NBA Twilight Zone

petak, 31.08.2007.

KVARNER NR: Potpisao i Marijan Mance!!!

AYUSO vs ENGLISH
Puerto Rico hangs on for 72-66 victory over Canada,
earns berth in semifinals of FIBA Americas


Puerto Rico took advantage of its second chance.

On the verge of being eliminated from the FIBA Americas tournament four days ago, Puerto Rico made its way to the semifinals with a 72-66 victory over Canada on Thursday night.

Puerto Rico (3-4) will face the United States in Saturday's semifinals with the winner of that game earning a berth in the Beijing Olympics.

Last Sunday night, Puerto Rico looked like it wouldn't even reach the second round of this 10-team tournament. It needed Argentina to beat Panama and with two minutes left in regulation Argentina was down seven points.

Most of the Puerto Rico team was in the stands that night to watch Argentina force overtime and go on to a 109-92 victory.

"Our thanks go to the Argentina basketball team because they gave us the opportunity and that's the kind of gift basketball gives," said Puerto Rico guard Carlos Arroyo, who plays for the Orlando Magic. "We knew we had to take advantage of it in the second round and show the kind of team we have."

Puerto Rico won three of its four games in the second round and the last was the win over Canada (3-4), which looked to be a rout early in the fourth quarter but turned into a game decided by free throws.

John Peter Ramos' hook shot two minutes into the fourth quarter gave Puerto Rico a 62-43 lead. Canada, coming off a third quarter when it shot 3-for-18 from the field, suddenly started hitting shots and went on an 11-0 run.



BATTLE OF THE UNDEFEATED: USA vs ARGENTINA 91-76


After Arroyo's driving jumper gave Puerto Rico a 68-61 lead with 3:06 to play, Puerto Rico came up empty on six straight possessions. But Canada didn't take advantage missing three of six free throws before David Thomas' layup got it within 68-66 with 21 seconds left.

Jose Juan Barea, who plays for the Dallas Mavericks, made two free throws for Puerto Rico with 16 seconds left and Filiberto Rivera added two more with 8.2 seconds left for the final margin.

Canada finished 12-for-24 from the line.

"We couldn't get all the way out of it," said Thomas, who led Canada with 18 points. "Free throws hurt us the whole time. We're going to get better and hopefully it will show next summer."

Even though Canada didn't reach the semifinals, it -- along with the semifinals losers here -- advance to an Olympic qualifying tournament next July when the final three berths in Beijing will be decided.

"We all get a little greedy," Canada coach Leo Rautins said. "The top two go from here and that's what we wanted but realistically, with this team's age and experience, the top five gets us where we want to be. We'll be a year older and a year stronger. The road's just beginning. The door didn't close, it swung wide open for us to get where we want to be next year."

Puerto Rico will face the United States, which beat Argentina 91-76 on Thursday night in the matchup of unbeaten teams.

"They're close to the Jordan team," Barea said, referring to the United States' original Dream Team in 1992, "so we'll come out and have fun."



FIBA AMERICAS TOP 10 - 30/08/2007


Arroyo, who led Puerto Rico with 22 points, was more serious.

"It's still possible so we have to keep our focus," he said of beating the United States, which won the second-round meeting 117-78. "We can't show up with the defeat mentality. It's in our hands. We have a very talented team and we have to play like we're capable of doing it."


JIM O'CONNELL
AP Basketball Writer

četvrtak, 30.08.2007.

PROMENADA OKO ŠVEĐE: Patterson odletio u L.A. uštopati Kobea, Yi Jianlian sletio iz Kine...

MJ23 1993: 49PTS vs. WARRIORS (HARDAWAY, MULLIN...)


The Golden State Warriors were one of the most exciting teams for a while. Chris Mullin was one of the best shooters who ever lived and Tim Hardaway complemented the perimeter with his vicious crossover.

These guys were two of my favorite players and it was a treat to watch them battle the Bulls. In this game, Mullin was his usual sharpshooting self and Hardaway was pulling out playground moves. MJ decided to take on both at the same time.

MJ played a team game in the first half and Mullin and Hardaway both caught on fire. Enter the second half. MJ switched to attack mode and calmly shot around 85% in the 2nd half to outgun and neutralize both Mullin and Hardaway's onslaught. With the game teetering by 3 points until the last few minutes, Mullin turned on his afterburners and started draining from everywhere.

MJ decided enough was enough and he took Mullin himself on D. and stopped the unconscious shooter from scoring any more buckets by forcing crucial stops in the last few minutes. On the offensive end, MJ made his usual clutch baskets and grabbed the clutch rebound to secure the win.

What's great about this game is that you saw the greatness of Mullin, Hardaway and MJ all at the same time. Mullin and Hardaway both took turns attacking but each cooled down at various points in the game.

MJ was just constant and got better and better as the minutes closed. On top of that, his defense got even better, which ultimately won the game. The extra gears and dimensions that MJ had were just too much for two elite superstars on fire to handle.



FIBA AMERICAS - USA vs URUGUAY (NIJE GRČKA): Lebron James was a perfect 11-11 from the field with 4 threes."In a sensational display of speed and power, James raised his tournament-leading shooting percentage to an almost comical 79.7 percent (47-of-59). He is 14-of-20 from 3-point range, a 70 percent mark that also leads the event. Despite playing only 14 minutes, he fell two points shy of the American record in an Olympic qualifying game shared by Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson." Rolling Stones: Not Fade Away.

And the 'eyes closed' free throw by MJ was a nice gesture of kindness.


Hoopsencyclopedia
Youtube.com

srijeda, 29.08.2007.

USA vs PUERTO RICO: Bryant 14, Ayuso 13 poena...

GOSPODAR STRATOSFERE a.k.a. KAS
Biedrins i Okur nisu bolji centri od mene

Na prošlom Eurobasketu taj Slavonac bio je ponajveće otkriće. Na dolazećem nosit će na svojim ramenima naša nadanja. Mario Kasun prototip je modernog centra. Dobro trči i šutira, snažan je i skočan. Nedostaje mu možda jedino više leđne centarske tehnike, no to u sustavu igre kakav je postavio Jasmin Repeša ne bi trebalo biti presudno.


Bolja klapa nego 2005.

- Koliko je Hrvatska dobra u predvečerje Eurobasketa?
- U obrani grizemo, a napad može biti 50 posto bolji. Mi postižemo koševe, no još je dosta nepravodobnih ili krivih kretnja. No, najbitnije je da smo klapa.

- Jeste li bolja klapa nego prije dvije godine?
- Dišemo kao jedan i malo smo združeniji nego na prošlom EP-u. U odnosu na tu momčad, igramo bolje u obrani i protunapadu. Imamo odlične braniče.

- Koliko je psihički teško igrati tako žestoku obranu?
- Nije kada ste dobra klapa kao mi, jer jedan drugom čuvamo leđa. A šećer na vrhu je naš kapetan Prkačin, uvijek spreman da pomogne savjetom.



FIBA AMERICAS: USA vs PUERTO RICO, novopečeni Cibos Ayuso 13 poena (sl.bacanja 8-9), na prosjeku je od 16.2 poena u 26.6 minuta...


Mogu ja i bez Vujčića

- Neki kažu da ste tada profitirali uz Vujčića i da će vam sada biti teže?
- Ispada kao da ja ne mogu bez Vujčića ništa. Takvo mišljenje mi zasmeta.

- Na EP-u će igrati više od 20 NBA igrača, a vi ste povratnik iz NBA. Želite li se ondje vratiti?
- Možda sam se zaletio s povratkom, no ondje bih se vratio jedino uz jamstvo da ću igrati kao što sad igram. Ako u NBA mogu igrati Biedrins i Okur, zašto ne bih mogao ja. Oni su dobili priliku i milijune, ja nisam.



FILIP KRUŠLIN HIGHSCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: 18000 views in 16 months, Krule je danas bio i ekskluzivni gost na Sportnetu (link by Hakler s Cvjetnog)


- Ako na EP-u reprezentacija postigne uspjeh, hoćete li to ovjekovječiti nekom novom tetovažom?
- Vidjet ću, koliko će jaka biti ta inspiracija. Tetovaža imam više od 30, no hrvatski grb neću ucrtati. Sve moje tetovaže su osobne stvari, a i ne želim da itko pomisli da sam ja hrvatska verzija Gurovića.


Dražen Brajdić
Večernji list

utorak, 28.08.2007.

THE REPKA: 2nd DAY OFF...ČOVJEK ZA VELIKE UTAKMICE: Ayuso 24P vs. Brazil

BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW WITH LARRY AYUSO: Exclusive interview with Puerto Rico's shooting guard Elias AYUSO (30min/24poena/trice 5-8) after Puerto Rico's win against Brazil. First day of the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship Quarter Finals round, LAS VEGAS, USA. 27 August 2007. More videos on www.fiba.com.

