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EuroLeague MVP ladder: Leading candidates gearing up for the top prize / News - Basketnews.com

nqajqrqw7months ago (05-17)Tennis Life211

With three games left in the EuroLeague regular season, BasketNews takes a look at the main candidates for the season's MVP award. Even though one case has stood out, there's still room for surprise.

Credit: BasketNews illustration/M.Didė Credit BasketNews illustration/M.Didė

As the EuroLeague regular season reaches its final rounds, the timing seems ideal to look back at the top performers from the first 31 rounds and take stock of the MVP race.

The most prestigious end-of-season award awaits the player who will be voted for by players, coaches, and media members. Even though the MVP is mainly about the players' achievements and performance in the 34 rounds of the regular season, the outcome of the playoffs always counts towards the final result.

Last year, the award went to Olympiacos Piraeus forward Sasha Vezenkov, who forced the Sacramento Kings to make the trip across the Atlantic to persuade him to move overseas. The Bulgarian international didn't end up winning the EuroLeague title, a trend that has been repeated several times.

In the current season, Mike James is considered the clear frontrunner. However, if Monaco and the prolific scorer come across an insurmountable obstacle in the playoffs, another player might be chosen instead.

The main criteria for the MVP vote relate to a player's contribution to his team's success. Hence, players on teams eliminated from playoff contention are unlikely to hear their name called when the awards are handed out.

BasketNews presents the nine players most likely to win the 2023-24 EuroLeague MVP award. Players are ranked according to their chances of winning the accolade.

1. Mike James | G | AS Monaco

Team Record: 20-11

Season Stats

MIN 2P M/A 3P M/A FT M/A REB AS ST TO PTS EFF GM 30:58 48.4%122/252 38.7%77/199 79%113/143 4.33.8/0.5 5 1.2 2.1 19 20.3 31

There's only a handful of things Mike James hasn't done this season. At 33, he's more efficient, mature, and versatile than ever before in his career. His 20-point night against Crvena Zvezda on March 7 garnered him the first spot in the all-time scorers list, as he surpassed Vassilis Spanoulis.

If his 2021-22 campaign sparked much discussion on whether he should be named the MVP, which ultimately went to Nikola Mirotic, it seems this year will pan out differently.

Monaco have the chance to finish second in the standings, while the American guard has been its most influential player. He has led the squad to several wins almost single-handedly, and his decision-making and passing have rendered him unstoppable on several occasions.

In case Monaco make it to their second straight Final Four, and James keeps it up, it would be a huge surprise to see anyone else winning MVP. His 10th EuroLeague season might be the charm.

2. Mathias Lessort | C | Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens

Team Record: 20-11

Season Stats

MIN 2P M/A FT M/A REB AS ST TO BS PTS EFF GM 28:21 62.3%154/247 67%124/185 6.13.7/2.4 1.3 1.1 2 0.9 13.9 19.6 31

Behind Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens' club record of 20 regular season wins, Mathias Lessort's name has been shining bright all year long. In 21 of his 26 appearances, the Frenchman has posted a PIR of at least 15 while scoring a career-best 13.9 points on 62.3% shooting.

Perhaps his most underrated skill is his ability to draw fouls, as he averages 6.5 per contest, more than any other EuroLeague big man.

Ergin Ataman's small rotation has also allowed Lessort to stay on the court for nearly 29 minutes per contest (28:52). The Turkish tactician has come to realize the impact that the former Partizan center has had on his team since Lessort's two single-digit PIR games in the season resulted in as many losses for PAO.

That's not to say that Lessort seriously underperforms when the squad is not firing on all cylinders. It means the 28-year-old has been able to hold his ground in turmoil.

If you add Lessort's special connection with Panathinaikos' fans, manifest in every home game, you get the full picture of his overall presence this year.

