NBA FanHouse

Jeremy Tyler's European Detour Isn't Going Too Well

Tom Ziller — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:15:00 EST

And now for the flip side of the smiley Brandon Jennings narrative. Jeremy Tyler, a stand-out big man from San Diego, followed Jennings's European plan with a twist: Tyler decided to not just spend one post-high school season overseas before entering the NBA draft, but to spend his senior season of high school there as well. Tyler signed on with Israeli club Haifa.

Experts agreed that Tyler lacked the maturity or social structure to make it work in a foreign land. And lo! Pete Thamel of the New York Times, after a visit to Tyler's team, writes that the worst fears are being realized.

This is a pretty tidy summary:

His coach calls him lazy and out of shape. The team captain says he is soft. His teammates say he needs to learn to shut up and show up on time. He has no friends on the team. In extensive interviews with Tyler, his teammates, coaches, his father and advisers, the consensus is that he is so naïve and immature that he has no idea how naïve and immature he is.

Tyler has played little, has been fined for team violations, has fought with the coach and teammates ... all in a couple months. Thamel ends his long piece by quoting Tyler as telling the reporter that he wishes he were returning to the United States with him. Not a great sign ... especially considering Tyler has the better part of two years to go.

But of course, the Jennings experiment didn't go just as planned. The difference was that Jennings had family in tow, and less choice in the matter. (There were rumors -- never refuted -- that Jennings would not meet NCAA academic eligibility requirements. There have been no such concerns with Tyler.) Jennings had to make it work for a year. Tyler, a pioneer in his own rite, one who would instead be dominating 6'5 opponents and doing advanced geometry (or something), has the burden of regret.

Jennings has been a success so far -- an early leader in the Rookie of the Year race, a player Knicks boss Donnie Walsh has already cited as a player he missed on. But right now, Tyler is proving there's another way things can go. As with all things, there is no magic solution.

Jeremy Tyler's European Detour Isn't Going Too Well originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Omri Casspi Enters the History Books

Elie Seckbach — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Kings, Euroleague, NBA Videos

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

When the Sacramento Kings opened the season against the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier this week, rookie Omri Casspi officially entered the NBA history books as the first Israeli player to play in the NBA. In his first game, Casspi looked good, dropping 15 points (7-9 from the field) in just 19 minutes of action. In this FanHouse video we talk to Caspi and several of his former teammates from Israel's champion Maccabi Tel Aviv. We also hear from Tony Gaffney, who now plays in Israel and worked out with Casspi all summer, about Casspi's competitive nature.

Check out the video after the jump.

Omri Casspi Enters the History Books originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Face of Maccabi Commits Suicide

Tom Ziller — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Euroleague

There's Israeli basketball news more shocking than Pini Gershon's Bobby Knight moment on the floor of Madison Square Garden this morning. Reports are surfacing that Moni Fanan, considered the face of Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball and the man who built Israel's pre-eminent franchise over the 1990s and 2000s, has been found dead in his apartment. Authorities believe Fanan commited suicide.

Fanan served as the team's general manager from 1992 to 2008, a period in which Maccabi dominated Israeli basketball and competed well in Euroleague, boasting foreign stars like Sarunas Jasikevicius, Anthony Parker, and Beno Udrih but also with homegrown studs like Tal Burstein, Omri Casspi, Yotam Halperin and Lior Eliyahu. Fanan's death comes as Maccabi's current team tours the United States to play exhibitions against NBA teams.

Face of Maccabi Commits Suicide originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Can the NBA Fine Maccabi's Coach?

Tom Ziller — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:38:00 EST

Filed under: Knicks, Euroleague, NBA Referees, NBA Videos

I don't believe David Stern has jurisdiction over the entire basketball world; it just seems like that's the case occasionally. It'd be silly to think, however, that Stern won't have words with leaders of Euroleague and the Israeli Basketball Association after Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Pini Gershon held up his team's exhibition game against the Knicks in Madison Square Garden for nearly 10 minutes by refusing to leave the court when an NBA replacement referee ejected him.

As Gershon made his point, drawing NBA security officials over to plead for his cooperation, the crowd (and Knicks) waited. Eventually, a prominent Israeli rabbi (!) convinced Gershon to leave the court so the game could resume. The New York Post suggests Knicks prez Donnie Walsh left the Garden infuriated at the behavior. I can't imagine Stern -- who bristles at any criticism of any refs the league employs -- felt differently.

