Basketball fight: Arizona WILDcat strikes in Russia

Ilya Kalyagin, our source from Russia, lives in Rostov. On Tuesday, Spartak St. Petersburg played Lokomotiv Rostov in the Russia Cup quarterfinal. Just to let you know who players are on these teams:

Spartak St. Petersburg:

• head coach Yevgeny Pashutin, former assistant coach of Ettore Messina at CSKA Moscow
• Zakhar Pashutin, Yevgeny’s brother and former CSKA player for Ettore Messina
• Joseph Blair - US player who played for Armani Jeans Milano and attended University of Arizona

Lokomotiv Rostov

• D.J. Collins, who will always be remembered as the “chicken and porn guy” with the funniest interviews
• Fred House, US guard, who won the ULEB Cup with Lietuvos Rytas in 2005

Seems to be a pretty good matchup, right?

Well, the game was anything but good. It seems as if the Arizona Wildcats players in Europe have one serious issue: punching other players on the court in the face. About two weeks ago, it was Loren Woods who swung his fist, now - Joseph Blair - and let me tell you I would not want to be the one receiving a straight fist from a guy like this. The guy who got hit now looks like this.

Sixteen — 16! — players were removed from the court and play resumed. First it was a 4-on-4, before ultimately becoming a 3-on-3 match.

Here is video footage of the fistfight. It looks like the two Russian players were arguing when the guy in white was pushed. It seems like he wanted to get back at the assailant, but, well, Blair delivered first.

Ilya also has footage from the 4on4 4on4 as well as the 3on3. 3on3 It turns out that Blair and the Russian guard Visnevski will be disqualified for at least 5 games.

The Italian league explained

Though this ranking will probably be jumbled in eight months, let’s take a look at the teams in the Italian league. A preliminary remark: this season will see one of the most balanced championships of the past five years, with almost every team improving its situation and not merely to beat the invincible Montepaschi. Serie A is still alive and is breathing new air.

Montepaschi Siena. To be a two-time Serie A champion is not enough to remain among the Euroleague elite. Therefore, attempting to improve on a 60-12 team in 2007/08, Domercant and Finley are in, while Thornton and Ilievski are out. Domercant is the scorer Montepaschi needs to develop its perimeter game; Finley looks like the new McIntyre, a quick offensive playmaker who knows how arm his teammates to the tune of 3.3 assists per game for Rieti last season). Bringing back the Euroleague title after seven years is the target, well focused upon by a group close to the last significant opportunity of their careers. If there is any shortcoming at all in the Siena game, it’s that the team is no so heavy in the paint.

Lottomatica Roma. Any desire is an order. So, Jasmin Repesa asks, Bodiroga and owner Toti deliver, equipping the coach with something like a Dream Team. Going into his third year as head coach, however, it’s time for the Croatian to win a title. The best way would be to beat Siena, in a rivalry born and intensified during the last four editions of the playoffs. To do so, Roma introduced to Italian fans one of the preseason’s most exciting stories, namely Brandon Jennings. Roma’s destiny is carried on the shoulders of the Oak Hill Academy point guard and his maturity in leading a team very rich of talent (Becirovic, Ray, Jaaber), but endowed with little desire to defend. Consequently, Brezec – and his impact in the paint – is the key.

Upim Bologna. Striking for its offensive power, Fortitudo Bologna starts the season as a possible surprise in the Serie A race. Huertas, Forte, Woods, Mancinelli, and Barron sounds good, don’t you think? Considering this starting five to be the best in the league is no joke. An excellent bench (combo guard Gordon, Malaventura, Slokar) completes the roster driven by Dragan Sakota, whose most serious task might be getting on with his players. After disappointing and boring seasons, though, Bologna can dream again; this is what “Basket City” needs.

Virtus Bologna. Hatred of Fortitudo is so nasty that the ephemeral title “King of the Summer Market” is something to be proud of. The showy agreement reached with former NBA star Earl Boykins is the best move owner Sabatini could have made in confirming command in Bologna and attacking Serie A at the highest levels, whereas Virtus wants to come back. The roster goes beyond just Boykins, because in acquiring Vukcevic, Arnold, Langford and Koponen, the average quality has increased. Sharrod Ford, if he can repeat last season’s numbers, could truly become the best center in Italy. Curiosity and concern here is about coach Pasquali, in his first experience heading a team this skilled.

Air Avellino. Things are getting better in Avellino, and a terrific 2007/08 might represent the entrance into a richer and more successful era. This year, the amazing Euroleague to play and key moves made during summer, mean that last season was no anomaly, despite coach Boniciolli’s resignation. The signing of Dickau – probably one of the most adaptable point guards coming to Europe from the NBA indicates the presence of a solid plan, strengthened by the construction of a new and larger arena. Apart from Dickau, Avellino has landed Warren, swingman Slay, the imaginative Porta, and role players like Tusek, Cinciarini and Crosariol. Zare Markovski must again find the right chemistry after the awful losses of Green and Smith, but you can’t teach talent and Avellino has gobs of it.

