By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Well, it’s that time of the year again.
Eurohoops presents the Top 100 EuroLeague Players ahead of the 2018-2019 season. A list of players compiled with some specific criteria with the purpose of tracing and ranking those hoopers that are expected to define the upcoming EuroLeague season.
While there are some objective and factual elements that were taken into consideration when choosing the 100 players and then ranking them, the final result is, inevitably, subjective.
As always, there was a calculated risk with rookies, especially those who are completely unfamiliar with European basketball. Hence why some players who will now take their first steps in EuroLeague have been omitted from the list or where placed in lower positions in comparison with other players, or even EL rookies that have a considerable experience at a competitive level of European basketball. Experience in this level and type of game matters since we’ve seen no few quality players, even established NBAers, immensely struggle in their new surroundings simply because of their unfamiliarity with everything that European basketball encompasses.
What should be noted is that a player of a team that is a title or Final Four contender automatically got a relative priority over another with possibly similar or equal, maybe even superior individual strengths. This is why you will find that there is an increased number of players from well-known powerhouses. Of course, there’s also the fact that these teams usually sign a lot of top talent.
It goes without saying that injuries also played a part in picking and ranking the players.
Like every year, the Eurohoops Top 100 Players ranking is based on the following criteria (in this order):
1) The individual quality of each player in combination with the role and playing time we anticipate he will get with his team.
2) The strength of the club he plays for. The players of the teams that are usually playoff staples and are considered among the title contenders always have the edge because they combine individual quality with their club’s high aspirations.
3) What each player has achieved in his career in the EuroLeague, combined with the prospect he carries for the 2018-19 season.
The countdown continues with the spots from 50-41. Here are the, 60 – 51, 70 – 61, 80 – 71, 90 – 81, plus the 100 to 91 picks.
50. Janis Timma (Olympiacos)
Year of Birth: 1992
Position: Forward
Height: 2.01 m.
2017-2018 stats: 7.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists in 22:45 minutes per game with Baskonia in EuroLeague.
Although Janis Timma didn’t make the noise many anticipated him to make in his debut EuroLeague season after witnessing his scorching action in EuroCup, his stint with Baskonia was quite solid in the role he had as primarily a spot shooter.
Timma has now arrived in Olympiacos to mainly serve a similar purpose. With the squad being in great need for some spacing, the Reds’ transfer directive called for forwards who can “kill” from the perimeter. Timma can do that but also so much more. The Latvian player is highly capable of hitting 3-pointers but he also loves using his physical prowess to post up opponents, plus running the floor when the slightest opportunity arises. When he puts his mind in using his power as an athlete on defense, he can become efficient in that part of the game as well.
Either as the “3” (mainly) or “4”, Timma can provide a flexible solution to David Blatt in the upcoming season with the potential of emerging as a protagonist when he gets his streak going and, more importantly, stays focused.
49. Jeremy Pargo (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
Year of Birth: 1986
Position: Guard
Height: 1.88 m.
2017-2018 stats: 14.2 points, 4.6 assists, 2.6 rebounds in 24minutes per game with Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli League regular season. 12.5 points, 8 assists, 2.8 rebounds in 29.7 minutes per game the playoffs.
There are some players that give you the impression that they are meant to be with a specific team and such is the case with Jeremy Pargo and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The Maccabi/Pargo affair seems to be a special one and not only because he had his breakthrough year with the Israeli club in 2011 when he earned All-EuroLeague Second Team honors. The American guard flourishes when playing for Maccabi and it’s no coincidence that he immediately made a splash upon his return to the “Yellows” for the 2018 Israeli League playoffs and proceeded to bring a major contribution in winning the title.
Pargo still carries the same flair and explosiveness that made him a fan favorite in Tel Aviv, plus the same aptitude for… aerial attacks. Add the lob party he can throw with Alex Tyus and Tarik Black and you get a recipe that can push Maccabi towards a playoffs return. For a start.