EuroCup Final 16 Preview

Tomorrow we begin the Top 16 of the EuroCup. The first round was a good one for the boys in Purple. 
Besides getting a chance to play against Iverson...

read the lead up to our first matchup --

http://dimemag.com/2010/11/world-game-eurocup-vet-on-playing-against-allen-iverson/#more-61935

read the follow up to our first matchup --

http://dimemag.com/2010/11/letters-from-the-eurocup-the-allen-iverson-experience/#more-62490

...we had an opportunity to play against Tony Parker's team in France and one of the best young teams in Europe out in Serbia. The next round is no different, except for the fact I'll be going up against a good friend in Bryant Dunston (former ESPN NIT All Star Teammates) and Aris Baskets. This round will definitely be tougher than the last but we're patiently awaiting the challenge...

 (from left to right: Stephen Danley, Donnie McGrath, Bryant Dunston, Matt Vitale, Jason Wingate, Lamont Hamilton, Leon Williams, Ben Jacobson, Steve Novak, Jason Boone)

EuroCupBasketball did a pretty good writeup about our group...check below for the full article 

Last 16 Group J features a mix of new and old blood, all with equal chances to rise up and fight for Eurocup glory. Two teams - BG Goettingen and Budivelnik – are in the competition for the first time. The other two – Aris and Le Mans – are not far removed from playing in the Euroleague. Assuming Goettingen and Budivelnik are inexperienced would be a mistake. Goettingen won the FIBA EuroChallenge last season and has many of the same players back. Budivelnik has an experienced roster headed by coach Josep Maria Berrocal, an assistant on Regal FC Barcelona’s Euroleague-winning squad last year. Le Mans still carries four players from its last Euroleague season in 2008-09 and boasts eight players with experience at Europe’s elite level. And Aris tops that with a air of former Euroleague champs on its roster. On paper Group J appears to be even, with no clear favorites and lots of exciting basketball to be played out as all four teams come in with real hopes of making deep runs into the Eurocup. 

Read The Full Preview Here -- http://www.eurocupbasketball.com/ulebcup/home/news/i/81241/3735

 "Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

Allen Iverson & Jadakiss

So I was trying to find out what sneakers this guy Iverson had on in the game so I could mention it in this Dime Magazine followup on I'm working on...but then I came across these two throwback commercials and HAD to post them...oh man...classic

"and he will blow by you fast, penetrate and dish it off or let it go high off the glass"

"tryna build a team? I'm the playa ya need, heart like Willis Reed, top thief and scorer in the league"

 photo: Christian Reinhard

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

EuroCup Game 1 Recap: Rough Week For Tony Parker

About every 30 seconds during our game in Lyon, France last week a digital banner would pop up saying "Tony Parker" with some French word in front of it. I later learned that the word was "owner", as he is part owner of the ASVEL basketball club. Back in February '09 it was reported that in the hard economic times, it's never too early to begin thinking about your retirement. As the then 26yr old proved by buying himself "a nice little retirement package: a French basketball team. In an interview aired on France's Infosport cable network, Parker announced his purchase of the second largest share of ASVEL, France's most titled professional basketball team, and he will, he says, begin serving immediately as the club's Director of Operation."

Now my only hope is that us beating ASVEL last week, them firing their coach, and Tony Parker getting divorced wasn't all contingent on each other. Because I heard that Tony was sending scandalous text messages to, former teammate, Brent Barry's wife and Eva found out. To pay for the lawsuit Parker took money from the team budget, in turn the players were upset...weren't winning games and then Coach gets fired. But here at my "real life" can wait we (meaning I, since I'm the only one writing here) don't like to slander the truth nor start rumors...so until reports come out confirming why they lost to us...why they fired the coach and why Tony Parker is divorcing that beautiful wife of his I will not delve any further into these topics.

Watch More Highlights (w/ a hot techno song)

http://www.asvelbasket.com/asvel_videos.asp?id=48

Asvel Baskets fires head coach Collete

Asvel Basket relived head coach Vincent Collet of his duties at the club, Asvel basket chairmen Gilles Moretton announced on Wednesday. The move comes one day after the team lost its Eurocup opener at home against BG Goettingen. Collet was in his third season with the team. He led Asvel to the French championship in 2009 and an appearance in the Euroleague last season. This season did not go as well as Asvel started the season 2-4 in the French League and now with a loss in the Eurocup. Collet is also the head coach of the French national team.

What I do know however is that the hair on Robert Kulawick is much better than the hair on Matt Walsh

#justsaying

 Here are some sights and sounds from our trip to France's second largest city. Lyon is a city known for silk weaving and housing the headquarters for EuroNews, International Cancer Research and Interpol.

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21