There were concerns that if the lockout is still going on next summer (and there is a real chance of that happening) that the best NBA players would stay away because USA Basketball is seen as a David Stern production.

But if you think the best players are going to miss the chance to win a gold medal — and market themselves on the world’s biggest stage — you underestimate what really matters to players.

LeBron James is in for the 2012 London Olympics, he tells Hoopshype.

Kobe Bryant also has said he is in.

You can say it is about pride in their country. You can say it is about competitiveness. You can say it is about legacy. You can say it is all about marketing dollars. The truth is it is a recipe of all of those (you can decide for yourself what is the main ingredient, I tend to think it’s all about the Benjamins) but that makes a dish the best players cannot resist. The USA will send a monster team to London.

I’ll be up front, not sure this passes the smell test for me. But, it’s out there and being reported in multiple places now, people are talking about it, so I will pass it along.

A man in San Diego has accused Kobe Bryant of injuring him during an incident at a church, and the police are investigating the entire thing, according to 10news.com in San Diego.

Sources told 10News Bryant was attending a church service at St. Therese of Carmel in Carmel Valley Sunday and thought someone was taking pictures of him with a cellphone. According to police, Bryant took the phone from the man, did not see any pictures and then left the church.

The man claims he injured his wrist in the incident and had to go to the hospital for treatment.

Is it possible Bryant did this? Yes. Kobe took the phone out of the guy’s hands and he had to go to the hospital for treatment? That smells of someone thinking lawsuit. I don’t know, I wasn’t there, but the whole incident just sounds silly and would be forgotten by everyone already if it wasn’t Kobe.

Either way, doesn’t sound like anyone was acting very Christian at church.

source: Kurt Helin -Bleacherreport

The NBA lockout continues to go from bad to worse. A few days after the league filed a lawsuit against the NBA players association, the group's executive director said the 2011-2012 season will likely be cancelled.

Billy Hunter said that is because the commissioner's negotiating leeway is in danger of being undermined by a group of hard-line owners.

Hunter added the players union and team owners are currently $800 million apart per year in the stalled negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.

source: abs-cbnNEWS.com

NEW YORK - The National Basketball Association filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the players' union seeking a ruling that the lockout of players does not violate antitrust laws.

The NBA said the lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, arises from the union's threatened use of antitrust litigation to extract a more favorable contract in ongoing negotiations.

"The union's improper threats of antitrust litigation are having a direct, immediate and harmful effect upon the ability of the parties to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement," the lawsuit said.

The NBA also said on Tuesday that it had filed an unfair labor practice charge against the union before the National Labor Relations Board, saying the players have failed to bargain in good faith.

William Hunter, executive director of the players' association, said in a statement that the NBA's actions "are just another example of their bad-faith bargaining, and we will seek the complete dismissal of the actions as they are totally without merit."

Throughout the negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, the NBA said, the players' union has repeatedly threatened to renounce its role as the bargaining representative of the NBA players.

In its lawsuit, the NBA called the threat "an impermissible negotiating tactic" designed only to commence an antitrust challenge to the lockout and gain leverage in contract negotiations.

The NBA contended that the same tactic was pursued by the National Football League players' union in its most recent collective bargaining negotiations.

In his statement, Hunter said the union has not made any decision about renouncing its role as the collective bargaining representative of the players.

"We urge the NBA to engage with us at the bargaining table and to use more productively the short time we have left before the 2011-2012 season is seriously jeopardized," he said.

In its lawsuit, the NBA also said it is seeking a ruling that federal courts lack jurisdiction to block the lockout.

The lawsuit comes a day after NBA officials and players' representatives met for the first time since the league declared a lockout on July 1.

The dispute involves how to split some $4.3 billion in total revenues. The NBA says an overhaul of the pay structure is needed after 22 of the 30 NBA teams lost money last year.

If the dispute is not resolved before the beginning of the season this fall, it could result in the league's first work stoppage since 1998, when a lockout shortened the season to 50 games from 82.

