NBA makes sponsorship deal with Spanish bank BBVA

Ken Belson of the New York Times reports:

The N.B.A. has agreed to a four-year sponsorship worth more than $100 million with BBVA, the Spanish financial giant. BBVA will become the official bank of the league, the W.N.B.A. and the N.B.A. Development League.

The bank, which has more than 700 branches in the United States, will dovetail its marketing efforts in the United States with its sports sponsorships in Spain to take advantage of the growing popularity of the N.B.A. in Europe.

The deal is the latest effort by the N.B.A. to raise its profile overseas and attract international investors. The league has made deep inroads in China and last week announced plans to open an office in Moscow. This year, N.B.A. teams will play preseason games in Spain and China, and regular-season games in London. About 20 percent of the players in the N.B.A. were born overseas.

WNBA commissioner hopes for San Francisco-area team

The AP reports:

WNBA commissioner Donna Orender said the league remains interested in putting a franchise in the San Francisco area, but will not rush the process.

Speaking to reporters prior to Sunday’s first game of the WNBA finals between the Seattle Storm and the Atlanta Dream, Orender said the league will be taking a closer look at that region during the upcoming offseason.

“There’s lots of discussion _ I would call it quiet discussion _ in the Bay Area,” Orender said. “There are several interested ownership groups. I think we’ve made the decision to take it slow and let them find their way and put together their funding and put together how they want to do business on their own time frame at this point.”

Kevin Durant leads USA to first World championship since 1994

Reuters reports:

Kevin Durant leads USA

World championship favorites the United States ended a long wait by beating Turkey 81-64 in the final Sunday to win their first title in 16 years thanks to inspirational forward Kevin Durant.

Still only 21 and coming off his third professional season, the Oklahoma Thunder prodigy won the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award with a series of majestic performances.

Easing past his markers to score from a wide range of positions, Durant racked up 28 points in the final, including 20 in the first half after the hosts had taken an early 17-14 lead.

Durant buried one three-pointer after another to give the U.S. a 42-32 lead at halftime and his Oklahoma team mate Russel Westbrook provided excellent support with 13 points, six rebounds and three assists.

The AP reports:

Lamar Odom added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Americans, who won gold in the worlds for only the fourth time, doing so with a team that was no sure thing after coming to Turkey without the superstars from its Olympic gold medal team…

Hedo Turkoglu of the Phoenix Suns scored 16 points for the Turks, who were bidding for their first title and were boosted by huge crowd support, with fans in red filling most of the 15,000-seat Sinan Erdem Dome…

The whistling was so loud when U.S. players were introduced that it was hard to make out the names. There were more whistles and boos every time the Americans had the ball in the early going, and the building was at its loudest when Turkoglu made consecutive 3-pointers to give Turkey its first lead at 15-14 with 4:07 remaining in the first quarter.


Kevin Durant of U.S. (C) is surrounded by team mates as they celebrate their victory against Turkey after their FIBA Basketball World Championship final game in Istanbul, September 12, 2010. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

Miami Heat dancer Nancy Lopez-Ruiz killed in auto accident

Carol Rosenberg of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports:

A Miami Heat dancer on a motorcycle was killed Friday night in a collision with a Mercedes in Fort Lauderdale and police on Saturday were appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Nancy Lopez-Ruiz, 22, of Plantation was riding her 2003 Suzuki GSX R in the westbound right-hand lane of East Sunrise Boulevard when the 9:30 p.m. crash occurred.

Mario Careaga, of Fort Lauderdale, had been driving his 2009 Mercedes behind Lopez-Ruiz. The Mercedes hit the median at the curve of North Federal Highway, then struck the motorcycle, knocking the young woman off her bike. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

See a photo of Nancy here.

Nets sign Joe Smith

Nets sign Joe Smith

The New Jersey Nets have signed free agent forward Joe Smith, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.  Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.

Smith, 6’10”/225, is a 15-year NBA veteran with career averages of 11.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists over 1,014 games with Golden State, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Detroit, Milwaukee, Denver, Cleveland, Chicago, Oklahoma City and Atlanta.  He has shot .455 (4,322-9,496) from the field and .790 (2,526-3,198) from the line.

The Norfolk, VA native was the first overall selection in the 1995 NBA Draft by Golden State.

The best season of his career came during the 1996-97 campaign with Golden State, when he appeared and started in 80 games and averaged a career-best 18.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 blocks in 38.6 minutes.  In 57 career postseason contests, Smith holds averages of 5.9 points and 4.2 rebounds in 18.7 minutes per game.

Last season in Atlanta, Smith appeared in 64 games, one start, averaging 3.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 9.3 minutes per contest.

InsideHoops.com says: Joe first entered the NBA in the 1400’s, when the game was played via candlelight, and the United States did not yet exist. He’s a smart, crafty veteran who will help the Nets bench.

