EuroLeague 2315
Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, and marketing a feud
It’s got the fans. It’s got the personalities. Then there are the stakes. Few rivalries in basketball can compare to that of Panathinaikos and Olympiacos. Yet, is Euroleague doing enough to build on its most marketable rivalry? The rivalry that makes the rest of Euroleague come to a standstill is renewed on Friday. Basketball in […]
The 5 Greatest Performances in Irish Basketball History
There’s no prizes for guessing the top choice in this selection but Emmet Ryan has scoured the archives in hard mode. Who will join Claire Melia in this ranking of the top 5 individual singles game performances in basketball by Irish citizens? Welcome to hard mode. That’s how I’d best describe this. The easy choice […]
Olympiacos impress but questions remain in Euroleague chase
There are different kinds of problems in basketball, or really sport, or actually life in general. These can be divided into bad problems and good problems. Emmet Ryan believes Olympiacos have good problems. Their win over Partizan showed that. In Euroleague, even good problems can cause headaches Despite the sterling efforts of the commentators, Olympiacos […]
Euroleague expansion could change everything
While the NBA continues to discuss an entry to Europe, rumours spread of Euroleague expanding. Now, with reports that it will involve a shift to conferences, the very future of European basketball is in play, according to Emmet Ryan It’s one report. There’s no need to go over the top. That being said, if the […]
Panic stations for Partizan in Euroleague
We knew it would take time for Partizan to gel in Euroleague. The clock is not being kind to the Belgrade club. Zeljko Obradovic knows the challenge. To get back on track, Partizan may need to simplify its style of basketball. Back on 15 October I wrote that a 4-6 or 3-7 start in the […]
Lonnie Walker IV is figuring it out for Zalgiris Kaunas
It was a rough result for Zalgiris Kaunas but there was promise all the same. Lonnie Walker IV, who has endured a baptism of fire in Euroleague, appears to be figuring it out. Emmet Ryan on how Walker is finding how best to contribute on the basketball court There was a great start. Then a […]
Real Madrid are an unwatchable mess
Sometimes the headlines just have to get to the point. While their comeback against Anadolu Efes was spirited, the problems with Real Madrid right now are deep and substantial. Chus Mateo appears to have a whale of a task on his hands. Whatever you call their style of basketball right now, this is not the […]
Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, and the need to fight forever
Forget the NCAA Final Four. Ignore the NBA All Star game. The Olympic gold medal game is an afterthought. There’s one fixture that every basketball fan should try to see in person before they die. On Friday, Emmet Ryan went to the OAKA for the Euroleague battle between Panathinaikos and Olympiacos. Ντέρμπι των αιωνίων αντιπάλων, […]
Life, the universe, and Bryant Dunston
He wasn’t close to the star of the game yet he commanded the spotlight. Bryant Dunston showed why he still holds value in the basketball world on Wednesday night. The 38 year old didn’t roll back the clock for Zalgiris Kaunas, writes Emmet Ryan. Instead, he used old man guile to get his side past […]
Evan Fournier just needs to relax
Olympiacos got the win over Real Madrid but it was another mixed night for Evan Fournier. Emmet Ryan writes that the issue can be solved. I’s about adjusting his basketball to be lethal in Euroleague. Basketball, like any mass participation sport in the digital age, faces the risk of homogenisation. Evan Fournier’s issues adapting to […]
Gordie Herbert, FC Bayern’s Superman lover
Gordie Herbert is running some of his top guys hard in Euroleague but it’s paying off. After victory over Olympiacos, the German champions are at 3-2 and look like they can hang with anybody. There’s more than Superman ball going on here, writes Emmet Ryan. The veteran coach has created a basketball team with two […]
The many trials of Ettore Messina
The Olimpia Milano head coach is in the twilight of his career and things look miserable. Ettore Messina’s side are off to a dreadful start in Euroleague and look lost. Emmet Ryan on how this could be a sad end to a magnificent career in basketball. He’s one of the most decorated coaches in the […]