By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
With three games left, the calculators are out as four teams are tied at 14 wins between the sixth and the ninth spot of the standings, while three more are hunting them, even if their playoffs chances are limited, considering the fact that they have a 12-15 record.
Having said that, the race is close and that’s why our MVP is a player who combined personal excellence and a key result.
MVP
He delivered for Olympiacos with 23 points, four rebounds and a 24 ranking against dangerous Bayern Munich. Yes, the Reds ended up getting the win with ease, but on nobody really expected things to be that easy, considering the fact that Vassilis Spanoulis and Janis Strelnieks were missing. The performance of LeDay was the key to the outcome of this game.
BEST FIVE
- Kevin Pangos: He got the job done with 19 points and four assists for a 22 ranking as FC Barcelona Lassa got the easy win over Herbalife Gran Canaria.
- Leo Westerman: He led Zalgiris Kaunas to the road win in Tel Aviv with 16 points and five assists for a 22 ranking against Maccabi FOX.
- Cory Higgins: He had 19 points on 9/12 FG and a 22 ranking and most importantly he made the biggest bucket of the game in CSKA Moscow‘s road win over Anadolu Efes.
- Zach LeDay: He delivered for Olympiacos in a game which was more than crucial.
- Michael Eric: He had a career game with 22 points and 15 rebounds for a 33 ranking in Darussafaka Tekfen’s win over Khimki Moscow Region. By the numbers, he is the MVP of the week.
Coach of the week: Pablo Laso
Coaches like Laso, Itoudis, and Obradovic are expected to win and only when they face each other they might end getting this award. However, Laso should be credited for the way he coached Real Madrid against AX Emporio Armani Olimpia Milan and ultimately got the win despite a really bad start. Milan led by 14 points (40-26) but Laso kept his team focused, his players stuck to his game plan and in the end prevail. And that’s the essence of being a good coach, having a consistent team.
Last word: James for MVP
He will probably not win the award since Jan Vesely is having also a dominant season and Fenerbahce will probably finish on top of the league standings. Still, Mike James is currently the best guard in Europe. The numbers prove that beyond any doubt, he is a true leader for an ambitious Milan squad and he is performing his best basketball yet. And after all, how many players in Europe can score 35 points on the road and have a 37 PIR against Madrid?