Aug

17

Gordon Will Not Sign Qualifying Offer With Bulls

Filed Under NBA Free Agents | Leave a Comment

The “Chicago Tribune” has reported that Chicago Bulls restricted free agent guard Ben Gordon has stated that he will not sign a one year qualifying offer with the team. Gordon also said that he believes his days being a member of the team from the “Windy City” have come to an end.

A year ago at this time Gordon was a core member of a team that was expected to be a serious contender in the NBA Eastern Conference. The team performed far below expectations, leading to head coach Scott Skiles being dismissed on Christmas Eve. Interim head coach Jim Boylan, took Gordon out of the starting lineup, and made him a sixth man. Gordon thrived in the role at first, but the success did not last for long. Chicago ended up out of the playoffs, Boylan was dismissed at the end of the season.

The Bulls ended up with the number one pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, and they selected point guard Derrick Rose. With Rose, the re-signing of restricted free agent Kirk Hinrich, and veteran Larry Hughes, Chicago has more than enough depth in their back court. And as Skiles, and Boylan paid the price on the coaching end, it looks like Gordon is odd man out as a player. Gordon has said that he would consider playing in the Euro-Leagues, Chicago could also engineer a sign and trade. Gordon completed his fourth season in the Association, he has averaged 18.0 points, 2.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds per game.

© Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

Aug

17

Pargo Signs Deal With Dynamo Moscow

Filed Under Euro-League, NBA Free Agents | Leave a Comment

“ESPN.com” reported Sunday that veteran free agent guard Jannero Pargo has signed a one year deal to play for Russian team Dynamo Moscow. According to the report Pargo will earn $3.5 million, after taxes for the upcoming season. He will also be an unrestricted free agent if he wants to return to the NBA in the following season. Pargo was a key component of the New Orleans Hornets this past season, and helped their emergence as one of the elite teams in the West. Pargo just completed his sixth season in the Association his second with the Hornets. He has averaged 6.9 points, 2.1 assists, 1.6 rebounds, per game throughout his career.

 © Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

Aug

17

Italian Coach Says Kemp Could Be “Key Player” For His Team

Filed Under Euro-League, NBA Free Agents | Leave a Comment

ESPN.com reported Sunday that Italian team Premiata Montegranaro made public Sunday that they have signed a well known former NBA player. The team’s head coach Alessandro Finelli told reporters that the team has signed 38 year old former All-Star Shawn Kemp. Kemp has not played since the 2002-2003 campaign with the Orlando Magic. Kemp was at one time one of the most dominant players in the Association, but inner demons quickly diminished his skills. Kemp averaged 20.5 points per game for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1998-1999 strike shortened season. In his last campaign with the Magic he averaged 6.8 points per contest. Kemp went from looking like he was chiseled out of granite to a bloated man who got old far beyond his time.

Finelli told reporters “I am happy that a player that has made basketball history would come to Montegranaro! He is very motivated. And he has been staying in shape to show up at our camp in good shape. We will discover with work in the gym if he will be a key player for our team. Now, it’s too soon to say that.”

 © Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

Aug

17

Yao’s Double-Double Pushes China Over Germany 59-55

Filed Under Slam Dunk Olympics Central | Leave a Comment

This was not what you would call an offensive masterpiece! When the winning team shoots 32.8% (20-61) from the floor for the game you realize there was not a whole lot of scoring going on! But it was just enough for host team China to defeat Germany 59-55 Saturday. The victory now puts China at 2-2 in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. To say the game started out slowly would be a severe understatement, as China held a 19-9? lead at the conclusion of the first quarter.  As weak as the German offense was in the first quarter, the Chinese offense was worse in the second quarter, as Germany led at the half 31-27. Then in the third quarter, Germany again slept walked through the period as China took back the lead 47-39. Germany took back the advantage in the final period, but it was too little too late, and the hosts ended up with the win. Yao Ming recorded a double-double for China, scoring 25 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block. He was the only player on his team in double figures.  Dirk Nowitzki also registered a double-double as he scored 24 points,  and grabbed 17 boards  Pascal Roller scored 13 points, off the bench, 4 rebounds, 2 steals. Chris Kaman also recorded a double-double for the German team as he scored 10 points, 12 rebounds, 1 block in the loss. Germany who will take on undefeated Team USA on Monday is now 1-3.

 © Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net