But Maccabi in particular remains a huge draw as the first team of Israel. The Kings are in the planning stages to hold an exhibition in Tel Aviv next fall, with rookie Omri Casspi -- who in a few weeks will become the first Israeli to play in the NBA -- as the connection. Stern will likely do little more than politely ask future visiting teams to respect NBA officials, whether they are replacements or not.

Can the NBA Fine Maccabi's Coach? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clippers' Most Meaningful Game Is Taking Place in Preseason

Elie Seckbach — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:42:00 EST

Filed under: Clippers, Euroleague, NBA Videos, Interviews, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

For the most part, NBA preseason games don't carry much weight, but on Oct. 20, the Los Angeles Clippers will take the Staples Center court to face one of the best teams in Europe when they meet Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

It will be the game of the year for thousands of children as the Clippers are donating all the money generated from that night to the world's largest orphanage, Migdal Ohr. Based in Northern Israel, Migdal Ohr takes care of more than 7,000 orphans. But the Clippers are not the only ones doing amazing things for the orphanage. Two days prior to the Clippers' game, the New York Knicks will host a similar event to benefit Migdal Ohr.

Check out the video after the jump.

Clippers' Most Meaningful Game Is Taking Place in Preseason originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:42:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Greek Team's NBA Tour Could Get a Little Weird

Tom Ziller — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Cavaliers, Euroleague

As European clubs do every season, Greek powerhouse Olympiakos (featuring Josh Childress) will visit the United States this preseason to play in some exhibitions and see the lovely sights in beautiful towns such as Cleveland. There is a problem, though, reports Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer: Olympiakos is on the lam.

Apparently, the club owes an American agent $400,000 after a U.S. judge ruled a former Olympiakos player was unfairly denied his salary after being cut due to injury. Olympiakos has not paid up (even though the judgment is several years old), and the Greek team falls outside American jurisdiction. But since the team will be visiting the States next Monday for a preseason game against the Cavaliers, the agent went to court to get clearance to have the team's assets (which Windhorst reports could include the jet they fly in on and the team's petty cash) seized by U.S. Marshals.

I think I have a solution: deputize Shaquille O'Neal. He'll handle it.

Greek Team's NBA Tour Could Get a Little Weird originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stern Dampens Expectations on NBA Expansion in Europe

Tom Ziller — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Euroleague, NBA Rumors

Every preseason when a handful of NBA teams jump the pond to play ball in the Old Word's great cities, NBA commissioner David Stern discusses his dream of bringing a real life NBA franchise to Europe. Globalizing the game has been one of Stern's most impressive victories, and introducing the "London Gobsmackers" or some such would be some serious icing.

But Stern is now dampening expectations for when this all might happen. The commish told Bill Wilson of BBC News that while the league would like to schedule a regular season game at London's (reportedly spectacular) O2 Arena before the 2012 Olympics, placing a franchise in Europe will take at least another decade. The logistics, Stern admits, are nightmarish. I'd also note that so long as there are domestic arenas in want of NBA tenants (such as Kansas City's Sprint Center), American expansion might be a more pragmatic move in the near term.

Stern Dampens Expectations on NBA Expansion in Europe originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wolves GM Accuses Ricky Rubio of Backing Out of Agreement

Tom Ziller — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:16:00 EST

Filed under: Timberwolves, Euroleague

Largely, Timberwolves general manager David Kahn's final statement on L'Affair Ricky Rubio is concillatory. Kahn echoes the assertion that Rubio will actually become a better basketball player by competing in the world's No. 2 league for the next two years instead of getting 25 minutes a night in the NBA. He says he understands and even endorses Rubio's decision.

But before he gets to all that Kumbaya, he lets the world know that Rubio, DKV Joventut and the Wolves had a handshake deal Saturday night to bring Ricky to the NBA immediately ... and that Rubio backed out on Monday.

In fact, the first two paragraphs of Kahn's statement are devoted to laying out the betrayal.

On Saturday night, an agreement was reached between Dan Fegan, the agent for Ricky Rubio, Jordi Villacampa, the president of Joventut Badalona, and myself on behalf of the Minnesota Timberwolves to buy out the last two years of Ricky´s contract with Joventut so that he could play in the NBA next season.

