URBONUS

EuroLeague Playoff Predictions & Debate on Maccabi vs Real

BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas & Rytis Vysniauskas share their EuroLeague playoff predictions.

This episode is sponsored by Nord VPN. Use code “URBONUS” and get a special discount for a 2-year subscription: https://nordvpn.com/URBONUS

Topics:

• Intro about stomach collapse (00:00);
• The only debate over Barcelona vs. Bayern series (5:45);
• The big discussion on the Real vs. Maccabi series (15:20);
• The biggest problem with Monaco chances vs. OLY (32:56);
• What it means when Ataman starts predicting things (45:59).

Controversial Call in El Clasico & Alternative EuroLeague Awards

BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas & Rytis Vysniauskas discuss wild scenes of the recent El Clasico in Barcelona and give away EuroLeague regular season awards, including All-EuroLeague Team selections.

This episode is sponsored by Nord VPN. Use code “URBONUS” and get a special discount for a 2-year subscription: https://nordvpn.com/URBONUS

Topics:

• The EuroLeague flaws we’re facing again (00:00);
• Referees mistake in Barcelona vs Real game (9:45);
• Problem with Mirotic’s ejection & positives for Real (14:53);
• Exum’s future in Barcelona (18:25);
• What happened between Heurtel and Real (24:47);
• All-EuroLeague Team selection (31:17);
• Best EuroLeague’s Robin (43:31);
• The moment when Monaco’s stars almost left the club (45:50);
• Why Trinchieri deserves credit (49:15);
• Defensive player of the year (53:44);
• Rookie of the year (59:45);
• Best in-season GM adjustment (1:05:34);
• What went wrong with Urbonus on Israeli media (1:09:31).

Mike James’ MVP Case & Ways to Fix 5 EuroLeague Teams

BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas & Rytis Vysniauskas discussed Mike James’ MVP case, an intriguing coach of the year race, the most exciting playoff matchups, and exit interview scenarios for the EuroLeague teams that failed to make the Top 8.

Topics:

• Meeting another Donatas Urbonas (00:00);
• Incredible events at Jankunas farewell game (4:27);
• Mike James’ EuroLeague MVP case (10:17);
• Why Nikola Mirotic should win the MVP (14:08);
• Tyrese Rice remarks & fun MVP fact (19:40);
• Who’s in the MVP discussion (21:41);
• Intriguing coach of the year race (24:51);
• The direction to improve for Baskonia (31:05);
• Clear first signing for ALBA Berlin (35:20);
• The issue to address for Crvena Zvezda (40:22);
• Big uncertainty with Fenerbahce (46:31);
• Easy exit interview for Tony Parker (54:55);
• The playoff matchups we wish to see (57:37).

Who Will Join EuroLeague, Next Stop for Xavi & Building New Efes (Q&A)

BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas & Rytis Vysniauskas discussed the potential EuroLeague wild card candidates, Xavi Pascual, and other exciting coaching market moves, the easiest ways to improve the EuroLeague and how they entered the basketball business in their special URBONUS questions & answers session.

Topics:

• Rytis' legendary herring tycoon analysis (00:00);
• EuroLeague wild card candidates (3:55);
• Unexpected EuroLeague player to depart for the NBA (9:06);
• Top 5 EuroLeague players (14:26);
• The next Xavi’s stop & potential coaching market moves (23:50);
• The room for improvement for Barca and Davies’ future (32:27);
• Dream replacement for Larkin (38:48);
• Best destinations for Vesely and De Colo (46:25);
• Rokas Giedraitis to Olympiacos idea (49:10);
• Big red flag for Zalgiris head coach signing (51:40);
• Would the All-EuroLeague team make the NBA playoffs (1:03:58);
• 32-team EuroLeague with East and West Conferences (1:07:50);
• Top 5 All-Time EuroLeague overachievers (1:10:15);
• The easiest ways to improve the EuroLeague (1:13:05);
• Problem with judging young players (1:16:08);
• Is Wembanyama a No. 1 NBA draft pick? (1:20:55);
• How we entered the basketball business (1:26:35);
• A question for Kevin Durant (1:37:32).

PAO Rebuild Ideas, Jokubaitis’ NBA Future & Underperforming Players

BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas & Rytis Vysniauskas share surprising feedback from the war zone, Panathinaikos rebuild ideas, Rokas Jokubaitis chances to go to Knicks this summer, and EuroLeague players not performing up to their value.

Topics:

• Ataman’s remarks & surprising feedback from Ukraine (00:00);
• Crazy numbers behind Olympiacos W & room for improvement (11:21);
• How Panathinaikos should start the rebuild (19:15);
• Choosing between Nedovic and Macon (25:52);
• Interesting Greek name for Panathinaikos (32:07);
• If Rokas Jokubaitis is an NBA player (36:05);
• What Knicks are planning on Jokubaitis (47:54);
• EuroLeague players who didn’t perform up to their value (52:45);
• Most anticipated games of the week (1:09:54).

