Basketball is a team sport, and yet the role of a player is extremely important. Here are the Top VTB United League MVP contenders, the most important individual award of the season.
Nikola Milutinov, CSKA
Season stats: 16.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 69.2 % two-pointers, 28.6 eff. points in 23.3 minutes average.
CSKA began the season with a historic 24-0 winning streak and ended up with the League record for wins in the Regular Season. The Serbian bigman has been dominating throughout the Regular Season. Nikola is the best in the paint, with extreme finishing efficiency (third in two-point percentage among those who’ve played more than 20 games), controlling the rebounding and blocking opponents in the paint. Milutinov is averaging a double-double in only 23 minutes. His efficiency rating puts the center ahead from the direct competitors. The system-forming player on the best regular season team obviously will be in the MVP contenders list.
Daryl Macon, UNICS
Season stats: 18.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 51.6% two-pointers, 45.1% three-pointers, 19.3 eff. points, 28.4 minutes
UNICS had a strong Regular Season, and only CSKA’s super-streak prevented the Kazan team from contending for the first place. Macon, one of the big discoveries of the Euroleague 2021/22, missed the first games of the season due to injury, but after recovering he quickly showed that he was called the headliner of the VTB United League offseason for a reason.
One of the League’s most dangerous players (Daryl was second among the best shooters) was not only productive, but also has 45.1 % three-pointer and 51.6 % of two-pointers made. Macon has almost no weaknesses, benefiting from every key aspect of the game and getting a special attention in UNICS’ opponents scouting reports, being a headache for all coaches in the League except Velimir Perasovic.
UNICS has proven to be one of the best defensive teams of the season. In offense, the Kazan team nearly unstoppable with Macon. It’s a combination that consistently brings UNICS the result.
Thomas Heurtel, Zenit
Season Stats: 13.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 0.9 steals, 49.7% 2-pointers, 43.1% 3-pointers, 16.9 efficiency points, 25.3 minutes
Zenit failed to get into the usual battle for the lead in the regular season, losing to CSKA and UNICS. Still, the reigning champion, which dealt with injuries and experimented with the roster, signing several new players during the process, finished the 3rd – all of the interesting stuff will happen in the Playoffs. The element of stability in that chaotic process was the French guard.
Heurtel handled his conflicted departure from Real Madrid and ban from the French national team, showing the professionalism and skills in the St. Petersburg team. Thomas reminded Zenit fans of another favorite who was responsible for the playmaking – Kevin Pangos, becoming a worthy substitution to the Canadian guard. Heurtel is the mastermind of the game, leading the team’s offensive strategies. Thomas leads the season in assists and doesn’t forget to score himself with excellent field-goal percentage.
Zenit is ready to defend the championship title. You can’t imagine this team without the star player.
Jaylen Barford, Lokomotiv Kuban
Season Stats: 16.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 47.3% two-pointers, 34.8% three-pointers, 15.0 eff. points, 27.1 minutes
Lokomotiv Kuban relied on the youth players. Andrey Martiuk, Aleksandr Scherbenyev, Vladislav Emchenko and Zakhar Vedischev came on top of the team. Loko, accustomed to fighting for the top spots, had a difficult season start: a home loss to MBA in their opening game and several mistakes against top teams. The loses in the season series with Pari Nizhny Novgorod (0-4), to which the Krasnodar team lost their place in the Top 4, was also unpleasant. Still, Lokomotiv overcame problems, found their game and made it to the Top 6, improving noticeably throughout the season.
Barford was responsible for the team’s competitiveness and progress. Jalen moved to the Krasnodar team from Astana last season accustomed to the team and became its leader this season. Loko is only strengthened the roster in the middle of the regular season, and for a long time the American guard was responsible for that vital part of their success. As Loko key offensive player, Barford was one of the best scoring players of the season (6th overall and 2nd among those who played more than 30 games). But in addition to making winning shots like Steph Curry, as he did in the game against Enisey, he did not forget about his defense.
He deservedly made it to the All-Star Game and into the MVP race.
Jermaine Love, Pari Nizhny Novgorod
Season Stats: 14.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals, 49.7% two-pointers, 35.6% three-pointers, 12.7 eff. points, 24.4 minutes
Jermaine Love is the author of the best shot of at least the regular season. During the All-Star Game, the American guard made an incredible half court buzzer-beater in a six-meters rim. That was enough to give him the MVP award candidacy.
After a disappointing last season, Nizhny Novgorod returned to its ordinary role as the team, who is just behind the top teams, as Pari NN always ready to surprise stronger teams. Nzihny also bypass Lokomotiv Kuban from the Top 4. Jeremain is the main offensive option in the team. The guard is 1 of only 2 Pari NN players to make a double-digit scoring average. Love holds the season high in points (against CSKA with 34 points).
Nizhny improvement was largely due to his actions. The American guard brings an important element of improvisation to Zoran Lukic well-organized system.
Louis Labeyrie, UNICS
Season Stats: 12.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 71.6% two-pointers, 41.1% three-pointers, 19.1 eff. points, 29.5 minutes
Velimir Perasovic’s UNICS has prioritised solid defense and discipline. And it works. The French center anchors the paint, makes screens and rebounds for his teammates. He doesn’t get lost under the basket either. Among those who played in over 20 games this season, Labeyrie has the best two-point shooting percentage.
Louis is reliable not only on defense, but also on his constant willingness to get on the court and execute coaching instructions. The former NBA player participated in 28 of 31 games, averaging nearly 30 minutes (6th in total playing time). With all these qualities, Labeyrie fits perfectly into Perasovic’s UNICS and the expanded list for the MVP award.
Alexey Shved, CSKA
Season Stats: 17.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 60.0% two-pointers, 32.6% three-pointers, 20.8 eff. points, 25.4 minutes
After Emil Rajkovic came to the team and has traditionally built a strong coaching team, the only difference being that the Army team doesn’t have promising rookies after hard scouting, but solid role players and top players stayed. The North Macedonian coach showed that he can use those players as well. As a result, CSKA quickly gained an identity and Shved feels great in that system.
Age has no impact on the VTB United League’s most outstanding player. Alexey is in the Top 5 in points and second in assists and efficiency. Shved’s game is once again brilliance, and the 34-year-old genius of the game has still a joy to play. The same can be said of those who watching.
The Russian guard was injured at the end of the regular season, but by then everything else had been done and proven. Alexey took an active part in CSKA’s winning streak. This year, the 2-time League MVP will try to regain his most honorable individual award.
