Walking into La Fonteta arena on game day still gives me chills after all these years covering Spanish basketball. The energy here in Valencia feels different this season - there's this palpable sense of anticipation hanging in the air. As someone who's followed Valencia Basket for over a decade, I can tell you this roster might just be their most balanced squad since their 2017 EuroCup championship run. What really excites me about this team isn't just their raw talent, but how perfectly their composition aligns with what I've learned about playoff basketball over the years.
Because of the extended playoff phase, all these teams have to do is to aim for a solid position in the elimination phase and take it from there. This philosophy resonates deeply with me when I look at Valencia's current setup. They're not built for flashy regular-season dominance but for sustainable success when it truly matters. Take Chris Jones, for instance - the 31-year-old American point guard isn't the flashiest player on the court, but my goodness does he understand playoff basketball. I've watched him dissect defenses in crucial moments with an almost surgical precision. His stats won't blow you away - averaging around 12 points and 5 assists per game - but his decision-making in high-pressure situations is what makes him invaluable. I'd argue he's the team's true engine, the kind of player who might not make highlight reels but absolutely wins you playoff games.
Then there's the frontcourt duo that I personally find fascinating. Bojan Dubljević, our veteran center, brings something you can't quantify with analytics - institutional memory. Having watched him develop over his 11 seasons with Valencia, I've seen him evolve from a raw talent into what I consider the team's emotional anchor. At 32 years old, he's lost a step physically, but his basketball IQ has never been higher. Pairing him with James Webb III creates what I believe is the perfect big man combination for modern basketball. Webb's athleticism complements Dubljević's ground-bound game beautifully, and his 38% shooting from three-point range forces opposing big men into uncomfortable defensive positions.
What really makes this roster special in my eyes is their depth. I've always believed championship teams aren't built on stars alone but on having reliable options coming off the bench. Guys like Klemen Prepelič and Xabi López-Arostegui would be starters on most ACB teams, yet here they're providing what I consider luxury depth. Prepelič in particular has won my admiration with his fearless scoring mentality - I've seen him single-handedly keep Valencia in games during those tough second-quarter stretches when starters need rest. His ability to create shots out of nothing reminds me of a young Juan Carlos Navarro, though I might be showing my Barcelona bias with that comparison.
The international flavor of this roster deserves special mention. With players hailing from 7 different countries, there's a cultural mosaic here that I find creates unique chemistry. Serbian big man Stefan Jović brings that classic Balkan toughness, while French wing Louis Labeyrie adds Gallic finesse around the basket. This diversity isn't just cosmetic - it creates what I've observed to be a more adaptable team that can handle different styles of play, something crucial when you're facing varied opponents throughout an extended playoff run.
Looking at their schedule and how they've managed minutes so far, I'm impressed by the coaching staff's approach to player management. They're clearly thinking long-term, understanding that securing a solid playoff position matters more than burning out players for regular-season glory. I've noticed they're giving meaningful minutes to younger players like Puerto Rican guard Jhivvan Jackson, who at 25 represents what I see as the future core of this team. This balanced approach to development and winning now is something I wish more teams would emulate.
As we approach the business end of the season, what strikes me most about this Valencia squad is their collective maturity. Having covered teams that peaked too early or relied too heavily on individual brilliance, I appreciate how this group understands team basketball. They move the ball beautifully - averaging around 22 assists per game - and play with a connectivity that suggests they genuinely enjoy playing together. In today's era of mercenary basketball, that chemistry might be their greatest advantage when the playoffs intensify.
The road ahead won't be easy, with traditional powerhouses like Real Madrid and Barcelona waiting, but something about this Valencia team feels different. They have the depth, the experience, and most importantly from my perspective, the right mindset for playoff basketball. While I try to maintain journalistic objectivity, I'll admit this is the most excited I've been about a Valencia team in years. They might not have the biggest names or the largest budget, but they have the pieces and the mentality to make a serious run when the elimination phase begins. And in playoff basketball, that's often what separates good teams from memorable ones.
