Wednesday Rumors
June 17, 2008
If you are really trying to provide readers with good stuff, the basketball off-season is probably more interesting and even busier than the actual season itself.
For this reason, we decided to provide you with the latest rumors out there regarding European basketball and European players. To make it more interesting, we’ll let you know what we think about these rumors…
Danilo Gallinari will go to New York next year.
We have been talking about this from day one more as a joke than not, since the real reason to draft Gallinari cannot be just because his father played with the Knicks head coach back in the day, right? Oh well, look at Luke Walton: Sometimes Dad does help. Since Gallinari is in the US to work out with some teams, he also stopped in New Jersey to work out with the Nets. It looks like the Nets told Gallinari that they would certainly take him if still available when the Nets’ time to draft arrives. The Nets will choose at no. 10 in the first round, while the Knicks are sixth. One reason why the Knicks might not take Gallinari is that they are seeking some experience and might trade away the first-round pick.
Given the facts, the chance that Gallinari will be drafted by the Knicks: 
Fran Vazquez will leave FC Barcelona and enter the NBA next season.
Fran was drafted by the Orlando Magic in 2005 draft. Since then, the Magic wanted to bring him over, as they have again asked him this year. Spanish website sports.es tell us that Vazquez will continue to play for FC Barcelona next season. Vazquez has a contract with the Spanish club through June 2010 with an option for another year.
So, again no Fran Vazquez in the NBA this season:
Marc Gasol will leave Europe to play for the Grizzlies.
During the NBA finals, I saw Marc working out with his brother at the Staples Center. He also told reporters that the really likes it in the US and would be able to help any team on any level. Just one problem: Marc will make more money in Europe than the Grizzlies will offer him in his first season. Keep in mind that Gasol just played with a ULEB cup team and has several offers from Euroleague teams such as Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Since he himself said that he is still “very young” in addition to the fact that he would make less money in the NBA, it is very doubtful that Marc will be seen in the NBA this upcoming season.
Chances of seeing Marc Gasol in the NBA next season:
Jorge Garbajosa will leave the Raptors and join a Euroleague team.
Another sad example how an injury can mess up your career - well, your NBA career at least. Remember Jorge’s real bad injury? This caused a lot of problems, and not only regarding the injury. As you know, the Spanish federation wanted Jorge to play at the European championship directly following the injury, while the Raptors did not agree with that decision at all. Jorge was re-injured and played only six games in this year’s NBA season.
Some Spanish media outlets reported that the Raptors now want to buy Garbajosa out of his contract and cut any ties. The Raptors have also added that he will not play at the Olympics as long as he is under contract with Toronto. Jorge is set to leave and any European team - particularly a Spanish team like Unicaja Malaga - will take him without a doubt.
Chances for this to happen:
Ksystof Lavrinovic is leaving Siena.
Lavrinovic just won the Italian title with Siena and also made it to the Final Four in Madrid this summer, where the team finished third. Ksystof was one of the main factors for Siena’s success this season and I am sure they will try to do anything to keep him there. There have been rumors that Lavrinovic will enter the NBA, which I’m sure he would if his “dark past” didn’t scare off any NBA team (including the Knicks) and even some Euroleague teams. But you almost can’t say “no” to a player like Ksystof. I’m sure many teams have been asking Siena about Ksystof, and we will soon hear the names of a few teams interested in signing him. How about a Greek team…?
Chances that Ksystof Lavrinovic will leave Montepaschi Siena:
Toni Kukoc, Dino Radja, Zan Tabak still playing
May 3, 2008
As you know by now, I am as much a Bulls fan (Jordan/Pippen era) as probably anybody else. When I heard the rumor that there might be a game between Split and Barcelona veterans, I was pretty sure that we would see Toni, Dino and some more great European players.
I’d always wanted to see the Bulls and Toni live and today was the day - at least I saw Toni Kukoc with courtside seats. First of all, I have to thank Yarone Arbel since he told me about the event, which was organized by the town of Madrid - pretty cool move! If you expected the guys to play soft and boring basketball just to have a reason to all meet up … WRONG! Toni killed Barcelona from the three-point line - he was still using the NBA three-point line - and Dino Radja was cleaning up in the post. Even Real Madrid assistant coach Zan Tabak showed that he’s still in shape!
