WeAreMaccabi

No question Efes fans are not 'the best'... it might has to do with the team spirit, but that is (unfortunately) not the problem of Tyus, he simply lack basic skills to become 'top preformance' player, and on to of that his real problem is his mentality... he could only be coplementary player, not a leading one... (that was the same with all teams he played for)

Don't develop much expectations.... Lasy profile "light worker" - great athletic skills but no ball handling and no shooting at all, only dunks... and terrible free throws... but his real major 'injury' has to do with his head - his Willingness to 'give it all' or handle minor injuries that any player go through during season...

in most EL teams, about 20 min. per game is what you get from his position, not to mention the fact that his execution or shooting % would not change given 'more minutes'... its all matter of perspective - he is a complementary player, not a leading player, saying he is not the one 'to do the difference' - in my view & attitude, I would rather have 4~5 'leading' foreign players, and for such role use local player which could surely bring similar contribution with added passion & devotion to the team... regarding 'interested' do not take for granted all those media & agents spins, if those were 'real' 50% of the EL players would have played in Maccabi along the years... Maccabi is certainly not among 'the top' budget clubs in EL, but players know that's maybe the best place for fans desire & basketball atmosphere devotion, so in many cases are willing to sign here for lower sums then other places, and regarding that 'interest' (even if indeed there was such) it doesn't say the team managment was not mistaken... see what happened last year when they shamed the Maccabi spirit with players who does not deserve to wear the Yellow shirts...

The fact I'm Maccabi supporter is not relevant here, and I certainly have nothing personal with Singleton... 'solid defender' is nice but not enogh, foreign players are signed to execute, and Singleton does not - you say he has 'nice stats' ?! ... does ~42% for 2P + 30% for 3P + 4 RB per 20m' seem nice to you ? he is very unstable, also his free throws are mediocre... he had 1~2 good season games plus one remarkble game on playoff's vs. Barcelona, but that about it... take close look at his stats, at 60% of last season games his P/R was under 8, not a solid shooter, no assist contribution, tend to loose balls.... sorry my freind, with all due respect, thats not enough for my standards...

Do not develop too much expectations, average player at most... bad ball handling, poor quality shooter... mediocre player, might be nice 'back up' but in those cases I would rather prefer to have local player...

That is problematic issue - on one hand, the EL wish to metain its position as the top European competition, saying actually the winning team is the 'European champion', therefore it can not actually continue with narrow format of 16 teams only, especially while most of those are 'secured' without relevancy to their sportive results on their domestic league... so they have to enwiden the format and open fair opportunity to additional clubs who won titles - second point, if they stay with 16 teams only that league would lose its legitimacy as it actually blocks other clubs for building tradition & legacy - third point, having those same 16 teams only for long without fresh rivals, will become boring to the media & fans themselves, thereafter damage the commercial concept here, so all together,
they will have to open up, either 24 0r 32 teams, there are enough good teams to join... NBA has also 30 teams at first stage, not all are indeed 'interesting'...

Practical view for a change, nice !!
I had long discussion here with courgette regarding the importance of finencial stability and commercial aspects which are integral part of public & fan interest with sport nowdays, trying to explain the significant role of EL powerhouse such as Real, CSKA, Maccabi, PAO, Milano which 'earned' their EL place as of true European legacy and must be in EL even in case of tough season here and there (as any club may go through from time to time)...
The only point I disagree with you is regarding Darussafaka - with all due respect to the money they intend to invest, such club with no sportive achievments at all should not be favorated over other known clubs who won actual titles (and there are many other candidates that could effort EL budget !) especially when there is only single position left this year (which is hedious by itself...)
If EL wish to extend public interest, push forward additional leading clubs, and gain their 'European basketball Championship league' position, my view is they have to return to 32 teams format (by first stage or either perliminar elimination of 8 teams that would lead to 24 teams league), while the licence A would be limited to 8~10 teams only, that way all actual domestic or arial league champions would have the chance to join the competition and establish their own position with years to come.

It is nice they try to establish 'new legacy' in Istanbul, it is indeed respected they are willing to invest huge amounts of money for that, but when Euroleague format is so narrow with 16 teams only (even with 24...) Darussafaa should not be favorated over other known clubs having already some history, legacy, fans that has earned the right to qualify (or even try to qualify...) threw winning sportive title... there is logical basis to secure the few clubs with real european legacy (I would say 6 to 8 maximum...) but EL can not ignore or deny the option to qualify as of sportive achievements, especially with such club with no history neither any title won... that's my view at least (-:

Thats why I said Blatt stories are funny... what 'building' exactly could he do in only 1 year ? more like 'buying' under his 'golden parachute' at Dogos... coach at his scale should have gone to any top Euroleague club, especially when some of the best are looking for coach... but then there are some expectations.... EL format may change a bit next year, the question is if Dogos would be there without the money...

'Building' is nice... though bit funny as Darussafaka has only one year Euroleague card, not to mention even that one was actually 'bought' for money without any sportive title rather any history...

Funny thing is that you are so convinced to be correct, so you take 'decisions' for others without reffering to the WHOLE dialog (you did it before and now again...) - I shared with you openly my view that basicly it should have been only 6 licences, so the decision to add others is not for me to answer, but if you ask "why.." I would assume that as decision been taken recent years, it does probably reflect the situation sinnce the competition was founded (2001) - and you see, unlike our freind gagarin here, I have not even known where are you from as thats not the issue for me... I could assure you I'm devoted basketball fan and the fact I'm Maccabi supporter does not influence my reffering view... I wish to remind you the discussion was regarding Darussafaka wild card (which we both agree has no real basis...) but unfortunately, with regard to the Alicense to those few legitimate EL powerhouses you have not managed to convince me there is anything wrong with it... and two last points that will explain to you why those great attractive clubs are essential to that league and public interest - 1. would you be able to name the champions of Nederland, Maccedonia, GB, Bulgaria or Rumania ? I doubt it... 2. Are you watching the NBA ?...

