D
De Ridder2
Guest
Baskonia-Partizan 70-30
CSKA-Olympiacos 60-40
Maccabi-Barcelona 50-50
CSKA-Olympiacos 60-40
Maccabi-Barcelona 50-50
robbe2
Moderator
TAU - Partizan
This is not the old TAU we're seeing. Credit to Partizan for making TAU look like a rather mediocre team relying on one-on-one skills on offense. But I also think TAU looks to much for their lowpost options, and it's hurting the flow of the offense. CSKA had pretty much the same problem in the first game, and even if the pass in the post was available, they ignored some of those quite efficient options down low in game 2, especially Andersen. Game plan or not? I don't know. But it certainly kept their game flowing and had the shooters finding their rythym, instead of playing stagnant one-on-one offense. TAU should look more for the Prigioni P'n'R imo. I really do think Partizan can pull one of here. They've been the better team so far this series.
CSKA - Olympiacos
Promises to be another great game. I don't think CSKA is through for sure already, they'll need another 100% game, as Olympiacos is just incredibly dangerous when you let them play. By the way, what is happening to JR Holden? His shot selection in this series is horrible. CSKA must thank god that Smodis is back. Goree is a decent role-player who's done a very good job this year, but he's no Smodis.
Maccabi - Barcelona
Vintage Gianluca Basile in this series. That sensational semifinal-shootout against Lithuania and the "welcome in Europe" - game against Team USA 2004 come to mind. When he's hot, I think he's one of the most individually spectacular players in Europe. This is big for Barcelona, and also the fact that Pepe Sanchez went 3/6 on last Thursday, as they've been shooting horrible percentages from the outside all year. As for Maccabi, I'm again and again thrilled by Vujcic's passing of course, glad to have him back. And Casspi is playing exciting basketball. That Morris-Vujcic Pick and Roll they kept running is also quite interesting. A power forwards handling the ball in the pick and roll is quite rare. The last time I saw it was Dirk/Femerling. Morris got a couple of good looks off that, if I remember correctly. In the about five-six EL games of them I saw this season, they didn't utilise it. It's a in my eyes entertaining series, which will be decided by home court advantage I believe.
This is not the old TAU we're seeing. Credit to Partizan for making TAU look like a rather mediocre team relying on one-on-one skills on offense. But I also think TAU looks to much for their lowpost options, and it's hurting the flow of the offense. CSKA had pretty much the same problem in the first game, and even if the pass in the post was available, they ignored some of those quite efficient options down low in game 2, especially Andersen. Game plan or not? I don't know. But it certainly kept their game flowing and had the shooters finding their rythym, instead of playing stagnant one-on-one offense. TAU should look more for the Prigioni P'n'R imo. I really do think Partizan can pull one of here. They've been the better team so far this series.
CSKA - Olympiacos
Promises to be another great game. I don't think CSKA is through for sure already, they'll need another 100% game, as Olympiacos is just incredibly dangerous when you let them play. By the way, what is happening to JR Holden? His shot selection in this series is horrible. CSKA must thank god that Smodis is back. Goree is a decent role-player who's done a very good job this year, but he's no Smodis.
Maccabi - Barcelona
Vintage Gianluca Basile in this series. That sensational semifinal-shootout against Lithuania and the "welcome in Europe" - game against Team USA 2004 come to mind. When he's hot, I think he's one of the most individually spectacular players in Europe. This is big for Barcelona, and also the fact that Pepe Sanchez went 3/6 on last Thursday, as they've been shooting horrible percentages from the outside all year. As for Maccabi, I'm again and again thrilled by Vujcic's passing of course, glad to have him back. And Casspi is playing exciting basketball. That Morris-Vujcic Pick and Roll they kept running is also quite interesting. A power forwards handling the ball in the pick and roll is quite rare. The last time I saw it was Dirk/Femerling. Morris got a couple of good looks off that, if I remember correctly. In the about five-six EL games of them I saw this season, they didn't utilise it. It's a in my eyes entertaining series, which will be decided by home court advantage I believe.
D
Digdis2
Guest
TAU - Partizan: 55-45
Partizan looks great, but I don't think it'll be enough against TAU's deeper roster and home advantage. Close one though.
CSKA - Olympiacos: 70-30
Heroic efforts by Oly so far, but I really don't think they can make another away victory against the best team of the EL so far.
