May 9, 2012
|
As the top scorer and most productive player on the team with the best record in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague, FC Barcelona Regal big man Erazem Lorbek has certainly been one of the most important players in the competition this season. Lorbek has the experience, skill and physical attributes to be a major factor at the Final Four in Istanbul, as he and Barca look to regain the Euroleague crown they captured together two years ago. The All-Euroleague nominee has been a true pillar for the Spanish champs, anchoring the offense inside and rising to the occasion on defense for a team on a record-setting defensive pace. Shortly before he arrives at his fourth Final Four, Lorbek interacted with fans across the globe as a guest for the special pre-Final Four edition of Fan Mail, where he talked about several topics, including the other semifinal in Istanbul. "It is difficult to say who is strongest, Panathinaikos or CSKA. However, once you are in the final, if we make it, it doesn't really matter who we play against," Lorbek told one fan. "You have to beat the best team. We will focus on the semifinal and then we will see."
more
|
May 8, 2012
|
Former Euroleague MVP Milos Teodosic landed at CSKA Moscow last summer and immediately found himself in a dream situation as the chief distributor on a high-scoring powerhouse in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague. Now, Teodosic is averaging his career high in assists while still scoring in double figures and shooting better than his career's averages. He has also sunk game-winning shots, produced more than his fair share of highlights and brought untold confidence to the team. Teodosic, in his first season with Moscow, will play at his third Final Four, but is still seeking that elusive championship. Before heading to Istanbul to challenge for the crown, Teodosic got back to the fans who wrote him in a special pre-Final Four edition of Fan Mail about his development as a player leading all the way up to the 2012 Final Four and his wish to finally win the Euroleague! "I haven't had have such important titles as this one in my career," Teodosic answered. "So it is obviously the main goal, the dream, the top of the mountain for now."
more
|
May 7, 2012
|
Reigning Turkish Airlines Euroleague champion Nick Calathes has steadily grown in importance and stature since he first joined Panathinaikos nearly three years ago. And now entering his second Final Four, Calathes has proven that he has the all-around skills to impact games in various ways on the brightest stages. Whether it is through his defense, game smarts, shooting, passing or creating opportunities in transition, Calathes is one of the most important pieces of the Greens’ puzzle. Before heading to Istanbul Calathes sat down to answer questions from fans around the world in pre-Final Four edition of Fan Mail. “From the beginning the season, you come in and your goal is the Final Four. Once you get there it’s all focused on that,” he told one fan about the challenge that awaits. “You have to play to win. First the semifinal game and it’s difficult. It’s not like any game you play during the regular season or even the Top 16. It’s a single game elimination. If you win you move on, if not, you –in a sense – go home.”
more
|
May 6, 2012
|
After missing the start of the season due to injury, Kostas Sloukas made an instant impact upon cracking the Olympiacos Piraeus lineup. In fact, the Reds have won nine of the 13 Turkish Airlines Euroleague games he’s played this season. Sloukas has been a dead-eye shooter with a flair for the dramatic and has stepped up in big games in both the Top 16 and the playoffs. Long considered a promising talent after picking up multiple medals on the junior circuit with the Greek national team, Sloukas this season was fourth in voting for the 2012 Euroleague Rising Star award by Euroleague head coaches despite missing much of the regular season. Now, Sloukas looks to start collecting trophies as he arrives at his first Final Four. Before that, Sloukas took part in a pre-Final Four edition of Fan Mail, in which he talked about his great season and what’s coming next. Sloukas is ready for a big battle against FC Barcelona Regal in the semifinals, as he explained to one fan. "We have talented, young guys and hope to do great things in the future," Sloukas said. "As for this Euroleague title, we have to focus on Barcelona and follow our game plan. I believe both teams have 50-50 chances in this game."
more
|