By Stefanos Tatsios / info@eurohoops.net
Now, the eight teams that have qualified for the playoffs are getting ready for the most difficult part of the competition, the one that will decide who will go all the way to the end of the road, which is the Final Four in Vitoria.
All the teams that are in the postseason of the competition, aside from their virtues in offense, also have a very good defensive function, with players that make the difference in the backcourt and are considered among the best of their kind.
Players like Calathes, Vesely, Hines, Dunston and Papanikolaou have always been distinguished in their career in the EuroLeague for their defensive skills and they are important weapons for their clubs in the way each defense functions and in the effort to contain their quality opponents.
Eurohoops presents the best defenders of this regular season in the EuroLeague and gives you the chance to vote for the best in the following poll!
Fenerbahce | Center | April 24, 1990 | Czech Republic
13 pts|5.4 reb|2.4 ast|1.5 stl|0.5 blk|1.9 tov|26:11 min|19.3 pir
Fenerbahce had their best regular season in the EuroLeague ever, based on their results and how they look on the court, and the first place in the rankings tells the absolute truth. One of the main reasons for the successful course of Zeljko Obradovic’s team is definitely Jan Vesely.
The Czech international center – aside from his rapid improvement in the offensive department and in free throw shooting – when he’s on the court, he turns Fenerbahce’s key into a “restricted zone” for opponents, since he doesn’t allow anyone to score, while with his long arms he intercepts the attempts of rival players, whether small or big. It’s certain that Vesely is considered one of the big favorites for the best defender award, but also the MVP of the regular season.
Fenerbahce | Forward | November 8, 1991 | Serbia
9.8 pts|3.3 reb|1.9 ast|0.7 stl|0.2 blk|1.1 tov|25:43 min|10.9 pir
As we mentioned above, the big protagonists of the regular season in the competition are Fenerbahce, since they have been the best team so far, something that is reflected in the stats too, with several of their players standing out. One of them, mainly in the defensive part, is the Serbian forward, Nikola Kalinic.
The Turks’ tough player together with Vesely are the best two defenders on the team, as Kalinic, despite being a forward, can guard opponents from every position, either face to face or when they post, and he forbids every player he encounters from scoring or he wears him down with his great amounts of energy. The Serbian international forward is rightly considered a defensive beast and has a large share in the Turks’ success, not just this season, but in recent years too.
KYLE HINES
CSKA Moscow | Center | September 2, 1986 | USA
7.4 pts|3.4 reb|1.4 ast|0.6 stl|0.8 blk|1 tov|19:35 min|8.3 pir
Since the 2011-12 season, when he essentially introduced himself to Europe with his prolific game in the colors of Olympiacos, Kyle Hines – or else, “pocket Superman” – stood out with his defensive qualities and each season he’s a candidate for the Best Defender award. And of course, not unfairly, since Hines, despite being 1.98 tall, takes on much bigger opponents and manages to contain them or wear them down, while the switching defense, which is the most widespread in European basketball, is his… specialty, making the life of rival guards difficult.
The American center, despite the fact that, like everyone, he’s getting older, he safeguards his defensive game and is one of the best defensive big men in the competition in recent years, really making the difference either in Olympiacos or in CSKA. Hines is a big favorite for the Best Defender award once again this season.
FACUNDO CAMPAZZO
Real Madrid | Guard | March 23, 1991 | Argentina
8.2 pts|2.4 reb|4.5 ast|1.4 stl|0 blk|2.1 tov|23:05 min|11.2 pir
The first season that Facundo Campazzo essentially introduced himself to European basketball was last season, when, together with Doncic and Llull, they led Real Madrid to the top of Europe. This season, and with the departure of the boy wonder for the NBA, the Argentinian guard is doing some impressive things on the court offensively, but also defensively, something many were not expecting.
Campazzo is one of the best defensive guards on the ball, something that is confirmed by his average of 1.5 steals, while when he comes across players of the highest caliber, like Rodriguez, Calathes or Sloukas, his contribution in defense is greater than expected and makes their life… difficult. The presence of the Whites’ guard on this list may be a surprise for many, but in reality it makes absolute sense.
