Czech Republic - Nymburk vs Prostejov (Czech Finals 5.28.2010)

(#22 Ron Lewis givin' em the business -5.12.2010: Image - CEZ Basket)

So many individuals are great at this sport, yet only the best teams play into May. This notion rings true after watching hours of International & NBA Playoff basketball where only the teams with the best chemistry advance. With Brian Brown recently winning a title in Switzerland, guards Scoonie Penn & Ron Lewis remain in Europe as the last two survivors in the road to a championship.

In the Czech Republic, CEZ Nymburk entered the playoffs as the favorites and has played accordingly. They swept 8th seed BC Kolin in three games (quarter finals from 4.24.2010 to 5.1.2010) And then followed that up with a recent 3 to 1 Semi finals series win over fourth seeded BK Pardubicie (from 5.12.2010 to 5.22.2010)

The Pardubicie series was interesting because the competition was a step up from the previous round, and Nymburk was also without starting point guard Arthur Lee for two games. Game One on May 12th was perhaps one of the funnest games we viewed all season. Ron Lewis immediately set the tone from the jump with an explosive 13 point first quarter (just about showing the whole repertoire in the process) . For some reason Pardubicie initially elected to put a smaller guard on Lewis which resulted in a couple post up buckets & trips to foul the line. #22 would go on to covert a 3 and a nice transition layup where he went coast to coast after a rebound...

..Late in the 1st quarter is when it got real serious though. After a missed 3 (his only miss from long range of the night 3/4) Lewis hustled back on defense and swatted a dude's stuff near the rim. And then came the statement play..Ron caught the ball just a little bit to the right of the top of the key..he blew past the defender with his signature first step and banged on the help side D with a one hander. Lewis remained hot from 3 point range & in transition in the 2nd half, ending the game with 29 points in the W.



Nymburk played the next two games without guard Arthur Lee. Mike Lenzly been hooping out as well) & Ron Lewis helped out with ball handling and offense initiation. Lew did a lot of damage from the foul line in Game 2, and was able to nail three huge 3-pointers int he 4th quarter to help Nymburk in a road victory.




It looked like the defending champs were on their way to a sweep at home in gm 3, but Pardubicie pulled ahead late in the game and stole a victory. (Lewis 21pts) Yet, Nymburk responded to their first playoff loss with a convincing 70-56 gm4 victory to clinch the series. They ended up winning one game at home & two on the road, but Pardubicie's home court is exactly foreign to Nymburk because that is where they played their home Eurocup games.

(Some Lewis clips from the 2 home games vs Pardubicie)



5.28.2010 - (2) BK Prostejov at (1) CEZ Nymburk (Czech Finals-Game 1)

CEZ Nymburk will now look to continue their Championship Dynasty (this squad has won the Czech title like the last 4 or 5 years) by defeating BK Prostejov in the Czech Finals. Prostejov is the #2 seed in the tournament, and challenged Nymburk in every meeting this season. Like the Greek final, this should be another evenly matched series (except Prostejov doesn't have the x-factor..#22)

2010 Playoff Center

Greece - The Top 2 Powers Will Meet Once Again

(Scoonie Penn)

5.26.2010 (2) Olympiacos at (1) Panathinaikos (Greek Finals Game One)

Another chapter in the Olympiacos/Panathinaikos rivalry will be written in the 2010 Greek League Finals. This league is something like a two team monopoly with both of these squads now meeting in the final round for the 5th consecutive year. As expected, Olympiacos & PAO marched through the first two rounds of the playoffs (sweeping both rounds). The Reds took out Aris (5.1 - 5.3.2010) in a quick best of 3 game Quarterfinal before sweeping Marousi BC (5.16. - 5.22.2010) in the best of 5 game Semifinal.

