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…