By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
There is something special about a player returning to the place where he became a star. Especially when he returns as an opponent.
Jean Montero started last season in Valencia as an explosive young gun eager to leave his mark as a rookie in the EuroLeague.
He is back as a marquee name, building off a season to remember and aiming for the top.
So this is not an ordinary reunion for Montero, even if he will be on a familiar court.
After all, he is now playing in Olympiacos alongside last season’s MVP and last May’s Final Four MVP, aiming not just to make a splash like he did last year, but to achieve one of the rarest feats in the competition, a repeat.
While Valencia has already found their path, having an electric 4-0 start, Montero and Olympiacos have to focus on the present, while inevitably thinking about the end game of the season.
They are the defending champions, and Montero is a star added to a roster full of big names. Anything but winning the trophy again would be less than last season.
And that can make all the difference.
It was a common secret that Valencia would be a stepping stone for Montero, and parting ways after winning the Spanish League championship made things easier.
So there’s no bad blood, and this story doesn’t have anything to do with any kind of revenge.
It’s about rising to a new challenge and making the next step in order to win the EuroLeague.
One game at the start of the season will not decide that, of course, but Montero delivered in a game where emotions would be running high, can be a signal for things to come.
So far, he has been solid, producing good numbers on a loaded roster. However, on Sunday, with 30 points and four steals in just 23 minutes of action as Olympiacos beat Kolossos in the Greek league, Montero reminded everyone what he is capable of.
And producing something similar against his former team will offer another fascinating glimpse of what that future might look like.
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