International Hoops

Euroleague season preview: Gordie Herbert has big dreams for FC Bayern

Gordie Herbert has taken the reigns of FC Bayern but can he make them a factor in Euroleague Basketball?

BallinEurope is previewing all 18 Euroleague Basketball teams ahead of the start of the season. Today it’s the turn of Gordie Herbert and FC Bayern, who have undergone roster turnover but have set a high goal for the season ahead.

FC Bayern are moving into their new SAP Garden ready to welcome them and Euroleague Basketball. Gordie Herbert wants this to be a playoff team. With the roster at his disposal, that’s an enormous ask.

Last season

Euroleague record: 13-21
Regular season position: 15th
Playoffs: NA

Bundesliga record: 28-6
Regular season position: 1st
Playoffs: Won finals vs Alba Berlin (3-1)

Other: Won BBL Pokal (ratiopharm Ulm)

Who’s gone?

Pablo Laso (coach, Baskonia), Serge Ibaka (Real Madrid), Dino Radoncic (Real Betis), Sylvain Francisco (Zalgiris Kaunas), Nelson Weidemann (ratiopharm Ulm), Niklas Wimberg (Hamburg), Leandro Bolmaro (Olimpia Milano), Isaac Bonga (Partizan).

Who is new?

Gordie Herbert (coach, Germany national team), Shabazz Napier (Olimpia Milano), Yam Madar (Fenerbahce), Kevin Yebo (Niners Chemnitz), Oscar da Silva (FC Barcelona), Johannes Voigtmann (Olimpia Milano).

Who stayed?

Vladimir Lucic, Carsen Edwards, Nick Weiler-Babb, Andreas Obst, Niels Giffey, Danko Brankovic, Elias Harris.

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Need to know

The roster Gordie Herbert has at his disposal is a combination of two useful elements. There are veterans nearing or in the backsides of their careers (Napier, Giffey, Lucic, Voigtmann). There are guys looking to get a shot at bigger roles in Euroleague Basketball (Madar, Da Silva). Of course, FC Bayern also has reliables still at or near their peaks (Obst, Weiler-Babb). Collectively, that’s a good mix to work with. The question is, whether it’s good enough for a big jump.

What the bookies think

The sportsbooks have a wild range on FC Bayern. They are as short as 45/1 and as long as 100/1 in Euroleague Basketball betting. The closest to a consisten price for Gordie Herbert’s men is 66/1.

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What we think

On paper, this is a team that has dropped in talent from last season. In practice, it looks like one designed to have much improved chemistry. Last season’s…

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