Euroleaue Top16 half-time
February 29, 2008
After last night’s games, the teams of each group played against each other. We all had our favorites with Panathinaikos, CSKA, Real Madrid and maybe Tau Ceramica.
Let’s see what really happened:
The only team without a win is Aris TT Bank from Greece in group E which is lead by Tau Ceramica who has not lost a game so far. The bad thing for Aris - they haven’t even come close to win a game. They lost to Fenerbahce by 8, to Rytas by 15 and to Tau Ceramica by 18! Won’t be easy for head coach Herbert Gordon to not get eliminated in the Top16.
So besides Tau Ceramica there is another team that has not lost a game so far - Montepaschi Siena. Siena won on Wednesday against a weak looking Euroleague champion - Panathinaikos Athens. I think Panathinaikos should change the stragety pretty soon - it does not work anymore to give Sarunas or Spanoulis the ball, make Batiste set a pick and penetrate to the basket. Spanoulis got blocked like 200 times against Siena and they lost the game. The next game for Siena will lead them to Belgrade, the team Siena won by as much as 17 points. So if Siena’s Americans don’t refuse to go to Belgrade it should be an easy win for Siena. Right now Siena sits on top of group D with Panathinaikos being last.
So what about Real Madrid who is in group F with Maccabi, Zalgiris and Olympiakos? Not much - the group is led by Maccabi - the team without their star Marcus Fizer. Nobody, including me, really thought that Maccabi will have a chance against Real Madrid and they proved us wrong - really wrong. In a blow out they won against Real Madrid by as much as 19 points last night.
Besides being last in that group there is still good news for Olympiakos: They have a better record than Panathinaikos - at least concerning the points. (-16 for Olympiakos and -17 for Panathinaikos.)
In group G it is also not the favorite leading the group. CSKA Moscow got the same record as Barcelona and even beat them in Moscow but Bacrelona leads by 14 total points against CSKA’s 13 total points. Lottomatica kind of killed their chances to go to the Top8 last night by losing against Barcelona by 29 points. Barcelona was up 30-11 after the first quarter - nobody really expected Roma to come back after this.
But well - it is just halftime and in the following weeks everything can change again - besides Aris - I really count them out.
Team of heroes - NIKE goes Europe
February 29, 2008
The last 30 minutes or so I have been sitting here with an open mouth, not really knowing if I should believe what my eyes see. It is all about Maccabi Tel Aviv. Read more
Overtime: after 45 minutes of discussion
February 28, 2008
In tonight’s Euroleague game between Fenerbahce Ülker and Lietuvos Rytas, something happened that I never saw. In fact, I did not see it either this time because the broadcast ended after the regular time. What happened?
UDATE 8:45pm: Rumors about Serbia and Efes Pilsen
February 28, 2008
I just got to the office and got some interesting news - well more or less rumors but I really want to let you all I know.
It goes the rumor that the four players talked to their agents and got the advice to go on a plane and fly to Belgrade. I will make some phone calls and send out some emails to keep you updated here through the day.
EDIT (8:45pm): The game is about to start in Belgrade and none of the four players is on the court.
EDIT (4:12pm): Want to join the up and down rollercoster? Krepsinis.net reports (thanks to our reader “name”) that the four players are in Serbia and will play tonight.
EDIT (3:20pm): As BallinEurope Reader Marcutis points out, Drew Nicholas said yesterday:
The flight to Belgrade was scheduled for 12 am today, but I informed my team about my decision and I had a talk with coach Blatt. I explained that there’s nothing more important than my life and that it was impossible for me to go there knowing what happened to the American Embassy. I have nothing against any country and nothing to do with any politics whatsoever.
I feel very bad for not being able to help my team in a such important match for the top 16 of EL. I also feel bad knowing how good professional players we are( with Hutchon, Woods, Wright) and how sad we feel. Just a moment ago I read that the team’s manager want us to leave the team but besides the internet, I have no formal information about the issue. Anyways, it’s a shame cause I have done my best for the team.
