EuroLeague bold predictions: rare MVP winner and first coach to get fired / News - Basketnews.com

Dejan Radonjic is the first EuroLeague head coach expected to get fired, while Mike James is introduced as the frontrunner to win the MVP award, among the other bold predictions for the 2022-23 season.

Credit: Reuters/ZUMAPRESS.com/Vangelis Stolis Credit Reuters/ZUMAPRESS.com/Vangelis Stolis

BasketNews' Donatas Urbonas, Rytis Vysniauskas, and Augustas Suliauskas shared their bold predictions for the 2022-23 EuroLeague season on the recent URBONUS episode.

Radonjic the first to get fired

Panathinaikos will be the first team to fire their head coach (Dejan Radonjic). I'm not convinced with their roster choices and fit together, and I'm not sure how all the foreigners will buy into Radonjic's system.

We all know there might be some communication issues there. They scored 52 points against Olympiacos in the Super Cup final. Are their first options on offense good enough to carry the team to many wins?

There are some spacing issues. Nate Wolters is out with an injury. There are a lot of question marks. And we all know how impatient EuroLeague owners are.

In my eyes, this is the ticking bomb that has already started to tick with this huge loss vs. Olympiacos.

- Augustas Suliauskas

Fenerbahce will play in the final

Just think about it.

They have a two-time EuroLeague champion (as the head coach) and one of the best coaches in the tournament (Dimitris Itoudis). They have the underrated defender and best passer in the tournament (Nick Calathes).

One of the best scorers in the league at his peak (Scottie Wilbekin). A former EuroLeague MVP is returning with a fresh NBA title (Nemanja Bjelica). Up-and-coming EuroLeague rookies (Johnathan Motley and Carsen Edwards).

Solid pieces and assets, including Marko Guduric, Devin Booker, Nigel Hayes, Sehmus Hazer, Melih Mahmutoglu, and others.

If only they stay healthy and find chemistry, that might be a very dangerous team to any title contender.

It might take some time. But there are 34 games to get ready for the playoffs, where nobody will be pleased facing Fenerbahce even with a home-court advantage behind.

- Donatas Urbonas

EuroLeague will have a rare MVP winner

You might get surprised reading how many American players became the EuroLeague MVPs, with the regular season award being handed out since 2004.

One.

It's Anthony Parker, who is also the only EuroLeague player with multiple MVP awards (2005, 2006).

This is the best year for someone from North America to win it. I include North America because Kevin Pangos is from Canada and is one of the MVP race contenders.

Mirotic is out with a long-term injury, so he won't be in the MVP conversation for not playing enough games.

Vasilije Micic has won it, so people expect something extraordinary to give it to him again.

Anadolu Efes signed Will Clyburn, who might cancel a bit of each other stats. Who knows, maybe Clyburn will take over the team with better numbers.

I thought Walter Tavares was right there because Real probably will be a Top 3 seed. But another stat says that only one center has won it (Jan Vesely). Out of 17 seasons, seven MVP awards were given to a point guard.

This is where Mike James comes in.

I know they signed two great ball handlers that might reduce Mike's minutes. But I still think all the conversations that started last year with the MVP going to Mirotic will get into this conversation early this season. That's why people's opinions might influence this voting.

I know he will have a great season, and I think Monaco will be really good. I think Mike James is the best to win this trophy this season.

- Augustas Suliauskas

Ataman won't get ejected

Per Darius Garuolis data, Ergin Ataman leads the EuroLeague in head coach ejections (5) since the new regular-season format introduction in the 2016-17 season.

He got ejected three times last year, tying Andrea Trinchieri's ejections per season record, achieved in 2020-21.

But just like his colleague from Italy, Ataman will control himself way better than last season.

Yes, Ataman was ejected twice during his journey with the Turkish national team. But solid reinforcements will help him to remain calm throughout the upcoming season.

Last year Ataman was losing his control through an exhausting stint with Efes dropping games without showing enough effort and unity.

But Will Clyburn, Ante Zizic, Achille Polonara, and Amath M'Baye's additions will work as much-needed fresh blood. All these newcomers will be motivated enough to prove they belong to back-to-back EuroLeague champions.

Ataman has ranked second by technical fouls (34) since 2016. There's only Sarunas Jasikevicius ahead of him with 44. Ataman won't avoid getting punished with technicals, but at least he won't need to watch games in the locker room.

- Donatas Urbonas

The best lowest seeded team in history

This EuroLeague is as strong as it gets. I think it will be the most competitive 18-team tournament we have ever seen.

The most wins for the last seed was 8. In my opinion, this year we'll see a bigger number.

Even the last-seeded team will be a tough nut to crack, whether it will be ASVEL, Zalgiris, ALBA, or any other. They will definitely steal wins from the playoff contenders.

Every team looks very competitive. I think Zalgiris definitely can beat some of those giants at home. We all know ALBA for its continuity. The way they played last season, nobody would be surprised to see them winning at home against teams like Fenerbahce, Virtus, or others.

ASVEL, with the experience of De Colo and Lauvergne, playing at home with many physical players can surprise you.

I think the last seed will have more than eight wins this season, maybe even 10. That's how competitive the league is right now.

- Rytis Vysniauskas

Watch the full URBONUS podcast with the expanded arguments and more bold predictions:

Why this EuroLeague season is a must-watch:

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