Probably 300 visitors came to see these “old” players and the music was even old school (which was very cool by the way). Yarone pointed out one more thing: the players’ wives! You can tell who they are: the sexy player wives that you see now in NBA or Euroleague games cheering for their rich husbands, only this time they were just a bit “older.”
Here are some pictures of the game and of Toni Kukoc - I am pretty sure you still remember that one-foot jumpshot stepback:
Euroleague Final Four: Maccabi Tel Aviv’s history lesson
April 28, 2008
Once again thanks to Yarone Arbel for this great series of articles about “his” team Maccabi Tel Aviv.
History-wise … Maccabi couldn’t hope for a better opponent in the semi-finals than Montepaschi. In eight encounters so far, all in recent years, Maccabi has beat the Italian bank eight times.
In fact, most of these games have been tattooed in the memories of Maccabi fans. There was the first buzzer-beater made by Saras in a Maccabi uniform. Another came a year later when the same Saras on the same court against the same team made his first three pointer of the night, after eight misses prior, exactly in the last seconds to put Maccabi on top.
Yet another: Down in Siena, the game was decided after Anthony Parker hit a three pointer plus a free throw shot (a rare scene by itself) in the last seconds.
One more was in the 2002-03 season, when Maccabi came to Siena after a steak of three losses in four days (Back then, they played the Adriatic League between Euroleague and Israeli league games); coach David Blatt was about to get a one-way ticket, but the win in Siena put the team back on track.
Last, and funniest of all, was in 2004-05 when Vrbica Stefanov got the ball under the basket, WIDE OPEN, for a simple layup with his team down by three and less than 20 seconds to play, but he managed to miss it like a five-year-old girl and Maccabi won again.
The players who were active then and are still around today are Bootsy and Eze for Montepaschi, while Maccabi has Vujcic, Burstein (rarely used), Sharp (ditto) and Halperin (he was hardly used back then).
Tomorrow, the next article by Yarone: Maccabi Tel Aviv’s momentum.
ESPN goes Europe
January 30, 2008
Some European bloggers or sports fans have been complaining for years, that people in the US have one big advantage: They grow up with the NBA, NCAA, NFL, MLB and NHL 24/7 on their TV. They say that this gives them the heads up. Even if you do agree with that (I don’t) then ESPN has a solution for you now. Read more
From balling to boxing, the life of Kaspars Kambala
January 15, 2008
What would you do if you were banned from professional basketball for 2 years ? Latvian center Kaspars Kambala decided to give a shot to a boxing career… Read more
David Vanterpool anybody?
December 30, 2007
Does this name ring any bells for you? Yes, David did play of CSKA Moscow last season - well, until he got injured and Oscar Torres (now with UPIM Bologna) replaced him. What is going on with David? Has he signed somewhere we just don’t know? Well, Ettore Messina explains what David is up to. Read more
Where are they now? Aulcie Perry (United States)
December 20, 2007
After a little bit more than a month of absence, I come back with a new story of the "Where are they now" series. Today, I will talk about one of the Americans that made some big impact in Europe, I speak of Aulcie Perry.
Where are they now? Tal Brodi (Israel)
November 14, 2007
Today I will tell you the story of another Israeli glory, Tal Brodi. The US born guard was one of the most important, if not the most important basketball player ever in Israel. If you want to know why, just continue reading.
Where are they now? Doron Jamchy (Israel)
November 11, 2007
Today, I will talk about probably the best Israeli born shooter of all time Doron Jamchy. The 1961 born guard was an important member of the Maccabi Tel Aviv triumphs in the late 80s and early 90s.
Where are they now? Ivo Daneu (Slovenia)
November 3, 2007
To start the series of the best European basketball players of the last 50 years, I will introduce you one of the best Shooting Guards ever to come from former Yugoslavia and maybe the best Slovenian basketball player of all time: Ivo Daneu. Read more
