FC Barcelona 363
FC Barcelona considers return of Rubio in lieu of Marcelinho Huertas signing
Now here’s a story BallinEurope’s been waiting for … with the lockout daily looking like impingement upon the 2011-12 NBA schedule will certainly happen, defending ACB champions FC Barcelona is talking about signing a high-profile NBA lottery pick to fill out its backcourt: Namely, Ricky Rubio. Spain-based Mundo Deportivo today reports that club officials are […]
Amidst talks with Beşiktaş Cola Turka, Kobe Bryant nets one
While attending a friendly between the Champions League finalists in that other sport – FC Barcelona and Manchester United – in Washington, D.C., Kobe Bryant was reportedly wooed by Beşiktaş Cola Turka officials into perhaps playing for the TBL/Eurocup side during the 2011-12 season in case of a protracted NBA lockout. Bryant did not participate […]
Jaka Lakovic signs with Galatasaray Café Crown (who oughta be in Euroleague…)
BallinEurope was shocked (and is still simmering a bit) when EL officials announced their nomination of Armani Jeans Milano to the single available “wild card” spot on the league table. Why not a runner-up from a more dynamic association, like the Bundesliga’s Alba Berlin or, best of all, Galatasaray Café Crown? After all, Galatasaray played […]
European Vocation: Early fallout from NBA lockout
The NBA fan’s nightmare came to pass yesterday with the expiration of the league’s collective bargaining agreement with the players, the concomitant announcement of a player lockout, and fresh new fear that professional basketball in 2011-12 might not even happen in the ‘States. BallinEurope’s gut reaction, at least on a visceral Eurocentric level? Cool! Bring […]
Pop Quiz: The Euro-/NBA-centric year in basketball
Just because the NBA Draft is over, the big league is heading toward a lockout, and the top European teams are thick into the wheeling/dealing of off-season acquisitions with an eye to 2011-12, that’s no reason to forget your history. Were you paying attention this season? Test your knowledge with the official BallinEurope 2010-11 season-ending […]
Hold the tweets: Rubio already has deal in place with Timberwolves?
Is “The Decision II” forthcoming? The “flashy styled,” “baby-faced” Ricky Rubio, of whom ESPN yesterday reported was to be rethinking his incipient deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, may already be committed to playing in the NBA for 2011-12. The Worldwide Leader this morning (CET time) posted something of a backtrack from yesterday’s story, which fueled […]
Ricky Rubio to stay in Barcelona for 2011-12 after all?
For all those who figured Ricky Rubio to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 2011-12 season was a done deal, well, think again. ESPN.com is today reporting the Rubio and his agent are in fact willing to discuss staying on with new ACB champions FC Barcelona. On his NBA deal (or lack thereof), Rubio stated in […]
Return to the top: FC Barcelona completes sweep of Bizkaia Bilboa Basket
BallinEurope congratulates another champion this morning, as FC Barcelona earned a Spanish triple crown last night by finishing off Bizkaia Bilbao Basket last night, 64-55, to sweep the ACB championship series. Barcelona ended its 2010-11 campaign, in which the Blaugrana took the Copa del Rey and regular-season title by regaining the trophy they last won […]
74 is the magic number: Nancy takes French title; Barcelona wins game two; Freak City cruises in Germany
While much of the basketball hype from the ‘States in currently focused on tonight’s scintillating NBA championship game six, BiE today runs a quick jaunt through Europe’s championship action, with video-embedded stops in France, Spain and Germany. Official BallinEurope Fearless Prediction™ at the very bottom. First up, congratulations to new LNB champs SLUC Nancy, who […]
Championship basketball: Galatasaray stays alive; Barça, Mavericks take care of business
It’s hard to believe the 2010-11 season is drawing to a close, but so it goes. Leagues in Turkey, Spain and the United States could be all shutting down for the summer (or, in the latter’s case, perhaps a good deal longer) within a week. A brief roundup this morning, then, of action in this […]
Shocker in Spain: Real Madrid falls to Bizkaia Bilbao, 80-72
Congratulations this morning go out from BallinEurope to perhaps the underdog of the year, as Bizkaia Bilbao Basket has advanced to the ACB final by defeating Real Madrid in game four of their semifinal matchup, 80-72. The club which had never won a playoff game going into 2010-11 dispatched the Euroleague Final Four squad and […]
Ricky Rubio agrees in principle to join Minnesota Timberwolves (Is end of world nigh?)
The day BallinEurope never thought would arrive may be upon us; ESPN reported early this morning that FC Barcelona wunderkind Ricky Rubio will be joining the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 2011-12 NBA season – if, in fact, there is a 2011-12 NBA season. Previously stating that he was holding back on a decision to wait […]