Print this articleBasketball is life. The rest are just details.
Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:48:00 +0200
NEW YORK – Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett is close to going to the Phoenix Suns in a monumental three-way trade that would send Phoenix forward Amare Stoudemire to the Atlanta Hawks, league sources said Wednesday.
Atlanta would move the Nos. 3 and 11 picks in Thursday's draft, as well as Zaza Pachulia and Anthony Johnson, to Minnesota.
Minnesota owner Glen Taylor has delivered a mandate to his basketball executives to get a deal done, one league executive said.
Yahoo! Sports has learned that the trade would also save the Hawks from an emerging showdown between the front office and coaching staff over whom to draft with the third pick. The front office and coaching staff had settled on Florida power forward Al Horford, but a faction of the Atlanta Spirit ownership group, with business interests in China, is pushing them to take Yi Jianlian.
The deal hinges on Atlanta general manager Billy Knight saying yes, as well as Hawks ownership, which is mired in lawsuits, being willing to increase payroll. It is believed that star Hawks guard Joe Johnson talked to his former Suns teammate on Wednesday and that the 24-year-old Stoudemire, a first-team All-NBA choice, told him that he'd welcome the trade.
Source: Yahoo! sports
Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:03:00 +0200
SHANGHAI (AFP) - China's All Star NBA centre Yao Ming will wed his teenage sweetheart from Shanghai in August, after an eight-year courtship, state press reported Monday.
Yao, who has kept his love life closely guarded from the media, will marry Ye Li in a private family ceremony possibly in Shanghai, the eastern metropolis where they were born, met and began dating, the Titan Sports Weekly said.
"This is a match based on pure love," the paper said.
The 2.26 metre (seven-foot-six-inch) centre first met Ye in 1999 when he was playing for the Shanghai Sharks men's team and the 1.9 metre Ye was with the club's women's team.
Ye has since gone on to play for the national side, but has been plagued with injuries in recent years.
The two were seen walking hand-in-hand at the closing ceremony of the 2004 Athens Olympics, when their courtship first became public.
According to Titan Sports, Ye, 25, has been a regular at Yao's home in Texas where he stars for the Houston Rockets. She has also studied English at the University of Houston.
Yao, 27, is expected to return to China in July to train and will play matches with the national team in September.
The paper played down widespread rumors on the Internet and in the Chinese media that Yao's wedding would be broadcast live on television, with China's Olympic gold medal-winning hurdler Liu Xiang acting as the master-of-ceremonies.
"On that day there will be no media, basically it will only be relatives from both sides attending," the paper said.
"Yao Ming and Ye Li are doing what they can to protect themselves. They do not want to see any outside factors interfering."
Source: yahoo! spoorts
Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:03:00 +0200
SHANGHAI (AFP) - China's All Star NBA centre Yao Ming will wed his teenage sweetheart from Shanghai in August, after an eight-year courtship, state press reported Monday.
Yao, who has kept his love life closely guarded from the media, will marry Ye Li in a private family ceremony possibly in Shanghai, the eastern metropolis where they were born, met and began dating, the Titan Sports Weekly said.
"This is a match based on pure love," the paper said.
The 2.26 metre (seven-foot-six-inch) centre first met Ye in 1999 when he was playing for the Shanghai Sharks men's team and the 1.9 metre Ye was with the club's women's team.
Ye has since gone on to play for the national side, but has been plagued with injuries in recent years.
The two were seen walking hand-in-hand at the closing ceremony of the 2004 Athens Olympics, when their courtship first became public.
According to Titan Sports, Ye, 25, has been a regular at Yao's home in Texas where he stars for the Houston Rockets. She has also studied English at the University of Houston.
Yao, 27, is expected to return to China in July to train and will play matches with the national team in September.
The paper played down widespread rumors on the Internet and in the Chinese media that Yao's wedding would be broadcast live on television, with China's Olympic gold medal-winning hurdler Liu Xiang acting as the master-of-ceremonies.
"On that day there will be no media, basically it will only be relatives from both sides attending," the paper said.
"Yao Ming and Ye Li are doing what they can to protect themselves. They do not want to see any outside factors interfering."
Source: yahoo! spoorts
Yao, who has kept his love life closely guarded from the media, will marry Ye Li in a private family ceremony possibly in Shanghai, the eastern metropolis where they were born, met and began dating, the Titan Sports Weekly said.
"This is a match based on pure love," the paper said.
The 2.26 metre (seven-foot-six-inch) centre first met Ye in 1999 when he was playing for the Shanghai Sharks men's team and the 1.9 metre Ye was with the club's women's team.
Ye has since gone on to play for the national side, but has been plagued with injuries in recent years.
The two were seen walking hand-in-hand at the closing ceremony of the 2004 Athens Olympics, when their courtship first became public.
According to Titan Sports, Ye, 25, has been a regular at Yao's home in Texas where he stars for the Houston Rockets. She has also studied English at the University of Houston.
Yao, 27, is expected to return to China in July to train and will play matches with the national team in September.
The paper played down widespread rumors on the Internet and in the Chinese media that Yao's wedding would be broadcast live on television, with China's Olympic gold medal-winning hurdler Liu Xiang acting as the master-of-ceremonies.
"On that day there will be no media, basically it will only be relatives from both sides attending," the paper said.
"Yao Ming and Ye Li are doing what they can to protect themselves. They do not want to see any outside factors interfering."
Source: yahoo! spoorts
Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:07:00 +0200
Mitch Lawrence, a writer with the New York Daily News, reports on some developments in New Jersey:
Once the Nets get Vince Carter’s signature on a four-year, $60 million contract, insiders say they’ll investigate making a move for Portland’s Zach Randolph. It’s no surprise that they’re leery of Randolph’s off-court issues and the fact he has around $60 million left on his contract. But they’ve seen that Carter can only get them so far in the playoffs. Randolph’s post presence would give them an attractive alternative, while his board work is something they definitely could use. To get him, they’d have to send a big package to the Blazers, starting with Richard Jefferson, whose development is being hindered by Carter’s presence.
My Quick Take: It’s no surprise Carter will re-sign with the Nets. Both the player and organization are comfortable with each other. I think it’s a bit too much money for an inconsistent scorer. But the Nets have to overpay VC to prevent him from exercising his option and becoming a free agent. It’s the cost of doing business.
However, I’m surprised New Jersey wants to move Jefferson. I’m even more surprised they’re interested in Zach Randolph from Portland.
Jefferson is slightly overpaid, pulling in a max salary. However, he’s extremely versatile and usually comes up big in the postseason. The small forward had several strong games against Toronto in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
I don’t believe Jefferson’s development is being blocked by Carter. These two are different players and complement each other quite well.
Randolph is a risk. Sure, the Nets need low post scoring. But at what cost? Z-Bo is talented; however, he holds the ball for too long on offense. His individual style doesn’t fit with Brick City’s free-wheeling, pass-first approach.
There’s another complication. Randolph was put on the trading block because everyone assumed Portland would draft center Greg Oden with the first overall pick.
But the Trail Blazers were disappointed with Oden’s pre-draft workout. He looked out of shape. The center even apologized to Portland’s coaching staff and front office for his sub-par performance.
Kevin Durant, the athletic wing, blew Rip City away with his workout. The Blazers’ staff said it was one of the best pre-draft showcases they had ever seen.
Oden is no longer a lock to go to Portland. Right or wrong, fair or not, he may have slipped with his poor workout. If the Blazers select Durant, they’ll need a center and will take Randolph off the trading block.
After all, there would be no room for Jefferson with Brandon Roy and Kevin Durant at shooting guard and small forward.
source:hoops-vibe.com Oly Sandor
Once the Nets get Vince Carter’s signature on a four-year, $60 million contract, insiders say they’ll investigate making a move for Portland’s Zach Randolph. It’s no surprise that they’re leery of Randolph’s off-court issues and the fact he has around $60 million left on his contract. But they’ve seen that Carter can only get them so far in the playoffs. Randolph’s post presence would give them an attractive alternative, while his board work is something they definitely could use. To get him, they’d have to send a big package to the Blazers, starting with Richard Jefferson, whose development is being hindered by Carter’s presence.
My Quick Take: It’s no surprise Carter will re-sign with the Nets. Both the player and organization are comfortable with each other. I think it’s a bit too much money for an inconsistent scorer. But the Nets have to overpay VC to prevent him from exercising his option and becoming a free agent. It’s the cost of doing business.
However, I’m surprised New Jersey wants to move Jefferson. I’m even more surprised they’re interested in Zach Randolph from Portland.
Jefferson is slightly overpaid, pulling in a max salary. However, he’s extremely versatile and usually comes up big in the postseason. The small forward had several strong games against Toronto in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
I don’t believe Jefferson’s development is being blocked by Carter. These two are different players and complement each other quite well.
Randolph is a risk. Sure, the Nets need low post scoring. But at what cost? Z-Bo is talented; however, he holds the ball for too long on offense. His individual style doesn’t fit with Brick City’s free-wheeling, pass-first approach.
There’s another complication. Randolph was put on the trading block because everyone assumed Portland would draft center Greg Oden with the first overall pick.
But the Trail Blazers were disappointed with Oden’s pre-draft workout. He looked out of shape. The center even apologized to Portland’s coaching staff and front office for his sub-par performance.
Kevin Durant, the athletic wing, blew Rip City away with his workout. The Blazers’ staff said it was one of the best pre-draft showcases they had ever seen.
Oden is no longer a lock to go to Portland. Right or wrong, fair or not, he may have slipped with his poor workout. If the Blazers select Durant, they’ll need a center and will take Randolph off the trading block.
After all, there would be no room for Jefferson with Brandon Roy and Kevin Durant at shooting guard and small forward.
source:hoops-vibe.com Oly Sandor
Sun, 24 Jun 2007 07:42:00 +0200
Jermaine O’Neal Unlikely To Join Kobe Bryant & Los Angeles Lakers
June 22 07
Mike Wells, a writer with the Indianapolis Star, reports on the Pacers keeping Jermaine O’Neal:
Jim O’Brien isn’t a gambler. But the new Indiana Pacers coach said he believes the odds favor All-Star forward Jermaine O’Neal wearing a Pacers uniform next season.
"I’ve sat down and talked at length with Jermaine and where he sees his career going," O’Brien said from his office Thursday afternoon. "If I’m his coach next year, which I expect to be and want to be, my job and Jermaine’s job as leaders is to be on the same page, which I think we will be, and we both need to be examples for the team."
O’Neal, along with Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant, are the marquee names being discussed in trade rumors.
O’Neal has said he doesn’t want to stay if the Pacers rebuild.
"I know trades are hard to make when you’re talking about a big trade involving somebody like Jermaine O’Neal or Kevin Garnett because they are extremely important to the future of your franchise, and you cannot make a mistake, nor will we make a mistake about that," O’Brien said. "I have a sense that the odds are against the fact that Jermaine O’Neal will be traded. It’s just reality. . . . With that in mind, I’m playing the odds. I’m planning on coaching him."
My Quick Take: The sports world has been buzzing with Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant trade rumors.
However, hoop heads have slept on O’Neal, forgetting this all-star four-man was available and could be had for the right price.
But his availability has changed-he now seems unavailable. Indiana coach, Jim O’Brien, believes O’Neal will be staying with the club.
