Features 350
BiE’s best of the decade
We have a couple of treats in store next week but before that, we’ve taken the time to select the best writing on the site over the past 10 years, join us on a journey through the highs, the lows, the deep dives, and the tearful goodbyes Between game analysis, player profiles, addressing big issues, […]
Fener finally get the national team version of Melih Mahmutoğlu
He captained Fenerbahce on their greatest night but barely saw the floor. He has been a leader for his national team through multiple competitions but struggles to get in the mix for his club. Now, when Fener really need it, their getting the peak version of Melih Mahmutoğlu If Melih Mahmutoğlu opted to play for […]
Pitino starts his second act in Athens
Rick Pitino got off to a winning return with Panathinaikos but the former Louisville coach is more than aware the challenge is just beginning. Emmet Ryan on the wrinkles that will make his second act in Athens tough work It was the perfect farewell. Rick Pitino went back to the United States adored by Panathinaikos […]
Requiem for a season
The SEF was a morgue on Friday night but Emmet Ryan went along to pay his respects. A dead rubber for Olympiacos, with no playoffs and doubts over what the rest of their season holds abounding, it was eerie in the home of a team that never looked like it would be in this situation […]
The way of the Warriors
The race was over, then it was alive again, then it was decided. Over the course of 2 games, starting 24 hours apart, the Irish Super League championship was decided in a combination of both the height of drama and the calm of a coronation. Emmet Ryan hit the road to take in all the, […]
The beat goes on
The last of our missives from the Kingdom sees Emmet Ryan return to Tralee during the run-in to the Irish Super League race as the unexpected league leaders faced a stern test from relegation battlers Neptune Saturday and Sunday see two huge games for the Tralee Warriors but that’s pretty much the norm. Every time […]
The quiet night amidst the resurgence
Sometimes you just come across a bad game of basketball but that can be a blip. The resurrection of top tier basketball in Killarney is moving along nicely, just for one Saturday there was a reminder of the work that is still ahead. In his second missive from the Kingdom of Kerry, Emmet Ryan watched […]
Killorglin go down but can look forward
It wasn’t Killorglin’s day in their penultimate home outing of the season but the village of just 2,199 people can look forward to another season of top flight basketball. Emmet Ryan with the first of his missives from his Kerry adventure visits the town where there’s only one true goat Prior to Killorglin’s ascension to […]
Let’s talk about Berlin
The German capital has been a regular haunt of Euroleague before but not in the new format. With Alba Berlin amongst the better known names on the continent, you’d think going big would be easy unless you actually paid attention, writes Emmet Ryan Wednesday night in Berlin and inside the final 20 seconds. Below the […]
Teodosic teases in his open try-out
Officially it was a do or die 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifier for Serbia. In reality, Milos Teodosic took the opportunity to remind all his suitors that he is exactly who they hoped he was and that he’ll have his choice of any Euroleague side come the summer chase for the continent’s hottest free agent. […]
So you want to leave your national league
It was a week off for Euroleague, so a bunch of teams got very angry over domestic matters. Things got stupid fast, potentially earth shaking decisions were rashly put out there, and now it’s time to talk about the real motivations. Emmet Ryan on the teams that are hinting at leaving town The national […]
Let’s talk about Paris
There are only so many times Emmet Ryan can use the term déjà vu in a tone that is both serious and dad jokey but looking at Paris as a potential Euroleague city certainly fits the bill. The French capital has a lot of promise and that, well, is the problem After London dominated the […]