BallinEurope is previewing all 18 Euroleague Basketball teams ahead of the start of the season. The first out of the hat is the team we expect the least from. Alba Berlin won’t bring many smiles this campaign.
The odds are against them and the situation is grim. Normally this is the part where an heroic quip or an inspirational speech follows. The case for Alba Berlin in Euroleague this season simply doesn’t warrant it. At another level, this could be a fun basketball team. At this one, it’s meat for the grinder.
Last season
Euroleague record: 5-29
Regular season position: 18th
Playoffs: N/A
Bundeliga record: 27-8
Regular season position: 2nd
Playoffs: Lost finals to FC Bayern Munich (3-1)
Other: Lost BBL Pokal semi final (ratiopharm Ulm)
Who’s gone?
Johannes Thiemann (Gunma C. Thunders), Kresimir Nikic (Zamora), Sterling Brown (Partizan).
Who is new?
Trevion Williams (ratiopharm Ulm), Will McDowell-White (New Zealand Breakers).
Who stayed?
Matt Thomas, Malte Delow, Gabriele Procida, Yanni Wetzell, Tim Schneider, Louis Olinde, Matteo Spagnolo, Jonas Mattisseck, Martin Hermannsson, Ziga Samar, Christ Koumadje, Justin Bean, Israel Gonzalez.
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Need to know
Alba Berlin were on the Euroleague chopping block heading into the end of last season. They won a reprieve thanks to Valencia instead being chosen/opting to go down to Eurocup Basketball instead. Thiemann and Brown are both big losses on a roster that desperately couldn’t afford them to begin with.
What the bookies think
The market on Alba Berlin is wide but unanimous on one factor. They are the biggest outside of all teams in the Euroleague Basketball title race this season. The bookies have them priced at 175/1 at the shortest and 500/1 at the longest. Most books have settled on 250/1.
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What we think
There are two things I wish for this great city, that I love dearly. One is for it to have better air conditioning. The other is for Alba Berlin to be in position to field a Euroleague playoff level roster. The laws on public buildings in Germany prevent the former. Financial reality makes the latter all but impossible.
The overall boost in interest in basketball in Germany will help eventually. That’s a long way off. Despite dedicated support and a truly fantastic gameday vibe, Alba Berlin simply can’t compete with the big spenders in the competition.
Fearless prediction
On the upside, every preview after this is going to be more hopeful. On the downside, everything else. This is going to be a terrible season to watch Alba Berlin. I truly feel for their fans. Better days are surely ahead. Until then, there’s only one possible pick.
Pick: 18th place in the regular season.
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