Tag: the NBA

Boston mayor wants All-Star return for his city

The All-Star Game has become the NBA’s prime mid-season exposure for the nation. It’s a fitting tribute to the league and the events off the court are as attractive as the game itself.

Boston mayor Thomas Menino for his city.

The All-Star Game hasn’t been played in Boston since 1964. Menino told the Boston Globe he’d like to get the city in the rotation when the league starts divving up future All-Star Game site after the lockout.

Houston is exected to be formally announced as  the home for the 2013 game as soon as the lockout ends.

But Menino touts a unified power base and new Celtics ownership as reasons why the city would be a good host for a future game.

“We haven’t had it since ’64 and I think we’re ready for it,’’ Menino said. “We have new ownership, new enthusiasm, the fan base out here for it, and I just think we have the facility and everything ready to go.

“I hope that the NBA makes the decision in the near future to bring the All-Star Game to our city.’’

The league has directed the All-Star Game to warm-weather sites for recent games. The Celtics would have to file a formal proposal to host the game and Boston co-owner Wyc Grousbeck has told the Globe he’s interested in joining the league’s rotation.

“The Celtics would have to be the applicant for it, and as a city, I would endorse the idea,’’ Menino said. “As a city, I would endorse the idea of bringing it here with the Convention Center folks, get all the entities in our city working together to make sure the All-Star Game is a first-class game that people participate in and neighbors could participate. I just think it’s long overdue.

“The change in ownership, the change of attitudes, the change of spirit in our city – I look forward someday to having the NBA All-Star Game here and I hope the Celtics in the very near future make the application for it.’’

The league’s 2012 All-Star Game is planned for Orlando — if the lockout is ever settled.

Report: Blair could be headed to Russia to play during lockout

Spurs forward/center DeJuan Blair might be headed to Russia to play during the NBA lockout.

Respected Yahoo Sports NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski reports that to play for an unnamed Russian team.

Wojnarowski tweeted the deal could be struck later this week sending Blair overseas.

Blair has spent most of the lockout this summer and working out in the Pittsburgh area.

He would become the second Spurs player to play in Russia. Backup point guard Chris Quinn, a team based in Moscow. Quinn’s deal does not have an opt-out clause, meaning he won’t be able to return to play in the NBA if the lockout is settled.

If Blair leaves, it would be one of the biggest departures by an NBA player so far.  The work during the lockout would be good for him, although the Spurs would likely want assurances he could return back home if the lockout ends sooner than expected

Could Kawhi be headed to Vegas select summer league?

One of the biggest casualties caused by the lockout has been the lack of organized summer work for young Spurs players like top draft pick  Kawhi Leonard.

In previous years, Leonard likely would have been headed to the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas for work against other similar players. It’s the same league where the Spurs learned about Gary Neal’s talents and have traditionally shuttled their top rookies for some early evaluation before their first training camp.

But the lockout canceled plans for that league this summer, much to the consternation of young players and NBA beat writers alike.

But Leonard might get another chance. Impact Basketball, one of the top basketball training sites in the world, will launch their own league in September stocked with NBA-level players.

Hoopsworld.com reports that a have used the facility in the past, including current NBA stars like Chauncey Billups, John Wall, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rudy Gay, Baron Davis and Rajon Rondo.

No current Spurs veterans are on the list, but Leonard was among the rookies who trained at the facility before the NBA Draft.

Joe Abunassar, the founder and head trainer of Impact Basketball, told Hoopsworld.com that the league will kick off in mid-September, likely during the week following Labor Day. Two games will be played each day and the league is expected to last at least two weeks long. There is also a chance that the games will be streamed online.

Getting the opportunity to play with other top pros would be invaluable for Leonard as he prepares for the start of his rookie season.

While Leonard can’t be sure exactly when the lockout will end, participating in an activity like this would help him provide an immediate impact to the Spurs when he arrives.