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Crvena Zvezda will not be part of the EuroLeague quarterfinals this year either. Dejan Radonjić remains the only coach to have led the red-and-whites to such success, back in the 2015/16 season.
Despite significant investment and numerous reinforcements, Zvezda ended up empty-handed. The reasons for this lie in their poor performances in crucial matches. One player who talked a lot but delivered less was Chima Moneke, who was heralded as the biggest signing for the red-and-whites.
On paper and statistically, perhaps he was. The former Baskonia player had a very good season, averaging almost 14 points and over six rebounds. Moneke was capable of carrying the team in some games, even single-handedly securing victories for Zvezda, but he disappeared in the season's crucial final stretch and decisive matches.
Moneke is known for dedicating a lot of attention to his life off the court, including shows and podcasts he hosts himself. It seems Chima managed to package all of this nicely and present himself as one of Europe's top players. He certainly is among the better power forwards, but he was completely outplayed by Will Clyburn and Tornike Shengelia in a season-defining clash for both teams, a game that truly mattered.
Throughout the season, Moneke made many promises. Among them, advancing further in the competition and a guaranteed path to Athens, asserting his power and the team's quality. Yet, that same team and that same Moneke faltered in the season's most important games.
One only needs to recall his statement from the beginning of the year, following a victory against Anadolu Efes, which caused quite a stir at the time.
It's good to start the year with a win. There's no need to talk about individual performances; we're talking about the team. When I said we're going to the Final Four, that's the team I want to see. It's easy to leave a team when it's struggling, like we were in December. You need courage to say you'll play in the Final Four when you're struggling. That's our mentality. I know I'll be in Athens.Chima Moneke
Moneke stated in early January that he knew he would be in Athens. In the season's most important game, he finished with zero field goals and only five points in 30 minutes on the court. In the EuroLeague match against Partizan, which decided Zvezda's season, he had just one field goal attempt in 26 minutes on the floor.
No one expected miracles from Chima. However, for someone who promised so much, Moneke needed to deliver more in the most critical games.
VIDEO Shengelia "rubs it in" to Crvena Zvezda about advancing, Saša Obradović can't hide his anger
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