Danas Puerto Rico ide na megdan Amerima, znate koliko je sati...




SN/KOŠARKA - 28-08-2007

Dakle, according to SN startna petorka hrvatske repke at this very moment:

U najmanju ruku vrlo zanimljiva kombinacija, zar ne??

6 days left...



Muraya
NBA.BLOG.HR

ponedjeljak, 27.08.2007.

NO KIDDIN' GAMES: "Jaskov stroj" osvojio Efes World Cup, USA vs Brazil 113:76

"POČASTILI" SE SVIM PROTIVNICIMA, NBA TURCIMA DVAPUT: Šveđo, MVP Planina i Roza. Note the tatoo on Šveđo's left wrist...


Osjećam se kao da sam ove godine dobio dvostruki povrat poreza...

SN/KOŠARKA - 27-08-07


Uspjeli smo naplatiti barem djelić davno dospjelih košarkaških potraživanja (sjetite se EP 2001.)...



Vrijeme da otvorimo košarkaški obrt, ili još bolje d.o.o. u euro-razmjerima...


USA vs BRASIL: ovako je to prošlo JUČER/PRIJE GRČKE TRAGEDIJE 2006. Notice the difference - credit Jerry Colangelo, Team USA GM.

Kanada i Puerto Rico su imali slobodnu nedjelju u Las Vegasu. Not just any given Sunday for them...

Muraya
NBA.BLOG.HR

nedjelja, 26.08.2007.

NEMA LAGANIH PROTIVNIKA: Hrvatska 99, Poljska 53 - ČETRDESET I ŠEST RAZLIKE!!!

NAJNIŽI (OPET) NAJBOLJI: Fenomenalni Pop je Poljacima ubacio 6 trica u 3 minute, stvarno još nisam čuo za takav košarkaški fenomen...


"VUKOVI" NA BJELOLASICI
"Naši momci zaslužuju priliku, ali uvjete diktira tržište"


Ekipa Cibone, pod vodstvom novog trenera Joke Vrankovića za sezonu se priprema u Olimpijskom Centru na Bjelolasici. Nedostaju tek reprezentativci Lukša Andrić i Marin Rozić te čudesni Portorikanac Larry Ayuso. Kažu da nije timski igrač, a svi zadnji napadi završavat će u njegovim rukama.

Dakle, definitivno jest igrač teama. Problemi počinju ako se Larry raspuca i onda kada mu ne ide. Pa momčad umjesto do pobjede, odvede ravno u poraz. Što se obrane tiče, čovjek zna, ali "iz prave" igra samo kad hoće. No, Vrankoviću to naravno nije stran podatak.




Bez Zule i Kusa

Na Bjelolasicu su stigli i novi Amerikanci, Tre "sanjam NBA" Kelley i Sam Hoskin. No, još uvijek se nitko ne usudi uspoređivati novu Ciboninu "igru" s bivšom, koju je slagao Zula, a provodio Davor Kus.

Prerano je za paralele, barem dok se krene s taktičkim pripremama i momčad ne bude na okupu. A trebala bi biti do testa u Jokinom Širokom.





MARKO POPOVIĆ MIX: "Jednom sam u utakmici Baltičke lige trice gađao 8-8!!!" (izvor: Večernji list 26-08-2007)...


"Barać je pogriješio"

No, konkretni su ovog ljeta bili Cibonini čelnici, koji su u punom sastavu istupili pred novinare na Bjalolasici. Ivo Jelušić trudi se ostati dosljedan programu za post-Zulinu eru prema kojem Ciboni daje fore do 2008/09 godine, da ponovo bude u samom vrhu europske košarke.



Pri tom su jamstvo za kredit bili mladi domaći igrači te hrvatski reprezentativci na radu u inozemstvu. Zapelo je, naravno, na tržištu. Odnosno, u sjecištu Ciboninih želja i mogućnosti.



NO COMMENT...





Zanimljiva momčad

Vranković je podržao predsjednika; "U našim planovima domaći košarkaši su prioritet, ali nije sve tako jednostavno.

Nikad nije. No, ne možemo se oteti dojmu da Cibona ima respektabilnu i svako zanimljivu momčad za narednu sezonu.



Kada se starosjediocima Krasiću, Moroviću i Warrenu pridruže reprezentativci, Goran Vrbanc zaliječi ozljedu, a novopridošli Ameri shvate što se od njih traži, bit će to lijep sklop.



REPEŠA MAKES DIFFERENCE: 25-07-2006 na domaćem smo terenu u Crikvenici pobijedili Poljake s 13 razlike, a jučer je bilo gotovo nevjerojatnih 46 razlike!! Kao krajem 80-tih kada su Kuki & Dino igrali protiv poljskog prvaka Lecha. Ah, to su bila vremena...


Uz Andrića i Kaštropila na centarskim pozicijama, te Vedrana Vukušića na krilu, mjesto će svakako izboriti i netko od Ciboninih juniora koji su u programu treninga (Radošević, Zubčić, Katura).



A profi-ugovoru navodno je blizu i Žorić (stigao iz Šibenika)...




Dea Redžić
INDEX.HR

subota, 25.08.2007.

IMAMO REPKU: Hrvatska 102, Latvija 80 (bez igranja "skrivača")...AYUSO: 20P vs Argentina

TEAM CROATIA HEAD COACH REPEŠA (photo: SUPERKOŠARKA.HR)


"Kad se hrvatskom talentu doda jak mentalitet, onda je to skupina spremna za velike stvari.



FINALE ACB 2006/07 - TOP 10: Kas na brojevima 9 & 8, Marko Tomas na broju 2...


Upravo zbog mentaliteta poslao sam obojicu u svlačionicu (Popa & Šveđu).



FIBA AMERICAS TOP 10 - 25-08-2007


Tamo su se naime trebali na miru dogovoriti čija je to bila pogreška na parketu, jer nisu uspjeli u 20 sekundi na parketu, te u 20 sekundi nakon što su sjeli na klupu."


Jasmin Repeša
SN 25-08-2007

petak, 24.08.2007.

ZORAN "MOKA" SLAVNIĆ: "Čovječe, Vi ujedate" (www.youbite.cro)...

NEPRIKOSNOVENI GOSPODAR STRATOSFERE: Mario Kasun (14p/8s) je jučer ponovno bio vođa puta izabrane cro-vrste (photo:nba.blog.hr)


CROATIAN NATIONAL TEAM
Croatia Beats Turkey in Izmir

In its first game in the Efes World Cup Croatia defeated hosts 72-60.

Turkey had lead only on two occasions (5-4, 25-24) while our team dominated especially in the second half when Turkish deficit only once got under ten points despite the fact that Jasmin Repesa rotated all 12 players (Rozic, Andric and Lalic weren’t in the roster).

Our players had great shooting from 3-point line (5/11 in each half) while on the other side Turkish players had 3/12 3FG in the first half. Bogdan Tanjevic’s players had number of open shots but failed to convert them.

But after 12-13 minutes that segment of Croatian defense began to function better just as our opponents struggled to get in an opportunity for offensive rebounds. After seven of those in the first half, they only achieved four in the second.




SN/KOŠARKA - 24-08-2007


Croatia finished the first half with 10-0 run and continued in the same vein in the third quarter when our lead was extended to 18 points.

Zoran Planinic organized the game well, Davor Kus, Roko Ukic and Marino Bazdaric converted the shots they had to while defense provided us with transitional game and easy points.

Despite making some tough shots in final seconds the fact is that our team was patient enough to wait for the right shot opportunity in the offense.

When Turkey approached to -9, Marko Popovic responded with his third 3-pointer to get the game back on the right track.

Repesa’s players dominated in rebounds as well (34-25). Kasun had eight rebounds while Banic added six. Planinic had six assists while 10 of our players scored in the match.



FIBA AMERICAS TOP 10 - 23-08-2007







www.javno.hr

četvrtak, 23.08.2007.

KVARNER JAČI OD CEDEVITE?? Anzulović - (Mance) - Petrović - Oršulić - Šamanić...

SN/KOŠARKA - 23-08-2007



CARAMBA Y CARAMBITA!!!
Mexico 100 vs. Puerto Rico 89


LAS VEGAS (2007 FIBA Americas Championship) - Mexico and Puerto Rico had a tough act to follow, considering Uruguay and Panama thrilled the crowd at Thomas & Mack Center with an overtime battle to get things started at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship.

Both teams were up to the task of continuing the showmanship, and after a hot-shooting first quarter, the score was tied at 29-29.

