Team Focus:
AEK ATHENS
2004-05
EUROLEAGUE
Season 7-7
Top 16 4-2
GREECE
Season 15-11
Playoffs Final
Cup Quarters
Players under contract
Bouroussis, Yannis- C
Pelekanos, Mikhalis- F
Papanikolaou, Nikos- F
Papaiokeim, Pantelis- C
Makgounis, Spiros- G
Coppenrath, Taylor- C
Hagag, Dror- G
Rimac, Slaven- G
Tsiaras, Giorgos- F
Tamir, Amit- F
Kalambokis, Giannis- G
One of the unexpected success stories of the last Euroleague season, AEK of Athens, faces the challenging task in 2005-06 of sustaining momentum despite wholesale changes up and down its bench. But even with everyone from the coach to the captain replaced, AEK has ended up with a lineup that is as intriguing as it is unfamiliar. The big challenge for the Yellows will be lack of experience and the need for a newcomer, probably veteran guard Slaven Rimac, to help lead the mission. Three players making their Euroleague debuts - point guard Dror Hagag, centers Amit Tamir and Taylor Coppenrath - will have to get accustomed quickly to facing Europe’s best teams if AEK is to win as persistently as last year, when it only missed the Quarterfinal Playoffs on a tie-breaker. The head coach, Lefteris Kakiousis, is also new, so expect AEK to face a learning curve as it tries to replicate its success of last season.
One of AEK's strengths should be the motivation so many Euroleague newcomers feel to show that they belong. There can be little doubt about Hagag, who has attracted attention in France as a go-getter who makes things happen with the ball. Still, AEK moved late in preseason to bring back its former point guard, Spyros Panteliadis, who gained extra Euroleague experience last season for Opel Skyliners. With two such ballhandlers, AEK can hope to dictate game rhythm and thereby play to its strengths. One of those should be Rimac, a consummate pro who has been shooting teams into contention his whole career. Rimac is only a year removed from having been one of the best scorers in the Top 16 for two consecutive seasons with Cibona. If he can help mold a similar shooter, Mikalis Pelekanos, then AEK will be in even better shape on the perimeter. One of them will likely see time at small forward, so twin marksmen on the wings could be part of AEK's strategy. At the same time, teenager Spyros Magkounis might be ready to play energetic minutes and use his size advantage against smaller guards.
Inside, the Yellows have plenty size and depth. Tamir is new, but has proven himself capable in the ULEB Cup of making consistent contributions. True rookie Coppenrath arrives with a similar reputation, but perhaps a better scoring touch. If they can hold their own at power forward, with the help of more mobile Giorgos Tsiaris, AEK will use the tandem of Pantelis Papaioakim and Yiannis Bouroussis at center. In a previous stop with AEK, Papaioakim put up decent numbers in limited minutes, but he'll have to avoid foul trouble in order to improve. Bouroussis has size and ability, has been waiting to show his stuff and will get the chance on this team. Opportunity will the seed of inspiration for him and other young, would-be stars on AEK.
It is safe to say that AEK's new lineup needs to learn to play together quickly in order to thrive. Several young talents with room to grow might only require a good dose of confidence to take off. If that happens early and this team grows quickly together, another surprise season could be in store for AEK.
Javier Gancedo, Euroleague.net