Armani Jeans Milano. A new property referred to Mr. Giorgio Armani is a great guarantee. From the transfer of ownership, Milano began its season, renovating the roster, ambitions and technical staff. New GM Lucio Zanca (Montegranaro miracle’s author) has been called to design a team which could excite fans: The first step to achieve that aim was shipping out Caja and his reasoned game. Bucchi was the right addition, along with names such as Sow, Hawkins and two-meter tall guard Vitali. Some say Armani Jeans hasn’t the stars that can bring it a title – excepting Hawkins, this is true – but this team’s toughness and depth are virtues everyone must keep in mind. Further, Milano has a huge number of Italian players: They may not be champions (Rocca), may be in terrible decline (Bulleri), or may be desirous of redemption (Mordente), but they all speak the same language.

Benetton Treviso. Too much time has passed since Ettore Messina led Treviso to the Italian title. Today, Messina is the best European coach and is in Moscow, while the Benetton family no longer feels much like investing a lot of money, especially after years that have also stained the club’s reputation. (Remember the Lorbek affair?) Mahmuti, still aboard despite the disaster of last season, would like to have better players, choosing them spot-by-spot, but that’s the situation: the coach must be satisfied with Wood, Neal, and Wallace. It’s conceivable that Mahmuti would use a platoon system in trying to squeeze all he can out of players which don’t look like champions but have the pieces to get Treviso back in the playoff hunt.

Tercas Teramo. Now the fun begins. This is going to be a great season for Teramo, which will fight to get to playoffs, its 2008/2009 goal. Technical improvement is evident, and surely this team is a top 10 Italian club. Poeta, waiting for a better and more consistent leadership, is the key player in a skilled group, for whom awfully streaky-shooter Jaycee Carroll and all-around player David Moss should make the leap. Former Montegranaro star Amoroso has to ignore the negative voices around him, saying he’s mentally lacking to play at the highest level (and that this is the reason Siena didn’t employ him), while coach Capobianco must forget his previous experience in Serie A (Avellino’s relegation to Legadue in 2005/06). But with Teramo looking good and a solid bench featuring Hoover and Jaacks, the fans will enjoy themselves at least.

Scavolini-Spar Pesaro. What lesson can be learned from last season? Above all, talent without mentality is not enough to create a team. In order to avoid making the same mistakes, this Pesaro edition presents fewer “crazy horses” like Ron Slay and Keydren Clark, and more professional players like Hurd, Akindele and Stanic. This sudden U-turn occurred because results, barring a semifinal in the National Cup, didn’t arrive. Reactions of the fans to this new situation and its lowered expectations aren’t so positive, and it’s up to coach Sacripanti give them the lie. Sacripanti needs Ramel Curry healthy and Van Rossom, on loan from Milano, able to fulfil his promise. For Van Rossom, Pesaro is the test to determine if he can be a top player outside of Oostende.

Cantù. Cantù is always one of the most interesting Italian teams, because of its ability in discovering young players from minor leagues, working within a budget which can’t compete with the league’s bigger teams; McCullough, Thornton, Stonerook, and Morandais should teach us something. The tune in Cantù hasn’t changed, and limited resources have brought GM Arrigoni to the American summer leagues. Imported from the US were Sundiata Gaines and Jason Rich, a fast and promising backcourt duo that will prime scorers like B.J. Elder and Mazzarino. Many hopes depend on Tourè’s efficiency, and his capacity to raise the decision-making. It’s difficult to imagine Cantù in the playoffs again, but dreams cost nothing.

Angelico Biella. Missing playoffs is not a disaster; nevertheless, Biella had got into the habit of postseason play. This year the hunt begins anew, thanks to management sensationally signing great young prospects coming from the NCAA: Aboard are Gist and Plaisted, two big men intended for top European teams. After them, additions include the homecomings of Joe Troy Smith and Reece Gaines (problematic in Milano and Treviso), and other youngsters ready to fire (Jerebko). Biella’s recipe to obtain results never changes.

Eldo Caserta. Exciting: Running over Caserta’s roster, this is the word that immediately comes to mind. Coming back from Legadue after 14 years of purgatory – this was coach Marcelletti and GM Betti’s intention. They wished to raise a team that needs great offensive players to survive, drawn along the lines of Oscar Schmidt and Vincenzo Esposito; the natural consequences of this act were the acquisitions of Butler, Foster, Slay and Di Bella, although everyone knows about Eldo Caserta’s defensive weaknesses. Nevertheless, their upside is huge. Eldo’s budget is important for a Legadue newcomer, but it seems that the choices made could pay large dividends, too. See them in the playoffs?

