2010 Euroleague American Tour
Encyclopedia
The 2010 Euroleague American Tour is the second American Tour
organized by the Euroleague
in the USA. The games were part of the NBA's preseason schedule and allowed the Euroleague
teams to display some of their very particular characteristics to the American public, even under NBA rules. The Euroleague teams that participated in the second edition are CSKA Moscow
and Caja Laboral
. On the other hand, the NBA franchises that played against them were the Miami Heat
, the Memphis Grizzlies
, the San Antonio Spurs
, the Oklahoma City Thunder
and the Cleveland Cavaliers
.
was determined to compete against the Heat
even though they were playing without two starters, Viktor Khryapa
and J. R. Holden. Miami on the other hand was missing Dwyane Wade
and needed Lebron James
alongside Chris Bosh
to step up. After a first half in which Ramūnas Šiškauskas
and Trajan Langdon
gave the opposite defense a tough challenge to face, CSKA was leading 44–39. In the second half James and Bosh were the leaders of a Heat comeback that eventually led to a 96–85 victory. They had 22 and 17 points respectively for the winners, whereas Langdon led all CSKA scorers with 20 points, Jamont Gordon
had 17 and Siskauskas 15.
On October 14, Caja Laboral
fell short of a victory in Memphis against the Grizzlies
, as they lost 110–105. Mike Conley
led all scorers with 27 points, while Sam Young had 21. Mirza Teletović
led the Spanish team with 24 points and 9 rebounds, Fernando San Emeterio
scored 15 points and Marcelinho Huertas
had an all-around performance with 7 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists. The Thunder
played the same day against CSKA
in Oklahoma City
, winning 97–89. Kevin Durant
had 20 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners, and Siskauskas scored 17 for CSKA.
The last day of the tour was a history-changing one, as CSKA beat the Cavaliers
to become the first international team ever to defeat an NBA
franchise on US soil. In a game where both teams played without several key players (Khryapa and Holden for CSKA, Varejão
, Parker
, Jamison
and Williams
for the Cavs), the 2008 Euroleague MVP
Ramūnas Šiškauskas
made the difference by scoring 22 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. Jamont Gordon
also was excellent with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, whereas Trajan Langdon's 14 points were more than crucial. Cleveland gave a strong fight mainly through Daniel Gibson
who scored 21 points, Ryan Hollins
who had 17 and Ramon Sessions
with 14. In the other game of the night Caja Laboral
was unable to threaten the Spurs
in San Antonio losing 108–85. Tony Parker
led the winners with 22 points, while David Logan
and Mirza Teletović
scored 20 and 18 respectively.
Euroleague American Tour
The Euroleague American Tour is an event organized yearly since 2009. Its purpose is to organize games between Euroleague and sometimes Eurocup teams to play games against National Basketball Association teams, thereby promoting the game of basketball globally...
organized by the Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
in the USA. The games were part of the NBA's preseason schedule and allowed the Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
teams to display some of their very particular characteristics to the American public, even under NBA rules. The Euroleague teams that participated in the second edition are CSKA Moscow
PBC CSKA Moscow
PBC CSKA Moscow is a Russian professional basketball team that is based in Moscow, Russia. The club is a member of the VTB United League. It is often referred to in the West as "Red Army" for its past affiliation with the Soviet Army. CSKA has won two titles between 2006 and 2009 in Europe's...
and Caja Laboral
Saski Baskonia
Saski Baskonia, S.A.D., known as Caja Laboral for sponsorship reasons, is a Spanish professional basketball club from the Basque city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain...
. On the other hand, the NBA franchises that played against them were the Miami Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
, the Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
, the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
, the Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are a professional basketball franchise based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ; their home court is at Chesapeake Energy Arena....
and the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
.
Games
In the opening game on October 12, CSKA MoscowPBC CSKA Moscow
PBC CSKA Moscow is a Russian professional basketball team that is based in Moscow, Russia. The club is a member of the VTB United League. It is often referred to in the West as "Red Army" for its past affiliation with the Soviet Army. CSKA has won two titles between 2006 and 2009 in Europe's...
was determined to compete against the Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
even though they were playing without two starters, Viktor Khryapa
Viktor Khryapa
Viktor Vladimirovich Khryapa is a Russian professional basketball player.-Pro career:Khryapa played for Khimik Engels in 1999-00, and for Avtodor Saratov in 2000-02...
and J. R. Holden. Miami on the other hand was missing Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Tyrone Wade, Jr. nicknamed Flash or D-Wade, is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat. Awarded 2006 Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated, Wade has established himself as one of the most well-known and popular players in the league...
and needed Lebron James
LeBron James
LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association . Nicknamed "King James", he was a three-time "Mr. Basketball" of Ohio in high school, and was highly promoted in the national media as a future NBA superstar while a...
alongside Chris Bosh
Chris Bosh
Christopher Wesson Bosh is an American professional basketball player who plays power forward for the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association ....
to step up. After a first half in which Ramūnas Šiškauskas
Ramunas Šiškauskas
Ramūnas Šiškauskas in height and he weighs 220 lbs. . He is currently with CSKA Moscow.-Player profile:Šiškauskas is a physical forward who can easily play, both on offense and defense, at the guard positions, on the wing, and also in the paint...
and Trajan Langdon
Trajan Langdon
Trajan Shaka Langdon is a retired American professional basketball player. A 210 lb. shooting guard, he gained fame in the U.S. while playing college basketball at Duke University with the Duke Blue Devils.-Biography:...
gave the opposite defense a tough challenge to face, CSKA was leading 44–39. In the second half James and Bosh were the leaders of a Heat comeback that eventually led to a 96–85 victory. They had 22 and 17 points respectively for the winners, whereas Langdon led all CSKA scorers with 20 points, Jamont Gordon
Jamont Gordon
Jamont Gordon is an American basketball player who played for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. At Glencliff Complex High School, Gordon was named 2004 TSSAA class 3A Mr. Basketball...
had 17 and Siskauskas 15.
