Behaving like SUCH an AMERICAN
March 31, 2008
Us Europeans already do have their thoughts on American players - look, “some guy” even admits it: All they want is to come over, not work and get nice paychecks. For those who aren’t familiar with our “sometimes” ironic style - please notice the irony in the following sentences..
Now we actually have an American supporter, also known as the top dog of the NBA, David Stern. He explains us that the big term OVERSEAS actually isn’t that big of a term. Me being European living my life with an American, I heard that term alot - oh, he is from OVERSEAS - like I am an alien - but thanks to David Stern, Europe is just around the corner - well at least Paris is - according to our map that David Stern was probably looking at. Make sure to listen to this interview to understand what I am talking about.
OK, done laughing? My first thought was to go to this youtube video, to see if I can find David Stern in there also - no, he wasn’t in it.
But us Europeans are no better - just look at our logo, the BallinEurope guy! A smoking, not shaving, probably smelling European with long unkept hair …
Oh, just in case you would want to read a more serious and good explanation about David Stern’s interview, you never can be wrong checking out truehoop.
Euroleague Top8: Tau Vitoria
March 31, 2008
Probably the funniest preview comes from Maku. We are really proud to have a blog where we can posts things like that - take a look!
I got this preview from Maku last week:
Doubts arise in Vitoria, now that we get close to the last stages of competition. After giving a bad image on last games -Downed by 16 at Fenehrbaçe, and this weekend losing at home against León (last in Spanish League), even being fined by the club for their low performance - just on the moment that finally nobody in the roster is injured. Nevertheless, home advantage should be enough to guarantee their fourth consecutive presence in Final Four as Buesa Arena is one of the most difficult courts to clinch a victory from.
My prediction 2-1 for TAU Ceramica.
Good but not funny? Yeah - but hold on. Yesterday I got another email from Maku saying this:
Hi there Tobias!
I´m going to change a bit my prediction after last week matches,
Doubts had arisen in Vitoria, after giving a bad image on last games -downed by 16 at Fenehrbaçe, and losing at home against León (last in Spanish League), being fined by the club for their low performance. However, Baskonia has shown they arrive well to the final stages of the competition, after two straights wins with good game at Malaga and against Gran Canaria.
In addition to this, though Gabe Muoneke has been released after expiring his temporary contract, finally nobody in the roster is injured, what means the return of all-season-expected James Singleton.
Nevertheless, home advantage should be enough to guarantee their fourth consecutive presence in Final Four as Buesa Arena is one of the most difficult courts to clinch a victory from.
My prediction 2-0 for TAU Ceramica.
Great thing - thanks Maku!
How to win in 2 seconds: put 6 guys on the floor!
March 31, 2008
After we talked already about how to win a game in 0.2 seconds or how to lose it because of stupidity, we have got this incredible video of the third German league.
Euroleague Top8: CSKA Moscow
March 31, 2008
Julien Debove, who wrote alot about European basketball for BallinEurope and also is co-founder of the french Basketball magazine REVERSE, gives us his unique view of what the lonely Final Four favorite CSKA Moscow will do at the Top8:
With Panathinaikos and Real Madrid both in the closet, you’d think CSKA would have a free ticket to the Euroleague title. But of course things are a bit more complicated.
In quarter finals, the Red Army team will face a squad that is on a 4-game winning streak in Euroleague action. Plus Olympiacos already beat CSKA this year, back in January during the 1st round (71-67). Thing is those 2 teams have very little in common with the 2 teams that faced each other 3 months ago. Savrasenko got hurt, Messina brought back 2 former CSKA players in Tomas Van den Spiegel and Viktor Khryapa.
Coach Gershon got fired, Giannakis replaced him. Marc Jackson was released, Macijauskas is back from injury…
Truth is I think CSKA will win 2-0 but I believe it’ll be two very close games. Smodis proved to be back in full shape those last couple of Russian league games. Papaloukas is getting better every week. Plus this team has fresher legs since several star players only play Euroleague games because of the 5 foreign players rule in the Russian Superleague. This team is too deep and well-coached to fall that early in the post season. Had Olympiacos been dominant in the paint – one of CSKA’s only limited weaknesses – it might be another story.