Mexico's hot shooting continued throughout the first half (54 percent from the field), and behind 22 points from Victor Mariscal, they opened up a 57-45 lead by the break.

Puerto Rico rallied in the third quarter and even took a lead during the fourth, but Mexico would not be denied.



FIBA AMERICAS - TOP 10 23-08-2007

When Horacio Llamas connected on a three-pointer with just over one minute to play, Mexico had stretched its lead back to double-digits at 98-86 and chants of "Mexico! Mexico! Mexico!" cascaded throughout the arena.

Llamas would finish with 18 points while Mariscal logged a game high 30 as Mexico triumphed 100-89.

Notes: Puerto Rico's Carlos Arroyo scored all four of his points at the foul line, finishing the game 0-for-10 from the field. As for Larry Ayuso:





JUAN DIXON & PAUL PIERCE PRACTICED SOCCER WITH FC CHELSEA...


USA Basketball

srijeda, 22.08.2007.

TOURNAMENT TIME: Hrvatska na Efes Cupu, Ayuso na FIBA Americas...R.I.P. Eddie Griffin...

SN/KOŠARKA - 22-08-2007


NOVA EURO-KOŠARKAŠKA VELESILA ON IT'S WAY...
Deng leads GB to comfortable win


Luol Deng scored 21 points as Great Britain began their European qualifying campaign with a 77-52 win over Slovakia in Birmingham.

Richard Midgley and Robert Archibald added 14 points each as GB eased to victory after a cautious start.

Chicago Bulls forward Deng missed four of his first five attempts at scoring but was soon finding the basket.

Deng said: "It's going to take a while to gel offensively, but defensively we're doing a good job."

GB coach Chris Finch said: "Our offensive fluidity isn't quite there yet but if we control the boards we'll be okay."



MICHAEL JORDAN vs ORLANDO MAGIC 1989/90: On 20 December 1989, MJ blitzed the expansion Orlando Magic for 52 points on 20-37 shooting (including 2-3 3pt shooting), 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Jordan scored in a variety of ways from driving layups to outside jumpers to posting up and of course a few spectacular dunks. Jordan averaged 33.6 points per game in 1989-90, shooting 52.6% from the field and 84.8% from the line. Add to that 6.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.8 steals and you've got another one of the greatest seasons of all time.

Centre Andy Betts praised Deng, saying: "He's going to get pressure and publicity because of how good a player he is. "He handles it well, and the team performance was good - we didn't give them an easy shot all night."

Great Britain now have a week of training, some of it in Belgium, ahead of their second qualifying game, against Group B leaders Holland in Almere.



MICHAEL JORDAN vs. MILWAUKEE BUCKS 1984/85: In just his second ever NBA game, Michael Jordan put on a classic "air" show. Filled with spectacular blocks, dunks and reverse hanging lay-ups, Jordan showed signs of things to come. There is a very rare alley oop dunk in the second half of this game and maybe Jordan's best ever fast break dunk -- a rock the cradle two-hand slam from just inside the foul line. Unbelievable...


They need to win all four of this year's qualifiers against the Slovaks, the Netherlands, Belarus and Albania.


BBC SPORT

utorak, 21.08.2007.

MISSION POSSIBLE: Deng returns to Britain to rescue B-ball before 2012 London Olympics

SN/KOŠARKA - 21-08-2007: izuzetno mi je drago da je dolasku Vedrana Vukušića u redove Cibone "kumovao" cro-scouting guru Tomislav Mijatović...


USA BASKETBALL: NEW YEAR, NEW FACES...
This is Kobe's Shot


Sunday was an off-day for Team USA, but a group of players made their way to the gym to get some shooting in. Among them was Kobe Bryant, who got in about an hour's worth of shots.

He worked from five different spots on the floor, making 25 shots from a foot inside the arc and then 25 more from beyond it before moving on to the next spot, stopping to hit seven free throws in between. He went from right baseline to left baseline and then back again. So, that's 500 makes from the perimeter, plus probably another 100 or so from the free throw line.

It was all catch-and-shoot action. I didn't pay too close attention to his misses and makes, but he clearly shot a pretty good percentage. When he first got to the top of the key, he made 16-of-18, and after missing a few, hit at least 10 more in a row.

Afterwards, I asked Kobe about what he's focusing on as he shoots...



JORDAN 2003 by HOOPSENCYCLOPEDIA: 41pts at age 39 vs. Indiana Pacers. Notice this: Isiah's 3rd year as a head coach, Jordan's 2nd season as a Wizard...

He said he focuses on "the bottom of the bucket" when he looks at the rim and that he has changed his release a bit recently. "I went from more of a stiff release to more of a looser one. Just because I fractured my hand some years ago, and just the rotation of the ball after that has been a little different. So, I had to change it up a little bit."

He says that when he misses, he knows what went wrong with his form, and that the most common mistake he makes is not putting enough arc on the ball.

Team USA will scrimmage the Select Team one more time this evening. Then they'll have a light practice on Tuesday before facing Venezuela on Wednesday. That game can be seen live at 11 p.m. ET on ESPN Classic.



SJEĆATE LI SE NJEGA?? A TRIBUTE TO RICK FOX to "99 Problems" by Jay-Z...


I'll be heading back to NBA.com HQ today, but Jeff Dengate will be arriving in Vegas tomorrow to head our coverage throughout the FIBA Americas tourney.


John Schuhmann
USA TEAM BLOG

_________________________________




IZBORNIK REPEŠA & DAMIR "CICI" MILJKOVIĆ, CRIKVENICA 25-07-2007 (photo: Superkošarka.hr)


LINKSWIRE: Velika Britanija dobiva veliko pojačanje pod košem (Deng vs Ireland 17-08-07: PART1/PART2/PART3)...Mirka Novosela dijeli manje od 3 tjedna do "izručenja" u Hall of Fame...Shawn Kemp je (opet) zaprimio pozivnicu KK Zagreba, navodno je viđen da joggira predgrađem Seattlea strong and fit...Novozelanđani ga ne bi niti takvog, njihov trener Nenad Vučinić jednostavno radi s onima koje ima...evo kako legalno zaraditi novac u Hrvatskoj i kupiti kartu do Bora Bore, sjetite me se kada stignete tamo - check this out:




Muraya
NBA.BLOG.HR

ponedjeljak, 20.08.2007.

NAJVEĆI CRO-HAKLERI: "General Vasilije Mitu" osvojio turnir u Lipiku...

SN/KOŠARKA - 20-08-2007



"GENERAL" JE NASTUPIO I U "DOBRO JUTRO HRVATSKA"...
REZULTATI TURNIRA U LIPIKU - Skupina D


Džinovska djeca - General Vasilije Mitu 17 : 21

Ekipa za očevid - Bili dolari 21 : 5

Living room - General Vasilije Mitu 17 : 21

Džinovska djeca - Bili dolari 21 : 10

living room - Ekipa za očevid 21 : 19

General Vasilije Mitu - Bili dolari 21 : 11



TOČNO 2 TJEDNA DO EUROBASKETA: ITALY feat. ANDREA BARGNANI @ PRACTICE 17-08-2007...


Džinovska djeca - Living room 21 : 7

General Vasilije Mitu - Ekipa za očevid 21 : 16

Living room - Bili dolari 21 : 8

Džinovska djeca - Ekipa za očevid 15 : 21


FINAL STANDINGS
1. General Vasilije Mitu 4 - 0 84 : 61
2. Džinovska djeca 2 - 2 74 : 59
3. Ekipa za očevid 2 - 2 77 : 62



I MI SMO BILI EUROPSKI PRVACI U NOGOMETU, SO WHAT: GREEK NATIONAL TEAM AD FOR EUROBASKET 2007.


4. Living room 2 - 2 66 : 69
5. Bili dolari 0 - 4 34 : 84


WWW.STREETBALLLIPIK.ORG

nedjelja, 19.08.2007.

CIBONINI STRANCI: TKelley-LAyuso-CWarren-SHoskin...TJEDAN VELIKIH IZJAVA: Ivan Šuker feat. Slaven Rimac

MOOVIE TRAILER OMILJENOG FILMA LUKŠE ANDRIĆA NAJBOLJE OSLIKAVA NEZAVIDNU SITUACIJU U KOJOJ SE CIBONA NAŠLA U ZADNJOJ FAZI POTRAGE ZA THE SHOOTEROM...


Jučer na Marchand Continental Cupu: Argentinci su usko porazili domaćina Puerto Rico 90-89 (Ayuso 5p/13minuta), a probuđeni Kanađani (bez Englisha & Delemberta) ipak nisu mogli parirati osvajačima turnira, Brazilcima. Najbolji strijelac turnira Luis Scola (ARG) proglašen je i MPV-em turnira.