The case is National Basketball Association v. National Basketball Players Association, et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 11-5369. 

source: Reuters

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is engaged in far more substantive contract talks with teams in China than he is Turkish team Besiktas, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Besiktas coach Ergin Ataman tweeted Sunday that the team made an official offer to Bryant last week and plans to meet with Bryant’s agent in Los Angeles this week. However, a source close to Bryant said he hasn’t had conversations with the Turkish team in two weeks, and labeled Bryant’s chances of playing with Besiktas at “zero percent.”

Bryant, sources said, is still listening to offers to play overseas during the NBA’s lockout, and considers China a more likely option. He has exchanged proposals with Chinese teams, and one source said it’s unlikely Bryant would accept any deal that pays him less than $1.5 million per month. Bryant would be free to rejoin the Lakers as soon as the lockout ends.

For his part, NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City said he is about “50-50” on playing overseas if the NBA lockout lasts, according to an AP report.

Durant, however, hopes the work stoppage is settled in time for a full season even as he stressed “I’ll have to think about” playing elsewhere if that doesn’t happen.”

He said that he has been working on his game during his time off, but took a break from that to attend the WNBA game between Tulsa and Chicago Thursday. Speaking at halftime, he called himself a “basketball fanatic” who enjoys watching the women’s game.

In New York, the warring parties in the NBA lockout are scheduled to meet Monday in Manhattan for the first time in 32 days, according to Yahoo! Sports.

Training camps for the 2011-12 NBA regular season, if they were to start on time, would open on or around Sept. 28.

Most insiders, however, don’t expect the negotiations of a new collective bargaining agreement between the NBA owners and the players’ union to get serious.

“It’s been long but it’s been weirdly quiet,” said Derek Fisher, the LA Lakers guard and union president, in an interview with ESPNLosAngeles.com. “To push as hard as we did in the month of June to see if we could get a deal done prior to July 1, it’s essentially been crickets since then.”

The owners and players, after exchanging a few proposals over 18 months in advance of the June 30 expiration of the last CBA, met on May 31 and once or twice weekly through June in Miami, Dallas and New York. By the most recent session, they still sat on opposite sides of a vast chasm: The owners are seeking a hard salary cap, a significant reduction in the current 57/43 split of basketball-related income and shorter contracts.

The players, still skeptical over the league’s report of $300 million in losses for last season, want to maintain the current soft salary cap. They offered to reduce their share of BRI to 54.3 percent for what they said would be $530 million in salary givebacks over a six-year deal. NBA commissioner David Stern called that proposal “modest” while outlining a 10-year proposal that would guarantee players at least $2 billion in compensation annually (the 2010-11 figure was $2.17 billion) but exclude them from fully sharing in anticipated growth.

source: Philstar

MANILA, Philippines – “Marcus get McGee, Japeth take Kobe, Chris Lutz guard Durant because he plays more outside and Kobe plays inside, Chris Tiu get Rose, Mark get Paul” – those were the final instructions of coach Rajko Toroman at the dugout before the big game.

Those words left us telling ourselves if we were really hearing this! Were they really playing their idols – the best players in the world?

But despite this, the Smart Gilas guys were all business during the game. During practices leading up to the All-Star game, the players all talked about not showing them any respect or being star struck. They wanted to take the game seriously, bring out the best in the NBA guys, push them to the limit and earn their respect.

After seeing how the game between the PBA All-Stars and the NBA All-Stars went the night before – a lot of joking around in the game, no defense, a lot of picture taking and autograph signing during the warm-ups and halftime – coach Rajko made an agreement with the players before the game that there would be none of that. He told them that it didn’t matter if we would lose by 40, as long as we take it seriously and run our system. The team was supposed to go to Europe to play in two small tournaments but since it didn’t push thru this exhibition game was the only game the team would play before the William Jones Cup starting Aug. 6-14. It also was the first time for the team to play with Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams.