Maccabi - Barcelona: 51-49
Maccabi has been playing like crap in the past couple of weeks, and their home loss against BH in the league (costing in their drop to the second place) should surely damage their confidence. IMO the way they regain their confidence in the deciding game is a crucial factor in this game (even more than the home advantage). Should be a very close one with a small edge for Maccabi.
Partizan looks great, but I don't think it'll be enough against TAU's deeper roster and home advantage. Close one though.
CSKA - Olympiacos: 70-30
Heroic efforts by Oly so far, but I really don't think they can make another away victory against the best team of the EL so far.
Maccabi - Barcelona: 51-49
Maccabi has been playing like crap in the past couple of weeks, and their home loss against BH in the league (costing in their drop to the second place) should surely damage their confidence. IMO the way they regain their confidence in the deciding game is a crucial factor in this game (even more than the home advantage). Should be a very close one with a small edge for Maccabi.
W
wardjdim2
Guest
Rumours have it that Tau is at its worst. After three straight losses, they surprisingly haven't been out of any of their goals, however no-one guarantees that their home advantage is going to give them their fourth straight Final Four ticket. On the other hand, top-8 qualification might have been the outmost that a team like Fenerbahce could achieve, but right now it seems that Partizan's potential is higher than that. Tau is obviously more talented, experienced and will be playing at home, but the enthousiasm and polished game of Partizan could push them to a win. Among the disadvantages that the cinderella faces are the only three wins on the road all season long, which might be considered huge when we are talking about the top-8 round.
Odds: Tau 55 - Partizan 45
CSKA Moscow is going to qualify for their Euroleague-best sixth straight Final Four, unless Olympiacos keeps at the same great level (of the first game) both ends of the floor for 40'. Not much to tell here. The best team in Europe right now just needs to stay focused and not lose at home, something almost impossible to imagine, since miracles don't occur so often. On the other hand, Olympiacos' potential and polished game seems amazing and under Yannakis, it actually becomes obvious.
Odds: CSKA 65 - Olympiacos 35
Easily the more equal series so far makes this matchup extremely interesting. The shortcomings in the character of both teams, the absences and the impression that they are both not contenders for this year's title makes the series more of a pitiful one, yet very very impressive, when it comes to individual performances. I would give both former champions a 50% for the win, but Maccabi is a slightly better team overall, they play at home and maybe the loss of Ilyasova will be crucial for the visitors.
Odds: Maccabi 55 - Barcelona 45
Odds: Tau 55 - Partizan 45
CSKA Moscow is going to qualify for their Euroleague-best sixth straight Final Four, unless Olympiacos keeps at the same great level (of the first game) both ends of the floor for 40'. Not much to tell here. The best team in Europe right now just needs to stay focused and not lose at home, something almost impossible to imagine, since miracles don't occur so often. On the other hand, Olympiacos' potential and polished game seems amazing and under Yannakis, it actually becomes obvious.
Odds: CSKA 65 - Olympiacos 35
Easily the more equal series so far makes this matchup extremely interesting. The shortcomings in the character of both teams, the absences and the impression that they are both not contenders for this year's title makes the series more of a pitiful one, yet very very impressive, when it comes to individual performances. I would give both former champions a 50% for the win, but Maccabi is a slightly better team overall, they play at home and maybe the loss of Ilyasova will be crucial for the visitors.
Odds: Maccabi 55 - Barcelona 45
Y
Yuval Kodenstein2
Guest
Baskonia-Partizan 60-40
CSKA-Olympiacos 70-30
Maccabi-Barcelona 55-45
CSKA-Olympiacos 70-30
Maccabi-Barcelona 55-45
T
Turkish Airlines Euroleague2
Guest
TAU-Partizan 60-40
CSKA-Olympiacos 65-35
Maccabi-Barcelona 55-45
CSKA-Olympiacos 65-35
Maccabi-Barcelona 55-45
D
Digdis2
Guest
Is this final? Last thing I heard was only that he was in doubt for this game.wardjdim said:
R
rikhardur2
Guest
TAU vs Partizan
Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Barcelona
CSKA Moscow vs Olympiacos (I don't think Oly will make it again (if they do I'll laugh like a madman
))
Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Barcelona
CSKA Moscow vs Olympiacos (I don't think Oly will make it again (if they do I'll laugh like a madman
))
R
Red Inspiration2
Guest
TAU vs Partizan
Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Barcelona
CSKA Moscow vs Olympiacos
I hope oly will provide a good laugh to rikhardur, i only wish not because oly will play like shite
Seriously, i find it really hard to predict oly's present psychological state, which is very important in order to make predictions for the game.
