Euroleague 150
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 […]
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* […]
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 […]
Panathinaikos and Olympiacos Face a New Reality
After a disappointing trip to Abu Dhabi, both Ergin Ataman’s Panathinaikos and Georgios Bartzokas and Olympiacos face a Greek finals with a different flavour. The best of five series, which starts on Friday, holds more weight than usual. Excluding the seasons where Olympiacos opted out of playing in the Greek League due to its dispute […]
Fenerbahce Finish the Job as Jasikevicius Strikes Gold
Fenerbahce knew they were in for a fight but, as the confetti rained at the Euroleague Final Four, it was Sarunas Jasikevicius and company who could celebrate. The final proved one game too far for Vassilis Spanoulis in his maiden season with a gallant AS Monaco. The Big Yellow Machine had a lot of new […]
Fenerbahce v Monaco: Two Roads, One Euroleague Title
It all comes down to this. Fenerbahce, led by Sarunas Jasikevicius, and AS Monaco, led by Vassilis Spanoulis, conclude the Euroleague Final Four and, indeed, the whole season, with the title game in Abu Dhabi. Emmet Ryan on what to expect on Sunday night. After 34 regular season rounds, the playoffs, and the Euroleague Final […]
AS Monaco Stun Olympiacos to Make Euroleague Final
Fourth time was supposed to be the charm for Olympiacos, right? The Reds were like a deer in the headlights as Vassilis Spanoulis and AS Monaco first outsmarted them and then outplayed them at the Euroleague Final Four. The Roca Team rock on to the final. Mike James had said on Thursday night that AS […]