September 2011 – Page 5 – NBA Blog

Allen Iverson a no-go for Philly Battle of 1-95

CSN Philly reports:

After hearing there was a possibility that Allen Iverson might be a participant in Sunday’s “Battle of I-95” at the Palestra, I had two thoughts: logically he could play for either team given his Newport News upbringing and Georgetown attendance for college (Team Melo candidate) or because of his accolades as a Philadelphia favorite son over his 10-plus seasons as a Sixer (Team Philly candidate).

The second thought is he really going to play? The answer to that thought is no. Gary Moore, Iverson’s longtime friend and manager, confirmed that the now 36-year-old Answer will not participate.

Iverson last played in an NBA game Feb. 20, 2010. He was playing for the Sixers in his second stint that lasted a total of 25 games and it had an unceremonious ending with Eddie Jordan’s team falling by 32 points to the Bulls. Iverson scored 13 points and had three assists in that one. No one knew that night would be his swan song in the National Basketball Association.

Grizzlies lay off 7 amid NBA lockout

Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports:

Seven people were laid off by the franchise although some workers will have an opportunity to return to work whenever the league’s labor dispute is resolved.

Video coordinator Trish McGhee, assistant equipment manager Vince Ford and scouting coordinator Wendy Smith were among the workers relieved of their duties. The Griz also released a receptionist, mail clerk and members of the claim services staff.

Kevin Durant begins filming movie called Switch

Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman reports:

Although no official announcement of the film’s title and plot has been made, it appears both have trickled out through various websites.

According to imdb.com, the movie is titled “Switch.” Its director is John Whitesell. It was co-written by Eric Champnella and Jeff Farley. Whitesell has directed such films as “Malibu’s Most Wanted,” “Big Momma’s House 2” and “See Spot Run.” Champnella is credited for writing “Mr. 3000” and the screenplay for “Eddie,” the 1996 basketball-themed film starring Whoopi Goldberg.

The three-man lineup looks to be a dream team of sorts for what is shaping up to be a family-friendly film. Details of the film’s plot appear on caballerocasting.com, which is seeking background actors for the movie.

“In a magical twist, Kevin Durant switches all of his basketball-playing skills with an enthusiastic young fan who becomes the star of his high school team … and leaving Durant and the Thunder helpless,” the website explains. “With the playoffs approaching, they need to discover what it is that brought them together before the early end to the Thunder’s season.”

Tony Parker and Eva Longoria no longer communicate with each other

Tim Griffin of the San Antonio Express-News reports (via blog):

Actress Eva Longoria told Ellen DeGeneres that her relationship with her former husband Tony Parker has come to an abrupt conclusion over the past several months.

Longoria told DeGeneres that she no longer communicates with Parker, with whom she was married from 2007-10.

She told GeGeneres that she learned a hard lesson during her marriage.

“Being a woman, I realized you cannot identify yourself through a man or through your marriage,” Longoria said, prompting DeGeneres to high-five her.

Cavaliers forward Semih Erden signs with Turkish team

Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

Semih Erden has become the first Cavaliers player to find work overseas during the NBA lockout. He won’t have to leave his hometown to earn a paycheck.

The 7-foot forward is planning to play for Besiktas, a Turkish team that also signed New Jersey Nets guard Deron Williams. The club is located in Erden’s native Istanbul.

He was expected to finalize the contract either Tuesday or Wednesday.

Under terms of the agreement, he can return to the Cavaliers once the lockout is resolved. Agents for several Cleveland players have said their clients are considering European options as the league’s work stoppage threatens the start of the season.

Kevin Seraphin signs in Spain

Euroleague.net reports:

Caja Laboral addressed a need for frontcourt players with the signing of Kevin Seraphin. The big man comes off a silver-medal winning performance at EuroBasket 2011 with the French national team. Seraphin (2.05 meters, 21 years old) averaged 4.7 points and 1.9 rebounds over nine games in Lithuania for les Bleus. He spent last season for Washington in the NBA where he produced 2.7 points and 2.6 rebounds over 58 appearances. A native of French Guiana, Seraphin developed at Cholet Basket where he made his professional debut as a teenager.

Rudy Fernandez signs with Real Madrid in Spain during NBA lockout

The AP reports:

Dallas Mavericks forward Rudy Fernandez has signed with Real Madrid’s basketball team during the NBA lockout.

Madrid says Fernandez has agreed to play in Spain during the labor negotiations. The deal includes an option for Fernandez to play with Madrid once his contract with the NBA champions ends.

