9/12/13

Week That Was In The NBA


FIBA Americas Tournament

Luis Scola Eliminates Canada At FIBA Americas

Pro Bball reported, Canada wanted this game badly and they played like it, but they had no answer for the three-time FIBA Americas MVP Luis Scola as the 33-year old FIBA and NBA veteran poured in 28 points to eliminate Canada from the medal rounds at the FIBA Americas in Caracas, Venezuela on Sunday.

2013 FIBA Americas: Gustavo Ayon leads Mexico into finals

Kris Willis, SB Nation reports,  Gustavo Ayon and Mexico continued their strong play at the 2013 FIBA Americas defeating Argentina 76-70 to advance to the tournament finals.

Every Team Canada Game From Toronto To Caracas
Pro Bball Report

The Canadian Senior Men’s National basketball Team had a busy summer starting with a pair of exhibition games in Toronto against Jamaica followed by a four game warm-up tournament in Puerto Rico and ending at the FIBA Americas in Caracas, Vanazuela.

Despite fielding a very young roster, Canada had a chance to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Spain and they almost pulled it off. This is a quick rundown of every game Canada played from the two wins against Jamaica in Toronto to the three loses in a row in the second round of the FIBA Americas that ended their hopes for an automatic spot at the World Cup with links to each game story.

Dino Nation Blog: Canada's Present Falls Short: But The Future Remains Bright

Canada is an emerging basketball power and you only need look at the NCAA and the NBA as evidence of that. Soon that will translate to FIBA international competitions as it has already on lower levels.  You saw the growth of guys like Cory Joseph, Andrew Nicholson and Tristan Thompson. There were some surprises with a guy like Brady Heslip showing is deadly skill as a shooter. We all wanted more for this group and to see them progress to next summer and the World Cup. It wasn’t meant to be on this occasion.

NBA News

Mavericks Plan To Offer Camp Invite To Fab Melo

RealGM Wiretap reportsThe Dallas Mavericks are planning to bring Fab Melo into training camp.  Melo was recently released by the Memphis Grizzlies and went unclaimed on waivers.

Bulls' contract negotiations with Deng stall

CSN Chicago’s Aggrey Sam reports, Negotiations between the Bulls and Luol Deng’s camp surrounding a long-term contract extension have stalled, CSNChicago.com has learned.  The Bulls opted to put those plans on hold for the time being and risk the team’s longest-tenured player becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation.

NBA to install motion cameras for every arena

NBA News reports, The NBA has partnered with STATS on the SportVU cameras.  The technology can monitor every move a player makes on the court, gauge how tired he is and can even keep an eye on the job referees are doing.

Kevin Durant Expects Russell Westbrook to Play on Opening Night

Slam Online reports,  Kevin Durant confirmed that he’s counting on star running mate Russell Westbrook to be ready and healthy when the season begins.

Thunder waive guard Liggins

NBA news reports, The Oklahoma City Thunder waived guard DeAndre Liggins on Friday after he was charged with seven felony counts in a domestic-violence case.

Knicks' Smith suspended five games for drug violation

NBA news reports, New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith was suspended without pay for five regular-season games by the NBA on Friday for violating the anti-drug program.  Smith, coming off offseason surgery on his left knee, will sit out the first five games for which he is eligible and physically able to play.

Pelicans Darius Miller has surgery on left foot

Jennifer Hale Fox sports reports, New Orleans Pelicans forward Darius Miller is not beginning his second year as a pro the way he intended.  Miller suffered a stress fracture in his left foot and is now expected to miss eight to 12 weeks.

Nets to retire Jason Kidd's jersey

NBA news reports, The Brooklyn Nets will retire the No. 5 jersey of Jason Kidd, who led the franchise to its greatest NBA success as a player and is now its coach.  The Nets said Monday the ceremony will take place Oct. 17 before their preseason game against the Miami Heat.


No minutes restriction for Nene for now, says Wizards Head coach Randy Wittman

Mike Prada SB Nation reports,

"He got in town Aug. 30," Wittman said.  "He's been on the floor. He feels good. He's had a whole summer where he didn't have to worry about the pounding and the stuff he did last summer having the injuries he did and having to play on the (Brazil) national team and never gave his body a chance to recover. He's feeling good. He looks good. I'm pretty pleased with that. I anticipate him being ready to go. When did we play our last game? Five months ago? He's done a lot of good work this summer, not only from a rest standpoint but from physical therapy. He's built his strength back up. I anticipate we'll head into the season with no restrictions."

Lakers Sign Xavier Henry

Lakers announced, The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent guard Xavier Henry, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak

Billionaire fined for trying to undo Kings arena

NBA News reported, Billionaire Chris Hansen must pay $50,000 for his role in a secretive effort to funnel money to a group trying to thwart Sacramento's efforts to build a new downtown arena, the California Fair Political Practices Commission said Monday.

2013 Eurobasket in Slovenia

Italy is the only unbeaten team at Euro champs

NBA News says, Advancing through the first round as the only undefeated team, Italy has provided the unexpected at the European basketball championships.  Italy beat both Russia and Turkey to finish atop the group, ahead of Finland and Greece.

Gortat, Kravtsov Dominate the Paint in Respective Wins

Matt Petersen, Suns.com reports,  Marcin Gortat and the Poland national team made sure to leave EuroBasket 2013 on a high note. The only negative was handing Phoenix Suns teammate Goran Dragic and host country Slovenia a 71-61 loss in the process.  Gortat punched in with a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds for Poland.  Viacheslov Kravtsov rejected three shots while adding eight points, four rebounds and two assists.

Lithuania Wins on Valanciunas Double-Double

Pro Bball reports, Lithuania defeated Latvia 67-59 on Friday on the back of a Jonas Valanciunas 11 point 10 rebound double-double and some stingy defense in the painted area. Head Coach Jonas Kazlauskas started his young star center for the first time at the 2013 Eurobasket and Valanciunas got Latvia in foul trouble early and often in the first half.

Lavrinovic, Valanciunas Lead Lithuania To Win

Pro Bball reports, Lithuania defeated Montenegro 77-70 in an overtime thriller on Sunday. Seldom used veteran forward Ksistof Lavrinovic scored 24 points on 9-11 shooting and it was Lithuania’s young star Jonas Valanciunas that looked like the forgotten man in Head Coach Jonas Kazlauskas’ rotation initially.

The second half started out the way Lithuania usually enjoys success. Three trips through the paint for Valanciunas resulting in 2 free throws and 2 dunks.  Valanciunas ended up with his second consecutive double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Nets Mirza Teletovic scored 31 For Bosnia and Herzegovina

Pro Bball reports, Brooklyn Nets power forward Mirza Teletovic scored 31 points against Lithuania in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 78-72 win on Monday, but it wasn’t enough as they needed to win by 10 points to advance to the second round.

The Lithuanian big men that have been key to the team’s victories this summer were nailed to the bench against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Jonas Valanciunas only played 7 first half minutes. Ksistof Lavrinovic and Darjus Lavrinovic played 5 minutes and 12 minutes respectively and Donatas Motiejunas played just 8 minutes.


Stephen Brotherston covers the Toronto Raptors and visiting NBA teams at the ACC.  A member of the Professional Basketball Writers Association, Stephen is the editor and publisher of  Pro Bball Report.  You can follow Stephen on twitter @stevesraptors 




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