<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>A special preview by Kobi Melamed in time for the Euroleague Finals game between Maccabi "Elite" Tel-Aviv and CSKA Moscow. Includes in-depth historical facts and analysis of each team's roster, a peep into what might be going inside the coaches' minds and a panel of experts to conclude it all. Who'll be Euroleague champion 2008? Click the link and see for yourself!</div> http://www.sports-nba.com/final_four_preview.html Enjoy folks, there was a lot of work put into making this preview. Thanks to AEM, THE DADDY, M Two One and Celtic King for contributing to the article. The latter two's predictions will be up later. And of course, be sure to catch the game LIVE on NBATV, 3:00 PM EST!
Nice job guys. Interesting to see Will Bynum on there. He was one of the many UFA/D-League rookie PGs the Warriors have tried out over the years. Dudes definitely got skills but, like the article says, hes very inconsistent. Its fun to see all those names you recognize from NBA drafts past (if you're a draft buff like me).
Thanks everyone, it really did come out excellent. I've seen Bynum play many times over the past two seasons, and he has the skills and athleticism to be in the NBA, without a doubt. He really needs to improve his decision making, shot selection and such, but those things are mainly part of the mental aspect of the game and not all players are strong or can be strong in that area. I guess Bynum is one of them, but still he has a bright career ahead of him, if not in the NBA than in Europe. Many past NBA players and draft picks are on those teams, for sure: Morris, Bynum, Halperin, Eliyahu, Casspi (prospect), Bluthenthal (tried out for a few teams), Cummings and Batista for Maccabi and Langdon for CSKA, not to mention Vujcic and Papaloukas, who have long been linked to NBA teams.
Final Score: CSKA 91 Maccabi 77 Damn, my prediction was close...I predicted 90-82. Anyway, it was a good game, the refs were a bit too involved on both ends but still a fun experience. Those who watched the game, and those who didn't, this is the place to discuss and ask any questions you may have!
Great preview Kobi! I wish the game had turned out differently, but it was a great one. I missed the second half though - what'd I miss?
I wrote it before the season started: I don't think anybody is going to stand in the way of CSKA Moscow and sure enough, nobody did in the end. Congrats to the Russian side! Sorry I couldn't get you that opinion on the game today Kobi, I had to do some stuff early on with the wife.
Don't worry 'bout it, Chris. Family first. We had four predictions, that's damn good. You sure aced your CSKA Season Preview, though. Great job, man. AEM: The 2nd half was very different from the first. Langdon was guarded very tightly by Garcia and Siskauskas was tossing up bricks, so the other CSKA players had to step up, and they did. Maccabi couldn't get points from anyone other then Bynum and Batista, the rest (even Morris) didn't play nearly well enough keep the game close.
I'd hoped that once Maccabi started shutting down Langdon that they'd step up. Ah well, next year Fizer will be back!
Maybe not, but it was your prediction which ended up being correct. I believe I picked Real Madrid or Olympiacos to beat CKSA in the semi-finals. Neither of those two even made the Final Four.