NBA FanHouse

Jerry Colangelo Willing to Wait on Stars

Chris Tomasson — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:25:00 EST

Filed under: Cavaliers, Heat, Raptors, FIBA, USA Basketball

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh might want to wait. Jerry Colangelo is willing to let them do so.

James, Wade and Bosh all can become free agents next summer, which has clouded their chances of playing for Team USA in the World Championships in Turkey, Aug. 28-Sept. 12. But Colangelo, chairman of USA Basketball, sees a scenario in which the three still could play even if they might not be available for the team's minicamp in Las Vegas during the third week of July.

"There is a gap between the minicamp and when they have to be back [for a training camp beginning in Las Vegas around Aug. 10],'' Colangelo said in an interview Monday with FanHouse. "That's about three weeks. I could see them getting all their business done by then.''

Colangelo said, if necessary, he would be willing to wait on any of the three who can opt out of their contracts next summer and become free agents. After all, Cleveland's James, Miami's Wade and Toronto's Bosh could prove pivotal to Team USA trying to win the Worlds for the first time since 1994.

While James and Wade were the top two scorers on the 2008 Olympic team, Colangelo said he has received a firm commitment about playing from Lakers star Kobe Bryant, the No. 3 scorer. Bryant could opt out of his contract and become a free agent next summer, but few see a scenario in which Bryant leaves the Lakers.

Others off the 2008 Olympic team who have said they want to return for the World Championships include Orlando's Dwight Howard, Denver's Carmelo Anthony, and Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer of Utah. However, Boozer is no lock to again make the team, with Colangelo having said Boozer, Detroit's Tayshaun Prince and Milwaukee's Michael Redd could face competition to make Team USA's roster.

Colangelo said Dallas' Jason Kidd, who is retiring from international basketball, is the only holdover from 2008 who looks now to be out of the mix.

Colangelo said he plans to assemble a roster of about 25 players in about a month, but there figure to be additions and deletions over the next half year. Excluding Kidd, Colangelo said it's likely all 11 players from the 2008 Olympic team will be on the 25-man roster unless any don't want to play.

Colangelo plans to spend the next month talking to Olympic holdovers and to other prospects. Colangelo already has said Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant all but has a spot reserved for Turkey.

"[Portland's] Brandon Roy is a player that has not participated with us because he's had injuries and contractual issues,'' Colangelo said. "But he's publicly stated he wants to play. And we have not spoken [recently] ... And [Indiana's Danny] Granger is a player who hasn't been able to play, but supposedly he's very interested. I need to find out just how interested.''

Colangelo said he's also planning to keep an eye on Milwaukee's Brandon Jennings, who has taken the NBA by storm as a rookie. And he said he's monitoring the progress of the Clippers' Blake Griffin and Minnesota's Kevin Love, who are injured, and Minnesota's Al Jefferson, who has been hurt.

Colangelo said if a player is injured and not on the initial 25-man roster, it's not out of the question he could be added later after becoming healthy. The plan has been to invite from 14 to 16 players out of the 25 to the July minicamp.

By then, the waiting game for James, Wade and Bosh might have started.

Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.com and on Twitter @christomasson.

Jerry Colangelo Willing to Wait on Stars originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Questions Surround ESPN's NBA Latino Power Rankings

Tom Ziller — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:33:00 EST

Filed under: FIBA, NBA Media Watch

ESPN has assigned its Spanish-speaking correspondent Alfred R. Berrios to keep up a weekly ranking of the NBA's Latinos for its ESPN Deportes property. Celebrating the game's Central and Southern American tentacles is a positive thing, and the NBA has long sought to integrate the multitudes of Spanish-speaking sports fans in the United States and abroad into its fold.

But ESPN's list is just weird in terms of inclusion and exclusion.

The rankings include Spaniards like Marc Gasol and Jose Calderon -- players with no connection to Latin America, whose only basis for inclusion would be that they speak Spanish. Certainly you wouldn't place Picasso on top of a list of top Latino painters, right?

At the same time, the list excludes players legitimately born and bred in Latin America, like Guadeloupe's Mickael Pietrus and Rodrigue Beaubois. The only apparent justification for the exclusion is that their homeland speaks a language other than Spanish. (Guadeloupe is a French territory in the Caribbean. I would argue that in terms of global identity, Pietrus has as much in common with Carlos Arroyo than Boris Diaw.) Heck, Haitian-born Samuel Dalembert was born on the same island as the included Al Horford and Francisco Garcia, but didn't make the cut as he came up on the French side.

If it's a Spanish language issue -- which it appears to be, considering the inclusion of the Gasols and Calderon -- why are Brazilians included? Obviously, a "top Latino" list without Leandro Barbosa and Nene would draw guffaws, but the weird, unexplained definition used by ESPN forces these sorts of questions. If Portugal ever produces an NBA player, will he make the cut?

As such, for a more robust Latin American list, make sure to add Pietrus, Beaubois, Dalembert, Jamaican-born Ronny Turiaf and Adonal Foyle (born in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) to ESPN's power rankings.

The most bothersome mystery in all this, though, is the exclusion of American-born Latinos like Carmelo Anthony and Trevor Ariza. Queens-born Charlie Villanueva leads the power rankings this week, with his inclusion based on being a first-generation American born to Dominican parents. (And also, assumedly, based on the fact that Villanueva played for the D.R. last summer in FIBA action.)

