February 10, 2012
Top 16 Group F protagonists
Top 16
Perhaps the deepest Top 16 group is Group F, which features four clubs that began the season with Final Four aspirations. Each team also features multiple players with Final Four experience and the group has in total six former Euroleague champs and two coaches – Real Madrid’s Ettore Messina and Maccabi Electra’s Pini Gershon – with seven Euroleague crowns between them. All the teams are known for aggressive defense – Montepaschi ranked second in the regular season with 68.9 points allowed per game and Madrid was third with 69 points allowed per game. Montepaschi, Madrid and Maccabi were among the top three teams in steals per game. Maccabi and Madrid will meet in the Top 16 for the third year in a row. Some players will make headlines by facing former teams and teammates – and in one case – brothers. That will happen when the Lavrinovic twins, Ksistof of Montepaschi and Darjus of Madrid, meet. Efes’s Charles Smith and Kerem Tunceri are former Madrid players, while Bootsy Thornton of Efes came from Montepaschi. Madrid’s Rimas Kaukenas also came from Montepaschi. Ultimately, Group F will deliver interesting matchups every week in a group where truly anything could happen.
Top 16, Group F player analysis: NIKOS ZISIS, MONTEPASCHI SIENA
One of the key differences for Montepaschi Siena headed into the Top 16 will be the experience of off-season acquisition Nikos Zisis. Although he holds a backup role, as a former Euroleague champion, the 26-year-old Zisis will be counted on by Montepasch in the crucible of tight games. As one of the few players to appear in Euroleague games in all 10 seasons this decade, Zisis knows what it takes to win and plans to deliver for his new team. "In my opinion, the Top 16 is like playing six finals between four great teams," Zisis said. "We have a great group. Anybody can beat anybody. For sure, it's going to be exciting. For me, all six games will be like we are already playing in Paris." READ MORE
Montepaschi Siena
Top 16, Group F player slideshow: KAYA PEKER, EFES PILSEN
Efes Pilsen
Efes Pilsen big man Kaya Peker bounced back from an off year last season to play some of the best basketball of his career this season for the Turkish champs. Peker’s numbers are at or near career highs in every major statistical category. He is on pace to score his 1,000th career Euroleague point this season and has already moved into the top 25 on the career charts for both rebounding and blocked shots. Such milestones are not easy to come by, which is just another reason that this season is a special one for the big man. Here is a chance for basketball fans to relive Peker’s regular season with a special SLIDESHOW highlighting a special season for this Efes star.
Kaya Peker - Efes Pilsen
Top 16, Group F player wallpaper: SERGIO LLULL, REAL MADRID
Sergio Llull has taken another step forward this season, firmly establishing himself as a star for the Real Madrid future. Despite a slight decrease in playing time, the explosive guard has increased his output in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals, is shooting better from the field and has cut down on his turnovers. Moreover, the spark he provides off the bench has been vital to his team’s success and his never-ending hustle on both ends of the floor has cemented his status as a fan favorite. The sky is the limit on Llull’s potential, but all he is focused on is his team’s win total. Help celebrate his performance thus far and promising future by downloading Sergio Llull wallpaper for your desktop.
Real Madrid
Top 16, Group F player video: ALAN ANDERSON, MACCABI ELECTRA
Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv
A new shooting guard at Maccabi Electra always has big shoes to fill as he steps into a role previously filled by Maccabi greats like Mickey Berkowitz, Doron Jamchy, Anthony Parker and Yotam Halperin. But the expectations have not troubled Alan Anderson, whose attacking style has resulted in plenty of acrobatic baskets, trips to the foul line and standing ovations. Anderson was second on Maccabi in the regular season in scoring and among the top 10 in the league in fouls drawn and free throws attempted. We have compiled some of Anderson’s best plays so far this season. Enjoy his VIDEO highlights and prepare for more to come in the Top 16!
Alan Anderson - Maccabi Electra
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Euroleague.net
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