Scoonie Penn was solid in the semis with a 7 point/2 assist average. You can just see that the veteran guard is locked in to the highest degree with this ball club. He is constantly making the extra pass, looking for other guys, and not forcing anything. Scoonie was able to get open and nail a 3 in each of the Marousi games. Any offense (in addition to his sound floor game) Penn can provide will be huge for Olympiacos in the finals. When Penn returned to Greece in January of 2010 he specifically mentioned the desire to gain redemption for the 2007 Championship loss to PAO...it is crazy because he is playing better & better right now and look ready to seize the moment.

Currently we would definitely call this matchup a tossup. Both teams are farily evenly matched. Panathinaikos is the former Euroleague Champion of last season. This year they would fail to make it to the Final 4 and saw their Greek rival Olympiacos advance all the way to the finals before losing to Barcelona. Olympaicos looked a bit stronger throughout most of the season (beating PAO 2 out of 3 times) Yet, Panathinaikos has looked stront in the last month & a half of Greek League play..plus they have home court advantage as the number one seed..this should be a hot series.

-Clips of Game 4 vs Marousi in the Greek Leek Semifinals - hit up the -2010 Playoff Center- for highlights of the games one & 2 from that series)

(Video) Buckeye Passion Short Trailer

(Buckeye Passion short trailer featuring several Buckeyes from the past, present, & future. Apologies to the Buckeyes who are not in this video, there will be more :)

-More updates later this weekend on the playoffs, Buckeyes in China, & Evan Turner. The German League playoffs have been turned upside down with the top 2 seeds already eliminated. Nymburk suffered a rare home loss in Game 3 of the Czech Semis (Without Arthur Lee) following two offensive assaults unleashed by guard Ron Lewis in the first two contests. (those highlights still coming up) Game 4 will be Saturday night/Mid-day in the States. Two more important playoff games on Sat the 22nd. Brian Brown & Lugano will face Fribourg in Game 3 of the Swiss Finals (Series tied at 1-1), and Olympiacos will look to advance to the Greek Finals with a game 3 win over Maroussi (the reds are leading the series 2-0)

Katie Smith helps the Washington Mystics to a 2-0 Start!

(Katie Smith)

5.15.2010 - Indiana Fever 65 vs Washington Mystics 72 (WNBA Opener)
-Katie Smith - 12 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 blks, 1 steal

5.16.2010 - Washington Mystics 87 at Minnesota Lynx 76
-Katie Smith - 16 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds!

The 2010 WNBA Season is kicking off earlier than usual in order to get a jump on preparation for the 2010 FIBA Women's World Championships in August (Czech Republic). 12 teams (1 new - Tulsa Shock) comprised of the best players from around the world will attempt to follow the Phoenix Mercury as the next WNBA Champions. Two former Ohio State Buckeyes are currently playing at the highest level of women's basketball, former All-America Jessica Davenport & future Hall Of Famer Katie Smith (currently the 3rd leading scorer in WNBA history)

After a successful stint with the now defunct Detroit Shock (2 Titles, 1 Finals MVP), veteran guard Katie Smith is playing perhaps her final season with the Washington Mystics, a young but talented squad that made it to the Eastern Conference Semis last year (capable of that & more this season). Smith & the Mystics have been called upon to play big minutes right out of the gate in the absence of their best player Alana Beard (ankle). The squad responded in admirable fashion with two back to back road victories over Indiana & Minnesota to open the season.

We got a chance to attend the the WNBA opener between Indiana & Washington at Conseco Saturday May 15th. We were also able to view a little bit of Minnesota game the next night on WNBA All-Access on WNBA.com - this feature is exactly like the futurecast player for thge D-league..a quick 2 minute free sign-up will give you access to the night's games.

It definitely did not take long to notice Washington's great talent & depth even without Beard. They have a decent 1-2 punch inside with the talented Crystal Langhorne & Nakia Sanford. At guard they currently start Katie Smith with Lindsay Harding, but the real start so far has been yet another Duke player Monique Currie, who is looking like the one of the top players in the league so far. In addition to the starters, Matee Ajavon, Marissa Coleman ,and Chassity Melvin provide excellent depth.