EL shouldn’t have allowed the match to be played there. They should better choose a neutral arena to ensure the safety of the players. OAKA for example, as PAO plays at Siena. Anywhere else but not at Belgrade. They said there is a Police Official paper that guarantees no fights or problems but how can just a paper stop an angry bunch of fans ?
I believe what I did was right.
EDIT (12:07pm): After talking to a Efes Pilsen official on the phone, he confirmed that the four players, Drew Nicholas, Loren Woods, Rashad Wright and Andre Hutson will NOT play tonight. He also told me that they did not fly and will not fly to Belgrade.
Serbia crisis affects Euroleague
February 27, 2008
As Douglas Hamilton from Reuters reports, Serbia went back on the offensive over Kosovo’s independence on Sunday by blaming the United States for a crisis in the Balkans while its ally Russia accused the Americans of destroying “world order”.
Three days after rioters in Belgrade attacked Western embassies and looted shops, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said it was Washington that was threatening peace and stability.
“The United States must annul the decision to recognize a false state on the territory of Serbia,” Kostunica said. “It must reaffirm U.N. Security Council resolution 1244, which guarantees Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
This is the political side of this crisis but now it also affects Basketball. Sinan Can, who covers the Turkish basketball for eurobasket.com writes:
EFES Pilsen shocked just before the away game against Partizan which will be played Thursday, as four of the American players, Drew Nicholas, Loren Woods, Rashad Wright and Andre Hutson, refused to go Serbia due to security reasons. Efes Pilsen GM Engin Ozerhun said, ‘We do know that the US government warned their citizens not to travel to Serbia, because of the situation in Kosovo, but Serbian government gave us warranty for a safe game and trip as we all had to go there. Scoonie Penn and Kenny Gregory decided to come and play including our US citizen coach David Blatt, but other four Americans refused to travel.
This is definitely unacceptable situation as I can easily say that those four players, Drew Nicholas, Loren Woods, Rashad Wright and Andre Hutson will not play for us anymore.’ Efes Pilsen arrived Belgrade with 8 players, but due to rules there should be 10 players for an official game as there’ll be a meeting with ULEB authorities to play the game with 8 players.
I really don’t want to be the judge if it is right for the players not to go or if it is right to release the players. I just think that their are other really important people like US president Bush, who travels to even more threatening places all the time, doesn’t he?
But then - is it smart to release almost 1/3 of your roster just to set an example? You tell me … (Thanks to our great readers, who brought this topic up).
EDIT: The Euroleague just released an official note regarding the game tomorrow:
Euroleague Basketball has spoken to both Partizan Igokea and Efes Pilsen in order to ensure the utmost security during Thursday night’s Top 16 game in Belgrade. Partizan and local police have guaranteed security for the visitors from Efes Pilsen, having presented a security plan approved by the Turkish Embassy in Belgrade. Euroleague Basketball has a representative present in Belgrade who will attend to any of Efes’s concerns or needs while in the city. “The security of Euroleague teams is of utmost concern and will always be a priority,” Euroleague Basketball CEO Jordi Bertomeu said. “Regarding the Efes players who have not gone to Belgrade, we know that the team is still trying to get them to come to Belgrade, although the game will be played regardless, as scheduled. Euroleague rules do not prohibit games from being played with fewer than the mandated 10 players on the bench, but call for a disciplinary proceeding to be considered when that minimum is not met. If Efes must participate in the game with fewer than 10 players, a course of action will be decided at a later stage.”
At least we have a game!
Siena: Park your baby!
February 27, 2008
Seriously this is the headline - well almost: the newspaper Corriere di Siena writes: Babyparking is back! It first got a big smile out of me but after reading the article I understood the meaning:
More great Basketball at PalaMensSana and it’s still worry-free for parents and children thanks to green-and-white Baby Parking.
Run by the ‘GiocoLeNuvole’ Cooperative, it will be in service for tonight’s game. Baby parking welcomes little guests accompanying their parents to Mens Sana Basket’s home games. The service is activated with a minimum of three requests and can host up to 50 children 3 (ages three and above).
