It will be a little while longer before coach Chris Finch and Nate Reinking turn their attention to Team GB - as their Mons team beat Aalstar 109-94 last night to secure their place in the Belgian Play-Off Finals. Reinking came off the bench and scored all his 12 points with threes, nailing 4 out of 6 from beyond the arc.
It is the second time that both coach and player have made the Ethias League Finals they lost out to Oostende whilst at Bree two seasons ago. Going one step further this time will be a tough task as Mons will be up against current champions, the big-spending Charleroi.
Game 1 of the best of five series is in Charleroi on Tuesday night.
By the way check out this video from the Mons website - an extended Day in the Life interview with Finch as he prepared his team for the play-off series against Aalstar.
http://www.eknetwork.tv/parcourir/noeud/127
Is there anyone else that you'd want coaching our national team? Thought not.
Breaking News: Robert Archibald's Malaga lost the first game in their ACB Play-Off series 70-62 to Barcelona tonight. Arch scored 8 points and grabbed four rebounds off the bench.
Sunday 31 May 2009
Saturday 30 May 2009
Eurobasket 2009 will be on British TV
Basketball GB Blogspot can exclusively reveal that Eurobasket will be on British TV this September.A major British station is in final negotiations with FIBA Europe for the rights.
British fans may need to press their "red button" to watch the action but English commentators covering GB games on the TV is far far better than the alternative - dodgy internet feeds from our opponents broadcasters.
More to follow...
Thursday 21 May 2009
Hedo's magic is coming to The O2
If BPB are searching for an angle to promote their Game on at The O2 event in August then they need look no further than the Orlando Magic right now.Magic took Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals 107-106 at the Cleveland Cavaliers last night - with Turkey's Hedo Turkoglu proving once again to be Mr. 4th Quarter, grabbing 9 of his 15 points in the last 12 minutes.
For game highlights go to: http://www.nba.com/video/games/cavaliers/2009/05/20/nba_orl_cle_0040800301_recap_gm.nba/index.html?ls=st1hp0040800301
The Turkish talisman will be at The O2 in August and will face his Magic team-mate the "Polish Hammer" Marcin Gortat on Sunday 16th. The centre from Lodz is enjoying an epic rise in fortunes after he started last season in the D-League for Anaheim Arsenal. Gortat is now playing a vital role backing-up Magic's franchise player Dwight Howard, as the team from Mouse-town aim to reach their first NBA Finals since 1995.
From a GB perspective the match-ups between Gortat & Pops Mensah-Bonsu on Friday 14th August and Turkoglu & Luol Deng on the following night will be worth the door money alone.
http://www.gameongb.com/home.php
Wednesday 20 May 2009
BPB to link up with the NBA for O2 event
In his latest Guardian Blog Mark Woods adds a footnote (scroll right down to the end) that BPB and the NBA will team up to publicise their respective events at The O2.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/may/19/carmelo-anthony-denver-nuggets
Got to be great news and wouldn't be a surprise if that partnership went so far as ticket offers i.e. purchasing a ticket for the NBA Europe Live Bulls v Jazz game - http://www.nba.com/2009/news/03/24/europe.live/index.html - entitles you to a discounted ticket for one of the days of the Game On at The O2 event. http://www.gameongb.com/home.php
Game On at The O2 is going to be a great weekend of basketball but it is an ambitious event to stage at this point in the GB team's history. The Eurobasket qualifier against the Czech Republic drew just over 7,000 fans last year so it will be interesting to see if each day matches or exceeds that number - especially as lower tier seats have risen in price from £15 to £25.
A single game against a box office opponent - European Champions Russia for instance - would have been a bigger draw. Expect that The O2 owners AEG Europe were keen for a tournament event though, with a mix of supporters present, to give them some experience before they host the Euroleague Final 4 in 2010 or 2011.