This news is important for both Pacer and Laker fans. First, O’Neal was a legit MVP candidate as recently as three years ago. But he’s struggled with a number of injuries and a declining supporting cast.
If O’Neal heals up and gets a couple of new teammates, then Indiana makes the playoffs. Anything, and I do mean anything, can happen in the Eastern Conference.
Indiana’s front office realize they’re better off rebuilding around O’Neal instead of starting over without him.
Second, this does further damage to Bryant’s slim chances of returning to the Lakers. The all-world guard has been telling everybody, including two random guys outside of a California restaurant, that the purple-and-gold must upgrade his supporting cast if they want to keep him.
Bryant had been hoping for Jason Kidd. This deal first fell apart at the trade deadline. And New Jersey recently took their Hall of Fame point guard off the trading block.
Over the last few weeks, the Lakers had been trying to appease Bryant by acquiring O’Neal. Indiana wanted Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom. L.A. refused, feeling the price was too high.
I’m sure this botched deal contributed to Kobe’s recent trade demand in Spain. And with O’Neal probably staying in Indiana, Bryant will continue to be unhappy and push for a trade.
Source: oly sandor
Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:48:00 +0200
Despite apparent momentum in talks between the Celtics [team stats] and Timberwolves for a trade involving Kevin Garnett, the man responsible for keeping the Minnesota All-Star happy doesn’t believe he has a future in Boston.
“At this point I don’t believe it will go anywhere,” agent Andy Miller said yesterday. “It won’t happen in Boston as far as my side of the equation is concerned.”
Miller declined to indicate whether Garnett is against the idea of playing in Boston, saying, “There are a variety of reasons I don’t want to get into.” Many believe Garnett would like to join Steve Nash in Phoenix, nd Miller is trying to make that happen now with his tough stance. The most prohibitive aspect of a Garnett trade would involve his contract - the most expensive in the league.
An Eastern Conference official who had looked into a trade for Garnett earlier this season said yesterday that the 7-footer has a contract clause under which his salary increases by 15 percent if he’s traded, with
additional costs that come into play when contracts turn over on July 1. Teams are reportedly pushing for a trade now, before next Thursday’s draft, to avoid the additional expense.
Garnett, scheduled to make $22 million next season without the trade kicker, can opt out prior to the 2008-09 season - a huge risk for any team, like the Celtics, that makes a trade without securing a commitment from the big power forward.
Miller declined to get specific, but said, “He has a number of provisions that would make it very unrealistic - downright suicidal — for any team to trade for Kevin Garnett without him wanting to go there.”
Miller, who has been highly complimentary of Danny Ainge’s treatment of another of his clients, deposed point guard Sebastian Telfair [stats], isn’t talking out of animosity towards the Celtics organization.
Ainge, who acknowledged to the Herald last Monday that he has talked with Minnesota about a Garnett trade, yesterday sounded like he agreed with Miller’s assessment when he said that the most likely scenario for the Celtics remains to hold onto the fifth pick in the draft.
“That’s what is most likely going to happen,” he said.
But word across the league is that the Celtics are one of two or three teams most likely to pull the trigger on a deal for Garnett.
“We’ve talked to both teams, and (Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations) Kevin (McHale) acted like he was not trading Garnett, but yesterday we started to hear that it was real,” the EasternConference personnel chief said yesterday. “Kevin is actually trying to trade him.”
A second personnel boss, also in the Eastern Conference, agreed.
“I heard that Minnesota has been initiating these calls,” he said.
“I know the Celtics are part of it, but they’re not the only team that is now involved in this. There’s a couple besides them who could make this happen.” Two of the other organizations engaged in talks with Minnesota are believed to be Phoenix and Chicago - the former the subject of considerable speculation about Shawn Marion, and the latter location long considered a potential Garnett destination.
One rumor last week had the Celtics [team stats], Timberwolves and Suns combining in a three-way deal that would send Marion to Boston, Garnett to Phoenix and Al Jefferson [stats] and the No. 5 pick to Minnesota.
Ainge laughed at that scenario yesterday, calling it merely another example of how outlandish rumors get at this time of year.
“I’ve had conversations with about a third of the league about our pick, and at this stage there is more of a chance that we’re going to hold onto it,” he said. “So few of these actually go through - that’s generally what happens. You get maybe one deal for every 200 conversations.”
Source: bostonherald.com
Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:29:00 +0200
SMC-Pilipinas is beefing up its pool of players with the addition of Kelly Williams, Eric Menk (199-F-74, college: L.Superior) and James Yap, and has set the Jones Cup competition as the final cutoff date to determine the players to be sent to the FIBA-Asia Olympic qualifier next month in Japan.
Williams personally talked to PBA commissioner Noli Eala Wednesday, giving his commitment to play for the team even if he's to forego his planned US vacation.
Menk and Yap have also been invited to join the training upon the team's return from its training trip in Belgrade, Serbia.
"I'm very happy with these developments specially with Kelly's decision to forego his vacation. It speaks volumes of the man. Kelly showed true sign of commitment to help the cause of the RP team," said Eala.
"I'm also thankful for Menk who manifested excitement and willingness to join the training without guarantee from coach Chot Reyes that he will make the Tokushima competition. Hopefully, James also accepts the invitation to join the training," Eala added.
Eala said Williams, Menk and Yap would likely be tapped for the Jones Cup, giving coach Reyes 14 players at his disposal in the tiring nine-day competition. Tony de la Cruz is likely to be relegated as reserve because of his injury.
"At this time, the Tokushima lineup is still an open field. Players already in the team definitely have the inside track. But at the end of the day, the players in best shape and who could best contribute for the team in Japan are likely to make it," said Eala.
"We're beefing up the team. Hopefully, this adjustment works for the betterment of the team as the Tokushima trip nears," Eala added.
The PBA commissioner expressed satisfaction on the team's Belgrade trip although it caused injuries to De la Cruz, Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros.
Eala said Reyes is planning to use Seigle sparingly in the Jones Cup to preserve him for the 4-Nation Manila Invitational Championship. Seigle is nursing a hamstring pull.
Fil-Am player Gabe Norwood is also proceeding to the Jones Cup although his lawyer has yet to submit complete documents that will certify his Filipino citizenship.
"His papers are lacking but we'll do this properly. We'll not cheat our way to getting someone who's not qualified," Eala said.
Source:asia basket
Williams personally talked to PBA commissioner Noli Eala Wednesday, giving his commitment to play for the team even if he's to forego his planned US vacation.
Menk and Yap have also been invited to join the training upon the team's return from its training trip in Belgrade, Serbia.
"I'm very happy with these developments specially with Kelly's decision to forego his vacation. It speaks volumes of the man. Kelly showed true sign of commitment to help the cause of the RP team," said Eala.
"I'm also thankful for Menk who manifested excitement and willingness to join the training without guarantee from coach Chot Reyes that he will make the Tokushima competition. Hopefully, James also accepts the invitation to join the training," Eala added.
Eala said Williams, Menk and Yap would likely be tapped for the Jones Cup, giving coach Reyes 14 players at his disposal in the tiring nine-day competition. Tony de la Cruz is likely to be relegated as reserve because of his injury.
"At this time, the Tokushima lineup is still an open field. Players already in the team definitely have the inside track. But at the end of the day, the players in best shape and who could best contribute for the team in Japan are likely to make it," said Eala.
"We're beefing up the team. Hopefully, this adjustment works for the betterment of the team as the Tokushima trip nears," Eala added.
The PBA commissioner expressed satisfaction on the team's Belgrade trip although it caused injuries to De la Cruz, Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros.
Eala said Reyes is planning to use Seigle sparingly in the Jones Cup to preserve him for the 4-Nation Manila Invitational Championship. Seigle is nursing a hamstring pull.
Fil-Am player Gabe Norwood is also proceeding to the Jones Cup although his lawyer has yet to submit complete documents that will certify his Filipino citizenship.
"His papers are lacking but we'll do this properly. We'll not cheat our way to getting someone who's not qualified," Eala said.
Source:asia basket
Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:42:00 +0200
BELGRADE, Serbia — San Miguel-Pilipinas dropped another close game Friday, this time against perennial Serbian 1A powerhouse KK Novi Sad, 88-85, at the Sport Ecko Sportski Centar.
Showing up with six of their regulars and five key additions in their rebuilding program, Novi Sad played without imports, 7-0 center Charles Chris and point guard Jerome Lagarnge.
However, the Nationals were incomplete as well, with Kerby Raymundo sitting out the game due to a bad case of food poisoning.
Compounding matters was the exit of Tony dela Cruz early in the second quarter due to a strained back, leaving SMC-RP with only 10 men to do battle against the taller, heftier Serbians.
But the Nationals put up a gallant stand, controlling the game three-fourths of the way until Danny Seigle fouled out with five minutes left and SMC-RP ahead 77-74.
The Serbs seized the opportunity to string five straight points, capped by a 3-pointer from 6-9 power forward Miroslav Radenkovic that gave the host a 79-77 edge.
Back-to-back offensive fouls against Asi Taulava allowed Novi Sad an 84-80 lead with two minutes remaining.
Following a timeout, Mark Caguioa completed a 3-point play to cut the deficit to one.
A steal in the next play set up Gabe Norwood for a breakaway dunk but he got called for a traveling violation.
Another steal saw Norwood setting up Taulava for an uncontested layup, but the 6-9 center failed to convert and 6-10 Ilija Zolotic hit two free throws with 28 seconds left, 86-83.
Jimmy Alapag and Renren Ritualo missed open 3-pointers down the way.
"Again, a disappointing loss because we had the opportunity to win, but just couldn't finish the job," said RP coach Chot Reyes, who rued the absence of Raymundo, the injury to Dela Cruz and disqualification on fouls of Seigle.
"We had a team meeting this morning about our defense, and the players responded by defending well, only to lose steam in the end," Reyes added.
The scores:
NOVI SAD 88 — Sutalo 27, Tomasevic 15, Radenkovic 14, Zolotic 11, Pap 8, Durasevic 8, Bunic 4, Gogic 1.
SMC-PILIPINAS 85 — Caguioa 20, Seigle 19, Norwood 13, Taulava 10, Hontiveros 8, Helterbrand 6, Penissi 5, Alapag 3, Ritualo 2.
Quarters: 16-18; 33-41; 57-66; 88-85
Source: asia-basket
Showing up with six of their regulars and five key additions in their rebuilding program, Novi Sad played without imports, 7-0 center Charles Chris and point guard Jerome Lagarnge.
However, the Nationals were incomplete as well, with Kerby Raymundo sitting out the game due to a bad case of food poisoning.
Compounding matters was the exit of Tony dela Cruz early in the second quarter due to a strained back, leaving SMC-RP with only 10 men to do battle against the taller, heftier Serbians.
But the Nationals put up a gallant stand, controlling the game three-fourths of the way until Danny Seigle fouled out with five minutes left and SMC-RP ahead 77-74.
The Serbs seized the opportunity to string five straight points, capped by a 3-pointer from 6-9 power forward Miroslav Radenkovic that gave the host a 79-77 edge.
Back-to-back offensive fouls against Asi Taulava allowed Novi Sad an 84-80 lead with two minutes remaining.
