March 2011 International Wiretap

Jaric, Fischer Named Euroleague MVPs For Game 3 Of Playoffs

Mar 30, 2011 10:37 AM

The Euroleague MVP honor for Game 3 of the Playoffs is shared by two players after Marko Jaric of Montepaschi Siena and D’or Fischer of Real Madrid both came off the bench to lead their respective teams to pivotal Playoffs victories.

Jaric scored a season-high 24 points as Montepaschi downed Olympiacos 81-72.

Fischer posted 19 points on perfect shooting as Madrid bested Power Electronics Valencia 66-75 on the road.

The two both had performance index ratings of 27, which were the best in the Euroleague in the third game of the Playoffs. Jaric did his damage in just 24 minutes, finishing the night with just a single missed shot plus 4 rebounds, an assist and a steal. Fischer tallied 8 rebounds, 2 blocks and an assist in 23 minutes on the floor.

Press Release

Tags: D'or Fischer, Marko Jaric, Euroleague, International, International League

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NBA Execs Anticipate Strong European Influence In Draft

Mar 29, 2011 4:14 PM

The number of European players in the NBA has leveled out in recent years, but with an underwhelming talent pool in the United States, the European influence in the upcoming draft could be the biggest overseas rush for lottery teams in five years, maybe longer, notes NBA.com’s Scott Howard-Cooper.

Three imports are tracking to the lottery while a fourth, who is all but a new arrival, could be the earliest off the board in a little less than three months when the draft is held in Newark, N.J.

"It isn't that the international kids are so dominant as much as it's an opportunity for them with a weaker college crop from the U.S.," one general manager confirmed.

Four are certain for the first round if they stay in the pool: Donatas Montiejunas, Jan Vesely, Jonas Valanciunas and Enes Kanter.

Scott Howard-Cooper/NBA.com

Tags: Donatas Motiejunas, Jonas Valanciunas, Enes Freedom, Jan Vesely, Nikola Mirotic, Lucas Nogueira, Euroleague, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, International, NBA Draft General, International League

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Mirotic To Declare For NBA Draft

Mar 29, 2011 11:15 AM

Real Madrid's Nikola Mirotic will enter the 2011 NBA Draft and officially declare this week.

Mirotic, who played in the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit, has had a meteoric rise this season.

Mirotic was projected as the ninth overall selection in RealGM's pre-NCAA Tournament Mock Draft.

TuBasket.com (via HoopsHype)

Tags: Nikola Mirotic, Euroleague, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, International, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Declarations, International League

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Magic Would Like To Sign Vázquez, But Hurdle Remains

Mar 25, 2011 1:18 PM

The Magic used the 11th overall pick in the 2005 draft to select Fran Vázquez, but he ultimately decided to remain in Europe for a variety of reasons. For almost six years, the Magic have attempted to convince Vázquez to leave Europe and make the jump to the NBA.

But just when it appears that the 6-foot-10 big man is receptive to joining the Magic, a possibly daunting hurdle looms. The potential of a prolonged work stoppage after the current season might prevent the long-awaited union between Vázquez and the Magic, at least for the 11-12 season.

The Magic hypothetically could sign Vázquez after the current season ends and before the current collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of June 30. He would then receive the rookie scale salary for the year he is signed instead of the rookie scale agreed upon in the next CBA.

"In an ideal situation, we'd like to sign him," said Otis Smith. "But with the CBA, it's not in his best interest to sign a contract if there is a work stoppage. Then he misses an opportunity to play and make money, at least for a while. That's the rub."

Orlando Sentinel

Tags: Fran Vazquez, Orlando Magic, Euroleague, Spanish ACB, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, International, International League

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NCAA Opts For Guesswork Over Accuracy In Timekeeping

Mar 23, 2011 6:09 PM

Precision Time Systems, which was invented by former NBA and college referee Michael Costabile, has become the industry standard for timekeeping in basketball games, but the NCAA -- unlike the NBA, the Olympics, all major conferences and even some high schools -- doesn’t use the automatic timing system for its signature event.

