By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
After one of the craziest rounds so far, only CSKA Moscow had an easy task on the road against Crvena Zvezda and leads the standings all alone with a 6-1 record.
As you can see in our GameCenter we had more than many big games, big road wins, results decided on the last shot and so many good performances that had, as a result, Zalgiris Kaunas’ Kevin Pangos (21 p. 5 as.) who was amazing on the road against Unicaja Malaga and Dorell Wright (16 p., 7 r. 5 as.) who led the 26 points comeback of Brose Bamberg against Barcelona to stay out of the top five. Yes, our picks were that good.
MVP
He returned to Milan where he shined during the 2013-14 season and he found his “mojo” right away in his first EuroLeague game with his new-old team. He scored 30 points on 6/11 threes at the road win of AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan. It’s a new career high for him and a much-needed win for his team, considering also the fact that his teammate Andrew Goudelock left the game injured.
BEST FIVE
- Curtis Jerrells: The jersey of Milan works miracles for him!
- Marcus Denmon: He was “crucified” by fans and media, he had a DNP in the last game of Panathinaikos Superfoods and he reacted with 24 points on 7/9 threes against Khimki Moscow Region.
- Errick McCollum: After a bad start in the season, Anadolu Efes Istanbul needed a big win and got it on the road against Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv with him scoring 31 points on 8/11 threes
- Giorgos Printezis: Fenerbahce Dogus was beaten at home in the rematch of last season’s final and Printezis was once more amazing for the Reds with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Brian Roberts was also great, but he had more competition this week in the backcourt of the best five.
- Kyle Hines: CSKA Moscow dominated Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade and in just 16 minutes of action he had almost a perfect game with 13 points, (4/4 FG 5/6 FT), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 2 blocks and a 26 PIR.
Coach of the round: Pedro Martinez
After a bad start and a coaching changed, Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz toyed with Real Madrid. It’s obvious that Madrid’s injuries were an issue, but on the other hand, coach Martinez has to take credit for the amazing transformation of his team.
Last word: The two faces of Barca
Can a team score 38 points in the first quarter of a game and lose it? Barcelona started the night in Bamberg with a 38-12 lead and scored just 43 points in the next 30 minutes. The guests got a big win, while coach Sito Alonso and his players must find what’s going on. So far Barcelona managed to demolish at home both Panathinaikos and Olympiacos, but the team remains more than erratic.