EuroLeague 2335
We sit on the eve of war
While the NBA remains low on detail on what NBA Europe will entail, Adam Silver has shown on this trip to the continent that he isn’t underestimating the scale of the project. With details expected to flow in the coming days and weeks, Emmet Ryan on the incoming schism in European basketball. Adam Silver got […]
Basketball Champions League’s Defectors Are Reshaping Europe
With Badalaona officially announced as the venue for the Basketball Champions League (BCL) Final Four, the prospect of an all-Spanish affair is a topic of conversation. This coupled with the other machinations make for an interesting future for the competition, both near and medium-term, writes Emmet Ryan The defectors are already having an impact. With […]
Tubelis looks at home as Zalgiris cruise in EuroLeague
It was another good night for Azoulas Tubelis as Zalgiris Kaunas crushed Crvena Zvezda in Euroleague. Emmet Ryan on how the young forward is showing exceptional promise and awareness. It’s rather odd that Azuolas Tubelis is even in this situation at this time, for a few reasons. Still, he once again put in an efficient […]
What on earth is happening?
A new member body for non licensed Euroleague clubs is forming, Trapani Sharks played with two guys, and the NBA Europe project seems to be obsessed with minimising detail. It’s all quite a lot, especially for Emmet Ryan, whose own body has been fighting him in recent months. Right, let’s get the scary bit at […]
Zoc
Is this the end? Probably? Maybe? Possibly? The departure of Zeljko Obradovic from Partizan took on a life of its own. The most successful coach in European club basketball history, and one of the greatest in the history of the sport bar none, has stepped down. Emmet Ryan on a week, a life, and everything […]
Cole Swider has his welcome to the party moment
Cole Swider was efficient, confident, and exactly what Anadolu Efes wanted when they signed him this summer. Emmet Ryan on how the Euroleague rookie impressed mightily in a breakout game against Olympiacos It’s doing the simple stuff right that so many new arrivals to Europe struggle with. The environment and style of play is obviously […]
Panathinaikos’ October jitters aren’t a crisis
Ergin Ataman is moaning, Panathinaikos lost a derby, and TJ Shorts has yet to shine. It smells like a rather normal October for the Greens. Emmet Ryan writes that it is far from time to panic and that this edition of Panathinaikos may yet be built to go all the way. With Frank Ntilikina stealing […]
Everything you need to know about NBA Europe
The discussion around NBA Europe is heating up. If only there was a detailed series that could bring you up to speed on the new basketball project? Fortunately, Emmet Ryan already put this together six months ago. Here’s your reminder of what you need to know about NBA Europe and what it means for FIBA, […]
Partizan need to find their nasty streak
Partizan won the type of Euroleague game they’d have thrown away last season. Zeljko Obradovic’s side survived their own second half slump to see off a game Anadolu Efes side. The pieces are there, writes Emmet Ryan, they just need to find their inner unpleasant person You’ve got to love search rankings because putting motherfucker* […]
Nigel Williams-Goss and the power of a good fit
We knew Nigel Williams-Goss was very good at basketball before he signed for Zalgiris Kaunas. Few of us could have imagined how well he’d fit in the Lithuanian club’s style. Emmet Ryan on a potentially revelatory season for Williams-Goss in Euroleague. Nigel Williams-Goss has looked like the star in Euroleague he was always meant to […]
The problem with expanding Euroleague’s post-season
Dimitris Itoudis wants to see more teams in the Euroleague playoffs, a lot more. Be careful what you wish for, warns Emmet Ryan, as the NBA example teaches a different lesson to what the great coach thinks. Dimitris Itoudis likes to talk about the format of basketball competitions. That immediately makes him someone this site […]
Do Olympiacos know what they want to be?
A trip to Spain in the opening week of Euroleague saw Olympiacos split their two games. A tight win over Baskonia was followed by being outsmarted by Real Madrid. What was lacking was the one thing few expected, an understanding of their own identity. Let’s get the important bit out of the way. This is […]