While not interested in passing definitive judgment, we think it would be useful and fair to take a look at the European basketball panorama. There will be no ratings or rankings here, just a snapshot of what the most important ballin’ countries offer us.
Ten years into the third millennium, it’s common to hear repeated concepts about European community and a sense of brotherhood, but the idea of “European basketball” elicits language only indicating something is wrong. Disunity: That’s the main word for the variety of ways to develop basketball in Europe. European basketball was well on its way until five to six years ago, when internal division began to decrease European ball’s opportunity to become a serious alternative to a NBA bereft of stories and talent to sell – yes, that was before Lebron James’ era.
.jpg "Euroleague logo")
What’s at stake in Euroleague play tonight? A couple of Top 16 spots at least with one win-and-in scenario. Plus, there’s a bit of history as Union Olimpija hosts CSKA Moscow in a game the official Euroleague press calls “what is likely [Olimpija’s] last Euroleague game ever at Tivoli Arena.”