While the term sheet was being finalized Monday night, Ricky informed me that, despite considering us his first option the previous weekend -- and, admittedly, after some back and forth throughout the summer -- he preferred to stay at home to play for FC Barcelona, which earlier this summer had made a buyout offer to Joventut. He also reaffirmed that it was his intention to join us in Minnesota two years from now when he will be 20.

More than 90 percent of the statements and decisions NBA team executives make are devoted to protecting their job. And this is fine. Job security is a top concern for most Americans -- not just NBA GMs. No one begrudges Kahn his self-defense.

I do wonder, however, whether it is the best step to take here. I mean, are Wolves fans expected to rally to Kahn's side now? Is getting snickerdoodled by an 18-year-old the best impetus for sympathy? Losing Rubio to Barcelona after striking a deal for Ricky's freedom does not speak of success. It speaks of failure.

Is the statement meant to paint Ricky in a bad light? I certainly hope not, considering Rubio is scheduled to come to the Wolves in 2011. (Maybe.) It is not in Kahn's interest to turn Minnesota fans against La Pistola, and it's really not in Kahn's interest to deflate Rubio's trade value any further. Again, the need for self-acquittal is understandable, and understood. But there's a lesson about digging your way out of hole that Kahn does not seem to have grasped.

(This is not meant to absolve Rubio or his family of fault, of course. If you didn't want to come to Minnesota, don't agree to come to Minnesota. If you don't want your son to leave for Minnesota, don't let your son agree to leave for Minnesota. Pretty simple, really.)

(One more thought: Russ Bengston's intrepretation of Rubio's brief statement gets an A+.)

Wolves GM Accuses Ricky Rubio of Backing Out of Agreement originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ricky Rubio to Spend Two More Seasons in Spain

Tom Ziller — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:17:00 EST

Filed under: Timberwolves, Euroleague, NBA Draft, NBA Rumors

UPDATE: Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! and Chris Mannix of SI both tweet that a deal is not in place. I recommend Ben Golliver's reaction.

Spanish newspaper Marca is reporting (via RealGM/Skeets) that Ricky Rubio has sorted out his plans for next season. The paper reports that Regal FC Barcelona has worked out a deal with Rubio and his former team, DKV Joventut.

Joventut will receive more than $5 million (or 3.7 million Euros) for the rights to Ricky. There's no word on how much Barcelona will pay Rubio, though I imagine it will be more than the rookie scale contract La Pistola would have earned with Minnesota ($5.6 million over two years). For reference, Juan Carlos Navarro became the richest player in FC Barcelona history last summer when he inked a five-year, $23 million deal. I would hazard a guess Rubio's pay will be even more.

Marca has Rubio's Barcelona contract at six years in length, with a decreasing buy-out amount after each season. The thinking has been that if Rubio did stay in Europe, he would make his move across the Atlantic after the 2010-11 season; Minnesota GM David Kahn has even referenced getting Ricky in two years as a worst-case scenario.

In the mean time, supposing this report is accurate, Jonny Flynn has won the never-begun point guard battle in Minneapolis. He'll be a contender for Rookie of the Year by virtue of all the minutes he'll play, and he basically has two years to prove he deserves to be the team's Point Guard of the Future more than Ricky does.

Report: Ricky Rubio to Spend Two More Seasons in Spain originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tyler Being Exploited on His Way to Israel

Tim Povtak — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:25:00 EST

Filed under: Euroleague, NBA Draft

Sonny Vaccaro and B.J. Armstrong aren't advising Jeremy Tyler. They are exploiting him for their own gain.

Tyler is the 18-year-old San Diego youngster who is trying to become the first American-born student to leave high school early to play professional basketball overseas. He signed a one-year contract worth $140,000 Wednesday to play with Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Premier League.

While everyone else in his class is getting ready to start his senior year of high school, Tyler is being led down a path to a nightmare.

For all the talk that colleges take advantage of these soon-to-be-pro athletes, this exercise of sending him to a foreign land without the necessary maturity level to handle it is considerably worse.

The whole affair sounds - and is - dirty, although Vaccaro and Armstrong are trying to justify encouraging him to become a high school dropout. Boy, that sounds like really good advice there.

How about telling him to go to summer school so he can actually graduate and live a normal life when his basketball playing days are over?

"I don't care how big and strong he is, this doesn't make sense for the kid,'' said one former NBA head coach on Thursday. "Even mature players go to Europe and 10 days later, they want to come home.''

Tyler, a 6-foot-11, 260-pound man-child won't be eligible for the NBA Draft until 2011. He told the Associated Press that high school basketball was boring, and that he needed another challenge.