Fast-forward to the game – Japeth Aguilar dunks the ball on Kevin Durant, we see Mark Barroca putting a lot of pressure and getting under the skin of Chris Paul. We also see Marcio Lassiter and Asi Taulava both fouling Durant hard, Marcus Douthit giving a hard foul to McGee, too. Coach Chot Reyes told us before the game that the NBA guys knew that the game against Gilas would be a more serious one but they probably didn’t expect it to be that way.

Derek Fisher and Chris Paul both started yelling at the referees, the NBA team started making their own defensive adjustments, Kevin Durant was hitting Kelly Williams on the post. Basically, they were taking it seriously.

Sometime during the second half of the game, a certain congressman walked in and heard his name being chanted. We all suddenly saw a reversal of roles. From being the idols of thousands of Filipino fans, these NBA superstars suddenly became fans. Kobe Bryant quickly ran over to greet Manny Pacquiao, and the stars all started joking around with him after he walked to their bench.

After being down big during the halftime, the National Team responded by outscoring the NBA stars in the second half. They finished the game losing by a score of 98-89 although it could have very well been only a seven-point loss. Sure the NBA stars probably weren’t playing at a 100 percent but to make it a respectable game must be considered a victory. Coach Raijko believed that the team could have played better. We made a lot of turnovers in the first half and couldn’t make our shots, but despite that we played hard and ran the system until the very end.
 

After a hard-fought game, the Smart Gilas players quickly became fans again. Dondon Hontiveros got Kobe Bryant’s jersey, the players all got autographs on their jerseys and pictures with the different players. Interestingly, the only person Marcus Douthit wanted to meet was Manny Pacquiao.

He made a deal to introduce him and get him a picture with Manny, and in return he would get me a picture with Kobe Bryant.

Everything worked out fine for both of them. Chad his shoes signed by Kobe, Chris Paul, Durant and Derrick Rose while Chris Lutz had his brand new D-Rose shoes signed by the man himself. Those shoes are never going to be used again.

But while everybody was mobbing the players, they were trying to work their way to get to Manny. Derrick Rose was asking everybody for a pen, and upon finding one, he acts like a giddy kid, goes to Manny and asks for an autograph and a picture. Same with James Harden and Chris Paul, and in only a matter of minutes, their pictures with Manny were all over twitter. As for me, I’m happy enough with my Pilipinas Jersey signed by all the players at the back and Manny Pacuqiao in front. It gives us a sense of pride knowing that the stars we idolize also idolize our very own hero.

The weekend with the NBA stars could very well go down as a shining moment in Philippine basketball history. Everybody was a winner in this event, which was brought to all of us by Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan. There were so many memorable things that went on but the one that really stands out for the Smart Gilas team was winning the respect of the crowd. A lot of different countries have been speaking highly of this national team but it is different when you have your own country fully rooting behind you.

A few months ago, the Gilas team experienced being booed in a game by the fans of Ginebra and that really was a low point for the team. But midway thru the fourth quarter of this game, the fans totally forgot about cheering for the NBA stars and started chanting defense for Gilas. It seemed as if finally the National Team had won over some fans and gained the respect of the Filipinos. That in itself puts the icing on this whole NBA experience.

(Editor’s note: Charles Tiu, brother of Smart Gilas skipper Chris Tiu, shares his thoughts on Smart Gilas playing Kobe Bryant and company in the Ultimate All-Star weekend)

source:By Charles Tiu

With President Aquino delivering his 2nd State of the Nation Address, the Filipino basketball world unexpectedly got one too, as the improbable Smart (NBA) All Stars vs Smart Gilas Pilipinas became a reality. Here’s my basketball SONA, shortened, of course.

Sunday’s game was the first time the final pool of Smart Gilas players were suited up together. Only Ranidel de Ocampo, who was injured, didn’t play. Question is, with 15 players in the pool, who is losing a roster spot? Dylan Ababou and Jason Ballesteros are probably resigned to their fate, but who will be the last cut? Is Marc Barroca in trouble with Jimmy Alapag there or are Japeth’s defensive lapses costing him a spot? Is it simply too late to add Ranidel de Ocampo?