The plan is clearly to choose opponents in Poland, Turkey and Israel who not only will provide strong opposition but also have large communities in London who will swell the crowd numbers. Really hope that British hoops fans and those from our opponents do turn out in force, as such games need to become a fixture on the British sports calendar.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/may/19/carmelo-anthony-denver-nuggets
Got to be great news and wouldn't be a surprise if that partnership went so far as ticket offers i.e. purchasing a ticket for the NBA Europe Live Bulls v Jazz game - http://www.nba.com/2009/news/03/24/europe.live/index.html - entitles you to a discounted ticket for one of the days of the Game On at The O2 event. http://www.gameongb.com/home.php
Game On at The O2 is going to be a great weekend of basketball but it is an ambitious event to stage at this point in the GB team's history. The Eurobasket qualifier against the Czech Republic drew just over 7,000 fans last year so it will be interesting to see if each day matches or exceeds that number - especially as lower tier seats have risen in price from £15 to £25.
A single game against a box office opponent - European Champions Russia for instance - would have been a bigger draw. Expect that The O2 owners AEG Europe were keen for a tournament event though, with a mix of supporters present, to give them some experience before they host the Euroleague Final 4 in 2010 or 2011.
The plan is clearly to choose opponents in Poland, Turkey and Israel who not only will provide strong opposition but also have large communities in London who will swell the crowd numbers. Really hope that British hoops fans and those from our opponents do turn out in force, as such games need to become a fixture on the British sports calendar.
Tuesday 19 May 2009
Arch fouls out but Unicaja stay alive
Robert Archibald didn't have one of his greatest nights, fouling out after just 12 minutes on court, but his Malaga team did just enough to beat Gran Canaria 70-68 in Game 2 of the ACB play-offs.
Joel Freeland grabbed a team high 9 rebounds for Gran Canaria in a game that both Brits started. That narrow defeat on their home court though means that Gran Canaria will once again return to Malaga in a winner takes all clash on Sunday (24 May).
See game highlights (including a nice dunk from each Brit) at: http://acbtv.acb.com/video/1850
Joel Freeland grabbed a team high 9 rebounds for Gran Canaria in a game that both Brits started. That narrow defeat on their home court though means that Gran Canaria will once again return to Malaga in a winner takes all clash on Sunday (24 May).
See game highlights (including a nice dunk from each Brit) at: http://acbtv.acb.com/video/1850
Monday 18 May 2009
Finch's elite eight
Nice interview by Jimmy Double-H with Chris Finch on the Basketball 247 website at the moment.
Check it out at: http://www.basketball247.co.uk
As you'd expect from a man and a coach of Finch's quality he doesn't give too much away - but it is clear that if everyone is healthy and available - there is a core of eight players who will definitely be on the plane to Warsaw.
Not surprisingly that includes our three NBA men in Luol Deng, Ben Gordon and Pops Mensah-Bonsu. Finch also name checks Robert Archibald and Andrew Betts given their proven quality and experience. After his performances last Summer and his break-out season in Spain Joel Freeland is now also on the elite list. Finally, there are Finch's trusted lieutenants who have been with him on every GB squad: skipper Dru Sullivan and Nate Reinking.
So taking the optimistic view that everyone shows - the remaining sixteen players at camp will be fighting for the final four slots.
Although in the interview Finch makes a point of stating that Deng can play from 2 to 4, reckon he'll be looking to take at least two more recognised guards.
So take your pick from Lenzley, Midgley, Boyd, Corletto, Forbes, Hart and Robinson. Reckon the likely choice based on past GB performances and European experience will be Boyd and Lenzly. Boyd as he is the best ball handler in that group and Lenzly because he is the best outside threat at Euro level.
Although a fit Deng will play most of the minutes per game at small forward, reckon Finch will favour Nick George as back-up ahead of someone such as Steve Leven.
That leaves one more big from Achara, Bryan-Amaning, Boateng, Clark, Hanke, Larkai and Toney. Given an encouraging first season at a big club in a tough league think Achara will get the nod for that final slot.
Plenty more fantasy basketball to come for us GB fans as all the twists and turns of the Summer pan out!
Check it out at: http://www.basketball247.co.uk
As you'd expect from a man and a coach of Finch's quality he doesn't give too much away - but it is clear that if everyone is healthy and available - there is a core of eight players who will definitely be on the plane to Warsaw.
