By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
EuroLeague Regular Season Round 4 is in the books with only CSKA Moscow and FC Barcelona standing at 4-0. It has certainly has been competitive so far, just enter our MVP of the Week and his long-awaited return to Europe’s premier competition to raise the bar even higher.
Eurohoops MVP
Arturas Gudaitis
Taking part in his first EuroLeague affair since February and his ACL injury, Arturas Gudaitis helped AX Armani Exchange Milan push Fenerbahce Beko down to 1-3. The Lithuanian center posted 17 points in 21 minutes of work, grabbed five rebounds and earned eight fouls as well. Ettore Messina gained one more asset moving forward.
Eurohoops Best Five
1. Nick Calathes: Despite averaging 16.3 points, 8.5 assists and 22.8 PIR per game Panathinaikos OPAP is only 2-2, but got the job done on the road against Zenit Saint-Petersburg dishing 15 dimes.
2. Krunoslav Simon: The Croatian swingman is getting hot lately, this week helped Anadolu Efes beat Real Madrid with 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
3. Omri Casspi: Third consecutive double-digit scoring showing for Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv’s returnee with 12 points in the home victory over Valencia.
4. Tornike Shengelia: Already up to a great start, KIROLBET Baskonia’s captain poured a season-high 25 points to go along with nine rebounds in the win against Olympiacos.
5. Arturas Gudaitis: Our MVP of the Week is back and ready to up his game.
Coach of the week: Rimas Kurtinaitis
Don’t look now, but Khimki Moscow Region is 3-1 in EuroLeague for the first time. Rimas Kurtinaitis’ side is still not at its full capacity, but the 59-year-old Lithuanian coach has secured three wins with the players available. The record-breaking early run is on pace for the playoffs berth. The first two-game week is ahead for Khimki and the rest of the EuroLeague participants.
The big issue: Injuries don’t stop Barcelona
CSKA Moscow has a tough task ahead with Will Clyburn sidelined, but FC Barcelona seems unaffected by its injury woes. Svetislav Pesic missed Thomas Heurtel, Pau Ribas, Kevin Pangos and Malcolm Delaney at Belgrade, Victor Claver was out as well, but the Spanish team picked up the road win over Crvena Zvezda mts. One can only wonder on Barca’s strength upon the return of the injured players.