By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
We rated the 18 teams – 10 being the highest grade – in five different areas that can reveal the capacity of each team at the start of the season.
THE CRITERIA
Roster quality: What is evaluated here is the talent of all the players on the roster and depth at every position.
Chemistry: The big names do not guarantee a good team. Even though it’s very early and the teams are still trying to create their core, the chemistry that the players have between them is very important, as is the level of familiarity with their coach.
Status: The name and history of a team do not play basketball, but in crucial games sometimes the “weight” of the jersey can determine the outcome.
Transfer moves: In this category, we evaluate the moves that were made in the transfer market and estimate how they affected the team.
How far they will go: Our assessment regarding the course of each team. The teams that are big favorites to get to the Final Four and win the title are graded with a 9, the teams that aim for an appearance in Cologne and have good chances of making it are graded with an 8, the teams whose big goal is to reach the playoffs with a 7, the teams that are expected to have a decent run with a 6, and those that are out of the running for qualification early on are graded with a 5.
The evaluation regarding the course and dynamics of every team has, of course, been developed before any official games have begun and so it is expected to change throughout the season.
#18 LDLC ASEL VILLEURBANNE
Quality of the roster: 6
Chemistry: 6
Status: 5
Transfer moves: 6
How far they will go: 5
Total: 28
The wait is finally over for LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. After nine years, ASVEL has returned to the top European club competition’s first French representative since Limoges and Strasbourg in 2016. However, as great as the enthusiasm is, there is as great a question regarding the skills of the squad that head coach Zvezdan Mitrovic is called to present. The talent is there, but not the experience. Only Edwin Jackson, Antoine Diot, Adreian Payne and David Lighty have played in the EuroLeague. The rest are rookies who will try to cover the experience gap through their individual skill sets.
#17 ALBA BERLIN
Quality of the roster: 6
Chemistry: 6
Status: 6
Transfer moves: 6
How far they will go: 5
Total: 29
The wait is over, too, for ALBA Berlin, back to the EuroLeague after a four-year absence. Things have changed since the 2014-15 season and the degree of difficulty has risen sharply, but Aito Garcia Reneses and his players promise to give everything they’ve got for the best possible representation. Even though he’s a rookie at the highest level in Europe, as are several of his teammates, Peyton Siva – injured to start the season – is expected to retain the leadership role he had last season, when ALBA reached the 7DAYS EuroCup Finals. Players experienced in the competition, like the EuroCup MVP Luke Sikma and Marcus Eriksson, will try to provide that something extra.