Ataman’s miracle now continues in her Playoffs Euroleague by Panathinaikos AKTOR to face her Maccabi Tel Aviv in a pairing which is historic for the club as it may mark the return of the “Exasteros” to the Final-Four after 12 whole years. The “group of the people”, however, has increased motivation and several characteristics that may make it difficult for the “greens”, who, however, have the strength of one of the strongest seats in Europe, with OAKA expected to be “on fire”.
Baldwin’s pairing with Nunn gives an extra “sauce” to the series, as well as the battle of two of the competition’s top centers, Matias Lessor and Josh Niebo. Ergin Ataman and his colleagues have read their opponent’s game and are expected to present a ready Panathinaikos. For the qualification, however, everyone will be needed, and indeed in their best version, with Kostas Sloukas expected to lead the whole effort.
The duo of Brown and Baldwin rival the awe of Sluka and Nunn, the special parameter Grant
Kostas Slukas and Kendrick Nunn make up one of the best perimeter duos currently in the Euroleague. Nevertheless, in this series they will find one – based on numbers – more productive. Lorenzo Brown and Wade Baldwin are averaging a combined 30.6 points and 11 assists, while the two stars of the Greens are averaging 27.5 points and 8.8 assists.
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But Maccabi does not have Gerian Grant in its circle. And the former Prometheus and Armani Milano guard could prove instrumental in the series, especially in marking Wade Baldwin. Everyone may expect that his fight with Nan due to the two’s “disagreement” on social media, but in Ataman’s mind, Grant has the role of “exterminator”.
The Israelis have from the bench Blatt and Di Bartolomeo who need attention because they can change the flow of a match with their peripheral shots, but if they are aimed correctly they can be “hit” in the defensive part due to their low size. And that’s where Luka Vildosa can be useful, who against the Israelis has played one of his most productive games this year.
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The thirsty Lesor against the battleship Nimbo
Josh Niebo is one of the few centers in this year’s Euroleague who have managed to keep Matias Lessor down. The American explosive tall averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds in the games between them with Lessor staying at 8 points and 5 rebounds. A different Panathinaikos then (especially in the first game of the season where there was no Nan), a different one now.
The question mark that arises is the spiritual state of the two. Initially due to Lesor’s sudden absence from the championship match against Peristeri and the whole adventure he faced (Panathinaikos officially reported his indisposition). Secondly, because of the “sirens” that Nimbo hears every day, and we don’t mean the war in Israel but of all the Euroleague teams with the exception of Olympiakos, who want to acquire him with the latest reports placing Armani as the favorite in the race to sign him .
Maccabi’s extra possessions and high pace require… extra push from OAKA
One does not need the language of numbers to understand Maccabi’s way of playing, as long as one has of course watched it. The Israelis play at 73.7 possessions per 40 minutes and are by far the top of the relevant list. Panathinaikos plays with fewer possessions (69.6 – 13th on the list) but is much more efficient, being the second most efficient attack in the tournament.
Maccabi’s extra possessions require a much greater effort from Ataman’s players in order to limit the pace of the game to the speeds that Panathinaikos wants. The “greens” can certainly follow a fast-paced game, but in a series of consecutive games, it needs more special management.
Therefore, in addition to the help he will need from the players on the bench, Ataman will need the absolute support of his team’s fans. The players are clearly “made” much more by atmospheres like the one expected in OAKA and find an extra motivation to beat the fatigue. After all, in this pair, Panathinaikos must first of all beat itself. If he does, he won’t face any problems from Maccabi and will be in Berlin!