Anthony, also born in NYC, has a Puerto Rican father. The Miami-born Ariza considered playing for the Dominican team last summer on the basis that his mother is Dominican and Venezuelan. (Ariza's grandfather, in fact, lives in the D.R.) If Villanueva makes a list of Latinos in the NBA, there's no excuse to exclude 'Melo and Ariza. Further, where do you draw a line? Gilbert Arenas has a Cuban last name and Cuban lineage, and even put out sneakers with a nod to his Cubano roots. Isn't he Latino too?

I know that ESPN means well in expanding its coverage of the NBA, tailored to a population subset that has too long been ignored in sports fandom. But it missed the mark here, and really should better define its criteria before purporting to offer up comprehensive ethnicity-based player rankings.

Questions Surround ESPN's NBA Latino Power Rankings originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spain's Jose Calderon Says Americans Need to Send Top Players to Worlds

Chris Tomasson — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:10:00 EST

Filed under: Nuggets, Raptors, FIBA, USA Basketball

DENVER -- Defending champion Spain is planning to have its best players for next year's World Championships in Turkey. The nation's top point guard is recommending that the Americans do the same.

"I think they've got to do that,'' Jose Calderon of the Toronto Raptors told FanHouse. "You cannot just play for the Olympics. I think that, if you want to be on the team, you've got to be in all the good tournaments, and that is a good tournament.''

Nevertheless, it remains to be seen how many members of America's 2008 gold-medal Olympic team will return for the World Championships. Several top players, namely Cleveland's LeBron James, Miami's Dwyane Wade and Toronto's Chris Bosh, are wavering about committing.

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo is on a quest to convince Olympic holdovers the importance of the World Championships, an event Americans long have given little attention. Many top basketball-playing nations consider it more important than the Olympics.

But James, Wade and Bosh all can opt out of their contracts next summer and become free agents. For that reason, they might be unwilling to give Colangelo an advance commitment.

"It's important (for Team USA to have its best players), but they've got to take care of what they've got to take care of,'' Denver forward Carmelo Anthony, who already has committed to the Worlds, said about James, Wade and Bosh. "You don't really know what's going to happen with their free agency, and you've got to take care of your own first.''

The Americans haven't won the Worlds since Dream Team II clobbered foes in Canada in 1994. Following the original Dream Team's win in the 1992 Olympics, that was the second major international competition featuring NBA players.

NBA players didn't appear in the World Championships in 1998 in Greece due to the NBA lockout and a watered-down Team USA finished an embarrassing sixth in 2002 in Indianapolis. A solid American team managed just the bronze medal in Japan in 2006, which is why Anthony hopes all the top players from the Olympics eventually will return.

"We lost in the last Worlds, so it's good to go back and defend ourselves,'' said Anthony, a starting forward in both the 2006 Worlds and 2008 Olympics who can't become a free agent until 2011 at the earliest. "But I understand if everybody can't make it.''

Spain won the 2006 Worlds and took the silver medal in the 2008 Olympics after falling to Team USA in an epic finale. Calderon, who missed the gold-medal game due to a groin injury, wants another shot at a top American team.

"You want everybody to be there,'' said Calderon, who did not play for Spain when it won the European Championships last month but will be back for the World Championships. "You want to play against the best players. That's what you want. So hopefully everybody will come back (for the Americans). ... I think they have a great team. But now you can't just go out (anyway) and win every game. ... You've got to be ready to play every night. There's no easy game anymore.''

Calderon has yet to talk to Bosh, his Raptors teammate, about the Worlds. But Bosh agrees with Calderon that the Americans likely have to send a top team to win.

"We have to,'' Bosh said. "You have to send your best players.''

Bosh is one of the best, and he hopes to play. But he said it could be too dicey if his contract situation is unsettled.

Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.com.

Spain's Jose Calderon Says Americans Need to Send Top Players to Worlds originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tip-Off Timer: Olympic Basketball Wasn't Always Flashy

Tom Ziller — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: FIBA

Tip-Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Thursday, there are 19 days remaining.

No one who crawled out of bed in the wee hours to watch the live broadcast of the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medal men's basketball game between Spain and the United State will soon forget the action. Between some ridiculous play from LeBron and Wade, a vicious comeback run by the Spaniards and a devastating coffin-slamming by Kobe, it was a simply divine spectacle -- well worth the sleep deprivation.

At the risk of sounding superficial, let me note that Olympic basketball was not always such a show. In fact, in the first gold medal game held for men's basketball back in 1936 in Berlin, the game was downright ugly. Team USA beat Canada ... and got the gold after scoring only 19 points in the championship game.

The final score was 19-8. Yes, 19 points to 8 points. According to Wikipedia, the gold medal game was played outdoors on a dirt court. It rained hard, so actually the gold medal game was played outdoors on a mud court. As such, the teams had trouble dribbling. (Man, a court that could have stopped Allen Iverson!) Anyone who complains about the slow-it-down style of the Spurs should go back in time and watch an Olympic gold medal is awarded in a game where nine points could have won. Reggie Miller could have played Canada 1-on-5, not shot the ball until there were 11 seconds left, and sent the game to overtime.

Basketball at the Olympics eventually moved indoors, the epic 1960 team begat the '72 team, the '84 team, the Dream Team, the Dream Team II, the EPIC FAIL team of '04 and yes, the Redeem Team. But it's hard to disagree that the game had humble beginnings on the world stage. Makes watching Dwyane Wade through an alley-oop while falling out-of-bounds all the more precious.

Tip-Off Timer: Olympic Basketball Wasn't Always Flashy originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brazil's Nene Vows to Retire by 2016 Olympics to Focus on Religion

Chris Tomasson — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:04:00 EST

Filed under: Nuggets, FIBA, FanHouse Exclusive

DENVER -- It seemed an obvious enough question.

