The best basketball program in Europe
We have express our opinion on this many times.Ferdinando Minucci and Simone Pianigiani have build in Tuscan the best basketball program in Europe. The way they work,the adherence to the plan and the goal in a system that everyone's works for the team and the team can cover anyone's absence.Montepaschi is not an economic leviathans but is a model organism which everyday ''produces basketball''. That's why the undersigned is traveling 3 times at least every year to Siena to watch them..
Montepaschi prepared perfect it's game plan and focus to stop Real's offensive transition which in common includes Suarez post up game (in the first form) and double screen's to Carroll (in 2nd) for a good look. The other winning factor for the Italian champs was the incredible defense on Sergio Rlodriguez,Real's main decisioner. They totally cut him from his teamates,finishing the game with 0/6 FG and 0...assists.
David Moss was a key player again,bringing defense and Indiana's basketball fundementals on the court. I remember him last year playing from back up point guard (McCalebb's injury period) to ''4'' spot in Pianigiani's full court press defense.Montepaschi used him and Thordon a lot at the post in Madrid,a tactic that Pianigiani applies very often years now (especially with Sato-David Hawkins in the wings)to create,score and wears out the opponent. Lavrinovic's performance was the second greatest news of the night-after the 19 point win-for the Italians.The Lithuanian's all araund offense gave an extra power to Pianigiani who canonizes a more functiol frontcourt rotation starting Michelori next to Andersen,for absorving the first minutes strong contacts and unpleasant foul troubles.
Bo-never miss-McCalebb
I'll remind you Vujosevic's declaration when Partizan signed Bo McCalebb. ''He is a good young player,ambitious with strong motive.'' This phrase includes the Partizan's basketball culture and view of things on the market. The 27 year old American is very ambitious. He goals the top of Europe for his club and himself too. McCalleb is clearly the best one on one player in Europe and one of the best finishers the game has seen the latest years. The easiest points for Montepaschi coming always on transition when McCalebb goes to one against two-or three-situations. Ohh.. The never miss nickname has to do with his amazing percentages this year. Never miss..
Commissioner Gordon
Olympiakos showed us two faces. The one at the the first half when he couldn't compete a well prepared & strong defensivelly team and the other at the second half where the Reds present a team that can qualify the playoffs. Gordon Lucas lived a dream,being the game's MVP with big defensive effort and many clutch plays. He scored 4-5 buckets (at the last 2 minutes of the regular time and OT)with the same way (taking the ball from the top of the offense straight to the rim)in crucial moments,fact unexceptable for Olympiakos defense. It was a period that Galata's offense was very predictable and the Red's hadn't the player to protect the paint. Sloukas 3 pointer from long distance will be memorable among with the Turkish funs presence in an amazing atmosphere. The irony is that Olympiakos administration wanted to keep Gordon Lucas to this year's squad but the improved offer of 500.000 dollars is rumored that never reached to the American guard's ears..
First or..second?
Barcelona took advantage his superiority at ''1'' spot against Maccabi and control the rythm taking the tempo on it's own style of playing. It's obvious that Blatt's team needs an extra boost at the perimeter positions next to Langford,to compete in the highest level.Blatt gave to Sopho only 9 minutes of playing time. It seems in the last games that Maccabi's coach is trusting Hendrix quick legs more at the key moments. Although Navarro wasn't in his best condition (he needs a haircut too)Pasqual won a close game with Lorbeck's undeniable quality in the post and his team's defense (the best in the league). The Spaniards made a big step for the playoffs home court advantage but i don't know if they would be happy to a potentional matchup with Panathinaikos for example,if the Greens don't get their groups first spot..
Deja vu..
Panathinaikos made many mistakes defensivelly as Obradovic's players couldn't defend Unics's pick'n roll and as a result the Russians dominated offensivelly in the paint.Veremeenco was Pashutin's key player on both parts of the court.The Belarusian center match Batiste perfectlly on defense and he showed a very good behaviour following the defensive rotation with his mobility.Unic's is a team in a stroke,plays lock down-and smart-defense and has great chemistry.After this win we can say that the chances for the group's first spot are shared.Panathinaikos has been through those kind of situations before.It would be very interesting..
No mercy
Anadolu was competitive for only 10 minutes,as long as Vujasic was finding ways to reach to the basket. Of course winning at Moscow takes a lot more. The Turkish are better team with Kinsey back (even the 2/7 -0/2 FT Kinsey)but they need a lot of work to manage the required level of cooperation. At the second quarter CSKA elevating the pressure of the defense and drowned the Turkisk team.Victor Khryapa's playmaking ability is the oil in the Russian offensive engine and Teodosic's vertical passes to Krstic produce many highlights. The Russians finished the game with 13/27 3-pointers..