How about studying for the SAT?

Although the Israeli Premier League is not on the level of the best basketball in Spain, Italy or Greece, it's still better than what he would find in the NCAA, which means he'll be overwhelmed at first.

There is no reason for Maccabi Haifa to try and develop him, knowing that if he is as good as he thinks, he won't be there for more than two years. It's sink or swim from the start. And it's more likely, he'll sink, not so much from his play on the court, but from what he finds when the games and the practices end.

It's tough enough for immature kids to remain level-headed on a college campus. What's it going to be like thousands of miles away from home, where the culture gap between San Diego and Israel is considerable.

The ultra-talented kids now like Dwight Howard and LeBron James who go directly from high school to the NBA are carefully advised and groomed and protected by their teams because so much money is invested in the players. He won't get that with Maccabi Haifa because they have very little invested and already have reaped a ton of publicity from the signing. How long do you think Armstrong and Vaccaro will be in Israel with Tyler? Not very long.

We tell kids all the time to slow down, quit rushing to grow up, but with talented young athletes and the potential of really big money involved, they get the opposite advice from people who stand to gain from the process.

"If it was my kid, I certainly wouldn't let him go play there,'' said the former NBA coach. "This is not a good thing for anyone.''

Tyler Being Exploited on His Way to Israel originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Another Luxury Tax Hit, Linas Kleiza Leaves Denver for Greece

Tim Povtak — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:51:00 EST

Filed under: Nuggets, Euroleague

It's not that the Denver Nuggets didn't like Linas Kleiza -- George Karl liked him a lot -- but not enough to pay him twice. Not for a backup forward, no matter how intriguing his skills.

It's basic economics. The luxury tax struck again.

Kleiza, 24, just agreed to a two-year, $12.2 million deal with the Greek team Olympiakos, according to agent Bill Duffy. It was first reported on Yahoo!.

Kleiza wasn't getting much attention from other NBA teams because of his restricted free-agent status, with most believing the Nuggets would match any reasonable offer, so he turned his attention overseas.

Kleiza already was in Europe with the Lithuania National team, and playing in Greece for $6 million a year didn't take much thought. It was almost double what the Nuggets wanted to play.

Olympiakos has been pursuing NBA players more aggressively than any other European team. They already have Josh Childress, Andreas Glyniadakos and Von Wafer. They made an offer to Allen Iverson, which was rejected, opening the door for Kleiza. He also received an opt-out option, much like Childress had, after the first season.

He can look again next summer for an NBA deal, but the Nuggets would still have his rights as a restricted free agent.

Because the Nuggets already are at the luxury tax threshold, they would have been paying him double to match the Greek offer. A $6 million salary would have cost them $12 million, which is much more than Kleiza was worth.

Kleiza played an important role in the Nuggets' playoff success this year -- they lost to the Lakers, 4-2 in the Western Conference finals -- but he certainly wasn't worth the $12 million price tag. In one victory over the Lakers, he had 16 points in 21 minutes. In the other, he had 10 points in 13 minutes.

He played all 82 games during the regular season, averaging 22.2 minutes, 9.9 points and 4 rebounds, playing as a backup at both small forward behind Carmelo Anthony and at power forward behind Kenyon Martin.

Another Luxury Tax Hit, Linas Kleiza Leaves Denver for Greece originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:51:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Knicks Introduce World's Biggest Matzo Ball, Bubbies Rejoice

Michael Katz — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Knicks, Euroleague, NBA Videos

A large, round, doughy object appeared Thursday in New York City courtesy of the Knicks -- and it wasn't Eddy Curry!

No, it was the world's largest matzo ball. Noah's Ark Deli served the super-sized soup to help promote an October exhibition between the Knicks and Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel's basketball powerhouse. Profits from the event will support the Migdal Ohr, an orphanage in northern Israel.

Follow the jump for scrumptious video. It's like Big Foot footage that will whet your appetite.

The New York Daily News explains more with a Yiddish dictionary at hand:

Weighing 267 pounds and measuring 29.2 inches in diameter, the biggest matzo ball in the world was unveiled Thursday and served up to hungry lower East Siders.

The giant kosher creation was schlepped across the city with a police escort after spending 19.5 hours on a slow boil in a custom-made 100-gallon New Jersey kettle.

Just don't let Curry near this beast. That weight loss thing has been going so well.

