Tag: In the News

Danny Green signs with Slovenian team during lockout

Spurs swingman Danny Green has signed with Slovenian team Union Olimpija for the upcoming season.

Euroleague.net reports that . There is no word whether Green has an out-clause to return to the NBA in case the lockout is settled for the team, which is based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and competes in the Premier A Slovenian League, the Adriatic League and the Euroleague.

Green tweeted that he would“if (the) organization wants him back.”

He will play with 2011 Spurs second-round draft pick Davis Bertans.  

Green showed flashes of promise late in the season for the Spurs, averaging 5.1 points per game in eight games late in the season. Additionally, Green was on the Spurs’ roster during the playoffs against Memphis, scoring five points in seven playoff minutes against the Grizzlies.

After that strong finish, Green was expected to get a legitimate shot to make next season’s roster after the lockout ends.

Green will become the second player on the Spurs’ roster at the end of the season and the 14th NBA player to commit to an overseas deal during the lockout. Backup point guard Chris Quinn on a one-year, $1 million contract. 

Backup small forward Steve Novak also has hinted that he could play in Russia or Spain, although he has not announced a new team.

Joseph drawing compliments in Canada

With Manu Ginobili playing for Argentina, Tony Parker for France and , first-round pick Cory Joseph has been the forgotten Spurs player in this summer’s round of international competition.

Drafted 29th by the Spurs in June, the newly turned 20-year-old Cory Joseph is drawing good reviews from his Canadian teammates since joining the team late last month. Joseph, a point guard and Toronto native, has impressed with his approach and work ethic,

“I’ve been most impressed with his attitude, not having a sense of entitlement (from being a first round selection),” Canadian forward Levon Kendall told the newspaper. “He understands guys have been here (a while), he’s got to prove himself before he gets that respect. He has to earn it to a certain extent so that’s what I’ve been most surprised (about). It’s nice to see that.”

No doubt that attitude will serve Joseph well once he’s finally able to join the Spurs, who — you might have heard — feature a few players even more accomplished than the Canadian national team.

Amar’e not ready to go ‘native’ on Chinese trip

New York forward Amar’e Stoudemire has explored and enjoyed  most areas of Chinese culture during his recent trip to Chinese for a large multi-national shoe country famous for its swooshes.

Stoudemire has explored the Great Wall of China, ridden in a rickshaw and even at the Nike Festival of Sports.

Buton exploring all elements of China — namely Chinese street food.

Here’s how Stoudemire described it in a blog post at Amarestoudemire.com:

“Spent my last few days getting the local flavor of the people and culture of Beijing by visiting the Chinese Street Market. I was starving, but there was no way I was messing with these.  They deep fry them here.  I am going to have to pass!”

In particular, Stoudemire wanted nothing to do with the assortment of seahorses, silkworms and scorpions on a stick served up at various places in Beijing.

Something tells me that Stoudemire — like many tourists returning home after an overseas trip — couldn’t wait to savor a Big Mac and some fries as soon as he landed back home.