Red je da se osvrnemo na neke "govorničke" bisere iz proteklog tjedna. Drago mi je vidjeti da ex-predsjednik HKS-a i dalje misli na košarku, i to čak toliko da je zacementirao 1st place na današnjoj listi "mudrih" izreka:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH LUIS SCOLA: Exclusive interview with Argentina's center Luis SCOLA. Last day of the Marchand Continental Cup, San Juan, Puerto Rico. 18 August 2007. More videos on www.fiba.com


A na drugom kraju svijeta a.k.a. Sutinskim Vrelima novi "frontman" (wait to see me double-teamed) KK Cedevite, Slaven Rimac nakon dugogodišnjeg izbivanja s domaće scene nije mogao izdržati da se ne obrati naciji. Njegov pokušaj da postane "frontman" Cedevite i izvan parketa su, zbog sponzorirane naravi Cedevitinih vijesti, prenijeli gotovo svi domaći mediji, uključujući i Katedralu cro-duha:



Reakcija iz Cibone za sada nema, a ako ih i bude, pretpostavljam da će biti će potkrijepljene argumentima i akcijom na terenu...

Sve je ti nekontrolirani verbalni izleti (možda ipak pod teretom klimatskih promjena) probudili su u zadnje vrijeme tihog i povučenog Gordana Giričeka:



Nataša is on the move...


Muraya
NBA.BLOG.HR

subota, 18.08.2007.

SPANISH ROOKIE NAVARRO: Traded to Memphis, to his old pal Pau Gasol...

ARGENTINCIMA (BEZ GINOBILIJA) ZABIO 30: CARL ENGLISH, CANADA...


I DOK SE PUERTO RICU PRIBLIŽAVA RAZORNI URAGAN DEAN...
CAN/ARG - Segundo triunfo de Canadá


SAN JUAN (Marchand Continental Cup) - El equipo de Canadá se anotó otro sorpresivo triunfo en la 1ra Copa Tuto Marchand al vencer al quinteto de Argentina, 84-78 en el primer encuentro de ayer en el Coliseo de Puerto Rico.

En la jornada inaugural del jueves, los canadienses derrotaron al quinteto boricua 65-63 en un tiempo extra.

"Estoy muy contento con la victoria sobre Argentina. Estamos jugando mejor baloncesto en conjunto," dijo el coach Leo Rautins.

Por su parte, el coach de Argentina elogió a sus contrarios por su juego agresivo y una defensa que detuvo la ofensiva de su conjunto.



EXCLUSIVE: Canada vs Argentina post game Press conference. Sergio HERNANDEZ (Argentina Head Coach) and Leo RAUTINS (Canada Head Coach). Second day of the Marchand Continental Cup, San Juan, Puerto Rico. 17 August 2007.


"Ellos encestaron los tiros difíciles y nuestros errores los convirtieron en puntos", expresó Hernández.

Después de una cerrada mitad, 39-38, Canadá se acomodó con ventaja de 61-47 al finalizar el tercer periodo.

La ofensiva de Argentina se limitó a 9 puntos, mientras que los tiradores de Canadá, encabezado por Carl English encestaron 22.

"Ahí fue donde perdimos el partido, en el tercer tiempo. Además se nos fue la concentración en los minutos finales, cuando ya habíamos empatado el marcador restando menos de 3 minutos de juego," agregó Hernández.

English anotó 30, el major anotador por Canadá y Paolo Quinteros encestó 16 por Brasil.


FIBA Americas

petak, 17.08.2007.

KK KVARNER NR: Na cilju Šamanić & Anzulović, blizu cilja Mance & Petrović, Đugum odustao...

TOP 10 YOUTUBE VIDEOS OVERALL 17-08-07: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL IN BEJING


I DOK SE PUERTO RICU PRIBLIŽAVA RAZORNI URAGAN DEAN...
Puerto Rico pierde ante Canadá en el comienzo de la Copa Tuto Marchand


SAN JUAN (Marchand Continental Cup) - Puerto Rico cayó ante Canadá en tiempo extra 65 a 63 para comenzar la Copa Tuto Marchand. Los boricuas fueron dominados en los rebotes 59 a 39, donde 17 de esos rebotes fueron ofensivos, siendo factor clave en el regreso de los canadienses a juego.

El tiempo reglamentario finalizó empate a 57 luego de que el armador Jermaine Anderson anotara un triple justo al sonar la chicharra para llevar el partido a tiempo extra. En la jugada anterior Carlos Arroyo falló un tiro de dos puntos y no dio la falta personal confiando en que podía defender a Anderson.

Puerto Rico ganó la primera mitad 29 a 23 y al finalizar el tercer parcial contaban con ventaja de 47 a 38. Pero en el último parcial los boricuas no lograron anotar consistentemente y Canadá tomó ventaja en las segundas oportunidades para pegarse y forzar el tiempo extra.

Por Canadá Samuel Dalembert anotó 13 puntos con 13 rebotes y Jermaine Anderson junto a Levon Kendall anotaron 11 puntos cada uno.

Larry Ayuso fue el mejor por los boricuas con 18 puntos y Ángelo Reyes anotó 12 puntos y capturó 14 rebotes. Carlos Arroyo tiró de 13-1 de campo y de 4-4 del tiro libre para totalizar 6 puntos y 9 asistencias.

En el primer partido de la noche, Argentina venció a Brasil 75 a 67. Luis Scola anotó 23 puntos y Diego Logrippo 17 por los ganadores.

Brasil no usó a los jugadores Leandro Barbosa, Nené Hilario y Alex García. Su mejor anotador fue Marcelinho Machado con 18 y J.P. Batista con 15.

Esta noche Puerto Rico se mide a Brasil a las 8:30 P.M. y a las 6:00 P.M. choca Canadá y Argentina.

Tabla de Posiciones:

Argentina 1-0
Canadá 1-0
Brasil 0-1
Puerto Rico 0-1


BALONCESTO SUPERIOR NACIONAL

srijeda, 15.08.2007.

TRAGOM LARRYA AYUSA: Puerto Rico Prvak Kariba...

PUERTO RICO TEAM MIX - AUGUST 2007.

Carlos Arroyo, Jose Juan Barea, Peter John Ramos, Ayuso y los demas del equipo de Puerto Rico en unos highlights contra Barbados y Cuba.

Angelitus
Youtube.com

utorak, 14.08.2007.

HAKA DANCE U CRIKVI: Hrvatska 77, Novi Zeland 79...

HRVATI SU SE PROBUDILI NA LIJEVU NOGU, A NOVOZELANĐANI SU IM OTPLESALI HAKA PLES...


IZREŠETAO CRO-MREŽICU
PENNEY DROPS

Shooter Kirk Penney believes his Dominion Finance NZ Tall Blacks may have turned a corner in their Olympic qualifying preparation with a hard-fought 79-77 victory over Croatia at the World Cup tournament in Crikvenica.

Penney (26) led the way with 29 points as the Kiwis got out to an early lead and held off a determined comeback from the home team, snapping a four-game losing streak on their European tour.

“Today was a great victory,” he said. “It was such a fun game to be a part of … everyone pulled together and played great.

“Defensively, everyone talked like we haven’t the whole time on tour and it was really a taste of what we have to bring against Australia.”

Croatia are only ranked 22nd in the world, 10 spots below New Zealand, but contain four current or recent NBA players and have qualified for next month’s 16-team FIBA Eurobasket, easily the toughest of the Olympic qualifying tournaments. They were also playing on their home court with stadium full of passionate and parochial fans willing them on.

“In Europe, you have to be careful about rankings,” said Penney. “There are so many good teams and rankings don’t always indicate how good they are.

“Croatia are a very good team … a talented team. This was a good victory for our team – a great one – and it came down to the dying seconds, which was also good for us.”

Since leaving New Zealand almost three weeks ago, the Tall Blacks had been well placed in almost every one of their nine games, but had just two wins over Slovenia and Venezuela to show for their efforts.

“We have had moments on this tour where we have played great,” said Penney. “But we’ve had lapses where combinations might not have worked and for whatever reason, we haven’t got it done for stretches … it’s let us down.

“We’ve had great starts in the majority of games and been up 10, 15 or 18 points, only to see them slip through out fingers.



NEW ZEALAND TALLBLACKS HAKA DANCE...


“It has been a matter of putting it all together … of finding out what works and what doesn’t.”

Their most recent defeat was a particularly discouraging 79-85 lapse against Finland, who are not regarded as a particularly strong basketball nation. With that contest on the line, literally, Penney missed three crucial free throws, so probably owed his team something special against Croatia.

