The Christmas gift every EuroLeague team could wish for / News - Basketnews.com

With the festive period finally reaching its peak, BasketNews presents a list of Christmas gifts that every EuroLeague team could wish for.

Credit: Savino Paolella, Reuters - Scanpix Tolga Adanali - Getty Images | BasketNews illustration Credit Savino Paolella, Reuters - Scanpix Tolga Adanali - Getty Images | BasketNews illustration

Christmas is finally here. For many people, it's the time of the year of new goals, opportunities, and dreams.

Therefore, BasketNews presents a list of a potential Christmas gift that every EuroLeague team could wish for.

Starting from new players and health, it involves a variety of dreams that certain EuroLeague clubs would like to turn into a reality. Some of them are more serious and realistic, while others have a spice of light-hearted jokes.

ALBA Berlin

The return of Jack Sikma

After extreme difficulties in the last weeks, ALBA carry a 12-game losing streak. At the beginning of the season, ALBA battled many injuries, and sports director Hilmar Ojeda suggested Luke Sikma bring his father, Jack, back from retirement.

The Hall of Famer big man is to give the Berliners stability. After all, he played an average of 79.07 games per season in his 14 years in the NBA. Thus, ALBA prepared to start an upward trend and to forget the last weeks.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul

Health and fresh legs

Here's to the health and fresh legs of Efes stars! Starting from Shane Larkin, wishing him a successful return on the court. But also keep an eye on their leading duo Vasilije Micic and Will Clyburn.

They lead the EuroLeague in minutes played per game (Clyburn at 34:27 and Micic at 34:16). It's been a while since we've seen a pair from the same EuroLeague team log over 34 minutes per game, with the last instance being Vlado Ilievski and Kenny Gregory in the 2010-11 season (Union Olimpija Ljubljana).

Clyburn and Micic are strong as bulls, but the rest of the team needs to step up to give them more rest.

AS Monaco

Stretch the floor

Monaco is currently sharing the top spot in the standings and is one of the healthiest teams in the EuroLeague.

Their backcourt, featuring Mike James, Jordan Loyd, and Elie Okobo, is already formidable. But if we had to nitpick, it would be great to see them add another shooter to stretch the floor.

Monaco is currently ranked last in 3-point shooting percentage (32.4%), which has also impacted their offensive rating (7th).

If they had more threats from beyond the arc, it would create even more space inside the paint for Monaco's trio. Don't be surprised if they pick up a shooting specialist in the Monte Carlo Christmas promenade.

Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz

Health

Pierria Henry's return was an anticipated Christmas present for Baskonia. His flow and positive character are a couple of the reasons Baskonia are having fun so far. They could only ask for health in the following months as they look unstoppable.

The last time Baskonia was in a Euroleague Final Four was in 2016, with Mike James shining with the Spanish powerhouse that season. Will Markus Howard be ready to keep his numbers and lead Baskonia to Kaunas?

James was 25 years old that season... Howard will turn 24 in March. Coincidence?

Fans are back at the Buesa Arena, shaking with a team that runs the floor and destroys their rivals from beyond the arc. Baskonia are competing against any team as it used to.

The sky's the limit.

Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

A permanent spot in the EuroLeague & a reliable small forward

Following the Facundo Campazzo signing, one player the club would wish for Christmas - a reliable small forward.

So far, several players have started the game in the position without much consistency. Of course, there will be times when the trio of Campazzo, Luca Vildoza, and Nemanja Nedovic will play together at the same time, with Nedovic playing the small forward role, but it will make the team extremely vulnerable on the defensive end.

Having a high-level small forward would greatly increase the team's already good chances of making it to the playoffs.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan

Shavon Shields return

If Ettore Messina could make a wish, he would most likely want the return of Shavon Shields as soon as possible.

The Danish player has been out since October when he suffered a foot injury in the game against Bayern Munich, and since then, Milan has entered a downward spiral that has led it to a 9-game losing streak.

Since his arrival in Milan, Shields has always been a key player in Messina's system. A versatile wing capable of being both the main offensive terminal and a major asset from a defensive standpoint.

