DELFINO!!!! I love this guy. He will strive in this system. I can't wait now. We only got better this year. Pierce is gunna have to play some defense this year.
<div align="center">“One-on-one” with Carlos Delfino, Argentina’s hope </div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In 2000, Carlos Delfino appeared like a thunder in the basketball scene. He was known by some, but his 14-games experience in the National League made him relatively new to the vast majority. However, his time came during the Pan-American U21, which took place in Ribeirao Preto, wherein he helped a team, also integrated by Luis Scola, to win the championship. A lot of time has passed by; an Olympic gold medal, his arrival to NBA, and his recent trade to the Toronto Raptors. </div> <div align="center">Source: FIBA Americas 2007 Official Website</div> Good read.
Stumbled across some Chris Bosh highlights from the Blue & White game. Kind of old, but I think we're all craving basketball right now: Chris Bosh - And 1 Chris Bosh - Reverse Dunk Chris Bosh - Reverse Layup Chris Bosh - Power Dunk Chris Bosh/Dwight Howard - Crashing the Boards Highlights from the entire game I can't access youtube at work, so tell me if the links work or not.
<div align="center">All eyes will be on Team Canada as it battles for its place at the 2008 Olympic Games</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">TORONTO, Aug. 14 /CNW/ - Score Media Inc. (TSX: SCR) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Score Television Network Ltd, will have the exclusive live broadcast rights to Team Canada and Team USA games from the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship of Basketball for Men to be played in Las Vegas, Nevada. The FIBA Americas Championship, featuring 10 men's national teams, is one of five FIBA Olympic qualifying zone tournaments to determine the two men's teams from the Americas zone who will earn a qualification spot for the 2008 Olympic Games that are being held Aug. 8-24 in Beijing, China. The Score's broadcast will begin on August 22, 2007. "We are extremely pleased to be bringing this important tournament to Canadian audiences," said David Errington, SVP and General Manager, The Score Television Network. "We pride ourselves as being the home for basketball, from college to the professional level; this competition certainly reinforces that title. Basketball has a loyal fan base in Canada and we see this broadcast as giving us another opportunity to provide the hardcore fans with access to the game they love." To support its coverage of the FIBA Americas Championship, The Score will air a five part series, "The Rebirth of Canada Basketball", taking a behind-the-scenes look at the building of this year's senior men's team. The series will air nightly, through to August 17th, during To the Point with Greg Sansone and Score Tonight with Tim Micallef and Sid Seixeiro on The Score. The entire series will also be available via online video at thescore.ca. "This is great opportunity for Canada Basketball and our players to have exposure across the country, and to give basketball fans access to our national team athletes and their desire to represent Canada on the world stage," said Leo Rautins, Head Coach to Canada's senior men's national team. "The Score has been involved with NBA telecasts for years with the Raptors, and with college basketball. The coverage of the FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifiers is just a natural extension of this relationship, and further solidifies their commitment to promoting the game of basketball in the country."</div> <div align="center">Source: Newswire.ca</div> Here's the schedule: -DAY----------DATE------TIME-----------------MATCHUP Wednesday---8/22/07----8:30 PM-------------<u>Canada v. Brazil</u> Wednesday---8/22/07----11:00 PM------------<u>USA v. Venezuela</u> Thursday-----8/23/07----6:00 PM-------------<u>Canada v. Venezuela</u> Thursday-----8/23/07----11:00 PM------------<u>USA v. Virgin Islands</u> Friday--------8/24/07----6:00 PM-------------<u>Canada v. Virgin Islands</u> Saturday-----8/25/07----6:00 PM--------------<u>USA v. Canada</u> Sunday-------8/26/07---11:00 PM-------------<u>USA v. Brazil</u> Monday-------8/27/07---8:30 PM--------------<u>Canada v. TBD (*)</u> Monday-------8/27/07---11:00 PM (x)---------<u>USA v. TBD (*)</u> Tuesday------8/28/07---6:00 PM (xx)----------<u>Canada v. TBD (*)</u> Tuesday------8/28/07---11:00 PM-------------<u>USA v. TBD (*)</u> Wednesday---8/29/07----3:30 PM--------------<u>Canada v. TBD (*)</u> Wednesday---8/29/07---11:00 PM--------------<u>USA v. TBD (*)</u> Thursday-----8/30/07----7:00 PM--------------<u>Canada v. TBD (*)</u> Thursday-----8/30/07----12:00 AM-------------<u>USA v. TBD (*)</u> Saturday-----9/1/07-----7:00 PM--------------<u>USA v. TBD (*)</u> Saturday-----9/1/07-----9:30 PM--------------<u>Canada v. TBD (*)</u> Sunday-------9/2/07-----4:00 PM--------------<u>Bronze Medal Game (*)</u> Sunday-------9/2/07-----7:00 PM--------------<u>Gold Medal Game (*)</u> * These are elimination games and the Score will only be televising them if Canada or the US has qualified. x To be aired via tape-delay at 2 a.m. EDT on July 28th and re-broadcast at 1:30 p.m. EDT on July 28th. xx To be aired via tape-delay at 11:30 a.m. EDT on July 28th.
