The task ahead of Shane Larkin and Anadolu Efes, to repeat as EuroLeague champions, is a great challenge. Thursday's EL season opener in Madrid was just further proof of that. Fellow championship contender Real Madrid led wire-to-wire in a 82-69 win despite 21 points from Shane Larkin.

There is only one thing more difficult than winning a championship: Doing it again. That's the task facing Shane Larkin and Anadolu Efes as they prepare to tip-off their 2021-22 seasons this week.

Shane launches his blog with an update on Efes' standing with postseason on the horizon.

Win over Sweden, combined with victory by Dutch, sends Turkey to 2022 Eurobasket tournament.

Award is Shane's 11th weekly honor since he joined Efes.

Efes locks down on defense, shoots the lights out in win over second place Moscow.

Hot hand, strong defense shine through as Efes posts another overwhelming victory.

Makeup yields eighth straight win as Efes settles into playoff position.

New streak begins as Efes dominates to put rare loss behind them.

Second half outburst sends Efes to second straight victory.