“In a four or five-point game, those free throws would have put us back in the hunt,” he reflected. “Free throws are a given, especially with the amount of work I put in, so to miss them … I was a little gutted.

“We were down. We know that’s a team we should handle quite easily, so to come back on back-to-back nights and pull out a performance like we had against Croatia, really puts Finland behind us.

“It moves us forward towards what we’re trying to do against Australia.”

The Kiwis face Great Britain tomorrow in their final outing before an epic journey through Frankfurt and Singapore to Melbourne for their showdown with the Aussies in next week’s FIBA Oceania Championships. The winners of that three-game series secure an automatic berth at next year’s Beijing Olympics.

The Boomers, ranked 10th in the world, wound up their European tour over the weekend with a 63-85 loss to Turkey (14th).

“We want to get that win against Great Britain and go into the Australian series on a high,” said Penney. “We’ve worked as hard as I can ever remember with a Tall Black team and this is where it is meant to pay off.”


MICHAEL JORDAN 1985 PLAYOFFS: GM 3 vs. BUCKS, 35PTS (RARE)...

World Cup Tournament
Crikvenica, Croatia
Monday, August 13
Dominion Finance NZ Tall Blacks 79 (Kirk Penney 29, Pero Cameron 15, Phill Jones 10) Croatia 77
Quarter 26-17
Halftime 50-41 (24-24)
Threequarter 64-54 (14-13)
Fulltime 79-77 (15-23)


New Zealand Basketball
TALLBLACKS

ponedjeljak, 13.08.2007.

PER ASPERA AD TAU CERAMICA: Stanko Barać, Croatia...

NEMA BESPLATNOG RUČKA: STANKO BARAĆ feat. JURE LALIĆ (photo: SUPERKOŠARKA.HR)...


Nakon još jednog u nizu solidnih učinaka Vrijeme je za osvrt na (do sada) najugodnije iznenađenje ovogodišnjih priprema cro-košarkaške repke.

Ne, zaista ne znam gdje će ovaj 216 cm visoki momak (na slici lijevo) sletjeti nakon Eurobasketa. I nije me (pretjerano) briga.

Ono što znam je da i njega nije (pretjerano) briga jer se o tome zaista zdušno brine njegov manager.

Tau ili Indiana? Amerika ili Europa? Who cares. Prvo Biedrins, pa Portugalci, a onda će pokušati zaustaviti Gasola. Gabarjosa je ionako istaknuo bijelu zastavu spoznavši da ga čeka zdravi "Gospodar stratosfere" - Kas.




STANKO BARAĆ INTERVIEW: JUTARNJI LIST 15/07/07


Prijedlog Jasku free-off-charge: zašto ne bi isprobali Three Guard Rotation + Twin Towers istovremeno na parketu?? Obrana ionako više nije problem, okrenimo se napadu...

Lagano me 'trese navijačka groznica, a Vas??

OK, sad za 'istać. Razgovarao sam s 'malim u Vrbniku @ Krku prije par tjedana. Stvarno mu je (bilo) svejedno za koga će potpisati, makar je sve svjesniji da će u NBA opis njegovih rookie dužnosti biti itekako širi.

NBA, are you for real? Da, jednog dana.

U svakom slučaju, Stanko nije Bruno, if you get my point.


Muraya
NBA.BLOG.HR

nedjelja, 12.08.2007.

WORLD CUP: Croatia vs. Great Britain, 21.00...

JASKOV BROD VEČERAS ĆE PRISTATI U RIJECI ZBOG PRIJATELJSKOG KOŠARKAŠKOG DRUŽENJA S ENGLEZIMA (photo: SUPERKOŠARKA.HR)...


NAŠI DANAŠNJI PROTIVNICI SU...
Great Britain national basketball team

The Great Britain national basketball team, or Team GB for short, represents the United Kingdom in international basketball competitions.

Setup by the national basketball organisations of England, Scotland, Wales and on December 1, 2005, the goal is to assemble a combined national team with the ambition of winning a medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The teams Head Coach is Chris Finch, assisted by Tony Garbelotto (Head Coach of London United Basketball and Hackney Community College Basketball Academy) and the intiative has already received backing from British NBA star Luol Deng.



LUOL DENG 2007. NBA PLAY-OFFS MIX by KBLAZE...


British Performance Basketball is responsible for the elite men's and women's basketball teams in Great Britain.


Senior Men's team - Current roster

The numbers are established according to the official websites of the British Basketball Federation and European competition governing body, FIBA Europe.

STOŽERNI IGRAČI V.BRITANIJE NASTUPALI SU 2006. KAO ENGLESKA
Commonwealth Games - Melbourne 2006

The men’s and women’s teams were competing for the first time as England in a major multi-sport event, and it was the first Commonwealth Games in which basketball was featured.


Men's Team

The men’s team included Steve Bucknall, the first Englishman to play in the NBA. John Amaechi, who played 284 games in the NBA, was also in the squad. Luol Deng, starter for the Chicago Bulls, will also be competing in the 2012 Olympics in London.


KELEENA AZUBUIKE 2006/07 WARRIORS HIGHLIGHT REEL...

England defeated Nigeria (currently 20th team on official FIBA ranking), 80-57,
to claim the bronze medal in Men’s Basketball. The scores were tied at 15 points to end the first quarter. Robert Reed and Andrew Bridge led the way as England found their stride in the second phase, and they pulled away in the second half of play. Reed was the top scorer for England with 16 points, and Michael Martin contributed 13.


Wikipedia+Youtube.com

subota, 11.08.2007.

SVJETSKI KUP: Karta 40 KUNA???...BLUE CHIPS REUNION: Penny u Shaqovom Heatu!!!

SN/KOŠARKA - 11/08/2007...


HEAT NOTEBOOK
Hardaway finally pain-free


Having shed 22 pounds and overcome a debilitating knee injury, Penny Hardaway said Friday he's pain-free and primed to resume his NBA career with the Heat.

A day after signing a one-year, non-guaranteed contract, Hardaway, 36, said his knee problems are behind him after surgery to remove a bone spur 1 ˝ years ago.

PENNY HARDAWAY TIMELINE: Mix of Penny Hardaway highlights. A timeline of his career.


Hardaway, who said his weight is down to 213, said he ''had a lot of doubts'' whether he could return to the league ``because I was in such pain. I was . . . not even [able to] walk normally without pain in the back of my leg. It has been such a hard road to get to this point.''

He appeared in four games (for the Knicks) in the 2005-06 season and was out of the league last season.





RICKY RUBIO: Espańa-Croacia sub18. Supeor partido del campeonato.


Hardaway, who has a home in Pinecrest, clashed with Shaquille O'Neal at times when they were Orlando teammates, but Hardaway said he had a long, ''great'' conversation with O'Neal last season when he was interested in joining the Heat. (The team was not interested at that time.)



Informed that Dwyane Wade is eager to seek advice from him, Hardaway said, "Dwyane is so awesome already, and I know I can definitely help his game. I've already started with [Heat rookies] Daequan Cook and Jeremy Richardson."


Barry Jackson
MiamiHerald.com

petak, 10.08.2007.

JUNAK NA JUNAKA: Rubio 3 poena i 7 ukradenih lopti, Kruška 7 poena, Hrvatska u doigravanje od 5. do 8. mjesta

RICKY RUBIO vs CROATIA (photo: FIBA.com)


Hej M,

Evo ti nekoliko zanimljivih linkova:

Kineska konkurencija Markoti u Milwaukeeju.

Ovaj "mali" iz Pistonsa je malo tanašan, treba još dosta ojačati...



BULLS vs ROCKETS 1998: Jordan 45pts, Barkley 35pts (Thrash talk game). Jordan: "Charles is not Charles with his mouth shut. That's like me playing....with hair."


Drew Gooden, step aside, Andrew Bogut is making his claim for the worst haircut in the L.

A ovo mi je najluđe...



MACCABI 2008 - NEW PLAYERS: Marcus Fizer (via Puerto Rico), Vonteego Cummings, David Bluthenthal, Terence Morris, Oded Katash (Coach)...


Za kraj sjajna analiza mog prijatelja Davida Friedmana o tome koja je uopće svrha košarkaškog bloga...


Tomislav Pakrac
Superkošarka.hr

četvrtak, 09.08.2007.

KAKO IZBJEĆI SALARY CUP: Celticsi pokušavaju skinuti paučinu s Reggiea Millera...

LARRY-2-REGGIE: Kada završiš s igranjem u mojoj državi (Indiana), malo odmori, pa nastavi igrati u mojem gradu (Bostonu)...


