Complacency is the biggest enemy for OIympiacos
After a thoroughly convincing Game 1 win over AS Monaco in the Euroleague Playoffs, Olympiacos look primed for a comfortable run to the final four. Emmet Ryan writes that their biggest obstacle might well be that sense of expectation. Let me tell you about 2011. Olympiacos were a year removed from making the Euroleague championship […]
Ergin Ataman and the Theatre of Control
The mental limit is almost invariably misunderstood. Ergin Ataman is a walking demonstration of this. Considering all he has won and lost, it’s remarkable how significant one single series might be. His Panathinaikos side takes on Valencia in the Euroleague playoffs with the Turkish head coach as the centrepiece of the affair. I’ve got a […]
How Athletes and Fans Are Spending Money Differently in 2026
Sport’s finances operate silently‚ yet powerfully․ The old model of earn‚ spend on lifestyle‚ retire broke is in decline‚ replaced by a more conscious approach on one hand‚ a more reckless one on the other․ Athletes are competing longer‚ and fans are spending more money‚ faster‚ and through more channels than ever․ Increasingly‚ fans spend […]
AS Monaco will not go gently into that good night
A roster cut to ribbons. Their star, Mike James, announced his departure the morning of the game. The future beyond this summer is uncertain at best. Yet AS Monaco not only refused to bow but looked commanding at times on Friday. FC Barcelona found out the hard way that there is nothing more dangerous than […]
Rudy Gobert’s calm intensity drives Timberwolves to series lead
It’s only a few short days since I proclaimed the Minnesota Timberwolves wouldn’t be hanging around long in the NBA Playoffs. Rudy Gobert gave me reason to rethink that in a devastatingly impressive display against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night. If you’re feeling generous, I shouldn’t take the L just yet. The Denver Nuggets […]
Inconsistency plagues Franz Wagner and the Orlando Magic
That was a bowling shoe ugly game and an even worse performance from the Orlando Magic. Their series with the Detroit Pistons was predicted to be the toughest watch of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. After an overachieving Game 1, on the entertainment scale, Game 2 saw Franz Wagner and company bullied off […]
AS Monaco has one last big shot
Calling AS Monaco’s future uncertain is like calling me open to an occasional beer. Never mind Euroleague, we don’t know if they’ll even play professionally next season. That makes Friday’s play-in game with FC Barcelona all the more important, writes Emmet Ryan. Friday. On Friday there is not an AS Monaco baller that shall standalone. […]
Alperen Sengun and Rockets fail to match Lakers intensity
Alperen Sengun and the Houston Rockets fell to a 2-0 deficit in their NBA Playoffs series with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Sengun was far from his best and that was the norm across the board for a sluggish Rockets team, writes Emmet Ryan. All the criticisms from Houston Rockets fans throughout the […]
Crvena Zvezda crash out with a crash out in Barcelona
The end of Crvena Zvezda’s Euroleague season was limp, directionless, and left a lot of questions for next season. For all the talent on the roster, there was clearly something missing on Tuesday night against FC Barcelona. Their Euroleague season ended on a whimper and Emmet Ryan sees a need to reshape mentally. Granted, it […]
Pat Beverley, PAOK and a shot at FIBA Europe Cup glory
In a way, they are a perfect match. Pat Beverley and PAOK have both been waiting a long time to feel confetti dropping on them. With the Thessaloniki club back in the FIBA Europe Cup final, PAOK and Pat Bev have a chance for something special. One of the most vocal players in basketball has […]
Nikola Jokic delivers as Nuggets take strange Game 1 win
That was definitely a game that happened. Despite his early struggles and never reaching his peak game, Nikola Jokic once again delivered big for the Denver Nuggets as they took down the Minnesota Timberwolves. The greatest player alive today is now 1-0 in the NBA Playoffs. Emmet Ryan on a predictably strange encounter. Game 1 […]
Moses Wright delivers in a very on-brand win for Zalgiris
They are who we thought they were. Zalgiris Kaunas and Paris Basketball had clear identities coming into the regular season Euroleague finale. In Kaunas, they both delivered extremely on-brand displays as the Lithuanian club punched its playoff ticket. Emmet Ryan on a most watchable battle. Moses Wright is going to get most of the love […]
Wembanyama and Sengun look to shape NBA playoffs
Two Euros carry the hopes of Texas in the NBA Playoffs. Alperen Sengun is looking to prove the Houston Rockets are better than their own fans have thought for much of the season. Meanwhile Victor Wembanyama is making his playoff debut and wants to show the San Antonio Spurs are ready now. Wow, the rest […]