In examining Smith, we liken her to that of a head coach on the floor. The 35 year old oozes so much savvy and experience that just wears off on her teammates. She is always looking for the extra and or correct pass, and knows when to pick her spot for the shot or drive. Moreover, Katie is a constant communicator on the court..She talks during timeouts, in between timeouts, and walking to and from the bench. Smith is able to back up her leadership qualities with exemplary team first play (will do whatever it takes, was matched up against Tamika Catchings to open in the season in Indy) We saw her veteran poise up close when she nailed a dagger 4th quarter thee to stretch the lead to 12. In Minnesota the next night, it was #30's defense, in the form of 3 charges taken that would help Washington stay in the game before eventually pulling away.

We can definitely see this team making more noise in the East health permitting. The Mystics will play their home opener on Friday May 21 vs the New York Liberty (Watch on WNBA All-Access)

Jessica Davenport & the Indiana Fever raise their 2009 East Conference Championship banner before the opener vs Washington.

With the 20th Pick in the 1984 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons Select Tony Campbell, Ohio State

(The next installment of our draft series brings us to another great East Coast Buckeye, Tony Campbell)

Teaneck, New Jersey's Tony Campbell was selected by the Detroit Pistons as the 20th pick in the 1984 NBA Draft. Recruited to Ohio State by Head Coach Eldon Miller, Campbell his college years alongside fellow future NBA players Herb Williams & Clark Kellogg. 1984 was home to perhaps the best class of all-time with names such as Jordan, Hakeem, Barkley, & Stockton to name a few. As children of the early 1980s, we obviously do not have any great recollections of Tony Campbell, but all of the past interviews, articles, and statistical calculations summarize the career of a versatile scorer & rebounder. (Averaged 18 & 7 in his Senior Season)

Campbell spent his first three seasons with the upstart Pistons before experiencing the 'Showtime Era' with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1987 to 1989 (winning a ring in the process). After L.A, Tony would get an opportunity to fully display his scoring prowess & potential as a Minnesota Timberwolve. He averaged 23 points & 6 rebounds in his first season up North, and currently ranks 5th on the Minnesota all-time scoring list. (just three season there, but Tony was extremely durable with an average of 80 played games in those years). The forward wrapped up his NBA career with stints in New York, Dallas, & Cleveland before leaving the NBA in 1995, and officially retiring from active basketball in 1996.

Like so many former Buckeye greats, Tony Campbell has used his life long capital in giving back to the community & sport in his post-active careers. Some of his leadership roles have been that of a youth mentor/counselor, a Computer Graphics teacher at one time, a High School Basketball Coach, and currently the Athletic Director for the Bay Ridge Preparatory School in New Jersey.

Great Interview - One on one with Tony Campbell

Career Stats


Video Upload

(Young Tony!..gets drafted by the Pistons..He might be a little nervous here, but we like his answer to the question about being streaky. His play would go on to speak for itself in those regards.)

Final Days in Paris (Olympiacos Videos)

(More videos of Scoonie Penn & Greek Power Olympiacos in Paris for the Eurolegue Final Four)

May 8th-May 10th

Random Videos - (Tony Stockman, Daequan Cook)

(Image Vivo/Franca)

Two recent and old videos of guards Tony Stockman & Daequan Cook. Stockman returned from a hand injury to participate in the last couple of playoff games for Vivo/Franca, but the Brazilian squad eventually fell in the Semi-finals vs Flamengo (May 11th) Tony's Youtube Channel (subscribe) is full of feature highlights & extended footage of his club. Tony dazzles a guy with the behind the back handle in the 1st video, the 2nd is from a december 2009 upload.

