Hi everyone, this is once again Javier Gancedo, as always from the Euroleague Basketball headquarters at Palau Sant Jordi. Well, not always, since it is my day off today, and I’m at home chilling out in Barcelona.
First of all, the fact that I know nothing about basketball kills me. I come up with The Golden Rule about CSKA and you know what happened: Armani Jeans Milano downed the reigning Euroleague champions and David Hawkins had a fantastic game. I was shocked to see Real Madrid rally from a 28-point deficit only to lose on a running layup by Aaron Miles. Hopefully, Miles will no longer be missed in my hometown Sevilla since DeJuan Collins is in town. I’m already going to the game against DKV Joventut next week with stuff from KFC and some private DVDs to make sure he plays well.
Like I said, I am still fortunate to keep my spot here at BallinEurope. OK, I choked with the CSKA Golden Rule thing, but I think that my team is doing a pretty good job this season. It’s not easy to anticipate what you do and still be one of the top teams in the private league. Making it to the Top 3 will be difficult: There are very good teams out there. First of all and above all, keep in mind that THE DEADLINE IS ON TUESDAY AT 19:00, because Alba Berlin has an early game this week. You have been warned…
As for my team, let’s see what we have – I always do the trades live as I write this article, I think it makes it fresher. You don’t know how many times I erase parts of the text and come back. 🙂 Anyway, Mirza Begic has to go because I think he reached his maximum level already and this is a little bit like the stock exchange. Let’s see what happens with the new coach and then Begic may be back.
I’ll stick to my CSKA Golden Rule, so Aaron Miles is my second trade this week. I’ve already opted to release Mirsad Turkcan because Semih Erden is back and so Turkcan will play fewer minutes. The game against Alba is a good one for him, however, but I want Tiago Splitter in my team no matter what; not because I think he will do well against Olimpija – Begic is tall and Vladimir Golubovic is aggressive and tough – but because I want to keep him for the remainder of the season.
My second trade is Terrell McIntyre, even when he will play against Barcelona in two weeks’ time and I don’t expect a big game for him then. Still, he should play well against Zalgiris this week. I have very limited money for the third trade, so I’m going to shock you all: Vedran Vukusic. He’s coming off a couple of good games and playing good minutes lately. He faces Cibona, so he can open the court with three-pointers. If they fall in, I will strike gold. If they don’t, well, erm… What’s next? Ah yeah, my team looks like this, then:
Terrell McIntyre – should be a good game for him against Zalgiris. A bit afraid that Mantas Kalnietis guards him.
Lynn Greer – Would have traded him if I had a fourth. That game against Unicaja in Malaga doesn’t look good.
Jonas Maciulis – The Bull is ready to go against the entire Montepaschi backcourt. He played well vs. L.Rytas this weekend.
Rimantas Kaukenas – I don’t like to have players that face each other, but I expect Kaukenas AND Maciulis to do well.
Juan Carlos Navarro – It’s a make-or-break game for Barcelona to win its group. Expect “La Bomba” to deliver.
Chris Warren – Well, I had other priorities, to be honest. Warren is solid and plays at home against a high-scoring team.
Tiago Splitter – Chose him over teammate Igor Rakocevic. Should stay in my fantasy team for good.
Andre Hutson – Has been rock-solid lately and is still underpriced. He’s had good games in Badalona before.
Vedran Vukusic – The big gamble. Hopefully he will read the game well and bomb Alain Koffi and Pape Badiane from downtown.
Mike Batiste – Honestly, I would have prefered Nikola Pekovic, but Batiste should do well against Regal FCB.
As usual, good luck, make wise choices and see you next week!