Coach Toroman’s system is good, reason # 243: Despite the presence of bonafide NBA superstars, the Gilas players showed nothing but determination throughout the game. They ran the same plays crisply and none were tempted to break from the system to showboat. In fact, the only players who seemed star struck were PBA vets Don Don Hontiveros and Jimmy Alapag.

It’s unfair to think that the game was “scripted” or the NBA Stars “took it easy (pinagbigyan).” Their play was way different from Saturday’s dunk-a-thon against the PBA selection. Kobe played a ton of minutes and went after every ball. Chris Paul seemed to be in pain yet played until the endgame. Overall, the NBA stars attempted less dunks and lazy 24 footers, and scored on plenty of offensive putbacks and post ups. Even Javale McGee couldn’t find the time to plank. By the 4th quarter, veterans Derek Fisher and Chris Paul were complaining to the refs and hitting guards Jvee Casio and Marcio Lassiter. Gilas executed well and played with a lot of gumption and they earned every bit of that 9 point loss.

It’s also unfair to say the PBA has become a bunch of has beens or “puro papogi (showboats).” The PBA selection never had time to play together so they had no plays. Resorting to one on one plays played right into the NBA’s hands, hence the 26 point shellacking. It is fair, however, to point out that that game is the perfect example of why the Gilas program must continue. PBA selections may be loaded with talent, but they will never have the time to prepare for years and no one can force them to since the PBA is a private enterprise.

Gilas players and coaches have all said it, and it is worth repeating. The best part about the game is not that they got to play NBA stars or that we got to see them. For 3 basketball minutes, the entire Araneta Coliseum was united behind Smart Gilas Pilipinas, chanting “Defense!” Compared to the last time they were playing in the same venue, where PBA die-hards were booing them, the 4th quarter of that game was a heartwarming moment. Those 3 minutes mean more to the Gilas players than people can ever imagine.

The best closing argument to defending the Gilas program ironically comes from the mouth of a foreigner. “You just have to support this team,” says 5-time NBA Champion and Olympic Gold Medallist Kobe Bryant. He called the team “talented” and he marvelled at their execution. Judging from the way Kobe scored and defended, it is easy to believe he meant every word.

Everyone’s thanking MVP for the “gift” of bringing the NBA players here, giving the country a rare chance to see NBA stars in their prime. We are better served to thank him for another thing too. The Ultimate All Star weekend also showed us a sight that has become all too rare. The weekend showed us a tough, strong, talented, and united National Basketball Team that will make us proud by playing the same proud and disciplined way, regardless of who the opponents are.

many thanks to united philippine basketball and rodney torres for the pictures

source: Sharwin L. Tee

Both players are on a promotional tour of China while monitoring news from home about the NBA's labor impasse.

With Kobe Bryant reportedly negotiating a deal to play in Turkey, New Orleans Hornets' Paul and New York Knicks forward Anthony said they were also considering overseas moves.

Asked by SNTV where they would go, Anthony replied "China." Paul said "Same, no question."

The answers may have been designed to compliment their hosts, but Anthony added "it's a lot of history here, the fans are great; why not, why not try it out?"

Meanwhile, Portland Trail Blazers point guard Patty Mills says he is looking into a move back to his native Australia to play in the National Basketball League as long as the NBA lockout continues.

"The most important thing for me is to find somewhere to play," Mills told Australian Associated Press. "Definitely NBL teams have reached out. I am looking at that, but also teams in Europe and other options. But right now there is no rush in making a decision; it will come over the next couple of months."

NBL chief executive Larry Sengstock was eager to bring Mills home, saying the league was "determined to look at any and every option to facilitate his signing with an NBL team."

Anthony and Paul, both members of the US squad that won the 2008 Olympic gold medal in Beijing, continued their Hong Kong visit Wednesday before moving on to mainland China.

source: philstar.com