Euroleague in NBA?

Now that the Beijing Olympic is over, the entries on this blog will be sluggish. But Halley will do her best to give you the juiciest news about the National Basketball Association and other interesting basketball leagues.

And yes, the author has found the juiciest news in the league which is the collaboration of the NBA with Euroleague. You heard the lady right. The Euroleague will set foot in America to play in the preseason games. The Lietuvos Rytas [Lithuania], FC Barcelona [Spain] and CSKA Moscow [Russia] could play against the Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers.

"We value the chance to partner with NBA teams in their own arenas. There are basketball fans of all types in North America whom we plan to entertain with our own distinct playing style. We are sure they will appreciate again that the international game has a lot to offer our sport," said Jordi Bertomeu, the Euroleague Basketball CEO.

It'll definitely be a blast! Can't wait for the next season. =)

The Semis is Almost Over

The end of the conference is near and eight teams are still vying for spots in the Conference Finals. Okay, I mean there are only seven teams vying for the Conference Finals because the Detroit Pistons already had a spot after winning the series 4-1 against the Orlando Magic. The other Eastern Conference series is still on going with the Boston Celtics leading 3-2 against King James and the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers. You know what I think? I think the Celtics will win this series, KG is very determined to win the ring and he knows that Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and everyone wearing the green jersey, shares that same attitude. King James is young with a lot more to learn. But I don't he has the perfect combination of Knights to help him earn the sweetest victory a NBA player could achieve.

Let's go to the toughest Western Conference semis I've seen. The LA Lakers are a game away from achieving a spot in the conference finals with a 3-2 lead. But I don't think the Utah Jazz is ready to give up. I think anyone who's watched the Jazz play last year during the conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs can really tell that the team has improved a lot - particularly Mehmet Okur. Yes, Okur was pretttty boring last season but now?? He's playing great and I can't put into words what I feel whenever I see him make shot after shot. It's still very unbelievable for me. [with sarcasm] KB24 isn't feeling 100 percent okay, but I don't think it'll stop him from reaching his goal and that is to win the NBA Finals. As for the Spurs-New Orleans Hornets series, which is now tied to 3-3, there were no excuses made and both teams have played their hearts out. But definitely, I'm going for the Spurs. I know some might think that they're old and they can't win against the young and stingy Hornets. I really don't care. I love the Spurs. And I know they enjoy playing against the Hornets despite the sleepless nights of coach Popovich and Manu Ginobili's incredible willpower after each loss. [Go Argentina!! << for the Beijing Olympics] I also salute the Hornets for playing outstanding basketball! David West really caught my attention and I kinda like him because at a young age, he's become a very versatile player just like his idol David Robinson, which ironically is a former Spur and who also played with Tim Duncan.

Game 5 in Progress

Game 5 is in progress and the San Antonio Spurs lead by four points. Manu Ginobili, the Spurs' top scorer for the first half, has 15 points. David West, on the side of the New Orleans Hornets, started hot with 22 points.

The Palace rejoices as the Detroit Pistons, at last, ousted the Orlando Magic 91-86 and returns to a very familiar spot - the Eastern Conference Finals.

I Was Wrong

Okay, so I was wrong in expecting that the San Antonio Spurs would win against the Detroit Pistons and coach Gregg Popovich a 600th win. The San Antonio Spurs are 23-11 dropping behind the Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, LA Lakers, & Portland Trailblazers [!!!]. The game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Detroit Pistons proved that the Pistons want to put an end to their losing streak. "We could lose five or six games in a row, but we're the type of team, we don't hang our heads and walk around moping,'' said Rasheed Wallace, who collected 23 pts, 15 rebounds, and 2 blocks. The Pistons outscored the Spurs during the 1st half. As for the Spurs, well, they're still trying to get into their rhythm with 43.3% shooting percentage that's much better than 31.9%, right? "This is a good team. I think, in my opinion, this is one of the teams we'll see in the finals,'' Wallace said. "So, it's always a good game with us and San Antonio.''

“It's still basketball, it's still a game we all love. It's still a matter of going out there and having fun,” said Michael Finley. Righteous, that is. But the truth is I'm starting to get distressed and desperate. I know I shouldn't be looking at the standing just yet, but the Spurs are now on 5th spot. The Spurs have to get back into their rhythm. They don't have back-to-back games this month, so, they better get back soon or they'll be knocked out soon by New Orleans Hornets & Denver Nuggets.

Antonio McDyess said “just walking” into the AT&T Center last year “made me sick to my stomach.”
"Perseverance, I guess that's the word. We are a veteran team, and we showed that tonight in the way we erased a blowout." said Rasheed Wallace.

Rematch : Suns [17-7] - Spurs [18-5]

Today, we're expecting a rematch between the San Antonio Spurs and the Phoenix Suns. The Suns will visit the Alamo City for the first time this season. As I have mentioned on my previous entry, the game between the two top teams in the Western Conference is going to be intense. The San Antonio Spurs have home court advantage but will they be able to keep their clean record at home? Or will the Suns be the first team to win at the AT&T Center? To Suns fans, peace out!

>>Suns-Spurs Preview @ NBA.com

Another news about the Suns-Spurs game, Tony Parker and Francisco Elson might be unable to play. I bet the Suns will take advantage of it.

"Without Parker or Duncan they seem to be doing pretty well anyway. They're a great team and they've got a lot of weapons. It just cuts down one of their main weapons. Obviously, it benefits us, and we've got to take advantage of it." - Mike D'Antoni, Suns coach

"I have nothing against Robert at all," Nash said Sunday. >> That's what a real sportsman is, unlike somebody I know. Peace out!.. =P

And oh! the Dallas Mavericks are facing the Orlando Magic. Ohh I love this, there are a lot of great games to watch today!..

I Like Magic

The Orlando Magic, the East's Spurs? Whoa! Wait a minute, last season people were talking about the Cavs as the East's Spurs and now the Magic? I watched the Cavs fall for the Spurs and as far as I have seen the Cavs are no Spurs. Don't get me wrong here, the Cavs are good but they don't really play "D" like the Spurs do. If you ask my opinion about the Magic as the East's Spurs, yea maybe they are [a bit!] and that's mostly because of Dwight Howard. I don't like Dwight Howard's gut at first, but when I saw him play against the Phoenix Suns I say he's pretty good! I don't know how to better explain what I saw because the Magic really put up a tough play against Nash & Co.

Dwight Howard's offensive and defensive plays are really impressive, he just keeps on swatting balls [how awful is that?], getting rebounds, and has double-doubles. Dwight Howard has gotten better after joining Team USA and so has Orlando Magic. I just can't think of what must've Grant Hill felt about his former teammates playing better [15-4] after leaving Orlando. Right now, I like the way Orlando Magic is playing. So, let's us just see if they make it to the Playoffs.