BasketNews’ GM survey 2021: Mike James’ surprise, exciting Efes, and disappointing Zalgiris / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AFP-Scanpix, BasketNews illustration/E.Alšauskas, BNS Credit AFP-Scanpix, BasketNews illustration/E.Alšauskas, BNS

BasketNews proudly presents its very first survey of the general managers from the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague clubs.

The majority of the EuroLeague GMs shared their opinions about off-season moves, revealed their possible strategies, and took part in predicting what’s going to happen in the upcoming season.

In the first part of the survey, we present answers from the off-season moves category. The survey was anonymous, so the participants were able to be as genuine as possible.

Who was the best signing of the summer?

Zenit St. Petersburg’s newcomer Shabazz Napier took the honors in this category. The American guard received 36.4% votes. Nicolo Melli from AX Armani Exchange Milan finished in second place with 18.2% of the votes cast.

Alexey Shved (CSKA Moscow), Filip Petrusev (Anadolu Efes Istanbul), Nigel Williams-Goss (Real Madrid), Nikola Kalinic (Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade), and Simone Fontecchio (Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz) received 9.1% of votes each.

Player Vote cast Shabazz Napier (Zenit St. Petersburg) 36.4% Nicolo Melli (AX Armani Exchange Milan) 18.2% Alexey Shved (CSKA Moscow) 9.1% Simone Fontecchio (Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz) 9.1% Nikola Kalinic (Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade) 9.1% Filip Petrusev (Anadolu Efes Istanbul) 9.1% Nigel Williams-Goss (Real Madrid) 9.1%

Which team made the best overall moves this off-season?

In this case, we have very divided opinions. AS Monaco, Baskonia, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, and Zenit received 18.2% of the votes cast each.

These four clubs are being followed by CSKA, Efes, and Real, which got 9.1% of the votes each.

This summer AS Monaco brought such players as Mike James and Donatas Motiejunas. Baskonia strengthened its roster with Fontecchio and Wade Baldwin.

Meanwhile, Fenerbahce added Pierria Henry, Achille Polonara, and Devin Booker, while Zenit signed Napier, Jordan Loyd, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, and others.

Club Vote cast AS Monaco 18.2% Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 18.2% Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 18.2% Zenit St. Petersburg 18.2% CSKA Moscow 9.1% Anadolu Efes Istanbul 9.1% Real Madrid 9.1%

What was the most surprising move of the off-season?

Mike James was the dominant answer in this one. The American guard reached an agreement to terminate his contract with CSKA, and as BasketNews reported first, signed with Monaco. James’ move to Monaco accumulated 36,4% of the votes cast.

Right behind comes Vasilije Micic’s extension with Efes (18.2%). After most basketball fans were preparing to see Serbian’s debut in the NBA, he surprisingly stayed with EuroLeague champions.

One of the votes also went to Fenerbahce for hiring Aleksandar Djordjevic as their new head coach after Igor Kokoskov made a decision to come back to the NBA.

Player Vote cast Mike James (AS Monaco) 36.4% Vasilije Micic's extension (Anadolu Efes Istanbul) 18.2% Alexey Shved (CSKA Moscow) 9.1% Adam Hanga (Real Madrid) 9.1% Nikola Kalinic (Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade) 9.1% Jalen Reynolds (Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv) 9.1% Aleksandar Djordjevic (Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul) 9.1%

Which opposing team will be the most exciting for you to watch?

The free-flowing basketball of Efes charmed the majority of the EuroLeague GMs. The current champions received 27.3% of the votes.

Second and third places were shared by perennial rivals – Real and FC Barcelona, which got 18.2% of the votes each.

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, CSKA, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, and Zenit were also regarded as the most exciting team to watch (9.1% votes each).

Club Vote cast Anadolu Efes Istanbul 27.3% FC Barcelona 18.2% Real Madrid 18.2% LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 9.1% CSKA Moscow 9.1% Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 9.1% Zenit St. Petersburg 9.1%

Which team will lose positions because of their summer moves?

The majority of the GMs think that Zalgiris Kaunas made the least convincing moves this off-season. The Lithuanian powerhouse received 36.4% of the votes.

This summer Zalgiris lost such players as Marius Grigonis, Thomas Walkup, Nigel Hayes, Rokas Jokubaitis, and Augustine Rubit. All of them were replaced by Emmanuel Mudiay, Mantas Kalnietis, Janis Strelnieks, Niels Giffey, Edgaras Ulanovas, Tyler Cavanaugh, and Josh Nebo.

Right after Zalgiris came ALBA Berlin, which got 27.3% of the votes cast. Meanwhile, Baskonia finished in third place (18.2%).

Club Vote cast Zalgiris Kaunas 36.4% ALBA Berlin 27.3% Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 18.2% LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 9.1% No opinion 9.1% Thank you for reading us! Help us even more.