Rio de Janeiro was just named host for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Is Denver Nuggets' center Nene, a native of Brazil, expecting to then play for his home country?

"In seven years, I'm retired in seven years,'' Nene said in an interview Saturday with FanHouse.

Nene, entering his eighth season, turned 27 last month, and would seem to still have some good years left in 2016 and beyond. Is he serious about retiring before the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, when he will be just 33?

"Oh yeah,'' he said. "I'm serious.''

Nene, entering the fourth year of a six-year, $60 million contract, said he doesn't want to be a player who chases money. He plans to retire at a relatively young age to devote his life to God is the Answer, his Christian church in Brazil.

"Every year gets harder,'' said Nene, who vows to play at least five more NBA seasons, but offered no guarantee of even a sixth. "By seven, I'll stop. I won't go for more than seven because I have other goals. I have like a deal for my pastor. I want to get involved with the church right here in Brazil.

"If my financial situation is stable, why am I going to (want to) have more money? I'm not crazy for money. I think the best I can do is with the church ... I can help with things with my testimony.''

The devoutly religious Nene, who writes "Jesus'' on his shoes, believes he has a lot to offer his church. He is a cancer survivor, having undergone surgery for testicular cancer in January 2008.

Nene has had a number of injuries, including being lost for all but one game in 2005-06 due to a torn ACL. He has defended a lawsuit brought by his ex-manager, has fired an agent and has been through a divorce. He was married again earlier this year to a Colorado native.

"I can use my testimony to change people's lives,'' he said. "I can speak about what I've been through, all my injuries, being a cancer survivor, things like my ex-agent (Michael Coyne) and my ex-manager (Joe Santos, who lost a case against Nene in 2007 that sought several million dollars). I speak of all those things.''

Nene is sure he'll play at least five more seasons, which would take him through 2013-04, when he will be 31. But Nene offered no other timetable other than he will be retired by the 2016 Olympics.

While Nene plans to be nothing more than a spectator, he's still quite excited about Rio de Janeiro landing the Olympics.

"It's going to help a lot of kids get excited about sports,'' Nene said. "It's going to be a great support (in terms of additional facilities). I'm happy because (young Brazilian athletes) don't get a lot of things.''

Even without Nene, Brazil could have some current NBA players who won't be too old for the 2016 Games. Phoenix guard Leandro Barbosa and Cleveland forward Anderson Varejao both will be 33 then.

While he vows to play at least until 2014, Nene, who last played for Brazil in a 2007 Olympic qualifier, wouldn't speculate on whether that will include additional international play. Brazil has secured a berth for next year's World Championships in Turkey, and has a good chance to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London.

Nene has gotten his Green Card, and plans within a few years to be a dual citizen in both Brazil and the U.S. He expects to divide his years in retirement between the two countries.

It's a retirement he said will come sooner than most expect.

Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.com.

Brazil's Nene Vows to Retire by 2016 Olympics to Focus on Religion originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spain Wins European Championship, Where Pau Gasol is MVP

Tom Ziller — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:24:00 EST

Filed under: FIBA

FIBA's final international tournament of the summer, Eurobasket, ended with Spain winning its first continental championship. Pau Gasol won the tournament MVP award as Spain knocked off Serbia in the title game. Spain, the No. 3 team in the world according to FIBA's rankings, won the 2006 World Championship, but had never won Europe.

Spain actually coasted through the early rounds before obliterating Greece in the semifinals and Serbia in the finals. Serbia may have been the surprise of the tournament, though. After taking gold at the 2002 World Championships, the Serbs have been on a shocking downward trajectory ... until this tournament, where the team cut through competition with ease. (Serbia actually kicked off the tournament with a big win over Spain in round play.)

France also had a stellar tournament, despite a fifth-place finish. The French lost only once. They, along with Spain and Serbia, have qualified for the World Championships next summer in Turkey. The other European qualifiers are Greece, Slovenia and Croatia.

Four at-large berths remain in play. FIBA officials will announce their selections in December. Russia is the only European team that seems like a shoe-in for a berth, though Lithuania (who had a bad run in Poland) could also get a nod.

(We'll also see how much pull the 2012 Olympic Committee has, as Great Britain was dreadful this month, but needs to at least appear at Worlds to justify getting a host slot for the London Games.) The Dominican Republic, who finished just short of an automatic bid in the FIBA Americas tournament last month, is a good bet for an at-large bid, as well.

Spain Wins European Championship, Where Pau Gasol is MVP originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Colangelo Outlines Selection Process for 2010 World Championships

Chris Tomasson — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: FIBA, USA Basketball, FanHouse Exclusive

In August 2004, Team USA played a pair of exhibition games in Turkey before heading to Athens for the Olympics. One morning, seven miles from the team's hotel in Istanbul, two bombs went off, killing two and wounding 11.

The incident summed up the 2004 Olympic team. Numerous top players had dropped out before the Games due to terrorism threats. As for those who did make the trip overseas, they, well, bombed.

Team USA settled for a disappointing bronze medal in Athens. But that set the stage for the Jerry Colangelo era.

Colangelo, now USA Basketball's chairman, rebuilt how American international teams are chosen and brought back enthusiasm that had waned following Dream Team I in the 1992 Olympics and Dream Team II in the 1994 World Championships.

It didn't happen overnight as Team USA again settled for bronze at the 2006 World Championships in Japan. But the Americans got much of their luster back by winning the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

In one year, Team USA will return to Turkey for the 2010 World Championships. Colangelo, who has never been to the nation, is eagerly anticipating the event.

