What happened to the fearless Zvezda? Reeves could be the answer to Partizan's offensive woes

Last week, all eyes across European basketball turned toward the Belgrade Arena for the ninth EuroLeague edition of the Eternal Derby between Partizan and Crvena Zvezda. The black-and-whites emerged victorious thanks to an incredible deep three-pointer from Alessandro Pajola in overtime.

As a result, this week's EuroScanner is dedicated entirely to the Eternal Derby. While plenty has already been broken down, a clash of this magnitude always leaves more to unpack...

Starting with the losing side, it felt as though the red-and-whites sorely lacked grit and competitive edge against their archrivals. For most of the contest—right up until the fourth quarter when Chris Jones ignited the team and spearheaded a run to tie the game—Zvezda's players, with the notable exception of Jones, looked tentative, panicked, and devoid of ideas.

Cast your mind back to the 2021/22 ABA League playoff finals. Zvezda had a far more modest and inexpensive roster on paper back then, yet they managed to outfight Partizan and lift the trophy. With players like Nikola Kalinić, Nikola Ivanović, Nate Wolters, Austin Hollins, Luka Mitrović, and Ognjen Dobrić—individuals who perhaps lacked the raw star power of Jared Butler, Jordan Nwora, Chris Jones, Semi Ojeleye, or Chima Moneke—they had undeniable character. Compare that squad to today's lineup (keeping in mind that Partizan's roster was also stacked with the likes of Kevin Punter, Mathias Lessort, and Zach LeDay at the time), and the difference in mentality is night and day.

Why this shift has occurred is an open debate. The dwindling core of domestic players across both rosters, an influx of American imports who may not fully grasp the weight of the derby, and the sheer frequency of derby matchups blunting that trademark edge and intensity are all contributing factors.

There is no longer a Nemanja Nedović who, despite struggling for form, explodes on derby night to torch Partizan; no Nikola Kalinić to swing momentum with a savvy foul, defensive stop, or clutch play; no Luka Mitrović to put on low-post and pick-and-roll clinics against more athletic opponents. Dobrić and Davidovac, who share that same pedigree, remain on the roster, but their roles have steadily diminished season after season. The same could be said for Partizan, but in this specific matchup, the issue was far more pronounced on Zvezda's side.

The bottom line: while Butler, Nwora, and Moneke have all produced brilliant moments since arriving, and have proven they can take responsibility, the red-and-whites lack players you would bet your life on to deliver a composed, fearless performance built for the pressure cooker of a derby.

Those shortcomings were on full display on Zvezda's final possession, when they had the chance to tie the game and force a second overtime. Butler initiated an isolation, finding a mismatch against Kevarrius Hayes, but at the crucial moment opted to offload a difficult pass to David Krämer.

The German received the ball moving away from the rim with just two seconds left. Hayes switched quickly, using his length to contest, and Krämer’s rushed attempt came after the buzzer—resulting in an airball.

With Jordan Nwora and Chris Jones both on the floor, questioning Ibon Navarro's decision to put the ball in Butler's hands is entirely fair. Especially considering Jones had recently drained the game-winner against ASVEL in Villeurbanne and poured in 22 points against Partizan, while Nwora had already contributed 16...

At the post-game press conference, Navarro was asked about the tactical plan for that final play, explaining:

Perhaps, when it came down to it, Butler simply lacked the conviction to take the shot.

Kevarrius Hayes arrived at Partizan this summer quietly. Many supporters were expecting a blockbuster signing at center rather than a player who had spent time across Monaco, Paris, Žalgiris, Bursaspor, ASVEL, and Cantù—never quite considered among the elite tier of EuroLeague big men. It is no exaggeration to say a portion of the fanbase was skeptical about him stepping in as the starting center.

However, the derby proved just how unfairly he had been underestimated. With Tonye Jekiri sidelined through injury, Hayes had to step up offensively, finishing with 13 points and eight rebounds against Zvezda—both EuroLeague season highs.

He was exceptional in the pick-and-roll alongside Carlik Jones, effective on the low block, and once again demonstrated his ability to make plays out of the short roll. Pulling down eight rebounds against a Zvezda team that entered the fixture as the league's top rebounding unit was vital, capped by a monstrous rejection on Chris Jones that effectively preserved Partizan's lead and forced overtime.

All told, Hayes delivered an outstanding two-way performance. He was disciplined defensively, reading rotations expertly without blowing assignments. He was undoubtedly one of the unsung heroes of Partizan's triumph.

As highlighted in the previous EuroScanner, Partizan's offense looks disjointed whenever Carlik Jones is off the floor or unable to find his rhythm.

Unlike his outings against Panathinaikos and Fenerbahçe, where opposing defenses locked him down, Jones found plenty of operating room against Zvezda. Navarro initially tasked young Nikola Đurišić with guarding him, allowing Carlik to settle in early and rack up 15 first-half points. He penetrated, orchestrated, and dictated the tempo in trademark fashion, finishing with 26 points, four assists, and five rebounds. In overtime, he buried a clutch three to tie the game at 82-82 before Pajola sealed the victory, continuing Jones' strong track record in the Eternal Derby.

Yet when he rested—and he played nearly 37 of the 45 minutes—Partizan looked completely lost. Kadeem Allen, Luca Vildoza, and the rest of the unit struggled to generate quality looks. It was midway through the fourth quarter, while Joan Peñarroya rested his floor general, that Zvezda capitalized to mount their comeback and force overtime.

The solution to that offensive stagnation could come in the form of newcomer Antonio Reeves. Although the American barely had time to unpack after arriving in Belgrade on derby day, he made an instant impact over the weekend by hitting a clutch mid-range jumper to sink Spartak in Subotica, finishing with 11 points. Ethan Thompson also chipped in with 23 points in that contest, another player expected to ease the scoring burden on the South Sudanese playmaker.

Reeves arrived under the radar, but he might just provide the offensive dimension Partizan desperately need to take the pressure off Carlik Jones—especially since Vildoza and Allen have yet to consistently deliver as secondary creators despite pre-season optimism.

Heading into the derby, Crvena Zvezda led the EuroLeague in rebounding with 41.3 boards per game, while Partizan ranked 15th with an average of 33.8.

Against the odds, the black-and-whites won the rebounding battle 38 to 35, proving to be one of the decisive factors in the outcome. Even without the injured Tonye Jekiri, Lamar Stevens and Kevarrius Hayes stepped up with six and eight rebounds respectively, while Carlik Jones and Vildoza added four each and Ethan Thompson grabbed five, effectively neutralizing Zvezda's interior advantage.

Rebounding is never purely about size and athleticism; determination and desire play an equally massive role. In this derby, Partizan proved that point emphatically once again.

VIDEO: Why Zvezda didn't deserve to win this derby