By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
A third of the games of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season have been completed and Eurohoops presents the third edition of power rankings after the start of the season, evaluating the dynamics of each team!
The power rankings have several differences regarding the picture presented by the teams after the completion of the Round 10. Eurohoops presents a detailed analysis of each team’s dynamics, the overall record, at home and away, but also the averages on offense and defense.
The criteria have to do with the status of each team, their dynamics and their performance in the first 10 rounds based on expectations, as well as unexpected wins or defeats.
Read here about the teams in positions 1-8
1. CSKA Moscow
Previous ranking: 1 (-)
Record: 9-1
Home: 5-0
Away: 4-1
Offense-Defense: 93.3-84.2
CSKA Moscow has by far the best record in the EuroLeague, with only one defeat. The title-holders are very strong again this year and they prove it in every game, but especially the last three games. Even with Nando De Colo – the player with the second-best performance index rating in the competition – out due to injury, the Muscovites found ways to win, even if Milos Teodosic had to pull off consecutive personal records in points, assists, and index, and even if Vitaly Fridzon had to score a buzzer-beater, like he did in Bamberg.
2. Fenerbahce Istanbul
Previous ranking: 3 (+1)
Record: 7-3
At home: 4-1
Away: 3-2
Offense-Defense: 77.2-77.4
Fenerbahce had suffered three defeats in a row, showing that they were going through a crisis, but reacted immediately with three consecutive wins, returning to a tie for second place in the standings. Zeljko Obradovic‘s players beat Real Madrid at the finish line, winning another big game on the last play, after the one in Barcelona. The team has learned to play without Bogdan Bogdanovic and, led by Kostas Sloukas, Ekpe Udoh, and Jan Vesely in the last few games, they’ve made a dynamic comeback.
3. Real Madrid
Previous ranking: 2 (-1)
Record: 7-3
At home: 4-1
Away: 3-2
Offense-Defense: 89.5-80
Madrid has a 7-3 record, showing consistency throughout the season, but aside from its emphatic win over FC Barcelona Lassa by 39 points, it has lost two games to last year’s finalists (CSKA and Fenerbahce) in the last five, while these were preceded by a home defeat against Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz. The Madrileños have the second-best offense in the EuroLeague, led by Sergio Llull, who is the scorer (18.9 points) and passer (6 assists per game) of his team. He even had a career-best performance in the game against Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens.
4. Olympiacos Piraeus
Previous ranking: 4 (-)
Record: 6-4
At home: 3-2
Away: 3-2
Offense-Defense: 79.1-77
Wins over Panathinaikos at the latter’s court in Athens, against Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul in Turkey, and against Barcelona at home would be enough to take Olympiacos even to second place, alongside Fenerbahce and Madrid. However, defeats at the hands of Galatasaray Odeabank Istanbul in Turkey and Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv at home diminished the Reds’ image in terms of the standings and their overall game. Led once again by Vassilis Spanoulis (the seventh-ranked scorer and second-ranked passer in the competition) and Georgios Printezis, the Piraeus team has managed to get three away wins, which they’re hoping will prove valuable as the competition moves on.
5. Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz
Previous ranking: 7 (+2)
Record: 6-4
At home: 4-1
Away: 2-3
Offense-Defense: 80.5-79.5
Can a team be characterized the “surprise of the season” two years in a row? If we’re talking about Baskonia, yes it can! Despite the changes they made to their roster, Baskonia has a 6-4 record and, starring the EuroLeague rookies, Shane Larkin and Johannes Voigtmann, is aiming high again this year. The win by 34 points over Fenerbahce proved that no one can underestimate this team. Their comeback against Brose Bamberg showed what they’re made of and their win with such a low score over Galatasaray proved their adaptability in every game.
6. Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens
Previous ranking: 6 (-)
Record: 5-5
At home: 4-1
Away: 1-4
Offense-Defense: 75.6-75.4
In the last five games, Panathinaikos prevailed over Maccabi and Darussafaka at home, but defeats to Madrid, Olympiacos and Barcelona have kept the team at 5-5. The Greens now have Mike James – who has helped Nick Calathes have more quality minutes on the court – back on their roster, while Kenny Gabriel was also added following James Gist’s serious injury. Chris Singleton’s improvement, though, has been instrumental for the Greens.
7. Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv
Previous ranking: 11 (+4)
Record: 5-5
At home: 2-3
Away: 3-2
Offense-Defense: 81.8-80.9
Maccabi has shown remarkable improvement until the 10th round. The Israeli team has five wins in total and the ones against Fenerbahce and Olympiacos boosted the self-confidence of Rami Hadar’s players. The trio of Andrew Goudelock (16 points), Sonny Weems (13.4 points, 4.3 assists) and Devin Smith (14 points, 6.2 rebounds) is perhaps the most effective in the competition, while the help of D.J. Seeley and Colton Iverson in the last few games has also been valuable. Maccabi is dangerous and the ability of its players in one-on-one situations can frighten anyone in the EuroLeague.
8. FC Barcelona Lassa
Previous ranking: 5 (-3)
Record: 5-5
At home: 3-2
Away: 2-3
Offense-Defense: 70.6-73.7
Barcelona is in the process of regrouping after several injuries and three defeats in a row to Olympiacos, Madrid and Galatasaray. The Blaugrana now have a 5-5 record, but at least they have Justin Doellman, Victor Claver and Petteri Koponen healthy again and back in action, while Alex Renfroe was also added to the roster. The leader of the team throughout this whole time, however, is still Tyrese Rice, who is first in points, assists, and steals for Barcelona. Losing games to direct competitors for a good spot in the top eight – Madrid, Olympiacos, and Galatasaray – might hurt Barcelona in the end.