Semi Final & Final Rounds Results

Game Date

Saturday, Sept. 1
Argentina 91, Brazil 80

Quarter Final Round Results

Game Date

Monday, Aug. 27
Canada 95, Uruguay 88
Argentina 98, Venezuela 63
Puerto Rico 97, Brazil 75
USA 127, Mexico 100

Tuesday, Aug. 28
Venezuela 88, Uruguay 79
Argentina 85, Canada 70
Brazil 104, Mexico 90
USA 117, Puerto Rico 78

Wednesday, Aug. 29
Canada 97, Mexico 80
Puerto Rico 92, Venezuela 63
Argentina 86, Brazil 79
USA 118, Uruguay 79

Thursday, Aug. 30
Mexico 101, Venezuela 91
Brazil 96, Uruguay 62
Puerto Rico 72, Canada 66
USA 91, Argentina 76

Steve Nash and Yao Ming, Making Something Happen

On March 12, 2007 the Houston Rockets played in Phoenix (Leandro Barbosa went insane, making 12-18 shots, and Phoenix won by a country mile).

Steve Nash had something on his mind. After the game, he went to talk to Yao Ming about it, in the tunnel under the stands.

The topic? Orphans.

Specifically, Chinese orphans.

Steve Nash is that kind of thoughtful.

And Yao Ming is receptive to that kind of thought. The two decided that night to try to do something to make the world a bit of a better place.

They share the same agency, BDA Sports, so Nash and Yao put the BDA people to work figuring out how best to undertake an ambitious charity project. Many long days of work later, BDA President Bill Duffy, Vice President of Marketing Bill Sanders, Team Yao leader Erik Zhang, and many others have cleared all of the necessary hurdles to create something special.

It's going to happen in a couple of weeks. And here's what it is: On September 14, in Beijing, Steve Nash, Carmelo Anthony, Greg Oden, Bonzi Wells, Derek Fisher, Baron Davis, Chuck Hayes, and Leandro Barbosa (all BDA clients, except Davis and Fisher) will play in a charity game against Yao Ming and the Chinese National team.

Well done, everyone involved. This seems like a pretty amazing project.

source : myespn.go.com

Magic Says Team USA Is Familiar

LAS VEGAS — The celebrated basketball godfather sat at a courtside table surveying his descendants proudly and analytically. Earvin “Magic” Johnson watched as the latest edition of the USA national team demonstrated superiority over an international opponent, and then paid the current team the ultimate compliment.

“They remind me of us,” Johnson said.

A favorable comparison to the Dream Team would seem to be wonderful news for the beleaguered national team that has been humiliated in the last two World Championships and the 2004 Olympics. The U.S. had two bronze medals and a sixth place finish in those events despite the presence of 12 All-Star level players on each team. The Americans discovered that the old basketball cliché — great teams beat great individuals — is not a hackneyed saying.

This is a different group, however. Only three players — LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard — played on the 2006 team that lost in the World Championship semifinals to Greece. The additions of Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd and Chauncey Billups have been profound and have elevated this team to at least be mentioned in a conversation about the only true Dream Team in history – the 1992 group that was basketball’s version of John, Paul, George and Ringo.

On the basketball planet, Magic, Michael and Larry were every bit as familiar as their famous counterparts were in the music world. Charles went from being well-known to a one-name cultural phenomenon. And the Dream Team was so dynamic and legendary that opponents enjoyed getting their autographs as much as competing with them.

But the world that Magic, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, Karl Malone, John Stockton, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Clyde Drexler and Chris Mullin competed against has changed.

The new world plays to win. That was evident again Thursday night when Argentina, the defending Olympic gold medalist, was missing five key players – including Manu Ginobili – yet played the U.S. evenly for the last three quarters of the game. The U.S. led by 15 after one quarter and won the game 91-76.

Still, the U.S. was never seriously threatened. And Magic sat at courtside, nodding his head at good plays and standing for exciting ones, like a LeBron dunk in the third quarter.

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source : star-telegram.com

Puerto Rico Remains A Hurdle For U.S.

LAS VEGAS -- After plowing through all eight of its games in the FIBA Americas Olympic qualifying tournament on cruise control to reach the semifinals, the U.S. will take the court at Las Vegas' Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday afternoon with a chance to lock up a berth in the 2008 Games.

Who could have doubted the inevitable?

Opposing the U.S. team this afternoon will be Puerto Rico.

Who could have envisioned the improbable?