Last night they played really awful and lost from panionios, but with yiannakis on the bench you just can't predict anything really...
Who have thought oly would win the first game in russia anyway?
Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Barcelona
CSKA Moscow vs Olympiacos
I hope oly will provide a good laugh to rikhardur, i only wish not because oly will play like shite
Seriously, i find it really hard to predict oly's present psychological state, which is very important in order to make predictions for the game.
Last night they played really awful and lost from panionios, but with yiannakis on the bench you just can't predict anything really...
Who have thought oly would win the first game in russia anyway?
Q
qiangdade2
Guest
Partizan, Cska and Maccabi will advance
W
wardjdim2
Guest
It is too bad that you will be wrongqiangdade said:
A
ArkadiosV22
Guest
TAU - Partizan 45-55
CSKA - Olympiakos 75-25
Maccabi - Barca 45-55
Good luck to all teams except TAU and extra special luck to Partizan
CSKA - Olympiakos 75-25
Maccabi - Barca 45-55
Good luck to all teams except TAU and extra special luck to Partizan
Q
qiangdade2
Guest
wardjdim said:It is too bad that you will be wrong
Imagine i'm right though. I will mock you till hell freezes over
M
Marble2
Guest
TAU-Partizan 55-45
CSKA-Olympiacos 65-35
Maccabi-Barcelona 55-45
Good luck to Partizan and (surprisingly) OLY...!
CSKA-Olympiacos 65-35
Maccabi-Barcelona 55-45
Good luck to Partizan and (surprisingly) OLY...!
W
wardjdim2
Guest
So, Partizan miraculously qualifies to the top-16, becomes the team that ousts defending champs Panathinaikos out of the top-8, then ousts 3 time Final Four participant Tau and qualifies to the F4, facing CSKA Moscow in the semi-finals..qiangdade said:Imagine i'm right though. I will mock you till hell freezes over
J
Joško Poljak Fan2
Guest
TAU-Partizan 55-45
Won't deny my heart is with Partizan in this series, not only because of the way Tau acquired Dragič that made me turned away from the club for indefinite time, but because since Žalgiris there was barely any team making a surprise getting to F4, while in the past there was one team like that on almost a regular basis all the way from Limoges, ASVEL, Olimpija, Partizan, Žalgiris, Efes and the habbit kind of died in the 00ies and Uleb stepping in, practically all of the f4 competitiors being almost a sure thing from the start of the season.
Just like in the first 2 games, the game will depend on Tau being able to create the lead. They're experienced enough that once they'll get one, Partizan will have to waste an enormous amount of energy to get back in the game, potentialy loosing their percentages for victory by that. Vujošević, that'll get the credit for his coaching outside of Serbia after this season as well, is doing a great job, knowing this "high margin issue" and fighting it in the right way. He starts with Vranješ under the rim that prooved to be extremely efficient tactic, meaning that Tau won't get hot from the very begining and not being able to practicaly win the game at the very beggining since their inside solutions got rather limited with Vranješ camping up there. After the first attack gets pushed back, Peković gets in providing a relyable offensive power for the team. And when Vujošević feels another Tau storm is emerging, he substitutes again, changes the pace and def/off schemes for Tau and again defends the margin easier. By limiting their inside game, Partizan won in the section Tau used to win games in euroleague by now, I am not claiming Tau is mediocre here, but in both games they were kind of trying to push their game in the paint too much even when they saw it's not working.
It's uncredible what a guy like Vranješ can do in the hands of the right coach... while so many have failed with that before.
Before the series I was wondering which out of the two will suffer by playing an adequately good tall man, which euroleague lacks heavily consequently making some tall guys undeservably praised. So far in the match-up between Peković and Splitter, the montenegrian is winning the duel by a lot. The win is all that matters here, it's just an observation though since I hate those player1 vs. player2 threads you can find at some forums.
Partizan's youngsters have an unique chance in this game to proove their talent, unlike in the past decade not on nba draft workouts, but instead prooving it on court in a highly competitive game potentially leading them to F4. Home raised talents getting to F4 is a very intriguing thing to me and didn't happen since Partizan's 98' or Olimpija's 97' F4 appearance... after a decade, it would be nice to happen again.
