Features 668
The irrational stress we live for
Game 1 in the Euroleague playoffs is a wildly unbalanced beast in terms of stakes, or at least the imagined stakes, and few games made the beauty of the madness of such a scenario quite as clear Elie Okobo went 0 of 3 from deep in the first half of Game 1. It felt like […]
Lauri Markkanen is why the MIP award exists
With the Finland and Utah Jazz superstar picking up a much deserved NBA Most Improved Player award, Emmet Ryan on the inevitable rise of Markkamania The timing felt like everything. On the eve of EuroBasket, Lauri Markkanen’s time in Cleveland was over and he was being shipped to Salt Lake City as the Utah Jazz […]
The weight of expectation
With Prometey the last Ukrainian team left in a pan-European competition in any sport this season, Emmet Ryan on the unlikely charge of the side and the hopes they carry for a people they remain physically distant from The war put sport on pause for Ukraine along with most of life but it was only […]
Hunting high and low
Ireland’s few players across continental European leagues have reached the playoff stages of their seasons and Emmet Ryan is doing what he can to keep track A spice bag is a wonderful creation. It’s crispy chilli chicken with chips (fries for most of the world), some bizarre assortment of spices and the tiniest garnish of […]
Malaga’s hosting win is the secondary story in BCL F4 drama
Unicaja Malaga fans will get to watch their team challenge for the Basketball Champions League title in their own arena but the decision is shrouded in drama as Hapoel Jerusalem missed out on hosting I am often wrong and rarely informed. I said as much last night as the expectations over where the Basketball Champions […]
Ante Tomic quietly forcing his way back into our minds
In the autumn of his career, the Croatian big man is reminding everyone of how he is still the silent threat we used to be awed by and that makes Badalona a threat through the rest of Eurocup following victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv He was never the modern big man. In all of his […]
Telekom Baskets Bonn finally get their big shot
They have waited so long to be in the conversation when it matters. On Tuesday night, in front of their own fans, Telekom Baskets Bonn earned their shot by making it to the Basketball Champions League Final Four. Emmet Ryan on the journey for a fanbase that has earned these kinds of nervy nights. I […]
For Sabonis it’s take a breath, go again
After getting literally stepped on by Draymond Green, Domantas Sabonis got up and kept going. Now, injury permitting, Emmet Ryan says he looks well placed to get the job done for the Sacramento Kings That had to hurt. I mean it was visibly unpleasant. Domantas Sabonis got stomped in the upper body by Draymond in […]
Salary caps and Europe are an odd mix
With France announcing it was bringing in some form of salary cap for LNB from next season, Emmet Ryan on why such a format is a challenge on the continent in near any form France has announced it is bringing in a salary cap, understandably drawing the odd comparison to the NBA, but France is […]
The load management debate really is stupid
Lots of grey haired or balding old-timers or never weres complain about players skipping games for load management. As a grey haired never was who has a slight bald spot, Emmet Ryan feels perfectly suited to explain why the debate isn’t just tired, it’s stupid We all love a good argument in sports. No question. […]
A title is far more relevant to Jokic now than MVP
With it looking increasingly like that Nikola Jokic, despite his extraordinary feats, won’t win a third consecutive NBA MVP, Emmet Ryan writes about how the Serbia and Denver Nuggets big man should consider that motivation more than anything else Let’s start with some years and players, I’m pretty certain you’ll get my point right away. […]
A lament for the Efes era of cool
Some legends are told Some turn to dust or to gold But you will remember me Remember me for centuries We can rarely tell when an era begins but sometimes you can really feel the sense of finality to one. When Fenerbahce went all out on Thursday night to beat Anadolu Efes, it was the […]