Knicks Introduce World's Biggest Matzo Ball, Bubbies Rejoice originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gortat Switching to Vince Carter Nikes

Tim Povtak — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:00:00 EST

Filed under: Magic, Euroleague

Not only is Orlando Magic backup center Marcin Gortat going to be playing with Vince Carter next season, he is going to be wearing Carter's shoes.

Gortat, the only Polish-born player in the NBA, found himself in a little hot water during the Finals last spring when adidas-owned Reebok, who was providing him free shoes, asked him to cover up the Michael Jordan/Nike tattoo on his leg.

When he refused their request, they canceled his modest shoe deal. So now he will be switching back to Nike, specifically the Vince Carter signature shoe.

Carter, the eight time All-Star who was traded to Orlando in June, already has given Gortat his blessing.

"These are the best shoes on the planet,'' said Gortat Monday from Poland, where he is training with his national team for the upcoming European Championships. "Reebok didn't like my tattoo, so I'm back in the Vince Carter shoes I wore for four years before I came to the NBA. These were always my favorites.''

Gortat, somewhat surprisingly, will be returning to the Magic for his third NBA season. The Magic kept him by matching the five-year, $32 million offer sheet -- a little pricey for a backup -- he was extended as a restricted free agent by the Dallas Mavericks.

Gortat, though, will return to Orlando not wanting just to play behind starter Dwight Howard. He wants to play alongside him, too.

"My goal is to come back a much better player and prove to the coaching staff that I can also play power forward next to Dwight,'' Gortat said. "I can help make us a better team. You can have two big guys in the starting lineup. I want to help us win a championship this season.''

The Magic used a smaller, shooter's lineup last season with Rashard Lewis at power forward, but they have been talking about moving him back to his natural small forward position. They signed Dallas power forward Brandon Bass this summer to provide some youth and muscle around the basket.

Gortat, meanwhile, believes he can factor into the playing rotation in more than just the 10-12 minutes when Howard comes to the sideline. The Magic tried the two centers together only briefly in the playoffs, but they were clearly outsized by the Lakers in the Finals.

"I can help Dwight where he needs the help,'' Gortat said. "There is a need for a second big man in the lineup against some teams. That's why I'll be coming back for training camp in great shape. I have a lot to prove this season.''

Gortat also is aware of the perception that the Magic may have matched the offer in order to trade him. After matching an offer for a restricted free agent, teams must wait a minimum of 90 days before trading the player.

"I love it in Orlando. It's where I became an NBA player. But if I'm traded, that's part of the business,'' he said. "If I'm traded, with my contract, it would be to a team that wants to play me more, so it can only be a good thing. I'm not worried about it. I'm just working to get better.''

Gortat Switching to Vince Carter Nikes originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeremy Tyler to Slovenia?

Tom Ziller — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 09:23:00 EST

Filed under: Euroleague, NBA Draft, D-League

Jeremy Tyler, the San Diego prospect who dropped out of high school as a junior to pursue a professional career in Europe, has been looking for a team since April. The issue is not that there is no interest from the Old World, it's that handler Sonny Vaccaro wants the right fit (and the best deal).

In May, concerns were raised that Vaccaro aimed too high, that if Tyler landed on too good a team, he'd spend two years wallowing on the bench. Coaches in Europe can't afford to allow their top teams to suffer growing pains for the benefit of an American who will leave at first chance.

Well, Tyler reportedly has a team -- Olimpija Ljubljana in Slovenia -- and DraftExpress's Jonathan Givony thinks it's a bad idea.

Givony tweeted the news and his instant reaction Friday night.

Mixed reactions on Jeremy Tyler to Olimpija news. Unstable club financially many say, extremely difficult to find Americans who succeeded[.] My prediction? Tyler will be back in States by the new year, likely to play in the D-League. Adriatic League is no place for a high schooler[.]

The Adriatic League is business, having served as the farm system for many Slavic players of NBA note. The club league is well-stocked. Never mind the Euroleague, where Jennings barely got a taste last season, and where Tyler will open his pro career in October against teams like CSKA Moscow and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

This isn't to say Tyler isn't ready: perhaps he will do fine in Slovenia. Height is an asset you can't ignore. But the difference between Olimpija and, say, Louisville or the Clippers, is that there is no incentive for Olimpija to develop Tyler (unless you think he'll be bringing a club title home to Ljubljana at age 18) whereas Rick Pitino and Mike Dunleavy depend on developing their young players for future success. This is where the European flight experiment breaks down.

