By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
With back-to-back Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games coming up, it’s obvious that Fenerbahce BEKO is the big winner of the first half of the week.
The Turkish powerhouse beat CSKA Moscow, remains alone on top of the standings, and despite some impressive results, this win is the most important. And that brings us directly to our MVP.
MVP
He had 19 points, 10 rebounds and a 33 ranking. He dominated the paint against CSKA Moscow in the battle for the top of the standings. Accordng to the ranking, Nikola Milutinov is the MVP of the 13th round, but what Vesely did can end up being more important in the big picture.
BEST FIVE
- Ray Kendrick: He delivered for Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv in the win against Khimki with 17 points, 5/5 FG and 3/4 FT for a 19 PIR
- Krunoslav Simon: He had 15 points, one missed field goal, seven rebounds, five assists and a 30 ranking, in the biggest EuroLeague home win ever of Anadolu Efes.
- Derrick Williams: He is emerging as the leader of Bayern Munich and proved it again in the road win against Milan with 21 points, six rebounds and a 30 ranking.
- Jan Vesely: The early frontrunner for the season MVP award.
- Nikola Milutinov: He is the best old-school center in Europe. He had 18 points, 14 rebounds, and a 36 ranking in Olympiacos‘ road win against FC Barcelona Lassa.
Coach of the round: Velimir Perasovic
With him of the bench, KIROLBET Baskonia is back in the playoffs race. They beat Gran Canaria on the road and if they remain hot enough to beat also Barcelona, then Baskonia can have hope again, not only for the playoffs, but also for a spot in the Final Four, which Vitoria will be hosting on May.
Last word: Real image
The 13th round ended with Real Madrid beating at home Panathinaikos. It’s not a shocking result, but the fact that the Greeks scored just 68 points and Madrid had 89 means that Panathinaikos has to react and even make changes, if the Athenian club is still aiming from something better than last season’s perfomance.