Timberwolves waive Greg Stiemsma

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has waived center Greg Stiemsma. The Timberwolves signed Stiemsma as a free agent on April 13, 2010; he did not appear in a game for the Wolves last season.

Stiemsma, 24, played with the NBA D-League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce this past season, averaging 8.8 points (.541 shooting), 7.1 rebounds and a league-leading 3.6 blocks in 45 games (44 starts). In three playoffs games for Sioux Falls, Stiemsma averaged 15.0 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.3 blocks.

Bucks sign second round pick Tiny Gallon

Bucks sign second round pick Tiny Gallon

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed Tiny Gallon to a contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today. Gallon (6-9, 290) was the 47th overall selection in the 2010 NBA Draft.

Gallon played one season at the University of Oklahoma where he averaged 10.3 points and 7.9 rebounds while shooting 54.7 percent from the field (122-223). His 7.9 rebounds were eighth in the Big 12 Conference. In five NBA Summer League games with the Bucks, Gallon averaged 6.6 points and 7.4 rebounds in 19.4 minutes per contest.


KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 10: Tiny Gallon #24 of the Oklahoma Sooners shoots a free throw against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first round game of the 2010 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 10, 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Nets hire Milton Lee as director of basketball operations

The New Jersey Nets have named Milton Lee as director of basketball operations, General Manager Billy King announced today.

In his new role, Lee will oversee the Nets statistical and analytical efforts, as well as assist General Manager Billy King and Assistant General Manager Bobby Marks on player personnel matters.

Prior to joining the Nets, Lee started his own basketball services company where he worked in various capacities with the NBA, teams and players. Lee personally worked as a skills coach with several NBA players, including current Net, Troy Murphy.  Previously, Lee served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers summer league team in 2008 and 2009, and has been a consultant to the NBA at the past five Pre-Draft Combines.  Earlier in his career, Lee worked as a proprietary trader on Wall Street for ING Barings and SAC Capital.  Lee interned for the NBA at three consecutive Olympic Games, including 1992, for the original “Dream Team.”

A native of Bergen County, New Jersey, Lee is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a member of the junior varsity basketball team.

Fiancee of Matt Barnes says domestic violence charge is false

Janis Carr of the Orange County Register reports:

Fiance of Matt Barnes says domestic violence charge is false

The fiancée of Lakers player Matt Barnes said Thursday he has never physically abused her or her family and that the domestic violence charge against him is false.

Laura M. Wright, a publicist who represents both Barnes and Gloria Govan released to The Sacramento Bee a statement on Govan’s behalf Thursday: “Any accusation of domestic violence are false. My fiancé, Matt Barnes, has never physically abused me or my family.”

Barnes said as much Wednesday night, stating he was the “victim.”

Rockets rookie Patrick Patterson signs shoe deal with PEAK

Rockets rookie Patrick Patterson signs shoe deal with PEAK

PEAK Sport recently signed Patrick Patterson of the Houston Rockets to endorse the company’s basketball shoe and apparel products.  The deal is a multi-year long term agreement.

Selected by the Rockets with the 14th pick in this year’s NBA draft out of the University of Kentucky, Patterson ranks as one of the top power forward prospects and is expected to be one of the most versatile rookies in the upcoming NBA season.

After seeing Patterson’s impact in Kentucky, PEAK’s decision was easily made to sign this outstanding player. Helping to lead the Kentucky Wildcats to an Elite Eight appearance in this year’s NCAA tournament, Patterson’s accomplishments at Kentucky included being named 2008 SEC Co-Freshman of the Year, two-time first team All-SEC, 2009 first team AP Pre-Season All America and the 10th fastest player to reach Kentucky’s 1,000-point club in 58 games.

PEAK endorses 12 NBA players, ranking them third in NBA endorsements. PEAK’s roster includes Ron Artest of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jason Richardson of the Phoenix Suns, Carl Landry of the Sacramento Kings, Shane Battier of the Houston Rockets, Kyle Lowry of the Houston Rockets, Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks and Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves to name a few.  The PEAK brand was created beginning in 1989 and now has over 6,000 retail stores in Asia.

PEAK’s COO Grant Zhou explained the importance of choosing players that fit PEAK.

“We want to work with players that represent PEAK positively on and off the court,” said Zhou.

“I am very excited to join the Peak family.” said Patterson.  “My relationship with Peak provides the opportunity to partner with a leading China brand as I establish my own global brand.  I look forward to growing with Peak as my professional career begins.”

PEAK is optimistic in the signing with Patterson because his career is just beginning, and he has great potential explained PEAK’s CEO Jia Su.

“Patterson comes from a positive past that shows maturity, great work ethic and a well-mannered individual,” said Su.  “He is now the third player from the Houston Rockets that PEAK signed, and we look forward to moving at full speed toward a successful future together.”

Su went on to describe PEAK’s legacy and focus on the future.

“PEAK is the number one basketball company in China and dominates the basketball industry in China.  We wish to become an international brand in the future.”