Former Buckeye Daequan Cook visits Eastwood High

Random Oden NBA2K Trailer lol

1 Series to a Title - Igokea & The Lugano Tigers Advance to the Playoff Finals in Bosnia & Switzerland!

(#4 Jamar Butler - KK Igokea - Bosnia)

5.12.2010 KK Igokea vs Siroki Ironet (Bosnian Finals -Game 1)

Jamar Butler is just one series away from wrapping up a long 2nd season of European Basketball. He was already in Cyprus by the beginning of October 2009 in preparation for the 09/2010 Greek League Season. Butler stayed with GS Olympia Larissa from the fall to Spring 2010 when he eventually joined KK Igokea (team) Aleksandrovac (location), one of the better teams in the Bosnia and Herzegovina League. The Guard's playing situation in Bosanski Aleksandrovac is quite different from Greece, where he started 15 games for Larissa. While the level of play in Bosnia is a step down from the Greek A1 League, Butler joins one of the top squads in Igokea with a bit of established depth. They start this guy (the green goblin) dude at PG, and will then look to another guard & Jamar for depth.

(Jamar Butler v. Bosna. S: 5.1.2010 Semi-Finals)

KK Igokea recently advanced to the Bosnian Playoff Finals following a 2-0 Series win over Bosna. S. Jamar received an increase of on court action (25 minutes) in Game 1 of the Semi-finals (May 1st). Butler had perhaps his best game with Igokea, leading the club with 16 points & 3 assists en route to a 85-73 victory. (hmm..more mins equals more productivity..seems like a simple foramula) Igokea would then survive a close Game 2 on May 5th to advance to the Playoff finals. (75-72, Butler contributed 7 points) Game of the finals begins on May 12th versus a club called Siroki Ironet.

(edited at 11:36pm 5.11.2010)

(Brian Brown - 2010 Swiss Playoffs)

Eye of the Tiger - The Lugano Tigers of Lugano, Switzerland have advanced to the Swiss League Finals! Brian Brown & the Tigers routed Starwings Basket in the first two games of the Semi-Finals. They were defeated by just two points in Game 3 (76-74) on May 8th, but returned the favor on May 11th with an 82-80 victory to clinch the series. Brian Brown had a solid Semi-finals series in an avg of 29 mins a game & scoring in double figures twice (18 in game one). The Lugano Tigers will now meet a club called Benetton Fribourg in the Playoff finals. Good luck guys!

2010 Playoff Center

The Reds Arrive To Paris In Preparation of the Euroleague Final Four (Videos!)

(Euroleague Final Four 2010 - Paris, France)

5.7.2010 - Olympiacos (Greece) vs Partizan Belgrade (Serbia) - Euroleague Semifinals!


The moment of truth is almost here for Greek Power Olympiacos. The Reds finished off Aris in the opening round of the Greek playoffs on May 2nd. They have since arrived in Paris, France for the bigger goal of capturing the Euroleague Title.

Olympiacos will play Partizan Belgrade of Serbia in the 2nd game of the Semifinals on Friday Night/Friday afternoon in the U.S on May 7th (Barcelona vs CSKA Moscow in the 1st). These are do or die, single shot contests with the losers meeting in a 3rd place game & the winners meeting in the final on Sunday.


- Olympiacos & Scoonie Penn tidbits -

-Olympiacos reached the Euroleague final four last season (2008/2009) and reached the Euroleague finals in 1994, 1995 & 1997, winning their only title in 97.

-Olympiacos split with Partizan in the Euroleague regular season.

-Scoonie Penn needs just 5 more steals to match Marcus Brown for 10th place on the Euroleague Basketball career steals chart. Penn enters the Final Four with 178 career steals in 101 games. Only one player in the top 10 (Dimitris Diamantidis, 1.93 spg.) has a better per-game career average than Penn (1.76 spg.).

More updates soon!

-Videos!-

(Vintage Scoonie from the 2007 Euroleague Pre Final 4 vs Spanish Club TAU. Scoonie hits two straight layups & then adds some of the east coast swag)

(Olympiacos Day 2 Paris)