By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
After three weeks of action, just three teams are left unbeaten in Euroleague. Lokomotiv Kuban, CSKA Moscow and Unicaja Malaga are still perfect in the group standings and only Stelmet Zielona Gora and Dinamo Banco Di Sardegna Sassari have not a win yet. And here’s a guy who was instrumental in ruining Dusan Ivkovic’s birthday and the winning streak of Anadolu Efes Istanbul.
ΜVP
He was the center of attention in the big road win of Cedevita Zagreb against Anadolu Efes Istanbul. He had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists, being a one man front line. Miro Bilan is not a new face in Euroleague, but this game was his masterpiece. He did it on the road against a loaded roster and opponents that included Euroleague defensive player of the year Bryant Dunston, Alex Tyus and Derrick Brown. Just amazing…
Best five
- Nando De Colo: Once more he delivered, being the hottest player of the Russian powerhouse. He had 28 points on 7/10 FG, 7/8 FT, 7 assists, 2 steals and 3 turnovers in the close win over Brose Baskets.
- Malcolm Delaney: Lokomotiv Kuban played with fire and Delaney saved his team against Zielona Gora from the shock. He scored 25 points on 8/12 shots, 5 assists and 3 turnovers. Yes he did…
- Devin Smith: When he is good, Maccabi is also all right like in the win over Sassari! He had 22 points, made 5/7 threes, had also 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 3 turnovers. He is still the leader of the team.
- Paulius Jankunas: A real captain once again. In the crucial road win of Zalgiris over Karsiyaka he had a double double with 16 points, 10 rebounds and also 3 assists.
- Miro Bilan: The MVP against Anadolu Efes and for the week.
Coach of the week: Joan Plaza
You know which is the fastest way to measure the quality of a team’s performance? Check the assists in comparison to turnovers. Unicaja had 24 assists, just 6 turnovers and also 7 steals in the easy win over Dogus Darussafuka. It can’t get much better than that on Euroleague level and for one more season coach Plaza’s work is admirable. Can his still perfect team do something more than compete in the Top16? That remains to be seen….
Best losing performance: Maik Zirbes
Crvena Zvezda was the victim in the biggest Euroleague win ever of Khimki (91-53), but the German center – who is rumored to be near a Serbian passport – once again has a great night on personal level. A total of 15 points and 14 rebounds is not something small, specially when the rest of the team just can’t help you.
Biggest win: Fenerbahce
It’s still too early in the season and Real Madrid has its own woes, but the win of the Turkish powerhouse is for sure a sign for things to come. Fenerbahce had the whole game under control, Real never found a way to be really threatening and after two defeats, by Strasbourg in Euroleague and in Turkish Superleague against Konyaspor, Zeljko Obradovic and his players can finally smile. After all, the 11 points difference of the final 77-66 can be an asset in the race for the top of group standings, specially with Real Madrid being at 1-2 at this point.
Back on track: FC Barcelona Lassa
Panathinaikos had its issues and only 10 players on the court, but the fact remains that Barcelona dominated the game against the Greens. Both are new teams, however the quality of the Catalans and the defensive mentality of coach Pascual seems to be already working. After the bad start and the defeat by Karsiyaka. Barca is ready for better days.
Τhe blow out: Khimki Moscow Region
You have to take into consideration the fact that Crvena Zvezda is a work in progress, making roster changes. Still the way Khimki played, the pressure on the ball and the offensive efficiency is not an accident. There’s an other powerhouse in the making in Moscow, besides CSKA, and even if it will be really tested later in the season, this week’s impressions are more than good.
Last word: Kill Bill
Vasilis Spanoulis was playing injured and he started the season tired from the Eurobasket. Still, when the ball is hot he wants it in his hands. His shot which made the score 66-64 left his mark in the game at Milan, which could have gone either way. Alessandro Gentile had 24 points after all, but Bill is always ready for a kill.