The East Valley Tribune (Jerry Brown) reports: As the calendar turns to August, the Suns continue to work the phones in the hope of bringing second-round draft pick Goran Dragic to Phoenix this fall — with the idea of making the 22-year-old the full-time backup to Steve Nash at the point. Spanish newspapers and Web sites are reporting that Tau Ceramica, the Spanish team that owns Dragic’s rights, is looking into backup plans to replace him if he heads to the NBA this summer. Tau has had talks with former Sun Andre Barrett, offering about $800,000 for his services. Veteran point guard Earl Boykins is also a consideration. Dragic has a buyout clause (1 million euros, or about $1.5 million U.S.) in his contract with Tau after this season.
Category: International Basketball Blog
International basketball blog
Andre Hutson signs in Italy
Euroleague.net reports: An elite power forward switched Euroleague teams on Friday when Lottomatica Roma announced that Andre Hutson inked a one-year deal with his new team. Hutson (202, 29) arrives from Efes Pilsen, where he averaged 11.9 points and 5.8 rebounds in 19 Euroleague games last season.
Pistons sign Will Bynum
Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the team has signed free agent guard Will Bynum to a contract. Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“We are pleased to add Will Bynum to our roster,” said Dumars. “Will played well for us during summer league and we think he possesses skills that can help our team and provide depth at the guard position.”
Bynum averaged 11.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists with Detroit at the 2008 NBA Las Vegas Summer League. The Chicago native played last season for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli League where he averaged 10.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.
The 6-foot, 185-pound guard played 15 games with the Golden State Warriors during the 2005-06 season, averaging 3.6 points and 1.3 assists per game. He was named 2005-06 NBA Development League Rookie of the Year after leading the league in scoring at 24.0 points per game with the Roanoke Dazzle.
Bynum began his collegiate career at the University of Arizona before transferring to Georgia Tech during his sophomore year. As a junior, he led the Yellow Jackets to the 2004 NCAA Championship game after making a game-winning layup against Oklahoma State in the Final Four and scored 17 points in a loss to Connecticut.
Three Euroleague teams to play NBA preseason games
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Euroleague Basketball have announced that three Euroleague teams will compete in five NBA preseason games from October 10-21, 2008. The five games, which are part of the Euroleague American Tour, will be played by 2008 Euroleague champion CSKA Moscow (Russia), FC Barcelona (Spain) and Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania). The teams may face up to five NBA opponents including the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Orlando Magic, the Toronto Raptors and possibly the Los Angeles Clippers.
“These games continue our collaboration with Euroleague Basketball, as we work together to grow the game of basketball on a global basis,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern.
The Euroleague American Tour continues a tradition of friendly competition between the NBA and Euroleague Basketball, dating back to 1978 when Maccabi Tel Aviv played the Washington Bullets in Tel Aviv, Israel. Following the 2008 preseason schedule, 33 games will have been played between the two leagues since Euroleague Basketball was created in 2000, including 13 games during NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS™ in 2006 and 2007.
“We value the chance to partner with NBA teams in their own arenas,” Euroleague Basketball CEO Jordi Bertomeu said. “There are basketball fans of all types in North America whom we plan to entertain with our own distinct playing style. We are sure they will appreciate again that the international game has a lot to offer our sport.”
The Euroleague American Tour tips off on Oct. 10 in Orlando, Florida, when six-time Euroleague champion CSKA Moscow makes its North American debut against the Orlando Magic. CSKA’s second preseason game will take place in Toronto, Canada, when CSKA plays the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 14.
FC Barcelona play two games as part of the Preseason Shootout at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. The 2008 NBA Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers will be Barcelona’s first opponent on Oct. 18, followed by the either Los Angeles Clippers or Toronto Raptors on Oct. 19. For Barcelona, founded in 1926, the games in Los Angeles will be their first played in the United States.
ORACLE Arena in Oakland, Calif. will be the final site of the Euroleague’s American Tour when the Golden State Warriors hosts Lietuvos Rytas on Oct. 21. Rytas is the 2005 ULEB Cup champion and hold five Lithuanian League crowns.
For the third consecutive year, NBA teams will participate in preseason games abroad. The Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and Washington Wizards will play four games in Barcelona, Berlin, London and Paris as part of NBA Europe Live 2008.
Nets will keep rights to Krstic
The New York Post reports: While Nenad Krstic plays for Triumph of Moscow in Russia after accepting a 2-year deal worth $5.7 million (closer to $10 mil because of the lack of taxes), the Nets will give him a qualifying offer each year in order to retain his NBA right, team president Rod Thorn said. “We’ll see what happens but eventually I think he’ll go wherever he can get the best deal,” Thorn said. “For now, this was the best deal for him.” The Nets tried to beat the Tuesday midnight deadline and work a deal. They had concrete offers but losing Krstic left them at 15 contracts and they did not want to take anything back in terms of players. Chicago and Memphis were definitely in the mix.
Andrew Gaze on board to help Australia basketball
Australian basketball icon Andrew Gaze was today appointed to the interim board responsible for the merger between Basketball Australia and the NBL, and the overall reform of the sport in Australia.
As Australia’s best known and one of its most successful basketball identities, Gaze is expected to bring a unique perspective to the board. While his insights as a player will undoubtedly be of benefit, it is his commercial and community level experience that will likely generate tangible outcomes for the sport.