Premiata Montegranaro. The miracles are over. Vitali, Amoroso and Ford are gone. Reality is depressing, because a Eurocup justly reached has been lost on behalf of Treviso, and in Montegranaro what remains to replace last season’s heroes are only workers (Rice, Chiaramello) and immature talents (Bryce Taylor, Cinciarini). Surprisingly, hope is represented by six-time NBA All-Star Shawn Kemp, signed at the end of a one-month-long negotiation. Kemp is the attraction, the man who could change Montegranaro’s anonymity. People think about his last tragic appearance in NBA five years ago with Orlando, and while the 39-year-old center attests to his physical fitness (and his mental fitness…?), time and a long period of inactivity won’t help him.

Snaidero Udine. It’s all about the money, we say. Sad but true. The same thought has crossed president Snaidero’s mind, when he knocked on the doors of local sponsors and institutions. In all of Friuli, nobody wants to invest in basketball, and Snaidero has taken a step back. The team’s plan: Stay in Serie A, full stop. Jermaine Jackson will get the leadership, while Rashad Anderson is the first offensive option after a 20 ppg season in Livorno. Udine has a strictly defensive identity, as is coach Caja’s want. More probable this season are wins of 65-60 scores, as opposed to 90-87. Pay attention to what Antonutti provides in his second year as starter.

Solsonica Rieti. The financial situation is not so wonderful in Rieti. Within a limited budget (rumoured at about €1.5 million), created was a team which could avoid relegation, this season made even more difficult due to a two-point penalty Rieti must pay for administrative offences of last year. Meanwhile, leader Finley has departed for Siena, and the team begins its run with four new American faces: Jerry Green, Folarin Cambell, Pervis Pasco and Roderick Wilmont. Coach Lardo is the best re-signing that Rieti could have made.

Carife Ferrara. If Collins becomes the next McIntyre; if Jamison has still the fuel to be a factor in the paint; if Mykal Riley and Ndudi Ebi don’t complain of pressure … So many ifs for Ferrara, but the future here may be brighter than we expect. The team structure has remained the same, and coach Valli isn’t frightened to face his first Serie A championship; the place is boiling over in anticipation of a new adventure. The ingredients to obtain a stay in the highest Italian league are all there, but the road is not so easy.

Written by Francesco Cappelletti

The German league explained

To continue in our series of articles (see Russia and Spain), Simon Jatsch takes a look at the German BBL league. This is one of the most detailed and excellent articles I have read about the German league, so make sure you read it all. In case you want to get to know the German league and their players, this is the only article you have to go through to be an insider. Thanks, Simon!

German BBL tips off next Saturday

Going into the 08/09 BBL campaign, ALBA Berlin are the heavy favourite to win it again in Germany after almost entirely renewing their starting five by spending big money on several key off-season acquisitions. They sent a message around the league early in the summer by signing much sought-after Artland Dragons center Adam Chubb, who had excelled in the 07/08 campaign, especially in ULEB-Cup play. Next up was the signing of Ansu Sesay, who will try to replace the unspectacular yet efficient veteran Goran Nikolic, who left for Panionios, at the four spot. At the point, coach Luca Pavicevic, going into his second year with the club, trusts Rashad Wright and national team playmaker Steffen Hamann with the succession of Bobby Brown, who had an impressive showing in the NBA Summer league, getting him a two-year-deal with the New Orleans Hornets, and Goran Jeretin, who was expected to be a key player for Pavicevic, but in the end never played a single minute for ALBA. Last but not least, swing man Casey Jacobsen, who is coming off a frustrating NBA season with the Memphis Grizzlies, adds a lot of quality with his outside shooting, general scoring ability, smart play on both ends and veteran leadership. Starting at the shooting guard spot is last year’s BBL regular season MVP Julius Jenkins, whose only knock is a lack of size. Coming off the bench along one of the Wright/Hamann combo are three proven stars on BBL level: Aleksandar Nadjfeji and defensive stopper Immanuell McElroy both frequently fill up the stat sheet and proved to be key mid season acquisitions last year, while Patrick Femerling adds size, experience on the highest European level, and defensive presence. Completing the twelve-man-roster are Dragan Dojcin, a long-time companion of coach Pavicevic, and German national team players Johannes Herber and Philip Zwiener. Giving them another lift is their move to the all-new 14.800-capacity O2-Arena, which will host the Euroleague Final Four in spring 2009. Speaking of Euroleague, ALBA’s goal is to reach the Top16 group phase. But who is going to stop this team in the BBL? “Too many cooks spoil the broth” is what critics might say, but on the other hand, all Pavicevic has done is assembling a roster which is deep and balanced enough to survive a long season including three exhausting competitions. Many forget that with an overall budget which is believed to be a bit above 7.5 million Euros, the comparably high German taxes and high costs for the club apart from the first team roster, it is not possible for the German powerhouse to compete for established Euroleague players such as Sani Becirovic, who was rumoured to have had an offer from ALBA in the summer. A more hierarchically defined roster led by a couple of big stars might have been wished by some, but in the end it is probably exactly that: wishful thinking. So this is what ALBA 08/09 kitchen looks like: New, modern technology and many cooks. Let’s wait and see what comes out of the oven.