Their mentality suits that chalenge perfectly, just the way it suited perfectly to Djordjević and Danilović in 92' and Tau will have to face an incredible pressure since it's the deciding game where they're the absolute favourites by opinion of a large majority, due to Partizan overplaying them so far and due to their heavy loss in Belgrade that would normaly get in the head of any player, nevermind his mental strenght.
But in the end, it's still Fernando Buesa arena they play in and I think it's been a long time since a visiting team has won there in euroleague.
Tau are the favourites, but they'll have to come up with a really strong game and find some new solutions regarding dragging the Partizan's big duo out of the paint and their offense. If they'll give Partizan the chance for the victory, they'll grab it with both hands.
CSKA-Olympiacos 70-30
CSKA in it's good periods is unstopable, as we've seen in Pireus in the 2nd and 3rd quarter, they've got a large number of great individuals that can turn around the game in no time. Giannakis would need sth. like 5 aditional timeouts to disturb their rhytm.
Just like with majority of those loaded big teams, imho the solution isn't neccesarily on covering the best players to the upmost, which when playing vs. CSKA almost surely means one defender at one point "fall's out of def rotation" resolving in all those offensive options CSKA gets by achieving that, but allowing those less reliable players more in the areas Oly might be in advantage instead. Leave Andersen receiving the ball a bit away from the post and let Holden to cut in through the middle. Why? because Andersen suffers from the contact at mid-range game, in many cases fails to pass the ball back and Holden as far as I am concerned can cut through as much as he wants towards Bouroussis and Tsakalidis as soon as defensive rotation adopts... and that's just way better than defending all 5 players at full pace and just waiting for Šiškauskas or Langdon coming out of a screen for another 3 pointer.
Oly defended the paint very agresively in both recent games and that gave just too many options to CSKA's guards, while I've seen Smodiš being less effective by C/PF's with height and am convienced Andersen doesn't like to get physical, Savrašenko of course isn't there and Goree getting satisfied with put-in's and occasional pass this season. It's a risk, whenever one of the CSKA's millionaires will start playing their own way Messina will substitute as seen before, but it could give an edge on some plays.
just a theory of course, but I strongly believe Olympiakos should let the pace down allowing CSKA more inside game instead of letting Papa, Šiška, Trajan destroying them with those penetrations, plant some "boogey traps" instead.
CSKA is the favourite here, but Olympiakos is playing just about way better than at the begining of the season, it'll be hard for them to repeate theit first game, but I've seen enough CSKA's games this season to claim it won't be easy for CSKa to repeat the game they've shown in Pireus either.
Maccabi-Barcelona
I am hugely dissapointed that Maccabi didn't win it in 2 games and let it all go to the 3rd game potentially even Barcelona getting through and will make just about no comment at all about the third game. Barcelona getting this far is a clear crime against basketball, one of the biggest in recent years.
Won't deny my heart is with Partizan in this series, not only because of the way Tau acquired Dragič that made me turned away from the club for indefinite time, but because since Žalgiris there was barely any team making a surprise getting to F4, while in the past there was one team like that on almost a regular basis all the way from Limoges, ASVEL, Olimpija, Partizan, Žalgiris, Efes and the habbit kind of died in the 00ies and Uleb stepping in, practically all of the f4 competitiors being almost a sure thing from the start of the season.
Just like in the first 2 games, the game will depend on Tau being able to create the lead. They're experienced enough that once they'll get one, Partizan will have to waste an enormous amount of energy to get back in the game, potentialy loosing their percentages for victory by that. Vujošević, that'll get the credit for his coaching outside of Serbia after this season as well, is doing a great job, knowing this "high margin issue" and fighting it in the right way. He starts with Vranješ under the rim that prooved to be extremely efficient tactic, meaning that Tau won't get hot from the very begining and not being able to practicaly win the game at the very beggining since their inside solutions got rather limited with Vranješ camping up there. After the first attack gets pushed back, Peković gets in providing a relyable offensive power for the team. And when Vujošević feels another Tau storm is emerging, he substitutes again, changes the pace and def/off schemes for Tau and again defends the margin easier. By limiting their inside game, Partizan won in the section Tau used to win games in euroleague by now, I am not claiming Tau is mediocre here, but in both games they were kind of trying to push their game in the paint too much even when they saw it's not working.
It's uncredible what a guy like Vranješ can do in the hands of the right coach... while so many have failed with that before.
