After a disappointing start to the season, Crvena Zvezda’s players and coach kept their heads. They rewarded themselves in Dubai.
The red-and-whites produced their best defensive performance of the season, dismantling Xavi Pascual’s formidable Dubai side 77-58.
The EuroLeague is a marathon, and it is only early October. Still, this Middle Eastern leg offered encouragement for several reasons.
Team Defense
In highlighting Zvezda’s pick-and-roll defensive problems in the opening rounds, perhaps we underestimated just how much of the issue came down to help defense.
This time, the help was mostly on time and, more importantly, aggressive and decisive whenever a teammate needed covering. They also had a good feel for when to send a double-team.
More mobile lineups helped, too, although they were partly a necessity, with Ebuka Izundu the only traditional center available following Jonathan Motley’s injury.
Dejan Davidovac, back from injury himself, led the way in that respect. He finished with three points, five rebounds and two steals.
“We missed Deki [Davidovac]. He’s a player with a high basketball IQ. He knows what to do, he’s smart,” Ibon Navarro said after the game.
But none of that would have mattered much without the rest of the team showing the same aggression and willingness to do the dirty work defensively.
Alongside the consistently reliable Semi Ojeleye, David Krämer was a good example. He could not buy a basket on offense, but he fought his way through screens and stayed on Dwayne Bacon like a shadow. After a good start, Bacon barely scored for the rest of the game.
Dubai did not have their best night, either. Fifty-eight points is far too little for a team with that much talent. But Navarro’s team kept open looks to a minimum and, with their mobile defense, neutralized Dubai’s considerable advantage on paper in the paint, particularly with Mfiondu Kabengele and Tornike Shengelia.
Zvezda also won the rebounding battle, 41-36.
Jordan Nwora
Nwora was the game’s leading scorer with 20 points. His back-to-back threes sparked the Zvezda run that opened up the decisive gap.
But at Coca-Cola Arena, Nwora stood out for something that has not exactly been his trademark – defense.
Yes, Dwayne Bacon simply blew past him on one of the opening possessions. And yes, Nwora once again had the ball knocked away immediately after grabbing a rebound.
Still, he was mostly focused, alert in the passing lanes, and there was a different kind of determination about him.
Nobody expects Nwora to become an elite defender. His job on this team is to score. But he needs to hold his own defensively, without bringing down the team’s overall level or affecting its collective spirit.
“My defense has been pretty good so far this season. I think people talk a lot about how I play defense, but it is what it is,” Nwora said.
“Defense is much more than just guarding your man. There’s rebounding, steals… Last season I was among the leaders in steals, and nobody talked about that. I was also one of our best rebounders. But it’s fine, whatever.
“I don’t think I’m a bad defensive player. People can think whatever they want. They could see it today, too.”
If those comments have given Nwora a chip on his shoulder, that can only be good news for him, Zvezda and their fans.
Point Guards and Assists
Nick Weiler-Babb has not been in particularly good form at the start of the season, while Chris Jones has also been inconsistent.
One area, however, where both have contributed consistently is assists. Jones is averaging five per game, Weiler-Babb 4.2.
At Coca-Cola Arena, both read the game extremely well. Jones, in particular, found the right balance between looking for his own shot from mid-range and creating opportunities for his teammates.
Most of their assists also set up teammates for relatively easy baskets.
The sample size is still small, but Zvezda rank near the top of the EuroLeague in the share of their baskets that come from assists. The next step is to cut down on turnovers even further. Against Dubai, Navarro’s team kept them to an acceptable 10.
Navarro also deserves credit for sticking with Jared Butler despite his poor start. Butler repaid that patience with 11 points.
Looking Ahead to the Double-Round Week
Next week, Zvezda travel to face ASVEL before welcoming Paris to Belgrade Arena.
ASVEL are 2-2 and have looked better than many initially expected. Still, if there is an away game where Zvezda can reasonably target a win, it is in Lyon.
From being written off to dreaming of a winning streak – all in the space of five days.
That is how quickly things change in the EuroLeague.