How to Call a Time Out When There is None Left?

BC Mures lost to Energia Tirgu Jiu 81-78 in the 25th round of the LNBM after a tightly fought game against the Eurochallenge prodigy. 

Towards the end of the game, with only 4 seconds remaining on the clock, BC Mures had a 1 point deficit with Giordan Wattson at the free throw line for two shots. With all three time outs exhausted, coach Prakuraitis gathered his players at the sideline and explained what he expected from them in the last attack of the game. Even while the players were preparing for the free throw, he was drawing on the tactical board and showing it to his players. And it almost worked, Polyak having an unexpected open shot at the buzzer, which unfortunately for his team, but to the joy of the Energia fans didn't go in.

The 39 Minute Player

In basketball there are a few extremely talented players who can make shots from any position and in tough circumstances. They just feel it. It can't be trained, taught or practiced. It just comes from the God given talent that they possess.

They (usually) defy basketball: don't need set plays, won't get discouraged if they miss three in a row, taunt their adversaries and many times ignore the coach's indication. They are loved by the fans and hated by the opposition.

Any coach would want such a player on the court in the final minutes of a close game. Just give him the ball, sit on the bench and see the opponents shake in their sneakers. They usually deliver.

There are a few players there, who can do these things, they have the talent, the attitude, the works, but only during the first 39 minutes of the game. They score 20+ points in a game, make tough shots, exasperate the opposing coach and send the fans into heaven. But come the last minute, they fall into an unknown abyss and simply forget about everything and become doombringers for their teams. They commit turnovers, miss shot after shot, and if they are kept on the court, they most probably lose the game all by themselves. 

Such a player is Matija Ceskovic from CSU Atlassib Sibiu, previously at BC Mures. His talent and basketball skills can't be contested. When he is on fire, almost nothing can stop him from scoring. He is a pain in the arse for any defender and defensive system. He can score from way beyond the arc or he can penetrate to the basket even against much taller opposition.

But all this only in the first 39 minutes. If a coach had the bad decision of leaving him on the court, moreover gave him the ball in hope that he would win the game, it would mean almost certain doom for the team. There are many examples from both his BC Mures and CSU Sibiu periods and I won't bother to line them all up here. A perfect example was today's match against Pitesti, which Sibiu lost in the final minute. 

After taking the lead with less than a minute to go, thanks to a 3 pointer by Ceskovic, Sibiu gained possession due to a Lee rebound. Ceskovic received the ball with less than 40 seconds on the clock and tried to wind down the clock as usual for a team in lead. After a failed inside pass to Lee, the ball bounced to Bojovic, who passed it to Ceskovic. With the shot clock winding down he was forced to shoot a desperation three, but wasn't even close and on the ensuing fast break Pitesti scored with an easy dunk. Sibiu called for a time out and the coach decided to give the ball to, you guessed right, Nr. 26. With only a few seconds left on the clock, Ceskovic attempted to pass the ball to Lee under the basket, and he succeeded, but committed travelling in the process and there was no more time left for a miracle in Pitesti.

I have nothing personal against Matija Ceskovic, he is a very talented and versatile player. I liked him both time he played for BC Mures, but if I were the coach, I would have left him on the bench every time when there was a clutch situation within the final minutes of a game.

35 What About a Real Final Four?

Energia Tirgu Jiu is very close to qualifying for the last eight phase of the Eurochallenge, Europe's third basketball club competition. With two home games left, Energia has a 3-1 record, and have their faith in their own hands. 

If they win any of their two home games they are 100% in the next round, with a victory against Astana they even have the first place assured. There is only one realistic possibility to lose their place in the top 8. If they were defeated in their last two games at home and Okapi Aalstar beat both Enel Basket and Astana on the road, only then would Antonis Constantinides' side miss the chance to make it into the next phase.

There is still the possibility that all four teams will finish with a 3-3 record and then the total goal difference of the group will decide the qualifying teams. In this case Energia will have to limit harshly the margin with which they lose, to heighten their chances of qualifying.

If Energia makes it into the Quarter Final Playoffs, they will meet one of the top 2 teams from Group J in a "best of three" encounter, with two matches played on the better placed team's court. Group J is still open to all possibilities, but Le Mans is currently holding first place, with Nanterre and Usak in joint second.

The winners of the Quarter Final games will play in the Eurochallenge Final Four. The host of the event will be chosen out of the four teams that have made it there. 