One of the teams trying to stop the big favourites from Germany’s capital will be last season’s overachievers Telekom Baskets Bonn. The club led by former Euroleague champion Mike Koch is moving to its new self-built 6,000-capacity Telekom Dome and will try to repeat last year’s huge success with a huge defensive-minded eleven-man rotation, consisting of many players that are able to defend multiple positions effectively. Key additions are former Artland Dragons point guard EJ Rowland, who was never happy with his bench role in Quakenbrück and is eager to prove that he can be one of the league’s best play makers, point forward Vincent Yarbrough, who is known for his outstanding defense but given a bigger role is believed by Koch to be a productive offensive player also, and Brandon Bowman, a quick, athletic and shot-happy player who is able to play both forward positions but will be asked to play at the four spot exclusively. Add to that center John Bowler, who is expected to come back in early 2009 after re-signing with the club for two more years before again hitting the injury list with a knee injury soon thereafter, the extremely active scoring guard Winsome Frazier, who had breakout performances in last season’s playoffs, the defensive presence Ken Johnson as Bowler’s replacement, plus a deep and reliable bench in veteran shooter Artur Kolodziejski, shotblocker Patrick Flomo, talented all-round-forward Moussa Diagne, high-energy backup point guard Johannes Strasser, rookie big man Tim Clifford and athletic German swing man Alex King. If Koch once again proves that he is a master in terms of team-building and getting the best out of every single one of his players, Bonn is in for another very interesting season.

The same can be said about EWE Baskets Oldenburg, a club which has been revived by Bosnian head coach Predrag Krunic after years of disappointment under the leadership of Don Beck. Krunic did exactly what we knew him for from his spell with Telekom Baskets Bonn earlier in the decade: Building a high-calibre team in no time. This year, it’s all about stabilising and possibly extending the success of reaching last year’s playoff semifinals, and the club has been managing to keep nearly all of its key players, most recently extending playmaker Jason Gardner’s contract until summer 2010. Point guard has historically been the key position on Krunic’s roster, and Gardner is no difference here: Good shooter, even if sometimes questionable in his shot selection, solid passer, capable defender. Playing alongside and sometimes backing up Gardner is the quick and equally shot-happy combo-guard Je’Kel Foster, who had an excellent BBL season a couple of years ago playing for ENBW Ludwigsburg. Foster is the successor of Branimir Longin, who left for Cibona Zagreb. Ricky Paulding excels at the small forward position, while Jasmin Perkovic is a key player on both forward positions, but mainly the four spot. Big man Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje scares oppositions with his defensive presence. Coming off the bench are former Turow big man Marko Scekic, workhorse Milan Majstorovic, shooter Miladin Pekovic, plus, in limited playing time, the two Germans Daniel Strauch and young guard Marco Buljevic. A club with huge financial resources no doubt, Oldenburg is a team everybody expects to reach the semifinals again.

Deutsche Bank Skyliners Frankfurt move into their fourth season under the leadership of charismatic Turkish head coach Murat Didin, a true magician tactically, but questioned for his player-management from time to time. The Skyliners were close to making last year’s finals, but eventually fell to Bonn in a one-point-nail-biter. Now they’re coming back with a roster which is believed by many to be the strongest since the Chris Williams era, and, yes, you remember correctly, they won their first and so far only championship back then. Among the key off season transfers are German Olympics participant Konrad Wysocki, a good shooter and rebounder, talented shooting guard Keith Simmons, and undersized inside player Lorenzo Gordon, who had played in Turkey before. Anthony King gives them some depth at center, while the key players stay the same: point guard Pascal Roller is coming off his best club season in a long time, and power forward Derrick Allen will again be asked again to provide a large part of the scoring inside and from midrange, however, they will count on the latter to finally play well in the playoffs, something he has yet to demonstrate after four seasons in Germany.

