By Antigoni Zachari / info@eurohoops.net
A few months prior, we named the Liga Endesa as the best European League. This time, we will evaluate the best 10 leagues, their leaders, surprises and disappointments.
Here’s how European leagues said goodbye to 2017.
Spain – ACB
Leader: After 14 rounds, Real Madrid stays on top of the standings, regardless of its misfortunes this season.
Unmet expectations: Unicaja is going through a not-so-satisfying season. With the current standings, they seem out of the playoffs race, yet there’s still room left in the season.
The surprise element: Fuenlabrada currently ranks second. Will the team stick around until the end and make it to the playoffs? Time will tell.
Turkey – BSL
Leaders: Tofas and Fenerbahce are the Turkish Basketball Super Ligi leaders at the moment, sharing a 11-2 record each.
Unmet expectations: After 13 rounds, Anadolu Efes still struggles and remains low in the standings, which is also depicted on its EuroLeague record.
The surprise element: Tofas’ improvement and leadership has to be the most notable part of the Turkish league so far in the season.
VTB League
Leader: Russian domination for one more season (thus far). Reigning champion CSKA Moscow is holding on to the top of the standings.
Unmet expectations: Last year’s playoffs contender, VEF Riga has fallen to the bottom of the rankings, with a poor 1-7 record.
The surprise element: 5 other Russian teams (Lokomotiv, Unics, Zenit, Khimki and Avtodor) reign the first places.
Germany – BBL
Leader: Bayern dominates in Germany, leaving current champions Brose Bamberg on the fifth place of the table.
Unmet expectations: Last season’s runner-ups, ratiopharm Ulm is also on a rough start this season and currently 8th.
The surprise element: Fraport Skyliners come off from a mediocre season and currently manage to remain on the playoffs spot, ranking 6th.
Italy – Legabasket
Leader & the surprise element: Brescia leads the course so far (10-3, same as Olimpia Milano), coming off from a tough season that left them out of the playoffs.
Unmet expectations: Capo D’Orlando’s 5-8 record doesn’t seem too appealing given the competitiveness of the Top 8 spots that lead to the league’s playoffs.
France – ProA
Leader: Monaco seems to have bounced back from the previous season and currently marks a 12-3 record, which paces them way ahead of any other team in the league
Unmet expectations: Last season’s runner-up, Strasbourg, could do so much better to maintain a higher spot in the rankings (currently 9-6).
The surprise element: Limoges finished 10th last season and that seems to be long gone, at least for the near future. They stay behind Monaco with 10-5.
Greece – HEBA
Leaders: Panathinaikos and Olympiacos fight toe-to-toe for one more season. The Greens have an advantage in the standings, as the Piraeus side stays second.
Unmet expectations: Aris Thessaloniki is on to a rough start, counting six losses in 10 games.
The surprise element: Promitheas counts a few key wins that will show off later in the season (6-4).