But with Marc Jackson gone and Baby Shaq losing his love handles, I stand by my 2-0 CSKA prediction.
Monday’s cigarettes
March 31, 2008
Here are the words from the street and the smoke from the café’s that will keep you informed about the upcoming decisive week in European basketball.
Albert Schweitzer Tournament: the Final day
March 30, 2008
Yesterday was the final day of this year’s edition of the Albert Schweitzer Tournament. The tournament which has been played for the first time 50 years ago as “European H.S. Tournament” has become the big rendez-vous for all U18 National teams even if the level of this year’s edition was not the highest one because of the absence of the top talent from Europe (Ricky Rubio, Serbia, Lithuania) and a second-tier US team (because of the McDonalds High School Game) that however went for a 4th place.
Euroleague Top8: Olympiakos Piraeus
March 30, 2008
Another friend of BallinEurope, Akilas, has been sending in stuff about Olympiakos the whole season long. Sometimes I wish I would speak more Greek (haha - I don’t at all..) to read what Akilas has to say on his blog - to me it looks like good stuff.
But was does he think about Olympiakos’ performance in the Top8? Here you go:
After the bad beginning in Top 16, none would expect that Olympiakos would end up with a 4-2 record. This record and specially the two wins over Maccabi and Zalgiris seemed impossible before the third game against Zalgiris.
Olympiakos after the loss at the Greek Cup final against Panathinaikos announced that Marc Jackson released from the club and until the return of Schortsianitis (approximately in 10 days according to rumors) Yannakis will have few choices in the low post.
Unfortunately Yannakis in Olympiakos doesn’t seem capable of working continuously miracles. I believe that most important game against CSKA is the first one, as my favourite player Theodoros Papaloukas said. Another key factor for Olympiakos will be the performance of Macijauskas who isn’t in excellent form after his injury.
Predictions: CSKA will be in final four
Marcus Sloan: Easter Bunny, Deodorant & PRACTICE
March 30, 2008
Sorry it’s taken me a little bit to get back to you guys, but I had busy week. I got a chance to go home for Easter, and had a great time I also found Read more
Euroleague Top8: Montepaschi Siena
March 29, 2008
Next up is Dario Marra from basketcentral.it with his prediction for Siena. Watch out for Siena - I know - not it is easy to say - but Mario has always been telling us that this years’ team is special. I guess we just did not want to listen since we all thought - yeah let those Italians be proud of their country …
Looking for History: Siena ha the opportunity to reach the third final in the last 6 years; two tight losses stopped the dreams of MPS, but this year could be different… Before, it has do down the Fenerbahce and its leader Willie Solomon. It won’t be so easy, but the Pianigiani’s band should get the pass to Madrid maybe even in two games. There is some concern for the physical condition of McIntyre and Lavrinovic. The Lithuanian should be fine and even the PG will play but an ankle’s problem is bothering him and he might take break in the Italian league, where Siena has already clinched the first position.
For Siena it’s time to confirm what it has showed long all the competition: talent and heart to get a trip to Madrid, otherwise it might be a bit disappointing falling after such a top 16.
Dario Marra, www.basketcentral.it
Prediction: Siena 2-0
Final 4: Siena in final against Cska and then…
Euroleague Top8: FC AXA Barcelona
March 29, 2008
Jaime Martinez Lafargue gets the honor to let us know what he thinks about FC Barcelona’s games against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Why? Well Jaime is the #1 prediction man of BallinEurope - although he is the man at solobasket.com. Here is what Jaime predicts:
Maccabi should win this series by 2-1. They managed to grow through the Top 16 phase to display their full potential in their last games. Their play against Real Madrid in Vistalegre was almost perfect. Anyway, until then their season has been quite disturbing; as it has been for Axa Barcelona. This gives the ACB team a chance to beat Vujcic & co. despite the home court factor.
The qualification of Barcelona for this stage of the Euroleague has surprised me, as my prediction of 3-3 for the Top 16 included their elimination. Again, the talent of their players will be the key to success. Even in a bad day, Lakovic or Basile can shoot you out from the 3 point range; and Kasun, Trias and Vázquez can outplay almost any frontcourt in Europe…if they find their inspiration. Eye on Pepe Sánchez, the cleverest guy on the wooden court.