It would be nice to see such an event organized in Romania, it would mean a great deal for the image of Romanian basketball. In my opinion the chances for Energia to get there are bigger than that of getting the organizing. To organize the Final Four the team has to assure a hall with a minimum of 3000 seats, so the Tirgu Jiu Arena is out of the question. There are other halls which live up to the standards, but there is the question whether the club wants to organize an event in another city, where most of their faithful fans won't have the chance to see their favorites.

We will have to wait and see, first whether Energia makes it or not so far (I sincerely hope they do), then if there is enough will and financial power to organize such an event. Until then let's root for them because they showed on the court repeatedly that they deserve our respect.

34 Ex-Tiger to Coach Universitatea

Flavius Lapuste has been named as the new coach of National League team Universitatea Cluj-Napoca. This comes after Carmin Popa has announced his resignation after 18 games in charge of the team which had a 0-18 win loss record.

Lapuste, who is 37 years old, and just recently hung up his basketball shoes, will make his coaching debut against one of his former teams, BC Mures Tirgu Mures. He spent two seasons in Tirgu Mures before leaving to play for Energia Rovinari.

The Pitesti born player, played many seasons in Cluj-Napoca, but for another team, U-Mobitelco Cluj-Napoca. He also played for the Romanian National Team.

Flavius Lapuste's new team has a mountain to climb if they want to avoid relegation at the end of the season. The coach's job is to make his players believe that the goal is still achievable.

Universitatea Cluj vs. BC Mures will see two teams who can't afford to lose if they want to achieve their pre-season objectives: remaining in the National League for the hosts and making the playoffs for the visitors.

Although I am sure that BC Mures fans can't concede a defeat at the hands of Universitatea, they all wish a long and fruitful coaching career for Flavius, but only after Thursday night's game. 

33 The Romanian Cup Final Four to be Held in Pitesti

The Romanian Cup Final Four has been awarded to Pitesti. The team which has one Cup title to its name, has won the auction which started at 10.000 lei. The other two teams qualified for the Final Four are CSU Atlassib Sibiu and BC Mures Tirgu Mures. CSU Asesoft Ploiesti and BC Timisoara will play a double for the last spot on the 18th and 25th of March.

The Final Four will take place in the Trivale City Arena between the 2nd and 3rd of April (Thursday and Friday). The schedule of games is as follows:

1. CSU Atlassib Sibiu - BC Mures Tirgu Mures

2. CSU Asesoft Ploiesti / BC Timisoara - BCM U Pitesti

The winners of these two games will play for the Romanian Cup.

The Trivale City Arena is the smallest of all four possible locations. Basketball is highly regarded in Pitesti and most probably there will be a full house, at least for the local team's games. There would be a problem accommodating the visiting fans, but given that the tournament will be held in the middle of the week, the probability of large groups of visiting fans is small.

Ploiesti is 126 km, Sibiu 161 km and Tirgu Mures 275 km's away from Pitesti.

The starting ours are not known at this time.

The games will be broadcast live, but the channel is still unknown.

32 BC Mures to Meet Universitatea Cluj on Thursday

BC Mures will play their first official game under the reign of coach Audrius Prakuraitis when they visit winless outfit Universitatea Cluj Napoca.

After the bittersweet parting from coach Sekulovic, all fans are waiting to see what can Mr. P put on the table on such a short notice. One thing is clear, this game must be won! 

The hosts rely heavily on their american contingent but they have genuine local talent on the roster that can help the team. Alin Borsa, who played for BC Mures a few seasons ago, had a few remarkable games for Cluj, making the Mures fans regret his departure.

BC Mures has no roster change. Coach Prakuraitis can count on the same players as his predecessor. This game will probably give him the opportunity for rotation tests, but one wouldn't want to keep the score close for the final minutes.

The game will be played on Thursday in the Horia Demian Gym, starting at 19:00.

31 The Schedule for Liga 1 Has Been Announced

The semifinal phase of Liga 1 will start on the 22nd of February. BC Mures 2 Tirgu Mures will play in the group reserved for satellite teams alongside Steaua Bucuresti, CSU Ploiesti, Universitatea Cluj Napoca, Timba Timisoara and Energia Tirgu Jiu. The results against Energia Tirgu Jiu remain from the first round so the team starts with a 4 point tally.

In the first game, Geroge Trif's team will play in Cluj against Universitatea, while the first home game will be against Timba Timisoara a week later. The first three teams qualify for the final tournament.

The full schedule of games can be found here.