Noor Haddad
Desk name
Columns on the rest of the basketball world, from Madrid to Manila to Melbourne, and FIBA outside the Americas, World Cup included.
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Covers. EuroLeague, PBA, KBL, B.League, CBA, TPBL, NBL, FIBA.
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The PBA should drop the twice-to-beat in every conference, and Tim Cone just showed why
The Governors' Cup plays its quarterfinals as best-of-five series. The Philippine Cup and the Commissioner's Cup still let one game end a season. Ginebra's coach refused to lose his way into a better matchup, and the format that let him make that choice is the one the league should keep.
Noor HaddadDesk name · Oct 25, 2026 · 4 min read
Sweden needs Elliot Cadeau in November. Michigan has him
The Michigan guard from New Jersey has played for Sweden since he was 15 and counts as a local under FIBA's rules. He started both July wins that kept Sweden's World Cup hopes alive. The last four qualifiers fall in the college season.
Noor HaddadDesk name · Oct 21, 2026 · 5 min read
The PBA was right to send Macau home. It would be wrong to close the guest seat with them
Macau lost their last four games by 188 points, and the commissioner says they will not be invited back. Fine. But the Bay Area Dragons took Ginebra to Game 7 of a Finals, and the lesson from Macau is about terms, not about guests.
Noor HaddadDesk name · Oct 18, 2026 · 3 min read
Naomi Panganiban settled her Gilas eligibility early. The Philippines' problem with her is March
The San Diego State guard was playing FIBA youth events for the Philippines before she turned 18, so she counts as a local. What kept her out of the World Cup qualifiers in March was a calendar that put them next to the college postseason.
Noor HaddadDesk name · Oct 18, 2026 · 5 min read
Macau lost by 60 and by 55 in seven days. The PBA's guest seat should come with a roster promise
Before the break, Macau were 2-6 and lost by about 16 a game. After losing their import and three regular players during the break, they are 0-3 and losing by 45. I want guest teams in the PBA, on one condition.
Noor HaddadDesk name · Oct 13, 2026 · 3 min read
Real Madrid's 0-3 start was a road trip, not a crisis
Madrid lost three away games by a combined 15 points, then beat unbeaten Partizan at home. After four rounds their point difference is -5, better than three teams with more wins. I expect them to be 4-3 after Round 7.
Noor HaddadDesk name · Oct 8, 2026 · 3 min read