URBONUS

EuroLeague RS predictions: the main rival for Efes and bold takes on Olympiacos & Zenit

BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas & Rytis Vysniauskas make the EuroLeague regular season predictions, listing all 18 teams from the 18th to 1st seed.

Topics:

• Intro about playing poker with Marc Gasol in Vilnius and what Drew Nicholas picture is doing in our studio (00:00);
• Unprecedented hype around Wembanyama (11:18);
• The mysterious case of Luke Sikma (16:30);
• Why there’s not a lot of optimism about Zalgiris (19:39);
• Why it feels terrible to rank Crvena Zvezda that low (24:51);
• The potential game-changer for Panathinaikos (30:34);
• The main difference between UNICS and Monaco gamble (35:15);
• Trust the process, Andrea Trinchieri edition (47:35);
• Baskonia potential to become one of the most attractive EuroLeague teams (50:28);
• Another big distraction for Maccabi playoffs chase (54:35);
• Bold prediction about Zenit not making the playoffs (59:18);
• What makes Olympiacos so attractive this year (1:06:38);
• The last-minute move which made Fenerbahce even better(1:10:28);
• What Armani Exchange might lack making the Final 4 again (1:16:04);
• Why we trust Real Madrid (1:20:58);
• Underrated summer for Barcelona and why it’s too early to be tired of Saras (1:23:35);
• What can stop Anadolu Efes from winning the EuroLeague again (1:28:26);
• What makes CSKA the favorites to win the EuroLeague regular season (1:31:45).

Kevin Punter from making $40k a year to highest-paid & the fate changing shot for Milan

Kevin Punter joins BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas to talk about the roots of his scoring mentality, crucial shot in the Final 4 which could have changed a future, and his road from getting paid $5k per month to choosing between the elite clubs in Europe.

Topics:

• Intro about comparisons with Kevin Durant and mastering his signature pull-up shot (00:00);
• The most challenging defender and facing Mike James or other elite scorers (4:58);
• The crucial shot in the EuroLeague Final 4 that still hurts to this day and how it could have changed his future (7:08);
• What changed his primary plan to stay in Milano and what he loved the most about Zeljko’s pitch (11:00);
• Tough rookie experience, weirdest European basketball lessons, and thinking about going home in December (14:20);
• Finding a balance between a selfish and team-friendly scorer and coach who helped in two most pivotal points of his career (19:52);
• Partizan players need to step up for Zeljko and chip on Punter’s shoulder (24:33).

Emotional Zeljko, Mike James sensation & what happened to Barca

BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas & Rytis Vysniauskas pay their respects after the passing of legendary coach Dusan Ivkovic. When they discuss sensational Monaco move with Mike James, how Barca lost the Supercopa final, and emotional Zeljko’s return to Istanbul.

Topics:

• Intro about Manu’s retro jerseys and Cibona in the second-hand shop (00:00);
• How we’ll remember Dusan Ivkovic (7:18);
• Great fit for Mike James and if he makes Monaco the playoff team (13:00);
• Another incredible story of Sergio Llull (27:02);
• Disappointing Nikola Mirotic (32:10);
• Barcelona downfall, perfect Poirier fit, underrated Oriola, questionable decision with Jokubaitis (36:12);
• Crucial referee’s mistake in the Supercopa final (40:16);
• Why it won’t be that easy for Partizan to win the EuroCup(46:11);
• Great leadership examples of Zach LeDay and Kevin Punter (52:13);
• Behind the scenes of an emotional Zeljko’s return (56:50);
• Just Ataman things and reasons behind his mental change (1:02:37);
• Should we be concerned about Zalgiris and Schiller status factors (1:11:22);
• If Efes would make the NBA playoffs (1:23:11);
• All-EuroLeague Favorite 5 for the upcoming season (1:26:40).