Man, it sucks, we can't watch em unless Canada beats those 6 games. I beat, when Canada plays the USA, Rautins will ask them to go easy on Bosh, because the Raptors need him. When I watch, I'm all Team Canada, even against Bosh. I'm a Team Canada Fan before Bosh fan. Why can't Bosh get a Canadian citizenship? Oh well, GO CANADA GO!
<div class="quote_poster">hustler Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Probably just me but did Bosh lose some weight.</div> Yea, he did look it...When I saw him with the And 1, he looked skinner, it is weird. I hope he didn't lose to much weight, I still want him to be strong to back guys up.
Bosh really hasn't had much rest when its come to playing competitive basketball, when you think about it. I mean he got a month or so after the playoffs, but now he's right back training with Team USA. And these are full-out game situations, so he probably doesn't have as much time to work on simply bulking up and lifting weights. On the plus side, he looked a lot more fluid in those youtube clips. One of the problems during the playoffs was that if Bosh didn't get set up in a perfect iso situation, he'd end up either passing out or putting up a low percentage shot. He needs to adjust and just take what the defense gives him at times.
<div align="center"><u><font size=""3"">Andrea Bargnani Highlights</font></u></div> vs. Turkey Invalid Video Link Highlights from Italy vs. Turkey (not just Bargnani) Invalid Video Link vs. Austria Invalid Video Link vs. Croatia Invalid Video Link http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=_O33rmWkfqo (this one won't embed properly, so you can just follow the link)
Andrea Bargnani = Force for Italy. Man he is playing great ball over there. He doesn't score a whole lot but 12-15 is good. He is playing with his back to the basket and taking the ball to the cup, I love it! He is shooting the 3 nice, plus I love that he is dunking with authority. Man, this season is gunna be great (I hope).
Been a bit busy lately, so time for a massive international update: ------------------------ <u><div align="center"><u>August 16, 2007: Spain 97 Lithuania 74</u></div></u> <div align="center">Jose Calderon: 20 mins, 18 pts (3/3 from the field, 4/5 3pt. %), 2 rebs, 1 ast Box Score (.pdf file)</div> ------------------------ <div align="center">Bargnani Is Okay, Recalcati Says</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Carlo Recalcati on Thursday dismissed fears that Andrea Bargnani might not play at the EuroBasket due to injury. The seven-footer is not feeling 100%, but Italy coach Recalcati told FIBA Europe: "Bargnani's condition is not a concern. "During the year, while at Toronto, he suffered from back problems and I decided to give him two or three days rest. "But he will be training with the team tomorrow (Friday) in Varese." Recalcati handed Luca Garri, a 25-year-old power forward/center who played on the silver-medal winning Olympic team in Athens and last year's team in Japan at the FIBA World Championship, a surprise call-up on Thursday but not as cover for Bargani. "The decision to bring in Luca Garri is linked to the fact that due to injury, I had to do without Mason Rocca," Recalcati confirmed. "Mason Rocca hurt himself 10 days before we got together for the first time. He hurt his knee, and unfortunately, he will not be with us." Napoli star Rocca not only played, but started in last year's team that finished second to Team USA in Group D of the FIBA World Championship. "For me, having to do without Rocca is a big loss because he has a lot of talent and he would have combined well with Bargnani and Gallinari in the ideal kind of concept of the way I want us to play," Recalcati said. "Now I need to find players who can take over Mason's role. "Angelo Gigli has been playing very well, but also Bargnani will have to step in and Gallinari."</div> <div align="center">Source: EuroBasket 2007 Official Website</div> ------------------------ <div align="center">Wins for Argentina, Canada</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">SAN JUAN (Tuto Marchand Cup) - Argentina and Canada opened their Tuto Marchand Continental Cup campaign with victories over Brazil and hosts Puerto Rico respectively. The opening game of the tournament - a warm-up event for the FIBA Americas Championship - saw Sergio Hernandez's Argentina emerge victorious in a South American derby. Power forward Luis Scola was instrumental in his side's win, pouring in 23 points as Argentina claimed a 75-67 victory. The Houston Rockets man also grabbed 12 rebounds, while there was