Following a timeout, Mark Caguioa completed a 3-point play to cut the deficit to one.
A steal in the next play set up Gabe Norwood for a breakaway dunk but he got called for a traveling violation.
Another steal saw Norwood setting up Taulava for an uncontested layup, but the 6-9 center failed to convert and 6-10 Ilija Zolotic hit two free throws with 28 seconds left, 86-83.
Jimmy Alapag and Renren Ritualo missed open 3-pointers down the way.
"Again, a disappointing loss because we had the opportunity to win, but just couldn't finish the job," said RP coach Chot Reyes, who rued the absence of Raymundo, the injury to Dela Cruz and disqualification on fouls of Seigle.
"We had a team meeting this morning about our defense, and the players responded by defending well, only to lose steam in the end," Reyes added.
The scores:
NOVI SAD 88 — Sutalo 27, Tomasevic 15, Radenkovic 14, Zolotic 11, Pap 8, Durasevic 8, Bunic 4, Gogic 1.
SMC-PILIPINAS 85 — Caguioa 20, Seigle 19, Norwood 13, Taulava 10, Hontiveros 8, Helterbrand 6, Penissi 5, Alapag 3, Ritualo 2.
Quarters: 16-18; 33-41; 57-66; 88-85
Source: asia-basket
Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:39:00 +0200
RP team blasted the Montenegro under-20 national team, 99-85, during their tune-up series at the Sports Ecko Sportski Centar in Belgrade, Serbia Monday.
Forward Danny Seigle sustained a hamstring pull and failed to see action for the rest of the game, while Mark Caguioa brushed aside a punching foul he took early in the game.
Though not in the original schedule of teams to face, the Nationals gave up their day-off to play a young, tall team composed of 6-2 point guard Marko Mijovic, 6-4 off-guard Sead Sehovic (200-G-89, agency: Ultimate Sports Agency), 6-6 small forward Aleksa Popovic, 6-9 power forward Milovan Savovic, and 6-10 center Maksim Sturanovic.
The Montis applied the pressure on the Filipinos early and stayed in the passing lanes from the opening buzzer.
This forced the Nationals' starting unit of Jimmy Alapag, Caguioa, Dondon Hontiveros, Ranidel de Ocampo and Asi Taulava to spread the floor and look for backdoor cutting opportunities.
With Seigle coming off the bench, the Nationals took a 26-18 lead after the first quarter, padded it to 51-40 at the half by going to Jayjay Helterbrand and using their experience to offset the absence of Kerby Raymundo (food poisoning) and Tony dela Cruz (strained back).
Sehovic, who was called for a punching foul against Caguioa in the first quarter, returned in the second half to spark his team briefly before getting repelled by the mid-post attacks of Ranidel de Ocampo, Dondon Hontiveros and Caguioa for a 56-43 Team RP advantage.
Source: asian basket
Forward Danny Seigle sustained a hamstring pull and failed to see action for the rest of the game, while Mark Caguioa brushed aside a punching foul he took early in the game.
Though not in the original schedule of teams to face, the Nationals gave up their day-off to play a young, tall team composed of 6-2 point guard Marko Mijovic, 6-4 off-guard Sead Sehovic (200-G-89, agency: Ultimate Sports Agency), 6-6 small forward Aleksa Popovic, 6-9 power forward Milovan Savovic, and 6-10 center Maksim Sturanovic.
The Montis applied the pressure on the Filipinos early and stayed in the passing lanes from the opening buzzer.
This forced the Nationals' starting unit of Jimmy Alapag, Caguioa, Dondon Hontiveros, Ranidel de Ocampo and Asi Taulava to spread the floor and look for backdoor cutting opportunities.
With Seigle coming off the bench, the Nationals took a 26-18 lead after the first quarter, padded it to 51-40 at the half by going to Jayjay Helterbrand and using their experience to offset the absence of Kerby Raymundo (food poisoning) and Tony dela Cruz (strained back).
Sehovic, who was called for a punching foul against Caguioa in the first quarter, returned in the second half to spark his team briefly before getting repelled by the mid-post attacks of Ranidel de Ocampo, Dondon Hontiveros and Caguioa for a 56-43 Team RP advantage.
Source: asian basket
Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:35:00 +0200
CLEVELAND - San Antonio director of pro player personnel Dell Demps said the other day Talk ‘N' Text will train with the four-time NBA champion Spurs in the Alamo City in August and Phone Pals coach Derick Pumaren is finalizing the details of the two-week camp.
Demps played as an import for Pepsi in 1992 and Shell in 1994. He keeps in close touch with Pumaren and has visited Manila at least twice since finishing his PBA career.
Talk ‘N' Text is the first foreign team to benefit from the experience of the Spurs' recent sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.
Demps said coach Gregg Popovich's staff, possibly except for P. J. Carlesimo, will supervise the camp for the PBA team. Carlesimo is rumored to be considering a job with the Seattle SuperSonics.
“The best thing that ever happened to me in the Philippines was meeting Derick,” said Demps. “Just a few weeks ago, I was on the phone with him. We text each other all the time and I hope Talk ‘N' Text makes it to the PBA Finals.”
In 2003, Demps was in Manila to train the La Salle varsity on Pumaren's invitation. The Archers were then bringing in a slew of fresh recruits, including Jayvee Casio and Tyrone Tang. Demps traveled alone, stayed for two weeks, returned to watch the US NCAA Final Four and came back for another two weeks, this time with his wife Anita. When he got back to the US, Demps was hired by the New York Knicks as a scout.
Last year, Demps arranged for Pumaren to join the Spurs coaching staff in the summer leagues.
“I wasn't an observer,” said Pumaren in a long distance phone call from Manila. “I was part of the Spurs staff and joined the team in summer leagues in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. Dell advises me on which imports to get and although he's not an agent, he puts me in touch with the right people. He recommended J. J. Sullinger for our team this conference.”
Pumaren said Demps' dream is to see a Filipino player in the NBA.
“He told me he plans to bring some NBA scouts to watch games in the PBA,” said Pumaren. “At one time, he was closely looking at Willie Miller and Jimmy Alapag. Maybe, we can invite him to come, conduct clinics and help our national team.”
Demps played for Golden State, Orlando and San Antonio in a three-year NBA career. After his playing days were over, he was Sam Vincent's assistant coach on the Mobile Revelers team that won the NBA D-League title in 2003. He was initially a scout for the Knicks then became the director of pro player personnel, the position he now has with the Spurs whom he joined two years ago.
“I coached Dell for Pepsi,” said Pumaren. “He was a two-three player, very coachable and we got along to the point that we became very close friends.”
Demps has his suits and shirts made exclusively at “Rich and Famous,” a tailoring shop on the second floor of the Pension Virginia building on Pasay Road, Makati. He's been a customer since the shop opened nine years back. Pumaren sends Demps' clothes to San Antonio through friends.
Spurs guard Bruce Bowen also has his suits and shirts made at “Rich and Famous.”
During the recent NBA Finals, Demps wore his Philippine-made suits.
“Rich and Famous” proprietress Zeny Magdangal said Demps orders about 10 suits and 20 shirts, both long and short-sleeved, twice a year. Bowen sent a sample suit for his measurements and just got the first delivery of three suits, four long-sleeved shirts and three short-sleeved shirts. He is due for a second order.
Magdangal said master cutter Ben Dalida of Cavite takes care of the orders of both Demps and Bowen. “Our customers include the entire Pumaren family, including Franz and Dindo, Bong Ravena, Tonichi Yturri and Frankie Lim,” said Magdangal. “We employ about 15 tailors to do the men's clothes and five for women. They mostly do their work at home so our shop is just an order taker.”
Demps played at the University of the Pacific and earned his bachelor and master's degrees in business administration in the California school. He and wife Anita, a lawyer, have three sons Jourdan, 17, Tre, 14, and Riley, 7.
Credits to Quinito Henson/Philippine Star
Demps played as an import for Pepsi in 1992 and Shell in 1994. He keeps in close touch with Pumaren and has visited Manila at least twice since finishing his PBA career.
Talk ‘N' Text is the first foreign team to benefit from the experience of the Spurs' recent sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.
Demps said coach Gregg Popovich's staff, possibly except for P. J. Carlesimo, will supervise the camp for the PBA team. Carlesimo is rumored to be considering a job with the Seattle SuperSonics.
“The best thing that ever happened to me in the Philippines was meeting Derick,” said Demps. “Just a few weeks ago, I was on the phone with him. We text each other all the time and I hope Talk ‘N' Text makes it to the PBA Finals.”
In 2003, Demps was in Manila to train the La Salle varsity on Pumaren's invitation. The Archers were then bringing in a slew of fresh recruits, including Jayvee Casio and Tyrone Tang. Demps traveled alone, stayed for two weeks, returned to watch the US NCAA Final Four and came back for another two weeks, this time with his wife Anita. When he got back to the US, Demps was hired by the New York Knicks as a scout.
Last year, Demps arranged for Pumaren to join the Spurs coaching staff in the summer leagues.
“I wasn't an observer,” said Pumaren in a long distance phone call from Manila. “I was part of the Spurs staff and joined the team in summer leagues in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. Dell advises me on which imports to get and although he's not an agent, he puts me in touch with the right people. He recommended J. J. Sullinger for our team this conference.”
Pumaren said Demps' dream is to see a Filipino player in the NBA.
“He told me he plans to bring some NBA scouts to watch games in the PBA,” said Pumaren. “At one time, he was closely looking at Willie Miller and Jimmy Alapag. Maybe, we can invite him to come, conduct clinics and help our national team.”
Demps played for Golden State, Orlando and San Antonio in a three-year NBA career. After his playing days were over, he was Sam Vincent's assistant coach on the Mobile Revelers team that won the NBA D-League title in 2003. He was initially a scout for the Knicks then became the director of pro player personnel, the position he now has with the Spurs whom he joined two years ago.
“I coached Dell for Pepsi,” said Pumaren. “He was a two-three player, very coachable and we got along to the point that we became very close friends.”
Demps has his suits and shirts made exclusively at “Rich and Famous,” a tailoring shop on the second floor of the Pension Virginia building on Pasay Road, Makati. He's been a customer since the shop opened nine years back. Pumaren sends Demps' clothes to San Antonio through friends.
Spurs guard Bruce Bowen also has his suits and shirts made at “Rich and Famous.”
During the recent NBA Finals, Demps wore his Philippine-made suits.
“Rich and Famous” proprietress Zeny Magdangal said Demps orders about 10 suits and 20 shirts, both long and short-sleeved, twice a year. Bowen sent a sample suit for his measurements and just got the first delivery of three suits, four long-sleeved shirts and three short-sleeved shirts. He is due for a second order.
Magdangal said master cutter Ben Dalida of Cavite takes care of the orders of both Demps and Bowen. “Our customers include the entire Pumaren family, including Franz and Dindo, Bong Ravena, Tonichi Yturri and Frankie Lim,” said Magdangal. “We employ about 15 tailors to do the men's clothes and five for women. They mostly do their work at home so our shop is just an order taker.”
Demps played at the University of the Pacific and earned his bachelor and master's degrees in business administration in the California school. He and wife Anita, a lawyer, have three sons Jourdan, 17, Tre, 14, and Riley, 7.
