When looking at the lottery picks of the 2014 NBA draft, it’s almost easier to list those who are healthy than those who are not. The torn ACL suffered this week by No. 2 pick Jabari Parker was devastating news for the Milwaukee Bucks, who have been surprisingly competitive throughout the first third of the season, currently 6th in the East, and appeared to have the Rookie of the Year favorite in their starting lineup. But Parker’s injury also continued a trend among the most
We all know what the Philadelphia 76ers are doing. Call it whatever you want – tanking, rebuilding, deconstructing, hoarding – the 76ers are openly, unabashedly and intentionally sinking to the bottom of the NBA, because GM Sam Hinkie has convinced ownership that is the fastest way to get back to the top. Hinkie has constructed a roster that is inherently non-competitive. The Sixers have the fewest first-round picks and the most undrafted free agents of any team. Their highest-paid player makes $6.6
The Sixers are a top-five League Pass option right now. Until they win a game, they’re practically must-see, just for the historical importance of it all. And then even after they win, any time they’re close is worth flipping over to, because a loss to the Sixers will have more impact on a team’s playoff chances than a win over anybody. That said, it’s got to be a bad time to be a loyal Sixer fan right now, considering both the current
This was an exciting week for European hoops, as several of the top young European prospects had outstanding performances. Top 2015 draft candidate Mario Herzonja managed to break the 20 minute mark for the first time and left his mark in a win against Milano in Euroleague. Nikola Jokic and Dario Saric continued their fantastic play, and are continuing to show that they will be quality contributors when they make their debuts stateside. As my team, Bnei Herzliya prepares to play against
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
It was another exciting week of European basketball, with the Euroleague and Eurocup’s “regular season” stage hitting their halfway points, before both competitions shed some dead weight going into the next stage of the season. This week, we had an ex-Laker absolutely dominate as he continues his climb to the top of the European ranks, while a couple of young draft prospects make their first splashes in Euroleague waters, all below in this weeks EuroHoops update. [Read more…]
The 76ers may be piling up the losses stateside, but the seeds of their rebuilding plan are slowly growing thousands of miles away as a couple of their Eurostash prospects are beginning to sprout. Which American just left Europe and is a possible candidate to sign with the Lakers? What has former first rounder James Anderson been up to this season? David Blatt’s Cavaliers may be under the microscope by not starting off the season as strong as anticipated, but what is going
Welcome to my inaugural EuroHoops update column. You will be getting these once per week, and I will be keeping you abreast of all the guys who may one day be headed to the NBA, or those who already have been there and won’t be going back … like the first guy we are checking in on. [Read more…]