For a team that tremendously struggles to score consistently, Shields' recovery is crucial. The best Christmas present Olimpia could find under the tree is Shields' return to the court.

The hope is that the player can be available by the end of January. If anyone can help Milan get things back on track, it is the former Baskonia man.

FC Barcelona

Reach a peak form at the end of the season

The Catalan powerhouse could perhaps ask for an amulet or some kind of spell to achieve their biggest goal, which is winning the EuroLeague.

Two Final Fours in a row, two tough losses. The first stone is already laid: the Final Four will be in Kaunas, Saras' home. Nothing would be nicer than the Lithuanian crowning his first European title as head coach at home.

Of course, the Blaugranas will need all their stars in their best shape to achieve it. Mirotic and Higgins will be extremely monitored before these months, focusing on May.

Another wish for FC Barcelona would be to see James Nnaji developing as a player, being an important player in the rotation. The Nigerian center is a terrific prospect!

FC Bayern Munich

The opening of Munich's SAP Garden already

All the Bayern fans want is for their new Arena not to be ready in 1.5 years but to be playable directly from the beginning of 2023.

Bayern are constantly improving in this EuroLeague season, racking more and more victories. Yet, the Bavarian club has one of the most boring atmospheres in the entire league.

Perhaps this will change with the SAP Garden when fans can finally take their seats closer to the action, and an attractive home venue is finally available.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

Health

Health is a priceless asset in today's EuroLeague. Before injuries sidelined Wilbekin and Motley, Fenerbahce was on the top of the EuroLeague standings, led the league in offensive rating, and ranked second in defensive rating.

However, when the injuries occurred, the team saw a downfall in offensive efficiency (18th in the EuroLeague) and defensive efficiency (10th) over the past three games.

Injuries also disrupted Fenerbahce's successful 25-5 season in 2018-2019, so let's hope they won't have a similar impact on the team's recent rebuild.

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne

A clone of Nando De Colo

He's already 35, he's not getting any younger, and his best years are behind him. So what? The legendary guard is still the best player on the team by a mile.

His efficiency remains high, as he's scoring, passing, and leading the team on offense. The vast majority of ASVEL's victories can be attributed to his heroics. If the French champs are still in playoff contention, it's De Colo's work.

The Parker bros would be delighted to have several players like him at their disposal, but it's ASVEL we're talking about here, not the Lakers.

The Lyon-based team can take some comfort in the fact that money can't always buy success and relish their star player while he's still at work. They don't make them like Nando anymore.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

Go back 20 years in the past

If there is one wish most Maccabi Tel Aviv fans would like to make this Christmas, it would be to go back in time to the early 2000s when the Israeli club was a European powerhouse.

Those days now seem far away. Not so much because the Israeli club has completely downsized but because, in recent years, Maccabi have never seemed to really be in a position to challenge the big names in the competition.

The financial scenario has also changed. Maccabi have been one of the teams most affected by the pandemic and has received very little aid from the local government.

If the budget had been different, perhaps this summer, Maccabi would have chosen a different coach than Oded Kattash, and Scottie Wilbekin, alongside Ante Zizic, would still be part of the team.

Olympiacos Piraeus

Trim down game time to 20 minutes

What's happening with Olympiacos this season is incredible. Five of the Reds' six EuroLeague losses have been the product of a comeback.

Whether at home (Valencia, Crvena Zvezda) or on the road (Maccabi, Efes, ASVEL), Olympiacos invariably find a way to lose games after gaining a double-digit lead that oscillates between 11 and 21 points.

Defense breaks down, offensive flow is replaced by constant dribbling, questionable decisions, and bad shot selection, and almost any game that goes down to the wire is lost (except for the one in Madrid).

So far, Olympiacos have been the best EuroLeague team by far in the first 20 minutes, as they average an 8-point lead over their opponents at half-time.

What happens next is something that neither coach Giorgos Bartzokas nor the players have managed to sort out (or even explain) despite constantly pointing out the obvious or even calling on the media to focus on the positive side of things, which is the same as turning a blind eye to an inconvenient truth.

