Saturday, February 2, 2008

Pro Basketball in Finland

Finnish Underground insider H.T. provides us with an insightful perspective on some inner-oddities of basketball in Finland. This most recent entry is compelling, especially with the supplemental videos. As he notes, the videos were originally meant to be for marketing purposes. Considering that was the goal, the clips are pretty amazing. Beyond the profanity and sex-talk, there's some provocative human narratives being told here. Enjoy.

Finnish league team Porvoon Tarmo was in trouble before the2006/2007 season. After finishing 11th out of twelve teams and narrowly securing its place in the 06/07 campaign in spring 2006, a lot of player movement happened. American players Damen Maddox and Rashad Bell left town and their fellow countryman, coach Carl Woodard, left as well. Starting shooting guard Roni Leimu moved to Iceland to play professionally and sixth man Jarno "Nate" Nissinen signed a one-year contract with league newcomer, Team Componenta.

Building a competitive team after collapse turned out to beextraordinarily hard. Tarmo was able to sign Finnish role players Mikael Holme (6-3", 1979) and Ville-Pertti Lind (6-6", 1980), but everybody knew those two guys weren't exactly the kind of players that would be able to challenge Honka Playboys or reigning champion Lappeenranta. Young, energetic coach Tomi Kaminen lured promising point guard prospect Eero Levä (5-11", 1986)to the town of Porvoo, but more had to be done. Most of Finnish free agents were already gone when season was approaching. A full-scale panic seemed to be agreat option.

But then, a miracle happened. Finnish Basketball Association shinedgreat mercy upon the below-average teams of Finnish League stating, that during the season 2006/2007, there wouldn't be a maximum amount of foreign players to use. Because Tarmo wanted to stay competitive, they brought in twelve non-domestic players during the season and preseason. Some of them got booted before the preseason games, and a total of seven (7) stayed until the last game of the playoffs. This is the final list:

BROWN, Dathon (SF, 6-8", 1973, Fort Valley State, USA)
DeWITZ, Nick (PF, 6-8", 1982, Oregon State, USA)
FIRIC, Gordan (SG, 6-5", 1970, Bosnia-Herzegovina)
GERWIG, Nathan (C, 6-8", 1983, Kent State, USA)
GREENE, Daryl (PG, 6-0", 1980, Niagara, USA)
HESTER, Chris (SG, 6-4", 1979, Eastern Washington, USA)
JAABER, Luqman (PG, 5-10", 1983, Virginia Union, USA)
LIPKE, Tom (SG, 6-4", 1986, Braunschweig, Germany)
McDADE, Ryan (PF, 6-8", 1980, Northern Arizona, USA)
MIMS, Karlton aka (PG, 6-2", 1980, Washburn University of Topeka, USA)
MUELLER, Joshua (PG, 5-11", 1982, South Dakota, USA)
NIXON, Joe (SG, 6-4", 1980, DePauw, USA)
+ a couple of African guys whose names I never got to know.

So, what's so darn interesting about all this? Well, new-look Tarmo
also signed some marketing staff just to polish the look of the team, which had taken a nose-dive after one season of glory (or, well, a place in the league semi-finals). One of the great ideas of the new marketing staff was to get a camera crew to Porvoo to follow the players and coaches of the team in every single game and practice and even during off-days. For some reason, the planned reality TV Show never aired but we have to be thankful; there are some fantastic teasers about Tarmo's 2006/2007 campaign in YouTube (in case you didn't get it from the intro, these may not be safe for work-Ed.).









19 comments:

Anonymous said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lob2BEtXoTU

Anonymous said...

For latest news you have to pay a quick visit
web and on web I found this web page as a best web page for most
up-to-date updates.

Stop by my web page; diets that work
My page - diets that work fast for women

Anonymous said...

Truly when someone doesn't know then its up to other people that they will assist, so here it happens.

Also visit my website ... airplane simulation games

Anonymous said...

Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon
your weblog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually
enjoyed account your weblog posts. Any way I will be subscribing on your feeds or even I achievement you get admission to constantly
rapidly.

Feel free to visit my webpage - renfro

Anonymous said...

It boils down to the language of your country of origin, Italy.
What was shock me was the market developed hit by Homeland Security Investigations.
Often at the basilica side entrance, 1 met three well-behaved elderly docents.
It starts with the language of that country of origin, Italy.
http://www.altaimolodoi.ru/community/blogs/post/33315

Anonymous said...

it more like, s right now there anything you most likely will wear with Ugg
boots?? Usually these come from Gold, Sliver, or just Titanium with diamonds.
The with soccer hooligans using their Dr .. Various colors of sheepskin sneakers make it easy
enough to mix complete with different types of clothes.
http://catania.spacespa.it/author/TashaUnde

Anonymous said...