BITI UMIROVLJENIK U AMERICI NIJE "IN"
Celtics trying to lure retired star Reggie Miller out of retirement


The Boston Celtics have spoken with future Hall of Famer Reggie Miller about coming out of retirement to help the once-proud franchise in its push for an unprecedented 17th NBA title.

"I'm always flattered when my name is mentioned as someone who can still help an NBA team win a championship," Miller said Wednesday in a statement relayed to The Associated Press by the TNT network. "I've had limited discussions with Celtics management about their roster and a potential role for me. At this time, I'm enjoying my role as an analyst with TNT."

ESPN.com was the first to report the talks. But both sides confirmed the possibility that Miller, who will turn 42 this month, would consider returning for the chance at a championship he never won during an 18-year career, all with the Indiana Pacers.

"(I have) contacted Reggie and he is contemplating a comeback with us," Celtics basketball boss Danny Ainge said through a team spokesman.

Miller's agent, Arn Tellem, declined comment.



LAST MILLER TIME AGAINST CELTICS: Reggie Miller, 39 years old, scores 33 points against Boston Celtics in 2005 Playoffs...


Miller, who has been retired for two seasons, is 13th on the league's career scoring list with 25,279 points and the leader in 3-pointers made and attempted. His uniform No. 31 was retired by the Pacers last year.

In addition to working on television broadcasts of NBA and WNBA games, he has run a movie production company called Boom Baby Productions and co-hosted "Live with Regis and Kelly." But he admitted when the Pacers opened training camp without him in 2005 that it wasn't the same thrill.

"It's strange not to be a part of an (NBA) organization or part of a team," he said then. "I'm not joking with anybody on the bus like I usually do. But waking up with my back, knees and ankles hurting -- that's not stuff I'm going to miss much."

The Celtics were 24-58 last season and have won three playoff series in the nine years since drafting Paul Pierce. But they have undergone a near-complete roster overhaul this summer that has taken them from a rebuilding program to Eastern Conference contenders.

They traded for seven-time All-Star Ray Allen at the draft and then pulled off an unprecedented 7-for-1 trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves for 2004 NBA MVP Kevin Garnett. Those two will team with Pierce to form one of the most formidable top three in the NBA.

But the rest of the roster needs work.

The starting lineup includes second-year pro Rajon Rondo at point guard and Kendrick Perkins at center. Only four other players are under contract.

"Clearly, we need a little bit more help just to shore up the bench," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said after the Garnett deal. "But it's sure better talking about shoring up our bench than shoring up our starting lineup."

That's where Miller would fit in, as a backup for Allen and the kind of veteran who would provide guidance -- and perhaps a key 3-pointer -- in the playoffs. (The last time the NBA's most decorated franchise, made the postseason, in 2005, they were bounced out in seven games by the Pacers in Miller's final season)


Jimmy Golen, AP Sports Writer
YAHOO/SPORTS

srijeda, 08.08.2007.

24 SECONDS WITH CROATIA'S DYNAMIC DUO: Filip Krušlin & Miro Bilan...

SPANISH FANS FAVOURITE: MIRO BILAN, CROATIA...


A strange thing happened on Sunday in the final Group D game between Croatia and Germany.

As the main court at the Telefonica Arena in Madrid started to fill up for the impending Spain-Serbia fixture the Croat side was down 25-10 to the Germans, leaving them bottom of the group.

But the Spanish fans who had come early decided that the team coached by Darko Kunce was in need of their help, and for the second day in a row cheered and sang in support of the Croatian youngsters.

The result was an amazing turnaround in performance, and led by Filip Kruslin with 29 points Croatia started a phenomenal comeback which ended up giving them third place in the group and dumping Slovenia out of the qualifying round.

Despite not getting many minutes, Miro Bilan seemed to be drawing the most support as a group of fans sang and held up cards spelling out his name, a feat which earned them a photo-op with the young Croat after the game.

Surrounded by a very amused entire Croatia team, we spoke to Kruslin and a rather embarrassed Bilan about fans, a Croatian one-man circus and mutual appreciation.

FIBA Europe: So, tell me about that crowd.

Bilan: It was amazing. The people were cheering for us and I was surprised really. I think it’s great and I think maybe they will be cheering us even more today.

FIBA Europe: Filip you had another great game, and finally it was rewarded with a win. Do you think this is the turning point now for Croatia in this tournament?

Kruslin: I think so, because before the European Championships we played well and it didn’t happen for the first two games. But in the last game we’ve shown that we can play and that we can win, and I think it’s now going better and every game we’ll play better and better.

FIBA Europe: How happy have you been with your personal displays so far?

Bilan: I’m not really happy but I hope I can play better than before. I hope that I can gain more minutes. With the crowd behind me though I’m sure I can do better. They are a wind at my back.



IGRAČ O KOJEMU BRUJE SCOUTI: MILAN MAČVAN, SRBIJA (ORIGINALNO ROĐEN U VUKOVARU 1989.)...


Kruslin: I’m happy with my last two games because I think I played well and I think it’s crucial to do that. I played really badly in the first game and we lost badly too. I just think, though, that you can always do better. But of course the team is the first thing, you know? You can play well but the team performance and winning is always more important. I just want the team to play well.

FIBA Europe: And now after this win and with the crowd I imagine that the spirits in the team are really high?

Kruslin: Really high, yes, because we are all really good friends, you know? You can’t be a good teammate without being a good friend too I don’t think.

Bilan: Yes and we have [Marino] Sarlija, the number 13. He is, well it’s hard to explain. You really have to see him. He’s just like a one man circus.

FIBA Europe: And after the high of the game and the crowd how do you come down again and relax?

Both: Sleep.

Kruslin: Either playing a game or sleeping. Rest is crucial so you play well in the next game and, well, I think that there’s no better way to relax than to go to sleep!

FIBA Europe: You obviously really enjoy your basketball. You can see that on the court. But have you always been basketball players or did you start out in another sport?

Bilan: No, for me just basketball. I’ve been playing basketball now for about nine years.

Kruslin: I was a swimmer. I don’t know, maybe until I was about 10 or something like that I was really into swimming but then I changed to basketball. I’ve been playing now for about eight years.

FIBA Europe: And who is your favourite team or player in this fine sport?

Kruslin: Lots, but maybe Michael Jordan I think.

Bilan: For me Tim Duncan, and of course this guy here (slapping Kruslin on the back)!


Daniel Aubrey
FIBA.COM

utorak, 07.08.2007.

TRAGOM LARRYA AYUSA: MVP Finala sa 24.7 PPG pretvorio Santurce Cangrejeros u Prvake Puerto Rica...

LARRY THE CHAMPION (photo by BasketBoricua.com)


Santurce campeón 2007

SAN JUAN - En un juego histórico, los Cangrejeros de Santurce ganaron su sexto campeonato desde el 1998 al vencer a los Capitanes de Arecibo en tiempo extra por el marcador de 102 a 97 ante 18,000 personas en el Coliseo de Puerto Rico.

Larry Ayuso fue seleccionado como el MVP de la serie luego de anotar 34 puntos en el juego final y promediar 24.71 puntos por juego en la serie.

Los Cangrejeros ganaron el primer parcial 27 a 15 gracias a 9 puntos de Ayuso y 10 de Robert "Tractor" Traylor.

Un triple de Ayuso faltando 5:16 del segundo parcial puso el marcador 38 a 19 y luego de una expulsión de Curbelo, se anotaron cuatro tiros libres para extender la ventaja 42 a 21 faltando 4:09.



FINAL BSN 2007: Campeonato de Santurce vs Arecibo...


Mas adelante en el segundo periodo los Capitanes reaccionan con un avance de 13 a 1 para acercarse 45 a 34 pero en los últimos dos minutos Santurce despegó nuevamente y terminó la primera mitad arriba 52 a 35.

El tercer parcial fue todo Santurce donde el Tractor montó un espectáculo para despegarlos por mas de 20 puntos en una ocasión y terminar arriba 73 a 55.

Pero los Capitanes, comandados por Rafael "Pachy" Cruz, Buster Figueroa y Marcus Fizer no se rindieron y lograron un avance de 15-1 para pegarse 74 a 70 faltando 5:33 de juego.

El partido se mantuvo cerrado al final y Marcus Fizer la donqueó faltando 35.2 segundos para poner el juego 86 a 84. Pero faltando 18.7 segundos, Richie Dalmau anotó dos tiros libres para empatar el mismo a 86 e ir al tiempo extra luego de un triple fallido de Pachy Cruz.