a telling contribution from Burgos power forward Diego Lo Grippo, who netted 17 points and pulled down seven rebounds. Marcelo Machado netted 18 points and Jao Paulo Batista added 15 in a losing cause for Brazil. "We played slowly in the first half," said Hernandez. "Before the break, the game seemed like a battle of the veterans." The Brazilians were without star players Leandro Barbosa and Nene Hilario, both of whom are expected back for their next game by coach Aluiso 'Lulo' Ferreira. He said: "Leandro had a cold and we expect that he can play against Puerto Rico on Friday, while Nene arrived on Sunday and we don't want to rush him." In Thursday's other game, Canada needed overtime to see off a strong challenge from Puerto Rico, eventually emerging 65-63 winners. The teams ended regulation time tied at 57-57 after Canada guard Jermaine Anderson evaded a strong challenge from Carlos Arroyo with five seconds on the clock to net a three-pointer and force the extra period. "It wasn't a great game for us, but we only shared two weeks working together as a team," said Canada coach Leo Rautins. Puerto Rico coach Manolo Cintron added: "The ball never wanted to go in the basket." But he added: "They grabbed 59 rebounds and we only managed 39 ... You can't win with this difference." The action resumes on Friday when Argentina face Canada and Brazil meet Puerto Rico.</div> <div align="center">Source: FIBA.com</div> ------------------------ <div align="center">Canada stuns Argentina</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">SAN JOSE (Marchand Continental Cup) - Canada remain the only unbeaten team in the Tuto Marchand Continental Cup after overcoming Argentina 84-78 in round two. The North Americans, who edged hosts Puerto Rico 65-63 in a tightly contested opening game, put on a convincing performance in their second game of the warm-up tournament for the FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas with Carl English making a telling contribution. The Gran Canaria shooting guard top-scored with 30 points, including four of four from two-point range and four of seven from outside the arc. During the first half Argentina were awful from long distance, managing just one of eight from downtown, but still managed to finish just a point behind the Canadians (39-38). However, a telling third quarter from Canada saw them race to a 17-point lead with Sergio Hernandez's team looking in tatters. Paolo Quinteros with 16 points and 15 each from the NBA's Carlos Delfino and Luis Scola helped the Argentinians draw level with just over a minute to play, before Jermaine Anderson upped the tempo to seal the win for Canada. In the day's other game, Brazil eased past hosts Puerto Rico 79-67 with Tiago Splitter netting 24 points and also adding 10 rebounds. "We played with more focus in this game than we did against Argentina and we also played harder in defense," said Splitter. "Against Canada we have to keep the same pace to achieve another triumph." </div> <div align="center">Source: FIBA.com</div> ------------------------ <u><div align="center"><u>August 18, 2007: Spain 97 Lithuania 74</u></div></u> <div align="center">Jose Calderon: 18 mins, 18 pts (1/2 from the field, 3/4 3pt. %), 1 reb Box Score (.pdf file)</div> <div align="center">Calderon Scores 13 Consecutive Pts in 1:30 vs Lithuania</div> <div align="center">Invalid Video Link</div> ------------------------ <div align="center"><u>August 20, 2007: Slovenia 84 Italy 81</u></div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Slovenia have been playing so well in their EuroBasket warm-up campaign that some observers believe they may be better than the side that reached last year's FIBA World Championship. There certainly will not be any new detractors after Monday night's 84-81 win over Italy in the Acropolis Tournament. CSKA Moscow power forward Matjaz Smodis, who is playing with the Slovenians for the first time since 2001, led his team with 13 points, captain Rasho Nesterovic weighed in with 12 and Goran Jagodnik poured in 11. Marco Belinelli had a game-high 20 points for the Azzurri. Italy led 20-19 after the opening quarter but Slovenia surged into a 41-36 half-time lead. They then dominated the third quarter and led 69-54 going into the final period and, although the Azzurri rallied well, it was to prove in vain. Italy coach Carlo Recalcati was unimpressed. "We started with complacency and we paid for it," he said. "I am happy at our comeback and for our reaction. We were getting better at the end and that indicates we don't have physical problems but paid for how we approached the game. "It was an ugly game, lacking in energy. If you play without energy, you cannot deal with negative situations and your errors." Andrea Bargnani only had two points for Italy, whose first game in the EuroBasket will be against these same opponents on September 3 in Alicante.