3. Facundo Campazzo| G | Real Madrid

Team Record: 25-6

Season Stats

MIN 2P M/A 3P M/A FT M/A REB AS ST TO PTS EFF GM 24:48 55.3%73/132 30%39/130 87.1%88/101 2.92.3/0.5 6.5 1.2 2.5 11.3 15.9 31

In the early season MVP discussions, Facundo Campazzo was projected as the No.1 candidate for the award. And there were plenty of good reasons and arguments for that.

First and foremost, the Argentinian point guard was by far the best player on the best team in the league.

After starting the campaign with a disappointing game against Baskonia (1/5 FG, -1 in PIR), he immediately picked it up and became a dominant force for Madrid.

A worthy recipient of the November MVP title, Campazzo kept up the same pace for as long as the reigning champs were the undisputed rulers of the table. However, as soon as Real Madrid lost their form after the February break, Campazzo's productivity started to wane.

Over Los Blancos' last six games, he's averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 assists, and 12.3 in PIR, which can be attributed to his bad shooting percentages in that span.

Yet, Facu remains a solid candidate for the big prize since Real wouldn't have managed to dominate the league without him. A string of strong playoff performances might boost his campaign and propel him to his maiden MVP award.

4. Wade Baldwin IV | G | Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

Team Record: 18-13

Season Stats

MIN 2P M/A 3P M/A FT M/A REB AS ST TO PTS EFF GM 27:47 47.2%100/212 40.9%36/88 85%113/133 2.82.4/0.4 5 1 2.7 17.5 19.7 24

Baldwin was second in scoring in the 2022–23 EuroLeague regular season, with 16.7 points per game, only trailing Aleksandar Vezenkov.

Maccabi reached the playoffs, where they went down to AS Monaco after a 5-game series. However, the American guard has also been highly influential for the Israeli side this season.

His career night came in the outing against ASVEL, where he dropped a double-double of 30 points and 10 assists, along with 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 9 fouls drawn. He became the player with the highest PIR (46) in a EuroLeague game for Maccabi since Anthony Parker in 2006.

The 27-year-old former Bayern Munich and Baskonia player has averaged 21.3 points, 5.5 assists, and an incredible 26.7 in PIR over the last nine contests.

He's arguably the most in-form MVP candidate on this shortlist, while Maccabi racked up five straight wins and remain in Top 6 contention.

Thus, Baldwin has managed to step up big-time in a rather underwhelming season for his backcourt partner, Lorenzo Brown, whose campaign has fluctuated between several ups and downs.

5. Jan Vesely| C | FC Barcelona

Team Record: 20-11

Season Stats

MIN 2P M/A FT M/A REB AS ST TO BS PTS EFF GM 21:10 65%154/237 78.4%76/97 4.52.8/1.7 1.3 1.1 1 0.5 12.9 16.6 30

Following a borderline decent 2022-23 campaign, when he averaged 9.3 points and 4.0 rebounds, Jan Vesely seems to be back in full form, judging by his most recent exploits. Although not as explosive as in his prime, the 2019 MVP has excelled on multiple fronts.

He shoots 65% from within the arc, displays a career-best 78.4% from the free-throw line, and remains solid whenever he needs to defend the paint. As a finisher, the Czech international has done superb work.

If he receives a pass near the basket, he's able to make the most of it almost instantly. He even drained his first 3-point shot after 2.5 seasons in the game against Panathinaikos at OAKA.

At the same time, Barca are struggling to hold on to one of the Top 4 spots and will definitely need a highly productive Vesely in the playoffs. His recent contract extension might help him when the decisive games come along.

6. Alec Peters| F | Olympiacos Piraeus

Team Record: 19-12

Season Stats

MIN 2P M/A 3P M/A FT M/A REB AS ST TO PTS EFF GM 26:34 59.7%92/154 54.5%60/110 88.9%64/72 5.13.9/1.2 1.6 0.5 1.2 14.3 16 30

When Olympiacos decided to activate the team option on Alec Peters' contract last summer, very few would expect the 2019 EuroLeague champion to soon become one of the Greek side's cornerstones on both ends of the floor.

Overall, Olympiacos have dropped one of their last eight games (against Efes in Istanbul) en route to a Top š spot and, potentially, the home-court advantage in the playoffs.

