NBA News Blog – Page 1368 – NBA Blog

Hedo Turkoglu is all business in Turkey

Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun reports:

Hedo Turkoglu did all his talking on the floor Sunday night.

Had he taken that approach in his season in Toronto not to mention an off-season spent slagging the organization that brought him there, Turkoglu might still have a few fans left in Canada.

As it is, he’s probably not missing any of you.

Not when he’s the biggest sporting entity in his home country of Turkey. That spot of honour was only further solidified after leading the Turkish team into the quarter finals of the FIBA world championship with a 20-point evening that included going 4-of-7 from three point range as Turkey demolished France 95-77.

This was not the Turkoglu Torontonians witnessed. The goofy smiles and clowning around with opponents that marked his time in Toronto was replaced by a game-faced Turkoglu ready to do what needed to be done.

If Turkoglu actually takes Turkey to a world championship title, a distinct possibility with the combination of tight defence and team-play on offence they are showing, bronze statues of Turkoglu will likely begin popping up all over the country.

April 12, 2010: Toronto Raptors' Hedo Turkoglu (26) during the NBA basketball game between the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Piston at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

High level expected of USA

The AP reports:

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski say they are satisfied with what they’ve seen from the undefeated Americans, who face Angola in an elimination game Monday in the round of 16.

But fans and media in Turkey seem to expect a higher level, one reachable by the star-studded Olympic gold medalists of two years ago but maybe not by a young team that hasn’t been together nearly as long.

They expect the U.S. not only to win the tournament, but also every game and perhaps even every quarter along the way. Krzyzewski always faces similar expectations at Duke, where he says ”people think we should win every game and not let anyone score.”

”I don’t want that to be what this team feels,” he said, allowing he’d be OK with any criticisms if he’d brought back the team from Beijing.

Bucks sign second-round pick Darington Hobson

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed Darington Hobson to a contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today. Hobson (6-7, 210) was the 37th overall selection in the 2010 NBA Draft.

A junior selected out of New Mexico, Hobson averaged 16.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists over three college seasons, the first two at Eastern Utah. During the 2009-10 season, Hobson averaged career-highs in rebounds (9.3) and assists (4.6) while scoring 15.9 points and shooting a career-best 36.1 percent from three-point range (39-108).

Hobson was the Mountain West Conference’s Newcomer of the Year and Player of the Year in his only season at New Mexico. He was also named Third Team All-America by the Associated press. He was the only player in New Mexico’s history to lead the team in points, rebounds and assists in the same season and joined Ohio State’s Evan Turner as the only Division I players to average more than 15.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

Chase Budinger out 4-6 weeks with ankle sprain

Houston Rockets forward Chase Budinger suffered an injury during an offseason workout yesterday afternoon. Budinger underwent a complete medical evaluation by Rockets team physicians at Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute where it was determined that he suffered a moderate to severe sprain of his left ankle.

The injury will prevent him from future conditioning work for the next three weeks with the expectation that he can resume basketball activities in four-six weeks.

Hawks sign Etan thomas

The Atlanta Hawks have signed free agent center Etan Thomas, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms were not disclosed.

“We’re excited to add a player of Etan’s caliber to our roster,” said Hawks head coach Larry Drew. “He provides additional veteran leadership, physicality and toughness to our club, especially on the glass and the defensive side of the ball. We also add another versatile and multi-positional player to our frontcourt.”

Thomas, who finished last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, has spent the bulk of his career with the Washington Wizards. In eight seasons (seven in Washington), the 6-foot-10 Syracuse product has averaged 5.8 ppg and 4.8 rpg (.514 FG%, .600 FT%) in 396 career regular season games, starting 74 contests.

In 23 games (one start) with the Thunder last season, Thomas put in 3.3 ppg and 2.8 rpg (.456 FG%, .591 FT%). He also saw action in two postseason contests with Oklahoma City, tallying 6.0 ppg and 2.0 rpg. He’s appeared in 17 career playoff games.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Thomas adds bench depth. And as a poetry buff, he can confuse opponents by using fancy phrases they’ve never heard before, throwing them off balance as their brains attempt to process the new information.

WASHINGTON - APRIL 23: Washington Wizards basketball player Etan Thomas arrives at the Gondobay Manga Foundation Inaugural Gala on April 23, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)

FIBA dance team told to stop performing at Worlds tournament

Cheerleaders, wrapped in national flags of competitors in FIBA Basketball World Championship, perform during the Ivory Coast and Greece game in Ankara September 1, 2010. The absence of scantily clad female cheerleaders at recent World Championship basketball matches involving host nation Turkey has raised eyebrows in the overwhelmingly Muslim but officially secular nation. Troupes of energetic cheerleaders have entertained the crowds at matches involving other teams in the tournament, but no dancers appeared during Turkey's match against Greece on Tuesday nor their match against Russia on Sunday. REUTERS/Mark Blinch (TURKEY - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

The AP reports:The Red Foxes have been told to stop performing in games involving the host country because their risque costumes and routines are offensive to the nation that is nearly entirely Muslim. Islam prohibits women from exposing their skin in public.

