Give it up for Montepaschi

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:38:45 GMT

I've got to give it to Montepaschi, first of all. They proved me wrong. That was one series that I guessed might go to the underrated team, Fenerbahce. It didn't happen. Montepaschi played their very economical game and played very effectively, the way they have all season in the Italian League and the Euroleague as well. I thought Fenerbahce would carry over its momentum from the Top 16 and get great performances again from Will Solomon. But Montepaschi did a really good job on him and deserved to advance. They played their role of favorite really well. I was particularly surprised by how easily they won in Istanbul. I thought Fenerbahce would win at home and they would go to three games. Congratulations to Montepaschi for surprising me.

CSKA-Olympiacos (series tied 1-1)

Now for the winners away from home, CSKA and Olympiacos. I think CSKA proved why it's a club of champions because they were down not only after losing the first game, but were also down big in the first quarter in Piraeus and rallied from both those deficits. That showed, as they like to say in the States, that the opera ain't over until the fat lady sings. By coming back like that, CSKA showed again that its roster is loaded with experience and quality. They fought back and beat Olympiacos on a very tough court. I think the first game, looking back at it, was a huge surprise, and was based on great guard play, especially by Lynn Greer. I think basketball is becoming more guard-oriented lately with the three-point shot and the speed of the game. You need a big man, true, because without one it's hard to win a series. But in single games, the guards can carry a team, that's for sure.

Anyway, now CSKA is back to its home court for Game 3, and I don't think they'll lose there this time. That first game was maybe a wake-up call for them. I think any champion gets one wake-up call along the way. That could have been CSKA's, and they certainly showed a lot of character coming back from double digits early in the game in Piraeus to take a lead by halftime. If you look at it closely, they just have so much experience, guys who have been through battles to win championships on the European and domestic levels. Without question, that experience shows. Olympiacos did a great job to win up there last time. The motivation factor under Coach Giannakis is obvious. Still, I think that in Game 3, CSKA are off-the-board favorites and, since I picked them to win it all, I've got to go with them. I think they learned their lesson and for this crucial home game will be ultra-focused on making it to the Final Four.

Tau Ceramica- Partizan Igokea (1-1)

I did both of their games on Czech TV last week, and I tell you it's tough to come up with a hotter team in Europe or one that is playing more to its potential than Partizan. I enjoy every second of their games, just looking at this group of 19- to 21-year-olds standing up to one of the best European clubs, which is trying to make its fourth Final Four in a row. They're game really appeals to me because the cornerstone of the roster is young, talented players, and when you add the atmosphere at Pionir Arena, it's something to see. I think it's hard to find a better sports atmosphere anywhere in Europe. I think those fans deserve 15 points worth of credit in the Game 2 victory. And Pekovic deserves a lot of credit, too....

Three favorites and a surprise

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:49:16 GMT

Overall, there are two huge surprises after the Top 16. Everybody counted on Real Madrid making the Final Four, or at least the playoffs, so them not going is a huge surprise for me. They started so well that no one had any doubt they were going to advance, but then came one bad game, a few bad decisions at the end against Maccabi, and that put them in a tough situation. They suddenly faced a crucial away game at Olympiacos and couldn't resist the Reds and their fans in that situation. The other shocker, of course, was the dethroning of Panathinaikos. It's hard to believe the champs aren't advancing to the last eight clubs. They tried to make more of a quality team than they had last year, and maybe it backfired on them. I don't know if there were too many stars on the same team or not, but I didn't see the chemistry and togetherness they played with all last season. Of course, you have to be very happy for Partizan. I personally cheer and root for them because they're a group of young guys with no big names except for Palacio, who was a good player in America, but not a top star, either. They put together a very competitive team, and I think that all Serbian basketball can be proud of this team. I call it a Serbian team, too, because in that sixth Top 16 game against Panathinaikos, that atmosphere on the court was electric. That's what European basketball stands for, in my mind. It was a spectacular atmosphere in a crucial game with superstars like Vlade Divac and famous coaches in the stands, but most of all because of those, 7,000 or 8,000 crazy fans standing the whole game and giving their energy to the team. It's no exxageration to say those fans gave their team 10 or 15 points. They were phenomenal. I also feel happy for Turkish basketball. I think the Turks have been working and longing for a good success like this at a club level in Europe for the last few seasons. For Fenerbahce to achieve it now under Coach Tanjevic is a real boost for that country.

Tau Ceramica - Partizan

Partizan is riding a big wave of enthusiasm after knocking off Panathinaikos. The question now is how those young guys will handle the sudden fame after putting out the goliath of the competition. That, for me, is the big question, because it's not easy to handle kicking out the champion from competition. Partizan has just done that, and now has to play Tau, an established European power that has perfomred on a good level all season, with almost no ups or downs. Coach Spahija is doing a very good job, and the team seems to be healthy and improving. Both are strong home teams. Vitoria is traditionally one of the toughest places to play. And with Partizan, everyone saw what their fans can do for them. So both teams have the advantage on their court, which gives Tau the edge going in based on its two home games and what we have to say is a lot more experience. Tau has Rakocevic, Planinic and Prigioni outside, Splitter and Teletovic inside, and is an efficient scoring team either way. Their major plus is bench depth and the steadiness of their performance all year. I saw them several times and it was the same, even game each time. When someone was out, someone else stepped up to fill his place. They get consistency of play from the whole team. Partizan's leadership and experience has to come from Milt Palacio, who I think was unbelievable in the last round. He...

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Give it up for Montepaschi

Three favorites and a surprise