Peters, 28, is having a career-best season, following much speculation over his ability to step in Sasha Vezenkov's shoes when the latter moved to Sacramento. Going from 13 to 27 minutes of average playing time hasn't been the only contributing factor to his rise as one of the league's top forwards.

Peters is exuding as self-confidence as ever, making crucial shots and being the go-to guy in crunch time whenever the occasion calls for it.

For a player who went scoreless in last year's Final Four while recording a surprising DNP in the title game (much to his disappointment), this season has been a real revelation in terms of unleashing his potential and showcasing that he's a lot more than a spot sharpshooter.

7. Tornike Shengelia| F | Virtus Segafredo Bologna

Team Record: 17-14

Season Stats

MIN 2P M/A 3P M/A FT M/A REB AS ST TO PTS EFF GM 27:30 58.5%120/205 25.6%22/86 79.5%97/122 5.23.7/1.5 3.5 1 2.8 14.4 17.5 28

With five losses in their last six games, Virtus' path to the playoffs seems quite complicated. The schedule (Panathinaikos, Baskonia at home, Milan on the road) doesn't allow for much optimism.

However, regardless of how the season pans out, the team from Emilia Romagna has already surpassed the sinister early predictions that had it near the bottom of the table.

Coming off a mediocre campaign (9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists), Toko Shengelia knew he had to step up in order for his squad to cherish realistic playoff hopes. And that's what the forward from Georgia did all season long.

His MVP candidacy has lost ground since his numbers dropped after Round 21. However, his status as Virtus' leading figure this season can't be questioned since Shengelia's fighting spirit and winning mentality have kept the Italian team afloat.

In spite of the outside shot (25.6%) remaining a clear weak spot, his playmaking skills and hustle constitute the perfect upside.

8. Chima Moneke| C | Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz

Team Record: 16-15

Season Stats

MIN 2P M/A 3P M/A FT M/A REB AS ST TO BS PTS EFF GM 24:44 60.5%112/185 38%30/79 77.2%115/149 6.74.7/2 1.5 1.2 2.1 0.6 14.3 19.2 30

Just like Peters, Chima Moneke deserves the title of the Most Improved Player compared to last season, when he averaged 3.9 points and 3.1 boards over 16 games for Monaco.

What's more, his 3-point skills are on full display this year, both in terms of volume and accuracy.

Having claimed BCL MVP honors in 2022, Moneke needed the right place to flourish and show the full range of his potential. The Nigerian big man has emerged as a two-way force for Baskonia, taking care of business on both ends by combining energy and efficiency.

Thanks to his speed and mobility, partly attributed to his small size (1.96 m.), Moneke can be unstoppable at times.

He has scored in double digits in all but four of his games with Baskonia, another sign of his remarkable consistency. His chances of actually winning MVP are very slim, yet his breakout season might be reflected in an All-EuroLeague First Team nod.

9. Shane Larkin| G | Anadolu Efes Istanbul

Team Record: 14-17

Season Stats

MIN 2P M/A 3P M/A FT M/A REB AS ST TO PTS EFF GM 31:46 54.7%87/159 39.5%79/200 90.6%115/127 32.9/0.1 5.2 1.1 1.9 17 20.3 31

In the first season without Vasilije Micic, Efes are drowning despite Shane Larkin's efforts. The veteran guard has turned in one of his most efficient campaigns while making EuroLeague history by earning a record-setting 17th MVP of the Round award in his seventh year in the competition.

But that's hardly enough for Efes, who seem to have lost the boat on the playoffs unless they manage to effectively handle a tough schedule (Baskonia, Fenerbahce away, Crvena Zvezda at home).

The 10th spot is the realistic goal, and Larkin will definitely have a lot of work to do to keep his team going.

His shooting splits remain impeccable, but injuries and questionable recruiting choices have damaged Efes' options almost beyond repair.

This means that Larkin's outstanding string of performances will hardly get the recognition it deserves.

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