Not surprisingly that includes our three NBA men in Luol Deng, Ben Gordon and Pops Mensah-Bonsu. Finch also name checks Robert Archibald and Andrew Betts given their proven quality and experience. After his performances last Summer and his break-out season in Spain Joel Freeland is now also on the elite list. Finally, there are Finch's trusted lieutenants who have been with him on every GB squad: skipper Dru Sullivan and Nate Reinking.
So taking the optimistic view that everyone shows - the remaining sixteen players at camp will be fighting for the final four slots.
Although in the interview Finch makes a point of stating that Deng can play from 2 to 4, reckon he'll be looking to take at least two more recognised guards.
So take your pick from Lenzley, Midgley, Boyd, Corletto, Forbes, Hart and Robinson. Reckon the likely choice based on past GB performances and European experience will be Boyd and Lenzly. Boyd as he is the best ball handler in that group and Lenzly because he is the best outside threat at Euro level.
Although a fit Deng will play most of the minutes per game at small forward, reckon Finch will favour Nick George as back-up ahead of someone such as Steve Leven.
That leaves one more big from Achara, Bryan-Amaning, Boateng, Clark, Hanke, Larkai and Toney. Given an encouraging first season at a big club in a tough league think Achara will get the nod for that final slot.
Plenty more fantasy basketball to come for us GB fans as all the twists and turns of the Summer pan out!
Sunday 17 May 2009
First blood to Freeland in ACB play-offs
Photo by Karl Southern ©
Image ExcellenceIt was a good Saturday night for Joel Freeland in the Battle of the British Bigs - his Gran Canaria team pulled off a shock 96-90 overtime road win in Malaga against Robert Archibald's Unicaja.
Catch the highlights at: http://acbtv.acb.com/video/1839
Both British players pulled down 4 rebounds each but Freeland scored 10 points to Arch's 5. Omar Cook led the game scoring with 25 points for Unicaja but Gran Canaria had five players who put up double digits including Melvin Sanders with 17 points.
The action now moves to the Canary Islands on Tuesday where it will be a case of win or go home for Archibald and Malaga.
Meanwhile, the domestic season is over for Andrew Betts as his team Aris were swept 3-0 by Panathinaikos in the semi-finals of the Greek League play-offs last night. Betts scored 6 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 20 minutes as Aris ran the Euroleague Champions close before losing 71-69.
Wednesday 13 May 2009
Eurobasket update - Still no UK TV deal
With Eurobasket 2009 now less than four months away Britain disappointingly, but not surprisingly, is the only one of the sixteen countries competing without a broadcast partner.
FIBA Europe have struck deals with television companies in 41 countries in Europe and residents of a further 65 countries around the world will be able to watch the tournament but at the present time we are facing a blackout in the UK.
This is the premier sports event in Europe this year, the British team qualified in style and could have three NBA players on their roster.
Just what will it take for British broadcasters to wake up and smell the coffee!
FIBA Europe have struck deals with television companies in 41 countries in Europe and residents of a further 65 countries around the world will be able to watch the tournament but at the present time we are facing a blackout in the UK.
This is the premier sports event in Europe this year, the British team qualified in style and could have three NBA players on their roster.
Just what will it take for British broadcasters to wake up and smell the coffee!
Tuesday 12 May 2009
Betts to battle against Euro champs
GB centre Andy Betts and his Aris Thessaloniki teammates take on recently crowned Euroleague Champions Panathinaikos tomorrow night in Game 2 of the A1 Semi-Finals. Aris were squeezed out 84-80 in Game 1 in Athens on Saturday night with Betts scoring six points and grabbing seven rebounds off the bench.
The back injury that kept Betts out of most of GB's Eurobasket qualifiers last summer delayed him signing a deal this season but he has made up for lost time inspiring Aris to a 10-3 run since joining in January.
They don't come any tougher than the Greens of Athens though and if Betts and Aris are to stop the current Greek Champions from retaining their seventh successive title, they must make home advantage count in front of their boisterous crowd at the Alexandreoi.
