Overshadowing what was a fantastic week in European basketball, the overseas hoops community was struck by shock and despair. Just after the 10th anniversary of the famous Malice at the Palace, an even more tragic confrontation went down in Turkey, as a 25 year old Serbian fan was murdered just prior to a Euroleague game between Galatasaray and Red Star Belgrade.
As a coach, there are very few things that give you more motivation than seeing your home fans give you undying love and support, and the energy of the crowd is a main motivational factor to the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. However, for the vast majority of sports fans, sporting events are a means of entertainment, an outlet from the stress of a tough work week, a time to bond with your children and overall a fun experience to have on your free time.
No fan should ever need to second guess whether to attend a sporting experience over the fear of injury or death. These types of incidents are not welcomed in sport, and people who allow themselves to become so entrenched in their sports teams as to resort to violence need to take a serious look in the mirror. While the tragic events in Turkey clearly take precedence, the actual game ended up being a double-overtime thriller and one of the most exciting games in this seasons Euroleague.
Elsewhere in Europe, another American was named head coach of the German National team, a Serbian center flashed signs of potential for Partizan Belgrade, Keith Langford bested Dario Saric with a 4th quarter barrage, and Brooklyn bred PG Omar Cook set the Eurocup assists record. Read more below in this weeks Eurohoops update.
Red Star Belgrade Fan Killed before Euroleague game in Turkey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeT10_tx49U
While fault can be found on both sides in this confrontation, one thing is blatantly obvious, that confrontation of this magnitude has absolutely no place in our sport, and these types of incidents are not something that a parent should need to take in to account before deciding whether to bring their child to a sporting event.
“This tragedy offends the true spirit of sports,” Jordi Bertomeu, President and CEO of Euroleague Basketball, said in a statement. “Violence has no place in our game, at our arenas or anywhere near them. It’s just the opposite. Respect between rivals dedicated to the same ideals should bring us all together. That is why we organize and play sports. Today, we must all refocus on those ideals.”
While the events outside the arena before the game clearly overshadowed what happened in the arena, the game between Red Star and Galatasaray was one of the most exciting Euroleague games of the season. In a double overtime thriller, Serbian forward Zoran Erceg hit a game winning buzzer beater for the home side Galatasaray, to cap off a fantastic 32 point, 7 rebound performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my_uKbnC-7M
Former NBA point guard Marcus Williams set the Euroleague record for assists in a game with 17 for the losing side in what will surely be one of the most memorable Euroleague games of the season, both on and off the floor.
Chris Fleming signs as German NT coach, the next “Euro Coach” to get an NBA gig?
Former Brose Basket Bamburg coach Chris Fleming has reached an agreement to become the next head coach of the German National team, ahead of this summer’s European championships. A two time Germany League coach of the year, Fleming has a reputation as one of the best coaches in the German League, and as one of the top American coaches outside of the US.
Originally from New Jersey, Fleming has made a coaching career for himself in Germany, after playing in the German minors following his college career in Richmond. After helping to build up Quakenbruck’s squad the Artland Dragons, from a minor league team to a perennial playoff team in top German league and European cup participant, Fleming moved to Bamburg where he established himself as one of the top coaches at the European level.
After serving as an assistant coach on the San Antonio Spurs staff this past summer league, Fleming should be considered a major candidate to become an assistant coach in the NBA next season, or even a head coach on a rebuilding squad. With David Blatt making waves now as an American coach who developed overseas, Fleming could be the benefactor of a new trend of NBA teams looking overseas at professional coaches, rather than to coaches in the glorified youth department known as the NCAA.
NBA Draft Prospect Nikola Milutinov shines in Adriatic League
Standing at 7 feet tall, Serbian center Nikola Milutinov, has been playing the best basketball of his short career this month for the Serbian squad Partizan Belgrade. Last weekend in a 32 point win against Bulgarian side Levski Sofia, Milutinov shined with 21 points and 10 rebounds in 26 minutes. While he has been average in Eurocup competition, Milutinov has been showing huge signs of improvement throughout Adriatic league competition, averaging 10.3 points (58.5% 2PT) and 8.3 rebounds in 28.3 minutes.
With his 20th birthday coming up in December, and in the third year of his four-year deal with Serbian powerhouse Partizan, Milutinov could possibly be a “Eurostash” in the second round of this year’s draft, if he decides to make himself eligible this summer, rather than waiting for his deal to end next season. Nevertheless, NBA teams will certainly be following his progress if he keeps up this level of performance.
Keith Langford’s 4th quarter brilliance leads UNICS to 67-64 win over Dario Saric and Anadolu Efes.
courtesy of Euroleague.net
Former Kansas star Keith Langford put in another fantastic performance in his storied European career, netting 12 of his game high 19 points in the 4th quarter, as the Russian squad UNICS Kazan overcame a 15 point deficit to beat Anadolu Efes Istanbul. The game was a must win for Kazan, who now move to 2-4 in Euroleague play, and are competing for the 4th and final spot in Group A for the top 16.
Dario Saric led the losing side with 13 points and 9 rebounds, who are now tied with Kazan at 2-4, and will need to finish strong in order to make the Euroleague’s top 16. While 76ers fans may have already given up home on their home team getting W’s this season, they need to have their fingers crossed that Anadolu Efes will finish their last four games of the Euroleague regular season strong, so that Saric can get the experience of playing in the Euroleague top 16. Maybe they shouldn’t watch the games, since it may become apparent that this year’s version of the 76ers probably wouldn’t be a top 16 team in Euroleague, but following their progress somewhat may be a welcomed distraction.
Omar Cook sets Eurocup assist record with 16 against Ventspils
Once touted to be the next great New York point guard, the Brooklyn bred prodigy has added another notch to his belt in his fantastic European career, setting a Eurocup record with 16 assists against the Latvian side Ventspils. The 32 year old guard, who also owns a passport from Montenegro and has represented them in international competition, counts as a local player for the Montenegrin squad Budacnost.
Courtesy of Eurocupbasketball.com
After entering the NBA as a 2nd round pick in 2001 after a phenomenal freshman season at St. John’s, Cook failed to establish himself in four seasons stateside, departing for Europe in the 2005-2006 season. As one of the best true point guards overseas, Cook has taken his talents all around Europe, playing in Belgium, Russia, France, Serbia, Spain, Italy, Lithuania and Montenegro, in one of the more storied careers of an American overseas in the last decade.
While Stephon Marbury may be the more famous Brooklyn star to make a big name overseas, Cook has turned what could have been a story of failure, to one of international success and stardom.
AJ Mitnick is an American living in Israel and working as an assistant coach in the Israeli Basketball Winner League. A graduate of IDC Herzliya, Mitnick is an assistant coach with Bnei Herzliya, following three seasons with Maccabi Rishon-Lezion . Follow him on Twitter.