In for a new era is Bamberg club Brose Baskets, one of less than a handful of true basketball-bastions in Germany. The extremely successful head coach Dirk Bauermann had to decide between club and country due to a new domestic federation rule, which doesn’t allow the national team head coach to be in charge of a club team, and went for the DBB’s lucrative five-year-offer, thus making space for one of the most respected head coaches in German basketball, Chris Fleming, who had previously formed a top-level team in the small town of Quakenbrück. Fleming brings fresh blood and a fresh coaching philosophy to the city, which is used to defensive-minded non-fastbreak play and will probably be thrilled upon witnessing comparably fast basketball played by a team which will rely mainly on the backcourt to create scoring opportunities for themselves and teammates. However, an early setback is a knee injury to one of the main summer signings, floor general John Goldsberry, who will be on the sideline for approximately two months. A replacement for Goldsberry is Jason Forte, but few expect the US-guard to be more than a backup for the second point guard on the team, Filiberto Rivera. Rivera was arguably the main catalyst behind Quakenbrück’s deep postseason run in 2007 before going down injured right before the finals, which the club eventually lost – to Bamberg. The Puerto Rican served as a pure point guard back then and will be asked to play the same role now in the absence of John Goldsberry. However, when both are fit, Rivera will with high probability be used by Fleming primarily as a playmaking two guard, which would suit both player’s attributes – Goldsberry’s ability to control the tempo and find teammates in the right places, and Rivera’s ability to make plays for himself and others out of nothing – best. Questions might be asked about the defensive capabilities of such a duo, as both are rather small in size, but let’s face it: How many shooting guards are there in the German league who are able to post up and/or consistently shoot over smaller players with high efficiency? Not many. As both are solid natural defenders, the problem is manageable. Another part of the team’s core, the backcourt, is national team shooting guard Demond Greene, who indeed is a shooter, but apart from his shot has his limits offensively. Robert Garrett is the x-factor off the bench, leaper Jared Newson will be asked to start at the small forward spot, and among the short but versatile big man rotation, two names draw special attention: The athletic Tim Ohlbrecht has been called the hottest German prospect for a long time but needs to work on his fundamentals before he can make the big step forward, and the most recent acquisition, Alexander Johnson, who was a role player for the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies from 2006 to 2008, is expected to be the main weapon on offense.

Artland Dragons Quakenbrück meanwhile had to experience a huge setback in the departure of longtime head coach Chris Fleming. His surprise successor, Thorsten Leibenath, is already feeling the heat after bad preseason results and will be under pressure more than anyone else to win games in the early part of the season. His offseason acquisitions had originally given reason for reserved optimism: college stud Drew Neitzel and Leverkusen’s Zack Whiting should be able to form a potent tandem at the point, small forward Adam Hess led the club to the BBL finals in 2007 and is coming of a solid Euroleague season where he averaged double digits in points for Chorale Roanne, while big man Darren Fenn was top scorer and second best rebounder for Brose Baskets last year. Add to that the explosive off guard Lamont McIntosh, the smart, hustling, and hot-shooting power forward Chad Prewitt, and the huge, still efficient Darius Hall – and everything points towards a secure playoff spot. However, the most important position in all of sports – the coach’s chair – is occupied by someone completely unproven. Preseason results are not to be given too much attention. However, in this case, fans might get nervous, and understandably so, as Leibenath had not done anything outstanding on the pro level before Artland surprisingly trusted him to fulfil their high expectations. As in many cases, time will tell.

The seventh team suddenly widely expected to make the playoffs is Eisbären Bremerhaven. The reason: Two huge late additions in Marcus Slaughter and preseason surprise Giordan Watson. Not much has to be said about the qualities of Slaughter, who played for Hapoel Jerusalem last year before being cut due to disciplinary reasons. Simply put, the power forward is a huge scoring threat on BBL level. Watson meanwhile, coming right out of college, was signed on a tryout contract at first before showing flashes of brilliance in the recent Domreitercup, which had Bremerhaven face Bamberg, Kiev and Nancy. Tryout no more. Another key player should be off guard Mike Gansey, along with center Yemi Nicholson, who will try to step out of the shadow of some excellent big man choices head coach Dr.Sarunas Sakalauskas has made in the last three years: Darren Fenn, Charles-Judson Wallace, Matt Haryasz. Last but not least, the duo of Zygimantas Jonusas and Ivars Timermanis delivers solid play at the small forward position.

Moving on is Giants Leverkusen, a club which lost the sponsorship of pharmacy colossus Bayer after last season and is looking to establish a new home in Düsseldorf. Düsseldorf is not exactly believed to be a sports city and many observes might think that the new/old club in Düsseldorf is not going to survive for a very long time. However, if this turns out to be true, it has nothing to do with coach Achim Kuczmann and his crew, who have over the years proved to do excellent work scouting players coming out of college and using a low budget. While former captain and MVP contender Nate Fox left for Estonia and Zack Whiting got a more lucrative contract in Quakenbrück, shooter Brendan Winters remains on the team as one of the leaders. Another one is high-percentage shooter Matt Lottich at point guard, who is coming right out of college, as is athletic swingman Marc Antonio Carter, who has been struggling a bit in the preseason, but is expected to make his mark as a scorer sooner or later. Logan Kosmalski and Todd Hendley provide smart play and hustle on the big man positions, while Gordon Geib and Brant Bailey will do exactly the same coming off the bench. Even in a new environment, it seems Kuczmann might be able to reach the playoffs for the third straight time.