In a sense, it’s like using a modern timing system to determine how fast Usain Bolt runs or Michael Phelps swims until they get to the Olympics, then breaking out the stopwatches to figure out who gets the gold medal.

Costabile’s system, which uses wireless technology to sync whistles to the clock, ranges in price from $3,185 to $3,750 each, which sounds like pocket change compared to the tournament’s $10.8 billion television deal.

“This is 2011,” said Nelson Keller, who runs the clock merely as a backup for women’s games at North Carolina and the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament. “It’s crazy not to use the technology that’s available.”

Paul Newberry/Associated Press

Tags: NCAA Tournament, NCAA, NBA, International, National

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Barcelona, Caja Laboral, Madrid, Olympiacos Win Respective Game 1s

Mar 23, 2011 12:14 PM

The quarterfinal playoffs of Euroleague began on Tuesday with the first game of four best of five series. The home team won all four games.

• Regal Barcelona 83, Panathinaikos 82

• Caja Laboral 76, Maccabi Electra 70

• Real Madrid 71, Power Electronics Valencia 65

• Olympiacos 89, Montepaschi 41

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Euroleague, International, International League

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Maccabi's Richard Hendrix Wins Playoffs Game 1 MVP

Mar 23, 2011 12:11 PM

Despite his team's road loss against Caja Laboral, Richard Hendrix led Maccabi with 16 points on 8-of-13 two-pointers and 16 rebounds.

His 9 defensive rebounds to go with 7 on the offensive glass amounted to highest rebounding total by any player in one game during the six-year history of the Euroleague playoffs. He added 4 blocks and 2 fouls drawn for a performance index rating of 28.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Euroleague, International, International Award, International League

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Sergio Rodriguez Suffers Muscle Tear In Thigh, Out For Next Round Of Euroleague

Mar 21, 2011 1:41 AM

Sergio Rodriguez suffered a thigh muscle tear that will make him miss the team's best-of-five series against Power Electronics Valencia.

Rodriguez was averaging a team-high 3.3 assists and 6.9 points over the first 16 games of the Euroleague season for Madrid. His absence in the playoff series against Valencia leaves the team to rely mainly on veteran Pablo Prigioni at point guard, although combo guard Sergio Llull can also share ball-handling duties.

Euroleague.net

Tags: Sergio Rodriguez, Euroleague, International, International League

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Sherron Collins Signs With Lietruvos Rytas

Mar 18, 2011 12:41 PM

Sherron Collins has signed with Lietruvos Rytas of Lithuania.

Collins will replace the injured Khalid El-Emin, who is out for the next six months.

Sportando.net (via HoopsHype)

Tags: Sherron Collins, Euroleague, International, International Signing Rumor, International League

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Casspi Interested In Return To Maccabi If NBA Has Work Stoppage

Mar 17, 2011 12:12 PM

Omri Casspi told Israel's Army Radio Thursday that that he would consider rejoining Maccabi Tel Aviv if the league and the players' union do not come to a new agreement by the June 30 expiration of the collective bargaining agreement.

Although Casspi is under contract with the Kings, he would be allowed to play abroad in the event of a lockout, The Jerusalem Post reported.

JTA.org

Tags: Omri Casspi, Euroleague, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, International, International Signing Rumor, International League

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Rubio's NBA Migration Could Be Delayed By Labor Uncertainty

Star Tribune

Pape Sow Hospitalized With Pulmonary Embolism

Euroleague.net

Ryan Richards Makes Appearance At Spurs' Shootaround

Tim Griffin/San Antonio Express-News

Nesterovic Named Euroleague MVP For February

RealGM Staff Report

Fernando San Emeterio Wins Euroleague Top-16 Week 6 MVP Honor

RealGM Staff Report

Euroleague Quarterfinal Match-Ups Set

RealGM Staff Report

Huertas Leads Top 16 Stage In Three-Point Percentage

RealGM Staff Report