Paris strikes first against Monaco; 1-0 for T.J. Shorts (30 points) & co
Some things have changed from one year to the next. Last season, Paris Basketball was blown out by 58 points in two home games during the finals against AS Monaco. This time, we don’t know yet if the capital club will be champion, but at least they didn’t get pushed around. Better yet: they dictated the pace for 40 minutes, winning 94-82 in the end.
« There are still scars from last year, » admits Nadir Hifi. « We didn’t want it to happen a second time. But that’s behind us and we’ve evolved with the EuroLeague season. We watched last year’s games with the guys. We clearly haven’t forgotten. »
Far from the 2024 blowout
A video session that must have stung the Parisians’ pride, reminding them of the massacre that was the 2024 finals ending: 59-88 in Game 3 then 76-115 in Game 4. « They had a great season but there are two levels of difference between us, » Jaron Blossomgame boasted at the time. This time, we’re not so sure…
The Monaco team hasn’t particularly improved since last year, or only marginally. Some players have grown considerably (Matthew Strazel or Alpha Diallo first and foremost), but Vassilis Spanoulis hasn’t really revolutionized much, still unable to fix the Roca Team’s chronic inconsistency. « It’s not something that can be done in six months, » he pleaded last week in Lyon. The summer recruitment (Korkmaz, Calathes, Papagiannis, Brown, Calathes) has been largely unsuccessful and they’re missing the big man from the 2024 finals, Mike James, absent under unclear circumstances…
On the other side, Paris Basketball hasn’t abandoned any of its Iisalo-era principles and has even continued to improve. « We’ve gained experience, » confirms Nadir Hifi. « And it’s comprehensive: we make many defensive variations compared to always the same thing last year, everyone has improved, we’re more mentally prepared. »
The incredible T.J. Shorts,
« really much better than last year »
The smell of revenge, mixed with the desire to end this era with a national title and Monaco’s return to complacency, led to a Game 1 without much suspense. Impressive in transition efficiency, their strong point (23 fast-break points), not ultimately dominated in rebounds (29 to 30), very clean in their game (7 turnovers), Paris Basketball controlled throughout, pushing ASM against the ropes during a rare revolt in mid-third quarter (from 61-54 to 70-54).
And we haven’t mentioned something to explain Paris’s progress. The phenomenal level of T.J. Shorts, absolutely unreal in these playoffs. Unstoppable during the series against Bourg-en-Bresse (27.7 points and 11.3 assists), the double MVP did it again in the finals opener: 30 points on 12/22 shooting, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Gone is the player who got dominated by Monaco’s backcourt at the same stage last year, suggesting his EuroLeague discovery would be difficult. « He always surprises me, » insists Nadir Hifi. « He’s really much better than last season, he’s improved enormously in three-point shooting, he can do everything, get 37 efficiency ratings in the blink of an eye. »
With Shorts at this level, and such collective involvement, Paris can look ahead. But if recent history has taught us anything, it’s never to count Monaco out. Just ask ASVEL if the Roca Team isn’t strongest when their pride is hurt. On Tuesday, it won’t just be the Parisians who have something to make up for.
At the Adidas Arena,
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