Team Breakdown: Dolomiti Energia Trento
If I started the last week’s breakdown with a sad situation that Cedevita Olimpija lost their second round match vs Bursaspor with 20–0, the situation got a lot better in last week. First, Cedevita Olimpija was back on the court and won against Gran Canaria in Eurocup and later that week against Split in ABA League.
Two relatively easy wins but even better news came from ECA Shareholders Executive Board that the game against Bursaspor won’t be registered as a 20–0 win but it will be played out on some later date.
Today Cedevita Olimpija is playing against the only undefeated team in the group, Dolimiti Energia Trento. The Italian team won all the matches in Eurocup so far, in first round at Bursaspor, then an easy win at home vs Promitheas Patras and in last round at Nanterre 92.
Last 6 games from Dolomiti Energia Trento in all competitions:
29/09: at Bursaspor 93–86
Top scorers: Williams 19, Browne 17, Sanders 15
3/10: vs Reggiana 81–87
Top scorers: Maye 22, Browne 17, Williams 13
6/10: vs Promitheas Patras 78–51
Top scorers: Maye 15, Williams 12, Mezzanotte 10
10/10: at Fortitudo Bologna 70–93
Top scorers: Maye 17, Williams 13, Sanders 10
13/10: at Nanterre 92 71–65
Top scorers: Browne 18, Morgan 14, Sanders & Williams 10
17/10: at Pesaro 71–57
Top scorers: Maye 17, Williams 15, Morgan 9
OFFENSE
- Slow paced team. They like to control the pace and play on longer possessions.
- Don’t play so much pick & roll as other teams. When they do play it, usually with Gary Browne who attacks the rim. They don’t search for the roll man much.
- They go for offensive rebounds a lot. Williams, Maye and Martin must be boxed out.
- Luke Maye and Jeremy Morgan are very efficient as catch & shoot shooters.
- Gary Browne is their go-to-guy when nothing going for them in offense.
- JaCorey Williams has great motor and even though he lacks size compared to other big men, he is a great finisher in the paint — mostly finishes with his left hand.
DEFENSE
- Great team defense. Help and rotations are on time, they don’t let many open shots.
- One of the best defensive teams in the competition.
- As a team they lack size in the paint and good inside players can take advantage of that.
- Kelvin Martin and Victor Sanders are two good and versatile defenders that cover much ground in defense.
- Luke Maye and JaCorey Williams are mobile enough to switch on guards
ROSTER
#1 Kelvin Martin (F | 196 cm | ‘89)
Strong and athletic wing. His role in offense is smaller but can make open shots or cut to the rim and make some highlight dunks. Has bigger role in defense where he is active as a rebounder and covers much ground. Active in passing lanes and can intercept some passes.
#5 Igor Jovanović (G | 195 cm | ‘02)
Hasn’t played in this season for first team yet. Good offensive game, good shooter.
#7 Davide Pascolo (F | 203 cm | ‘90)
Mobile forward. Pretty bad shooter from distance and is more dangerous around the basket. Lacks size and bad finisher under contact. Brings some energy on the floor but his offensive role is minor.
#8 Luca Conti (G | 196 cm | ‘00)
The youngster doesn’t have any role in the team in Eurocup. Has good positional size, plays mostly off ball and is a good spot up shooter with high basketball IQ.
#9 Gary Browne (PG | 185 cm | ‘93)
Go-to-guy of this team. Not unknown to Olimpija since he played two times against them last season when he was in Darussfaka and scored 14 and 17 points against them. Good handles and explosive first step, can get past defenders and knows how to get to the rim. Not the most consistent shooter but shouldn’t be underestimated since he can make off the dribble shots. Pesky defender. Reminds me on Will Cummings.
#10 Toto Forray (PG | 185 cm | ‘86)
Playing for the team since 2011. Team oriented in offense and defense. Has active hands in defense and can make some steals, while in offense capable of making open three pointers and dishing some assists out of pick & rolls.
#11 Victor Sanders (SG | 196 cm | ‘95)
Good and versatile defender that can cover most players on perimeter. Has great size and athleticism, quick hands and good anticipation for steals. Offensively he can get to the rim with his long strides and finish aroun the rim. Not the best and most consistent shooter but proved during his career that he can make shots from distance too.
#14 Andrea Mezzanotte (F | 208 cm | ‘98)
Stretch forward. Good spot up three point shooter with high release. Needs to improve his body and add more muscle and become tougher on both sides of the floor. Good mobility for his size.
#20 Jeremy Morgan (SG/SF | 196 cm | ‘95)
Spot up shooter. His 1vs1 skills are limited but moves good without the ball and can get open. Smooth shot release and shouldn’t be left open at the three point line.
#22 JaCorey Williams (C | 203 cm | ‘94)
Great motor. Brings a lot of energy to the floor and hustles for every ball. Body wise he looks more like a wing but plays on the center position and is a constant mismatch for other bigs. Great mobility and footwork, shows some good back to the basket game but depends too much on his left hand finishes and dunks. Can attack slower players from perimeter or outrun them on open court. Rarely seen shooting motion from the free throw line and bad shooter from distance overall.
#23 Maximilian Ladurner (C | 206 cm | ‘01)
Not any bigger role in the team. Athletic and mobile big man, moves really well for his size. Shows some good touch around the rim but struggles with physical level on pro level.
#25 Luca Lechthaler (C | 206 cm | ‘86)
Veteran role, shouldn’t get any minutes or be an important factor on any matches from Trento.
#32 Luke Maye (PF | 203 cm | ‘97)
One of the most efficient players in the competition. His rookie season in Europe but he is already showing his qualities. Has inside and outside game, high basketball IQ and reads the game well. Good as a spot up shooter out of pick & pops. Shows some good low post game where he can move bodies or outsmart the defender. Not the best athlete but knows how to position himself to get rebounds. Still has some problems with rules in Europe and usually travels when he wants to penetrate. Doesn’t take many shots but when he takes them, they are usually good and are going in.
KEYS FOR CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA’S WIN
- Box out: it will be crucial today to control the rebounds. Williams is always active in rebounding around both rims, Martin and Maye are the other two players who have great instincts where the ball is going.
- Don’t let open shots for Jeremy Morgan: by far their best shooter and he shouldn’t get any open looks. The second player that should be guarded closely around the three point line is Luke Maye.
- Force right hand finishes from JaCorey Williams: he is a bad finisher with his right hand and Olimpija need to “cut his left hand off”. Also fouling him is in the finish of the game if the game will be tight is a good tactic since he is a bad FT shooter.
- Cut Gary Browne off: go-to-guy of this team and most possessions go through his hand. He should get much space to breath to attack the rim or take any easy shots.
- Attack the rim: they are covering much ground and helping a lot on perimeter but they protect their rim poorly. There should be enough opportunities for Perry/Blažič to attack the rim and at least draw some fouls.