Sorry again dear freind - you say 'we mostly agree' but you write something which is completely wrong !!...
Those 'few clubs' that built titles, history & fan legacy has not done it out of any 'illegitimate licenes' as you say - they were there much before Euroleage competition has been founded !! - go back to the 70',80',90's you will meet Real, Maccabi, CSKA, Barcelona, Milano much before any 'pot of gold' or license was on site... none of those clubs is 'afraid' to base qualification upon sportive results, but you can not ignore the reality today and the need of money to sports - are all the Football champions league teams really Champions of their local league ? why are there 4 places for Spanish teams or English teams ? why has the Israeli champion to go through elimination stages rather than Italien teams ? why are some of the teams 'graded' for easier qualification ? its kind of the same, just the Basketball field it much limited therefore any authority management (FIBA as well as ELCA) would like to ensure the interest & finencial resources of such league (FIBA was even willing at certain stage to confirm more permanent license teams upon having the control in hand...) so it is clear presence of those few teams is legitimate & essential !!
Regarding the second point of 'how many' - it's true I'm Maccabi fan, nothing to hide as you see, but I'm basketball fair fan at the same level, so for me the Maccabi aspect is no issue as based on sportive results net, even if said 3 teams only, there is no question Maccabi is one of those, so that's really easy -
I didn't say 10~12 because I thing so but because that was their decision - in case there would be competition of 32 (or 24 + qualification stage of additional 8 as used to be) it seems OK to me, I personally believe it should be 6 (or max. 8) but this issue is subjected to the final number of competing teams - as long sportive results are being considered fairly and champions has the open route to qualify, there is no problem if they choose to secure 2 more as of finencial aspects, but that has to be done fairly with care, not as with this case of Darrussafaka which does not have any sportiv real basis.

You only take small part of what I said and twist my words... I did not say place has been given 'because of fan legacy' ! - I said 'Titles, History and... fan legacy' !! fan legacy is only by-product, and saying that I reffer to the fans attending the games, not 'TV fans' !! -- however, you 2'nd claim regarding Maccabi 'not taking the title' is not relevant as 'Maccabi' (as well with few other clubs that are European powerhouses) is there thanks to titles, history & legacy so earned its position by right, and discussing Maccabi I can personally add it was eliminated last year not becaue of great 'malaga, bamberg or Darussafaka' but because of hedious mistakes made by its management, and if you go back with years you will find all of those 'big' clubs had a year of failure here and there - such occasinal seasons does not change the fact those clubs are leading the basketball continuously, and are usually among the champions or runner-ups at their local competition, to granting those the A licencse is strictly logical and understandable, both from the sportive aspect and the commercial one as well... I completely agree with you that in order 'enlarge the circle' and anable additional clubs to create such 'history and legacy' Euroleage must open the competition in way other champions would have the right to join the first stage, (exactly as I just said before...) - it is legitimate such clubs would be required to certain minimum budget like with champions league, but at least they would have the decision ! - that way is important (to my beleive) in order for Euroleage to gain its recognition as 'European championship title' rather than of commercial private league for the coming season.
one last thing regarding the TV rigths - as I'm veteran fan of Maccabi and has many close freinds of other clubs all around Europe, most of those are attending their team games and not neccesarily buy those EL TV' licencses, nowdays most of the 'interesting' games are bought by the broadcast channels by some arrangement with the local dealer, so I'm not sure how significant is the REAL money income from fans directly... especially as there are numerous ways to get those live streams today...

That's not completely true - there is obvious difference between granting A licencse to European powerhouses like Real Madrid/CSKA/Maccabi/PAO/Barcelona/Milano etc.that are legendary clubs many years and has always been at the top of European basketball, for which it is legitimate to be permanent part of such league, to some peripheral club which haven't got any record, neither won any single title and has been 'prefered' over legitimate other clubs (who won championship at their local league) just and only as result of their finencial EL support ! - with all due respect to the Euroleague that is perceived as 'European championship' as of being the top level competition, I truly beleive this coming year format of 16 teams only which actually avoid other legitimate clubs (who won titles) even the basic chance to join it is pure mistake which will not last long... with all respect to money factor, no one can take the 'sport' atmosphere & results out of the way !! so it is acceptable to guarantee top 10~12 clubs, but there should be (at least to my view) open way for genuin sports champions to join the competition - either by setting any 'initial' stage of 32 teams, or by short 'qualification' tournament that will offer at least 8 more places to the start point of lets say 24 teams... coming back to Darusaffaka - that's the worst situation, as such club is there only for money, while many others with titles, history & fan legacy are out :-(....

Blatt is not overrated, he is great person and great coach, no doubt about it - as much he (or 'smart' reporters/commentators) will try to claim 'there is a challange' or 'he is thrilled to arrive to uprizing club' that's bad joke - signing with such isoteric club (with all due respect to their nice budget) while other leading euroleague powerhouses are looking for a coach is kind of 'running off expectations' or 'its all about money'... either cases does not contribute to his position.... it is nice to chat about 'building for long term' and other 'justifications' but there is nothing behind it - this club has earned his EL ticket only by money, and next year is not expected to be there at all, so what's the story man ??

Sounds like a bad joke... what interest could Blatt have to coach Darusafaka ? Top coach, Euroleague champion that could actually choose now one of the leading Euroleague powerhouses as Maccabi, Real Madrid, Barcelona will go to peripheral club as Darusafaka ? Money is not the issue here, no way....