"I feel good about where we're at," Colangelo said. "We had a terrific summer."

It was a summer in which top players such as LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony finally got a break after three straight offseasons devoted to international play. With the Olympic win having earned automatic qualification for the Worlds, the only USA Basketball senior men's event over the summer was a July camp for which 22 young players were invited in Las Vegas.

Now, with NBA training camps less than a month away, it's time for Colangelo to really hone in on the World Championships, which run Aug. 28-Sept. 12, 2010 in Turkey. In an interview Thursday with FanHouse, Colangelo outlined some of the parameters that will be used in selecting the team.

"We're going to look at the national team roster that had 33 names on it, making deletions and making some additions, and we'll come up with about 25 names by late in the fall," Colangelo said. "That's around the corner, so I need to start talking to guys that represented us in the Olympics and see where they are for the World Championships."

There are 12 holdovers from last summer's Olympics along with the 22 invitees to Las Vegas in July. But point guard Jason Kidd, 36, has said his USA Basketball run concluded in Beijing.

"I would say that is probably true," Colangelo said of Kidd having retired from international competition, although he said he would speak to him as a courtesy.

Colangelo will talk this fall to all the Olympic holdovers. He spoke to seven -- James, Chris Bosh, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and Deron Williams -- at last February's NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix.

"All of them said yes (about playing in Turkey)," said Colangelo, who in July got a commitment from Mike Krzyzewski about returning as coach at least through the 2012 Olympics in London. "But I will want another discussion with them to see where they stand."

After coming up with a 25-man roster, Colangelo said there could be some additions and deletions by next spring. Then, between 14 and 16 players from that roster will be chosen for a training camp next July in Las Vegas.

The World Champoinships roster will be 12. Colangelo said it's undecided whether USA Basketball might take more than that number to Europe for some exhibition games and pare the roster down just before the big event.

Colangelo said the team likely will play exhibition games before the Worlds in London, Spain and Greece and could play one in Chicago if the city is selected as site of the 2016 Olympics. Colangelo, a native of Chicago Heights, Ill., will be in Copenhagen for the Oct. 2 selection of the 2016 site.

It's considered a no-brainer that Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant, star of the summer camp, will find his way to Turkey. Colangelo didn't do much to dispute that.

"Let's say everybody wants to come back and we have Kevin now, and Kevin Durant is going to replace somebody," Colangelo said of the roster. "Let's put it this way. If the top seven or eight players from the Olympic team all committed (to the Worlds), you're looking at Tayshaun (Prince) and (Carlos) Boozer... and Michael Redd. Those guys will have competition."

Assuming Kidd definitely won't return, Prince, Boozer and Redd, none of whom averaged more than 4.3 points in the Olympics, are unquestionably the most vulnerable players. Even though Prince isn't an All-Star, having made the Olympic team primarily for chemistry reasons, Colangelo insisted he will continue to receive full consideration.

So which of the young players have the best chance to earn trips to Turkey? Colangelo mentioned four who participated in Las Vegas.

"Durant, Rudy Gay and the guard from Oklahoma City, (Russell) Westbrook. And Derrick Rose," Colangelo said. "(Rose) can play better than he did (in Las Vegas) but we don't base our decisions just on two or three days of camp."

Among players not currently on a USA Basketball roster who could emerge, Colangelo cited Clippers rookie forward Blake Griffin. He was going to play in Las Vegas before dropping out due to a shoulder injury.

With point guards Paul and Williams looking good for Turkey and Kidd on the way out, it would appear one spot is at that position. Rose and Westbrook appear to be the top candidates, although Colangelo said it's not a lock the team will carry three true point guards.

"It would depend on how the roster looked," Colangelo said. "Maybe we would think we needed another big man."

For now, Colangelo is hoping America's top players are finally heeding all his convincing about how important the World Championships are. Team USA hasn't won the event since Dream Team II in Toronto in 1994.

The Americans took bronze in 1998 in Greece when minor-leaguers competed due to the NBA lockout. They finished a disastrous sixth in Indianapolis in 2002 with a watered-down roster. And then came the bronze in 2006.

"The World Championships is as important in the eyes of the world (as the Olympics)," said Colangelo, who has dispatched three USA Basketball scouts to the ongoing qualifying Americas qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico and will have at least two at the European qualifying tournament that starts next week in Poland.

Nobody can complain about the job that was done in Beijing. Now, American players only hope their visit to Turkey next year will be a lot more memorable than the last time Team USA played there.

Colangelo Outlines Selection Process for 2010 World Championships originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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My, How Things Have Changed for Argentina and Canada

Tom Ziller — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 09:17:00 EST

Filed under: FIBA

Argentina, which won the Olympic gold in men's basketball in 2004 and took home bronze in 2008, is ... having a bad summer. Manu Ginobili is not playing with the team due to injuries. (Injuries aggravated by last summer's Olympic run, we should note.) Andres Nocioni is out. Carlos Delfino didn't have a contract until a couple weeks ago, so he demurred from national service. It's up to Luis Scola and Pablo Prigioni and ... it hasn't gone well at FIBA Americas.

Canada, meanwhile, lost Samuel Dalembert due to an internal spat early last summer. Steve Nash still won't give up his summer for a team on the third tier of international competition. There is one current NBA player on the Canadian roster: Joel Anthony, who lost his starting job on the Heat to a decrepit Jermaine O'Neal. Yet, here's Canada, 2-0 and through to the quarterfinals after blowing out Mexico and the Virgin Islands.