Givony reports Tyler will make $150,000 per year for three seasons, with a $400,000 buy-out available after the 2010-11 season. (Tyler is eligible for the 2011 NBA draft.) Assuming Tyler could have signed a smaller, two-year contract to avoid the buy-out situation, that reeks of Vaccaro attempting to stick it to the NBA. Teams can pay up to $500,000 of an acquired player's buy-out; that $400,000 buy-out conveniently falls under that level, and equates to what is effectively a raise on the rookie salary scale.

As for the D-League, if things truly go to seed in Ljubljana: I hope there's a condition of the contract not yet reported, because the top D-League salary isn't quite $30,000. Not exactly what Tyler had in mind, I'm sure.

Jeremy Tyler to Slovenia? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 09:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Basketball Star Who Looks Just Like Michael Jordan

Elie Seckbach — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Euroleague, NBA Videos, Summer League, Interviews, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

For the past six years Robert Battle has been playing professional basketball overseas. He's doing pretty well, but it doesn't matter where he goes because everyone thinks he's none other than NBA legend Michael Jordan. In this FanHouse video we talk to MJ's look-alike about his adventures. We also hear from two members of the media, NBA writers Dave McMenamin and Sam Amick, who some people also say look alike.

Check out the video after the jump.

The Basketball Star Who Looks Just Like Michael Jordan originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ricky Rubio Likely to Leave DKV Joventut

Matt Watson — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:40:00 EST

Filed under: Timberwolves, Euroleague, NBA Rumors

Whether Ricky Rubio plays in the NBA this coming season remains to be seen, but it's looking less and less likely that he'll ever play another minute for DKV Joventut, the Spanish team that currently holds his rights.

Rubio's current contract includes a $8.2 million buyout clause, and both Rubio and the Timberwolves have engaged in negotiations to reduce that figure. Even though NBA rules preclude the Timberwolves from contributing more than $500,000 to the buyout, team president David Kahn traveled to Spain this week in hopes of expediting the talks.

Unfortunately, both sides are still at a stalemate, and the failed negotiations may have created too much ill will for Rubio to return.

"I want to continue with the club but, after everything that's happened, I don't think they're too comfortable having me in their squad,'' Rubio said Wednesday. "I want to play in a winning team, on a team that can achieve many things.''

What are Rubio's options? Well, the AP reports that both Real Madrid and Barcelona are interested in signing Rubio, and they're not beholden to the NBA's rules regarding buyouts and the rookie salary scale.

In the big picture, Rubio's earning potential is undoubtedly greater should he become a star in the U.S., but in the short-term he'll likely make more money by staying in Europe.

Ricky Rubio Likely to Leave DKV Joventut originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eric Musselman Turns Down Russian Job

Tim Povtak — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Kings, Warriors, Euroleague

European basketball teams often have a tough time convincing quality American players to venture overseas to work. The same can be said for getting coaches.

Eric Musselman became the second former NBA head coach to turn down a job offer from Spartak St. Petersburg in Russia.

Earlier this month, former Bulls and Hornets coach Tim Floyd rejected a similar offer from the same team.

Musselman, who's had head coaching stints with the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings, told Spartak on Saturday that he would not take the job for the coming season.

"European basketball always has been very intriguing to me,'' Musselman said Saturday night. "And this opportunity was a great one. It was a tough decision.''

Musselman has been around the NBA, as an assistant or head coach, since his father, Bill Musselman, coached the Minnesota Timberwolves from 1989-1991. Eric was head coach of the Warriors was 2002-2004 and the Kings in 2006-07. The Warriors improved to 38 victories in his first season, which was 17 more than they had won the year before he arrived. For his career, he has a 108-138 record.

Spartak St. Petersburg is the same team that recently signed rookie point guard Levance Fields to a two-year deal. Fields, who helped the University of Pittsburgh to the NCAA Tournament, was scouted extensively at the Orlando Professional Summer League last week.

Previously on FanHouse:
Musselman Close to Coaching in Russia

Eric Musselman Turns Down Russian Job originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bucks Bring Back Ersan Ilyasova, Potential Starting Power Forward

Tom Ziller — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:51:00 EST

Filed under: Bucks, Euroleague, NBA Transactions

The last time Ersan Ilyasova ran about in a Bucks jersey, he served as the youngest member of Milwaukee's power forward hydra under Terry Stotts and Larry Krystowiak in the 2006-07. A slender 19-year-old straight out of Munch's The Scream, Ilyasova shared time with Charlie Villanueva, affable Brian Skinner and the laughable Dan Gadzuric, all along with then sophomore Andrew Bogut. The Bucks were not good, and frankly Ilyasova was not good.