The back injury that kept Betts out of most of GB's Eurobasket qualifiers last summer delayed him signing a deal this season but he has made up for lost time inspiring Aris to a 10-3 run since joining in January.
They don't come any tougher than the Greens of Athens though and if Betts and Aris are to stop the current Greek Champions from retaining their seventh successive title, they must make home advantage count in front of their boisterous crowd at the Alexandreoi.
Monday 11 May 2009
Gordon's stellar play-off form raises doubts
Ben Gordon's sensational play-off form, which saw him average over 24 points per game as Chicago Bulls took NBA Champions Boston Celtics all the way to Game 7 in the first round, has raised more questions than answers regarding his contract situation. That unfortunately is bad news for team GB.
Gordon has always said that he'll only play for GB when his long-term future is resolved. The word was that he was likely to be on his way out of Chicago this Summer who are overloaded with options in the back-court. With Gordon proving to be the main man for the Bulls post-season though including a game saving three in Game 4, the management at the United Centre will be looking to do all they can to keep him.
Bulls have little room to manoeuvre under the salary cap and if they want to improve and keep Gordon it may take some creative trading. The problem is that with Gordon out-of-contract and now rightly on the look-out for the big deal of his career, negotiations are likely to be drawn out.
The longer Gordon goes without securing that big contract in Chicago or elsewhere then the chances of him suiting up for GB in Poland in September diminish.
Gordon has always said that he'll only play for GB when his long-term future is resolved. The word was that he was likely to be on his way out of Chicago this Summer who are overloaded with options in the back-court. With Gordon proving to be the main man for the Bulls post-season though including a game saving three in Game 4, the management at the United Centre will be looking to do all they can to keep him.
Bulls have little room to manoeuvre under the salary cap and if they want to improve and keep Gordon it may take some creative trading. The problem is that with Gordon out-of-contract and now rightly on the look-out for the big deal of his career, negotiations are likely to be drawn out.
The longer Gordon goes without securing that big contract in Chicago or elsewhere then the chances of him suiting up for GB in Poland in September diminish.
Sunday 10 May 2009
Arch and Freeland to go head-to-head in ACB play-offs
Unicaja Malaga secured 3rd place in the ACB yesterday with a 79-73 victory over Bruesa. The win took Malaga to a 24-8 record and sets up a mouth-watering quarter-final match-up between two of GB's leading Centres: Robert Archibald of Malaga and Joel Freeland of Gran Canaria.
Arch bagged 8 points and 7 rebounds off the bench for Malaga but it was Freeland who took the plaudits on the final day of the Spanish regular season, leading Gran Canaria with 15 points and 7 rebounds in their 74-71 win against Valencia.
In their regular season clashes it has been honours even between the two teams with Gran Canaria winning 74-68 on their home court back in November before Malaga too revenge in March with a 91-78 victory in the return fixture.
Malaga have the psychological advantage though after their Copa Del Rey 79-69 victory quarter-final over the Canary Islanders in February. Neither Brit shone on that occasion with Freeland only contributing 3 points and Archibald fouling out after just 11 minutes on court.
Expectations for both players will be much higher when the three game series starts in Malaga on Saturday (16 May), with bragging rights at the GB Training Camp as well as semi-final place at stake.
Arch bagged 8 points and 7 rebounds off the bench for Malaga but it was Freeland who took the plaudits on the final day of the Spanish regular season, leading Gran Canaria with 15 points and 7 rebounds in their 74-71 win against Valencia.
In their regular season clashes it has been honours even between the two teams with Gran Canaria winning 74-68 on their home court back in November before Malaga too revenge in March with a 91-78 victory in the return fixture.
Malaga have the psychological advantage though after their Copa Del Rey 79-69 victory quarter-final over the Canary Islanders in February. Neither Brit shone on that occasion with Freeland only contributing 3 points and Archibald fouling out after just 11 minutes on court.
Expectations for both players will be much higher when the three game series starts in Malaga on Saturday (16 May), with bragging rights at the GB Training Camp as well as semi-final place at stake.
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