While the star-studded U.S. team kicked off this men's basketball tournament in high gear and never looked back, the star-crossed Puerto Ricans stumbled into Las Vegas, burdened by a last-minute departure and nearly faded in the first round.

Coach Manuel Cintron claims he was blindsided by the retirement of center Daniel Santiago on the eve of the tournament. The move was made even less palatable because Cintron learned of the exit of Santiago, who had been a member of the team for 11 years, by reading it in a newspaper.

"I've decided to focus on other points in my professional career in basketball," wrote Santiago in a letter published in El Nuevo Dia. "I wish the best to the team and thank them for all the opportunities I've been given to play on the national team. I'm proud and I'm blessed for having represented Puerto Rico."

Responded Cintron: "I'm sad because he abandons a lot of mates who went with him to war several times."

Then came Puerto Rico's tournament opener against Mexico. Not only did Puerto Rico lose 100-89, but Jose Juan Barea, one of only two NBA players on the team, was suspended for two games for excessively arguing with a referee.

With the Dallas Mavericks reserve sitting out, the Puerto Ricans split their next two games, then lost again to finish the first round 1-3. In the next round, however, Puerto Rico came back to beat Brazil, Venezuela and Canada, losing only to the U.S., but securing the semifinal berth. And, insists Carlos Arroyo, a member of the Orlando Magic, Puerto Rico is not finished yet, despite losing to the U.S., 117-78, earlier in this tournament.

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source : latimes.com

International Talent on Display in Vegas

LAS VEGAS, August 31, 2007 -- While the United States has dominated the competition thus far at the FIBA Americas Championship (and no matter how much they've dominated, if they lose Saturday, it was all for naught), there have still been some noteworthy performances from players representing other countries.

So, with the help of Alaa Abdelnaby, who has been providing analysis on NBA TV's coverage of the tourney,

click here for 11 notable non-.U.S. players, some of whom you should know better than others.

source : NBA.com

Bryant Is Smiling And U.S. Is Coasting

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 31 — In a desert oasis built on fantasy, illusion and contrivance, Kobe Bryant has found an equally fantastic and illusory basketball refuge. He has teammates worthy of his stardom, the coach he always coveted and an arena full of adoring fans chanting his name.

Playing for the United States national team is everything Bryant could have dreamed and, given the timing, much, much more.

“It’s been a great experience,” a beaming Bryant said late Thursday night, after leading a 91-76 rout of Argentina to close second-round play at the FIBA Americas Championship.

That experience will only be enhanced by a gold medal here and an automatic trip to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, an outcome that seems all but assured. The United States, undefeated through eight games, will play Puerto Rico (4-4) in the semifinals Saturday at Thomas and Mack Center. Argentina (7-1) plays Brazil (5-3) in the other semifinal, with the two winners meeting Sunday in the gold-medal game.

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source : nytimes.com

Mavs' Barea Thriving In International Game

LAS VEGAS — J.J. Barea found himself in a position Thursday night that he’s never experienced with the Mavericks, although he does try to prepare himself for such a day.

Barea, playing in the FIBA Americas tournament with his native Puerto Rican team, had watched as Canada reduced a 19-point deficit to only two with 20.3 seconds left in the game.

Barea entered, was fouled with 16.3 seconds left and calmly drained both free throws.

“I had a chance to make some big shots,” he said happily after the game, “and I made them.”

Puerto Rico went on to defeat Canada 72-66 to advance to the tournament semifinals as the No. 4 seed. Their tournament will likely end today when they meet the U.S. at the Thomas & Mack Center with tipoff at 6 p.m. In the first meeting between the two teams, the U.S. won by 39 points. But simply to be in the game is a bonus. Puerto Rico had to win three of its last four games to advance.

For Barea, it’s another chance to add to the experience that he needs to get regular playing time with the Mavericks. The Mavericks like him as their No. 3 point guard, but he’d like more.

“I’m still going to be patient,” he said. “We’ve got Jason [Terry] and Devin [Harris], but I know coach [Avery Johnson] is going to have more confidence in me because of the summer. I’m going to get more playing time than last year, but I just have to keep improving. I know my time will come sometime.”

Barea had had an active summer, playing for the Mavericks in the Las Vegas summer league, playing for Puerto Rico in the Pan American games in Brazil and now playing in this tournament.
He’s also had an excellent summer. He averaged 14.4 points for the Mavericks in summer league play and was second in the league in assists with 6.2 a game. He led Puerto Rico to a silver medal in the Pan Am games, averaging 16.4 points and 5.4 assists.

