By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
November includes dozens of great clashes and derbies in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, and on Thursday, Brose Bamberg (1-3) hosts EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2-2) in a keenly important game for each. Both teams are coming off consecutive defeats and want to return to winning straight away!
Nicolo Melli and Alessandro Gentile are key players for Bamberg boss Andrea Trinchieri and Milan coach Jasmin Repesa, respectively. The two compatriots, former teammates in Milan and teammates in the national team of Italy, know each other very well, too!
Melli played in Milan for five seasons and Thursday marks the first time that he faces his old team in a EuroLeague game. That fact alone makes the game special for the Italian forward. So far this season, Melli is averaging 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 50% in two-point and 44.4% three-point shooting.
But there are many things Melli does that are not recorded in stats: he’s a great fighter on defense; he’s a great rebounder, closing in on 500 for his EuroLeague career at age 25; and he’s constantly improving his game in offense. An excellent shooter for a power forward, he often fills the center position, too, battling bigger players and finishing plays inside the paint.
Gentile, at 24 years old, is already in his sixth season in the EuroLeague and after four games this season, he has averages of 9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. The odd news is that Gentile, after 94 minutes of action in the first four games, hasn’t made a single three-pointer or free throw. He’s 0-for-6 in three-point shooting and 0-for-6 in free throws! Those numbers are incidental, however.
The Italian guard is a very gifted scorer, capable of threatening from any range. He has a good post game, too, and is a capable passer when the mood strikes. He’s at his best as an all-around player with a diverse impact within his team’s system. Once his decision-making matures on every play he’s involved in, especially when games are on the line, there will be no stopping him. He has the talent and the physical attributes to make it, and now his experience is catching up with his talent.
We’re still only at in Round 5 of the 30-game regular season, but Thursday’s clash in Freak City almost looks like a must-win situation for both teams. The performance of Melli for Bamberg and Gentile for Milan may influence the final outcome to a great extent!