As is tradition on this site, we’re taking the playoffs in reverse order. Emmet Ryan is going to take on each series over the next four days to give his take on who makes it to Istanbul. Today, oh it’s just the small matter of Panathinaikos vs Fenerbahce
Remember to breathe…
Forget about your Twitter mentions. They are going to be bad either way…
Breathe…
Yes, you are the son of a motherless goat. Just accept that now before people remind you of the fact…
Are you breathing yet?
Ok, in all seriousness, this is easily the standout playoff series of the post-season but I’ve got to be honest about one thing. This is the first time I’ve cared about Obradovic returning to the Oaka since the first time he came back. Yes, I get it, he’s never won there with Fenerbahce with leaving and Panathinaikos haven’t beaten him in Istanbul. The memo was received, noted, and filed away in the I don’t care until it’s a game that matters department.
Well, now it’s a game that matters.
Panathinaikos went 14-1 at home this season with the lone loss coming against Olympiacos all the way back in round 8. The Greens have been invincible in the Oaka and quite dreadful away from it, going a mere 5-10 on the road. Nick Calathes was far better in the first half of the season than the second but he still did enough to merit MVP consideration from this site. Chris Singleton is thriving there and there are a few guys who have been quiet who might turn it on for the playoffs. The most notable of course being Ioannis Bourousis who should have been MVP last season but has needed to adapt his role at PAO and that naturally required some figuring out. For Xavi Pascual this season has been reinvigorating for his philosophy, completely changing the on court identity of the Greens successfully and building them into a side that nobody wants to see in a series. That’s important because the Greens haven’t won a playoff series since 2012 and Final Four appearances are de rigueur for this club.
Standing opposite him is a man who was heavily responsible for the Greens having that status as a side that just gets to Final Fours. Zeljko Obradovic took on the most daunting job in Europe and found a way to make it work. Fenerbahce has long expected to ascend to the status of kings in Europe but before him Simone Piangiani and Neven Spahija failed to live up to those lofty goal. Zoc came in and realised the scale of the challenge pretty quickly, taking two seasons to make the playoffs before finally getting his charges there in 2015. A 3-0 sweep of Maccabi followed to get Fener to a first final four. Last season it was a 3-0 sweep of Madrid and a first trip to the title game. There’s really only one more step to take and most folk expected him to at least get that shot this season but the regular season didn’t go remotely as planned. A string of injuries made it tough to figure out exactly what was needed but it eventually became clear that Fener is a completely different side when Bogdan Bogdanovic is healthy. The good news for Fener is that he is fine for the playoffs as is everyone else. The bad news is they have to get at least one W in Athens to make it back to the Final Four in their home city.
They are going to do it. Eventually either Panathaikos will beat Zoc in Istanbul or Zoc will get the job done over the Greens. I expect Obradovic to come out on top here by stealing one of those games in the Oaka. While there may not be a more intimidating arena on the continent, a side that can win the title should be able to come out of that trip with a win. If Fenerbahce gets the job done once, it should be enough.
Fearless prediction: Fenerbahce win 3-1 and farewell to my Twitter mentions
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