Sunday, July 31, 2011
Web - Dallas Lauderdale Ohio State Video Clips
(Polish Club PGE Turow officially announced the addition of former Buckeye Dallas Lauderdale on July 27, 2011. Here's an Ohio State video package of Dallas which was uploaded to youtube by MTAINCBASKETBALL !
Euroleague.net - PGE Turow Adds size with Dallas Lauderdale
Friday, July 29, 2011
Top Performances of April - #2 Mike Conley Jr.'s NBA Playoff Debut!!
4.17.2011 - Memphis Grizzlies 101 at San Antonio Spurs 98 (Playoffs - 1st Rd - Game 1)
- Mike Conley Jr. 15 points, 10 assists, 4 rebounds (NBA Playoffs Debut!)
(Top Performances of April #2)
One to Remember - The #2 performance of April happens to be one our favorite games of the entire season. Mike Conley Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies capped a very good regular season with a rewarding entry into the 2011 NBA Playoffs. It was the fourth playoff apperance in franchise history and first since the year 2006. As the 8th seed, the Grizzlies were matched up with the heavily favored one seeded San Antonio Spurs.
Conley Sets the Tone - Prior to the onset of the series, much was made about the point guard matchup between Conley Spurs Guard Tony Parker. A good bit of the discussion centered on whether Mike had the ability to stop Parker on defense, yet we kept thinking, "is Tony going to be able to stop Mike from doing what he wants to do?". Well Mike went out and a big a time statement in game one which happened to be on the road in San Antonio Texas.
In what was his first career playoff game, Conley simply did what he had been doing all season long..the former Buckeye calmly ran the show by getting everyone involved and judiciously picking his spots to contribute offensively. Mike hit Marc Gasol on a pick & roll to account for the first points of playoffs, and his last assist of the game was to Shane Battier for the crucial game winning three. By the end of the contest, Mike finished with a double-double of 15 points & 10 assists! But more importantly, the Grizzlies shocked the Spurs in the 101-98 road victory..a game that would in affect set the tone for the whole series.
News - Dallas Lauderdale to play Rookie Season in Poland !
(Former Buckeye Dallas Lauderdale getting hyped!)
Multiple media outlets out of Poland are reporting that former Buckeye Dallas Lauderdale will play for Polish League runner-up PGE Turow! Lauderdale steadily improved in each of his years at Ohio State. He would leave as one of the best shot blockers in the University's history. Dallas will now introduce is awesome defensive skills to a host of unwary slashers and post players in EuropeThe summer transfer season is definitely starting to heat up. This is currently one of the toughest basketball markets in sometime, so it is especially exciting to read about former Buckeyes landing in good situations. David Lighty signed on with a powerful Italian Team that will play in the Euroleague (Europe's highest level), Je'Kel Foster's new club has one of the biggest budgets in Germany, and they are slated to play in the Eurocup (Europe's 2nd highest level). The latest international reports are about another Ohio State rookie to be, Dallas Lauderdale.
PGE Turow's Official Website - Lauderdale in Turow
Official Website of the Polish League - PGE Turow (Lauderdale)
Poland - When we wrote about the pro prospects of Lauderdale, we tabbed him as a player who could start out in a mid-level European league and work his way up. In a list of the top 25 European domestic leagues, we would rank the Polish league at around 11 or 12. Fellow Buckeye George Reese has been one of the league's top players in recent years..Brent Darby played in Poland in the 20o4 season as well. In our opinion, Polish PLK is a decent location (considering the current market) for Dallas to begin his pro career. There are better leagues of course, but in our view the particular squad that he is reportedly headed to is what makes the situation appealing.
PGE Turow/Euroleague - If these reports come into fruition, Dallas will play for PGE Turow, a squad based in the south western Polish town called Zgorzelec. Turow finished 2nd in last year's Regular Season standings and lost in the finals of the Polish League Playoffs by just one game to powerhouse Prokom. This is clearly a club on the rise.
Furthermore, Turow competed in the Eurocup last season and is slated to participate in the Euroleague qualifications in late September! So despite playing in a mid-level type of league, Dallas may still end up competing on the highest level (like his teammate & friend David Lighty) if Turow can advance in. If Turow doesn't advance to the Euroleague, they will play in the Eurocup again. (so either way they will be playing two schedules, Polish League and a European schedule) We like that Dallas will be able to travel out of Poland every now and then and play teams from other leagues (and simply see other countries). - We'll have more on Lauderdale & Turow in upcoming posts!
