Team Breakdown: Herbalife Gran Canaria

Funny (and also sad) situation happened last week when one player from Cedevita Olimpija was tested positive for coronavirus and the whole team needed to be quarantined for 10 days because of the requirements of Slovenia National Institute of Public Health. In the meantime, they lost their match vs Bursaspor with 20–0 and now, after spending a whole week in quarantine without team practices, Cedevita Olimpija can finally play basketball again.

With a week without any team practices, it’s hard to predict what Cedevita Olimpija can bring to the floor and what is their shape but I’m sure they are hungry for basketball and they will try to play their best possible game tonight.

Their today’s opponent is one of the best teams in the competition and probably the favorites in this group, Herbalife Gran Canaria. Gran Canaria won their both games in Eurocup — on road vs Promitheas Patras and at home against Nanterre 92 — while they haven’t had the best start in the ACB where they started the season with a win in first round vs Bilbao, followed by three consecutive big losses against Burgos, Zaragoza and Real Madrid.

19/09: vs Retabet Bilbao 107–102
Top scorers: Costello 19, Okoye and Della Valle 18, Burjanadze 14

26/09: at San Pablo Burgos 60–92
Top scorers: Willey 14, Ferrari 9, Shurna and Burjanadze 7

27/09: at Casademont Zaragoza 71–88
Top scorers: Della Valle 13, Costello 12, Burjanadze 11, Beiran 10

30/09: at Promitheas Patras 86–75
Top scorers: Willey 22, Albicy 17, Della Valle 11, Okoye 10

7/10: vs Nanterre 92 94–82
Top scorers: Della Valle 15, Costello (11 rebounds) and Shurna 14, Okoye 13

11/10: vs Real Madrid 65–90
Top scorers: Okoye 12, Costello 11, Willey and Ferrari 10

OFFENSE

• All players can shoot from distance. They have great spacing most of the time with at least four players behind the three point line.
• They move good without the ball and have good feeling when to cut from the wings
• High IQ team, looks for mismatches and exploits them
• Their wings and bigs can run the floor well
• Very good pick & roll game between Ferrari/Albicy and Wiley/Costello. Both point guard can attack the rim, shoot of the dribble and also have a great passing touch to roller. The big man rolls directly to the rim and can finish with alley oop dunks too
• Della Valle is their go-to-guy. All around offensive game and can put pressure on the rim while also shoot the lights off from distance
• Beiran likes to create from low post and play back to the basket

DEFENSE

• Good rotations from the help side
• Their big men are mobile and quick enough to switch in defense
• Not the best transition defense. They are letting easy fast break points
• Stan Okoye is their best defender on perimeter
• Lack of size and muscle in the paint. Stronger big men can make some damage in the paint. Their inside defense is too soft

ROSTER

#0 Jacob Wiley (PF/C | 202 cm | ‘94)

One of their best players. Mobile and athletic big that moves like a wing. Great athlete with quick elevation and high vertical leap. Likes to run the floor, quick on his feet and has good motor. Versatile in defense and can switch on smaller players. Great pick & roll player, can play above the rim and finish with alley oops.

#2 Aleksander Balcerowski (C | 215 cm | ‘00)

His role in the team is minor but I already mentioned him in the Best Prospects in Eurocup article.

#3 Jean Montero (PG | 188 cm | ‘03)

Great talent and potential but has a minor role in the team. Also a few words about him in the Best Prospects in Eurocup article but I will definetely write more about him in the future.

#4 Frankie Ferrari (PG | 185 cm | ‘95)

Had a great rookie season in Manresa last year and deserved a spot in some Eurocup team. Great offensive package, can shoot off the dribble with quick shooting motion, get to the rim or dish asists in all directions. Has the ball under control and rarely makes many ball handling mistakes. Also pesky defender on perimeter. Reminds somehow on Facundo Campazzo.

#5 Stan Okoye (SF | 194 cm | ‘91)

Their main defender. 3 & D profile. Great athete with good reactions and lateral movement. Can play lockdown defense and make life hard for the offensive player. Covers good amount of ground and usually his rotations are on time. Not the biggest role in offense but has some back to the basket moves on low post while also a very good spot up shooter.