On October 14, Caja Laboral
Saski Baskonia
Saski Baskonia, S.A.D., known as Caja Laboral for sponsorship reasons, is a Spanish professional basketball club from the Basque city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain...
fell short of a victory in Memphis against the Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
, as they lost 110–105. Mike Conley
Mike Conley, Jr.
Michael Alex "Mike" Conley, Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association.Conley is the son of Olympic gold and silver medalist triple jumper Mike Conley, Sr...
led all scorers with 27 points, while Sam Young had 21. Mirza Teletović
Mirza Teletovic
Mirza Teletović is a Bosnian professional basketball player. He currently plays for Caja Laboral. He plays as a power forward. He is considered one of best three-point shooters in Europe....
led the Spanish team with 24 points and 9 rebounds, Fernando San Emeterio
Fernando San Emeterio
Fernando San Emeterio Lara is a Spanish professional basketball player. San Emeterio currently plays for the Spanish club Baskonia, which is also known as Caja Laboral.-Pro career:...
scored 15 points and Marcelinho Huertas
Marcelinho Huertas
Marcelo Tieppo Huertas is a Brazilian professional basketball player. He also has Italian citizenship. He is a point guard, but he can also play as a shooting guard if needed. He is 1.91 m tall...
had an all-around performance with 7 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists. The Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are a professional basketball franchise based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ; their home court is at Chesapeake Energy Arena....
played the same day against CSKA
PBC CSKA Moscow
PBC CSKA Moscow is a Russian professional basketball team that is based in Moscow, Russia. The club is a member of the VTB United League. It is often referred to in the West as "Red Army" for its past affiliation with the Soviet Army. CSKA has won two titles between 2006 and 2009 in Europe's...
in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
, winning 97–89. Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant
Kevin Wayne Durant is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association . A 6'9" small forward/shooting guard who is also capable of playing power forward, Durant was the consensus 2007 National College Player of the Year and the...
had 20 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners, and Siskauskas scored 17 for CSKA.
The last day of the tour was a history-changing one, as CSKA beat the Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
to become the first international team ever to defeat an NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
franchise on US soil. In a game where both teams played without several key players (Khryapa and Holden for CSKA, Varejão
Anderson Varejão
Anderson França Varejão is a Brazilian professional basketball player, who currently plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He won the gold medal with Brazil at the 2003 Pan American Games.-1998–2001 :...
, Parker
Anthony Parker
Anthony Michael Parker is an American professional basketball player who last played with the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association . After graduating from Bradley University with a major in liberal arts, he entered the 1997 NBA Draft and played briefly in the NBA before...
, Jamison
Antawn Jamison
Antawn Cortez Jamison is an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association . He currently plays power forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers and was a member of the USA National Team for the 2006 FIBA World Championships...
and Williams
Mo Williams
Maurice "Mo" Williams is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association...
for the Cavs), the 2008 Euroleague MVP
Euroleague Season MVP
The Euroleague MVP is the award given to the player that is deemed to be the "Most Valuable Player" during the Euroleague Full Season. The award in its current form, since the 2004-05 season, counts for the Euroleague regular season, the Euroleague Top 16, and the Euroleague playoffs, and is based...
Ramūnas Šiškauskas
Ramunas Šiškauskas
Ramūnas Šiškauskas in height and he weighs 220 lbs. . He is currently with CSKA Moscow.-Player profile:Šiškauskas is a physical forward who can easily play, both on offense and defense, at the guard positions, on the wing, and also in the paint...
made the difference by scoring 22 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. Jamont Gordon
Jamont Gordon
Jamont Gordon is an American basketball player who played for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. At Glencliff Complex High School, Gordon was named 2004 TSSAA class 3A Mr. Basketball...
also was excellent with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, whereas Trajan Langdon's 14 points were more than crucial. Cleveland gave a strong fight mainly through Daniel Gibson
Daniel Gibson
Daniel Hiram Gibson is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA. His nickname, "Boobie," was given to him by his mother. He has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers ever since 2006 when he was drafted in the second round...
who scored 21 points, Ryan Hollins
Ryan Hollins
Ryan Kenwood Hollins is an American professional basketball player who is currently a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA. He is a 7-foot center who played collegiately for the UCLA Bruins.-High school:...
who had 17 and Ramon Sessions
Ramon Sessions
Ramon Sessions is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. He was drafted by Milwaukee with the 56th pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. Sessions played collegiately at the University of Nevada for three years. Sessions ranks second in career assists at Nevada with 478...
with 14. In the other game of the night Caja Laboral
Saski Baskonia
Saski Baskonia, S.A.D., known as Caja Laboral for sponsorship reasons, is a Spanish professional basketball club from the Basque city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain...
was unable to threaten the Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
in San Antonio losing 108–85. Tony Parker
Tony Parker
William Anthony "Tony" Parker is a French professional basketball player who currently plays for the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA....
led the winners with 22 points, while David Logan
David Logan (basketball)
David Kyle Logan is a professional American/Polish basketball player who currently plays for the Greek club Panathinaikos. He is a 1.85 m tall point guard. In late February 2009, Logan got a Polish passport, which enabled him to cap for Poland in the EuroBasket 2009 tournament...
and Mirza Teletović
Mirza Teletovic
Mirza Teletović is a Bosnian professional basketball player. He currently plays for Caja Laboral. He plays as a power forward. He is considered one of best three-point shooters in Europe....
scored 20 and 18 respectively.