Green-and-white Baby Parking biancoverde is free and is held is a space inside PalaMensSana, where parents can entrust their children to qualified staff who entertain these little guests games, music, and arts and crafts. The intent is to offer MPS fans the possibility of enjoying the game with the knowledge that their little ones are having fun with plenty of other playmates.
So the crazy Italian fans can give away their kids and be freaks for about two hours without their kids ever knowing how crazy their parents really are. I like that.
Euroleague Fantasy Challenge - what to do?
February 27, 2008
Another mediocre week for Euroleague Fantasy players across Europe, or so I have heard anyway. And judging by my own scores I’d say it is true. Is it me or have most Euroleague clubs and players lost their balance in the Top16 phase? Nothing goes as expected and planned anymore. For example I picked Petravicius last week and he played 10 minutes less than his average playing time. I picked Mickeal and he went down injured before the half time. I picked Morris and Batista had the game of his life in Kaunas almost reaching a double double figure by the end of the first quarter!
The only thing that hasn’t changed is the ability of Partizan to push Panathinaikos to their limits and then somehow manage to lose the game in the dying seconds. Happened three times so far… and of course the pleasant surprise of the two Lithuanian teams which have been gold in their Euroleague campaigns so far.
Point Guards:
Ibrahim Jaaber: I think I’m going to stick to Ibrahim Jaaber for a bit longer. His performances have been exceptional for a Euroleague rookie and you couldn’t ask for anything more than a 16 ranking points average from a guy who was literally unknown and playing in some Athens suburbs team some weeks ago. Plus he needs less than 8 ranking point to hit a new limit up for 10(!) credits.
Theodoros Papaloukas: At last Papaloukas has been showing some, even if it was just a glimpse, of his class in the last few games. With the problems that Unicaja has with its PGs and with the height advantage that Papaloukas has over them I believe he will have a very solid game leading CSKA to yet another win in Top16. Let’s just hope that Messina leave him on the court for more than his usual 20 minutes.
Shooting Guards/Small Forwards:
Romain Sato: Sato has been a great help to Siena in the past few weeks and he has scored more than 19 average ranking points in Top16 so far. He has benefited (if we can use this term) by Kaukenas’ injury and has increased his playing time from 24 to 34(!) minutes per game! He is a very solid SG who can shoot well, draw easy fouls and rarely turnovers the ball. If he could only be more precise in his three point shootings he would be even greater. Maybe the time has come?
Jonas Maciulis: Maciulis is the top scorer of the Top16 so far. He is one of Lithuania’s top prospects and is known for his passionate game. Although he is below 200cm he has the rebounding ability of a center and can easily guard taller opponents. I think that Olympiakos lacks this kind of a player who would be able to stop him and he can do some serious damage. He is self-conscious and won’t take any shots in a hurry but only when he is sure about it. Oh yes, he is scoring an average of 23 ranking points in the Top16.
Marcus Brown: Yet another Zalgiris player for me this week. Most of Olympiakos’ opponents shooters find way too many open shots, especially from behind the arch, even in the SEF arena and they usually don’t miss. Just remember McIntyre (4/7 for 3 and 19 points, Winston (7/8 for 3 and 26 points, Halperin 2/5 for 3 and 21 points, even Marcus Brown himself 2/4 for 3 and 19 points). And we all know what is Brown capable off when he is left unmarked for even a split second.
Drew Nicholas: Somehow I believe that the Partizan-Efes game will be a high scoring one. Add Partizan youth and Efes run and gun style and you get the picture. And this is exactly the kind of a game that Nicholas loves. After storming over Panathinaikos in the opening day Nicholas was slowed down by the best Euroleague defense and earned himself just 9 ranking points but Partizan is far from a defensive side even though they are top in the rebounding category. Let’s hope he draws some easy fouls and grab a few rebounds as a bonus.
