive blowouts and, naturally, some highly noteworthy performances.
It’s still the beginning but we may have already gotten an idea on some players and teams deserved to be closely watch during the upcoming season. Then again, everything can be fluid since teams are warming up en route to reaching the desired heat they want to bring on the floor.
MVP: Kyle Kuric
A scoring fiesta by the MVP of the Spanish Supercup. Kuric locked, loaded and then gunned down Cedevita with 25 points (3/4 two-pointers, 5/9 three-pointers) in less than 23 minutes. He already had 17 at halftime, making sure that his team will lie on a comfortable pillow of 20 points, before heading to the locker rooms. In the meantime, he gave a helping hand to board control with 4 rebounds.
Best 5:
- Jacob Pullen
- While he was not the top performer of Khimki Moscow (this honor goes to E.J. Rowland) in the victory over Lietuvos Rytas, the bulk of his contribution came during preciously important moments for his team. He scored the lot when Khimki made a 16-0 run in the third period to assume the lead and the sank the three-pointer that sealed the positive outcome for the Russians with seconds to go.
- Kenny Gabriel
- Putting lots of energy and passion on the floor, Gabriel did so much more than what his 17 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals he had against Union Olimpija portray. The American power forward was huge on the defensive end, providing helps anywhere it was required from him. Overall, he made the life of his opponents rather difficult on both ends of the court.
- Janis Timma
- The star for Zenit St. Petersburg in a quite narrow win against Bayern Munich. Timma finished the match with 20 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, staying on court for 32 minutes during which he also forced the Bavarians to foul him six times. His importance in coach Karasev’s game is vital, to say the least.
- Bojan Dubljevic
- Valencia blew Ratiopharm Ulm away and the Montenegrin center towered over his opposing big guys in any way imaginable. Either by scoring against them (14 points), grabbing rebounds (7), increasing his team’s possessions (4 steals) or loading fouls on the back of Ulm’s players (7 won). Funny thing is… that it looked rather easy for Bojan Dubljevic.
- Elmedin Kikanovic
- A pillar for Alba Berlin in kinda the literal sense of the word. Kikanovic was unstoppable against Fuenlabrada dropping 26 points and getting 6 rebounds. A part of his action took place in the beginning of the fourth quarter when his team established a lead which they preserved until the final buzzer.
Best coach: Luis Casimiro
He first showed that he is more than capable to carry the torch from Aito Reneses when he led Gran Canaria to the Spanish Supercup crown. Now, coach Casimiro presented an offensive spectacle to behold in Las Palmas, equally spectacular to how fiery the team was at home during the previous Eurocup season. The performance of Gran Canaria becomes even more impressive, considering their opponent, since Cedevita is one of the more ambitious and qualitative teams in the competition.
Best performance in a losing team: Devin Booker
He had never played a Eurocup game before in his life, yet he showed the sharpness of his teeth in a stylish manner tonight. Alas, Devin Booker’s 27 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for 38 in the evaluation index were not enough for Bayern Munich who faced defeat on the road against Zenit St. Petersburg.
The Disappointment: Cedevita Zagreb
Certainly not the ideal way for Cedevita Zagreb to begin the Eurocup season. Yes Gran Canaria are ultra dangerous at home and they would obviously react after some negative results in Liga Endesa. But this kind of loss and poor performance is not fitting for a team with a roster such as the one the Croatians have and their 24 turnovers are almost… unforgivable.
The history making: Murcia & Lietkabelis
It was a special night for UCAM Murcia, that celebrated the first victory continental competitions victory in the history of the club.
After has been 16 years since Lietkabelis played in a pan-European tournament and now they came back with a win. It was the first Eurocup game ever for the Lithuanian club and a fine way to begin its new adventure in a highly competitive level.