Mario Hezonja on why he left Panathinaikos & how the NBA challenges toughened him up

Mario Hezonja joins BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas to talk about a blessing offer going through a very tough period of his life, an enormous love story with Panathinaikos, a weird situation that forced him to leave Athens, NBA leadership examples for his new chapter in Europe, and feeling alive again.

Topics:

• How the EuroLeague changed, and what Hezonja was missing in the NBA (00:00);
• Why Sarunas Jasikevicius would have cut Hezonja’s head, and how the NBA changed his game (5:19);
• “I felt like I’m done with playing” (11:27);
• The blessing opportunity in Athens and weird situation why he left Panathinaikos (15:30);
• How UNICS impressed Hezonja and offers he received in summer which would make a mess in Greece (20:14);
• If joining the Barcelona was a real option (26:14);
• The leadership examples Hezonja learned in the Portland Trail Blazers (29:52);
• The reward of getting through the challenging NBA moments and what made him feel alive again (36:01).

Vasilije Micic on why he turned down the CSKA and NBA offers for Efes

We apologize for the sound in this episode, as we ran into some technical issues with Donatas' microphone during the recording & had Vasilije's microphone too close to his beard.

Vasilije Micic talks to BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas about why he turned down the CSKA offer and the NBA opportunity, how he makes the most important decisions of his life, and the special qualities of this championship team.

Topics:
- Intro & the party with Nikola Jokic that didn’t happen (00:00);
- From Mega to NBA MVP, how Nikola Jokic never changed (2:17);
- The main thing behind Vasilije Micic free agency decision (9:00);
- Very early unexpected offer from CSKA Moscow and why it was bad timing for the NBA (14:33);
- The NBA comparison for Vasilije Micic and fundamental reason why he stayed in Efes (21:53);
- What is a good NBA situation for Vasilije Micic and Luka Doncic example (27:00);
- If Micic agrees with Ataman that Efes would make the NBA playoffs (32:31);
- Why Micic stopped following basketball that much (34:40);
- Big desire outside playing and future head coaching possibility for Micic (37:10);
- Why Micic didn’t believe Efes will keep the core after the championship season and special relationship with Shane Larkin (39:50);
- Crucial Efes team meeting after blowout loss to CSKA and how to keep championship team hungry for another title (45:57);
- What’s the No. 1 EuroLeague draft pick for Vasilije Micic (53:56).

Ergin Ataman: How son and Spurs changed his mentality & would Efes make the NBA playoffs?

Ergin Ataman talks to BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas about the vital thing of building championship Anadolu Efes roster, why it could make the NBA playoffs, his son making the impact on his basketball philosophy, and the biggest EuroLeague title challengers.

Topics:

• Intro about two-time EuroLeague champion status and life as the EuroLeague champion (00:00);
• The biggest EuroLeague title challengers for the upcoming season (5:40);
• The key thing in building Anadolu Efes championship roster and significant budget change from 2018 (8:34);
• The speech after the final Efes game which could have impacted Micic decision to stay (13:38);
• How Ataman keeps Anadolu Efes players hungry (17:53);
• How the Spurs and Ataman’s son changed Ataman’s philosophy (21:20);
• What’s behind Ataman’s confidence and brave predictions (29:37);
• Who would be Ataman’s first pick in the EuroLeague draft (33:21);
• Ataman in the NBA and why would Efes make the NBA playoffs (34:50);
• Unfinished business with the Turkish National Team and what Ataman’s son thinks of the upcoming EuroLeague season (39:29).

$2.5M hostage Mike James, Mudiay vs. Napier, new look Real & All-Time EuroLeague five

BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas & Rytis Vysniauskas discuss the first preseason games of Real, Monaco, Baskonia and Zalgiris, Mike James situation, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Shabazz Napier potential. In the second part of the podcast, they named their All-Time best EuroLeague five and All-Time most underrated EuroLeague five.