En el tiempo extra dos tiros libres de Ayuso y luego un triple junto a un doble le dio la ventaja 93 a 90 quedando 2:56. Pero el canasto importante fue un triple de Ricardo Dalmau faltando 47 segundos para darle ventaja de 96 a 93 y él junto a Guayacán Santiago sellaron el juego desde el tiro libre.

Robert "Tractor" Traylor fue clave con 24 puntos y 10 rebotes seguido de Ricardo Dalmau con 15.

En causa perdida Marcus Fizer anotó 37 puntos, Pachy Cruz 25 y Buster Figueroa 21.


BSNPR.com

07.08.2007. u 08:34 • 0 Komentara • Print • #

ponedjeljak, 06.08.2007.

CRO-SENIORI: Kućama do srijede...CRO-JUNIORI: Izborili prolaz vs. Njemačka

JEDNOSTAVNO TOO MUCH ZA NJEMAČKE VRŠNJAKE: FILIP KRUŠLIN


Današnje SNovine nude odgovor na pitanje „Zašto je Mirko Novosel izjavio da je Mario Kasun najbolji centar Europe?“. Naime nakon završenog turnira u Bormiju pred oči javnosti je izašla kumulativna statistika naše repke, a složiti ćete se da brojevi u košarci (rijetko kada) lažu.

Dakle Kas je u 72 minute akcije na parketu zabilježio 45 poena i 27 skokova što bi prevedeno na 40-minutni rječnik predstavljalo 25 POENA I 15 SKOKOVA. There you have it!

Mirko Novosel je (bio) u pravu. A kada smo već kod Novosela moj preseason vote za cro-GM-a godine ide Kreši Novoselu (KK Cedevita). 'Dečko je tek 'sjeo u fotelju, a u udaljena Sutinska Vrela je instantno sletio njegov ex-suigrač iz kadeta/juniora Cibone – Slaven "Riki" Rimac.

I tako dok se ja godinu stariji od Kreše pripremam za drugi igrački comeback, Krešo je svoju rookie GM sezonu otvorio zaista odlično; prema slobodnoj procjeni 'Riki je u Hrvatskoj ligi dostatan za nekakvih prosječnih 15p/4s/3a, ako ne i više.

Za 'Rikija u SNovinama kažu da je "posljednji veliki ZG košarkaš". E, tu se ne bi(smo) složili. Krule je na putu, i to čini se BIG TIME, barem sudeći prema dosadašnjim igrama na EP-u. Slovencima 12, Lit(v)ancima 24, Njemcima za prolaz dalje 29, Only way is UP!!




LISTA STRIJELACA JUNIORSKOG EP-a: STANJE NA DAN 06/08/2007...


Ma znam da je samo jedan Ricky Rubio, ali i on je nakon jučerašnjih 25 poena & 8 skokova u porazu od Srba predvođenim Mačvanom, prisiljen gledati u Kruletova leđa na prvom mjestu liste strijelaca!!

Filip Kruslin impressed yet again, and was treated to a standing ovation when he left the court with 1:30 left in the game after scoring 29 points.

Možda neće dugo trajati, ali valja uživati u trenutku. Evo što je trenutno najbolji strijelac juniorskog EP-a jučer ekskluzivno izjavio za ovo izdanje nba.blog.hr-a:

Nadam se da će sada krenuti na bolje što se ekipe tiče.
Nismo zaboravili igrati košarku.

BRAD NEWLEY - AUSTRALSKI ŠUTER (54. PICK DRAFTA 2007.) KOJEGA JE CIBONA KONTAKTIRALA TIJEKOM TURNIRA U BORMIU...


Za one koji misle da su Njemci nisu neki košarkaški bauk kratki podsjetnik da se još uvijek jezimo na spomen imena Tomića, Femerlinga, Nowitzkog, te da ovoj pobjedi ne nikako treba "puhati u zube". Ipak vrijedi priznati da četvrtfinalna skupina nudi oglede s teško favoriziranim domaćinima Španjolcima, uvijek talentiranim Rusima, te full-nabrijanim Srbima...

Gore nije moglo, osim ako želimo vidjeti koliko zaista vrijedimo u euro-okvirima...


Muraya
NBA.BLOG.HR

06.08.2007. u 17:29 • 0 Komentara • Print • #

nedjelja, 05.08.2007.

BORMIO, ITALY: Domaćin osvojio Turnir uz sudačku asistenciju, Kas 14 poena...

MASTER OF THE STRATOSPHERE - MARIO KASUN (photo by Superkosarka.hr)


UPOZORENJE NAŠOJ UNUTARNJOJ LINIJI
Latvia: Biedrins Addition Can Boost Game


Latvian Basketball Federation President Ojars Kehris says he was excited about NBA center Andris Biedrins' commitment to the senior national team but also expects a transition period in the buildup to the 2007 EuroBasket for the young star.

"We don't know yet how it will be. We have one of the best centers in Europe, but he is not used to playing in Europe and Latvia for the past threee years," said Kehris.

"Many of his colleagues in the senior team remember him as a relatively small boy. It's interesting how it will work together."

The 21-year-old Biedrins, who plays for the NBA's Golden States Warriors, is making his debut with Latvia's senior national team after last playing for his home nation at the Challenge Round of the U18 European Championship Men in 2004.

And the president's review after Latvia's first warm-up games against neighbours Estonia: "It looks like the beginning is good."

He said Biedrins' arrival is very important for the status of Latvian basketball.

"Of course he is a very good example for the youth. I follow all the time how many basketball shoes are bought in Latvia and definitely his involvement will increase the number of shoes bought for young guys who will try to be like Andris Biedrins. That's how it works. Young guys try to be like a good player," Kehris said.



ANDRIS BIEDRINS MIX 2006/07: this was a big year for Andris, as he improved much under Don Nelson's system. Definately one of the key players of the Warriors' success and has earned himself a nice, big paycheck.


And Kehris believes Biedrins is one of the best Latvia have produced in a long time, perhaps even dating back to the 1950s and 1960s with Janis Krumins, who helped the Soviet Union to the silver medal at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games.

"We haven't had a really strong center player for a few decades. We remember Janis Krumins, who is one of the best players in the world at that time. But after that the Lithuanians had an era with Arvydas Sabonis and you know he gave a lot for Lithuanian basketball," Kehris said.

Biedrins will also play a critical role in Latvia's chances at the 2007 EuroBasket - as they have been drawn into a very difficult group with world champions Spain, Portugal and Croatia.

Kehris added: "We are looking at the national team as a long-term project. But we could be even better than two years ago (when they finished in the 13th-16th group in Serbia & Montenegro). But there is a possibility we could have problems.

"We have a very strong group with two local teams - I say two local teams because Portugal is a local team as well as Spain. And Croatia of course are always great in basketball. But one win could be enough to get out from the group."

National team coach Karlis Muiznieks has already been faced with an injury concern as veteran guard Kristaps Valters has been ruled out of EuroBasket.

"It is a loss. But usually we have enough players at the 1, 2 and 3 positions, though Valters is definitely one of the best. Still I think it will be a big chance for some new players to have some more playing time," Kehris said of the Valters loss.


David Hein
FIBA.COM

05.08.2007. u 10:01 • 8 Komentara • Print • #

subota, 04.08.2007.

CRO-TEAM MAKES HISTORY: FIRST EVER Victory over Serbia takes place in Bormio, Italy...

PREDJELO PRIJE BARGNANIJEVIH TALIJANA: MARIO KASUN SCORES 16, STANKO BARAĆ ADDS 10 PTS, 9 CRO-PLAYERS SCORE FIVE OR MORE POINTS, SRBIJA PO PRVI PUTA PORAŽENA OD KOMŠIJA (photo by Superkošarka)...


Puf, Puf...

Unatoč nikakvom rezultatskom značaju jučerašnje utakmice u uvom trenutku (10.00 CET, 04/08/07) NITI JEDAN srpski medij ne prenosi vijest da je njihova seniorska reprezentacija jučer u Bormiu poražena. Dakle originalan link nisam 'isčupao, ali sam usput saznao sam da je Perović s "Voriorsima" potpisao ugovor ala Markota s Bucksima (3,5 mil. US$/2G)...



Nažalost naša U-18 selekcija nije bila iste sreće protiv naših zapadnih susjeda. Krule & Šarlija su otvorili solidno, ali zatim je Krule (12 POENA, dvica: 5/7, trica 0/6 (!!)) zbog 3 osobne morao na klupu...Anyway, iskoristiti ću priliku i spomenuti da pridjev neiskusan kojima se već tjednima u domaćim sportskim tiskovinama karakterizira najmlađeg Ciboninog košarkaša na seniorskom rosteru. Što je s pridjevom talentiran, gdje je nestao, spreman sam odrezati oba palca ako Krule nije barem mrvicu talentiran...

