Our JBAM Podcast today is quick and dirty; an instant(ish) reaction to not only our JBAM Game of the Week between Fenerbahce Ulker and Cantu, but the game of the year between Partizan and Brose Baskets in Babmberg, Germany.
Eat up.
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A couple of thoughts.
First, how close was Lrytas? One missed layup and just a bit better finish for Partizan. Can one really say any of these three teams was better or worse?
Second, how strange euroleague was this regular season group wise. They were really unequal, even funny at times. Yesterday at half time in group B in all three games one team led by more than 20.
That just shows EL is far weaker this season.
Vaidas thanks for the shout and I’d agree on some parts. Partizan-Rytas-Brose are all not that far off from each other. Partizan beat Rytas by merely a point just a couple weeks ago. Brose just lost to Rytas, so I get it. The drawing for the Groups was pretty bad this year. In recent memory I can’t think of a group worse than B this year. Bad teams and also, no excitement.
As far as the EL being weaker, I’m not so sure. I think it’s more even than ever, not such a difference between lower level, middle, and upper level teams. The real key in the coming year will be getting close to the actual best 24 teams in the EL. Teams like Spartak, Galatasaray, Valencia, Bilbao, Triumph, Kuban, UNICS….there are some really good teams out there not in the EL so Euro ball in generally is really healthy. The EL just needs to figure out their licensing system so we can get the best competition possible. Can’t wait for the Top 16.
Sam nails it, I think, there needs to be a better way of determining the best 24 teams in Europe. Prokom has no crowds, no real team (outside of seeing Ponitka develop), why do they have an A-licence? If it’s part of a project to spread EL basketball to Poland, it hasn’t worked. I think we all want to see the best teams playing against the other best teams.
I think Euroleague is wide open this year, there is not one ultra dominant team, even Barca, I don’t think this is an absolute classic Barca lineup. But That doesn’t mean the competition is weaker, in my opinion, it’s just more balanced. Sure makes it exciting!
I think the Top 16 groups look pretty balanced, and of course we’ll be taking a look at how things shake up. I can’t wait. Appreciate the comment as always, Vaidas.
More even – that’s for shure. Also it could be that CSKA, Oly took a long time show their strength. And Montepaschi is obviously weaker, as for other’s – it’s hard to tell. Maybe it’s just in comparison to Žalgiris
For sure, Zalgiris is amongst the favourites, and it would be awesome to see the Green army in London. Maybe alongside another one from Athens, another team that started slowly.