By George Orfanakis/ info@eurohoops.net
The 2018-2019 season is in full swing and after the completion of the first 11 rounds, there are certain teams and athletes that have stood out.
With the help of 5 specific criteria, Eurohoops presents for the second time the race for the MVP award as it currently stands. Take another look at the rankings in the first MVP Ladder of the season.
The criteria that were used are the following:
Player’s performance: The individual performance in combination with the demands that existed before the start of the season greatly affect the decision as to who is the MVP. Certain players exceeded initial expectations and others confirmed they belong in the elite of European basketball.
Team’s course: Basketball is a team sport and if someone cannot convert their individual performances into wins for their team, then they automatically lose points in the race for the MVP.
Player’s role: How would each team perform if we automatically removed the MVP candidate from the squad? There are players who are the alpha and the omega of their squad, with their key presence providing an advantage on the MVP Ladder.
Consistency: The performance of certain star players varies in big games. Some play consistently at… full throttle, without fluctuations. There are also players who specialize in making their teammates better in every game, even if they themselves don’t put up good numbers. As the season progresses, however, their value peaks.
Leadership: The biggest names in the EuroLeague have to step up when their team needs them. Their contribution in those moments – both in defense as well as offense – can be as important as their overall numbers. This element, along with other leadership characteristics, adds points and is seriously taken into account when drafting the MVP Ladder.
At this point, we should note that, aside from the 5 criteria that were just outlined, the subjective factor also influences the final choices to some extent.
10. Tornike Shengelia
Player’s performance: 8
Team’s course: 6
Player’s role: 9
Consistency: 9
Leadership: 10
Total: 42
KIROLBET Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz will host this season’s Final Four, but if they want to be there as hosts, they will have to improve their performance considerably. Of course, the same goes for their big leader, Tornike Shengelia!
The Georgian power forward has put up some excellent performances, as against Panathinaikos OPAP Athens and CSKA Moscow, which led Baskonia to victories, but he’s lacking consistency. Even so, averaging 13.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals, Shengelia contributes a great deal in many different areas and confirms that he’s one of the best players in his position.
For now, he’s at No.10 in the race for the MVP award, which will be difficult to change as long as Baskonia remains out of playoffs position.
9. Gustavo Ayon
Player’s performance: 8
Team’s course: 9
Player’s role: 8
Consistency: 9
Leadership: 8
Total: 42
Gustavo Ayon secures a spot on the MVP Ladder for the first time this season and this is something that he earned deservedly. It’s not just an amazing performance against Anadolu Efes Istanbul, which made him the MVP of Round 11, but his overall presence.
The Mexican center has been plagued by injury problems and, as a result, has played in just seven of Real Madrid‘s 11 game. In those games, he averages 10.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and a PIR of 19.7.
However, the two stats that stand out concern his assists (3.1) and his efficiency in two-point shooting (75.6%). The European champion sees the court well, especially for a center, and knows when he has to pass or to finish a play.
8. Brandon Davies
Player’s performance: 9
Team’s course: 8
Player’s role: 9
Consistency: 9
Leadership: 8
Total: 43
In the hands of Sarunas Jasikevicius, Brandon Davies has developed into a dominant center who, on a good day, can make all the difference on the court. The American put on some mythical performances against Khimki Moscow Region and AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan, and he’s one of the main reasons that Zalgiris Kaunas are on track to make the playoffs for the second season in a row.
Based on his stats (15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 18.1 PIR), Davies is one of the best players in the competition this season. All that he’s lacking in order to find himself even higher on the MVP Ladder is a leading presence in more and more games.
It’s going to be very interesting to see where this season’s Zalgiris team will stop, but also where Davies will stop, since he’s getting better and better every month.
7. Vasilije Micic
Player’s performance: 9
Team’s course: 9
Player’s role: 8
Consistency: 9
Leadership: 8
Total: 43
If this list weren’t about the MVP but about the player who has exceeded expectations in the biggest way, then Vasilije Micic would definitely be at the top! The Serbian guard has outdone himself and has fully vindicated Ergin Ataman, who wanted to add him to his roster in the summer.
Micic has played in every game in the EuroLeague this season and in the roughly 27 minutes he’s on the court, he averages 11.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists and a PIR of 13.7.
In a line of small players that includes, among others, Rodrigue Beaubois and Shane Larkin, Micic has managed to stand out, and this is indicative of his amazing performances. Without a doubt, the most improved player of this season.