Credits to Quinito Henson/Philippine Star
Sat, 16 Jun 2007 14:46:00 +0200
What Happened: Close, but not close enough. On Thursday evening, the Cleveland Cavaliers came close, but couldn’t prevent the San Antonio Spurs from winning game four of the NBA Finals and taking their fourth championship in nine seasons.
The Spurs, who became just the fourth franchise to win four NBA Titles, are now being called a dynasty.
Once again, they were led by The Big Three: Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Tim Duncan.
Parker scored 24 points, connecting on 10-of-14 shots from the floor. He was the Spurs’ best player and became the first European to be named MVP of the Finals.
When the final buzzer sounded, Parker flashed his famous smile before getting a hug from fiancé Eva Longoria.
Ginobili paced the Spurs with 27 points. But numbers don’t tell the real story. He had a spectacular fourth quarter, scoring 13 points-including a pair of tough drives and an impressive three-pointer.
At the post-game press conference, Ginobili sat at the podium table with a champagne-stained T-shirt. He smiled and patiently answered reporters’ questions.
Duncan had an off-night, making only 4-of-15 shots from the floor and connecting on just 4-of-10 attempts from the line.
But The Big Fundamental did the little things. He collected 12 rebounds and had a pair of blocked shots. In the fourth quarter, he saved a ball from going out of bounds, giving the Spurs an extra possession. When the game was over, Duncan graciously deflected credit to teammates and coaches.
Cleveland opened the fourth quarter by going on an 11-0 run, taking their first lead in any second-half of the series. However, the Spurs countered with a 12-2 run of their own, wrestling back back control of the game.
LeBron James scored a game-high 30 points for the Cavaliers. He also added six rebounds and 10 assists. However, the King had an up-and-down night, sinking just 10-of-30 shots and turning the ball over six times.
Drew Gooden had a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, while rookie Daniel Gibson hit for 10 points.
The Spurs have now won NBA Titles in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007. Following the game, the talk centered on San Antonio being a dynasty and the best organization in professional sports.
Some Spurs, Michael Finley, Jacque Vaughn, and Matt Bonner, won their first NBA Title. However, winning a championship is business as usual for Robert Horry. The veteran forward collected his seventh NBA Title on Thursday evening.
The entire San Antonio team should feel great- they stand an excellent chance of repeating in 2008.
Reaction of San Antonio forward Tim Duncan on winning another NBA Title:
"It never gets old, it never gets old. Such a great run, a great journey, a great bunch of guys. The road that we took to get here was as tough as we ever had it. Guys persevered; we had great performances from one to 12."
Reaction of San Antonio forward Tim Duncan on why he enjoys winning:
"Guys like Mike Fin is what it’s all about, to win a championship, to see how much he appreciates it, to see Jacque Vaughn and even Robert Horry. To see the looks on their faces and the understanding of how special and how tough it is to get here. It makes it all worth it."
Reaction of San Antonio forward Manu Ginobili on redeeming himself after last year’s costly foul on Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki:
"Every time you don’t finish with a win, you’re going to feel upset. There’s only one team that’s going to finish with a smile. It wasn’t our turn last year."
My Quick Take: Let’s be straight-the San Antonio Spurs are closing in on being a dynasty. They may even be one already. The numbers don’t lie: four NBA Titles in nine years.
You may not enjoy their efficiency. You may not find them inspiring or exciting. And you may not like them.
But you know what? These Spurs are a fantastic team. I love their execution on both ends of the floor. I marvel at Tim Duncan’s post moves and Tony Parker’s ability to change speeds. And I love their professionalism.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And there’s a lot of beauty in the methodical Spurs.
What’s missing is the instant gratification one gets from watching the Suns, Warriors, and Mavericks. There’s no Steve Nash throwing vicious dimes to Amare Stoudemire. There’s no Baron Davis dropping poster jams on Andrei Kirilenko. And there’s no Mark Cuban protesting every call and cursing out referees.
NBA fans better get used to watching the all-business Spurs play in June. Their core players, Parker, Duncan, and Ginobili, are peaking and there’s no under-the-surface issue to break them up.
Parker, the MVP of the NBA Finals, has taken his game to another level. This year, he started knocking down his ‘J’ and defenses could no longer sag off him or go underneath the pick-and-roll. He can’t be guarded.
Tim Duncan does a great job on both ends of the floor. He’s the NBA’s most complete superstar. Last night, his shot wasn’t falling, so Duncan did the little things like hustling for loose balls and grabbing rebounds.
Ginobili is a terrific third star. Consider his performance in game four. In the fourth quarter, he nailed a pair of difficult drives and sank a clutch three-pointer.
Face it. The Spurs are a superb team and they aren’t going anywhere.
Click here to read and subscribe to Oly Sandor’s NBA Blog.
Source: Hoopsvibe.com
The Spurs, who became just the fourth franchise to win four NBA Titles, are now being called a dynasty.
Once again, they were led by The Big Three: Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Tim Duncan.
Parker scored 24 points, connecting on 10-of-14 shots from the floor. He was the Spurs’ best player and became the first European to be named MVP of the Finals.
When the final buzzer sounded, Parker flashed his famous smile before getting a hug from fiancé Eva Longoria.
Ginobili paced the Spurs with 27 points. But numbers don’t tell the real story. He had a spectacular fourth quarter, scoring 13 points-including a pair of tough drives and an impressive three-pointer.
At the post-game press conference, Ginobili sat at the podium table with a champagne-stained T-shirt. He smiled and patiently answered reporters’ questions.
Duncan had an off-night, making only 4-of-15 shots from the floor and connecting on just 4-of-10 attempts from the line.
But The Big Fundamental did the little things. He collected 12 rebounds and had a pair of blocked shots. In the fourth quarter, he saved a ball from going out of bounds, giving the Spurs an extra possession. When the game was over, Duncan graciously deflected credit to teammates and coaches.
Cleveland opened the fourth quarter by going on an 11-0 run, taking their first lead in any second-half of the series. However, the Spurs countered with a 12-2 run of their own, wrestling back back control of the game.
LeBron James scored a game-high 30 points for the Cavaliers. He also added six rebounds and 10 assists. However, the King had an up-and-down night, sinking just 10-of-30 shots and turning the ball over six times.
Drew Gooden had a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, while rookie Daniel Gibson hit for 10 points.
The Spurs have now won NBA Titles in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007. Following the game, the talk centered on San Antonio being a dynasty and the best organization in professional sports.
Some Spurs, Michael Finley, Jacque Vaughn, and Matt Bonner, won their first NBA Title. However, winning a championship is business as usual for Robert Horry. The veteran forward collected his seventh NBA Title on Thursday evening.
The entire San Antonio team should feel great- they stand an excellent chance of repeating in 2008.
Reaction of San Antonio forward Tim Duncan on winning another NBA Title:
"It never gets old, it never gets old. Such a great run, a great journey, a great bunch of guys. The road that we took to get here was as tough as we ever had it. Guys persevered; we had great performances from one to 12."
Reaction of San Antonio forward Tim Duncan on why he enjoys winning:
"Guys like Mike Fin is what it’s all about, to win a championship, to see how much he appreciates it, to see Jacque Vaughn and even Robert Horry. To see the looks on their faces and the understanding of how special and how tough it is to get here. It makes it all worth it."
Reaction of San Antonio forward Manu Ginobili on redeeming himself after last year’s costly foul on Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki:
"Every time you don’t finish with a win, you’re going to feel upset. There’s only one team that’s going to finish with a smile. It wasn’t our turn last year."
My Quick Take: Let’s be straight-the San Antonio Spurs are closing in on being a dynasty. They may even be one already. The numbers don’t lie: four NBA Titles in nine years.
You may not enjoy their efficiency. You may not find them inspiring or exciting. And you may not like them.
But you know what? These Spurs are a fantastic team. I love their execution on both ends of the floor. I marvel at Tim Duncan’s post moves and Tony Parker’s ability to change speeds. And I love their professionalism.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And there’s a lot of beauty in the methodical Spurs.
What’s missing is the instant gratification one gets from watching the Suns, Warriors, and Mavericks. There’s no Steve Nash throwing vicious dimes to Amare Stoudemire. There’s no Baron Davis dropping poster jams on Andrei Kirilenko. And there’s no Mark Cuban protesting every call and cursing out referees.
NBA fans better get used to watching the all-business Spurs play in June. Their core players, Parker, Duncan, and Ginobili, are peaking and there’s no under-the-surface issue to break them up.
Parker, the MVP of the NBA Finals, has taken his game to another level. This year, he started knocking down his ‘J’ and defenses could no longer sag off him or go underneath the pick-and-roll. He can’t be guarded.
Tim Duncan does a great job on both ends of the floor. He’s the NBA’s most complete superstar. Last night, his shot wasn’t falling, so Duncan did the little things like hustling for loose balls and grabbing rebounds.
Ginobili is a terrific third star. Consider his performance in game four. In the fourth quarter, he nailed a pair of difficult drives and sank a clutch three-pointer.
Face it. The Spurs are a superb team and they aren’t going anywhere.
Click here to read and subscribe to Oly Sandor’s NBA Blog.
Source: Hoopsvibe.com
Thu, 14 Jun 2007 17:40:00 +0200
Wednesday, June 13
NBA Finals Game 3 was in Cleveland Tuesday night. The Spurs won, taking a 3-0 series lead. The next two games (Game 5 is 'if necessary') are in Cleveland. Here's what went down in Game 3:
nba daily recap - nba daily roundup San Antonio 75, Cleveland 72 -- The AP reports: Bruce Bowen, the defensive stopper, emerged as an unlikely offensive star as the Spurs moved within one win of their fourth championship in nine years with a 75-72 win over the Cavaliers on Tuesday night to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series... Tony Parker scored 17 points and Tim Duncan had 14, but Manu Ginobili, who scored 25 in Game 2, had just three -- all free throws in the final 10.4 seconds -- to hold off the Cavaliers and crush the hopes of their towel-waving crowd, who had never before seen their team play a finals game in person... Cleveland's chances, and maybe their last hopes of extending the season, ended when LeBron James, who led the Cavaliers with 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, was short with a 3-pointer in the final seconds. Bowen, who had just nine points in the first two games, scored 13 and Brent Barry made three 3-pointers for the Spurs, who can all but plan their victory parade as no team has ever overcome an 0-3 deficit.
The AP reports: Ginobili didn't hit a shot from the field Tuesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, missing all seven he took. But his three free throws -- all in the last 10.4 seconds -- sealed the 75-72 victory that gave the Spurs a 3-0 lead in the NBA finals. Ginobili went to the line late and the Spurs leading 72-70. He missed the first, but made the second. Then, with 5.5 seconds to go, he hit two more to make it 75-72.
The AP reports: Parker, who led the Spurs in scoring in Games 1 and 2 with 27 and 30 points, respectively, went scoreless in the first quarter. Cleveland had struggled to keep the quick Parker out of the lane and away from the rim. On Tuesday, he missed two free throws early and missed his only attempt from the field. Parker picked up the pace in the second quarter, scoring eight points, including the floater at the buzzer that capped a 10-0 run and gave the Spurs a 40-38 lead.
Two key plays in the final minute:
- LeBron James passed to Anderson Varejao who tried to operate on Tim Duncan around the paint but threw up an awful shot that wasn't even close. LeBron should have taken it himself, or immediately gotten a pass back from Varejao, or just passed to someone else.
