Top 16, Group E breakdown
|
| Lietuvos Rytas will look to reach new heights from Group E, but one of the teams it will need to beat to get there is Tau Ceramica. Head coach Neven Spahija of Tau was on the L. Rytas bench two seasons ago when it reached the Top 16 for the first time. On paper, L. Rytas and Tau, which has made three consecutive Final Four appearances, are the favorites, however with some of the best young big men in Europe, Fenerbahce Ulker is also hungry to win. Meanwhile Aris TT Bank, which arrives from Group B of the regular season together with L. Rytas, is making its second consecutive Top 16 appearance. Aris made some late regular season roster moves and could turn into a big contender in the playoff race. |
|
Top 16, Group E player analysis: HOLLIS
PRICE, LIETUVOS RYTAS
|
|
|
Few players have had such quick success on the Euroleague stage as Hollis Price, who led Lietuvos Rytas to become a group champ in the regular season. Price ranked fifth in both scoring (16.9 ppg.) and assists (4.1 ppg.)among all Euroleague players in the first phase. He also made the third-most three-point shots, 39, and ranked 10th in free throw accuracy (90.7%). In other words, Lietuvos Rytas found a leader, especially at the ends of games. Euroleague.net asked Price to talk about the Top 16 and his team's Group E opponents. "One good thing about our team is that we're buying into the way the coach wants us to play," Price said, "First defense, and then taking our chances on offense." READ MORE
|
|
|
|
Top 16, Group E player slideshow:
ZORAN PLANINIC, TAU CERAMICA
|
|
|
In his second season since returning to the Euroleague, Tau Ceramica guard Zoran Planinic keeps proving that his versatility is key to his team's success. No guard was as effective scoring inside the arc, where Planinic averaged most of his 11.4 points per game while making almost 60% of his two-point shots. The same height advantage that helps him finish strong near the basket lets Planinic equally effective at assists or rebounds, uncommon for a playmaker, and gives Tau advantages in both defense and flexibility. Through it all, Planinic's superb ballhandling and flowing style make him fun to watch as this slideshow SLIDESHOW attests.
|
|
|
|
Top 16, Group E player wallpaper:
BRACEY WRIGHT, ARIS TT BANK
|
|
|
Another of the top newcomers to the Euroleague this season - although perhaps one who has flown under the radar a bit - is Aris TT Bank swingman Bracey Wright. And we do mean fly! Wright has been such a solid second scorer, something all competitive teams need, that he finished the regular season ranked 15th in the entire Euroleague, with 14.9 points per game. Going into the Top 16, he is the ninth-best scorer on the board. Wright has been an Aris crown favorite on offense and a coach's dream for the defense he brings to his team. Now, Aris fans can download the Bracey Wright wallpaper and have him front and center on their computer screens while rooting for their team in Top 16, Group E.
|
|
|
|
Top 16, Group E player video: OMER ASIK, FENERBAHCE ULKER
|
|
|
He arrived midway through the regular season, without much fanfare, but it's safe to say that big man Omer Asik helped save Fenerbahce Ulker's place in the Top 16 with his timely help off the bench. The 22-year-old center started pulling rebounds like he had been in the Euroleague forever, getting 5.8 on average in less than 20 minutes per game. In the per-minute rankings since mid-season, he is among the best 8 rebounders, and would have ranked second on the offensive boards, at which he excels. Most of those offensive rebounds end up as dunks, which makes Asik fun to watch, as you can readily see on this VIDEO of a player to watch out for in the Top 16.
|
|
|
|
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Euroleague.net
|