Dallas acquired Fernandez in June after three seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Springfield Armor name Chris Carrawell assistant coach

The Springfield Armor today announced that Chris Carrawell has been named the team’s assistant coach under Head Coach Bob MacKinnon, Jr. Carrawell, who was a four-year standout at Duke University under Hall of Fame Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski, joins the Armor as the team’s second assistant coach in team history.

“Chris is an excellent addition to Bob’s staff,” said Nets General Manager of Minor League Operations Milton Lee. “He is a young, aggressive coach who comes to the Armor from a storied college basketball environment, and his passion and energy will be an invaluable asset to our players.”

Carrawell, 33, joins the Armor after four years of working at his alma mater in a variety of administrative roles. Carrawell served as the athletic community outreach coordinator for Duke’s athletic department from 2007-08 and then became a graduate assistant manager for the Duke men’s basketball program from 2008-10. Carrawell also held roles with the men’s basketball program as an assistant strength and conditioning coach, as well as an assistant video coordinator, for the 2010-11 season. Prior to accepting a position with the Armor, Carrawell had been serving as a special assistant to the Duke women’s basketball program.

“We are so happy for Chris. He’s the consummate team player who became ACC Player of the Year. He has a great understanding of the game and loves to teach it,” said Duke University and USA National Team Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski. “This position is absolutely perfect for him.”

A native of St. Louis, MO, Carrawell earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology after a stellar four-year career at Duke. Carrawell started all four years from 1996-2000, capturing Associated Press and First Team All-American honors, as well as the ACC Player of the Year award during his senior season. Duke advanced to the NCAA Tournament all four years Carrawell was in school and captured four straight ACC regular season titles. During Carrawell’s collegiate career, the Blue Devils compiled a record of 133-24, including a 58-6 mark in ACC play. Carrawell started every game during the 1998-99 season when Duke compiled a 37-2 record, eventually falling to the University of Connecticut in the 1999 national title game.

Following his collegiate playing career, Carrawell was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs with the 41st overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft. Carrawell began a lengthy overseas career that same season, starting in Italy during the 2000-01 season. Carrawell returned stateside the following year to play in the inaugural season of the NBA Development League with the Asheville Altitude. Over the next six years, Carrawell played in Lithuania, Germany, Australia, the Philippines, the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the Netherlands before retiring in 2007.

“Chris is an outstanding person and possesses all the qualities you look for in an assistant coach,” said Armor Head Coach Bob MacKinnon, Jr. “(Chris’) experience at Duke University, as both a player and as a coach, will be invaluable towards his development of our players here in Springfield. This is another exciting step toward establishing the Armor as one of the elite teams in the NBA Development League.”

The 2011-12 season will open on Friday, November 25 when the Armor host the Maine Red Claws at 7:00 p.m. at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

J.J. Barea wants to remain a Mav

Jeff Caplan of ESPN Dallas reports:

Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea, a first-time free agent whenever the NBA lockout is lifted, strongly believes he will be back to defend the franchise’s first championship.

“If you want to go by percentages, I think 75 percent I’ll be back in Dallas and 25 percent something else happens,” Barea said, now back home in Puerto Rico after a bid to qualify for the 2012 Olympics fell painfully short with a semifinals loss to host country Argentina at the FIBA Americas Tournament. “… My first option is going to be Dallas.”

That comes as little surprise. Immediately after Barea helped the Mavericks capture the title with a fearless postseason run that surely worked to increase his value on the free agent market, Barea said his loyalty belongs to Dallas, the team that signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Northeastern five years ago.

In a typical year, Barea likely would have locked up his future two months ago, since free agency normally begins on July 1. However, this year that was the date that NBA’s collective bargaining agreement expired, the owners locked out the players and league business ceased.

Danillo Gallinari reportedly close to rejoining Italian team

The AP reports:

Former Knicks forward Danilo Gallinari is reportedly close to rejoining his former Italian team Olimpia Milano during the NBA lockout.

Both sides are working out insurance details before Gallinari signs a contract, the Gazzetta dello Sport reported Tuesday.

Gallinari has already agreed to travel with Olimpia to a preseason camp in Spain on Thursday, according to the Italian sports daily.

Olimpia spokesman Flavio Suardi told The Associated Press that no deal had been finalized yet.

Olimpia’s new coach is Sergio Scariolo, who guided Spain to the European Championship on Sunday in Lithuania. Along with fellow NBA players Andrea Bargnani and Marco Belinelli, Gallinari was on the Italy squad that failed to advance to the second round.