The Joy in Absurdity
By Nick Prevenas 1/5/07 I love basketball. If you’re visiting this website and reading this article, I’m sure you do, too. When I type these articles I contribute to this site, the keystrokes tend to fall into a rhythm with the pounding of the ball to the hardwood floor. Late at night, there’s always a…
Inside the College Game
By Adi Joseph 1/4/07 “Number five on Nick Fazekas.” With 5:18 left on the game clock and Nevada involved in a hard fought battle with Gonzaga, those were some of the last words Wolf Pack coach Mark Fox wanted to hear. His All-American big man had just fouled out on a ticky-tack wrist slap, trying…
The Globalization of Basketball: Latin America (Part 1)
Street Court in Mexico By Joshua Motenko 7/5/06 The global expansion of basketball can now be traced like a diaspora throughout the world. The cultural popularity of the sport is growing exponentially and is well documented in China, Africa and throughout Europe. However, the most recent flood of talent into the NBA…
The Globalization of Basketball: Latin America (Part 3)
By Joshua Motenko 7/7/06 Allen Iverson The Global Impact While in the streets of La Paz, Bolivia, a city 12,000 ft above sea level where 80% of the population is indigenous, I met a 70-year-old woman, who happened to be an Allen Iverson fan. Speaking with her about her love for the…
The Globalization of Basketball: Latin America (Part 2)
By Joshua Motenko 7/6/06 Zapatista backboard, Chiapas, Mexico. Belize Belize is an underdeveloped dreamer of a basketball nation. They may need a miracle, or thirty years of focused hard work to make an impact on the NBA. Basketball Popularity Ranking: Second to futból. Current NBA Players: Milt Palacio, Utah Jazz. Milt Palacio…
Rudy Gay: Rising Star
In this day and age of athletic freaks turning their nose up to college basketball like it was limburger cheese, a player such as Rudy Gay not even considering the leap is (for all basketball fans) a breath of fresh air. Gay was definite first round material coming out of high school but bucked the…
NBA Draft: One Round?
The latest rumor from league offices is that the NBA draft may be cut from two rounds to one in an attempt to persuade high schoolers and younger college players from jumping to the NBA early. The problem has hit epidemic proportions as far as David Stern and the NBA are concerned after 8 high…
Draft Buzz 4/8/04
By Aran Smith Early Entries To stay up on which players have entered, are staying, or considering the draft, check the 2004 Early Entry Page which will continuously be updated. Ben Gordon has announced he will forgo his Senior season and enter the NBA draft. Look for Gordon to ride a Championship season into a…Howard or Okafor at 1?
As of Thursday afternoon, sources close to the Orlando Magic indicate they are leaning towards taking Dwight Howard. Sources close to the Bobcats organization indicated this morning that they believe it will be Okafor, but consider that unlikely. When all is said and done look for Dwight Howard to be the Orlando Magic’s #1 selection.…Draft Buzz 6/16/04
Draft Camp Boxscores and Recap June 9th, Day 1: Game 1: Team Five 79, Team Six 78 Game 2: Team One 93, Team Two 81 Game 3:Team Four 74, Team Three 64 June 10th, Day 2: Game 4: Team One 106, Team Four 91 Game 5: Team Five 72, Team Two 70 Game 6: Team…
Draft Buzz 6/10/04
Predraft Camp Day 2 Players who have stood out on day two: Hoops the Gym Workout Little mighty might Nate Robinson had an impressive day Wednesday. He led the one point victors with 22 points on 9-14 shooting with 4 rebounds and 4 assists. He showed his phenomenal athleticism and scoring ability, but also some…
Draft Buzz 6/9/04
Donta Smith Workout Donta Smith and Brandon Bender worked out on Tuesday in front of 50 or so NBA, NBDL, and CBA scouts and coaches. Smith showed very long arms (7-foot wingspan) and a nice ability to attack the basket. He is definitely a very good athlete. He got well over the rim and had…
Draft Buzz 5/31/04
NBA Stock Exchange NBADraft.net’s Matthew Maurer was at Hoops the Gym in Chicago recently and saw both Luke Jackson and Andre Iguodala work out, and came away impressed with both. Jackson was wearing a rib brace similar to the ones NFL quarterbacks wear to help protect a bruised rib. He was shooting the ball well…
Draft Buzz 5/15/04
By Aran Smith 94! Early Entries By the Numbers Including International players a record total of 94 Early Entries declared for the draft this year. 56 of which were college underclassmen, 38 International. 2003 had a total of 75 Early Entrants declare for the draft. 44 were college underclassmen, 31 were International early entrants. Of…
Draft Buzz 5/8/04
By Aran Smith Here They Come With the early entry deadline looming (Monday), a number of underclassmen have declared recently. The past week saw Shaun Livingston, JR Smith, and Al Jefferson declare on Monday, Sebastian Telfair, and Robert Swift declared Tuesday, Devin Harris announced on Wednesday and Ryan Gomes, Donte Smith, Johan Petro and Mickael…
Draft Buzz 4/29/04
By Aran Smith Can Shaun Livingston Go First? Photo: WebSportsChicago He’s far from being NBA ready. His body is somewhat similar to where Tayshawn Prince’s was about halfway through college. And he is still inconsistent. But he’s the player in this draft with the most upside. Size is the most highly prized commodity in the…
Draft Buzz 4/21/04
By Aran Smith Luol Deng In Sources close to the program indicate that Duke freshman SF Luol Deng has decided to enter the draft. Look for an announcement in the next week. Deng had said all along that he would return to Duke for his sophomore season. And up until a week ago it appeared…
Draft Buzz 4/9/04
By Aran Smith Early Entries Ben Gordon is expected to announce next week he will forgo his senior season and enter the NBA draft. Expect Gordon to ride a Championship season into a top 10 pick with an outside shot of getting into the top 5. He’s a scoring PG, but his shooting and feel…