</div> <div align="center">Source: EuroBasket 2007 Official Website Rasho Nesterovic: 20 mins, 12 pts (6/12 from the field), 7 rebs, 1 ast, 1 block Andrea Bargnani: 15 mins, 2 pts (1/4 from the field, 0/1 3pt. %), 3 rebs, 2 ast, 1 block, 5 fouls</div> ------------------------ <div align="center">Garbajosa still waiting for all clear</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Spain coach Pepu Hernandez is still in the dark about Jorge Garbajosa's availability for the EuroBasket despite the tournament tipping off in less than two weeks. The 2.07m power forward has been in doubt ever since he broke his fibula, and tore an ankle ligament at the end of March with the Toronto Raptors. Garbajosa had surgery almost immediately after and Spain's medical staff have indicated that his rehabilitation has gone so well that he has a chance of playing at EuroBasket. The Toronto Raptors have monitored closely Garbajosa's recovery, however, and have yet to give the player the all clear. "I don't know if it is a question of hours, minutes or days," admitted Hernandez. "I am worried about the group and Jorge is part of the group. "I see him (Garbajosa) slightly worried." Garbajosa spoke of the serious nature of the injury before his surgery and admitted he would be fortunate to be fit in time for the EuroBasket. He has made a remarkable recovery, though, and finally joined his team-mates in training on Monday in Valencia. Garbajosa will not play in any warm-up game until the Raptors give the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) their consent. Spain take on the Czech Republic in Castellon on Tuesday before facing Germany on Wednesday in Valencia.</div> <div align="center">Source: EuroBasket 2007 Official Website</div> ------------------------ A couple days ago the Spanish Federation set a 2 day deadline for the Raptors to make a decision on Garbajosa, or they'd leave him off the roster. I think the lack of communication has been a bit frustrating for them, because even though Garbajosa thinks he is ready to play, they don't want him to go against his NBA club. It also says the Federation is willing to provide insurance in the event that he does play (not sure of the specifics). The Raps want him to play so that he can build confidence in his ankle before the season starts, but they're concerned with the swelling (I think I posted something earlier that referred to the fact that his ankle is still badly swollen). I think today's the last day for that deadline, so I'm anxious to hear something. <div align="center">Source: Marca.com (in Spanish) </div>
<div class="quote_poster">Master Shake Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">JOSE CALDERON!!! Nice stat lines for him. 18 points is great. How many assists is he getting Chut?</div> Not very many, but they are a lot more rigid when they count assists in international basketball. He's been absolutely crazy when its come to scoring though (check the youtube video I just added).
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Not very many, but they are a lot more rigid when they count assists in international basketball. He's been absolutely crazy when its come to scoring though (check the youtube video I just added).</div> Wow, he shot 4 FT on that play? He's a 3 PT shooting beast in the Euros. That means he will shoot deep in the NBA. Oh man, my boy Jose coming to town. I can't wait to see him score more. Also, how come they are more rigid with assists?
Just a reminder that we'll finally get to see some action from the Americas tournament. The SCORE's showing Canada vs. Brazil @ 8:30 PM and USA vs. Venezuela @ 11:00 PM.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Just a reminder that we'll finally get to see some action from the Americas tournament. The SCORE's showing Canada vs. Brazil @ 8:30 PM and USA vs. Venezuela @ 11:00 PM.</div> YEA! I'm gunna go watch. Man, I can't wait to see Team Canada in action. I wanna see Leo Rautins son, maybe we'll draft him? I hope not though
When Dalembert made that fase away jumper, I thought the game was over. Then he had that sick put back, I was thinking, Brazil = owned. Then we lost, I'm really sad about this. The thing is, we barley contained Barbosa, who scored 30, how are we gunna stop Bryant, James, Howard?