One of the biggest rivals for that eighth spot might be ENBW Ludwigsburg, the club which sacked Silvino Poropat early in the summer and found a successor in former Gießen and Bamberg player Rick Stafford, who had been coaching second division team Breitengüssbach, the Brose Baskets farm team, last season. Ludwigsburg will count on Stafford to bring the veteran leadership, emotion and intelligence, which had been making him quite a special player in Germany, to the sideline. Experience however, he has not, hence many were surprised that such an ambitious club would give it all into the hands of a rookie coach. Stafford did not wait long before making his first move on the transfer market, signing former Eisbären Bremerhaven floor general Brian Jones, who had been playing in the Spanish LEB Gold last year. Proven BBL guard Dominic Jones is the second man at the point, while do-it-all shooting guard Brandon Woudstra will again be counted on to carry the load offensively. De’Angelo Alexander showed flashes in the preseason and might be a suitable addition at small forward, however, the frontcourt is where the worries start: Brazilian center de Nascimento left the team a few days ago due to disciplinary reasons, and the trio of Dane Watts, Marco Sanders and Kelvin Gibbs does not look like a big man rotation that sends shivers around the league.

Another team that has been rather disappointing over the last few years is New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig, guided or misguided – whatever you want to call it – by former ALBA Berlin head coach Emir Mutapcic. Braunschweig is not among the poorer ballclubs in this league, far from it, yet playoff participation has been few and far between over the years. The roster’s backbone should be the strong-four-man big man rotation consisting of Andrew Drevo, veteran Nils Mittmann, Kyle Visser and Jason Cain. Young guard William Franklin is obviously trusted in to play the point, while starting shooting guard Jonathan Levy is going into his fourth season in Germany, three of them in the BBL. Dustin Salisberry and Jeremy Crouch could both start at the three spot, however Braunschweig is not among the hottest candidates to make next year’s BBL playoffs.

A small club doing excellent work is ratiopharm Ulm, where the charismatic player’s coach Mike Taylor is known to create a strong unit year for year. Taylor is known for offense rather than defense – as is his biggest off-season move, former Florida standout Lee Humphreys, a shooter of the highest pedigree and 2007 national champion as a key player on US-college-level. At the point, Dru Joyce had outstanding games at the end of last season and is now trusted to succeed Kyle Bailey, who returns to Göttingen. Romeo Travis will start at the three, trying to make up for the loss of Konrad Wysocki to Skyliners Frankfurt, while the phenomenal Jeff Gibbs, a 1.88m power forward who outjumps, outmuscles, outworks and outsmarts opponents, will have a go at the league’s crown in the rebound category again. At center, Sean Finn will provide solid play off his exceptional colleague at the four spot. Another difference maker might be Keith Triplett, a very interesting guard who might take over the role of defensive stopper on coach Taylor’s team.

There are the overachievers. And there is Doug Spradley. Paderborn has been widely expected to be relegated prior to every single one of their three BBL campaigns so far, but did it ever happen? Spradley somehow manages to find the right mix year for year, and this season seems no different. Yes, superb scorer Tim Black has left, but look who has replaced him: A player who possesses all the tools to be a worthy successor, the talented all-around play maker Lavelle Felton, who played in the Greek A1 and French ProA before joining a chaotic Jena team last season. Joining him in the back court are the quick and small guards Bryant McAllister and Steven Wright, while Stefano Garris have another try in kick-starting his basketball career after it had all gone downhill since leaving ALBA Berlin in 2005. Shooter Steven Esterkamp is another key man on offense, and crowd favourite Marius Nolte will provide all the hustle. Even if their big man rotations lacks a bit in quality, don’t make the same mistake again by writing Paderborn off – because they will positively surprise again.

Another club trying to overachieve will be TBB Trier, relegated from the BBL last season, but kept alive via wildcard. They seem to be back in business with Belgian head coach Yves Defraigne, who brought along big man George Evans, a long-time companion and efficient back-to-the-basket player, as a leader. Evans will be accompanied by Chris Copeland, a very strong and versatile power forward who exploded in preseason play, to form the team’s core. A bit undersized, yes, but other teams have proven to be successful in this league without having big bodies on their rosters. At point guard, Defraigne chose Derek Raivio, a smart playmaker who came alive in the second part of the season playing for Köln 99ers in 07/08. Norman Richardson is expected to provide solid play at small forward, while swingman Jamal Shuler showed flashes of brilliance and could prove to be an outstanding find by the Belgian. While he had to work with players he didn’t choose last season, the time has come for Defraigne to finally prove what he’s worth. According to the preseason, that is quite a lot.

A club nobody really knows what to think of currently is Köln 99ers, the 05/06 BBL champion who had experienced a financial crash including last-minute-rescue in January 2008 and is since under new ownership. A look at the current roster suggests that expectations should be lowered more than a bit, however, there are certain things to be positive about. The emergence of Philip Schwethelm for example, an already solid allround small forward of BBL calibre and one of the biggest hopes in German basketball. Or the quite probable starting five spot for the likewise 1989-born Tibor Pleiß, a lanky center who showed in preseason play glimpses of what is to come, producing points inside and crashing the boards with energy against physically superior players. There are worries however, and they start at point guard, where Jeremy Hunt, Stefan Nikolic and Danilo Smigic will not answer our questions. Neither will Julian Terrell at power forward and center, in fact, he has been a complete disappointment in preseason play. Natural scorer Zarryon Fereti and athletic freak Hollywood Turner might provide some help on the wing, but they won’t be enough to keep Cologne out of the relegation zone.