Canadian coach Leo Rautins, who several thought would be under fire if the team failed to qualify for the 2010 Worlds by finishing in this tournament's top four. But somehow, it's all come together. Canada's offense began to bloom in the opener against a dilapidated Mexican team -- The Painted Area's Jay Aych noted that the Canadians earned an assist on 30 of 35 field goals, impressive by any standard, and even moreso when you consider that Canada is a defensive-minded squad. It continued Friday against U.S.V.I.; the European-style passing displayed by Canadians impressed one informed fan, at least. Canada is 2-0, with a point differential of +75. !!!

For Argentina, it's been pure sludge. The loss to Brazil (a gold medal favorite here, and a top challenger to Team USA next summer) is expected; the Brazilians' only absence of note is Nene -- the presence of Tiago Splitter (a brilliant Spurs draftee currently playing in Spain) and Anderson Varejao have more than covered that hole. But fans in Argentina surely didn't expect their team to lose huge to Venezuela on Wednesday. The tension has bubbled over, and Alfred R. Berrios of ESPN Deportes reports that the Argentines trashed their locker room Friday afternoon.

Of course, as has been noted, there's no way Argentina misses the World Championships next summer in Turkey. FIBA will choose four teams which haven't qualified as "wild cards." The only two teams in the world beside the United States (which has qualified by virtue of the Olympic gold) which are absolute locks as wild cards pending regional qualifying failure are Argentina and Spain. FIBA will not keep the two premier challengers to the Redeem Team out of the Worlds, even if Argentina bows out 0-4 in FIBA Americas this month. Manu Ginobili would have to lose a limb for Argentina to be bypassed, and even then I think FIBA still gives them the nod over France or Russia.

My, How Things Have Changed for Argentina and Canada originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 29 Aug 2009 09:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mexico-Uruguay Fight Gets Out of Hand

Tom Ziller — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: FIBA, NBA Videos

When Canada and Italy fought during a "friendly" last month, the whole thing was more notable for what didn't happen. (Namely, Raptors Andrea Bargnani and Marco Belinelli stayed out of the fray, and initial aggressor Stefano Mancinelli (miraculously) avoided punishment. The fight was pretty mild, all told.)

Not the case for their South American counterparts. Mexico and Urugay, preparing for FIBA Americas 2009, got into a scuffle Saturday. Well, at least it started as a scuffle. As you'll see after the jump, it quickly evolved into a full-fledged battle royale. (And Romel Beck is the champion, apparently!)

Let me first allay your concerns: Eduardo Najera is not with the Mexican team this summer (by decree of the Nets), and that is why there were no fatalities. Uruguay should be sending Rod Thorn its finest Grappamiel for that decision. Any matter, the brawl:

I can say with some certainty that although it looks a bit cowardly, pitching sneakers at your enemy is an effective strategy. Beck and others learned that lesson, didn't they? (And no, in case you're wondering, Beck has not received a trophy for his activity in this fracas. Yet.)

In a twist only Henry Kissinger could see coming, Uruguay and Mexico find themselves in the same group for the FIBA prelim round, and will face off Sunday in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Should be a blast.

Mexico-Uruguay Fight Gets Out of Hand originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mavericks Also Holding J.J. Barea Out of FIBA Competition

Tom Ziller — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:42:00 EST

Filed under: Mavericks, FIBA, NBA Injuries

The news that Mark Cuban forced German superstar Dirk Nowitzki to skip this summer's Eurobasket tournament was tempered by the fact that Cuban and Nowitzki brokered that deal last summer on the basis that Dirk has given his summers to the national team forever. But the case of Puerto Rican Maverick J.J. Barea isn't quite as tidy.

Barea had shoulder surgery in May, and feels as though he is back to 100%. He's eager to represent FIBA Americas host P.R., hoping to help his team win a place in the 2010 World Championships. But Cuban has denied Barea permission to participate. Barea told a Puerto Rican newspaper that the Mavs decree was "the worst news I've been given."

Given the circumstances, and in perpetual memory of the devastating Jorge Garbajosa catastrophe, the Mavericks are well within their right to hold Barea out, both in rule and common sense. That doesn't make it any less painful for Barea, who would have been able to play in front of his hometown fans, friends and family on a grand stage. That's obviously rare for an internationally born NBA player.

It's also a less cut-and-dry matter when the player in question is a role player for his professional team, making less than $2 million per year. Barea will be one of the 10 or so cheapest rotation players in the league next season, and in 2011 (if the Mavericks pick up his team option). This isn't the Mavericks protecting a major investment, like Nowitzki (or Luol Deng in Chicago). This is the Mavericks protecting their first guard off the bench, their insurance plan for Jason Kidd. Again, it's completely fair and reasonable. But it's surely different than most FIBA vs. NBA battles. This would have been like the Timberwolves requesting that Christian Laettner decline his invitation to compete with the Dream Team. (Or something.)

(There's one more mitigating factor here. Without Dirk, Germany is toast. Germany could very well finish in last place in Eurobasket, and has nearly no chance of making the 2010 Worlds, unless Dirk commits to 2010 before FIBA names the four wild card contestants in December. Puerto Rico, on the other hand, will likely place in the top four in the American tournament with or without Barea. So Barea will get likely to play in Turkey, if he's healthy. The issue of missing one of the few major international sporting events held on Puerto Rican soil stands, however.)

If the whole resuscitation of FIBA vs. NBA has given us anything, though, it's some excellent writing on the topic. Particularly, 48 Minutes of Hell ran a tremendous post by soccer writer Brian Philips on how FIFA's power to compel players of renown to ignore their club's wishes for the sake of international play is completely foreign to basketball. I implore you to check it out.