Basketball’s governing body said Wednesday the ban was not its decision. Secretary general Patrick Baumann said he wants entertainment to be part of the games, but “if it needs a little bit of adjustment that is fine with us.”

Performers wore long pants Wednesday during a game between the United States and Iran. Iranian officials had turned their backs when the dancers, who usually wear tiny shorts or skirts, performed in earlier games.

Cheerleaders perform during the FIBA Basketball World Championship game between Ivory Coast and Greece in Ankara September 1, 2010. The absence of scantily clad female cheerleaders at recent World Championship basketball matches involving host nation Turkey has raised eyebrows in the overwhelmingly Muslim but officially secular nation. Troupes of energetic cheerleaders have entertained the crowds at matches involving other teams in the tournament, but no dancers appeared during Turkey's match against Greece on Tuesday nor their match against Russia on Sunday. REUTERS/Mark Blinch (TURKEY - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

Members of the CSKA Moscow' dance team perform during a break at FIBA Basketball World Championship game between USA and Slovenia in Istanbul August 29, 2010. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (TURKEY - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

Delonte West returning to Celtics

Celtics are reportedly signing Delonte West

Delonte West is reportedly returning to where it all began and is set to sign a contract with the Boston Celtics.

According to CSNNE, 6-3 combo guard will rejoin the team his career began with. West entered the NBA in 2004, playing for the Celtics through the 2006-07 season before a quick stint with Seattle SuperSonics and then years with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

For his career, West averages 9.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 28.5 minutes per game. He averaged 7.4 PPG with the Cavs last season.

Because of his legal infraction, West is suspended by the NBA for the first 10 regular season games.

InsideHoops.com editor joking: At press time, the parents of Boston’s current players have yet to comment on this breaking news.

InsideHoops.com editor being straightforward: This is a good move for Boston. Delonte has some personal issues but I don’t believe they will be a real factor with his new team. He should be fine. The signing adds good bench depth to both guard spots. If any problem did develop with Delonte, the team can just send him packing. Boston gets slightly better with this move and are pushing hard to squeeze out another championship before Kevin Garnett fades away and Paul Pierce’s age starts to become a factor.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

March 06, 2010 Milwaukee, WI. Bradley Center..Cleveland Cavaliers Delonte West brings the ball up the court, West had 27 points and 7 assists coming off the Cavaliers bench tonight..Milwaukee Buck won over the Cleveland Cavaliers 92-85. Mike McGinnis/CSM.

Hornets add to basketball operations staff

The New Orleans Hornets announced the hiring of Strength Coach Carlos Daniel, Video Coordinator Adam Tatalovich and the promotion of Mark Cranston to Head Athletic Trainer.

Cranston, who has served the past four seasons as the Director of Athlete Performance and Rehabilitation, takes over the role of Head Athletic Trainer for the Hornets. He is a licensed physical therapist and is certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association as an athletic trainer. In addition, he has professional credentials from the National Strength Coaches Association as a certified strength coach, as well as the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a performance enhancement specialist. He has an extensive resume that covers 29 years of physical therapy and athletic training practice. He was awarded the 1992 Nuprin Comeback Award for the rehabilitation of Olympic gold-medalist Shannon Miller and received the 1995 Distinguished Alumni award from Wichita State University Department of Physical Health. Prior to joining the Hornets, Cranston was a clinical director of sports medicine, physical therapy and athletic training in Oklahoma City. He has a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Wichita State University and a masters of public health from the University of Oklahoma.

Daniel comes to the Hornets from the San Antonio Spurs where he served on the strength and conditioning staff for the 2009-10 season. Prior to San Antonio, Daniel was the Performance Trainer and Basketball Director for the Forza Fitness and Performance Club in Denver. Daniel is a ISSA and NASE certified trainer and is a NASM performance enhancement specialist. During the 2006-07 season, Daniel was an assistant coach at the University of Northern Colorado. A 1998 graduate of Washington State University, Daniel was a standout basketball player for the Cougars, garnering first team Pac-10 All-Academic honors each of his four seasons and capturing the first team Arthur Ashe Academic All-American honor twice. The Boulder, Colorado native finished in WSU’s top 10 in blocks (second), rebounds (sixth), field goal percentage (seventh), minutes played (eighth), points (ninth) and field goals (ninth). He garnered first team All-Pac 10 honors his senior season after averaging 16.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. The WSU graduate went on to play professionally in the CBA, IBL, as well as internationally in Japan, Israel, Australia and France. Daniel last played in 2004-05 with the Yakima Sun Kings, when he was selected to the CBA All-Star Game.