#6 Andrew Albicy (PG | 178 cm | ‘90)

After a season in Euroleague playing for Zenit St. Petersburg, Albicy is back in Eurocup. Not the best positional size but his quickness and scoring abilities can make up the difference. Similar as Ferrari, he is also very good as a pick & roll operator. Knows when to attack the rim or when to pass to the roller. In defense he likes to use his quick hands and go for steals. You shouldn’t allow him open shots, he can heat up quickly.

#8 Amedeo Della Valle (SG | 193 cm | ‘93)

The third player after Albicy and Wiley that played in Euroleague last season. His role in Milano was minor but in Gran Canaria bigger role is expected from him and he should be their main offensive weapon. Hasn’t played in last ACB game vs Real because of a hamstring injury, don’t know if he will suit up today. Great all around scorer. Can create separation with his handles and get to the rim or shot off the dribble. His mid range game is on high level and you can’t leave him open. Not the best defender but has good anticipation for steals and can make some interceptions.

#9 Tomas Dimsa (SG | 196 cm | ‘94)

On loan from Žalgiris Kaunas. Had a great season in Lietkabelis last year. A two way guard that play good on both ends of the floor. In offense he is a good spot up shooter while also has a strong body to get to the rim.

#14 John Shurna (PF | 204 cm | ‘90)

Played for Cedevita Zagreb a few years ago in ABA League and Eurocup. A versatile player that likes to stretch the floor. Has an unusual shot release but he is making the shots in good percentages. Has high basketball IQ and reads the game well. Not the best athlete but can follow quicker players with his good footwork. Good anticipation and instincts for rebounds, always on the right spot.

#17 Fabio Santana (G | 188 cm | ‘92)

A product of Gran Canaria’s youth program. His role in the team is minor, especially in Eurocup and wasn’t even on the roster in first two Eurocup matches. Athletic guard with the ability to get to the rim but a bad shooter from distance. Brings energy to the floor and can play good defense on perimeter.

#18 Khalifa Diop (C | 208 cm | ‘02)

The third big prospect in this team. Similar as Montero and Balcerowski, has a minor role in the team and more about him is written in the Best Prospects in Eurocup article.

#23 Beka Burjanadze (PF | 201 cm | ‘94)

His 10th season in Spain. Came as a talented youngster in Sevilla’s youth academy, played for many different clubs in Spain on all levels and now this is his second year in Gran Canaria. Physically really strong big that lacks athleticism but has a good footwork. Has great instincts for rebounds, creates space and hustles. In offense he can move bodies on low post or stretch the floor and hitting open three point shots.

#24 Matthew Costello (C | 210 cm | ‘93)

Mobile big that is really good in pick & roll game. Has high basketball IQ and reads the floor well. Knows when to roll or pop and is a good spot up shooter behind the arc too. Has a good inside game with great low post game and can finish with both hands. Definetely a player to watch and probably has potential for even higher level.

#33 Javier Beiran (F | 200 cm | ‘87)

The most experienced player in this team and was also a part of Spain’s national team in the gold winning run in China last year. His main offensive weapon is his post up game, where he likes to put smaller players on his back and create from there.

KEYS FOR CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA’S WIN

• Be prepared for pick & roll game with Wiley/Costello: this is an important piece in Gran Canaria’s offensive scheme. With good spacing and shooters in corners there is a lot of space in the paint for good pick & roll players to roll to the rim. Olimpija should narrow the space in the paint and don’t let any easy points out of pick & rolls for Wiley or Costello.
• Don’t let too much space in offense for Albicy and Ferrari: their two main offensive initiators. Both are quick and unpredictable but can struggle against hard and physical defense. Cedevita Olimpija should pressure them and don’t give them too much space to breathe. Both can make unnecessary turnovers under pressure.
• Don’t let their shooters heat up: Gran Canaria has inside and outside game in offense but on most matches they started a scoring run with many three pointers in a row.
• Attack Burjanadze with drives: his reactions and lateral movements are poor and quicker players can get past him. Olimpija should play pick & roll with him defending as much as possible when he will be on the floor.
• Attack the rim: Gran Canaria doesn’t have an elite rim protector. Actually, they are pretty soft in the paint and better teams can take advantage of that.
• Control the rebounds: in first match vs Nanterre 92, Cedevita Olimpija wasn’t active enough in rebounding and let to many second chance points to Nanterre. Gran Canaria doesn’t have the athleticism like Nanterre but they have some good rebounders and Olimpija needs to keep control and shouldn’t let many offensive rebounds.