Features 672
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 […]
Markkanen the highlight of Europe’s stunning NBA All Star haul
While certainly not the most celebrated name among the five Europeans to make the NBA All Star game, given the context of where he is now in his career there’s no doubt that Lauri Markkanen’s selection is the most important amongst players from this continent There are many good and fun debates in European basketball […]
Winning is a habit and Bonn’s players like it
Telekom Baskets Bonn is one of the most in-form teams in Europe right now, winning 15 of its last 16, but Emmet Ryan wonders if this momentum can be used to finally claim a major honour There’s no shortage of silver. Telekom Baskets Bonn have been the second best team in Germany five times and […]
What if the BAL added some tiers?
The Basketball Africa League (BAL) has done a great job of shining the sport’s spotlight on club basketball on the continent but Emmet Ryan has an idea entirely focused on development to build out the brand The BAL has done something which no other effort at hoops on the continent has ever managed before, it’s […]
Gavin Ware knows his worth
After another ridiculously efficient performance in the Basketball Champions League (BCL) from Gavin Ware, Emmet Ryan explains why the big man may be the most self-aware player in Europe right now Gavin Ware had the best performance you didn’t see this past week. In exactly 20 minutes on the floor he had 24 points on […]
Musa shows the renaissance is real
Dzanan Musa’s personal rebuild has been remarkable to watch as the former Brooklyn Nets man has found his happy place and is ready for another shot in the NBA, writes Emmet Ryan It was only one game. In truth, it was only one overtime period, but it was indicative of how Dzanan Musa has refined […]
A Love Story between a Community and Basketball
Top image: Credit Michelle La Grue Photography The Lithuanian community in Ireland is hoping for two causes for celebration on Sunday as Leixlip Zalgiris hope its fourth time lucky while Ieva Bagdanavičienė will play a big role for Killester. A former flatmate of mine once described Lithuania as the “Uruguay of basketball” referring to how […]
A well-aimed shot in the dark
Don’t let the age on the ID fool you, Charlie Crowley has proven his grown ass man credentials as University of Galway Maree’s head coach and he spoke with Emmet Ryan ahead of Saturday’s Irish men’s cup final against DBS Éanna There are things you’ve got to get used to as you get older. The […]
Jenkins fully focused on the big one
With DBS Éanna seeking a first Irish cup title this Saturday night against University of Galway Maree, Seán Jenkins spoke with BiE’s Emmet Ryan He’s as Cork as a bottle of Tanora beside a box of Barry’s* Tea but DBS Éanna’s Seán Jenkins will proudly and happily win the Irish cup with a Dublin club […]