Most NBA fans are sort of dimly aware of European professional basketball without really knowing much about it. But this year is the Euroleague's 50th anniversary, and here's an interesting rundown of their history from Ian Whittell. Here's the top 50 Euroleague players of all time.
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History of the Euroleague
03 May 2008 08:37 pm
Comments (15)
Hillary Clinton enthusiastically picked a filly named Eight Belles to win the Kentucky Derby and compared herself to the horse. Eight Belles finished second. The winner was the favorite, Big Brown. Eight Belles collapsed immediately after crossing the finish line, and was euthanized shortly thereafter.
http://thepage.time.com/2008/05/03/you-cant-make-this-up/
I wonder when a European coach is going to get a shot in the NBA. If memory serves, the Bobcats had/have an Italian in some capacity in their front office, but European coaches are never considered for NBA coaching jobs. Granted, the transition from Euro-ball to the NBA might pose some problems, but someone like Ettore Messina, who has done nothing but win as a coach, at least deserves consideration.
D'Antoni coached in Europe for a number of years.
Andrew: I doubt it will happen until there's sufficient exposure to European coaches, whether through broadcasts of league play (unlikely) or a Euro coach taking a less technically proficient team to an Olympic gold medal.
All Israelis here in the US are well aware of it and will cheer Maccabi Tel Aviv tomorrow in its way to the sixth Euroleague title (on NBATV channel at 3:00pm EST). I still remember fondly the first one in 1977. It was a night to remember in Tel Aviv!
Five of the top contributors were referees. I...don't...understand.
Her sitede TÜRK Bayrağı kampanyasına destek olmak için TÜRK Bayrağı Bandını sitene ekle. Hem kampanyaya destek ol hemde HİT kazan.
"Here's the top 50 Euroleague players of all time."
Do you have a list of the thinnest kids at fat camp?
I didn't know Bob McAdoo played in Europe. Cool.
For the guy who doesn't get the referee part:
These European referees that are fondly remembered earned their spot by bridging over much more serious issues that NBA umpires have to. Language barriers, diplomatic tensions (think Warsaw Pact before 1989, think Turks and Greeks, think the Balkans), and other stupid conventions (the most stupid one can be the one that stipulates that Maccabi has to play a Greek team at Hanukka time, and everybody in Israel expects Maccabi to win).
If you can be widely respected after crossing this minefield time and again for 20+ years, you deserve recognition.
Euro Referee, can you (or anyone else) explain the Maccabi/Greek team thing?
It was great to see Petrovic in that clip. We were cheated when he left us.
It was great to see Petrovic in that clip. We were cheated when he left us.
It was great to see Petrovic in that clip. We were cheated when he left us.
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Heads in the Sand
Actually, it seems to be the top 50 "contributors" of all time -- including coaches, front office, etc.
Posted by Mac | May 3, 2008 9:09 PM