Power Forwards/Centers:
Shaun Stonerook: Panathinaikos has one of the most short front lines of the Euroleague. And as that wasn’t enough, its two tallest centers, Tomasevic and Tsartsaris are injured and out. Stonerook is an undersized PF and has been registering an average of 31 minutes per game so far in the Top16 average and helping Siena in every aspect, either by scoring, rebounding or even stealing. I expect him to shine tonight taking advantage of his aggressiveness.
Terrence Morris: To be honest I was between Morris and Batista. I just don’t know who will do the best tomorrow but I believe that they will both have a good game. Morris might have disappointed us last week but I’m gonna trust him and hope that a packed Nokia Arena gives him that extra motive and of course the put a pressure on the refs to call easy fouls against Morris by Real Madrid front line.
Nikola Pekovic: Back to the favorite Euroleague Fantasy player of the current season. This young Montenegran (?) giant has been impressive so far and is dominating the boards and scores a double digit amount of points in almost every game. His playing time has dropped in Top16 but I believe that his coach will leave him on the court for a considerable more time to deal with Woods.
Marcus Goree: All of you who can’t wait to buy Smodis or your teams please hold your horses. Messina said that Smodis needs a couple of weeks before being able to compete in a higher level such as Euroleague. Thus Goree will get to keep his playing time at 25+ minutes and help CSKA to defend efficiently against Unicaja and draw some fouls in the low post.
Good luck. Arkadios.
Euroleague SUPER WEDNESDAY!
February 26, 2008
The elections 2008 in the United States have their Super Tuesdays’ right now - the Euroleague has its Super Wednesday! Take a look at the match ups for the 3rd game day of the Top16’s:
Montepaschi Siena - Panathinaikos Athens
Olympiakos Piraeus - Zalgiris Kaunas
Unicaja Malaga - CSKA Moscow
Oh yes - I am excited - each game will reveal a secret: How strong is Panathinaikos? Before I start analysing this we should talk to an Italian basketball expert - and our Siena expert - Dario Marra from basketcentral.it (Yes, I love their logo in the “paint”).
Well, here we are: Montepaschi has, against the greek powerhouse, its final exam. Can the Italian team beat Panathinaikos and ensure the leadership in the group? Looking at the last results I guess they can: Siena easily won in the Italian league after coming away from Istanbul with a wonderful win, while the Obradovic’s band fell short in a kind of Euroleague match-up against Aris. That was the first loss in the Greek league, but it confirms the bad moment of the greens. Playing without inside power, and laying too much on the perimeter might be a limit for Pana.
But you know the story about the heart of the champions and all the stuffs…It’s safe to do not underestimate them, but now Pana has to show if they’re really ‘evergreen’….otherwise look for another ‘green’ team booking the trip to Madrid.
Since living in Italy, I know they are patriotic and sometimes love to exaggerate. This makes me doubt Dario is Italian! Just kidding - I am on Dario’s side and will give Siena the win tomorrow. (+8)
The first do or die - Olympiakos vs. Zalgiris. Olympiakos plays at home - will that be a factor? I don’t think so. The reds must win just because they play at home and the Olympiakos fans would not want to deal with a loss - I am sure the team also would not want to deal with the fans after a loss. What does this mean for me? I will watch the last two minutes of that game to see Piraeus go crazy because I think Zalgiris will leave the court as the winner. (+6)
The really interesting do or die though will take place in Malaga where Unicaja hosts CSKA Moscow. After that huge loss in Roma last week, Malaga has not won one game in the Top16 so far - a loss against Moscow would make the Top8 almost impossible. They would be the first to struggle amongst last year’s Final Four participants (Malaga, Panathinaikos, CSKA and Tau Ceramica).
Guess what? they will struggle - at least in my prediction. (+9 for CSKA)
If somebody tells me know they have something better to do than watch the Euroleague games - this web site might be the wrong place for you to be 
ULEB Cup Live Games tonight
February 26, 2008
It is always good to remember that you can follow Live Streams for free on the website of Eurosport. Tonight, once again, there will be two games of the Top32 Round that you can watch for free.
Euroleague tickets - for free!
February 26, 2008
As we told you after the first time we gave out Euroleague tickets - here we are again. Half way through the Top 16 Read more
