BallinEurope is previewing all 18 Euroleague Basketball teams ahead of the start of the season. Today it’s the turn of two time champions Anadolu Efes. Can Tomislav Mijatović bring them back to glory?
Whenever you’ve got Shane Larkin on the floor, you’ve got a shot. Tomislav Mijatović will be hoping for more than just relying on his superstar as Anadolu Efes aim to gain ground this season in Euroleague Basketball.
Last season
Euroleague record: 17-17
Regular season position: 10th
Playoffs: Lost play-in (Virtus Bologna)
BSL record: 25-5
Regular season position: 1st
Playoffs: Lost finals vs Fenerbahce (3-1)
Other: Lost final vs Fenerbahce
Who’s gone?
Tibor Pleiss (Trapani) Mike Daum (Pinar Karsiyaka), Erten Gazi (Fenerbahce), Will Clyburn (Virtus Bologna), Tyrique Jones (Partizan), Melih Tunca (Turk Telecom), Mehmet Efe Demirel (Pinar Karsiyaka).
Who is new?
Vincent Poirier (Real Madrid), Rolands Smits (Zalgiris Kaunas), Jordan Nwora (Toronto Raptors), Stanley Johnson (Stockton Kings).
Who stayed?
Darius Thompson, Shane Larkin, Rodrigue Beaubois, Elijah Bryant, Dan Oturu, Justus Hollatz, Erkin Yilmaz, Derek Willis, Salih Altuntas, Dogus Ozdemiroglu, Ercan Osmani.
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Need to know
There have been big changes and a shift in focus but the core pieces for Anadolu Efes are important. Of the guys that stayed with Tomislav Mijatović’s side, Shane Larkin, Darius Thompson, and Rodrigue Beaubois stand out. Each of them will, naturally, see a lot of the ball but also be expected to make the new look work. Dan Oturu is a wonderful force of nature as the back-up 5 to Poirier, which should make for a fun and violent tandem in Euroleague Basketball.
What the bookies think
There’s a clear two way split amongst sportsbooks when it comes to Anadolu Efes. They are priced at either 20/1 or 30/1 in Euroleague Basketball betting depending on where you look. Tomislav Mijatović’s side slot into the middle of the play-in teams based on those prices.
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What we think
This is a good side that’s a touch shallow for a 34 game Euroleague Basketball campaign. The 3 position doesn’t feel all that shored up for Anadolu Efes following the departure of Will Clyburn. The straight swap is fine but Tomislav Mijatović would have liked more depth. Failing that, he’d certainly have liked to know Cedi Osman was open to a European switch. Still, it’s a good side that should be in the top half of the table.
Fearless prediction
The instability that plagued Anadolu Efes through the front end of the last campaign shouldn’t be an issue. That said, this roster has a ceiling in Euroleague Basketball. Tomislav Mijatović will ensure they stay in the conversation at least.
Pick: 7th in the regular season
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