Why the absence of Juancho “hurts” Panathinaikos

THE Juancho Hernangomet it’s true that he didn’t live up to the justifiably high expectations that existed when he was acquired last summer for most of the season. The reasons were many have been analyzed, however the Spaniard has been better than ever for over a month. At the most critical point of the season, however, Panathinaikos he will miss him after Game 2 at least and in Game 3 with Maccabi Tel Aviv for the playoffs as will undergo examinations in Spain.

Its absence constitutes a big blow for Panathinaikos, even more against this specific opponent. It is clear that the “greens” will have to match the energy and athleticism of their opponents and the presence of the Spaniard was an important weapon in this direction. The 29-year-old ace may have managed just 4 points in total (!) in three games this year against the people’s side, but Ergin Ataman’s side clearly don’t need his points as much as the things he gives in other areas. game, mainly defensively.

And we explain:

-Huangzo has the biggest defensive effect than any other “key” player of Panathinaikos. With him on the floor, his team is allowing just 104.9 points per 100 possessions, a number surpassed only by limited-time players Panagiotis Kalaitzakis (104.8) and Kostas Antetokounmpo (100).

-Juancho is instrumental in rebounding of Panathinaikos. The Spaniard collects 17.9% of the available defenders while he is in the top five and only Dinos Mitoglou (19.5%) has a higher percentage. In offensive rebounds, his corresponding percentage is 8.2%, lower only than those of Costas Antetokounmpo (12.8%), Matias Lessor (10.1%) and Olek Balcherovski (8.5%). Overall, in rebounds, defensively and offensively, when Juancho is in the top five, he gets 13.2% of the available ones, behind only Mitoglou (13.8%) and Antetokounmpo (13.5%).

-Juancho is one of the most useful players while on the floor. In his time playing, his team is at +9.9 points per 100 possessions. Of the “basics”, only Kostas Sloukas with +10.1 and Ioannis Papapetrou with +13.6 have a greater impact, but the latter in a much smaller volume of games.

Apart from the advanced statistics that show a lot, Huacho’s absence has also obvious consequences in rotation for Panathinaikos. Papapetrou will be asked to get minutes at the “4” as well (and not only at the “3” where he did an excellent job in Game 2), as there is no alternative behind Dino Mitoglou, who will probably also get some time at the “5” ». Unless Ergin Ataman decides to activate Lefteris Mandzoukas who is out of rotation this year in the Euroleague. Or choose something more… radical, with Lesor at “4” and at “5” Antetokounmpo or even Balcerovski.