BallinEurope is previewing all 18 Euroleague Basketball teams ahead of the start of the season. Today it’s the turn of the reigning, defending, champions. Here’s what we think of Panathinaikos.
Ergin Ataman led Panathinaikos back to the Euroleague Final Four for the first time in over a decade. Then he ended their 13 year wait for a championship. Now, one of the most colourful coaches in basketball seeks to go back to back. With a loaded roster, he had every chance.
Last season
Euroleague record: 23-11
Regular season position: 2nd
Playoffs: Beat Maccabi Tel Aviv (3-2), Won championship game (Real Madrid)
Greek Basket League record: 21-1
Regular season position: 1st
Playoffs: Won finals vs Olympiacos (3-2)
Other: Lost Greek Cup final (Olympiacos)
Who’s gone?
Olek Balcerowski (Unicaja Malaga), Neoklas Avdalas (Peristeri), Nikos Chougkaz (Andorra), Luca Vildoza (Olympiacos), Lefteris Mantzoukas (Aris, loan)
Who is new?
Omer Yurtseven (Utah Jazz), Lorenzo Brown (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
Who stayed?
Jerian Grant, Kendrick Nunn, Marius Grigonis, Kostas Sloukas, Dinos Mitoglu, Mathias Lessort, Ioannis Papapetrou, Juancho Hernangomez, Kostas Antetokounmpo, Dimitris Moraitis, Panagiotis Kalatzakis.
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Need to know
Panathinaikos may not be done yet. While Balcerowski departing solved a roster space issue for the Greens, this has been a wild summer all round. The signings of Brown and Yurtseven were big. The retention of Nunn was enormous. The top of Euroleague Basketball has turned into an arms race. There may only be a couple of weeks until the season starts but anything feels possible.
What the bookies think
Whereas yesterday’s preview of Alba Berlin had wild variance, albeit all on long odds, Euroleague Basketball betting is a lot tighter for Panathinaikos. To the surprise of few, Ergin Ataman’s side are favourites this season. They are typically available at 7/2 on most markets but are slightly tighter, 3/1, on some.
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What we think
This is a great, great team. Last season the question was whether they could gel enough to be a Final Four side. Once they got there. Ergin Ataman’s men took care of business. They played adequate basketball against Fenerbahce in the semi finals. Then out came the champagne stuff in the win over Real Madrid.
Going back to back is difficult. Panathinaikos has 7 Euroleague Basketball titles and none of them were won in consecutive years. Ergin Ataman, of course, has gone back to back before. He’ll strive for a strong regular season first and I think he’ll get it.
Fearless prediction
There are some real super teams in Euroleague this season. None however can claim the chemistry amongst heavy minutes getters that the Greens can. A strong start and the ability to build on it should stand to Panathinaikos. I’m backing them to take the top seed.
Pick: 1st in the regular season
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