Euroleague.net - Team Focus - PGE Turow
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Classic Images - Je'Kel Foster & Thad Matta (2006)
FIBA - Kosta Koufos Prepares for the 2011 European Championship
(Screencap - Nikos Zisis & Kosta Koufos of the Greek National Team- 2009 Eurobasket Preparation)
FIBA Time - After a couple dry Summer months without Pro Basketball, international fans can finally get excited again with the onset of the worldwide FIBA zone national team tournaments in August/September 2011. These biennial competitions determine the very best national squads in the Americas, Africa, Asia & Europe. The top finishers of these tournaments not only attain prestige as the best teams of their respective continents, but they will also qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England as well.
Team USA has already earned an automatic entry into the Olympics due to their 2010 FIBA World Championship Title, and they will not participate in the 2011 Fiba Americas Tournament.
Koufos rejoins Hellas - The 2011 European Championship aka Eurobasket will take place in the country of Lithuania (starting in late August/Early September). Former Buckeye & Greek-American (3 years pro) Kosta Koufos departed from the States en route to Greece in early July to prepare for the upcoming tournament. The final roster is not quite set yet, but Koufos looks like a lock to be one of Greece's big men for Eurobasket.
This will be Koufos' third stint with the Greek National Team. He participated in the 2007 FIBA Europe U18 Tournament where he was named MVP, and he was also apart of the 2009 Eurobasket squad (pictured left - FIBA Europe). Kosta declined an invite to the 2010 World Championships in Turkey, opting instead to remain in the U.S to prepare for his new situation (traded from Utah to Minnesota in Summer of 2010) in what was a very important year for him.
Greece can use Kosta - Koufos' first stint with Senior Greek National team was up & down. He was able to get a lot of run in the preparation stage & played relatively well. But the rotation shrunk under then NT coach Jonas Kazlauskas when the real games kicked in which didn't allow for many minutes. Koufos hopes to transition his year of improvement with Minnesota/Denver into some contribution at the 2011 tournament.
Greece will definitely need Kosta & others to step up and make some noise in light of their current mild national team crisis. Injuries and team declines have hit their national team hard. Top players such as Dimitris Diamantidis, Theo Papaloukas, Loukas Mavrokefalidis, Nick Calathes (pictured left with Kosta - 2009), and Vassilis Spanoulis will reportedly not play for Greece (which has already brought the team down from a medal favorite to just a contender for the knockout stage).
Videos - Kosta Koufos Clips from the 2009 EuroBasket Preparation stage, plus NBA highlights from this past 2010/2011 season!
FIBA Time - After a couple dry Summer months without Pro Basketball, international fans can finally get excited again with the onset of the worldwide FIBA zone national team tournaments in August/September 2011. These biennial competitions determine the very best national squads in the Americas, Africa, Asia & Europe. The top finishers of these tournaments not only attain prestige as the best teams of their respective continents, but they will also qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England as well.
Team USA has already earned an automatic entry into the Olympics due to their 2010 FIBA World Championship Title, and they will not participate in the 2011 Fiba Americas Tournament.
This will be Koufos' third stint with the Greek National Team. He participated in the 2007 FIBA Europe U18 Tournament where he was named MVP, and he was also apart of the 2009 Eurobasket squad (pictured left - FIBA Europe). Kosta declined an invite to the 2010 World Championships in Turkey, opting instead to remain in the U.S to prepare for his new situation (traded from Utah to Minnesota in Summer of 2010) in what was a very important year for him.
Greece can use Kosta - Koufos' first stint with Senior Greek National team was up & down. He was able to get a lot of run in the preparation stage & played relatively well. But the rotation shrunk under then NT coach Jonas Kazlauskas when the real games kicked in which didn't allow for many minutes. Koufos hopes to transition his year of improvement with Minnesota/Denver into some contribution at the 2011 tournament.
Greece will definitely need Kosta & others to step up and make some noise in light of their current mild national team crisis. Injuries and team declines have hit their national team hard. Top players such as Dimitris Diamantidis, Theo Papaloukas, Loukas Mavrokefalidis, Nick Calathes (pictured left with Kosta - 2009), and Vassilis Spanoulis will reportedly not play for Greece (which has already brought the team down from a medal favorite to just a contender for the knockout stage).
Videos - Kosta Koufos Clips from the 2009 EuroBasket Preparation stage, plus NBA highlights from this past 2010/2011 season!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Greg Oden made Musical Cameo on a Soundtrack!