- LeBron missed a three-pointer in the final seconds, but Bruce Bowen clearly fouled him on the arm/wrist prior to the shot being taken. But there was no call.
For the Spurs: Tony Parker (just 7-of-17) had 17 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists (3 turnovers). Tim Duncan (just 6-of-17) had 14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. Bruce Bowen (4-of-6, 4-of-5 three-pointers) had 13 points and 9 rebounds. Manu Ginobili was an awful 0-of-7 for 3 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists. Brent Barry scored 9, Mike Finley 7, Fabricio Oberto 6.
For the Cavs: LeBron James (just 9-of-23, 0-of-5 threes) had 25 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists (5 turnovers) and 2 steals. Drew Gooden (5-of-11) had 13 points, 12 rebounds and he fouled out. Sasha Pavlovic (just 5-of-15) had 13 points, 3 assists and little else. Zydrunas Ilgauskas (6-of-13) had 12 points and 18 rebounds.
The Spurs shot 41.2%, the Cavs 36.7%. The Spurs nailed 10-of-19 three-pointers, the Cavs were a miserable 3-of-19. Both teams were lousy from the free throw line, and few free throws were shot. The Cavs had an edge in both rebounds and assists.
Source: Insidehoops.com
NBA Finals Game 3 was in Cleveland Tuesday night. The Spurs won, taking a 3-0 series lead. The next two games (Game 5 is 'if necessary') are in Cleveland. Here's what went down in Game 3:
nba daily recap - nba daily roundup San Antonio 75, Cleveland 72 -- The AP reports: Bruce Bowen, the defensive stopper, emerged as an unlikely offensive star as the Spurs moved within one win of their fourth championship in nine years with a 75-72 win over the Cavaliers on Tuesday night to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series... Tony Parker scored 17 points and Tim Duncan had 14, but Manu Ginobili, who scored 25 in Game 2, had just three -- all free throws in the final 10.4 seconds -- to hold off the Cavaliers and crush the hopes of their towel-waving crowd, who had never before seen their team play a finals game in person... Cleveland's chances, and maybe their last hopes of extending the season, ended when LeBron James, who led the Cavaliers with 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, was short with a 3-pointer in the final seconds. Bowen, who had just nine points in the first two games, scored 13 and Brent Barry made three 3-pointers for the Spurs, who can all but plan their victory parade as no team has ever overcome an 0-3 deficit.
The AP reports: Ginobili didn't hit a shot from the field Tuesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, missing all seven he took. But his three free throws -- all in the last 10.4 seconds -- sealed the 75-72 victory that gave the Spurs a 3-0 lead in the NBA finals. Ginobili went to the line late and the Spurs leading 72-70. He missed the first, but made the second. Then, with 5.5 seconds to go, he hit two more to make it 75-72.
The AP reports: Parker, who led the Spurs in scoring in Games 1 and 2 with 27 and 30 points, respectively, went scoreless in the first quarter. Cleveland had struggled to keep the quick Parker out of the lane and away from the rim. On Tuesday, he missed two free throws early and missed his only attempt from the field. Parker picked up the pace in the second quarter, scoring eight points, including the floater at the buzzer that capped a 10-0 run and gave the Spurs a 40-38 lead.
Two key plays in the final minute:
- LeBron James passed to Anderson Varejao who tried to operate on Tim Duncan around the paint but threw up an awful shot that wasn't even close. LeBron should have taken it himself, or immediately gotten a pass back from Varejao, or just passed to someone else.
- LeBron missed a three-pointer in the final seconds, but Bruce Bowen clearly fouled him on the arm/wrist prior to the shot being taken. But there was no call.
For the Spurs: Tony Parker (just 7-of-17) had 17 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists (3 turnovers). Tim Duncan (just 6-of-17) had 14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. Bruce Bowen (4-of-6, 4-of-5 three-pointers) had 13 points and 9 rebounds. Manu Ginobili was an awful 0-of-7 for 3 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists. Brent Barry scored 9, Mike Finley 7, Fabricio Oberto 6.
For the Cavs: LeBron James (just 9-of-23, 0-of-5 threes) had 25 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists (5 turnovers) and 2 steals. Drew Gooden (5-of-11) had 13 points, 12 rebounds and he fouled out. Sasha Pavlovic (just 5-of-15) had 13 points, 3 assists and little else. Zydrunas Ilgauskas (6-of-13) had 12 points and 18 rebounds.
The Spurs shot 41.2%, the Cavs 36.7%. The Spurs nailed 10-of-19 three-pointers, the Cavs were a miserable 3-of-19. Both teams were lousy from the free throw line, and few free throws were shot. The Cavs had an edge in both rebounds and assists.
Source: Insidehoops.com
Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:13:00 +0200
Gregg Popovich, the coach of the San Antonio Spurs, expects his team to be perfect. For three quarters of Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, they were.
The Spurs led 89-62 heading into the fourth quarter. Then LeBron James huddled with his Cavalier teammates.
Something clicked.
Cleveland went on a fourth quarter tear, cutting the lead to eight before Manu Ginobili converted a rare four-point play to preserve the win for San Antonio.
The Spurs held on for a 103-92 victory over the Cavaliers, taking game two of the NBA Finals on Sunday at the AT&T Center.
With the win, San Antonio leads the best of seven series 2-0.
Once again, Tony Parker was brilliant. The lightning-quick guard hit several tough lay-ups early on.
But he made his biggest shots down the stretch, sinking two tough jumpers in the fourth quarter, which prevented Cleveland from completing an improbable comeback.
Parker finished with 30 points. Tim Duncan had a near triple-double, registering 23 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, while Ginobili scored 25 points and added six rebounds.
James led the Cavaliers with 25 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. However, his stat-line is deceiving. James struggled in the first-half, spending most of the first quarter on the bench with foul trouble.
The Spurs built a considerable lead with James out of the game. In the second-half, he made his shots, but committed too many turnovers. On the whole, James’ play was up-and-down.
Drew Gooden added 13 points to go with six rebounds. Sasha Pavlovic scored 10 points. Zydrunas Ilgauskas had nine points.
For the second straight game, Larry Hughes struggled because of a foot injury. Hughes failed to score, while his replacement, rookie Daniel Gibson, continued his fine play, contributing 15 points on 6-for-12 shooting.
Cleveland will host game three of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night.
Reaction of San Antonio guard Tony Parker on Cleveland’s late-run:
"We knew it was coming. They are an NBA team and have LeBron James. They played very good in the fourth quarter. They made a big run, but in the end we made a couple of stops and got the win.”
Reaction of Cleveland guard LeBron James on San Antonio leading the series 2-0:
"We’re definitely still confident. We’ve been down 2-0 before and we have to find a way to get back the intensity we had in the fourth quarter. When I make adjustments, my team automatically makes adjustments. We have to play hard for 48 minutes."
Reaction of Cleveland coach Mike Brown on Ginobili’s impressive four-point play:
"That was a heck of a play and a heck of a shot by Manu. He tricked our young fella and leaned right into him.’’
My Take: Class was in session for most of game two. The Spurs could do no wrong, schooling the Cavaliers in all facets of the game.
Cleveland deserves credit for their fourth quarter. They could have quit. Yet, they hit some shots and made a game of it.
Still, San Antonio’s second quarter is the story of game two. The dynasty-in-waiting outscored Cleveland 30-16 even though their starters rested on the bench.
The Spurs’ second unit put on a clinic. Textbooks could be written.
Of course, Ginobili was brilliant. But Brent Barry hit a big three-pointer and tossed a perfect no-look pass to Francisco Elson, who then threw down a powerful dunk. Robert Horry was everywhere, grabbing rebounds and blocking shots.
How can Cleveland win game three?
1) James plays 48 minutes. Forget foul trouble. And forget fatigue. James goes the distance. However, he should guard Bruce Bowen instead of wasting energy trying to stop Parker.
2) Increase Gibson’s minutes. In fact, give all the shooters, Gibson, Damon Jones, Pavlovic, and Donyell Marshall, more playing time.
Gibson is the key. The rookie had another impressive night, notching 15 points in just 32 minutes. Most importantly, his outside range creates space for James.
3) Go inside to Ilgauskas. ‘Big Z’ was better in game two, but the Cavs still need much more from their all-star center. Ilgauskas must make Duncan work on defense.
4) Consider using a zone defense to slow Parker. James shrugged off a question about employing a zone in the post-game press conference. But Coach Brown doesn’t seem interested in giving Eric Snow a legitimate shot at guarding Parker. So what other choice is there?
5) Give the home fans something to cheer about. Cleveland must maximize their fan support by getting off to a fast start in game three.
By:Oly Sandor
Soource: Hoopsvibe.com
Sun, 10 Jun 2007 03:57:00 +0200
We all know this guy from the recent baskketball hysteria. . the NBA Playoffs. He bailed out Lebron James in alot of things actually, needless to say, his 3-point shooting. This is the main reason why he is my Featured player of the week.
Daniel Hiram Gibson
(born February 27, 1986, in Houston, Texas)
is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA. His nickname is "Boobie," affectionately given to him by his mother.
High school
Daniel Gibson averaged 25.5 points per game while leading Jones High School in Houston, Texas to a 31-5 record and the Texas Class 4A state title as a senior. It marked the school's first state championship since 1965. Gibson graduated sixth out of 212 students in his high school senior class and was a member of the National Honor Society.
College
Gibson starred as a guard in college basketball for The University of Texas at Austin. In his two seasons with the Texas Longhorns, he scored 935 points, including 175 three-point field goals. Gibson made 101 three-point field goals during the 2005-2006 season, including a school record nine against the Baylor Bears on Jan 21, 2006. He scored a personal-high 37 points in that same game.
Gibson played two seasons at Texas and averaged 13.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 68 games (all starts). He was named Honorable Mention All-America by The Associated Press following his sophomore season. Gibson averaged 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game as a sophomore. He earned First-Team NABC All-District 9 honors and was named All-Big 12 Third Team. He set a school record for most three-point field goals made in a season (101). He was one of 16 finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, given to the nation's top point guard. He hit at least four three-pointers in a game on 10 occasions. Gibson was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year after his freshman season in which he averaged 14.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He was also named All-Big 12 Third Team and became the first freshman in school history to lead Texas in scoring.
On June 7, 2006, Gibson announced his decision to forgo his two remaining years of college eligibility and enter the NBA Draft.
NBA
[edit] Draft
On June 29, 2006, Gibson was drafted in the second round with the 42nd overall pick of the NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. After a May 2006 pre-draft workout with the Cavs, Gibson canceled all his remaining workouts with other teams and refused to work out for any other team before the draft. It is believed this was the reason Gibson fell to the second round after some thought he might be drafted in the first round. He joined a Cavaliers backcourt that was worst in the league in scoring the previous season.
