An Unnecessarily Exhaustive Guide To The Eurocup Final Four
 |
| Txemi Urtasun pulling a creepy face. |
Cajasol Sevilla
Cajasol were dealt an early blow this season when point guard Earl Calloway went down with a badly broken toe. The Bulgarian international had averaged 9.4ppg, 2.3rpg, 4.2apg and 1.4spg the previous season for Cajasol, functioning as their best ball handler, playmaker, speedster and guard defender, as well as an occasional shooter and rebounder. Without him, the team had no real point guard, and thus had to bring journeyman Bojan Popovic on a short term contract. However, Popovic struggled, averaging only 3.5 points and 1.3 assists in Eurocup play, shooting terribly from outside but continuing to try anyway. (Upon Calloway's return, Popovic was allowed to leave, hooking up with fellow ACB team Meridiano Alicante, for whom he has averaged 6.7 points and 1,0 assists.)
With Popovic struggling, Calloway out for all of the regular season, and no real third stringer in place, Cajasol have made do with a two combo guard backcourt of Txemi Urtusan and Louis Bullock. Both are natural scorers and shooters (although Bullock has shot only 30% from downtown this season for whatever reason), yet they've been pressed into service as ball handlers and playmakers. Both have done so before, particularly Bullock, and it works to their advantage that both have the physical tools to defend the point guard position as well. It's had a Mike James/Lindsey Hunter-Pistons days feel to it, and as a duo, they've helped more than Popovic did. It's been both necessary and possible, though, due to the presence on the wing of draft prospect Tomas Satoransky, who has emerged as the primary playmaker. Satoransky has size, athleticism, a smooth handle, passing vision, a greatly improved jumpshot, and a remarkably high IQ for one who was only 18 years old when this season began. He's developing well, and he's developing quickly.