Top 16, Group D breakdown
|
| Reigning Euroleague champion Panathinaikos will look to repeat, but it must first get through Italian champion Montepaschi Siena, Serbian champion Partizan Igokea and rival Efes Pilsen. Games between Panathinaikos and Partizan are always interesting, since the Greens’ head coach, Zeljko Obradovic, got his start with Partizan. The two played two entertaining games in Group C this season, though the Greek champs won both. Panathinaikos beat out Efes in a thrilling three-game Quarterfinal Playoffs series in 2005. Meanwhile Montepaschi has survived some injuries and rebounded to become a dangerous challenger as well. All the teams here are noted home court sides, which should produce much exciting basketball. |
|
Top 16, Group D player analysis: ERMAL KUQO, EFES PILSEN
|
|
|
In his fifth Euroleague season, Efes Pilsen big man Ermal Kuqo has established himself as a signature player in the competition not only for his rock-solid standing on a high-achieving team, but for a love of the game every time he steps on the court. "We have to be conscious of the tough task ahead of us," Kuqo says, "but that's what makes it special anyway: the great arenas, the loud fans, the high level of basketball, and the extraordinary players that await us." READ MORE
|
|
|
|
Top
16, Group D player slideshow: VASSILIS SPANOULIS, PANATHINAIKOS
|
|
|
Panathinaikos guard Vassilis Spanoulis clearly wants to help match what his teammates accomplished last year, when they became Euroleague champions. Spanoulis is doing his level best off the bench for the Greens, ranking second on the team in scoring with 10.9 points per game. He's also second in steals (1 spg.) third in assists (2.6 apg.) and even fourth in rebounds (2.8 rpg.) for the Greens. On the team that draws more fouls than any in the league, Spanoulis draws the most, too, with his aggressive style, clearly evident in this SLIDESHOW of him.
|
|
|
|
Top
16, Group D player wallpaper: NIKOLA PEKOVIC, PARTIZAN IGOKEA
|
|
|
Going into the Top 16 as the player with the top performance index rating from the regular season means that Nikola Pekovic of Partizan Igokea has leapt way beyond player-to-watch and arrived straight in star territory. As much as his 18 points per game, second-best so far, or his 8 rebounds on average, third-best, is the level of can-do confidence that Pekovic brings to a young team. Now, all you Partizan fans can download the Nikola Pekovic wallpaper while you watch the new thrills he has in store for the Top 16!.
|
|
|
|
Top
16, Group D player video: TERRELL McINTYRE, MONTEPASCHI SIENA
|
|
|
Everyone in Siena and beyond knows that whether it's a shot or a pass, Terrell McIntyre is Montepaschi's little big man in crunch time. All during the regular season, McIntyre stepped up down the stretch to lift his team to finish above other teams accustomed to the top places. This time, however, Montepaschi earned its way thanks to McIntyre's leadership of a true team effort. He averaged 13.4 points per game and 4 assists while hitting 41 three-pointers, more than any player headed into the Top 16. Watch this VIDEO of McIntyre feeding his teammates and downing the big shots when the mattered most to Montepaschi.
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Euroleague.net
|