(Oden in Cali)
Read the Interview with Kevin Moyer here! (link)"Wendell Maxey of Beyond The Beat interviews music producer Kevin Moyer, who explains what it was like working with Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden on a song for his new record, "Live From Nowhere Near You: Volume Two."
Listen to the Moyer/Oden song here! (link)
Greg provides the intro vocals for this instrumental track. Oden can be heard saying "Let's go, Let's get it", and then he sings "uhh, uhh, aye aye" repeatedly to set up the track! Listen to it yourself at the above link. Go G.O!
NBA - Portland Made Qualifying Contract Offer to Greg Oden
The Portland Trailblazers made center Greg Oden a restricted free-agent with an $8.8 million qualifying offer in late June 2011.
From Oregon Live (before the contract offer)
The Future - There was much speculation throughout the season about Portland's plans concerning Oden. All reports and statements from the franchise indicate that they intend to remain in his corner. With the uncertainty around Greg's health, that $8.8 million tender will be a bit of a risk for a club to take on in the post collective bargaining agreement NBA. There's currently no timetable on when G.O. will be back on the court, or when the NBA Lockout will end as well.
From Oregon Live (before the contract offer)
"If the Blazers tender Oden, there are several ways they can retain him. They can sit back and gauge what the free agent market will be for the talented but injury-plagued 7-foot center and match any offer Oden receives. If interest is minimal, they can simply sign him to the one-year $8.8 million deal.- (Source - Link)
They can also offer and sign Oden to a multi-year contract, gambling that the player who has played in just 82 games and endured three knee surgeries during his four-year career is destined for a long and healthy return. Oden, it seems, is open to a long-term return to Portland."
The Future - There was much speculation throughout the season about Portland's plans concerning Oden. All reports and statements from the franchise indicate that they intend to remain in his corner. With the uncertainty around Greg's health, that $8.8 million tender will be a bit of a risk for a club to take on in the post collective bargaining agreement NBA. There's currently no timetable on when G.O. will be back on the court, or when the NBA Lockout will end as well.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
BuckeyeBallersTV - Je'Kel Foster 2010/2011 Vanoli Cremona (Italy) Video
News - Je'Kel Foster Will Return to the German Bundesliga for rising club Bayern Munich!!
(Buckeye Star Je'Kel Foster played his fifth season of professional basketball in the Italian Serie A for Vanoli Cremona)
Big News ! Late July 2011 brought us more exciting international transfer news concerning one of our Buckeye Ballers. Rising German club FC Bayern Munich officially announced the addition of Buckeye Je'Kel Foster on July 21 (a day before Foster's 28th Birthday!).
The now veteran of high level European basketball (5 years experience) played his fifth pro season as the starting shooting guard for Vanoli Cremona in Italy (pictured left: 2010/2011 season). According to reports, Je'Kel has agreed to a two year contract with Munich.
Old Territory - The name Je'Kel Foster is very familiar to fans of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL - German League). Foster played his Rookie pro season (2006/2007) in Ludwigsburg where he was named league newcomer of the year. Then after a year in France, he returned to Germany to play for Oldenburg where he helped the Thunderbirds win the 2009 German Championship which earned an automatic entry into the Euroleague ( he also finished 3rd in BBL MVP voting in 2009). Now, after one season in Italy, Foster will return to Germany to play for an ambitious club that aims for top spot in the Bundesliga.
The next German Power? Je'Kel Foster's new team FC Bayern Munich is currently on a meteoric rise in German Basketball. As we understand it, the Bavarian sports club has mainly been known for its football team, but a recent increase in financial support and sponsorship for basketball has catapulted Munich into many hardwood conversations in Germany and Europe.
Munich won the German Pro A (2nd division) championship last season which earned them a promotion to the Bundesliga (1st division). In addition to the Bundesliga entry, they were also shockingly awarded a wild-card position to play in the Eurocup competition! The head coach of Munich is famous German head man Dirk Bauermann who also leads the German National team.
Now with one of the top budgets in German Basketball, Munich has begun to put together a formidable squad in the off-season with a back-court of Notre Dame rookie Ben Hansbrough and Je'Kel Foster to go along with center Sherrod Ford, forward Jan Jagla from Penn State, and young German talent Robin Benzing. This team is definitely poised to make some noise in Germany & Europe!