[edit] 2006-2007
In his rookie season, Gibson averaged 4.6 points per game and led all rookies in three-point field goal percentage, shooting .419. Daniel contributed in helping the Cleveland Cavaliers reach the NBA playoffs. Cavs coach Mike Brown gave Gibson his first place in the starting line-up on January 30, 2007, against the Golden State Warriors. He finished the game with 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Gibson got his first big playoff opportunity in Game 3 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons. He came up big for the Cavaliers scoring 9 points, including two 3-pointers. He also grabbed 2 rebounds, blocked 1 shot, and had an important steal from Tayshaun Prince late in the fourth quarter. He followed this in Game 4, scoring 21 points, which came from only 7 field goal attempts. He was also 12 of 12 from the free throw line.
Gibson was the star of Game 6 of the 2007 Eastern Conference finals against the Detroit Pistons. Gibson's superb performance -- career high 31 points (19 in the 4th quarter) on 7 of 9 field goal, 5 of 5 from the three point range, 6 rebounds and 2 assists -- was reminiscent of team-mate LeBron James' dominating performance in Game 5 of the series. Gibson's 31 points were the most by a rookie in a series-clinching win since Magic Johnson led the Lakers with 42 points to clinch the championship in the 1980 NBA Finals. After a 98-82 victory, Gibson and the Cavs moved on to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. With the win, the Cleveland Cavaliers became only the third team to win an NBA Conference Championship series after being down 0-2.
Source: Wikipedia
Sun, 10 Jun 2007 03:51:00 +0200
I Came across this Article on the net. . . I guess the autohor really sums it all up.
LeBron James & Cleveland Cavaliers Can Compete With San Antonio Spurs, Must Make These Adjustments
The Cleveland Cavaliers had problems in game one of the NBA Finals. However, all is not lost. Cleveland can get back in the series, but they must make these adjustments for game two on Sunday:
1) The Cavaliers should relieve LeBron James of his ball handling duties. In game one, he over-handled the rock and struggled with the Spurs’ trapping defense off pick-and-rolls.
This is understandable. After all, San Antonio plays outstanding defense.
So King James and Cleveland must change things up for game two. Forget the fade-away jumpers. And forget the one-on-one isolations at the top of the key that draw in extra defenders.
James should start game two off the ball and on the wing. He can then get points by running Bruce Bowen through a series of picks.
Cleveland’s posts, Drew Gooden, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Anderson Varejao, have wide bodies. James must take advantage of their size and use the screens to get open.
Remember, the fourth quarter of game one? James scored his easiest basket of the night, running his check through a tough screen and then curling quickly to the hoop.
After scoring a few baskets on the wing, James can start facilitating for others.
2) Mike Brown, Cleveland’s sideline boss, is loyal-perhaps too loyal. Brown’s loyalty is preventing him from seeing something obvious: Larry Hughes, the starting point guard, is struggling, while Daniel Gibson, Hughes’ back up, is on fire.
It’s time for a change. After all, this isn’t a one or two game thing. Gibson has outplayed Hughes for most of the playoffs.
Gibson creates space for James with his outside range. In game one of the NBA Finals, he went 7-for-9 from the floor. In game six of the Eastern Conference finals, he dropped 31 points on the Pistons.
This rookie is the second-coming of B.J. Armstrong.
Hughes has foot problems. He would be better served in a reserve role, playing short spurts at the one, two, and three-spot.
3) Last night, no Cavalier could stop or contain Tony Parker. Mr. Eva Longoria got to the hoop whenever he wanted.
Larry Hughes got burned. And Parker busted a jumper in James’ eye.
Dust off Eric Snow and give the veteran a chance at stopping Parker. He’s still an elite on-the-ball defender. In game five of the Cavs-Pistons series, he held his own against Chauncey Billups.
Cleveland has nothing to lose. Nobody else on their roster can contain or slow Parker.
4) Cleveland’s posts have to get Tim Duncan in foul trouble. They are bigger than The Big Fundamental-listerally speaking, of course. But for some reason, they backed away from contact in game one and let Duncan dictate the tempo with his four first quarter blocks.
This can’t happen on Sunday. Ilgauskas has to score more than two points. And Gooden can’t just take outside shots; he has to attack the basket.
Keep in mind Utah had success when they forced Duncan to the bench with foul trouble.
By: Oly Sandor (hoopsvibe site)
Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:41:00 +0200
This is a pic i came across on the net. If my psychic ability serves me right, these are Filipinos. The basketball fever infects everyone.(even the midgets) lol But hey, you got here a fantasy match-up, Jermaine O'neal Vs. The man himself, Charles Barkley. ;)
Keep Posted while i add some more pics in the coming weeks.
-Basketbolista
Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:18:00 +0200
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- One of the most anticipated debuts in NBA finals history was way, way off the mark.
A LeBrick, if you will.
LeBron James couldn't solve San Antonio's stifling defense and the pick-and-rolling Spurs, as fundamental and selfless as ever, outclassed Cleveland in an 85-76 win over the Cavaliers in Game 1 on Thursday night.
Tim Duncan had 24 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks, and Tony Parker added 27 points for the Spurs, who began their quest for a fourth championship since 1999 by putting on a basketball clinic for the Cavs, finals rookies, who have a ton of work to do if they have any intention of making this a competitive series.
With the eyes of Texas, a curious hoops nation and the world upon him, the 22-year-old James, who has rarely failed to rise to any occasion, flopped like never before on the game's grandest stage.
James shot just 4-of-16 from the field and finished with 14 points against the Spurs led by Bruce Bowen, San Antonio's secretary of defense, who got plenty of help from his teammates in grounding Cleveland's soaring superstar.
"It is going to be an incredible effort the entire series," Duncan said of keeping James in check. "I know he will come out stronger in the next game."
This was not the series opener James -- or the NBA -- had hoped for. His first foray into the finals was hyped in the days leading up to the game as many wondered if he could deliver the way Michael Jordan once did.
But James came nowhere nearing matching Jordan's first game in the finals when he scorched the Los Angeles Lakers for 36 points on June 2, 1991.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Sunday night in San Antonio. Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) will be in Cleveland.
The Spurs, who lost twice to the Cavaliers during the regular season, seemed to be one step ahead of James all night. When he cut left, they cut him off. When he tried going right, they were right there. By the time James made his first outside jumper -- a 3-pointer with 6:54 left -- the Spurs had built a 74-59 lead.
The 31-year-old Duncan, labeled boring because of his lack of flash, did what he always does: dominate.
The Big Fundamental knocked down open jumpers, freed up teammates with crunching picks and generally had his way against Cleveland's frontline for San Antonio, which was lifted by its crowd's incessant chants of "Go, Spurs, Go."
"It felt like we played a month ago," Duncan said. "It was just good to get out there and get some of that rust off, kind of get back in the flow of things. Our shooters didn't shoot great, you could see that, but we played well all around the defensive end and we got it done."
James, who began 0-for-8 from the field, finally got his first basket with 7:15 left in the third quarter, blasting down the lane through a pack of Spurs to hit a scoop shot that brought the Cavs within 46-41.
But Bowen responded with a 3-pointer, Manu Ginobili hit another from long range and Duncan dished to Parker for a layup to make it 56-47. On the Spurs' next trip, Parker weaved his way inside and dropped in a layup, the ball sitting on the rim for several seconds before finally falling.
The Spurs eventually pushed their lead to 64-49 after three, and then opened the final period with 3-pointers by Robert Horry and Ginobili to open their biggest lead, 70-52 with 8:50 left.
Two 3-pointers by James and a few jumpers by rookie Daniel Gibson, who led the Cavaliers with 16 points, cleaned up the score but it wasn't nearly that close as Cleveland shot under 40 percent until a late barrage.
"They started to do a good job towards the end of the game," Duncan said. "They got a couple of layups and a couple of easy shots. We'll have to clean that up a little bit."
James left with 45 seconds to go, dejectedly slumping into his seat after a night he'd probably like to forget.
Before taking the floor for their first finals game in Cleveland's 37-year history, the Cavaliers huddled near the tunnel for a prayer. Then, James and his teammates repeated something they've done since the first day of training camp.
"One, two, three, championship," they shouted in unison.
But it became clear very early on that any climb to a title would be steep.
The Spurs, who hadn't played in a week since beating Utah in the Western Conference finals, showed no early rust. They started 7-of-9 from the field as Parker and Duncan combined for 14 of San Antonio's first 16 points as San Antonio opened a 20-15 lead after one.
Every time James took off for the basket, a Spurs defender -- or two or three -- was waiting for him. On one drive, he had his headband yanked off by Duncan, who got posterized on a dunk by James in the first meeting between the teams in November.
Seven months later, Duncan got even.
On the occasion of his fourth finals, the three-time finals MVP, arrived at the arena with a freshly shaved head -- typically a sign that he's ready to step up his game. He has been reluctant to talk about his place in history or the Spurs' ascension to a dynasty level.
But if this game was any indication, San Antonio may soon have to be recognized as one of the league's great powers.
James, who first graced Sports Illustrated's cover when he was 17, entered the finals perhaps needing an NBA title to validate his greatness. There have been other elite players -- Charles Barkley, John Stockton and George Gervin top the list -- who never got a championship ring.
Does he feel he must win to be immortalized?
"That's not my room to say," James said. "When you look at guys who become greats, it's because of their athletic ability and their ability to do the things that they did as an individual. I don't get involved in individual things."
On Thursday, the Spurs didn't let him get involved at all.
Notes
Game 1 winners have gone on to win the series 17 of 23 times since 1984. ... American Idol winner Jordin Sparks sang the national anthem. ... The finals always bring out celebrities of all shapes and sizes as well as great former players including Julius Erving, Patrick Ewing, Clyde Drexler, Bob Lanier, David Robinson and Grant Hill. Erving spent time before the game chatting with actress Eva Longoria, Parker's fiancee. Later, when Erving was introduced to the crowd, Ewing bowed several times to salute "Dr. J." ... Horry is trying to win his seventh NBA title. "Big Shot Rob" won two with Houston (1994, 1995), three with the Los Angeles Lakers (2000-02) and one with San Antonio (2005).
By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer
June 8, 2007
Source: Yahoo! sports
Thu, 07 Jun 2007 07:54:00 +0200
These were the plays you may have missed during the past season. .
Thu, 07 Jun 2007 07:15:00 +0200
CLEVELAND -- Born and raised a Pistons fan, Dan Gilbert celebrated earnestly in 2004 when his hometown team won a championship and with a defensive-based, blue-collar attitude. The next year he bitterly watched as the San Antonio Spurs knocked them from the perch to claim their most-recent ring.
So in early 2005 when Gilbert wrote a check for $375 million to buy the Cleveland Cavaliers, an underachieving team in another depressed Rust Belt city, he knew exactly how he wanted to make his franchise. As fellow owners attempted to retool their organizations to run like the Phoenix Suns, Gilbert went the other way and aimed at building a team based on defense with a front office that thought likewise.
He spent a long time talking to Larry Brown, at one point discussing making him the Cavs' team president, but ultimately hired a Spurs executive in Danny Ferry to be the GM and a first-time head coach in Mike Brown who lived and breathed a defensive style he developed under Gregg Popovich as a Spurs assistant.
Now the pupils meet the teachers.
Improbably, the Cavs, after spending huge in free agency and then drafting wisely, have ridden their superstar to their first-ever Finals appearance just a little over two years after Gilbert assumed control of the team. And not so improbably, the Spurs are still there waiting for them.
