By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Luka Doncic is dominating the EuroLeague during the first three weeks of action and there’s no sign that he will stop at some point.
For the first time in the last 30 years, an 18-year-old player has such an impact on the highest level of European basketball and the idea of him being an MVP contender seems natural at this point.
MVP
Let’s face it, we live in Doncic’s world. So far Doncic was included in all four editions of our weekly awards for good reasons but he was not given our MVP award. This time he registered a new career best with 28 points. He also had 9 rebounds and 4 assists on the road against Zalgiris Kaunas, proving once more that despite being 18 years old, he is the leader of Real Madrid.
Best Five
- Jordan Theodore: He was the man for AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano in the big win over FC Barcelona Lassa. That translates to 19 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals.
- James Feldeine: He had his best Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game yet with 19 points, 8 assists, 4 steals and no turnovers as Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade beat Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv. All the numbers are career-highs.
- Luka Doncic: What more can you write about this guy? Just read this.
- Will Clyburn: The “glue guy” of CSKA Moscow is much, much more. And he proved it again with 20 points and 5 rebounds in the road win against Anadolu Efes Istanbul.
- Dorell Wright: He was announced in the morning and at the same day he led Brose Bamberg to the win over Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz. In total 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks may not mean much, but he was amazing.
Coach of the week: Giannis Sfairopoulos
Olympiacos has a 4-0 record, still missing Vasilis Spanoulis and also Kim Tillie. This is one more proof that the Reds are as solid as they can get, despite having many new faces on their roster and missing their de facto leader.
Here are the full results of this round and also the full standings.
Last word: Τhe Pappas gate
In theory, Nikos Pappas should have been a member of the best five, even the MVP considering he scored 24 points and the winning shot in the game between Panathinaikos and Fenerbahce. However, even that shot is overshadowed by Pappas’ personality and became part of an ongoing saga.
The Greek guard was not invited in his country’s national team, in which he may not be able to play anyway because Panathinaikos competes in the EuroLeague. That was the reason for trash talking between him and the national team coach Thanasis Skourtopoulos in the recent game between Panathinaikos and Larisa, which is also coached also by Skourtopoulos.
Pappas was criticized about his reaction and responded via his Instagram account by posting an insulting gesture aimed at journalists. And when he made the winning shot at OAKA, he pointed towards the journalists’ seats and cursed. Yes, European basketball can be pretty wild and that includes everyone involved.