By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
With the melancholic looks of a lead actor in an Anton Cechov theater play and also one of the deadliest jumpers in the old continent, he’s one of the great mysteries of European ball.
He has already achieved more than most European players at his age. A young up-and-comer in CSKA Moscow, not getting any sympathy by his strict coach Ettore Messina, following the steps of the Russian basketball stars of the 1990s. A lot of talent, great offensive gifts, many unexplainable ups and downs and a tendecy to miss the chances to be the hero when it really counts.
And then, despite the lost 2012 final for CSKA Moscow by Olympiacos, an amazing EuroLeague season and the NBA. Shved almost became a fan favorite in New York where he ended up after Minessota, Philadelphia and Houston before returning to Khimki Moscow Region for one of the biggest contracts in European basketball history: 10 millions for three years. It’s an amazing ride him winning the VTB United League MVP and his team being in danger of missing the chance to get the ticket to EuroLeague, the same questions around him remain.
Is Shved the man who will lead his club and the Russian national team to glory? Can his legacy be more than his talent and can his talent bring results?
There’s a pattern here. Shved is the reigning EuroCup MVP for the 2016-17 season as the only player in competition history to average at least 22 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds. Shved’s league-leading 22.1 points per game was also the highest scoring average among qualified EuroCup players this decade, and the fifth-most in competition history for any player with at least 10 games in a season.
Shved also led the EuroCup in performance index rating (22 per game) and three-pointers made (3.4) while also ranking sixth in average assists (5.2). Naturally, he led Khimki in all those categories but the team didn’t even reach the EuroCup Final and didn’t have the chance to qualify to the EuroLeague by winning the trophy.
The situation is pretty similar in the VTB United League. Shved’s numbers are great as he is averaging 22.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.1 steals and a 20.2 efficiency rating, the best in the league. Still Khimki, which needs just to be in the final against CSKA Moscow in order to get a EuroLeague spot next season, is down 2-1 in the series against Zenit St. Petersburg and has its back agains the wall.
You can’t deny Shved’s talent, nor his ability to score and, during this season, also create for his teammates. While he remains more a scorer than a passer, he is maturing and as it was evident since the first day he stepped on the court at Belgorod, his home town, he is made for basketball.
And that’s why the playoffs series against Zenit St. Peterburg may end up having a special meaning. This is not a redemption story, since Shved’s only sin is his repulsion for defense, but it can be a turning point.
Can Shved turn things around for Khimki after the 2-0 start of Zenit? Can he prove that he still dominates his rival scorer and possible heir Sergey Karasev?
We will learn tomorrow at Game 4. Until then enjoy…