Author Archive
In Non-Moving Pictures: Partizan, CSKA and the Control of Pace
As some of you may have noticed, this blog has been making an effort to decode the meaning of an ancient cliché in basketball lingo: controlling the pace. We’ve discussed it in both a thick-accented podcast and a detailed account of Madrid’s perfect season.
Last week, Ettore Messina (most likely inspired by our work), joined in the conversation, as part of his breakdown of CSKA Moscow’s defense:
First, it’s paramount that we do not allow fastbreak points. Those occur when you take ill-advised shots or turn the ball over. Conversely, taking good shots within the flow of the offense usually gives you a good chance to grab an offensive rebound or at the very least to get back and set up your defense.
In Non-Moving Pictures: John Bryant as a Stretch Five
Partizan Belgrade and Bayern Munich are two very different teams. Partizan play at a slow pace and have the third-worst offense in Euroleague. Bayern play at an above average pace and have the third-best offense in the competition. Partizan have the youngest roster in Euroleague. Bayern’s average player is near his prime years. Bayern have money to spend. Partizan need money to survive.
However, when these teams met at the Audi Dome last week, it became apparent that they share one common trait: they rely on power forwards who can’t spread the floor with their shooting. Joffrey Lauvergne, Djordje Gagic, Deon Thompson and Chevon Troutman practically invite opponents to help off them when they step outside the paint. As it has already been discussed, this deficiency tends to hurt pick and roll execution. However, the power forward is not the only frontline position which can contribute to spacing. Bayern look to John Bryant, their starting center, for help in this area:
Partizan and the quest for space
You see, this has not been just a Cinderella story. This was a first glimpse at a rising power. Partizan’s method allowed them to make the playoffs two seasons in a row back in 2008 and 2009, before selling the rights to their core players (Nole Veličković, Uroš Tripković, Nikola Peković, Milenko Tepić) and advancing to the final four in 2010. If financial considerations do not tear this team apart, the rest of Europe should consider themselves warned.
That was what the future looked like (from where I was sitting at least) for Partizan 11 months ago. Having been knocked out of the top-16 in heartbreaking fashion, the Belgrade club had a lot to look forward to. And after surviving another summer of financial uncertainty, they entered this season ready to shock a world that somehow expected to be shocked. Vladimir Lucic, an energetic forward who had come to personify Partizan’s fiery playing style was dealt to Valencia. But the front office managed to keep the core of the team together and reinforce it with a couple of exciting French prospects. Then the season tipped off and we experienced a letdown.
Euroleague Offseason: A Positional Overview, Part 3
Big Men: size and skills
Since undersized big men are all the rage these days, it’s only fitting that this post begins with the latest signing of the team that paved the way for this trend:
In the London Euroleague final the most valuable centers for Olympiacos and Madrid - Kyle Hines and Marcus Slaughter respectively - had made their Euroleague debuts with Brose Baskets. Both would often appear overmatched defending against more conventional centers, but their pick and roll prowess on both ends of the floor, coupled with their ability to stand their ground down low and push off taller opponents, went a long way toward redefining the center position in European hoops.
Euroleague Offseason: A Positional Overview, Part 2
Small forwards: position, role and the meaning of star quality
In order to describe the odd predicament that modern Euroleague small forwards often find themselves in, a few clips of Panathinaikos’ latest signing in that position can be quite helpful:
Playing for Panionios, an upper echelon Greek League team and a below average Eurocup team, Vladimir Jankovic was calling the shots on quite a few possessions. A very reliable ball handler for his position, he would be the first option on many pick and roll sets, getting to the basket himself, finding the roll man, or spotting the open shooter on the weak side. This sort of skill set could help Panathinaikos. who wouldn’t mind seeing a little more creativity from their wings. He might even play as shooting guard, posting up against smaller opponents. In all likelihood, however, Jankovic will have to adjust to a drastically limited role.