After successfully avoiding relegation as newcomers last season, BG Göttingen will try to repeat that job in 08/09 with the return of Kyle Bailey, who was arguably the best player of the German second division before leaving Göttingen for Ulm in the 2007 off season. Captain Jeb Ivey left for Eisbären Bremerhaven after being rumoured to join ALBA Berlin, which has to be re-evaluated as probably a belated April’s fools joke by his agent, but a recent arrival for the off guard position is Charles Lee, who seems to bring all the tools to be a capable acquisition. The big man duo of Clif Brown and former Jena center Jason Miller meanwhile looks as if it might do some damage inside, taking pressure of the historically important guard play in Göttingen. Headcoach John Patrick will again look for his team to press a lot in the full court and play fast and attractive basketball. A repeat of last season’s final spot – 14th – does seem possible.

Financial worries blowing basketball results off the headlines – nothing unusual to the fans of Gießen 46ers, a former German basketball powerhouse which has been struggling a lot financially lately and is again standing with its back against the wall after miscalculations prior to this season. In contrary to its management, the club’s first team showed its competence in preseason games, impressing with surprising efficiency on offense and a lot of enthusiasm in general play. As we hope somebody will help the 46ers out of their latest hole, Heiko Schaffartzik is expected to lead the floor at point guard, a big and demanding task for him after being the hot-shooting backup playmaker for most of his BBL career. Wing players Maurice Jeffers and Mike Umeh will add scoring punch and a lot of highflying antics can be expected from power forward Corey Rouse, who builds a solid tandem with the experienced Robert Maras inside. Hard to see them getting relegated should they soon overcome their most recent problems.

A trio of key players is returning to coach Tolga Öngören and Walter Tigers Tübingen for the 08/09 season. Point guard Jermaine Anderson is a solid scorer but has deficits organising the game, crafty swingman AJ Moye is a very good scorer from inside and midrange, while Rasko Katic is a rare old-school center in a league which is getting more athletic and versatile on every position each year. Michael Haynes and Kenneth Williams will try to fill the void left by Bingo Merriex at power forward, and the outside shooting of Justin Fountain is expected to provide help on the wing positions. For Tübingen, it can only get better after a forgettable 07/08 season, which was started with playoff hopes but eventually turned out a huge disappointment.

Newly promoted Giants Nördlingen are relying on several top performers from the second league to help them stay in the BBL. Monta McGhee joined from Cuxhaven, while Avi Kazarnovski, Carl Mbassa, Joe Tesfaldet and Osvaldo Jeanty were all key players on last year’s ProA team. Omari Westley, Ty Shaw and Varnie Dennis will be asked to hold their own against the league’s elite inside, but in general it looks as though the newcomers will have a hard time trying to fight relegation.

Simon Jatsch

Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2008: Day 1

With about 24 hours until the Olympic Qualifying Tournament starts, let’s have a look at the teams and the chances for each team to make it to the big goal: the Olympics in Beijing. Read more

US national team announced - are you scared?

I followed a lot of ESPN Sportscenter, Around the Horn and other stuff like that today. The US National team was announced:

Named to the 2008 USA Basketball Senior National Team were: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz); Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Kidd; Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets); Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons); Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks); Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz). Duke University Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski is head coach of the USA Senior Team program. Serving as assistant coaches are Syracuse University and Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, New York Knicks head mentor Mike D’Antoni and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan.

Don’t get me wrong, these names are the top performers of worldwide basketball entertainment and any team would love to have just one of these guys on their roster, but do teams like Spain, Lithuania and Russia have to be scared? No, not at all.

You still need to have a team and really take pride in representing your nation. I do know guys like Dirk Nowitzki are busting their a** off right now, with three or four training sessions a day, just to qualify for the Olympics. Do you really think one of the guys above does care that much?

Following the NBA Finals taught me one thing about US Basketball: You might be the best guy in the world, but if somebody wants it more than you do - you will lose, right Kobe?

Another thing you might have seen during the NBA finals: It is still a TEAM that wins championships - you can’t do much,when they isolate your top star with a box-and-one defense, right, Kobe?

So am I scared, or do I feel like “these other countries caught up with US Basketball” (as said on every single TV show on ESPN today)? No and yes. I’m not scared, and European basketball does not have to catch up - we are right there, guys!

As excited as I am about the start of the Euroleague season, I’m excited about this year’s Olympics, right, Kobe?

And you thought the Navarro deal was big…

How about David Andersen joining Juan Carlos Navarro on FC Barcelona, while CSKA signs Terrence Morris? No, this isn’t the daily rumors section: It’s official, as you can see here and here.

Where does this leave Barcelona and CSKA Moscow? Right: As number one contenders for next year’s Euroleague Final Four. I am already excited to read our expert’s opinions on this year’s final four winner.