This item includes tailor rendered suits and has also done very well in
a UK. Truly so, during certain time the family
was in typical in-fighting. You will not see puckered leather, wonky curtains on an real designer Gucci handbag.
The specific bags range in about $830 so that it will
$3700. http://www.cesja.pl/user_detail.php?u=donnienum

Anonymous said...

Should you have no weaknesses, obtain safely choose jackets, every cut but length.
But it not so easily to answer. Work, dinner, or only hanging
around, Ugg boots are the solution. Shop ugg boots available due to a respectful
websotre that you could actually trust. http://www.taximetreros.
com/members/garfieldv/activity/98442

my web page :: ugg boots sale

Anonymous said...

Stone jewellery is leading among all kind of jewellery.

It is that is generated by highest quality materials so it last too.

This ultimately reduces the high quality of boots.

This is most effective particularly well in the instance your Uggs usually are a light skin tone of tan , mocha.
http://xserve.sleep-associates.com/groups/myfirstwiki/wiki/0df8d/Look_For_Cheap_Ugg_Boots.
html

Anonymous said...

Layering your clothing may look like a good method to stay warm, but there is really a better
concept. But Gaultier given that James Bond by using a twist.
They used simple and fewer expensive material complimenting up to purchasing for
trends of persons. Do you have to organise work outs for your your workforce?
http://win-prizes-money.com/blogs/viewstory/172876

Anonymous said...

In the same way you need to find a new scent for entire body.
This was once the "angel dress" fabricated its
appearance round the fashion scene. Or even cufflinks are large quality, with
an end attention to facet. The main modes of verbal exchanges are
phone, email, fax, IMs. http://www.alexanderburstein.
com/teaching/wikkawiki/wikka.php?wakka=SidneyxhLongsr

Anonymous said...

Fabricated fabrics were terribly widely-used during the Sixties.

Historical past of the paul smith is associated to loud
and attention catching apparel, especially for women. Due to them, there is actually no need to obtain entangled in additional tasks
of company. A lot of are ladies set handbags for every mood and time period.
http://www.npnh.ru/userinfo.php?uid=35231

Anonymous said...

バレンシアガ ハンドバッグと時々
レプリカ バレンシアガ ハンドバッグは耐久性のある、独特である軽量の革の作られて

Check out my weblog: バレンシアガ 財布

Anonymous said...

Kimberly's love of style and design began at any kind of early age. Matching gear and shoes are also a superb way to manufacture the look which often you desire. Delicately take a look at potential host's website.
Basically , make sure any the product someone are buying must be the real product.
http://lnx.quevisitarenroma.com/modules.php?name=Your_Account&op=userinfo&username=LaverneM4

Anonymous said...

Lastly, I want to accept the time to declare Elan International bridesmaid gowns
for women. Blossom hair clips also make fun, unforgettable party
favors. Legging tights also take a look closely best with girly shoes,
such in the role of flats, heels combined with boots.
Surely, it is going to be vintage and good-looking. http://aimbizbuilder.
com/oppnoks/groups/karen-millen-dresses-business-no-matter-why-much/

Here is my web site ... radio show

Anonymous said...

Kimberly's love of fashion began at a particular early age. When evaluating a good host, make sure they agree to well-liked kinds of approval. The one just that employs Take a number of is regarded on the grounds that the popular range. See-through details create a unique and modern approach. http://links.cools4u.com/user_detail.php?u=jonathon3

Anonymous said...

Simply make sure that the product you really are buying is the real product.
Find a web host who supplies a cp. Usually are very well generally used just for communication in jets and ships sailing.
And related to course, who doesn love to earn fashionable prizes?
http://www.skybute.com/KelleHamby

Anonymous said...

Put on your set of ears and join in on me in stalking the Mouse.
Men's online fashion has now really come into its own in recent years. In addition, the year 2013 marks the 75th anniversary of "Action Comics #1". However, not all makers took well for the new style plus mood. http://formacionvirtual.org//user/view.php?id=20246&course=1

Here is my web blog :: paul smith

Anonymous said...

Selection . style, Anglo Saxons; the English cut,
Germanic; Hugo Boss, Latin; Armani, Zegna. It can considerably be defined as an oxymoron of designs.

For instance 'online shopping' which has gained enormous popularity in recent
hours. So does anything living and the respiratory system in the materials.
http://www.toucandate.com/activity/p/365519/

Blog Archive