By Giorgos Orfanakis / info@eurohoops.net
The heavy schedule in combination with the ongoing commitments do not allow for an All Star Game, but Eurohoops took on the difficult task of dividing the top European and American players into two teams that would take part in the game of the best.
First came the guards of Team Europe and Team USA, followed by the forwards, where the voting continues and the numbers are marginal! Now, it’s time for the centers, with the selections once again being five for every side and the difference in dynamics remaining very small.
Check out the players who makeup Team Europe and Team USA and then cast your vote for the final winner…
TEAM EUROPE (σέντερ)
Jan Vesely (Fenerbahce)
Despite the fact that Jan Vesely played a lot as a power forward alongside Ekpe Udoh in Fenerbahce, his position in Team Europe is that of center.
His athletic qualities and long limbs allow the Czech to play as a ‘5’ and provide help in scoring (9.6 points) and rebounding (4.5 on average) by being fast and highly effective mostly in pick-and-roll situations and, of course, through his game above the rim.
Jan Vesely’s only problem remains his mid-range shooting and his percentage in free throws (55.7%), but let’s not forget that we’re dealing with a key member of the European champions. Aside from everything else, the 27-year-old stars in dozens of highlights.
Ante Tomic (Barcelona)
Barcelona’s failed course didn’t allow Ante Tomic to play according to his true potential, but even so, he could not be missing from Team Europe.
The Croatian played in 29 games last season, averaging 8.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 22 minutes of playing time. For a player who is 2.17m tall, his technique is impressive, while the element that makes Tomic stand out compared to the other centers of his era is his ability to “see” the court and create for his teammates.
His presence is necessary in order to add to the team game in the post and to be able to function as a playmaker in the paint. The athletic elements may be missing, but his experience and movement on the court make him particularly useful.
Nikola Milutinov (Olympiacos)
Nikola Milutinov’s NBA rights belong to the Spurs but the moment for him to make the big leap in his career has not yet arrived.
On the contrary, the Serb, who made remarkable progress throughout last season, is getting ready for another season in the EuroLeague, now as Olympiacos’s starting center. His stats might not be impressive (4.4 points, 3.3 rebounds), but everything he offers on the court, and most of all, his steadily rising course, are enough to secure him a place on Team Europe.
Milutinov is a good screener and cuts inside to the basket quickly in order to receive the pass from the guards in the pick-and-roll. He has improved his post game, he’s a very good rebounder and his percentage in free throws is almost 70%. At the same time, his long body and fast side steps allow him to cover spaces and protect the key.
Kevin Seraphin (Barcelona)
Barcelona made one of the most important transfer moves by convincing Kevin Seraphin to leave the NBA and return to the EuroLeague where he played in the 2011/2012 season for Baskonia.
The French center counted 423 appearances in the “magical world,” averaging 5.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in the colors of the Wizards, the Knicks, and the Pacers. His impressive physical qualities place him among the strongest players in Europe, and his dynamic dunks are his favorite way to finish a play. But it’s not the only way! Seraphin has improved his technique and he likes to score with hooks or attempt a shot from 3-4 meters out.
In the defensive department, few big men will manage to push him off in order to score or claim a rebound, while he also has a good jumping ability and a good sense of timing for multiple stops.
Bojan Dubljevic (Valencia)
Valencia made history last season by winning the first championship in their history and, in this way, got the ticket to the EuroLeague.
Of course, one of the main protagonists was Bojan Dubljevic, who dominated the keys of the ACB and the EuroCup, where he averaged 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals.
The Montenegrin is a complete player who functions as a finisher in pick-and-roll situations, he can score in the post, he’s very strong and, most important of all, he can shoot from long-range, even from outside the three-point line (18-for-54, 33.3%). These specific elements stand him apart from the rest of Team Europe’s big men and give him a place on the roster, instead of Ognjen Kuzmic.
TEAM USA (σέντερ)
Kyle Hines (CSKA Moscow)
Kyle Hines is the prototype undersized center because, even though he’s just 1.98m tall, he manages to dominate the paint and is rightly considered one of the best players in that position.
At 31 years of age, the American has won the EuroLeague three times and is coming off a very good season in which he averaged 8.5 points and 4.3 rebounds.
The physical strength, the way he uses his body and his impeccable positioning help Hines secure the advantage, while his dynamic screens and speed make him highly effective in the pick-and-roll. In the defensive department, it’s very hard to move past him, both down low and above the rim. A complete player and an excellent character…
Bryant Dunston (Anadolu Efes)
Bryant Dunston is coming off the best season of his career, averaging 10.7 points and 6.2 rebounds, and as a result, he has earned a spot on Team USA.
The American is yet another undersized center who specializes in the pick-and-roll, as he sets up dynamic screens and, if he finds an open lane to the basket, he’s unstoppable. He has a very good perception of space, he will finish plays mainly with a dunk, while he has also improved his technique. It’s true, though, that Dunston needs good creators around him since he cannot create for himself.
In defense, he consistently produces 1+ blocks on average every season, with his strength and agility helping him limit his opponents’ effectiveness.
Othello Hunter played in Real Madrid just for one season before being transferred to CSKA Moscow to become the Russian team’s second representative on Team USA.
The American center comes as an addition to the list of undersized centers who all have in common the effectiveness in the pick-and-roll, the strong frame, and dynamic finishes. He too needs the guards since it’s hard for him to set up plays for himself, but it’s worth noting that, for the first time last season, we saw him attempt some mid-range shots.
Following Hines and Dunston, Hunter is the third big man who increased his value playing in Olympiacos before signing with another EuroLeague team.
Alex Tyus was introduced to the European audience through Maccabi’s huge success (2014) and since then he’s been finding a rightful place on the rosters of EuroLeague teams but also on Team USA.
Last season was the most productive in the American’s career (10 points, 5.2 rebounds), and now he returns to Maccabi to help them… press ‘restart.’ What deserves a special mention is the impressively high 68.5% with which Tyus finished plays, which shows his unique effectiveness playing close to the basket and above the rim.
In the defensive department, the 29-year-old is not lagging behind at all as he covers the paint exceptionally well, being the second best blocker behind Udoh, with an average of 1.53 per game.