Topics:

• Intro (00:00);
• Unshaved Laso, Ivanovic’s baseball cap, basketball commentators talking about Mbappe, and new-look Real (1:40);
• If Baldwin and Ivanovic can survive the season in Baskonia together (13:38);
• The greatest Baskonia signing of NBA potential and the biggest challenge for Rokas Giedraitis (23:05);
• Motiejunas potential in the EuroLeague and exciting rookie to watch in Monaco (28:53);
• New weapon in Kaunas and if Zalgiris did right taking Emmanuel Mudiay’s bet (35:33);
• Zalgiris EuroLeague playoff chances (46:16);
• Who’s a better fit for the EuroLeague: Mudiay or Shabazz Napier (50:40);
• Mike James hostage operation in CSKA Moscow (58:11);
• Ricky Rubio and his potential EuroLeague destination (1:02:27);
• All-Time EuroLeague five (1:09:50);
• All-Time most underrated EuroLeague lineup (1:32:41).

Errick McCollum on CJ McCollum joining him in Europe & lessons of his unexpected journey

Errick McCollum talks to BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas about his unexpected journey in basketball, him and CJ McCollum playing for the same EuroLeague team, learning from the best in Europe, and setting an example for his brother and future generations.

Topics:
- Intro (00:00);
- CJ McCollum’s favorite EuroLeague team & McCollum brothers reunion scenario in Europe (01:00);
- Why it’s personal every time Errick comes to Israel (6:54);
- When ‘maybe basketball was over’ for Errick McCollum (11:37);
- Unforgettable dad’s call & setting an example for CJ McCollum (15:00);
- The next day after the 82-point game & the NBA offer he refused (20:34);
- Explaining the crucial market decision (28:24);
- Handling crazy European basketball fans & basketball lesson of Vassilis Spanoulis (34:52);
- What makes Ergin Ataman a unique coach (34:52);
- Goals in Lokomotiv, main EuroCup rivals, and his post-career plan (44:14).

Fenerbahce GM Gherardini: Rebuild, Zeljko project & the NBA we never dreamed about

The general manager of Fenerbahce Istanbul, Maurizio Gherardini, talks to BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas about the Fener’s rebuild, interesting calls before Djordjevic’s hire, Zeljko Obradovic’s decision to join Partizan, the NBA we never dreamed of in Europe, and the EuroLeague’s situation.

Topics:

• Intro and the speech which inspires Maurizio Gherardini (00:00);
• The main concerns after Kokoskov’s departure, and the first evaluation of Djordjevic (13:25);
• How Djordjevic surprised Gherardini in Treviso (21:40);
• NBA style coaching future in the EuroLeague, and calls from the NBA coaches before Djordjevic’s hire (28:50);
• The pains of Fenerbahce rebuild and how far this team is from Gherardini’s vision (38:48);
• Zeljko Obradovic decision to join Partizan (48:58);
• From Georgi Glouchkov to International names impacting the NBA (55:28);
• The current EuroLeague situation and what Gherardini misses the most in the modern basketball era (59:20).

Hayes to Barcelona, a turnaround for Pangos, and the biggest EuroLeague teams needs

BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas & Orazio Cauchi discuss the biggest EuroLeague teams needs and what was behind the latest most exciting EuroLeague signings.

Topics:

• Intro (00:00);
• Nigel Hayes to Barcelona and Gabriel Deck rumors (1:12);
• a possible turnaround for Kevin Pangos and CSKA patience on the reinforcement (4:12);
• what’s the latest on the market for Baskonia, Crvena Zvezda, and Greg Monroe (8:50);
• UNICS move for a point guard (12:17);
• Jaleen Smith and ALBA rumors (16:05);
• Olympiacos after the NBA player and Panathinaikos plan B (17:48);
• Donatas Motiejunas case for the best paid Monaco player ever (22:52);
• Anadolu Efes reasons to be happy about Filip Petrusev deal (29:43);
• what was special about negotiations between Baskonia and Lary Nnoko (34:09).