The day Brown was hired he swore he would make the Cavs in the Spurs' image, a defense-first team. Over the past two seasons the Cavs have experienced plenty of up-and-down moments on offense, especially as it relates to the use of LeBron James and his supporting cast, but the defense quietly got better and better and better.
This year, the Cavs were fifth in the NBA in defense during the regular season and became just one of five teams to have won 50 games in each of the past two years. In the playoffs, neither the Wizards, the Nets nor the Pistons were able to find any holes in Brown's complex, strong help-and-recover rotations.
During his first two years on the job, Brown leaned on Popovich regularly for advice. He named some of his plays the exact same names that were used in San Antonio. Even during the Eastern Conference finals against the Pistons as the Spurs were fighting to eliminate the Utah Jazz, Popovich was serving as a mentor with routine phone calls.
Which makes one wonder how he'll do when that faucet of experience is turned off? However, you then realize that since Brown became the Cavs coach, they are 3-1 against the Spurs, including a sweep this season when the Cavs won in San Antonio for the first time since 1988.
This season alone, the Cavs have outscored the Spurs 11-10 in a grinding, defense-only quarter and pounded them 38-28 in an uptempo, fast-paced quarter.
James scored 36 points in the AT&T Center in November, leading a late charge that included a vicious dunk over Tim Duncan. A team manager tacked a photo of the dunk on the wall above James' locker and it's been there for seven months now, its edges fraying and curving inward but its message still the same.
The Cavs have all sorts of trouble with Tony Parker, who is quicker than any of their guards. The easiest way to deconstruct Cleveland's defense is to get a penetrator like Parker into the middle of the lane.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, the Cavs' rangy center, has trouble staying out of foul trouble against Duncan and isn't as effective on offensive rebounds. They often lost Rasheed Wallace on the backside of the defense for 3-pointers and Robert Horry presents the same threat.
But James is playing the best basketball of his career, not just averaging 26 points and eight rebounds in the playoffs but also killing double-teams with an amazing 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Plus the last time the teams met up in January, it was before the emergence of two of the Cavs' biggest weapons, Sasha Pavlovic and Daniel Gibson.
All of those factors give the Cavs some excitement at facing their next serious test.
"I love Gregg Popovich," Ferry said after the Cavs eliminated the Pistons. "But we're going down there to beat his butt."
Brian Windhorst covers the Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal
By Brian Windhorst
Special to ESPN.com
Source: espn.com
Thu, 07 Jun 2007 07:12:00 +0200
Gabe Norwood enters his fourth year with the Patriots and is a returning starter in the backcourt... Has an excellent "feel for the game"... Versatile player able to play either guard position and at small forward... Distributes the ball well and has good court vision... Intelligent athlete... Majoring in communication.
2005-06: Played in all 35 games and was sixth on the team in minutes played. Started three contests including a pair of games in the NCAA Tournament... Scored in 27 of 35 games and led the team in bench scoring... Was third on the team in steals and blocks and was fourth on the squad in assists... Was one of two players with more assists than field goals (min. 100 minutes)... Enters his senior year among the top 25 in school history in career assists and career blocks... Is also among the top 30 all-time in career steals... Stretching back to the start of his sophomore season, has had an assist in 55 of the past 64 games... Had season-high nine points against UNC Wilmington (Jan. 21) on perfect shooting... Had four points, four rebounds and two assists in first meeting with Delaware (Jan. 7)... Played season-high 29 minutes against Radford (Dec. 10) and finished with seven points, two rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block... Against American (Dec. 5) had five rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block... Injured against Wake Forest (Nov. 11) and had a streak of 30 straight games with a rebound snapped
2004-05: Started 24 of 29 games played... Averaged 5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per contest... Led Mason in assists (74) and steals (47)... Averaged 26.3 minutes per contest... Ranked third on the squad in rebounds per game and blocked shots (16)... Shot 43.8 percent from the floor... Scored in double figures six times, including a career-best 14 points vs. UNC Wilmington (1/8/05)... Collected a career-high nine rebounds at Delaware (1/12/05)... Registered 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and five steals (tying a career-high) against No. 11 Michigan State (12/5/04)... Tallied 10 points, three rebounds, eight assists and two steals at St. Bonaventure (12/22/04)... Led or tied for the team lead in assists and steals 12 times... Ranked 14th in the league in assists per game (2.55) and was fourth overall in steals per outing (1.62)... Recorded a career-best three blocked shots vs. Drexel (1/19/05).
2003-04: Saw action in 29 games, earning one start... Averaged 8.4 minutes per contest... Scored 30 points and added 24 rebounds... Connected on 30.6 percent of his field goals and shot 30.8 percent from beyond the arc... Had 10 steals and three blocked shots... Tallied career bests of nine assists and five steals in 24 minutes at Towson (2/4/04)... Scored five points vs. St. Bonaventure (12/23/03)... Collected four rebounds each vs. Hofstra (1/14/04) and Delaware (2/21/04)... Earned first collegiate start against the Blue Hens (2/21/04).
HIGH SCHOOL: Had an outstanding two-year varsity career at State College Area High School for coach Drew Franks... Received Class AAAA 2003 most outstanding player and top offensive player honors in the Mountain League... Named first-team All-League as a senior and second-team All-League as a junior... 2002-03 team captain... Led the Little Lions in steals (71) and blocked shots (65) as well as in scoring and rebounding with 16.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest... Ranked second on the team in assists with 95... Guided State College to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class AAAA championship and a school single-season record with 25 wins (25-6 overall)... Was the only player from Western Pennsylvania to participate in the 2003 Pennsylvania-Maryland Shootout All-Star game... Helped the Little Lions to a 22-6 overall mark and a PIAA Class AAAA "Sweet 16" appearance as a junior... Played in the Pittsburgh Hoops Classic in fall 2002... Attended Coronado (TX) High School as a sophomore, earning first-team All-District 5A honors and was named "Newcomer of the Year"... Garnered 2001 All-South Plains honorable mention from the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal... Played basketball as a reserve point guard for Broadneck High School near Annapolis, MD during his freshman season.
PERSONAL: Full name is Gabriel Daniel Norwood... Born February 9, 1985... Son of Brian and Tiffiney Norwood... Has four siblings, Jordan, Levi, Brianna and Zaccariah... Father Brian played four years of collegiate football for the University of Hawaii... 2003 graduate of State College Area High School... Chose George Mason over Penn State and Rider.
CAREER HIGHS
PTS: 14, vs. UNC Wilmington (1/8/05) REB: 9, at Delaware (1/12/05) FG: 5, four times, last vs. UNC Wilmington (1/8/05) 3-PT FG: 1, 15 times, last vs. Hofstra (3/5/06) FT: 5, twice, last at William & Mary (2/12/05) ASSISTS: 9, at Towson (2/4/04) STEALS: 5, twice, last vs. Michigan St. (12/5/04) BLOCKS: 3, vs. Drexel (1/19/05)
Thu, 07 Jun 2007 01:12:00 +0200
Ranking---Country-------points
11. China CHN 262.0
24. Lebanon LIB 57.0
25. Korea KOR 52.0
26. Qatar QAT 45.0
28. Japan JPN 39.0
37. Iran IRI 18.0
40. Chinese Taipei TPE 14.0
41. Saudi Arabia KSA 12.0
43. Syria SYR 11.0
44. Uzbekistan UZB 10.0
44. Kuwait KUW 10.0
46. India IND 9.0
50. Hong Kong HKG 7.0
52. Malaysia MAS 7.0
56. Kazakhstan KAZ 6.0
56. Jordan JOR 6.0
61. United Arab Emirates UAE 5.0
65. Philippines PHI 4.0
66. Thailand THA 3.0
69. Bahrain BRN 2.0
72. Indonesia INA 2.0
72. Singapore SIN 2.0
*compared to the last FIBA Ranking
The countries which are not listed above are all ranked after the last country ranked in the above FIBA Ranking and therefore have the same rank.
11. China CHN 262.0
24. Lebanon LIB 57.0
25. Korea KOR 52.0
26. Qatar QAT 45.0
28. Japan JPN 39.0
37. Iran IRI 18.0
40. Chinese Taipei TPE 14.0
41. Saudi Arabia KSA 12.0
43. Syria SYR 11.0
44. Uzbekistan UZB 10.0
44. Kuwait KUW 10.0
46. India IND 9.0
50. Hong Kong HKG 7.0
52. Malaysia MAS 7.0
56. Kazakhstan KAZ 6.0
56. Jordan JOR 6.0
61. United Arab Emirates UAE 5.0
65. Philippines PHI 4.0
66. Thailand THA 3.0
69. Bahrain BRN 2.0
72. Indonesia INA 2.0
72. Singapore SIN 2.0
*compared to the last FIBA Ranking
The countries which are not listed above are all ranked after the last country ranked in the above FIBA Ranking and therefore have the same rank.
Thu, 07 Jun 2007 01:00:00 +0200
FIBA-Asia draw pits RP five vs heavyweights
Chot Reyes: ‘We’re in the group of death’
By Musong R. Castillo
Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines -- Morbid though it may sound, but Chot Reyes picked the perfect words to describe the latest turn of events in Philippine basketball.
“We’re in the group of death,” Reyes told the Philippine Daily Inquirer over the phone, a few minutes after learning where Team Philippines landed after the FIBA-Asia championship draw Wednesday in Japan.
“We’re in the worst position we could be in,” continued Reyes. “We drew the biggest and best teams in the (Asian) region.”
There was no luck in the draw for the Filipinos after they found themselves in the bracket of no less than mighty China and rock-solid Jordan and Iran in Group A, making survival of the eliminations a tough feat in itself.
“The good thing about it is that if we survive the eliminations, the quarterfinals will be relatively easy,” Reyes said.
“You work so hard only to leave your fate to the luck of the draw,” he continued. “This (RP) team and this country have come too far to be denied. We will go to Beijing or we will die trying.”
Tournament format will call for the top two finishers in each of the four groups to march on to the quarterfinals, where another set of knockout matches will be held to determine the Final Four.
Technically, the tournament will only stake one slot to the Beijing Games, the hosts Chinese already seeded. That means that if China wins the Tokushima joust, only the second placer will go to Beijing.
Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Japan are in Group B, Qatar, India, Kazakhstan and Indonesia are in Group C and Korea, Hong Kong, Syria and Chinese-Taipei making up the final bracket.
Jordan was a solid force in the last Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, while Iran manhandled the Philippines three times in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup recently in Tehran, Iran.
One of those games against Iran was an exhibition during a break in the Champions Cup against the real Iranian national side that played without its Champions Cup imports.
Jordan, on the other hand, reached the final four of the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.
Reyes said that it his not his style to dwell on the negatives. He emphasized that at this point, he will focus his sights on beating Jordan and the Iranians and let China “take care of itself.”
Team Philippines, which was assembled last March after a two-year suspension by the international basketball federation (FIBA) was lifted, finished fourth in the Champions Cup but went undefeated in the Southeast Asian Basketball Association tournament in Thailand a couple of weeks back.
Reyes still has two international tournaments to play in before flying to Japan for the FIBA-Asia next month.
Source: Inquirer.net
Chot Reyes: ‘We’re in the group of death’
By Musong R. Castillo
Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines -- Morbid though it may sound, but Chot Reyes picked the perfect words to describe the latest turn of events in Philippine basketball.