In this tournament, however, his playing time has decreased because of the presence of veteran Carlos Arroyo, the Orlando Magic point guard. Still, Barea is on the floor in key situations and is averaging 9.2 points and 2.8 assists in 16 minutes a game.

Kosta Perovic: Fulfilling A Dream

Growing up in Eastern Europe, Kosta Perovic always dreamed of someday playing in the NBA. The young basketball player from Serbia-Montenegro, who idolized fellow countryman Vlade Divac, worked tirelessly on his game and showed enough potential to sign his first professional contract at the age of 16.

Since then, it’s been all basketball all the time for the 7-foot-2 soon-to-be NBA rookie.

For those not familiar with Perovic, he was the Warriors second round selection (#38 overall) in the 2006 NBA Draft, but he did not immediately sign with the team. After playing one additional season in Europe last year, the Warriors decided it was time to bring the 22-year old big man to America, signing him on August 3.

“We are excited that Kosta will be joining our team this season,” said Warriors Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin following the signing. “He is a very skilled player and we think that he has tremendous potential. We look forward to getting him in our system and continuing his development.”

Although he’s the age of a typical college senior, Perovic already owns seven years of professional basketball experience. Playing for the top team in Serbia – Partizan Belgrade – Perovic helped the club win Serbian League titles in each of the past five seasons. But unlike NBA teams, European clubs often play in several different leagues. Partizan Belgrade, for example, participates not only in the Serbian League, but also in the Adriatic League and Euroleague.

All of this competition leaves little room for relaxation, especially when one takes into account the fact that many of the top players in Europe also participate on their respective countries’ national teams.

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source :NBA.com

Boston’s Posey Suspended For One Game

NEW YORK, Aug. 31 – James Posey of the Boston Celtics has been suspended without pay for one game for pleading nolo contendre to reckless driving, in violation of the law of the State of Florida, the NBA announced today.

Posey will serve his suspension when the Celtics open the 2007-08 regular season against Washington on Nov. 2 at TD Banknorth Garden.

source : NBA.com

Mavericks To Let Pops Mensah-Bonsu Become Free Agent

The Mavericks have elected not to exercise their option on Pops Mensah-Bonsu, meaning the 6-9 forward will become a free agent Saturday.

The team had until today to guarantee Mensah-Bonsu's contract for the upcoming season. That would have cost the team $687,456. By letting his contract expire, it means any NBA team can claim Mensah-Bonsu off waivers, although that seems unlikely as they would be responsible for his full salary this season.

The Mavs' decision clears the way for Mensah-Bonsu to play in Europe this season, president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said.

"Pops wants to go somewhere where he can play," Nelson said. "And this keeps our options open if we want to try to get him back in the future."

Mensah-Bonsu played 12 games last season, averaging 2.4 points and 1.8 rebounds.

The Mavs have 15 guaranteed contracts for this season and still are considering adding a veteran big man such as Chris Webber or P.J. Brown. That would require jettisoning another player.

source : dallasnews.com

Hot-shooting Melo Sits On Top Of World

Planet Earth is populated by more than 6 billion people, but none is more dangerous with a basketball in his hands than Carmelo Anthony.

In all the world, is there now a more unstoppable scorer than Melo?

"My record speaks for itself," Anthony said Thursday, speaking by telephone only minutes before scoring 18 points as Team USA defeated Argentina 91-76. "When the ball's in my hands and the game's on the line, I feel like there's a 99 percent chance the shot's going in."

At the Tournament of the Americas, where the United States needs one more victory to qualify for a berth in the Olympics, Anthony has been the top performer on a roster that includes Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd. By averaging more than a point per minute of playing time, the 23-year-old Nuggets forward has left even his stellar teammates star-struck.

Anthony has given the team a killer instinct, according to Jerry Colangelo, managing director of USA Basketball. The emergence of Anthony as a scorer capable of leaving any foe defenseless clearly demonstrates how America can regain worldwide basketball prestige at the 2008 Summer Games in China.

What makes Melo so dangerous is how many different spots on the court he has learned to exploit. He bangs in the lane for layups, rises above the rim for lob passes and swishes 3-point shots without putting the ball on the floor. Whether Anthony takes the rock while facing the defense or with his back to the hoop, it's the opponent who usually finds himself in a position of weakness.

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source : denverpost.com

Father Of Jameer Nelson Missing

CHESTER, Pa. (AP) -- The disappearance of Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson's father has mystified his fellow workers at a Delaware River tugboat company, where he was last seen walking across a dock Thursday.

