The link included is the play and reaction from the crowd from last weeks game you have all been asking about. It's a little long but shows just how great our fans are!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzryuZJsKkY
We have a big game tomorrow against local rival Paok. I'll update next week Allez Iraklis!!
Get more updates and follow on Twitter @Nicholas_Lew
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Empty Gym???
So we started the Greek league last night and it was everything you have heard about the Greek league. We played Panellinios which has historically been a top team in the league. We played in our gym which holds about 3500 people. It isn't the biggest but they pack em in and get crazy. The fan section which is located behind the baseline near our bench, fills up with fans carrying huge flags, signs, and all kinds of noise making devices. Also most of the young men in the crowd go topless which can be a bit scary but hey they are having fun and love basketball.
Ok so about the game. We finally got to start the season amid a player strike by all the Greek players in the league. They are on strike asking for a few things from the league that would guarantee there contracts and help restore the league to where it was before all the economic crisis hit. I will give it to the Greek guys they really are fighting hard to get what they want. Unfortunately it has been hard on the American/foreign guys because we have had to postpone one game last week and had to play last night with only 7 guys. So we went out to play with our 4 american guys plus 2 greek guys and some junior guys. It was a sight for sure.
So we started the game and it was going really well. I was playing well and we were doing our thing to stay in the game. At the half we were only down 5 and definitely had the game swinging in our direction. Coming out at half time we started a little run during which I hit a nice little turn around J in the paint to keep us rolling. That is when it got crazy.
While defending on a fast break I went up and blocked a shot during which the offensive player fell to the ground. While on the ground a fan from our crazy section threw some water on said player which of coarse would make anyone a little pissed. The player jumped up and started toward the stands where his own players held him back. Well I learned very quickly that you do not want to give Greek fans fuel for their fire. His reaction was like giving speed to a tazmanian devil, our fans went nuts! Bottles came flying from everywhere amid chants and middles fingers galour. I must say it was everything you have heard about hooligan soccer fans but in our little confined arena. The noise and tension was incredible. Shortly there after the referees told the players from Panellinios to leave the floor and asked our president to try and calm down the crowd. Well again this action only fueled more fire and the fans had no thoughts of stopping. Well long story short after almost an hour the riot police, yes I said riot police, were able to clear the gym and we continued the last 15 minutes of our game with an empty arena. Yep it was definitely a first for me.
The game ended with us pulling out a 1 point overtime win. Great first greek game of the year! On a short note to some commenters I am for sure taking charge this year and kicking ass and taking names. No more messing around, it is time....
I also have a twitter account now so anyone who is interested in a quicker way to follow me jump on board @Nicholas_Lew on twitter. Just working on some more exposure!
Ok so about the game. We finally got to start the season amid a player strike by all the Greek players in the league. They are on strike asking for a few things from the league that would guarantee there contracts and help restore the league to where it was before all the economic crisis hit. I will give it to the Greek guys they really are fighting hard to get what they want. Unfortunately it has been hard on the American/foreign guys because we have had to postpone one game last week and had to play last night with only 7 guys. So we went out to play with our 4 american guys plus 2 greek guys and some junior guys. It was a sight for sure.
So we started the game and it was going really well. I was playing well and we were doing our thing to stay in the game. At the half we were only down 5 and definitely had the game swinging in our direction. Coming out at half time we started a little run during which I hit a nice little turn around J in the paint to keep us rolling. That is when it got crazy.
While defending on a fast break I went up and blocked a shot during which the offensive player fell to the ground. While on the ground a fan from our crazy section threw some water on said player which of coarse would make anyone a little pissed. The player jumped up and started toward the stands where his own players held him back. Well I learned very quickly that you do not want to give Greek fans fuel for their fire. His reaction was like giving speed to a tazmanian devil, our fans went nuts! Bottles came flying from everywhere amid chants and middles fingers galour. I must say it was everything you have heard about hooligan soccer fans but in our little confined arena. The noise and tension was incredible. Shortly there after the referees told the players from Panellinios to leave the floor and asked our president to try and calm down the crowd. Well again this action only fueled more fire and the fans had no thoughts of stopping. Well long story short after almost an hour the riot police, yes I said riot police, were able to clear the gym and we continued the last 15 minutes of our game with an empty arena. Yep it was definitely a first for me.
The game ended with us pulling out a 1 point overtime win. Great first greek game of the year! On a short note to some commenters I am for sure taking charge this year and kicking ass and taking names. No more messing around, it is time....
I also have a twitter account now so anyone who is interested in a quicker way to follow me jump on board @Nicholas_Lew on twitter. Just working on some more exposure!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Thessaloniki
Go for season start.
Well following a very stressful summer working with my agent to get a good contract for this year, we got a good thing! I signed to play for BC Iraklis in Thessaloniki Greece. The team is in the A1 division which is top 2 or 3 leagues in the world. You may have heard of Olympiacos, which is a top team in Athens that we will be playing against, has won a few European Championships and has courted players like Childress and Kliza from the NBA. So I will have a great opportunity to show my stuff and get good looks from top teams around the world. The Greek league has huge respect for its competitiveness throughout the world.
As for me personally I will be given the opportunity to play a lot of minutes and be one of the top guys for the team. This will be awesome for me to be on the court playing in a top league and getting great exposure. I put in a great summer of hardwork thanks mainly to my trainer in Seattle Michael Brandenburg. We worked out together 3 times a week doing crazy speed and agility drills at his facility in Totem Lake. Michael again thanks you so much for kicking my ass everyday to get better. To see some pics from the workouts checkout my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nick-Lewis/129507237259. I put on about 10 pounds of muscle this summer, dropped body fat, and increased my speed and flexibility exponentially which has so far given me a huge step up in my game thus far this season. I came into camp faster, stronger, and in better shape then I have ever been. I came in to work hard and get down to business this year.
To follow the team the website is www.iraklisbc.gr but good luck unless you speak and or can read Greek. Please check this blog for the updates and the facebook page.
Well following a very stressful summer working with my agent to get a good contract for this year, we got a good thing! I signed to play for BC Iraklis in Thessaloniki Greece. The team is in the A1 division which is top 2 or 3 leagues in the world. You may have heard of Olympiacos, which is a top team in Athens that we will be playing against, has won a few European Championships and has courted players like Childress and Kliza from the NBA. So I will have a great opportunity to show my stuff and get good looks from top teams around the world. The Greek league has huge respect for its competitiveness throughout the world.
As for me personally I will be given the opportunity to play a lot of minutes and be one of the top guys for the team. This will be awesome for me to be on the court playing in a top league and getting great exposure. I put in a great summer of hardwork thanks mainly to my trainer in Seattle Michael Brandenburg. We worked out together 3 times a week doing crazy speed and agility drills at his facility in Totem Lake. Michael again thanks you so much for kicking my ass everyday to get better. To see some pics from the workouts checkout my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nick-Lewis/129507237259. I put on about 10 pounds of muscle this summer, dropped body fat, and increased my speed and flexibility exponentially which has so far given me a huge step up in my game thus far this season. I came into camp faster, stronger, and in better shape then I have ever been. I came in to work hard and get down to business this year.
To follow the team the website is www.iraklisbc.gr but good luck unless you speak and or can read Greek. Please check this blog for the updates and the facebook page.
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