CEZ Nymburk - Under the radar

LONDON (Diccon Lloyd-Smeath's Champions League Insider) - With a win over Aris in round 9, CEZ Nymburk moved onto their 4th straight win in the Basketball Champions League and claimed a regular season double over the Greek giants. The win also solidified the Czech’s position in the top 10 of our power rankings, having broken in for the first time this season. Nymburk are perennially dominant in the Czech NBL, winning the last 14 league titles in a row, dating back to 2004. Success in European competitions however, has been harder to come by. Reaching the quarterfinals in the Eurocup twice and reaching the playoffs of last years’ Basketball Champions League, being the highlights to date.

 

Last year an unblemished home record, including wins over Monaco and Banvit – who both reached the Final Four – had CEZ Nymburk fans believing a deep run into the playoffs was a very realistic ambition. That ambition came crashing down at the hands of Dinamo Sassari, in dramatic fashion with a 1 point loss over 2 legs. The root of their problem, was the Achilles heel that was their form away from the Tipsort Arena. Losing 4 of 7 away games in the group stages, Nymburk – after finishing 3rd in group A – then lost by 22 in Italy, in the first leg of their playoff. Despite the valiant 21 Point win back in Prague, the slope was already too steep to scale.

 

Nymburk also had a 5-game winning streak last season but that winning streak was brought an end by Aris in the Nick Gallis Hall. A fact that adds further pertinence to the impressive win in Thessaloniki this week. This year’s team is deeper, scrappier and carries an element of surprise that makes them a much more robust prospect on the road. Under Coach Oren Amiel – last year’s Assistant – CEZ Nymburk are 4-1 on their travels this season, including the impressive feat of being the only team thus far, to beat Nanterre, in Paris.

Statistically Nymburk don’t stand out. If you look at the box scores and advanced stats they paint a picture of team that sits about the average mark across the board. The one area that raises interesting questions, is their ability to look after the ball. CEZ Nymburk are 3rd in the league with a 12.9 TOV% and perhaps more telling, is that it’s the bench, not the starters that look after the ball best. CEZ Nymburk’s bench turn the ball over less than anyone in the Basketball Champions League.

When you go into their stronger performances, especially on the road, bench output has undeniably, been a factor. 1st Quarter defensive shut-outs, being the other hallmark. Away to last year’s FIBA Europe Cup Champions, in Paris, Nymburk held Nanterre to 14, 1st Quarter points and Kendrick Ray and Pavel Pumprla had 17 and 19 points respectively, both coming off the bench. Again, in Thessaloniki Nymburk completely shut Aris down. Holding Aris to just 11, 1st Quarter points, with the lead ballooning to 11-35 before “The Emporor” could get a foothold and start climbing the mountain back into the game. Kendrick Ray was again the star in that game with 22 Points, 6 Rebounds, shooting 53%.

Ray has been a standout for sure. The 2nd half, of possibly the most dynamic combo guard rotation in the Basketball Champions League. Dardan Berisha starts at SG. The veteran is a baller! 13 points in 23 mins this season, shooting 41% from 3 on 5.7 attempts, have made the Kosovan - who recently suited up for Poland in the recent World Cup Qualifiers – a huge pick up. His ability to slide over to the PG, also means that Nymburk can put out line ups with Berisha and Ray on the floor at the same time and that is just flat-out, hard to guard. It wasn’t hard to find clips of Berisha doing what he does but these 2 do a good job of showing how much fun he can be.

Ray is a 6’3” (1.9m), 23 year old rookie, out of Kennesaw State and he has found his feet fast. Athletic and long for his height, Ray can shift defenders, get to the rim and knock down tough shots. 35% from 3 is decent and will probably go up as his shot selection improves with experience. Especially when you consider he is shooting 52% from 3 in the Czech NBL. 12 points in 18 minutes off the bench is impressive and the 2.3 Assists also points to his ability to make plays for his teammates.

Pavel Pumprla is another veteran who has made a big impact from a bench role. His minutes are down from 24 to 20mpg but he has the habit of making big plays at the right time and his 19 Point outburst against Nanterre, highlighted what the Czech is capable of.

 

The starters are also performing. Petr Benda is scoring 11 Points per game, up from last year. Eugene Lawrence, another who stayed on from last season’s roster, leads the team with 5.4 Assists per game. Vojtech Hruban is scoring 9PPG and Martin Kriz leads the team in FG% at 71. The point however remains, that it’s collective effort that gets the job done for CEZ Nymburk.

Positioned 3rd in Group D, which could quite easily be D for the group of death, the Czechs are in a very strong position to reach the playoffs and will more than likely end up with another tough playoff match up in round 1. This time the collective strength, solidarity on the road and added depth and unpredictability in their roster, will make them a nightmare opponent to prepare for. They still lack the star power and ruthlessness of the Basketball Champions League’s big guns but the further this team goes in the competition, the more neutral fans they will collect. Especially as the idea of a potentially, dream Final Four location in Prague draws closer.

Team’s will still add transfers and tweak rotations as we hit the downhill slope towards the playoffs after Christmas. The likes of Telekom Baskets Bonn have made strides recently in Group D, Aris remain, well, Aris and Sidigas Avellino seem like a squad just waiting to click into gear. Oostende are also very well coached and share the benefit of a less demanding domestic schedule but make no mistake, CEZ Nymburk are right in the mix to top the group. By the time March rolls around, Coach Oren Amiels’ men, will no longer be under the radar and will be right there in the hunt.

Diccon Lloyd-Smeath
Basketball Champions League

The Basketball Champions League's columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA or the Basketball Champions League.

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