Hooped Up

If theirs one player in the league that would be a hand in glove fit to transition his game over to the Euroleague during the lockout, its globetrotting Steve Nash who’s been everywhere and is from everywhere. When asked by Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic about his lockout plans, Nash expressed his fitting euro interest.

“I’d love to play overseas,” Nash wrote. “It may be difficult with three kids but I’d love to do it.”

Making matters even sweeter for potential teams interested in his services across the pond, is the fact that Nash also carries a British passport. That’s important, because players with passports or dual citizenship help European clubs around the two American players per team rule.

“He’d be ready to roll,” Nash’s agent, Bill Duffy, said. “I’ve talked to him about it in the past. He’s a worldwide traveler and maverick. He’s committed to playing for the Suns but it’s not up to him. If it looks like the season’s going to be shut down, everyone’s going to be looking for work.”

This Euroleague thing is getting more interesting by the second my dear Watson.

H/N Arizona Republic

Your natural reaction when Jonas Valanciunas got drafted by the Toronto Raptors was “Who the f*ck is Jonas Valanciunas?” and you probably said that like Dave Chappelle says “What the f*ck is juice?” That’s okay, it’s a normal reaction.

However maybe we were wrong according to his Euroleague mixtape.

H/N Raptors Republic

The Timberwolves drafted Ricky Rubio with the fifth overall pick in the 2009 in hopes of him one day joining their band of other guys that don’t want to play in Minnesota and guess what, he doesn’t want to play in Minnesota either. Instead, according to folks in the Ricky Rubio camp, he’d like to take his talents to the Knicks, Heat or Celtics. Uh-oh is right David I love point guards Kahn.

“The bottom line is, why would he want to play in Minnesota?” a senior member of Rubio’s camp said this month. “He’ll continue to say all the diplomatic things, and Minnesota needs to keep his value up for trade purposes, but the family’s preference is to be on the East Coast, specifically New York, Miami or Boston. He wouldn’t be troubled if he has to stay another year.”

Those comments are colder than a Minneapolis winter Rubio camp guy. Ricky coming to the US is now boarding on Arvydas Sabonis territory. If he would just come to the NBA and play for the T-Wolves, Ricky would get all the playing time he needs to become the NBA pro, I’m convinced he’s not right now. BTW, “The Ricky Rubio Watch” has now become my favorite Telenovela.

H/N NY Times

Ivorian international Souleyman Diabate is on the come up with Chorale Roanne Basket aka Roanne of the French National Basketball League, and he sets L’Astroballe on fire with this man-sized dunk all over Cliff Hammonds of ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne for le dunk de l’année in the LNB!!! Did you know that Tony Parker serves as the Vice President of Basketball Operations for ASVEL Basket and owns 20 percent of the club with, an option to buy 20 percent more of them when he retires? Well, now you do.

Oh là là là là indeed mon amie!

Allen Iverson scored two points in his Turkish league debut for Besiktas Cola Turka in a 74-67 defeat to defending champion Fenerbahce Ulker on Sunday.

Iverson missed three shots in the first quarter and was taken off with less than a minute left. He returned at the beginning of the second half, but did not score until late in the third. He then returned to the bench for the rest of the game.

Besiktas trailed 40-35 at half time and rallied to tie the score 53-all going into the fourth quarter, but Fenerbahce regained control to maintain its perfect league record.

It was Besiktas’ second loss in a week after a 94-91 defeat to Hemofarm Stada in the European Cup on Tuesday, when Iverson scored 15 points on his debut with the team.

Press Release

Allen Iverson made his debut for Besiktas Cola Turka and scored 15 points in a losing effort against Hemofarm Stada. While rowdy Turkish fans shouted “Allen Iverson, the son of Besiktas Cola Turka” during the match. So far, so good.

Iverson practicing and doing an interview in Turkey after the jump.

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Allen Iverson plays a friendly game of 2-on-2 with some kids at his  Besiktas arrival ceremony and gets to wave his arms around to make some seriously happy Turkish basketball fans, break out in a chant. I wish my arms had that kinda power!

Well, it’s actually gonna happen. Allen Iverson arrived in Turkey to a heroes welcome and his new # 4 Besiktas jersey is already in circulation. This jersey might mark the saddest period in the career of Iverson, but it would still look pretty hype with a pair of White and Black Reebok Answer IV’s. Just embrace the euro-ness of the situation folks.

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