The best defensive teams of the BasketballCL
There were many teams that impressed in offense this season in Basketball Champions League. But the tough defense is sometimes a better feature than to score a lot. Keeping the opponents on a low scoring can be more efficient than anything. On the official website of the BasketballCL, I didn’t find any information about the points allowed per team which would be the best way to see the best defensive squads. But we will try to figure it out from the blocks and steals rankings, which are the best proofs of a good defense.
Let’s review the best teams on blocks made in the entire competition this season. We have included only teams that have played 16 games (which means playoffs participation):
5. Casademont Zaragoza – 58 blocks
4. Peristeri Winmasters – 59
3. San Pablo Burgos – 60
2. Era Nymburk – 62
1.Hapoel Jerusalem – 63
Now let’s check the best teams at the steals category in BasketballCL this season. Here we have the Top 5 of the teams qualified to the playoffs:
5. Era Nymburk – 129 steals
4. Peristeri Winmasters – 133
3. Besiktas Sompo Sigorta – 141
2. Iberostar Tenerife – 142
1. JDA Dijon – 172
As we can see only two teams have top numbers on both categories: the Greeks from Peristeri Winmasters and the Czechs of ERA Nymburk.
Peristeri was at their first season in Basketball Champions League and they qualified from the group stage but having then the bad luck to meet the powerful Hapoel Jerusalem, a true title contender. They impressed this year and maybe in the future, the Greek club can hope for a Final 4 participation.
The other club, Era Nymburk is a constant participant in the competition, being there every year since FIBA launched BasketballCL. They are already qualified in the Quarterfinals, after passing very easy the Turkish club, Bandirma in the first round of the playoffs. When the season will continue, they have to face another force of BasketballCL, AEK Athens, which every season is a very tough opponent.
Photo: Basketball Champions League
Gratian Cormos