Mavericks Also Holding J.J. Barea Out of FIBA Competition originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:42:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Carlos Arroyo Launches Singing Career

Tom Ziller — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:35:00 EST

Filed under: Magic, FIBA

This basketball offseason has been filled with bad news, what with the lockout threats, Yao Ming's injury, devastating financial losses, Greg Ostertag's continued unemployment. But Carlos Arroyo, former guard for the Orlando Magic, is here to pick you up with a Spanish summertime jam. It's called "Oculto Secreto," which translates to "Hidden Secret," which makes wonder what Carlos is hiding. You can hear the single at Primera Hora's website.

The great thing isn't the singing (which is deep beneath so much autotune an earthworm would have trouble finding it). And it's not that Arroyo wrote the song himself, which is awesome but ... Chris Webber produced two Nas tracks, so, writing a reggaeton song isn't so notable, right? The great thing is that Carlos Arroyo timed his single's release to coincide with the start of the FIBA Americas Championship, which will be held in Puerto Rico this month. When Luis Scola and Al Horford and Eduardo Najera arrive in San Juan later this week, they won't be able to escape "Oculto Secreto!" The definition of a viral release.

Carlos Arroyo Launches Singing Career originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Iran Beats China to Retain FIBA Asia Title

Tom Ziller — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: FIBA

Iran, which placed its first player in the NBA last season, is the champion of Asian basketball after a lopsided 70-52 win over China in Tianjin Sunday. Iran had also won the title in 2007, though China fielded a 'B' team in order to prepare for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Before 2007, Iran had never so much as medaled in its previous 11 FIBA Asia appearances, while China had claimed gold in 14 of the previous 17 tournaments.

The AFP reports Chinese coach Guo Shiqiang has come under fire by Chinese fans and press for the embarrassing home loss. If I may offer Guo a defense, he might just repeat "YAO MING" over and over again. Yao, of course, is not playing with the Chinese team for the first time in nearly a decade, due to injury. He tends to matter quite a bit. (See: Grizzlies back-up singer Hamed Haddadi going for 19/17 in the championship game.)

Iran, which lost all fives of its Olympic games last summer, has qualified for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey. By virtue of being the second and third best teams at FIBA Asia, China and Jordan have also qualified. Perennial continental champ Angola, Cote d'Ivoire and Tunisia have advanced from FIBA Africa, and FIBA Oceania shockingly advanced the only two teams which competed in its "tournament" (Australia and New Zealand).

Europe (six) and the Americas (four) will decide their contestants in September. There will also be four wild card invitees.

Iran Beats China to Retain FIBA Asia Title originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blazers Beckon Batum Back From France for Injury Exam

Tom Ziller — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:35:00 EST

Filed under: Trail Blazers, FIBA, NBA Injuries

Deja vu. Just as the Spurs sent for Tony Parker and his turned ankle earlier this month, the Blazers have recalled their own French star, Nicolas Batum. The young wing has been incredible for Les Bleus in Eurobasket qualifying, turning in the defensive performance Blazer fans have seen and adding some signficant (and heretofore invisible) offensive arsenal in the Old World.

Batum has had a bad shoulder for some five months. Le Monde reports that earlier this week the Blazers requested Batum come back to Portland for a check-up following Friday's critical match against Italy. France crushed the Azzurri, thanks in part to Batum's 18 points, eight rebounds and six steals. Batum hopes to return to the French team soon. Les Bleus, however, won't play a meaningful game until August 27, which is the first leg of the home-and-home which will decide whether the team makes the Eurobasket cut.

Via The Oregonian.

UPDATE: The Blazers have already cleared Batum to return to France. That was fast.

Blazers Beckon Batum Back From France for Injury Exam originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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France Obliterates Italy, Makes Case for Eurobasket Run

Tom Ziller — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:15:00 EST

Filed under: FIBA

Perenially disappointing France dropped some jaws today by destroying Italy in last-gasp Eurobasket qualifying, ratcheting up a 81-61 win on the cape of healed Tony Parker (23 points, 5 assists). The French have assured themselves a place in the Eurobasket play-in game, which will be decided late next week. Bosnia and Herzegovina is the likely foe, though Belgium (where Parker was born) can bully in.

The Italians had been the favorite to move on from the qualifier, but they're ~~bruschetta~~ toast. Not only will Italy miss Eurobasket for the first time since 1961, but the Azzurri will also likely miss the 2010 World Championships. It could be argued that the break-up of Yugoslavia and the U.S.S.R. has hurt Italy's performance, as a host of Slavic states and former Soviet republics have leaped the Italians in international competition.

Or, it could be that Italy's talent base is anemic. Star Andrea Bargnani, the pride of Italian basketball, had an awful game in the Pyrenees today, finishing with just five points and five rebounds in 27 minutes. In last week's game against France (another Italian loss, though that one contested), Bargs had only 10/4 in 32 minutes. The French combo of Ronny Turiaf and Boris Diaw has thoroughly flummoxed Il Mago.

Unless Bargnani can fulfill his potential in future summers, his international career could whisk by without the Italians ever rejoining the main stage of competition. I mean, Dirk Nowitzki represents a nation far less intertwined with the game, and Germany manages to make the Olympics and Worlds, let alone Eurobasket. Italy's in a bad way, and instead of helping as a hero Bargnani has been part of the problem.

France Obliterates Italy, Makes Case for Eurobasket Run originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pau Gasol Has Surgery on Finger

Tom Ziller — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:08:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, FIBA, NBA Injuries

More doom and gloom from Western Europe, where Pau Gasol has raised the stakes in his battle with Tony Parker to give his NBA bosses heart attacks. Parker tweaked an ankle a few weeks ago, relegating him to shrunken duty with Les Bleus as France attempts to qualify for September's Eurobasket tournament.

