EuroLeague mid-season awards: The biggest disappointment / News - Basketnews.com

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After reaching halfway through the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, it's time to have a look at who performed the best or disappointed the most.

Points this season

43%70,4Points made:70,4Accuracy:43,0%Place in standings:18Record max:98Record min:51Best scorer:Janis StrelnieksTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

For the festive weekend, BasketNews presents EuroLeague mid-season awards, consisting of six different categories: the biggest surprise, biggest disappointment, the best quote, the best mid-season signing, All EuroLeague mid-season team, and the MVP.

In this article, BasketNews experts Orazio Cauchi, Uygar Karaca, Giorgos Kyriakidis, Donatas Urbonas, and Miguel Lois Vidal had a look at the biggest disappointment of the mid-season.

Orazio:My biggest disappointment so far is definitely Bitci Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Yeah, they went through many changes this summer, and they have several young players, but I expected them to be better than this. Wade Baldwin has been struggling, even Simone Fontecchio, who was a fantastic addition, in my opinion, is having a lot of ups and downs.

Both offensively and defensively, they often have been a nightmare to watch, and even with the arrival of Nenad Spahija, it doesn't look like the situation is going to turn around quickly.

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Uygar: I would say LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne and the beginning of the story go way back to the beginning of the pandemic.

Zvezdan Mitrovic was sacked, and TJ Parker replaced him. Now I ask myself whether they are any better despite having a roster that includes Elie Okobo, Chris Jones, Kostas Antetokounmpo.

To cut it short: The potential Hall-of-Famer president brings his brother to coaching with some unconvincing credentials, and in terms of game quality, no improvement was seen after 1,5 years. Not nice.

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne / Schedule

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne Fenerbahce Istanbul84-82 LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne FC Bayern MunichThu19:00

Giorgos: There are some very serious candidates for the less desired mid-season award. In terms of expectations after the roster was finalized, I would say AS Monaco have been underperforming to a great extent.

With a 6-11 record, only one win in their last eight matches, and probably the league's worst defense, the EuroLeague newcomers initially appeared viable playoff contenders.

Alas, talent is not enough when players' qualities don't complement one another.

Monaco are at a complete loss, even after Sasa Obradovic took over, replacing Mitrovic. The situation in the principality looks irreversible because as we go deeper into the season, players will start looking at their stats instead of how the team is performing.

Mike James and Donta Hall will be among the most sought-after free agents next summer since Monaco will most probably return to the EuroCup.

Donatas: Two things. First of all, I'm writing this one the following morning after a crazy Barcelona - UNICS game.

Also, I'm the last person to complain about referees. Usually, I'm on their side, and I believe the complaints about their calls are exaggerated most of the time. But I don't want them to be the stars in one of the best games of the season. Especially when their calls decide a possible match outcome or eliminate the best EuroLeague players from the game.

Against UNICS, Barca attempted 29 free throws in the 4th quarter and overtime alone. Do you remember another game of the season in Istanbul? They took Shane Larkin out of the game with a ghost call.

The same almost happened with Nikola Mirotic that night. If you blame refs for that foul on Mirotic's three-point attempt, check the previous play and foul on Lorenzo Brown, and you'll understand what I mean… Let them play!

Miguel:Zalgiris Kaunas and Wade Baldwin IV. That is all.

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