Since his retirement in 2005 Gaze has remained a passionate advocate for the sport, playing a central role in the development of grass roots basketball, both as coach of the junior Melbourne Tigers and through his work across a number of community and junior development programs.
“Basketball has been a driving force in my life since an early age, and I have been lucky enough to build a career out of it both as a player and off the court,” said Mr Gaze.
“I am confident my past experience will allow me to make a positive contribution to the review process and I look forward to being part of this exciting new phase in the sport’s development,” said Gaze.
Despite recent setbacks at the national level Gaze believes Australian basketball is in a strong position, and sees a bright future for the sport.
“Basketball is booming at a community level with more than 600,000 people participating in the sport and numbers continuing to grow,” stated Gaze
“Internationally, Australia is currently ranked 2nd of 213 playing nations on the International Basketball Federation rankings, as a result of the performances of our senior, youth and junior teams, and our four national teams look set to be strong competitors at the Olympics and Paralympics in August and September.”
“The challenge now is to bridge the gap between the grassroots and our world-class national teams and I am confident that the introduction of a single, streamlined structure for basketball will ensure a bright future for the sport in Australia.
“The board recognises that changes are needed, and are committed to making the hard decisions,” said Gaze. “The results of the independent review will provide us with the managerial and financial blueprint needed to cement basketball’s place as a major spectator and participant sport.”
Gaze’s involvement follows the recent appointment to the board of high profile business identities David Thodey, Group Managing Director for Telstra Enterprise and Government and Diane Sias, Group Executive, Westpac Business & Technology Solutions & Services and the announcement of Basketball Australia Chief Executive Scott Derwin as Interim CEO.
“Andrew is uniquely placed to contribute to the reform as he has seen all sides and stages of the basketball journey first hand, from its fledgling amateur days to its position as a professional national competition consistently producing world-class players,” said Chairman Mr Thodey.
“His appointment is welcomed by the interim board and a strong vote of confidence in our plans for the future of the sport.”
The second stage of the independent report commissioned by the NBL, Basketball Australia and the Australian Sports Commission was completed on 30 June. The Interim Board is expected to announce the revised governance and management structure and future business plan for the sport on 11 October following consultation with key stakeholders.
JR Smith and Russell Westbrook joins USA Select practice team
Guards J.R. Smith, a restricted free agent who played the last two seasons for the Denver Nuggets, and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City NBA), the No. 4 draft choice in the 2008 NBA Draft,will join the 2008 USA Basketball Select Team for the squad’s final day of training against the 2008 USA Men’s Senior National Team, USA Basketball announced today.
Previously announced members of the USA Basketball Select Team roster include: LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers); Jerryd Bayless (Portland Trail Blazers); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City NBA); Jeff Green (Oklahoma City NBA); Luther Head (Houston Rockets); Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); Robin Lopez (Phoenix Suns); Kevin Love (Minnestoa Timberwolves); Kevin Martin (Sacramento Kings); O.J. Mayo (Memphis Grizzlies); Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) and Rodney Stuckey (Detroit Pistons).
As was the case last summer, Oklahoma City head coach P.J. Carlesimo, who served as an assistant with the 1992 U.S. Olympic “Dream Team” and who has been a head or assistant coach of six other USA Basketball teams, is serving as head coach of the USA Select Team and assisting Carlesimo for a second straight summer is Toronto Raptors assistant coach Jay Triano.
Hawks GM reaction to Childress heading overseas
Hawks GM Rick Sund on Josh Childress signing to play in Greece:
“We were informed this morning by Josh Childress’ representatives that he has signed with Olympiakos in Greece, and we want to wish him the absolute best with his future career in FIBA.
“We have a great deal of respect for Josh and appreciate his contributions to our franchise. We were very comfortable when we began this process that if Josh were to play in the NBA, he would remain with the Hawks. This is a unique situation with Greece, and to my knowledge it is believed to be the highest contract ever awarded in Euroleague history.
“We feel we presented a very fair and competitive offer to keep him in Atlanta, and we will now move forward with the options we have to improve our roster.”
Yao Ming returns to action for China
The AP reports: Houston Rockets centre Yao Ming played in his first game in almost six months Thursday, joining China’s national team in an Olympics warmup against Serbia. Entering to huge applause from the crowd in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, Yao appeared rusty in scoring six points over seven minutes in the first half. Four of those came from free throws, helping China race to a 51-39 lead after the second quarter. Yao’s appearance at the Stankovic Cup is his first game action since he suffered a stress fracture to his left foot in February, ending his NBA season and threatening his star turn as part of China’s team.
Sam Dalembert may be off Team Canada
The Globe and Mail reports: Could Samuel Dalembert’s brief career with the Canadian national team be over almost as soon as it started? The Philadelphia 76ers centre is no longer with the senior men’s side at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Athens. “He’s not on the team, I’ll leave it at that,” said head coach Leo Rautins after Canada’s heart-stopping comeback against Korea assured them of a quarter-final game against Croatia on Friday. Dalembert missed three of Canada’s five tune-up games due to problems with his hip this summer and struggled badly in the opening game against Slovenia on Tuesday, shooting just 1-of-8 from the floor and grabbing only four rebounds.