NBA

Around the Globe: Yi’s Real Birthday, Mike Kahn, Marcin Gortat, Luke Nevill, Nene

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  • Rex Walters of Kansas was HAPA (half-Asian Pacific Islander)Nenad Krstic is on his way back to the NBA. The Serbian center that left the NBA after last season has reportedly left Russia and has signed a 3-year $16 million offer sheet with the Oklahoma City Thunder.  The New Jersey Nets now have a week to match the terms of the multi-year agreement.  If not, Krstic will most-likely slip into the starting lineup where other international centers, Johan Petro (France) and Mouhamed Sene (Senegal), have failed.
  • Who knew Rex Walters (pictured right) was half-Asian? The San Francisco Chronicle recently featured a great article on Asian American basketball players and how negative perceptions and stereotypes have followed them at every level of the game, from playing to coaching (Dec 21).
  • Euroleague superstar Nikola Vujcic hits the 2000 point milestone in his eight-season career.  The Croatian center is only the fifth player this decade to hit that mark joining Marcus Brown, Luis Scola, Jr Holden, & Jaka Lakovic.  The milestone doesn’t sound like much when compared to NBA milestones, but when you factor that the Euroleague plays less than 20 games a season, each game of which are 8 minutes shorter, it holds more water.  (Decc 20th)
  • In the final three minutes of the Phoenix-Denver game, Steve Nash scores eight-straight points as he outshoots Mr. Big Shot (Chauncey Billups) in the Sun’s 108-101 win over the Nuggets  (Dec 20th)
  • Filling in for Drew Gooden, Andres Nocioni made his first start of the season and contributed 15 points, 8 rebounds and usual bulldog energy in Chicago’s 106-98 triumph over the Utah Jazz.  And when Nocioni gets  minutes, he has contributed.  Nocioni has averaged 17.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists over his last three games (Dec 20th)
  • Tony Parker has near triple-double in 107-97 win over Toronto. The 26 year-old  records 24 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds.  I can’t believe Parker is only 26 years old, he seems as if he’s been in the league for like 10 years (actually eight), and barring injuries, will be in the league at least another seven years.  The French guard will likely reach 20,000 points and 6,500 assists by the end of his career… (Dec 20th)
  • I’ve only seen 2 Gonzaga games this season and both times I have seen Jeremy Pargo  give the game away with multiple bonehead plays.  The starting playermaker for the Bulldogs has committed 12 turnovers in the Bulldogs’ two losses this seasoDanilo Gallinari shoots a jumpshotn.  He was right to pull out of the NBA draft.  Pargo may have the skills, but the decision-making is not ready for the NBA.  Heck, his decision-making isn’t suited to be the leader of Gonzaga.  (Dec 20th)
  • Danilo Gallinari has been out all season with a back injury, but the 20-year old Italian rookie is feeling better and has reportedly been running and participating in shooting drills according to Newsday.  (Dec 20th)
  • Boris Diaw goes for 26 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists in Charlotte’s 112-83 blowout over Memphis. In the last four games, the French forward has averaged 19.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4 assists, shot 57% from the field, and the Bobcats have won two of the four games.  The 26-year old’s passing ability has made Charlotte’s offense a little less ad-hoc – since arriving in Charlotte, the Bobcats average nearly eight more points and shoot 3.5% better from the field. (Dec 20th)
  • Even though the Warriors are miserable, Marco Belinelli has played well with an increased role. In a loss to Atlanta, he scored 27 points and passed out 6 assists.  In the loss to the Indiana Pacers, the 6-5 Italian had 21 pts (5-8 on threes), 4 rebounds and 4 assists in 38 minutes of play.  In the last four games, the Italian has averaged 20.3pts on 52 FG% (Dec 19th).
  • Mike Kahn of Fox Sports passed away this week at the age of 54.  Mr. Kahn was truly one of the best basketball/NBA writers in the business.  Kahn was intelligent, empathetic, honest, and was one of my favorite sports writers.  I always looked forward to his weekly “Ten Things we Learned in the NBA” and enjoyed his passion and understanding of the game.  I know I didn’t know you personally, but Rest in Peace, Mike Kahn.  (Dec 19th)  Mike Kahn: Pioneer of Web journalism, loving father (FoxSports.com).
  • Toronto has cleared Aborigine Nathan Jawai to begin workouts. The 6-10 rookie from Australia has sat out the entire NBA season due to a heart abnormality and is really eager to get in shape and back on the court.  He is so overzealous that it concerns some of Toronto’s staff, “(Jawai) was going from one (wight) machine to the next trying every singleone,” said Jay Triano, head coach of the Toronto Raptors.(Dec 17th)
  • Luke Nevill of Utah (NCAA) is a 7-foot senior from Australia and is averaging 17.2 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks.  (Dec 17th)
  • Swiss NBA-baller Thabo Sefolosha began the season as a starter, but now finds himself deep on the Bull’s bench totaling only 10 mins in the last nine games.  However, the 24-year old is staying positive and staying prepared, “You have to get your mind off the playing time. You work for down the line. It’s not the five or six games I didn’t play that matters, it’s the next game, five games, 10 games that matter.” said Sefolosha…   (Dec 16th)Nene dunks on Yao Ming
  • Idiot L.A. Times writer calls Puerto Rican guard JJ Barea, “MEXICAN SMURF“… check out #13 of their power rankings.  (Dec 16th)
  • With Dwight Howard out, Marcin Gortat (Poland) has started in his place for the Orlando Magic.  And in Orlando’s 109-98 win over the Golden State Warriors, the 6-11 center recorded career highs in points (16) and  rebounds (13), as well as blocking three shots.  The Magic have won both games with Gortat in the middle. (Dec 16th)

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