While the Andersen deal is not all that unexpected, Terrence Morris signing with CSKA is. Everybody expected Morris to sign with Panathinaikos or even Olympiakos, but the CSKA budget must have convinced him; I’m Terrence is throwing a party right now over that deal.

Tererence Morris played college ball at the University of Maryland, was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks, went to the Houston Rockets, was waived by the L.A. Clippers and ended up with the Orlando Magic.

Though most know him only as an Australian, David Andersen also holds a Danish passport.

Everyone expected Andersen to follow Ettore Messina to Barcelona; now he is still going there with Messina staying in Moscow. I am sure they’ll meet at one point during this upcoming season; how about in the Final Four?

Maccabi hires Effi Birenboim as head coach

As Euroleague.net reports, Maccabi Tel Aviv named Effi Birenboim as the new head coach of the club on Thursday. Birenboim, 54, is a veteran Israeli who has made a name for himself by coaching 23 straight seasons in the top league in Israel.

This marks the first time Birenboim will coach Maccabi, although he does have experience at the top European level, having coached Hapoel Jerusalem in the 1997-98 Euroleague. Birenboim replaces Zvika Sherf, who led Maccabi to the Euroleague Final Four last season in Madrid. Sherf is still in talks with management regarding his role with the club.

It wasn’t a big secret that the Maccabi organization and the Maccabi fans weren’t happy with coach Sherf, who is also still coaching the Israeli national team. It just sounds a little bit funny that a head coach would remain in the organization for “some job,” doesn’t it? What does he want to be? Head of scouting? Telling the new coach who to get? I am pretty sure, that Zvika will not have a management role at the club unless no club at all wants him to be the head coach.

Portland Trailblazers fans - be brave …

I know: What else can happen besides a season without your number one overall draft pick? Well, Greg Oden will be playing for you next season but another guy might not: Rudy Fernandez.

ACB.com reports that Rudy was injured during the semifinals against FC Barcelona. He hurt his right elbow and a MRI should tell us more how bad it really is; in 15 days, says the web site.

I know Blazers fans, as soon as you hear the term “MRI” you turn away - I am sorry.

For all European fans - there is much more news and rumors going on in Spain and at Joventut. We’ve heard through the grapevine that head coach Aito will leave the club soon.

Even more interesting is that Pepu Hernandez, head coach of the Spanish national team, will also stop coaching the team.

We will keep you updated as to what’s going on with Rudy Fernandez.

Real Madrid turns it up a notch: Massey and Gasol to Madrid?

Of course, we’re talking about Pau Gasol’s younger brother who played for Akasvayu Girona this past season in the ULEB Cup. Eurobasket reports today that Real Madrid will make Marc Gasol an offer he cannot refuse this summer and will break the bank to get him to Madrid although this might be more complicated than merely the matter of the Euros they’re willing to hand him.

Our opinion: Marc Gasol could play a big role for the Grizzlies in terms of trades this season. I am sure that Real would be interested in signing Gasol for a long-term contract which NBA teams, especially the Grizzlies, would not like to see. Chances for this trade to happen: 35%

After probably one of the most disappointing seasons that Real Madrid fans have ever seen (not making it to the Final Four which took place in Madrid and losing early in the Spanish playoffs), many are blaming head coach [tag]Joan Plaza[/tag] as well as Greek center Lazaros Papadopoulos.

Guys, please leave Lazaros “The Caveman” Papadopoulos alone! If you need to be convinced, just watch this video. I promise, you will like him afterward.

Have you ever seen a guy that smiles so much during a normal interview? I am almost in love with him now - really.

Besides that Madrid landed Jeremiah Massey, Euroleague reports that Madrid has announced the commitment of Massey (2.02, 25) to play for the team from the Spanish capital through 2011. Massey arrives from Greek side Aris TT Bank, where he has been one of the most dominant players in the Euroleague over the past two seasons. Last year, he led the competition in index ranking (21) and rebounding (8.4 rpg) and finished second in scoring (17 ppg).

A big day for Real: It looks like they don’t want to deal with the past season at all and move on right away.

New Knicks coach: Mike D’Antoni - Gallinari to New York?

One of the 50 greatest contributors to European club Basketball is the new head coach of the New York Knicks. No, not Dan “Coach” Peterson, who is a humourous commentator also on this list, but just not the new New York Knicks coach.

Euroleague.net describes Mike D’Antoni as “a charismatic playmaker with great court vision and leadership” - sounds like what people said about former Knicks coach Isiah Thomas, doesn’t it? All the best Mike, we just hope you don’t end up like this one day.

Oh well, we’ll see and we’re pretty sure that the Knicks will be a better team with Olimpia Milano star Mike D’Antoni.

One more interesting thing about the Euroleague-NBA-Milano connection, if any: On May 20th, we will officially know the 2008 NBA draft order. So maybe Danilo Gallinari of Olimipa Milano who declared himself to the NBA draft and is predicted to be a Top 10 draft pick, could be heading to New York…?

Next Page »