HoopWatch
16
Spain proved once again that their win against former Eurobasket Champions Greece in the World Basketball Championships was no fluke. Earlier, they hacked out a 82-77 victory over Team Hellas in front of their hometown fans in Barcelona.
NBA stars Pau Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies and Juan Carlos Navarro of the Washington Wizards paced Team Espana with 23 points. Jose Calderon of the Toronto Raptors added 18.
Spain will now advance to the Finals of FIBA Europe, and will be up against Russia. (photo courtesy of yahoo nba)
Â
13
The University of the East Red Warriors have swept the 70th season of the UAAP, via a 92-84 overtime win over the Dela Salle University Green Archers. And this win, another Warrior emerged as the hero. Hans Thiele, the seldom used forward, came up big in this ballgame, scoring a career-high 16 points and grabbed another career-high 16 rebounds. What was more impressive was Thiele had nine offensive boards, which, time and again, bailed out UE’s shooters.
The Red Warriors will go directly to the Finals, and will await the winner of the step-ladder format. Earlier, defending champions UST lost to FEU. They will have a play-off game for fourth place this Monday.
The win would not have been possible if not for a big shot from forward Mark Fampulme. He squared-off for the jumper over an unsuspecting PJ Walsham. It was the game’s turning point, with UE leading by five with a few seconds remaining.
13
Categories: Ad
I was looking for some portable basketball systems and I came across sportswiki. After some browsing I came across this info about the 10 most popular jerseys.
On the business side of basketball, if people are buying these players’ jerseys, then I bet that people would also buy other products endorsed by them. If these players aren’t thinking about that, then they’re losing serious money. They should capitalize it while they can.
So do you wanna know the 10 most popular jerseys?
06
The beleaguered former Blue Eaglet MVP Ken Baracosso had three open lay-ups, and he missed all of them. The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles had a chance to blow the ball game wide open earlier today, but with those three open lay-ups and one traveling violation on a fast break, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons were able to keep the game close in the first half. It was tied at the end of the first quarter at 21-all. And it was only a slim six-point margin by half time.
Finally, Coach Norman Black has realized how many easy shots should have been made. Sayang! He benched Ken at the start of the third canto until the lead ballooned to as high as 36. Ateneo won 93-59, with Ken having to show just a field goal made. His defense was not that felt by the Maroons either. One of the most inefficient displays I have seen in years.
Baracosso was expected to fill JC Intal’s shoes in the Blue Eagle line-up, but he has been a disappointment for the past four years. He was a sensation in his high school days. But his transition to the college game was anything but easy. He has the height, the skills and the versatility. He could have easily replaced the now-pro Larry Fonacier, as they have the same built. But he never really developed his shooting. He could cut to the basket, but could never finish it. He is fast on the break, however, he could not somehow make the hoop.
The Ateneo community has waited for too long for Baracosso to blossom. He has had a lot of chances, and has wasted a lot of playing time, but he has never really developed into the dominant player he should have been. His stay on the court hurt the Eagles more than benefit them. That’s why I am clamoring, as well as other Ateneans may, please just bench Ken Baracosso.
05
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant had a great here in Manila. Filipinos had a great warm welcome for him. Wherever he goes, he is being greeted with utmost respect and hospitality. The Lakers guard is here as part of his “Supernatural Asian†tour. Manila is the first of five destinations. He had a basketball clinic earlier today at the Philsports Arena in Pasig. The clinic was highlighted with amazing dunks including one where he jumped above two locals. He is leaving for Taipei tomorrow. He will also visit Hongkong, Singapore and Beijing. (photo courtesy of faboulos.skyrock.com)
04
In the past three major international events, Team USA never won the gold nor even the silver. They placed sixth in the 2002 World Championships, third in the 2004 Olympics and got themselves the bronze once again the 2006 World Championships. They have fallen short due to their lack of outside shooting and lack of teamwork.
Â
But in the recent FIBA Americas, the Americans have once again shown their supremacy and that they will be favorites for the gold in the Beijing Olympics next year. They have dominated their opposition, relentless on defense, put the pressure on for the full 40 minutes, loaded their roster with shooters, and were extremely unselfish. If this goes on, no doubt, USA will once again be a force to reckon with.
It was a sight to behold superstars Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James passing to each other and to their teammates for easy dunks and open threes. Bryant never held back on defense as he shackled down each and every opponent’s star. Brazil’s Leandro Barbosa had only four points, Puerto Rico’s Larry Ayuso could not get his production to double digits, and Argentina’s Carlos Delfino was miserable, everyone was reduced to almost nothing against Kobe’s defense.
