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.