Panathinaikos has yet another reason to feel proud. Two of its players found themselves amongst the All Euroleague team and were honored at the Ciragan Palace. Dimitris Diamantidis and Mike Batiste.
Dimitris Diamantidis is amongst the best Euroleague players. We know it, everyone knows it and it is simply verified once more with his presence in the All Euroleague team. The Panathinaikos’ captain stats for this season were: 50% in two point shots (27/54), 41.3% in three point shots (45/109), 87.9% in free throws (58/66) and also 81 rebounds (69-12), 109 assists, 33 steals and 12 blocked shots, with a ranking number of 86. His actual input to the team, to its victories, its stride, is something which is quite difficult to appreciate solely through numbers, since his presence is also through defense, decisions at defining moments in the game, through game-giving shots but moreover through the element of pure leadership, something which through the years he has incorporated into his character. His merits numerous, he himself repeating time and time again that all he cares about is his team’s success and not his personal achievements. Nevertheless, the… experts continue to attribute praises to his name and always get him under the spotlight: Euroleague MVP (2011), MVP of the Euroelague Final (2007, 2011), best defensive player (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011), And one thing’s for sure, the list is to be embellished in the future.
Mike Batiste, just like the year before, found himself once more amongst the best in the second All Euroelague team. For yet another season one of both Panathinaikos and Euroleague’s protagonists. He had 222 points, behind 48.8% in twos’ (82/168), 50% in threes’ (1/2), 80.9% in free throws, 105 rebounds (61-44), 17 assists, 15 steals, 7 blocked shots and 65 ranking. Last year, Mike Batiste was on the first All Euroleague team.