- Je'Kel Foster's Pro Timeline -
- -2006/2007 - EnBW Ludwigsburg (German Bundesliga)
- -2007/2008 - Paris-Levallois (France Pro A)
- -2008/2009 - Baskets Oldenburg (German Bundesliga)
- -2009/2010 - Baskets Oldenburg (German Bundesliga)
- -2010/2011 - Vanoli Cremona (Italy Serie A)
NBA - Oklahoma City Exercised Team Contract Option on Byron Mullens
Thunder Keeps Core - The Oklahoma City Thunder exercised contract options on five players in late June; James Harden, Eric Maynor, Serge Ibaka, Cole Aldrich, and former Buckeye Byron Mullens. J.A Sherman of Loud City perfectly explained the Mullens' contract situation.
"Harden, Ibaka, Maynor, and Mullens all had their 4th year options exercised, while Aldrich had his 3rd year option exercised. When a team exercises a player option, it means that they extend that players contract for one more season at a salary no less than the prior year's amount.J.A. Sherman - Loud City (Source - Link)
Harden, Maynor, and Mullens were all drafted in 2009, so they are entering their 3rd year of play, and their 4th year is the last year under their rookie contracts. Subsequently, the team will be able to negotiate with each of them (likely in two years) for extended contracts. All of those contract extension negotiations will likely occur under a new collective bargaining agreement."
Questions - Byron Mullens should be used to this NBA thing by now, the 2011/2012 season will be his 3rd year of professional basketball. Despite not earning many rotation minutes in his first two years, OKC still likes his work ethic and potential to contribute to their team. Yet, right now it is kind of hard to foresee him breaking into the rotation with fellow centers Kendrick Perkins, vet Nazr Muhammad, and Cole Adrich on the team. All three of those players are very physical. Can Byron Mullens match their level of physicality and intensity? Will Byron display a level of on court awareness and rebounding prowess that OKC's staff wants to see in his third season?
Mullens is the most athletic big man on that roster, and he also has a jump-shot..but he needs to have a certain type of ruggedness to receive rotation minutes on a playoff team like the Oklahoma City Thunder. Only time will tell.. In the meantime, Mullens has been spotted in Columbus working out with fellow Buckeye George Reese, you can bet his footwork and mid-range will be on point after working with George!
Ohio State Star David Lighty Signs with Italian Power Bennet Cantu!!
(Elite: Cleveland native David Lighty will play on the highest level of European Basketball next season..a feat which is almost unheard of for an American Rookie)
Lighty Joins Italian Power - The biggest news of the 2011 Summer transfer season hit at the end of the first week of July when former Ohio Star David Lighty reportedly signed with Italian Serie A Club Cantu for his first professional basketball season. David's 'lockout dilemma' was highly publicized some weeks ago where the Cleveland native had to decide between waiting out the NBA lockout in hopes of making a team in vet-camp or accepting a guaranteed contract overseas. The latter (overseas) ended up prevailing and his rookie destination is indeed a great situation.
Serie A - The Italian League aka the Serie A or Lega A (meaning top division) is one of the strongest domestic leagues in European Basketball. We closely followed Italian basketball last season due to the Serie A participation of Buckeyes Je'Kel Foster & Othello Hunter. Balance & parity is the name of the game in this league, every team is relatively strong with the ability to compete and defeat each other on any given night. The Serie A also features great organization (media coverage) and many raucous crowd environments.
Moreover, we have also been following the international transfer market this summer, and Italy has notably benefited from the NBA lockout and Greek financial crisis. A lot of top talent has recently transferred to Italian clubs which has only strengthened the Serie A. Italy already had one of the top basketball leagues in Europe, and next season the competition will be oh so serious..and we can't wait!
Cantu - David Lighty's rookie club is called Pallacanestro Cantu aka Bennet Cantu (Bennet is the sponsor) or simply Cantu. Cantu, Italy is located in the Lombardia province near capital city Milan. Bennet Cantu has recently enjoyed a recent rise in the Serie A under Croatian-American head coach Andrea Trinchier. The club finished second in the regular season standings (22-8) and also second in the league playoffs (falling in the finals to perennial power Siena 3-1) Cantu is known for their balanced offensive attack & strong defense which is said to be a great fit for Mr. Lighty. David reportedly signed a two year deal with Cantu with a clause that he can leave for the NBA after one season. (a type of deal like this from a top club wouldn't have been there in the fall)
Euroleague ! Cantu earned a birth into the 2011/2012 Euroleague season due to finishing 2nd in the Italian League last season! As we have noted in the past, the Euroleague is an elite competition, separate from domestic league play, where a collection of the best teams in Europe compete against each other to determine the very best team in Europe.