Gasol can go one better: he suffered ligament damage in his left index finger, requiring immediate surgery. He'll be off the court for three weeks, and his participation in Eurobasket (where Spain finished with silver in 2007) is in question.

The Lakers have handled this in stride, or at least are giving such an impression. The Lakers, of course, don't need Gasol until the end of September, though you'd imagine they would prefer his finger to be in one piece come October 27 rather than, say, two or three.

At the same time, Kobe Bryant has had a bum digit for like seven years now (slight exaggeration) and it's worked out alright for him. And to anyone who blames the injury on the selfish needs of these danged internationals who have no respect for those who sign their lucrative paychecks, know that injuries like this can happen just as easily in a pick-up game in Chula Vista or a boar-hunting trip with Brad Miller and Chris Kaman. Frankly, the Lakers are getting off light if this is the worst offseason injury suffered this summer.

Pau Gasol Has Surgery on Finger originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Six Teams Battle for Final Eurobasket 2009 Spot

Tom Ziller — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:10:00 EST

Filed under: FIBA

A few years ago, when I began to get interested in European basketball, it was difficult to grok just how important a tournament Eurobasket is. In the United States, the only international competition we tend to care about is the Olympics, with the World Championships an event that usually registers as a blip instead a marquee. But it's really different in Europe.

The championship of Europe -- Eurobasket, a biannual tournament -- is as big as the Olympics or the Worlds for ballers in the Old World. Legends are made in the tournament, and reputations earned. This year's European Championship kicks off in September. But beginning today, six teams will battle to grab the last spot in the tournament.

The six teams are split into two groups of three: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Portugal and Belgium in Group A, and France, Italy and Finland in Group B. Each trio will play home-and-homes between each other, after which the winner of each group will face off in a single-game to name the final Eurobasket qualifier. (If there's a tie atop either group, whichever team has the better point differential will move on.) Games (France at Italy, Portugal at Bosnia and Herzegovina) begin today, with the final scheduled for the end of the month.

Here's a look at the teams.

France

NBA fans will feel the most familiarity with the Les Bleus, a team with all sorts of talent but little international success this decade. Tony Parker leads the way, though the Spur will miss today's opener against the Italians. Parker is actually still in Texas receiving treatment for a sprained ankle. But French coach Vincent Collett believes his point guard might be back and ready for a game against Finland on Saturday.

In place of Parker, the French will start Nando de Colo ... who also happens to work for the Spurs, the team which drafted him in June. But there's plenty more NBA talent here: Boris Diaw of the Bobcats, Ronny Turiaf of the Warriors, Nicolas Batum of the Blazers and free agent Johan Petro (late of the Nuggets). But despite all the talent, Les Bleus have never quite gotten over the hump: the French haven't qualified for an Olympic tournament since 2000 (where the team won silver), have qualified for only one World Championship tournament in the last three decades (2006, finishing fifth) and medaling in Europe only once this decade (bronze in 2005). Losing in this qualifying tournament will assuredly knock France out of contention for a spot in the 2010 Worlds in Turkey and the 2012 London Olympics.

Italy

The Italians can rival the French on talent, with Andrea Bargnani and Marco Belinelli of the Raptors, and Stefano Mancinelli, who flirted with the Lakers, Blazers and Raptors before deciding to continue to play pro ball in Italy. Mancinelli, you may recall, elbowed Canadian Aaron Doornekamp hard last weekend during a warm-up match between the nations; FIBA has not saw fit to suspend the Italian, however.

No doubt due to Parker's absence, Italy is a solid favorite over France in today's game in Cagliari. The teams last played in Eurobasket 2007, where the French won 69-62. Needless to say, these two teams are the favorites in the additional qualifying tournament, and today's game could go a long way toward deciding which squad will play next month in Poland.

Finland

The Fins feature Petteri Koponen, a long point guard drafted by Portland in 2007 who played for the incredibly named Honka Playboys before moving to Virtus Bologna. Apparently, Hanno Mottola, the first Fin to ever play in the NBA, a 33-year-old forward, still reps Finland in international play. It'd be hard for American fans to know this, as Finland hasn't qualified for a Eurobasket tournament since 1995, or the Olympics since 1964. But hey! maybe this dude Hans von Blumenstock will change things!

Belgium

The Belgians have been similarly unfortunate in terms of international success this decade. But like the Fins, Belgium does have one NBA player to its name: D.J. Mbenga of the champion Lakers. Mbenga was born and raised in Zaire, but political unrest resulted in Mbenga and his brother being imprisoned before the pair were able to escape to Belgium.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Despite burgeoning talent, none of the former Yugoslav states have really excelled in international competition during the second half of this decade. Bosnia and Herzegovina managed to convince Jazz draft pick (and Michigan State product) Goran Suton to play for its team rather than Croatia (who also made a bid for the forward), but it's unlikely that will help much this month. B&H's best shot is winning its group (Belgium, Portugal) and getting lucky against the survivor from the France/Italy/Finland group in the single-game finale.

Portgual

The Portugese have never qualified for an Olympic tournament or the FIBA World Championship. But in 2007 Portugal did qualify for Eurobasket for the second time, beating Bosnia and Herzegovina and Israel in the qualification round. Portugal did well in the tournament, all things considered, and finished 10th, ahead of more talent-ridden teams like Israel, Turkey and Serbia.