6. Alexey Shved
Player’s performance: 10
Team’s course: 5
Player’s role: 10
Consistency: 10
Leadership: 9
Total: 44
Just one look at Alexey Shved’s stats is enough to make you… dizzy. Averaging 25.3 points, 7.4 assists and a PIR of 25.9, the Russian guard is, based on his performance, the best player in the competition this season.
Georgios Bartzokas knows that Shved is the most valuable unit on his roster and the guard’s finger injury is a substantial blow to their chances of qualifying for the playoffs. The 30-year-old bomber has been a joy to watch in creation and execution, with six 20-point games, one 30-point game and double-digit scoring in all eight games that he has played.
What places him lower on the MVP Ladder is, of course, his team’s poor performance, with their schedule including tough games up ahead. Of course, if Khimki manages to outdo itself and qualify for the Final Four, then there’s no need for further discussion about the MVP…
5. Nando De Colo
Player’s performance: 8
Team’s course: 10
Player’s role: 9
Consistency: 9
Leadership: 9
Total: 45
It seems like Nando De Colo still hasn’t gone full throttle this season, but this doesn’t mean he’s not consistently among the candidates for the MVP award. How could it be any different when we’re talking about the MVP of 2016 and one of CSKA‘s super-weapons?
Averaging 13.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and a PIR of 15.9, the French guard continues to stand out in the EuroLeague for the fifth season in a row.
Dimitris Itoudis knows that when this player is on the court, then the chances of his team winning increase considerably and, as the season gets closer to the critical point, De Colo will step up.
4. Cory Higgins
Player’s performance: 9
Team’s course: 10
Player’s role: 9
Consistency: 10
Leadership: 8
Total: 46
A player who overflows with quality and who usually comes off the bench to make the difference. CSKA possess one of the richest rosters in the competition this season, and despite the presence of De Colo, Cory Higgins is the one who is doing better in these first 11 games.
The American is a very good defender, he can be a threat from any range, he’s not afraid to take initiatives at crucial points, and he maintains excellent averages with 17.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and a PIR of 17.6.
The two elements that stand out in his stats are the 52.5% in three-point shooting, but also the very high productivity for a player who doesn’t take on more than 10 to 12 shots in every game. Higgins will be an MVP candidate until the end of the season…
Player’s performance: 8
Team’s course: 10
Player’s role: 9
Consistency: 9
Leadership: 10
Total: 46
Fenerbahce Istanbul’s magical run, in combination with Kostas Sloukas‘s steady rise, places the Greek guard very high on this list, even in his first appearance on it.
Zeljko Obradovic‘s team is playing enjoyable basketball, has celebrated big results in pretty tough away games, and Sloukas vindicates his coach for the leading role he has assigned him. Fenerbahce‘s brain this season averages 12.1 points, 5 assists and 2.2 rebounds and looks more mature than ever in his game.
Sloukas’s big shots at crucial points in games and his excellent collaboration with his teammates have helped Fenerbahce make up for the absence of Tyler Ennis in the best possible way. Obradovic has coached great guards in his brilliant career, and Sloukas is certainly one of them.
2. Mike James
Player’s performance: 9
Team’s course: 8
Player’s role: 10
Consistency: 9
Leadership: 10
Total: 46
Mike James found himself at the top of the first MVP Ladder of the season, but about a month later the situation is not the same. Milan’s three consecutive defeats directly affect their leader, who has continued to shine, win or lose.
The 28-year-old combo guard is having a dream season, averaging 19.5 points, 7.4 assists, 3.0 rebounds and a PIR of 18.4, confirming that he belongs in the elite of European basketball.
Will he emerge as the MVP or not? His case reminds us of Shved to a very large extent. If Milan outdoes itself and gets ahold of one of the tickets to the Final Four, then James is a safe bet for the award!
1. Jan Vesely
Player’s performance: 10
Team’s course: 10
Player’s role: 9
Consistency: 10
Leadership: 9
Total: 48
Dunks, rebounds, assists, steals! There’s nothing Jan Vesely can’t do inside the paint. As a result, so far he has been Fenerbahce‘s – and the competition’s – most valuable player.
Under Obradovic‘s instructions, the Turkish team’s center has improved considerably in all areas of his game and is the boss in the key. He combines substance, spectacle and effectiveness like no other, while his stats don’t fully reflect his great contribution in the defensive department.
Averaging 14 points (66.2% in two-point shooting), 5.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and a PIR of 21, Vesely dominates this second MVP Ladder. Of course, it would be an omission not to mention his 86.8% from the free throw line (46-for-53) that is the result of hard work.