By Panos Katsiroumpas / info@eurohoops.net
Just a few laps before the end of the marathon and the surprises in the EuroLeague, like the games of high importance, continue. This week the column analyzes the games that took place in Istanbul, Piraeus, and Madrid.
Larkin, the punisher
In yet another game, Fenerbahce tried to play switch all defense but it didn’t work out for them. The main goal was to neutralize Shane Larkin, which was not achieved. Even Vesely’s very aggressive hedge outs didn’t throw off rhythm the American guard, who often came up against an opponent at the end of Baskonia’s attacks but still made some big shots. Most of his 19 points were stabs in Fener’s defense.
Luz, the key player
On many occasions Baskonia didn’t have solutions beyond Larkin in games where he wasn’t in good condition. Luz, however, was amazing for as long as he played, as he contributed in every area. He controlled the pace, he scored and even played good defenses. In the 11 minutes he was on the floor, he had 10 points and 4 assists, contributing greatly in plays where the visitors moved the ball very well.
One-sided
In the absence of Sloukas and Udoh, Fener looked very one-dimensional in offense. With Dixon on a mediocre night, the entire game of Zoc’s team relied on Bogdanovic, who got countless screens when he held the ball. Of course, for this to happen, the fact that Baskonia’s big men stayed in the key a lot played a role too, giving him some open shots. But when it was needed in the last play, with an amazing individual defense, Hanga didn’t even let him get a look of the basket, forcing him to pass the ball to Bennett for the game-tying three-pointer, which he missed.
The wronged one
In yet another game, Mahmutoglu played for a very short time, despite his amazing performance a week ago in Kaunas. For the few minutes he was on the floor, he played some very good defenses and scored 6 fast points, helping his team come back from double-digit deficits. Perhaps he deserves more minutes.
Olympiacos – Darussafaka
Defense made of concrete
For 25 minutes Olympiacos’s defense was like a pair of pliers gripping Darussafaka’s players. Even if switches were constant, the individual defenses were amazing and hands were being thrown out everywhere, even in instances where there were mismatches. The visitors were forced to attempt very difficult shots that, aside from other things, didn’t ensure defensive balance, giving away easy points on the open court for Olympiacos.
In the presence of the captain…
Vassilis Spanoulis returned and made his presence felt when the game got to the point of becoming a derby. He might not have gotten in the mood of the game right away, but from the moment he found his footing in terms of creation he contributed greatly to his team’s victory. He dished eight assists, making all of his team’s big men happy, while at crucial points he carried the team by scoring 4 points with drives from his favorite right lane. Overall, he had 8 points and 8 assists.
The paradox
The result of the first 25 minutes is certainly a tremendous paradox but also a result of Olympiacos’s defense. The score was 60-39 despite the fact that, at that point, Darussafaka had nearly 10 attacks more thanks to offensive rebounds. The visitors were confined to individual attempts and finished the game with just 9 assists when Olympiacos had 21.
Iso and transition
This was the reason Darussafaka got back in the game. Without a doubt they are one of the best teams in the EuroLeague in this department. Clyburn, Wanamaker and Anderson punished Olympiacos’s defense, which – between the 25th and 35th minutes – lost the intensity they had in the rest of the game. The Turks produced an 11-28 run and turned 60-39 into 71-67.
Stellar!
Real Madrid’s first quarter will go down in the annals of the competition as one of the best ever. The Madrilenos scored 38 points, with two missed shots, no less, as well as one turnover. Real’s numbers were simply astounding: 7-for-7 in two-point shooting, 6-for-8 in three-point shooting, 10 assists with only one turnover and a ranking of 59.
Helpless defensively
One of the best teams in the competition defensively was ransacked at the mercy of Real’s appetites. Zvezda might have scored 44 points in one half, but their defense was pulverized by the home team’s speed, rhythm and skill in execution. Laso’s players created threats from the first seconds of their possessions and they looked unstoppable. The performance becomes even more impressive if we consider the offensive entrapment that Real had endured in the game of the first phase in Belgrade, which they had lost easily.
Gustavo… Vujcic
We’ve been seeing it throughout the season and it’s time to bring it up. This year, Gustavo Ayon has introduced a lot more creativity in his game, and this provides Real with extra solutions and creates risks for defenses that choose to stay in the key, either in the pick-and-roll or when the Mexican takes the ball to the post. This was the ninth game out of 25 in which Real’s big man had four or more assists, while he’s the best passer in his position in the competition with an average of 2.5.