(CEZ Nymburk: 2009/2010 Czech Champions)
(The Champ is Here Part 2: Ron Lewis)6.5.2010 - (1) CEZ Nymburk 75 vs (2) BK Prostejov 67 - Game 5 (CEZ Nymburk wins Czech Championship!!)
- Ron Lewis - 8 points, 3 assists
Wire to Wire - In sports we love to throw around such familiar words & phrases like dominance, the imposing of will onto others, and or prolonged excellence. This may be in the context of one game or throughout an entire season. Rarely do we refer to dominance over the course of several years, when this occurs it is especially noted in history. (UCLA Basketball, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan ect..) Those within the Czech Republic Basketball Community have been witnessing a powerful dynasty with club CEZ Nymburk.
(Top: Ron Lewis, Left to Right: Petr Benda, Arthur Lee, Ladislav Sokolovsky)
Nymburk is located just 30 minutes away (east) from capital city Prague. The club has had considerable financial backing to go with loyal fan support. They captured their first title in the Czech Republic's top basketball league (Mattoni NBL) at the end of the 2003/2004 season. Unfortunately for the rest of the league, Nymburk did not look back as they have now won seven, count em' seven straight Czech Titles, including their latest on June 5th, 2010. Although we have only been following Nymburk for one season, it seems like their formula for success has been the same each year. The identity or makeup of this team has always been a squad of some of the best native Czech born players coupled with key imports from America & other European countries.
The 2009/2010 version of Nymburk marched through the Czech Regular Season with little resistance, ending the reg. season with a sick 40-4 record. The Eurocup schedule of games were added from December 2009 on. The Czech club surprised Europe by advancing to the Eurocup Elite 8 (only coming six points short of making it to the last 4). Even with the confidence of Eurocup & dominating the regular season, Nymburk knew the playoffs were not going to be a walk in the park, at least not the last rounds. From the onset of the tournament, it was clear that Nymburk was destined for a finals matchup with the 2nd best team in the country, BK Prostejov. Prostejov gave teams trouble with their size, good defense, and leadership from point guard Eugene Lawrence (not to mention defeating Nymburk a couple times in the reg season).
Furthermore, adding to the challenge was the absences of key players Arthur Lee & Mike Lenzly for a couple games due to injury. But in the end, Nymburk won the series using the signature formula of their popular outgoing coach Muli Katzurin, defense & team play. The Champs handled Prostejov in the fist two games at home. They dropped Game 3 on the road, and then routed their rivals in Game 4 before closing out the series at home (Game 5). Some of Nymburk's long time leaders were huge in this series. Petr Benda was very effective in the post & with his midrange shot..and Ladislav unleashed a barrage of 3 point buckets all season. But it really an honest team effort with others like Phil Ricci & Kremen stepping up, Lenzly when he was in (all had been playing well throughout the playoffs).
Buckeye Ron Lewis played the finals in commendable fashion. #22 did whatever was needed to help Nymburk win whether it be scoring from the field, getting to the line when his club needed something positive, running the team, setting guys up, or playing tough defense. With Lee & Lenzly out, Nymburk had Ron at point guard for long stretches in the series. Lewis initiated the offense, and on some occasions had to guard Prostejov's PG on defense . (he ended up with 6 assists in game 3) Ron Lewis scored 8 points & had 3 assists in the title clinching game. There was perhaps one play in Game 5 that exemplified Lewis' role in the finals. Late int he 2nd half, Lewis drove the lane and threw a nice dime to Phil Ricci for the dunk. (included in the vid) We have no doubt that Lewis raised his basketball capital after this season (adapted to different styles, played good competition). More on Lewis later, but for now congrats to Nymburk!
-2010 Playoff Center
-Czech League Playoffs Overview
-Video, some clips of Ron Lewis vs BK Prostejov from games 1,2, 3 & 5, plus the championship celebration!
- Ron Lewis - 8 points, 3 assists
Wire to Wire - In sports we love to throw around such familiar words & phrases like dominance, the imposing of will onto others, and or prolonged excellence. This may be in the context of one game or throughout an entire season. Rarely do we refer to dominance over the course of several years, when this occurs it is especially noted in history. (UCLA Basketball, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan ect..) Those within the Czech Republic Basketball Community have been witnessing a powerful dynasty with club CEZ Nymburk.
(Top: Ron Lewis, Left to Right: Petr Benda, Arthur Lee, Ladislav Sokolovsky)The 2009/2010 version of Nymburk marched through the Czech Regular Season with little resistance, ending the reg. season with a sick 40-4 record. The Eurocup schedule of games were added from December 2009 on. The Czech club surprised Europe by advancing to the Eurocup Elite 8 (only coming six points short of making it to the last 4). Even with the confidence of Eurocup & dominating the regular season, Nymburk knew the playoffs were not going to be a walk in the park, at least not the last rounds. From the onset of the tournament, it was clear that Nymburk was destined for a finals matchup with the 2nd best team in the country, BK Prostejov. Prostejov gave teams trouble with their size, good defense, and leadership from point guard Eugene Lawrence (not to mention defeating Nymburk a couple times in the reg season).
Furthermore, adding to the challenge was the absences of key players Arthur Lee & Mike Lenzly for a couple games due to injury. But in the end, Nymburk won the series using the signature formula of their popular outgoing coach Muli Katzurin, defense & team play. The Champs handled Prostejov in the fist two games at home. They dropped Game 3 on the road, and then routed their rivals in Game 4 before closing out the series at home (Game 5). Some of Nymburk's long time leaders were huge in this series. Petr Benda was very effective in the post & with his midrange shot..and Ladislav unleashed a barrage of 3 point buckets all season. But it really an honest team effort with others like Phil Ricci & Kremen stepping up, Lenzly when he was in (all had been playing well throughout the playoffs).
Buckeye Ron Lewis played the finals in commendable fashion. #22 did whatever was needed to help Nymburk win whether it be scoring from the field, getting to the line when his club needed something positive, running the team, setting guys up, or playing tough defense. With Lee & Lenzly out, Nymburk had Ron at point guard for long stretches in the series. Lewis initiated the offense, and on some occasions had to guard Prostejov's PG on defense . (he ended up with 6 assists in game 3) Ron Lewis scored 8 points & had 3 assists in the title clinching game. There was perhaps one play in Game 5 that exemplified Lewis' role in the finals. Late int he 2nd half, Lewis drove the lane and threw a nice dime to Phil Ricci for the dunk. (included in the vid) We have no doubt that Lewis raised his basketball capital after this season (adapted to different styles, played good competition). More on Lewis later, but for now congrats to Nymburk!
-2010 Playoff Center
-Czech League Playoffs Overview
-Video, some clips of Ron Lewis vs BK Prostejov from games 1,2, 3 & 5, plus the championship celebration!
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