The Euroleague schedule is played concurrently with domestic league schedules. When the Euroleague schedule hits, Cantu will play an Italian League game on the weekend and then play a Euroleague game during the week. That all means that David Lighty will play on the highest level of basketball outside the NBA, a rare feat for an American Rookie!
It will be a great challenge for Dave to adjust to overseas ball in the tough Serie A AND the Euroleague in his rookie season, but if there is one competitor who can do it, it is one David Lighty..and you can bet that we'll be covering his Euroleague games! (more on Cantu's Euroleague group and schedule in a later post)
Columbus Dispatch -Lighty Signs Two Year Deal to Play in Italy
Euroleague - Cantu Inks Lighty
Fox Sports - Italian Coach Says Lighty Can Do It All
Monday, July 25, 2011
Former OSU Buckeye, long time NBA Assistant Jim Cleamons to Coach in China
(Buckeye Jim Cleamons won a total of six NBA Championships as member of the Los Angeles Lakers, one as a player & 5 as an assistant coach!)
The Next Career Phase - According to early July 2011 reports, former Ohio State Buckeye, and long time NBA assistant coach Jim Cleamons will be a head coach in the Chinese Basketball Association next season.
Cleamons (pictured left: Valerie Macon - Getty Images) is slated to coach the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions (a squad based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang which is located in far east China) for the 2011/2012 season. Cleamons joins a long line of American coaches who have traveled overseas to coach and develop international talent. The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) is the top basketball league in all of Asia, and it is also known worldwide for its great media coverage, fan popularity, and financial organization (a main attraction for former NBA players, Rafer 'Skip to my Lou' Alston, for example, played for Cleamons' new team last season) .
Coach Cleamons (age 62) will arrive to China with a wealth of NBA accomplishment and expertise. The former Buckeye owns a championship ring for every one of his fingers. Cleamons won an NBA championship while playing on the 1971/72 Los Angeles Lakers. But he is perhaps most well known to the basketball community as one of Phil Jackson's top leutenants during legendary coaching stints in Chicago and L.A (Four titles with Bulls, and five titles with the Lakers as a coach!) The 2011 retirement of hall of fame coach Phil Jackson and the subsequent hiring of former Cavs coach Mike Brown signaled he end of an era for Jackson and his coaching staff.
Gaston Gazette - Lincolnton Native Leaves NBA for foreign Head Coaching Job
PR National Team - There were reports in May about talks between Cleamons and the Puerto Rican National Team with the possibility of Cleamons emerging as the head coach of Puerto Rico's National Team. However, Cleamons withdrew from the talks in the latter part of the month. (read this - link)
Here's a short video interview with Cleamons when he was Puerto Rico.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Former Buckeye Chris Jent Returns to Columbus as an Assistant Basketball Coach!!
(The Ohio State University officially announced Chris Jent as an Assistant Basketball Coach on June 29, 2011)
Jent to Coach at tOSU! The biggest Ohio State Basketball news of the summer of 2011 broke in late June when the University officially announced former Buckeye Chris Jent as the newest addition to the Buckeye Basketball coaching staff!
Most basketball fans know Jent primarily from his coaching stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers as an assistant coach & personal shooting tutor to Lebron James. However, tOSU fans of course remember Chris as a hard-nosed Buckeye (1988-1992) who contributed to two Big Ten Championships. His pro carer wasn't too shabby either, he won an NBA championship as a member of the 1994 Houston Rockets, and also played in notable overseas leagues such the Spanish ACB, Italian Serie A, and Greek A1 as well.
From the NBA back to tOSU - Rumors persisted about the possibility of Jent joining Thad Matta's coaching staff following the departure of former Ohio State Assistant Brandon Miller. Yet, there were still doubts as to whether he would want to opt out of a nice NBA coaching position. Jent explained in interviews following the announcement.
