By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
In most cases in this league, you are as good as your guards are. You can see it in our GameCenter and you can also see it in the standings.
With CSKA Moscow and Olympiacos securing a playoffs spot, Fenerbahce Dogus being the next in line and Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv losing ground in the effort to keep the last post-season birth, almost all our best five consists of guards who are dictating the game and our MVP is not an exception.
ΜVP
He is quiet and kind of shy, but he always delivers on big games. That was the case with him in Fenerbahce Dogus’ win over Real Madrid. He scored all his 20 points in the second half, dished four assists, had two steals and three rebounds – and also two turnovers – and he also decided the outcome of the game with big shots. What more can you ask?
BEST FIVE
- Kostas Sloukas: He was simply amazing.
- Bryan Roberts: He was the best among Olympiacos guards with 18 points, missing just one free throw (1/1 2p. 4/4 3p. 4/5 FT) and he also had two rebounds and no turnovers as the Reds beat Panathinaikos on the road.
- Nando De Colo: Without going to the free-throw line he scored 19 points and also had two rebounds, four assists and two steals, leading CSKA Moscow to the road win over Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv.
- Axel Toupane: He needed just 17 minutes and 34 seconds in order to score 21 points and never missed behind the arc in four attempts as Zalgiris Kaunas beat Barcelona and aims even at the home court advantage.
- Toko Shengelia: He kept Baskonia near the playoffs in the win over Khimki Moscow Region with 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Coach of the week: Giannis Sfairopoulos
He is stubborn and has a defined set of principles on the court. And while this might make him less flexible at times, he did it his way and Olympiacos became the second team after CSKA that clinched a playoffs spot and it will be at huge surprise not to have the home court advantage. And he sealed the deal by getting a win against Panathinaikos, his first against the Greens this season. Not a bad week at all.
Last word: Amazing Calathes
Even in the defeat against Olympiacos, Calathes proved once again that the Greens are his team. He was simply unstoppable with 23 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, one steal and NO turnovers in 36 and a half minutes of action. The next thing for him will be to walk on water or make more than 3/9 free throws, the only real issue in an amazing game.