Team USA had nothing to play for, and it showed. The Americans already had clinched Group C at the FIBA World Cup by winning their first four games. While other countries jockeyed to get into the knockout stage – or avoid certain opponents – Team USA was on cruise control in Friday’s game vs. war-torn Ukraine. The United States was playing for the fifth time in six nights and had a start time four hours earlier than Thursday. The combination of apathy
In a day where all 24 teams played in the FIBA World Cup leading up to Thursday’s frenetic first round finish, it was The Manimal who again stood out in another Team USA victory. After a closely contested first quarter, Kenneth Faried helped the Americans (4-0), once again propelled by their big men, take the second and third quarters by a combined 26 points and defeat the Dominican Republic (2-2) 106-71 to advance to 4-0 and clinch the best record in
In case you missed it, Mexico won the Tournament of the Americas. Yes, Mexico, which hadn’t qualified for a World Championship Cup in 40 years. Gustavo Ayon of the Atlanta Hawks was the tournament MVP. What does this have to do with Eurobasket ’13? Only the fact that you never know what is going to happen in a FIBA tournament, as witnessed by what we are currently seeing in Slovenia. [Read more…]
In NBA history, only 10 coaches have won more games than Dick Motta, although that is misleading. When he left the NBA after the 1996-97 season, his 935 victories were the third-most. He’s been passed by seven coaches while not coaching. [Read more…]
The media train wreck that was and is the Brooklyn Nets firing of Avery Johnson continues. A number of well respected media members have jumped on the story. Sheridan Hoops is also on the case: [Read more…]
Ukraine qualified for EuroBasket 2013 with today’s win over Austria! wp.me/pJba2-3EW — Mike Fratello (@MikeFratello) September 2, 2012 Congratulations to Mike Fratello, who is coaching Ukraine for the second consecutive summer and qualified for next summer’s European championship by guiding Ukraine to a 68-57 victory over Austria. Detroit Pistons fans will be pleased to hear that incoming rookie center Viacheslav Kravtsov (No. 11 in out list of the Top 10 incoming international rookies) had nine defensive rebounds and was a plus-15 in 22 minutes