"It was definitely two-headed," Jent said. "The pull to the university and also to work with coach Matta and his staff allows me to expand my experience in coaching. The fact that it's my alma mater and a place I have a strong tie to, a strong gut feeling towards, and a great amount of passion to, made it easy."The Lantern - Former Buckeye, NBA Coach Joins Ohio State's Coaching Staff
New Jersey Herald - Sparta Great Jent Returns to Ohio State
Thad Matta on Chris Jent by BuckeyeBallersTV
Thursday, July 14, 2011
NBA - Oklahoma City tabs Daequan Cook as a Restricted Free Agent
(Dayton's own Daequan Cook)
The perseverance of former Buckeye Daequan Cook has to be one of our favorite stories from the 2010/2011 season. Cook started the basketball year out with an honest shooter's slump. He didn't play many rotation minutes in the first half of the season, but Daequan stayed with it and ended up emerging as a key outside threat for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2011. And now there is a strong possibility that Cook will remain as a key piece for a Thunder team that should be making some big time noise in the NBA for a long time.- From a late June News-OK article (Link)
"The Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday extended Daequan Cook a qualifying offer, which officially makes the sharpshooting guard a restricted free agent this summer.
The team had until June 30 to exercise the option. By doing so, the Thunder now has the right to match any contract offer Cook might receive from another team this summer.
Cook, entering his fifth season out of Ohio State, on numerous occasions has voiced his desire to return to the Thunder next season. The feeling is believed to be mutual on the part of the organization."
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Top Performances of April - #3 Mike Conley Jr.'s 20 Point Playoff Game at San Antonio
4.27.2011 - Memphis Grizzlies 103 at San Antonio Spurs 110 OT (Playoffs Round One - Game 5)
- Mike Conley Jr. 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals!
Top Performances #3 - We're eventually going to complete this top performances list..slowly but surely lol. As noted many times, we created a list of notable performances from April because that month featured several great individual games from our pro Buckeyes.
Conley Messed with Texas - Buckeye Star Mike Conley Jr. hurt the #1 seeded San Antonio Spurs with several solid games throughout their round one series in the 2011 NBA playoffs. Mike had one of his best games vs the Spurs in the game 5 road clash on April 27.
Game Context - Enjoying a 3 games to 1 series lead, Memphis entered game 5 looking to accomplish the almost improbable feat of closing out San Antonio in Texas. With their backs against the wall, the veteran Spurs played accordingly by firing on all cylinders in the first half. The game would have been blown wide open in the first two periods (in favor of S.A) if it wasn't for the hot shooting of one Mike Conley Jr. Conley hit two early jumpers in he first and simply didn't look back. The young PG made 8 shots out of 10 attempts to finish with 16 points in the first half!
This game would have been the top individual performance of the month, but Conley significantly cooled off in the 2nd half. He shot 8 of 10 in the first half for 16 points but finished with a result of 9 fg makes out of 20 attempts for a total 20 points. San Antonio eventually clipped the Grizzlies in overtime by a score of 110-103 to stay alive in the series. But still, this game was notable because Mike's first half heroics kept Memphis in the game while at the same time applying more nervous pressure to the Spurs and their home fans. The Grizzlies would inevitably close the Spurs out at home in Game 6 to advance to the 2nd round of the Western Conference Playoffs.
(Video - Mike Conley at San Antonio - Game 5 Clips!)
Mike Conley Jr. at San Antonio (Gm 5 Playoffs) by BuckeyeBallersTV
Sunday, July 10, 2011
New Tony Stockman Interview (ESPN Cleveland) !
Catching up with Tony - Former Ohio State Buckeye Tony Stockman conducted a radio interview with ESPN (850) Cleveland's Kenny Roda on July 3, 2011. In this informative conversation, Tony discusses a number of topics including a brief review of where he has played professionally, his feelings on playing in Latin America, and new the Cleveland Cavalier Omri Casspi, a former teammate of Stockman in Isreal.
Camp Stone - This interview on ESPN radio was a great platform for Tony discuss his upcoming father/son camp called 'Camp Stone'. This camp will take place in Medina, Ohio on August 12 through the 14th. For information on Camp Stone, please visit http://www.StockmanBasketball.com
(Tony Stockman on ESPN Radio!)
Camp Stone - This interview on ESPN radio was a great platform for Tony discuss his upcoming father/son camp called 'Camp Stone'. This camp will take place in Medina, Ohio on August 12 through the 14th. For information on Camp Stone, please visit http://www.StockmanBasketball.com
(Tony Stockman on ESPN Radio!)
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Thoughts on the Pro Prospects of Lighty, Diebler, & Lauderdale
(A stoic looking Jon Diebler at the Blazer's introductory press conference)
Diebler to play Overseas in 2011? - The Portland Trailblazers selected Jon Diebler in the 2nd round of the 2011 NBA draft (51). Blazer's General Manager Chad Buchanan discussed Diebler's situation in articles following the draft.