“We’re in the group of death,” Reyes told the Philippine Daily Inquirer over the phone, a few minutes after learning where Team Philippines landed after the FIBA-Asia championship draw Wednesday in Japan.
“We’re in the worst position we could be in,” continued Reyes. “We drew the biggest and best teams in the (Asian) region.”
There was no luck in the draw for the Filipinos after they found themselves in the bracket of no less than mighty China and rock-solid Jordan and Iran in Group A, making survival of the eliminations a tough feat in itself.
“The good thing about it is that if we survive the eliminations, the quarterfinals will be relatively easy,” Reyes said.
“You work so hard only to leave your fate to the luck of the draw,” he continued. “This (RP) team and this country have come too far to be denied. We will go to Beijing or we will die trying.”
Tournament format will call for the top two finishers in each of the four groups to march on to the quarterfinals, where another set of knockout matches will be held to determine the Final Four.
Technically, the tournament will only stake one slot to the Beijing Games, the hosts Chinese already seeded. That means that if China wins the Tokushima joust, only the second placer will go to Beijing.
Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Japan are in Group B, Qatar, India, Kazakhstan and Indonesia are in Group C and Korea, Hong Kong, Syria and Chinese-Taipei making up the final bracket.
Jordan was a solid force in the last Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, while Iran manhandled the Philippines three times in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup recently in Tehran, Iran.
One of those games against Iran was an exhibition during a break in the Champions Cup against the real Iranian national side that played without its Champions Cup imports.
Jordan, on the other hand, reached the final four of the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.
Reyes said that it his not his style to dwell on the negatives. He emphasized that at this point, he will focus his sights on beating Jordan and the Iranians and let China “take care of itself.”
Team Philippines, which was assembled last March after a two-year suspension by the international basketball federation (FIBA) was lifted, finished fourth in the Champions Cup but went undefeated in the Southeast Asian Basketball Association tournament in Thailand a couple of weeks back.
Reyes still has two international tournaments to play in before flying to Japan for the FIBA-Asia next month.
Source: Inquirer.net
Tue, 05 Jun 2007 06:02:00 +0200
Jay Jay Helterbrand, Jimmy Alapag, Mark Caguioa, Danny Seigle, Mick Pinisi, and Asi Taulava.
Ren Ren Ritualo, Don Don Hontiveros, Kirby Raymundo, and Ranidel de Ocampo.
Kelly Williams and Gabe Norwood (196-G/F-85).
Jay Jay Helterbrand, Jimmy Alapag, Mark Caguioa, Danny Seigle, Mick Pinisi, and Asi Taulava.
Ren Ren Ritualo, Don Don Hontiveros, Kirby Raymundo, and Ranidel de Ocampo.
Kelly Williams and Gabe Norwood (196-G/F-85).
What is with the roll call? The RP mens basketball team had a tough time in the Iran meet, especially with teams who had imports, but maybe other teams are also wondering how come the RP team seems as if it has a lot of imports too. The first group of names mentioned are either half blooded or hold dual citizenships. The second group are the home grown talents. The third group also sounds foreign. Gabe Norwood has not even played in any Philippine league yet.
Desperate times call for desperate measures perhaps. An Olympic ticket at all costs.
by: May Arevalo
Asia-Basket
Ren Ren Ritualo, Don Don Hontiveros, Kirby Raymundo, and Ranidel de Ocampo.
Kelly Williams and Gabe Norwood (196-G/F-85).
Jay Jay Helterbrand, Jimmy Alapag, Mark Caguioa, Danny Seigle, Mick Pinisi, and Asi Taulava.
Ren Ren Ritualo, Don Don Hontiveros, Kirby Raymundo, and Ranidel de Ocampo.
Kelly Williams and Gabe Norwood (196-G/F-85).
What is with the roll call? The RP mens basketball team had a tough time in the Iran meet, especially with teams who had imports, but maybe other teams are also wondering how come the RP team seems as if it has a lot of imports too. The first group of names mentioned are either half blooded or hold dual citizenships. The second group are the home grown talents. The third group also sounds foreign. Gabe Norwood has not even played in any Philippine league yet.
Desperate times call for desperate measures perhaps. An Olympic ticket at all costs.
by: May Arevalo
Asia-Basket
Tue, 05 Jun 2007 05:59:00 +0200
ANTIPOLO CITY, Philippines—Kelly Williams (196-F, college: Oakland) got the go-signal from mother club Sta. Lucia to play for the National team, but only after the Realtors have completed their participation in the on-going Fiesta Cup.
Sta. Lucia team manager Buddy Encarnado last night told scribes at the Ynares Center here that the team was willing to let go of Williams, subject to the condition set by the PBA board.
“I told the (PBA and Samahang Basketbol Pilipinas) that it is an honor and a privilege for us to have Kelly join the national team,” Encarnado said. “The PBA told us that they will not touch him as long as we still have games to play (in the Fiesta Cup).”
Williams was named as an additional member of the RP Five along with another Filipino-American, Gabe Norwood, by coach Chot Reyes on Thursday during a meeting with SBP bosses and PBA commissioner Noli Eala.
He was initially named to the RP pool two years ago and played for the Nationals in the Jones Cup in Taipei. Norwood is in the process of putting his citizenship papers in order.
lifted from Inquirer
Sun, 03 Jun 2007 08:38:00 +0200
CLEVELAND -- As his teammates danced and carried on while wearing baseball caps and T-shirts proclaiming "Champions," LeBron James walked around in a daze with a smile etched across his face.
"This is like a dream," he said, shaking his head. "This is probably the best feeling that I've ever had in my life."
An entire city felt the same.
For the first time in a long time, championship-starved Cleveland has something to feel good about.
The Cavaliers, once the punch line to jokes and Michael Jordan's favorite foil, are Eastern Conference champions -- and on their way to the NBA Finals.
Lugging an entire region's hopes with him on every trip to the basket, James had 20 points and 14 rebounds, and unflappable rookie Daniel Gibson added 31 points -- 19 in the fourth quarter -- to give the Cavaliers a 98-82 victory in Game 6 against the Detroit Pistons.
Cleveland, a city that hasn't celebrated a world championship since the Browns won an NFL title in 1964, has the next closest thing. And now the Cavs, who won only 17 games the year before James arrived from just down the Interstate in Akron, will meet the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the finals on Thursday night.
James, who scored 48 points in Cleveland's double-overtime win in Game 5, didn't have to carry the Cavs by himself.
Gibson gave him all the help he needed.
The slender second-round pick from Texas, who didn't become a major contributor until March, outshined his superstar teammate. Gibson made three 3-pointers in the first 2:16 of the fourth and drilled another long-range jumper with 6:52 left, setting off a massive celebration in Quicken Loans Arena.
"If I'm dreaming, please don't wake me up," Gibson said. "This was perfect, to win it for Cleveland."
The Cavaliers are only third team to come back from an 0-2 deficit in a conference finals, joining the 1971 Baltimore Bullets and 1993 Chicago Bulls.
The season couldn't have ended worse for the top-seeded Pistons, making their fifth straight appearance in the conference finals.
Rasheed Wallace fouled out and then got thrown out after being slapped with two technicals by referee Eddie Rush with 7:44 to play. Rip Hamilton, too, fouled out after scoring 29 points.
The loss could signal an end of an era for the Pistons, who lost in Game 6 of the conference finals for the second straight year after being the East's top-seeded team.
With Chauncey Billups (9 points) and Chris Webber (13) both bound for free agency, coach Flip Saunders' security could now come into question in Detroit, which hasn't won a title since 2004.
"It's disappointing," Billups said. "I feel bad for the guys on the team to have it end like this again after a great year."
As the final seconds ticked away, James flung the ball into the crowd and jumped into the arms of center Zydrunas Ilgauskas as the Q quaked. The moment was particularly sweet for Ilgauskas, the club's 7-foot-3 center who was drafted by the franchise in 1996 and spent two seasons on the sideline with major foot injuries.
"We said we loved each other," Ilgauskas said. "We've gone through so much as a team. For some reason we sought each other out and the emotions took over."
With wine-and-gold confetti falling from the rafters, James walked to midcourt for the trophy presentation and thanked Cleveland fans, some of whom were wiping away tears at finally seeing a hometown team win something significant.
"This is the best thing that ever happened to me, man," James said, addressing the 20,562 delirious fans. "But look here, look here. It doesn't stop."
Moments later, James was handed the Eastern Conference trophy by Hall of Famer Bill Russell, who had advice for the 22-year-old.
"You are representing the Eastern Conference," the Boston Celtics great said. "Make me proud."
Gibson, the hero of Game 4 when he scored a season-high 21, drained a pair of 3-pointers in the first 1:14 of the fourth quarter, giving the Cavs a 73-67 lead and forcing the Pistons to call time.
"Boobie is a guy with a lot of poise and a lot of heart," Cavs coach Mike Brown said of Gibson during the trophy presentation. "He's a scorer and a shooter. You leave him alone you better watch out, because it's Boobie for 3."
It's been 43 years since a Cleveland team captured a major pro sports title. The Browns lost three straight AFC titles to John Elway and the Denver Broncos, and the Indians haven't won a World Series since 1948.
The Cavaliers, who joined the league in 1970, now have a shot to end a drought that has spanned generations for Cleveland fans.
"Something had to go right for Cleveland sports," James said.
A lengthy delay at the start of the second quarter because of a scoreboard malfunction drained most of the energy from the frenzied crowd and prevented the Cavaliers from adding to their six-point lead.
Annoyed by the delay, James scored nine points -- all free throws -- in the first half. Officially, he tried just two shots from the field in the first 24 minutes but was fouled on several drives to the basket and got to the line 11 times.
Just as he did before Game 3, James arrived at the arena more than 3 1/2 hours before tipoff to get in some extra shooting practice. Wearing one of his popular "Witness" T-shirts, he worked on 3-pointers, free throws and his post-up moves, backing down imaginary Pistons for easy inside baskets.
Powerless to stop him in Game 5 on their home court, the Pistons were determined not to allow James to score as he did. They were as loose as always in the locker room before the game, as Wallace blasted some Snoop Doog from a portable stereo and several of his teammates bobbed to the beat.
Following the morning shootaround, Billups declared that Detroit's defense would not allow James an encore of his 48-point masterpiece.
"No, that won't happen again," Billups warned. "I won't say the kid can't get 40, you know what I'm saying? But he won't get the 40 like that again. No, no, trust me. Not like that. If he can get 40 with fadeaways and all that, then tip your hat. He won't get that kind of 40 again."
He didn't have to, as Gibson and his less-heralded teammates stepped up and made sure their wouldn't have to go back to Auburn Hills, Mich., where they lost Game 7 in the conference semifinals last year.
"We said we were going to make somebody else beat us, and the kid [Gibson] scored 30," Billups said.
After scoring 29 of Cleveland's final 30 in Game 5, James came out looking to get his teammates involved. He took only one shot in the first quarter but finished with five rebounds and five assists as the Cavaliers took a 27-21 lead into the second.
Because the scoreboard, 24-second shot clock and game clock were not operating in the second quarter, Cavaliers public-address announcer Olivier Sedra counted down in five-second intervals from 10 during each possession so the teams knew how much time they had left to shoot.
Source: ESPN