Divers, the U.S. Coast Guard and searchers with dogs looked for Floyd "Pete'' Nelson in and around the fast-moving river Friday. The 57-year-old had been working Thursday in a dry dock area and was last seen walking toward a tug used as a break room, according to Harry Hays, the owner of Hays Tug & Launch Service.

The search was suspended around 4 p.m.

"We didn't see nothing or hear nothing, and the boys on the dry docks heard nothing, seen nothing. So it's a mystery to all of us,'' Hays said Friday.

Nelson's girlfriend and two sons have been on the scene, Hays said. Jameer Nelson arrived Friday morning and was seen speaking with officials involved in the search.

Floyd Nelson was last seen at about 11 a.m. Thursday. His lunch and car keys were found in the tug's kitchen area, and his car was nearby, Chester Police Chief John Finnegan said. Searchers were examining a 3-foot gap between the tug and the dock.

"If he was in that location and something happened to him medically, he might have fallen over,'' Finnegan said. "I can't think of anything else, unless he walked off, but I don't know why he would.''

Nelson, a welder, had worked for the company for about a decade.

"His son wanted him retired, but he said, 'No way. I love my job.' He just told me that about a month ago,'' Hays said. "He's a wonderful guy. Everybody liked him.''

Nelson, a Vietnam War veteran, wrote a book about his son's basketball career in 2004 entitled "Jameer.'' The Magic drafted his son out of Saint Joseph's in the first round in 2004.

source : NBA.com

Buck Harvey: Short In Size And In Luck - Hammon As Another Nash

"We'd like to repay the favor," the Phoenix coach had joked before the game.

And then that very thing happened.

A bloody nose wasn't required, nor was an equally messy decision by David Stern. But San Antonio and Phoenix still picked up where May left off.

They played another playoff basketball game, in another second round, and this time overtime seemed unavoidable after drama rare for the WNBA in South Texas. Then a ref stepped in as if there just hadn't been enough controversy lately.

With that, the Phoenix Mercury repaid the favor, just as the coach, Paul Westhead, had hoped. The Mercury had turned everything around, leaving the Silver Stars feeling as the Suns had before, and it came with specific role reversals.

Playing the part of Steve Nash, for example, was San Antonio's Becky Hammon.

It's as if the Spurs and Suns won't go away, and that was true this week in Las Vegas. Then, during Olympic qualifying, Puerto Rico committed a hard foul against a U.S. player, leading to a technical foul, and Amare Stoudemire immediately jumped out of his seat.

An assistant coach and a trainer rushed down the bench to warn players not to go on the court, because FIBA has similar rules to the NBA. As the story goes, Stoudemire assured everyone he had learned his lesson. "I ain't going nowhere," he said.

So that series lives on, and Westhead isn't the only member of the Mercury who carried this theme to San Antonio. "No NBA officials and no Robert Horry," Diana Taurasi joked before the game. "So we should be all right."

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source : mysanantonio.com

Blazers Are Already At Work

TUALATIN T he front doors of the Trail Blazers practice facility were bolted shut Wednesday. To get inside, you needed a key, or a thumbprint that the security-system scanner outside recognized. And a catering company delivery van was parked outside, along with the automobiles of 12 NBA players.

Inside the practice facility, guard Steve Blake shot three-pointers. And center Greg Oden stretched. And guard Jarrett Jack worked with the team's new shooting coach, John Townsend. And power forward LaMarcus Aldridge and guard Brandon Roy were there, too.

Darius Miles isn't cleared to scrimmage yet, but he's showing up, too, to work out twice a day. In fact, the only Blazers who haven't yet reported are 14-year veteran Raef LaFrentz, Joel Przybilla and Sergio Rodriguez, who is playing in the European Championships, team officials said.

Also, Martell Webster, 15 pounds lighter than a year ago, dunked on Aldridge and Oden in what one longtime insider called, "The most remarkable dunk this practice facility has ever seen."
And another insider who has observed the daily full-court pick-up games this week reported that Aldridge has been the most dominant player in the gym most days.

No media allowed in the gym. No fans allowed, either. In fact, during this time period, coaches are allowed to observe only when more than three players are on the court.

Still, those bleeding out of the building kept shaking their heads and saying words like, "unprecedented" and "inspiring" and "remarkable." And even as the franchise would love to lock down the facility until the season opener, keep all this activity clandestine, the fact that the Blazers mean business needs to become the worst-kept secret in the city.

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source : oregonlive.com