Tag: San Antonio Spurs

Bo Outlaw in South Africa for NBA’s ‘Basketball Without Borders’ program

Former Jay standout Bo Outlaw and five other former NBA players are in Johannesburg, South Africa, this weekend to participate in the league’s Basketball Without Borders program.

Outlaw and his group aiming to use sports to help promote social change.

Others who are on the trip include Dikembe Mutombo, Patrick Ewing, Jeff Hornacek, Alonzo Mourning and Dee Brown.

Outlaw had a 14-year career in the NBA that ended when he retired as a member of the Orlando Magic in 2008. He now works as a community ambassador for the Magic in the Central Florida area.

Considering his keen interest in charitable activities and community involvement, it’s no surprise that the NBA chose Outlaw to be a part of this worthwhile project.

He’s the ideal ambassador on this one, as well.  

Ginobili has offer from his former club in Italy

By Mike Monroe
mikemonroe@express-news.net

MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina — Manu Ginobili’s agent, Herb Rudoy, on Thursday confirmed an offer made to Ginobili to rejoin the Virtus Bologna team in the Italian League, but said no response has yet been made to the offer.

Ginobili’s brother Leandro, working as a television analyst at the FIBA Americas tournament, also confirmed the offer for Manu to play again in Italy if the NBA lockout continues.

“I don’t think Manu is thinking he will go play in Italy for two months before returning to the Spurs,” said Manu’s 41-year-old brother.

Leandro Ginobili said his brother is completely focused on the final two days of the tournament and has made no response whatsoever to the offer from Virtus Bologna, first reported by the Italian sports publication Gazzetta Dello Sport.

Ginobili played in Bologna in 2001, leading the club, then Kinder Bologna, to the European Final Four and being named MVP of the tournament.

Ginobili is under contract to the Spurs for two more seasons, scheduled to make $14.2 million next season if the lockout were to allow a full season.

FIBA Americas

Ginobili had 17 points and five assists as Argentina scored a 84-58 victory over the Dominican Republic on the final day of the second phase of the tournament.

“I am not used to playing back-to-back-to-back-to-back,” said Ginobili. “I was exhausted and had no legs at all.”

Up by nine entering the fourth period, Argentina’s Carlos Delfino scored eight unanswered points in the first 1:40 of the period to give his team some breathing space.

Brazil’s 94-72 victory over Puerto Rico on Thursday earned top seed in the semifinals, meaning it will face the Dominicans. Argentina will play Puerto Rico. Spurs center Tiago Splitter scored 17 points in three quarters of an easy victory, and sat the fourth period.

The winners of Saturday’s games will be assured berths in the 2012 Olympics in London, regardless of the outcome of Sunday’s championship game.

Canada’s quest for an Olympic berth ended Thursday with an 91-89 loss to Panama. Spurs draftee Cory Joseph scored four points.

Parker says he won’t be joining his French team — for now

Spurs guard Tony Parker has shot down rumors that he planned to join his French team during the NBA lockout.

Parker told Basket Europe and Hoops Hype that , a team he owns,  during the work stoppage.

“This is not true, I did not sign anything. Nothing is done,” Parker said. “I did not commit to ASVEL during the lockout. There is insurance to pay, the case has stalled because I am playing with the (French) National Team.”

But Parker said he still would like to play for the team if the insurance could be resolved, but he doesn’t want to speak about it anymore.

“It is no secret. I’d like to play (for) ASVEL,” Parker told French reporters. “But it is a very complicated issue to manage. I would like  the media to stop with this story. If I do not come because of insurance, people will be extremely disappointed that I do not play with ASVEL “

Parker’s comments come as he plays in Eurobasket with a large contignent of French media following his every move. It obviously is a huge story among the French reporters if he joins the team after the tournament.

But a more pressing concern might be for Parker and his French teammates to tighten up their perimeter defense. After Latvia blistered them from the perimeter yesterday, the French will have little chance of  upsetting Spain for the Europebasket title unless they show some marked improvement.