Before the series I was wondering which out of the two will suffer by playing an adequately good tall man, which euroleague lacks heavily consequently making some tall guys undeservably praised. So far in the match-up between Peković and Splitter, the montenegrian is winning the duel by a lot. The win is all that matters here, it's just an observation though since I hate those player1 vs. player2 threads you can find at some forums.
Partizan's youngsters have an unique chance in this game to proove their talent, unlike in the past decade not on nba draft workouts, but instead prooving it on court in a highly competitive game potentially leading them to F4. Home raised talents getting to F4 is a very intriguing thing to me and didn't happen since Partizan's 98' or Olimpija's 97' F4 appearance... after a decade, it would be nice to happen again.
Their mentality suits that chalenge perfectly, just the way it suited perfectly to Djordjević and Danilović in 92' and Tau will have to face an incredible pressure since it's the deciding game where they're the absolute favourites by opinion of a large majority, due to Partizan overplaying them so far and due to their heavy loss in Belgrade that would normaly get in the head of any player, nevermind his mental strenght.
But in the end, it's still Fernando Buesa arena they play in and I think it's been a long time since a visiting team has won there in euroleague.
Tau are the favourites, but they'll have to come up with a really strong game and find some new solutions regarding dragging the Partizan's big duo out of the paint and their offense. If they'll give Partizan the chance for the victory, they'll grab it with both hands.
CSKA-Olympiacos 70-30
CSKA in it's good periods is unstopable, as we've seen in Pireus in the 2nd and 3rd quarter, they've got a large number of great individuals that can turn around the game in no time. Giannakis would need sth. like 5 aditional timeouts to disturb their rhytm.
Just like with majority of those loaded big teams, imho the solution isn't neccesarily on covering the best players to the upmost, which when playing vs. CSKA almost surely means one defender at one point "fall's out of def rotation" resolving in all those offensive options CSKA gets by achieving that, but allowing those less reliable players more in the areas Oly might be in advantage instead. Leave Andersen receiving the ball a bit away from the post and let Holden to cut in through the middle. Why? because Andersen suffers from the contact at mid-range game, in many cases fails to pass the ball back and Holden as far as I am concerned can cut through as much as he wants towards Bouroussis and Tsakalidis as soon as defensive rotation adopts... and that's just way better than defending all 5 players at full pace and just waiting for Šiškauskas or Langdon coming out of a screen for another 3 pointer.
Oly defended the paint very agresively in both recent games and that gave just too many options to CSKA's guards, while I've seen Smodiš being less effective by C/PF's with height and am convienced Andersen doesn't like to get physical, Savrašenko of course isn't there and Goree getting satisfied with put-in's and occasional pass this season. It's a risk, whenever one of the CSKA's millionaires will start playing their own way Messina will substitute as seen before, but it could give an edge on some plays.
just a theory of course, but I strongly believe Olympiakos should let the pace down allowing CSKA more inside game instead of letting Papa, Šiška, Trajan destroying them with those penetrations, plant some "boogey traps" instead.
CSKA is the favourite here, but Olympiakos is playing just about way better than at the begining of the season, it'll be hard for them to repeate theit first game, but I've seen enough CSKA's games this season to claim it won't be easy for CSKa to repeat the game they've shown in Pireus either.
Maccabi-Barcelona
I am hugely dissapointed that Maccabi didn't win it in 2 games and let it all go to the 3rd game potentially even Barcelona getting through and will make just about no comment at all about the third game. Barcelona getting this far is a clear crime against basketball, one of the biggest in recent years.
W
wardjdim2
Guest
Finally a person who agrees with me..Joško Poljak Fan said:
R
rikhardur2
Guest
Nah, it will be the emotion of the element of surprise and competitiveness along with the passion for basketball running through my veinsRed Inspiration said:I hope oly will provide a good laugh to rikhardur, i only wish not because oly will play like shite
robbe2
Moderator
It was CSKA a few month ago with an injury-plagued squad (Siskauskas, Papaloukas, Smodis, Savrasenko all missing) and quite good playing time for Kashirov, Zabelin and Vorontsevich, along with Pashoutin ... That was a Messina masterpiece back then in my opinion.Joško Poljak Fan said:
But excluding that CSKA game, they haven't lost there for 33 months or so, I read somewhere.
P
Podgorica2
Guest
qiangdade said:
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