After that two-year NBA stint (with the first year being spent entirely on the roster of the D-League Tulsa 66ers -- yes, a great international teenaged player spent a formative year barnstorming Fort Wayne and Albuquerque; it truly is a credit to the D-League that no one laughs about this, and puts into perspective how little Fort Wayne is different from, say, Bloomington), Ilyasova took a two-year contract in Spain.

He did well there, and always maintained a relationship with the Bucks, even though the front office of the Bucks underwent a power shift. And lo! the Bucks and Ilyasova have decided they were meant for each other, and Ersan (now a mature 22) will play in Milwaukee next season.

As the always excellent Frank Madden of the perpetually spot-on BrewHoop notes, Ilyasova could very well start for the Bucks this season. Villanueva fled to Detroit amid Joe Dumars's Central Division swap meet. Aside from traded-veteran-in-waiting Kurt Thomas, Amir Johnson is the top non-Turkish power forward on the roster, acquired in a sell-off by Dumars after said swap meet. And Amir is good, or he could be good, so long as Brandon Jennings is winging alley-oop passes from halfcourt.

Madden has the best breakdown on the particular styles, pros and cons of Johnson and Ilyasova, so please read him to see that. But it bears emphasis that between Johnson and Ilyasova, two 22-year-olds scratching the surface of their basketball existence, the Bucks will pay only a combined $5.7 million this season. If either Amir or Ersan blossom -- and there are reasons to believe each has a solid chance -- the Bucks will be in good shape at the power forward position for the long haul. Without Villanueva. Or Brian Skinner.

Bucks Bring Back Ersan Ilyasova, Potential Starting Power Forward originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:51:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Musselman Close to Coaching in Russia

Tim Povtak — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Warriors, Euroleague, Summer League, FanHouse Exclusive

It isn't just the players on the fringe of the NBA who are leaving the country to play overseas. It's the coaches, too, who are being courted.

Eric Musselman, former head coach of the Golden State Warriors, is weighing an offer to join Spartak St. Petersburg in Russia for the 2009-10 season, according to sources at the Las Vegas Summer League.

Musselman has been around the NBA, as an assistant or head coach, since his father, Bill Musselman, coached the Minnesota Timberwolves from 1989-1991. Eric was head coach of the Warriors from 2002-04. They improved 38 games his first season, which was 17 more than they had won before he arrived.

Spartak St. Petersburg is the same team that recently signed rookie point guard Levance Fields to a two-year deal. Fields, who helped the University of Pittsburgh to the NCAA Tournament, was scouted extensively at the Orlando Professional Summer League last week. The team will play this season in the Euroleague.

Musselman was unavailable for comment, but multiple sources confirmed the offer. He is expected to accept the job over the weekend. The job previously was turned down by Tim Floyd, who has coached both the Chicago Bulls and the New Orleans Hornets.

Update: Musselman turned down the position.

Musselman Close to Coaching in Russia originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Josh Childress Liked Greece Enough to Stay Another Season

Tom Ziller — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Bucks, Hawks, Euroleague

Despite an awful riot during the Greek championship and a brief flirtation with Milwaukee, Josh Childress apparently liked playing for Olympiakos enough to do it again. According to Sekou Smith of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Childress will not opt out of his Olympiakos contract this summer.

Smith reports Chill's reps have been attempting to get the forward moved in a sign-and-trade deal for a few weeks, but Atlanta -- who holds the rights to Childress as a restricted free agent -- has not been cooperative. The complex rules of restricted free agency surely complicate matters, as well as the general NBA cash crunch. One of the reasons Childress made his way to Greece is because he's better than mid-level but not a star -- the death zone under current salary rules.

The problem for Childress is that he will still be an RFA next summer, so he's still at Atlanta's mercy. Unless he plans on finishing his career in Europe, which seems more likely today than it did yesterday.

Childress missed a good chunk of the Euroleague and Greek club seasons with a sports hernia. He averaged 8.8 points and 4.6 rebounds in Euroleague play.

Josh Childress Liked Greece Enough to Stay Another Season originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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