Panathinaikos Athens

A new and reasonable owner

Panathinaikos don't necessarily need a big spender or a tycoon like the late Pavlos Giannakopoulos, who would be willing and able to bring to OAKA anything that money can buy.

What the team mostly needs is another management model and people with ideas populating the front office. Since the club has officially been on sale for the past 2.5 years, the Greens first tried to live on their income and limit their expenses to the bare minimum before other factors came into play and partly changed the setting.

Despite his countless mistakes, Dimitris Giannakopoulos is a man who loves the team his father propelled to unprecedented heights. The imminent deal with the Greek government that will grant PAO the exclusive use of the OAKA arena looks promising, as it can render the club financially independent to a certain extent.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

In that case, Giannakopoulos is aware that the club's market value will increase, and potential investors might be lured. However, the most probable scenario is that he'll get more actively involved in the team, as he's doing already.

It's no coincidence that he recently hosted a pre-Christmas team dinner, the first such initiative since 2019. Santa Claus is probably too good to be true.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade

A permanent spot in the EuroLeague & a new point guard

Partizan would probably wish for a true point guard that could play the leader role on the court, as Dante Exum is more of a slasher than a true floor general.

Yam Madar is good for a complementary role but not a full-time commitment. Additionally, a reliable big man as Mathias Lessort's backup would do wonders, too, as Vladimir Brodziansky is currently not up to the standard the team would ideally want to maintain.

The two players would add the much-required depth to the roster, as there have been more than a handful of times when several players had to play 30+ minutes both in the EuroLeague and the ABA League.

Real Madrid

A new guard

It's been a weird summer in Madrid. Laso's departure was hardly difficult to understand after more than a successful decade, winning the ACB League and being just one point away from reigning in Europe.

Chus Mateo took over and is dealing with some unfair comments about his inexperience as head coach. However, he prepares one of the best scouting in Europe.

Even though Madrid has an extraordinary roster, they could not bring back Campazzo for Christmas. This means they will have to play with Williams-Goss, Chacho, and some resources like Abalde or Hanga. Will it be enough to beat Efes, Olympiacos, or Barcelona?

Finally, it's exciting to see Sergio Llull and Rudy Fernandez proving again that they eat something we are unaware of. Let's wait to watch them battling as teenagers on the court during the Playoffs. Unique competitors!

Valencia Basket

A new point guard

If Alex Mumbru could write a request letter asking for a Christmas gift, he would definitely pray for a point guard. With Van Rossom and Hermannsson carrying long-term injuries, Valencia Basket lack some direction right now.

The Spanish powerhouse is building its new home arena, which is expected to be finished around the 2024-25 season.

Of course, an A License in the EuroLeague would also be like a Christmas miracle, as Valencia has been one of the most successful teams in the last decade in the EuroCup. The city of Valencia breathes basketball.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna

Achille Polonara

Virtus Bologna owner Massimo Zanetti is a generous man. Since he has been the club's majority owner, he has never been shy about investments to strengthen the team.

Last season, the Bologna club took advantage of the situation of Russian teams by bringing in Daniel Hackett and Toko Shengelia to finish the season strong and increase the chances of winning the EuroCup.

This season, it also seems that the Virtus owner is ready to give his fans another gift, strengthening the roster even more.

According to the latest rumors, Virtus Bologna are trying to secure the services of Achille Polonara. Polonara had already been followed by Virtus during the offseason but eventually chose to sign with EuroLeague champions Anadolu Efes.

However, the Italian forward is yet to find his place in Anadolu Efes and would be ready to return to Italy. Virtus fans are looking forward to opening the new gift under the tree.

Zalgiris Kaunas

One more signing

When Andrea Trinchieri says Zalgiris is playoff material, that's high praise. However, in order to remain competitive in the playoff race, with other teams expected to make a push and Red Star signing Campazzo, it's clear that an upgrade is needed.

Zalgiris has a strong group of fighters who have already exceeded expectations. But adding some depth to the backcourt or frontline with one more quality signing could give them an extra boost in their quest to make the playoffs.

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