ADAM HANGA
Barcelona | Forward | April 12, 1989 | Hungary
8.6 pts|3.9 reb|1.6 ast|1.3 stl|0.4 blk|0.7 tov|20:38 min|10.3 pir
His second season in Barcelona is much more successful since Barcelona will return to the playoffs and Adam Hanga is one of the main reasons for this achievement. The Hungarian international forward is the “missing link” in the defensive function of Svetislav Pesic’s team, as he shares a common element with Fenerbahce’s Kalinic: he can guard many different types of players, from guards to centers, and, in fact, with great efficiency.
Thanks to his big body and the sharpness he possesses, he makes up for his disadvantage in speed and, either in the key or along the perimeter, he “spoils” the offensive game of the Blaugrana’s opponents and sometimes, when he’s on the court, it looks like his team is playing with an extra player in defense.
KOSTAS PAPANIKOLAOU
Olympiacos | Forward | July 31, 1990 | Greece
6.9 pts|3.9 reb|1.6 ast|0.8 stl|0.3 blk|1.5 tov|23:26 min|8.1 pir
This season in the EuroLeague, Olympiacos might have several defensive “open wounds,” but they also have an excellent Kostas Papanikolaou in the backcourt who is not only a contender for the best defender of his team, but also the best defender in the competition.
Even though he’s a forward, he specializes in switching defenses, which means defenses against guards, since he gives them a hard time and wears them down. In fact, his coaches in Olympiacos often assign him with guarding the most quality… small opponent, because they know he will respond to the mission. The Reds may have few players who have distinguished themselves in defense this season, but the international forward is a top class defender who has every reason to be on this list.
Anadolu Efes | Center | May 28, 1986 | USA
8.7 pts|4.4 reb|1.4 ast|0.8 stl|1.1 blk|0.9 tov|25:08 min|12.7 pir
One of the big surprises of this season’s EuroLeague is Ergin Ataman’s Anadolu Efes. The Turkish team has secured the home court advantage with an excellent roster that has lots of stars and quality players in offense but also in defense. Of course, the player that stands out in the backcourt, someone who has won the Best Defender award again in the past, is Bryant Dunston.
Since he started playing in Olympiacos, the American center, aside from his virtues in offense, also proved he’s a great defensive weapon either inside the key and the post, or playing against guards and forwards after switching on screens. In recent years, he’s been battling it out with Hines and Vesely as to who is the best defensive center in the EuroLeague and this season he’s deservedly one of the main contenders for the Best Defensive Player in the competition.
DEANDRE KANE
Maccabi Tel Aviv | Guard | June 10, 1989 | USA
8 pts|3.8 reb|2.6 ast|1.1 stl|0.1 blk|1.2 tov|25:45 min|8.6 pir
Until Maccabi Tel Aviv changed course this season and Ioannis Sfairopoulos sat on their bench, none of their players stood out in any major way, even though they have a quality and competitive roster. But from the moment the historic team from Israel got on a roll and started to find their rhythm, DeAndre Kane took a step forward in defense. The American guard may have the body of a forward, but this is also his advantage, since he’s a boulder of a defender.
Kane is the player Maccabi are counting the most on for their defensive function, as he can play defense in 5 positions, he can help out in the department of rebounding against bigger players, while he can also intercept and essentially destroy the rival team’s creation with his athleticism and his long arms.
WALTER TAVARES
Real Madrid | Center | March 22, 1992 | Cape Verde
7.8 pts|6.1 reb|0.7 ast|0.4 stl|1.7 blk|1.3 tov|19:32 min|13.6 pir
Pablo Laso’s Real Madrid are known for the excellent basketball they play and the variety of solutions they’ve had on their roster in recent years. Last season, because of the many injury problems, the Whites went ahead with a move that was… pivotal by adding Walter Tavares to their big men.
The center from Cabo Verde is considered the giant of the competition since last season, since, aside from his height (2.21), he’s also the player who “forbids” any opponent, big or small, from getting close to Madrid’s key as long as he’s on the court. Tavares may lack speed but he’s… beast-like and with his very long arms he deflects balls and does a great job in defense. This is why he’s on this list as a candidate for the Best Defender award.