Thoughts - We see this type of situation with many 2nd round draft picks. An NBA team sends a player overseas, but maintains their rights for future services. But how often is it that said player actually ends up playing for the NBA team after going overseas? Without going through the numbers and records, it seems like more times than not, many of these guys inevitably don't see NBA floors for the squad that drafted them after a stint overseas.
Yet, Jon Diebler is a unique case in our view because we like to think of him as indeed a world class shooter. Ideally, his shooting ability should allow for a role in Portland or somewhere else in the league at some point. Honestly, if you examine what fellow Buckeye Daequan Cook does for Oklahoma City, there's no reason why Diebs couldn't do the same thing for another NBA team, but it's all about finding the right situation and opportunity..we hope that Portland is that right situation. But as of now, the NBA lockout is seemingly deciding the fate (overseas) for many players in Jon's situation. Diebler was apparently offered to mid-level Italian team Varese in early July, but the club turned down the proposal.
Prospects - NBA and/or mid to high level Europe (Diebler's role in the NBA or high level Europe would seem to be that of a spot shooter. It would be great to see him on a big, powerful type of team, but it would also be cool if he were able to get on a mid-level type of European squad that could showcase his game in a more expanded role.)
(David Lighty, sporting the block O, was reportedly impressive at the 2011 Atlanta Hawks Summer Mini Camp)
David's Dilemma - Okay, so we were all super hot about Buckeye great David Lighty not being selected on draft night. But we quickly learned thereafter that Lighty was actually contacted by several teams in the second round about being drafted. But because of roster concerns/issues, that pick what have been based on the condition that David play a year overseas (Link). Lighty declined those offers, opting instead to have more options as an undrafted free agent.
The former Buckeye (pictured left at Hawks mini-camp: Phil Skinner) participated in free agent draft camps for the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns. Lighty caught the eye of Atlanta Hawks head coach Larry Drew.
“Lighty is a gutsy defender,” Drew said. “That is what we are looking for as we move into next season. I want guys that can defend where it’s already instilled in him, it’s in their DNA. Lighty has been a tremendous defender throughout his career, and certainly he would be a plus to have on this team.”
AJC - Hawks Search for Blue Collar Players Could Include Lighty
Thoughts - David Lighty's situation is definitely going to come down to the lockout, and whether he thinks it will be worth it to wait it out or not. The notion of David getting signed by an NBA team in the fall seems highly probable, but the lockout brings a cloud of uncertainty as to when or if fall camps would begin. Lighty is already getting legit interest from European powerhouses like Olympiacos (Link) & Cantu..these offers won't be on the table in the fall or whenever the lockout ends..hence the dilemma.
Prospects - NBA or High-Level Europe - In our view, David Lighty is a special defender who is more than capable of providing offense. He has the ability to be an impact role player in the NBA and or a great rotation player in high level European play.
What about Dallas? - We just haven't heard or read much about Dallas Lauderdale in pre and post draft discussions. When we think about Dallas, former Buckeye Ken Johnson comes to mind, a super shot blocker who was able to enjoy a long career overseas by primarily protecting the rim..(Dallas can do that if he wants to).
We can only guess that teams didn't see enough offense from Lauderdale at OSU to warrant selecting him in the draft. By the time Ken Johnson left Columbus, he had a little jump hook and even a little jumper which allowed him to get drafted late in the 2nd round. Yet for whatever reason, Dallas did not show that type of growth throughout his college career.
This is where the lockout and absence of an NBA Summer league really hurts players like Lauderdale. Without a lockout, Dallas could be in Las Vegas right now killing shots around the rim & showing some offense with the possibly of earning a NBA fall camp invite. But now his destiny is almost certainly overseas play.
Prospects - Mid-level Europe (We could see Dallas starting on a low to mid level European team, and then working his way up. A mid-level European league would be Germany or Belgium for example, in our opinion Lauderdale could be a backup center there or a third center in a higher level type of league)
"Being a second round pick, you obviously have some flexibility," Buchanan said. "Whether you bring him over immediately or if you want to have him play overseas for a season. We'll sit down with his agent and talk about some options for Jon. But he's obviously got an NBA skill. Finding the right time to have him on our roster is something that we have to discuss."BlazersEdge - Blazers Introduce Rookies Nolan Smith & Jon Diebler
Thoughts - We see this type of situation with many 2nd round draft picks. An NBA team sends a player overseas, but maintains their rights for future services. But how often is it that said player actually ends up playing for the NBA team after going overseas? Without going through the numbers and records, it seems like more times than not, many of these guys inevitably don't see NBA floors for the squad that drafted them after a stint overseas.