Weird Scenes Around Zeljko & Who Will Get Paid Next in EuroLeague

BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas & Rytis Vysniauskas share behind the scenes of Sarunas Jasikevicius and Zeljko Obradovic’s visit in Lithuania, discuss the collapse of Efes, and brings six EuroLeague players who deserve a significant pay raise.

Topics:

• Intro (00:00);
• Scenes that show how big Saras is in Lithuania (1:13);
• Weird scenes around Zeljko Obradovic (9:08);
• Some love for ALBA & next interesting Serbian coach (13:25);
• No offense against Ataman (16:50);
• Why Efes have collapsed (20:10);
• Funny scenes in Monaco (25:59);
• Unexpected call for Rytis (29:48);
• The mysterious case of Shane Larkin (32:25);
• Underrated moment in Real vs. AX Armani game (35:11);
• The EuroLeague playoff picture is reshaping? (41:14);
• Six EuroLeague players who deserve the pay raise (45:14);
• How Russian clubs’ exclusion changes the market situation (1:06:43).

Terrible EuroLeague Moves, Shengelia to Barca & Top 8 Predictions

BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas & Rytis Vysniauskas discussed the war in Ukraine and the questionable EuroLeague’s moves, predicted the last four teams to make the playoffs, reacted to Tornike Shengelia and Pablo Laso rumors & shared why the game in Athens left a bad taste.

Topics:

• EuroLeague flaws facing war & crisis (00:00);
• Why keeping the current EuroLeague standings was a terrible idea (12:30);
• Why Top 4 teams should be concerned (19:16);
• Bold predictions on last four playoff teams (25:10);
• Tough Shengelia’s negotiations, Virtus winning the EuroCup  (49:47);
• Weird rumors about Shengelia & Barcelona (57:24);
• Virtus or AX Armani? (1:01:04);
• Surprising rumors about Real & Pablo Laso (1:06:40);
• Why Milan vs. Panathinaikos game left a bad taste (1:14:14);
• Crucial EuroLeague games this week (1:19:57).

Zach Leday on the Difference Between Zeljko & Saras and Partizan’s Road to Success

EuroCup star Zach LeDay joins Donatas Urbonas on the URBONUS podcast to talk about Partizan’s road to success, learning from legendary coaches Zeljko Obradovic, Sarunas Jasikevicius, and European icon Vassilis Spanoulis, and his unique off the court rituals.

Topics:

• LeDay’s notebook & stolen backpack (00:00);
• Zeljko’s words after losing Serbian Cup to Red Star (3:34);
• The main similarity & difference between Zeljko & Saras (7:32);
• Spanoulis lessons & underrated mentor (11:19);
• What’s special about young Partizan players (15:37);
• Punter’s trash talk & Big 3 in Milan (17:46);
• Pressure not to fail Zeljko (20:25);
• Why Saras was hard on LeDay & Jokubaitis swag (24:32).

Misko Raznatovic on Jokic’s Supermax, Micic’s NBA Future & Handling Spanoulis

Europe's most well-known basketball agent Misko Raznatovic joins Donatas Urbonus to discuss his career, biggest clients and his upcoming challenges.

Topics:

• The very first deal of Misko Raznatovic (00:00);
• Jokic's supermax deal celebration idea (4:53);
• The unfair rules to Vasilije Micic & his NBA future (10:03);
• Best Misko's advisor on difficult decisions (16:36);
• What makes the best agent in Europe (25:14);
• Funny call with Jasikevicius (28:12);
• Words that not everyone would say to Spanoulis (30:44);
• The cultural problem with young players (34:05);
• A typical day in Misko's life (38:39).

Fenerbahce’s unsung heroes & Spanish giants’ moves

BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas & Rytis Vysniauskas discussed why Real can’t beat Barcelona anymore, a change emerging in Madrid, the beauty of Fenerbahce, and unsung EuroLeague heroes.

Topics:

• What’s worse than the EuroLeague website? (00:00);
• A Real reason for concern (5:47);
• It’s time to talk about Sergio Llull? (9:42);
• How Laprovittola stunned both Real & Barca (15:00);
• Exum’s future in Barca & what’s next after Higgins’ injury (19:40);
• The stereotype that still exists about Real (23:45);
• The moment that tells a lot about Pierria Henry (28:21);
• The unsung heroes of Fenerbahce (32:48);
• Fun details around Sloukas game-winner (39:25);
• Good side of OLY & question over Sloukas (43:42);
• Mexican boxer or ALBA’s head coach? (49:02);
• EuroLeague clubs budgets teaser (55:45).