Furthermore, the Americans were above 50% from the three-point line in this tournament, made by stellar plays and efficient ball-rotation. Two weaknesses addressed by this team. I would not be surprised if they bag the gold again. With that talent and teamwork, no other country in the world can even challenge them. (photo courtesy of yahoonba.com)
31
Team USA easily beat Team Argentina, 91-76. But the Americans did not have an easy time. The winning margin was not that big. They had to rely on heavy games from superstars Kobe Bryant, who had 27 points, Carmelo Anthony, 25, and LeBron James had over 20 points as well.
Argentina scored in well-polished pick-and-rolls and set-plays. They also played good defense. They forced a lot of turnovers and had more steals. What makes it more interesting was four of their NBA players (Manu Ginobili, Fabricio Oberto, Andres Nocioni and Pepe Sanchez) did not play, and their other two mainstays were not their usual scoring self. Luis Scola was plagued with foul trouble, and Carlos Delfino struggled, due mainly to Kobe Bryant’s pesky defense.
The talent of the Americans was just too much for the Argentinians, but they put up a fight, and had the lowest scoring margin. USA never had much of a challenge in this tournament. But it would be interesting to note how the game could have been if all the stars of Argentina played. It could have been a ball game! Manu and the rest needed not play in the FIBA Americas since they are shoo-in already in the Beijing Olympics, by virtue of their being the defending champions. (photo courtesy of yahoonba.com)
30
The Ateneo de Manila University orchestrated a magical comeback from ten points behind at the end of third, pulling a 72-71 season upset of the University of Sto. Thomas Growling Tigers. The much hyped American rookie Kirk Long answered all critics as he shot a fade-away jumper over the outstretched arms of UST center Gervy Cruz, the number one candidate for MVP this season, as time expired.
For the second straight game, the Blue Eagles have exacted back-to-back victories over the teams that beat them in the first round, badly. It appeared though that Ateneo was heading to another loss as the Tigers imposed their will from the outside and inside. They played with extreme confidence, bordering near-cockiness. Wait, they were cocky. Cruz and company were laughing and fooling around throughout the first three quarters.
But the Eagles never let up, and with their game faces on, they stirred a run that broke the hearts of the Tigers. It was an important game for them as they want to stay in the hunt for a final four berth in the UAAP. Ateneo is now at 6-4 in the standings, while UST dropped to 6-5. It was an exciting match for last year’s finalists. (photo courtesy of http://yyseco.multiply.com/photos)
29
Definitely, Team USA has learned their lesson and they are disciplined to adhere to what is necessary in international competition. It’s patience in their ball movement. The zone has been their bane in recent FIBA tourneys. It’s not anymore.
Â
I love how USA moves the ball around when playing against the zone. They pass from end-to-end, and the bigs are cutting towards the basket. They have had more assists than any team in the FIBA Americas tournament. And those extra passes have resulted in corner-threes or easy rim-rattling dunks.
Puerto Rico has dealt the NBA-laden Team USA the worst in international games ever, a 73-92 loss in the 2004 Olympics. They avenged that earlier as they humiliated Puerto Rico 117-78, and they beat the zone with perfection through constant passing and efficient ball movement.
Although at times, some players to ball hog, but Coach K has done a good job reminding his stars to pass the ball around so that their plays will be effective. In FIBA games, the ball should not stay too long in a single player’s hands because the defense will collapse. Kobe Bryant learned that as the ball was stolen from him when he tried to hold the ball for too long.
The biggest test for the Americans will come this Thursday night against fellow unbeaten team Argentina which boasts of NBA players Carlos Delfino (Toronto Raptors), Manu Ginobili (San Antonio Spurs), Luis Scola (Houston Rockets), Andres Nocioni (Chicago Bulls) and Fabricio Oberto (Spurs). (photo courtesy of yahoonba.com)
Â
28
It has been too long since the Boston Celtics have won an NBA title. It dates back to the time when Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge still donned that green Celtic jersey. And it was still the 80’s. Now, most of these guys are NBA executives. The winningnest ball club in NBA history has not won a title in two decades. They don’t want that slump going for three.
Ainge has been criticized in the past few years for spending too much money on players not really worth it. He has been trading for non-competent players. But now, all that changed in one summer. There is definitely going on in the Celtic camp and they would want that trophy back in Boston this season.
After acquiring superstars Ray Allen from Seattle and Kevin Garnett from Minnesota, and key role ballers Eddie House and Scott Pollard, the Celtics have made another significant move for their championship bid. They just signed in a great defensive player with Championship experience in James Posey.
With Posey, they have legitimized that championship bid. Posey, who won an NBA title with Miami in 2006, is a key component in their defense. Plus, he can shoot that open three as well to further complement the talents of Paul Pierce, Allen and Garnett.
This is going to be an interesting season as the shift of power is slowly going to the East after the West has dominated for some time. I can’t wait to see Boston play. Ainge has brought in a lot of experience, and has guaranteed boost of ticket sales as well. (photo courtesy of yahoonba.com)