Yet, Jon Diebler is a unique case in our view because we like to think of him as indeed a world class shooter. Ideally, his shooting ability should allow for a role in Portland or somewhere else in the league at some point. Honestly, if you examine what fellow Buckeye Daequan Cook does for Oklahoma City, there's no reason why Diebs couldn't do the same thing for another NBA team, but it's all about finding the right situation and opportunity..we hope that Portland is that right situation. But as of now, the NBA lockout is seemingly deciding the fate (overseas) for many players in Jon's situation. Diebler was apparently offered to mid-level Italian team Varese in early July, but the club turned down the proposal.
Prospects - NBA and/or mid to high level Europe (Diebler's role in the NBA or high level Europe would seem to be that of a spot shooter. It would be great to see him on a big, powerful type of team, but it would also be cool if he were able to get on a mid-level type of European squad that could showcase his game in a more expanded role.)
(David Lighty, sporting the block O, was reportedly impressive at the 2011 Atlanta Hawks Summer Mini Camp)
David's Dilemma - Okay, so we were all super hot about Buckeye great David Lighty not being selected on draft night. But we quickly learned thereafter that Lighty was actually contacted by several teams in the second round about being drafted. But because of roster concerns/issues, that pick what have been based on the condition that David play a year overseas (Link). Lighty declined those offers, opting instead to have more options as an undrafted free agent.
The former Buckeye (pictured left at Hawks mini-camp: Phil Skinner) participated in free agent draft camps for the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns. Lighty caught the eye of Atlanta Hawks head coach Larry Drew.
“Lighty is a gutsy defender,” Drew said. “That is what we are looking for as we move into next season. I want guys that can defend where it’s already instilled in him, it’s in their DNA. Lighty has been a tremendous defender throughout his career, and certainly he would be a plus to have on this team.”
AJC - Hawks Search for Blue Collar Players Could Include Lighty
Thoughts - David Lighty's situation is definitely going to come down to the lockout, and whether he thinks it will be worth it to wait it out or not. The notion of David getting signed by an NBA team in the fall seems highly probable, but the lockout brings a cloud of uncertainty as to when or if fall camps would begin. Lighty is already getting legit interest from European powerhouses like Olympiacos (Link) & Cantu..these offers won't be on the table in the fall or whenever the lockout ends..hence the dilemma.
Prospects - NBA or High-Level Europe - In our view, David Lighty is a special defender who is more than capable of providing offense. He has the ability to be an impact role player in the NBA and or a great rotation player in high level European play.
What about Dallas? - We just haven't heard or read much about Dallas Lauderdale in pre and post draft discussions. When we think about Dallas, former Buckeye Ken Johnson comes to mind, a super shot blocker who was able to enjoy a long career overseas by primarily protecting the rim..(Dallas can do that if he wants to).
We can only guess that teams didn't see enough offense from Lauderdale at OSU to warrant selecting him in the draft. By the time Ken Johnson left Columbus, he had a little jump hook and even a little jumper which allowed him to get drafted late in the 2nd round. Yet for whatever reason, Dallas did not show that type of growth throughout his college career.
This is where the lockout and absence of an NBA Summer league really hurts players like Lauderdale. Without a lockout, Dallas could be in Las Vegas right now killing shots around the rim & showing some offense with the possibly of earning a NBA fall camp invite. But now his destiny is almost certainly overseas play.
Prospects - Mid-level Europe (We could see Dallas starting on a low to mid level European team, and then working his way up. A mid-level European league would be Germany or Belgium for example, in our opinion Lauderdale could be a backup center there or a third center in a higher level type of league)
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Lima Event - Shoot-Out Against Jamar Butler !
Lima, Ohio - The Lima Explosion (ABA) presents the Summer Shoot-Out against Jamar Butler as part of the 4th of July holiday weekend. Fans in Lima, Ohio can test their shooting skills versus former Ohio State Buckeye and pro basketball player Jamar Butler in a 3-point contest.
(Location, dates & times are on the center image)
Butler & the Lima Explosion will begin their 2011/2011 Regular Season in the fall.
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