Features 523
Ettore Messina “curious and worried” about life with Los Angeles Lakers
From BallinEurope’s man in Italy, Enrico Cellini: In an interview to be published in major Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Ettore Messina summarizes his coaching experiences around Europe and talks about his forthcoming adventure as the Los Angeles Lakers’ assistant coach. Messina began his career in Italy but then started “to feel uneasy” with his […]
Interview: Cameron Rundles, former Wofford Terriers/current Leicester Riders guard
Kind enough to give BallinEurope a nice extensive interview is Cameron Rundles, currently plying his trade with the Leicester Raiders in his rookie season as a professional. Rundles made a name for himself ‘Stateside in his junior and senior years at Wofford College in taking the NCAA’s Southern Conference and earning NCAA tournament bids in […]
Coach Messina “going to Disneyland” (possibly on Kobe’s helicopter)
From Italy, BallinEurope’s Enrico Cellini has quotes from a conference attended by one of the nation’s finest-ever coaching minds, Ettore Messina, and collected a few thoughts from the new Los Angeles Lakers assistant on living in L.A., Kobe Bryant’s transport and going to Disneyland… After earning a status as one of the most successful coaches […]
Documentary to capture Andrew Albicy hoop-dreaming
Call it “Hoop Dreams 2”: Director Ayité Ajavon has announced production of the documentary “Un rêve à construire” (perhaps best translated as “Building a Dream”), featuring as main subject the 2010 FIBA U20 European Championship MVP Andrew Albicy’s pursuit of someday playing in the NBA. The now 21-year-old is currently playing for Paris-Levallois in the […]
Pau Gasol: “I prefer European style of basketball,” won’t play for Barcelona (probably)
The ACB official website (and just about every other Spanish-language outlet for sports news) offers a lengthy piece on Pau Gasol, based on interviews with French newspaper L’Equipe. Highlighted in the Spanish league reportage is Pau’s line to the effect that “I prefer the European game in the NBA because basketball is a team sport […]
Nowitzki: “Not exceptional” in the NBA Finals
No matter how you feel about Dirk Nowitzki’s place in NBA history vis-à-vis “Top 10” lists and whatnot, yesterday’s interview in Der Spiegel will certainly put him among the all-time greats in terms of humility. In the interview, which touches on subjects including Barack Obama, race relations in the NBA, and the upcoming 2011 Eurobasket […]
Daniel Gibson on Lebron quote: “You can’t help but take it personal.”
For those of you already well-versed in the hating of Lebron and his ever-closer incipient reign as King (or maybe Prince) James, BallinEurope brings a little antidote for your game one hangover. BiE got a heads up this morning on something called “Boobie’s Podcast” as presented by the Cleveland-based Dugout Sports Show. In this week’s […]
Pau Gasol: “A bit distracted,” “A bit exhausted” in Lakers-Mavs series
For the Spanish-language ‘site Marca.com, Los Angeles-based sportswriter Jesús Sánchez recently got some quality face time with Pau Gasol – enough to fill three columns’ worth of stories. The key news for those looking ahead to the summer, a group that certainly includes Lakers fans and those cynical about the possibility of the NBA actually […]
Rubio: No decision on Timberwolves yet, waiting for lockout
Online gambling website Betfair recently managed to score an exclusive interview with Ricky Rubio in which a number of interesting topics were discussed, but none so waited-upon as queries about his future (or lack thereof) in the NBA. See the video below – conducted in Spanish, but English subtitles are provided – for Rubio’s take […]
Vranković: “Montepaschi Siena very good, Panathinaikos better”
Stojko Vranković is no stranger to championship-level basketball: In 1996, he and Dominique Wilkins led Panathinaikos to its first-ever Euroleague title, played in two EL Final Fours with Aris Thessaloniki, and won Olympic silver medals with Team Yugoslavia and Team Croatia. The former Boston Celtic gave an interview to Sport.gr on the eve of the […]
Euroleague Final Four flashback: FC Barcelona takes first EL title, 2003
While many of us (ahem) were shocked that FC Barcelona did not qualify for this year’s Euroleague Final Four to be played at the Blaugrana’s venue, Barca made good in defending home court the last time the Spanish capital hosted. In 2003, Barcelona brought a veritable dream team to the tournament to chase the team’s […]
Outside the comfort zone: An interview with John Staudt, Europe’s youngest top-division coach
As a teacher in an inner-city New York high school, John Staudt taught the values of pursuing a dream, even if one must go well outside one’s comfort zone. The 28-year-old recently personally got to opportunity to put both such ideals to the test with the Aalborg Vikings of Denmark’s Ligaen. That’s right: BiE said […]