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The team I've enjoyed watching the most in modern era was probably Maccabi with Saras, Parker, Vujcic, Baston and co. That team at times played fluent basketball. I'm more a fan of this offensive minded style, not brainless run'n'gun, but exactly a basketball with lot of creativity, fast breaks. Overall back in those days I've enjoyed Euroleague the most, there was so much talent, European superstars, some great players from US, other parts of the world and etc. we badly lack such today. Comparing the top players from that decade and now... it's simply uncomparable to me. Overall talent level dropped, we are leaking much more players to NBA, even China.
Overall speaking, of course, as Lith, I can't forget about Zalgiris 98/99 with Edney, Stombergas, Bowie and other guys. Kazlauskas as coach. It was not the most talented team, we had small budget (~4-5mln $), but we had lot of heart and passion, also the game itself was a pure joy to watch. Fast, creative team play, which was a bit unusual to those days. Lot of teams preferred to slow things down, especially in decisive games. After a bit hard start for newcomers, we cruised past regular season, then we swept Ulker and Efes in play-offs, I remember Efes had Naumoski, Savic, Drobnjak, Turkcan, Besok. In Final4 we easily beat Olympiacos with Komazec, Tarlac, Goldwire in semi and in final without too much sweat won against millionairs from Kinder Bologna with Rigaudeau, Danilovic, Radosevic, Sconochini, Abbio and Messina on helm. What a sweet days it was
Not the most talented team, but probably made one of the biggest upsets (surprises) in EL history, especially in a way it was all done. Sadly, we experienced a fate that most such "Cinderellas" are experiencing. Our top players were grabbed by big guns, some inner problems appeared among owners and we weren't able to repeat success
Overall speaking, of course, as Lith, I can't forget about Zalgiris 98/99 with Edney, Stombergas, Bowie and other guys. Kazlauskas as coach. It was not the most talented team, we had small budget (~4-5mln $), but we had lot of heart and passion, also the game itself was a pure joy to watch. Fast, creative team play, which was a bit unusual to those days. Lot of teams preferred to slow things down, especially in decisive games. After a bit hard start for newcomers, we cruised past regular season, then we swept Ulker and Efes in play-offs, I remember Efes had Naumoski, Savic, Drobnjak, Turkcan, Besok. In Final4 we easily beat Olympiacos with Komazec, Tarlac, Goldwire in semi and in final without too much sweat won against millionairs from Kinder Bologna with Rigaudeau, Danilovic, Radosevic, Sconochini, Abbio and Messina on helm. What a sweet days it was
Not the most talented team, but probably made one of the biggest upsets (surprises) in EL history, especially in a way it was all done. Sadly, we experienced a fate that most such "Cinderellas" are experiencing. Our top players were grabbed by big guns, some inner problems appeared among owners and we weren't able to repeat success
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