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. Later they discuss the sensational AS Monaco move with Mike James, how Barca lost the Supercopa final, and the emotional return of Zeljko 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).



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


Vasilije Micic joins BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas to chat about turning 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).

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.




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).