Paul-Nilsen-Column
15/04/2014
Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide
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Alben proves a point to some Galatsaray fans

NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - Even though I love Alba Torrens and thought both Sancho Lyttle and Shavonte Zellous each played great for new EuroLeague Women champions Galatasaray odeabank, my MVP vote at the Final Eight went to Isil Alben.

As I watched Torrens collect her award, Lyttle getting praised for her double-double after playing through the pain barrier and Sebnem Kimyacioglu getting rightly mobbed for her sensational three-pointers which effectively sealed the title, my eyes were fixed on Alben.

For me, she was the clear and unequivocal MVP and when I think about this historical moment for Turkish women's basketball in the future, she will be the first player that I reference in any discussions.

Not only because she did a magnificent job in her role as floor general, but because when I first started the EuroLeague Women beat for FIBA Europe, my e-mail inbox used to be regularly filled with Galatasaray fans telling me how Alben was not good enough.

Not being wise after the event, I am sure I will be on record at the time as having written about how underrated Alben was and sadly, even after taking the team to the most glorious chapter in their entire history - still is underrated by too many people.

I think Isil has made a point this time though - and a major one.

Sure, many people already appreciated her value from the excellent work undertaken with the Turkish national team in helping them attain medal success of late and her stock has undoubtedly risen.

Her defense has never been in question, but I always got the feeling that even in the light of those podium finishes with Turkey, there was still a dismissive undertone about Alben that did not match up to the reality.

At the Final Eight, Alben was confirmed as a premier playmaker in European basketball. It was indisputable - even to those doubters who regularly dismissed her talent and potential.

This assertion may seem ludicrous for those who look only at her shooting percentages which were admittedly mediocre at best, as she shot only 11 of 35.

But, for the those of you who actually watched the games, you will surely appreciate why Alben did nothing but impress in a big way.

The smallest player on the court against the star-laden UMMC Ekaterinburg, she clutched two monstrous offensive rebounds and finished with five of them in total.

For me, this was one of the most important statistical numbers in the entire tournament - maybe even all season.

Sure, Torrens tore it up with her 29 points against the former champions, but the smallest player on the floor grabbed unadulterated gold dust with those rebounds.

Want another number to make those shooting percentages fade into further insignificance?

How about this: 70 minutes of basketball against Kayseri Kaski spor and UMMC Ekaterinburg playing point guard in what was effectively both a EuroLeague Women Quarter-Final and Semi-Final and how many turnovers? Not a single one. Zero. Zilch. This is an exceptional number and in games of this magnitude, intensity, and pressure, actually remarkable.

Ironically, Alben was the subject of many rumours at the Final Eight about where she might end up next season, with Russian clubs being mentioned in despatches as potential suitors this summer.

Now of course she has the status of EuroLeague Women champion playmaker on her resume and Galatasaray would be crazy not to try and do everything within their power to keep her.

Her performances and this win was also incidentally superb for the Turkish national team ahead of the FIBA World Championship for Women.

As for those Galatasaray fans who continually doubted her and felt the need to regularly complain, I hope they will have the guts to say they were wrong about the guard and belatedly give her the love and attention she deserves.

Finally, it's very much a case of 'tebrikler' to Alben, Galatasaray and especially to head coach Ekrem Memnun.

I have never seen a play-caller so happy and I was delighted for him.

And, climbing into the media tribune after the final buzzer to get next to the triumphant Galatasaray fans, he also gave me the chance to take one of my favourite photos at any event I have been to.

One which perfectly encapsulates his feelings at what was a spectacular achievement for both him and the club.

What a tournament and what a story!

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

FIBA'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.

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Paul Nilsen

Paul Nilsen

As a women's basketball specialist for FIBA and FIBA Europe, Paul Nilsen eats, sleeps and breathes women’s hoops and is incredibly passionate about promoting the women’s game - especially at youth level. In Women’s Basketball Worldwide, Paul scours the globe for the very latest from his beloved women’s basketball family.