Six Teams Battle for Final Eurobasket 2009 Spot originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Italy, Canada Do Not Understand the Meaning of 'Friendly'

Tom Ziller — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 09:38:00 EST

Filed under: FIBA

Italy begins its quest to qualify for September's Eurobasket tournament on Wednesday against France. Canada is preparing for the late-August start of the 2009 Tournament of the Americas, in which four spots in the 2010 World Championships are up for grabs. So the teams got together for a "friendly" warm-up match. Then this happened.

Fear not: no Andrea Bargnanis were injured in the making of this brawl. In fact, you'll be shocked to know he avoided the fray, jumping in as a peacemaker late. Ditto for new Raptor teammate Marco Belinelli.

The Todd Bertuzzi wannabe -- Italy's Stefano Mancinelli -- will surely be disciplined by FIBA for that incredible hit on Canada's Aaron Doornekamp. My favorite part (other than the Bargs cameo, of course) is when the coaches get into a bit of a shoving match about 2:45 in. Such passive-aggressiveness!

Italy, Canada Do Not Understand the Meaning of 'Friendly' originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 02 Aug 2009 09:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tony Parker Gets Injured in France, Bristles at Spurs' Concern

Tom Ziller — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 13:17:00 EST

Filed under: Spurs, FIBA, NBA Injuries

Tony Parker, training with the French national team in advance of the Eurobasket 2009 qualifying tournament, suffered what appeared to be a minor ankle injury during a scrimmage against Austria last week. He left the gym on crutches, but an MRI executed by the French and overseen by a Spurs official on location revealed no ligament damage. Parker planned to be ready for this Wednesday's tournament opener against Italy.

But the Spurs have told Parker to return to San Antonio for more tests and observation, according to the San Antonio News-Express. And Parker isn't too happy about it.

The French team released a statement regarding the matter. This Parker quote (translated by moi) is included:

San Antonio demanded that I return to be seen by the franchise's doctors. I sincerely do not understand the decision considering the tests carried out by both French and Spurs doctors. I regret what has happened. I must follow my club's requests but I hope to return to the French team as soon as possible to participate in the qualifiers.

The Spurs may or may not clear Parker. If they do, he may or may not be back in France in time to rejoin the team before Wednesday's match. (Swollen ankles tend not to do well in flight. Let alone transatlantic flight.)

This isn't new for the Spurs. The team fought rather strongly to keep Manu Ginobili out of the Olympics last summer after an injury limited his playoff effectiveness months prior. But Manu proved he was fit, and convinced the Spurs to let him free. Of course, Manu re-injured his ankle in a 20-point loss to the United States in the Olympic semifinals, eventually requiring surgery and potentially costing Ginobili a contract extension. Manu missed the first dozen games of the NBA season and eventually called it a season early due to continued problems with the ankle. This injury basically sunk the Spurs' season, and it can be argued that it could have been avoided had Manu skipped the Olympics. (As it is, Argentina only earned bronze in the Games four years after taking gold.) Some reward for letting Manu play, right? So the concern for Parker (who has consistently refused S.A.'s pleas to sit out international play) is understandable.

It's in San Antonio's best interest to keep Parker off the court without angering Parker. Throwing a cautious wrench into his plans is a good way to start. France needs beat Italy and Finland in round robin play, as well as beat the winner of a group made up of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium and Portugal, to qualify for September's Eurobasket tournament in Poland. Without qualifying for Eurobasket, it will be virtually impossible for France to qualify for the 2010 World Championships in Turkey, and very difficult to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London.

Tony Parker Gets Injured in France, Bristles at Spurs' Concern originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 13:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bulls Block Luol Deng's British Play

Tom Ziller — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:26:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, FIBA, NBA Injuries

You knew it would come to this eventually: the Bulls, who agreed to pay Luol Deng a handsome sum of money through 2014, have decided the player, who missed several months of 2008-09 action with a leg injury, is not healthy enough to play with Great Britain's national team this summer. The Daily Mirror reports the Bulls won a struggle to keep Deng off the nation's roster for the Eurobasket 2009 tournament.

It also may effectively end Great Britain's chances to field a team at the 2012 Olympics in London. Host nations are typically granted automatic bids, but that supposes a reasonable level of competitiveness in the sport. The Queen's roster is not exactly loaded without Deng (Pops Mensah-Bonsu is the top player remaining), and Great Britain sits in a tough group at Eurobasket in September, one featuring Olympic runner-up Spain, talented Slovenia and Serbia. Without Deng, a good showing here -- and momentum for a 2010 FIBA Worlds berth -- seems unlikely.

Bulls Block Luol Deng's British Play originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nene Broke His Arm in Game 6

Tom Ziller — Sat, 30 May 2009 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: Nuggets, FIBA, NBA Injuries, Playoffs

The cynical would joke that a Denver Nuggets season wouldn't be complete without a catastrophic injury to Nene, the Brazilian big man who this year -- a superb campaign, really -- played in at least 65 games for the first time since 2004. But there you go: in the Nuggets' final game of the 2008-09 season, Nene suffered a fractured arm in the fourth quarter, according to the Denver Post. He left the gym wearing a cast.

There's no word on how long rehab will take. One would assume the injury may affect Nene's reported plans to play for Brazil in this summer's Copa America. Brazil needs to finish top five in the Copa (assuming already World-qualified Team USA also finished top five) to automatically qualify for the 2010 World Championships in Istanbul. Brazil's coach said Anderson Varejao has tentatively committed, but the Cavalier will likely enter free agency in July. Missing its two top big men could be trouble for the Brazilians.

Nene Broke His Arm in Game 6 originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 30 May 2009 11:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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