Ako je recimo jedan Sašo Ožbolt mogao do nastupa protiv okrnjene američke selekcije na SP-u u Japanu, ne vidim zašto Krule ne bi mogao do koje minute u Regionalnoj/Euroligi. Pogotovo ako će mu posao svojim preciznim dodavanjima olakšati play poput Trea Kelleya. Čini se da su momci iz Tornja u njegovom slučaju vrlo dobro pickirali, predvođeni kriterijem osvajač Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award...



TRE' KELLEY AND BRANDON WALLACE TRIBUTE. PROVJERITE LISTU ISPOD...

BTW, nemojte iz pogleda ispustiti činjenicu da je Tre srednjoškolsku košarku igrao za znameniti Dunbar High iz Baltimorea, srednju školu s iznimno bogatom NBA tradicijom (Muggsy Bogues, Sam Cassell, late Reggie Lewis, Reggie Williams, David Wingate). Da ne duljim, ako još niste upoznali Trea UPOZNAJTE GA...

U duhu košarkaške globalizacije, gdje neprepoznati draft potencijali dolaze nastupati za naše lokalne klubove, moram spomenuti da su se Electronic Arts i FIBA postigli dogovor da u NBA LIVE 2008 ubace i direktorij Svjetsko košarkaško prvenstvo. Ako ipak više preferirate virtualne NBA klubove biti će vam zanimljiva vijestica da je NBA jučer objavila schedule za nastupajuću sezonu 2007/08.



Clippersi i dalje nemaju sreće, pa će Elton Brand zbog nasumične ozljede, te nastupajuće operacije Ahilove tetive prema mojoj odokativnoj procjeni propustiti barem prva 2 mjeseca gore navednog NBA schedulea...


Muraya
NBA.BLOG.HR

petak, 03.08.2007.

BORMIO: Repešin brod umalo izbjegao austrijsku lavinu...VUK S TUŠKANCA: Vedran Vukušić

NENAMETLJIVI POP JE S ČAK 18 POENA U ZADNJOJ ČETVRTINI (!!) SPASIO REPEŠIN BROD OD POTENCIJALNE PRVE HAVARIJE POD NALETOM AUSTRIJSKE KOŠARKAŠKE LAVINE PREDVOĐENE HRVATOM STJEPANOM STAZIĆEM (ZABIO 13 POENA KAO I CIBONI 2001.) (photo by Superkošarka)...


PRIJE TOČNO 20 GODINA - THIRD JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - 1987
Bormio, Italy
July 29 - August 5, 1987


A young and talented Yugoslavian junior team not only captured the gold at the 1987 Junior World Championship, but in the process, twice defeated the two-time defending champion USA team.

NAŠI SU NA PRVE PROBLEME U BORMIJU NAIŠLI VEĆ U SRIJEDU NAVEČER, U UTAKMICI S TALIJANIMA PREDVOĐENIM SVE BOLJIM BARGNANIJEM, KOJI MORATE PRIZNATI, IGROM SVE VIŠE PODSJEĆA NA "PLAVOG ANDELA"...


Held in Bormio, Italy, the tournament's start was delayed six days after the Bormio area was hit with a disastrous mud slide and flood. Coach Larry Brown's USA squad had hopes of capturing the United States' third FIBA Junior World Championship in as many tries, and with a talented roster featuring 6'7" Lionel Simmons, 6'2" Stephen Thompson, 7'2" Dwayne Schintzius and 6'6" Larry Johnson, the U.S. optimism was rightfully high.

Opening the competition facing Puerto Rico, the United States, led by Thompson's 19 points and 16 points each from Ron Huery and Schintzius, recorded a solid 109-89 victory. Simmons accounted for 16 points as the U.S. held off Australia 84-80, then, one day later, the Americans man-handled China, 100-50, as Simmons scored 21 points.

Meeting also unbeaten Yugoslavia, the U.S. was handed a 110-95 loss as future Croatian sensation Toni Kukoc rocked the U.S. for 37 points. Simmons led the Americans with 20 points. Regrouping, the U.S. defeated Nigeria, 98-73, as six U.S. players scored in double digits, then the Americans upended host Italy, 89-84, as Thompson erupted for 23 points.

Owning a 5-1 record, the U.S. faced Yugoslavia in the finals, a victory away from the gold. Stymieing Yugoslavia's Kukoc the second time around and limiting him to just nine points, it was Yugoslavia's big men, future Los Angeles Laker Vlade Divac and Boston Celtic draftee Dino Radja who did the damage.

6'10" Radja accounted for 21 points and 10 rebounds, while 7'1" Divac added 20 points and 15 rebounds. The U.S fell behind 29-15, but rallied to take a 43-40 lead at halftime. Yugoslavia, behind the play of its powerful front line regained control and momentum in the second half and went on to take the gold with an 86-76 win. The USA offensive attack was paced by 6'3" Kevin Pritchard's 15 points, while Simmons added 13.



MICHAEL JORDAN 1998: 40PTS vs. ROCKETS (CLYDE, HAKEEM, CHUCK)





USA Basketball

četvrtak, 02.08.2007.

THE BIGGEST TICKET IN BEAN TOWN: K.G. sends shockwaves through East, NBA...

TROLIST ZA SREĆU CELTICSA - DRAFT KREMA '95, '96, '98 NA OKUPU, ROSTER MAXIMALNO SKRAĆEN...


Kevin Garnett summed up the main reason he's in Boston in three simple words. At this stage in his career, he finally realized he "can't do young."

His loyalty has its limits, and when the Timberwolves started waving him as they would a white flag, he finally relented on his desire to stay in Minnesota.

"I thought this is probably my best opportunity to winning a ring and here we are, wearing No. 5," said Garnett, who was unable to retain his No. 21 because it's retired in honor of Bill Sharman. "I'm excited. It's like being in a Lamborghini doing 200 (mph) with your head out the window."

Considering Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen all missed the playoffs last season, the breeze feels great. They can all breathe again.

One month ago, Pierce was demanding a trade out of Boston if the Celtics couldn't get him help. He was tired of doing "young", too. Allen was preparing to take on a mentor role to Kevin Durant. Garnett was watching Kobe Bryant's situation carefully, while also hoping Phoenix would be able to find a way to pry him loose. It was a long shot at best.

So now, there's hope. As a result, there's also pressure.

Boston has mortgaged its future and will rely on a trio of 30-year-olds to turn its fortunes around. A team that lost 18 consecutive games at the start of 2007 is now expected to win its division. They won 24 games all of last season. Now there will be a problem if they haven't matched that total by the halfway point of 2007-08.



KEVIN GARNETT MIX by YINKA DARE...


Danny Ainge indicated he's still got shopping to do. Maybe the lure of playing with veterans chasing a ring will appeal to P.J. Brown, keeping him from retirement. It could lead to Brevin Knight taking less money to sign up. Chris Webber can't even be counted out. The allure of playing with Garnett, Allen and Pierce figures to be great recruiting tool.

"When other teams see us coming," said Allen, "you have to be afraid because you're going to have to pick your poison."

While it's impossible to predict just how effective this union of All-Stars is going to be, on paper, it seems full-proof.

Because of Garnett's presence, Pierce and Allen are going to get open shots. As the most gifted big man in the Eastern Conference, he's going to command double-teams.

And yes, Garnett instantly has become the biggest fish in the East pond.

Shaquille O'Neal, limited by age and nagging injuries, is no longer the most dominant force in the game. Chris Bosh is further along than Dwight Howard, but both emerging stars are still chasing in the footsteps of the player both grew up patterning parts of their game after.

Garnett's arrival impacts the entire conference, with members of the Atlantic Division feeling the brunt of it.

Garnett instantly becomes the worst nightmare of former teammate Sam Mitchell, whose Toronto Raptors were set to run the Atlantic Division for the next decade. A wrench has now been thrown into those plans.

He rounds out a trio that challenges Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson as the best in the East. He trumps New York's impact trade acquisition, Zach who? The Knicks look to be no better than the fourth best team in the division.

Guaranteed to be together for the next three seasons, Garnett, Pierce and Allen promise to make life in the Eastern Conference interesting. Holding up their side-by-side for the first time, you could sense Boston's famed parquet floor emerging from its slumber. It's been just another piece of wood for too long now. Meaningful games are on their way.


www.kevingarnett.com

srijeda, 01.08.2007.

NEW LOOK 2-3-4 CELTICS: Allen-Pierce-Garnet...CRO-TEAM: friendly vs. Italy in Bormio

Some highlights from the game played in the mountain resort of Bormio.

Courtesy RAI/Raisport.

MatteoTN
Youtube.com