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On Thursday, Fener finally delivered the dominant performance expected as they overwhelmed Laboral Kutxa, 98-64, for their second win in EuroLeague Top 16. Bojan Bogdanovic, the subject of trade rumors this week, nailed 17 points and handed out five assists in 22 minutes to lead the team as they improved at 2-4 record.
Fenerbahce, Bogdanovic's team the last two years, has been disappointing to say the least. After owners spent wildly in the off-season and signed Europe's most successful coach ever, there were big plans for the team from Istanbul. But they haven't delivered, going 1-4 in the Euroleague's second round before Thursday, putting any hopes they had for the continent-wide crown in jeopardy. Bogdanovic, one of Europe's top stars, had gone into a deep slump just as trade rumors mounted. The Wall Street Journal reported that 20 of the NBA's 30 teams could have interest in him if the Nets were willing to make a deal.
Bogdanovic shot 7-of-13 but again couldn't connect on a three-point shot, going 0-of-3. The 6'8" swingman who hit better than 40 percent in the league's opening round, is hitting only 5.3 percent (1-of-19) in six games of the Euroleague second round ... and a similar percentage since January 1 in the Turkish League.
Fenerbahce unleashed 30 points in the opening quarter and opened a 6-point lead. They cleared off in the second frame. The hosts banked in 29 points and ensured 59:38 halftime lead. They continued to pour it on in the second half.