Tatalovich comes to New Orleans after spending the past four seasons with the Chicago Bulls, the last three as head video coordinator. In Chicago, Adam served under coaches Scott Skiles and Vinny Del Negro. Prior to Chicago, Adam worked at Attack Athletics under Tim Grover, working with college and professional players in the offseason. The Hobart, Indiana native spent the 2005-06 season at the University of Dayton where he served as a graduate assistant under coach Brian Gregory. Tatalovich graduated from Indiana University where he served as a student manager for the men’s basketball program.

OKC Thunder restructure front office

Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today a restructuring of the Thunder Basketball Operations department.

The Thunder promoted Troy Weaver to VP/Assistant General Manager, Rob Hennigan to Assistant General Manager/Player Personnel, Paul Rivers to Director of Minor League Operations and Basketball Technology and Brandon Barnett to Director of Minor League Scouting and Manager of Minor League Operations. The team added Michael Winger as Assistant General Manager/Legal and Administration and David Vanterpool as Pro Scout.

“We are pleased to continue to promote from within our organization while also bringing in new people who will enhance and compliment our current staff” said Presti. “The promotions for Troy, Rob, Paul and Brandon are well deserved. They are selfless workers who are extremely committed to our organization.” Presti added, “We are fortunate to have the opportunity to also add people such as Michael and David to our team; both will enhance our organization and help us grow in a positive direction.”

Weaver, who enters his third season with the Thunder organization, spent the previous two seasons as Assistant General Manager focusing on roster development and day-to-day basketball operations. Weaver joined the Thunder after spending four seasons in the Utah Jazz front office. The Maryland native began his career as a coach and spent nine seasons as a collegiate coach with Syracuse University, University of New Mexico and University of Pittsburgh before moving to the NBA.

Hennigan spent the previous two seasons as the Thunder’s Director, of College/International Player Personnel where he focused on NBA Draft preparation and assisted on the day-to-day operations of the Thunder’s front office. Prior to joining the Thunder, from 2004-2001, Hennigan spent four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs working his way from basketball operations intern to Director of Basketball Operations.

Rivers enters his fourth season with the Thunder. He served as the Director of Basketball Administration and Technology for the past three seasons. Rivers joined the Thunder after serving as a video coordinator with the Detroit Pistons (2005-07) and the San Antonio Spurs (2004-05). He spent two years working for head Coach Tom Izzo as a member of Michigan State University’s basketball program. Rivers will oversee the operations for the Thunder’s Minor League affiliate in Tulsa.

Barnett joined the Thunder in 2008 as the team’s Manager of Minor League Operations and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Tulsa 66ers. Prior to joining the Thunder, Barnett spent two seasons at the NBA league office in New York. Barnett will oversee Minor League Scouting Operations in his new role.

Winger joins the Thunder from the Cleveland Cavaliers where he served as Director of Basketball Operations & Team Counsel. He enjoyed five seasons with the Cavaliers in various front office capacities, working on all matters within basketball operations. Winger will focus on player contract negotiations and drafting, salary cap management, as well as other basketball legal and administrative duties.

Vanterpool joins the Thunder from CSKA in Moscow, Russia where he was most recently an assistant coach for the European power. Vanterpool enjoyed a 14-year playing career in the US and Europe, most recently with CSKA where he helped lead the team to the Russian Championship and the Russian Cup in both 2005-06 and 2006-07. He was a member of the 2006 Euroleague Championship team. The 6-4 guard, who played 27 games with the Washington Wizards during the 2000-01 season, also played professionally in Italy and China. Vanterpool will focus on Professional Scouting in the United States and Overseas.

Canadian basketball is growing

Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun reports:

No matter what transpires over the next few days for the Canadian senior national team here on the coast of the Aegean Sea, this summer will be looked back on as one of the best Canadian basketball has ever enjoyed.

And while the senior men’s national team haven’t had a lot to do with that good feeling, strides there have been made too.

In fact, Canada’s growth in international basketball has been surpassed by only two countries over the past five years according to a points system FIBA uses to track these things.

“With the success this summer, particularly with that bronze medal by the Cadet (Under 17) team, we now rank third in FIBA points of all the 213 FIBA countries in world age group championships since 2005/2006,” said Wayne Parrish, the Executive Director and CEO of Canada Basketball who is in Izmir with the senior men’s team. “The only ones ahead of us are USA, which dominates, and Australia which is slightly ahead of us. I think that is a good indication of where we are going.”