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TNT FINDS TOWER OF POWER IN OMAR SAMHAN

The powerhouse Talk N Text Tropang Texters title defense of their Commissioner’s Cup title will be anchored on a former US collegiate star. TNT head coach Chot Reyes has signed up former St. Mary’s College standout Omar Samhan as their import in the PBA’s mid-season conference. Samhan played four years for the Gaels varsity with career norms of 13.9 ppg and 8.3 rpg in 133 total games. The highlight of his college career was his 61-point performance in back-to-back wins by the Gaels during the 2010 US NCAA tournament. The 6-11 California native pumped in 32 big points in a victory over Villanova during the tourney proper. Samhan, who weighs a hefty 268 lbs., played pro ball with Zalgiris Kaunas in the Lithuanian league during the 2010-11 season. Scouting reports say that Samhan is a very good post player, who uses his size very well to his advantage inside the paint, according to the NBA Draft webite.

“A late bloomer who has shown steady development throughout his college career ... Statistically one of the best big men in the country (over 20p, 10r, 3 blk) … At 6’11, he knows how to use his size and weight to his advantage in the post ... Has good interior footwork to create space to get his shot off ... He knows how to take advantage of mismatches on switches in the post and passes well out of double teams ... Shows patience and poise on offense, willing to pass the ball out and work in reposting to have a better angle for his shot and is constantly working on getting quality post position ... For a low post player he demonstrates good shooting mechanics. Shoots in the mid 70% from the free throw line, and shows range out to 15 feet ... He has improved in the pick and roll this season and his familiarity with it should help him at the pro level ... Was voted Defensive Player of the Year in the WCC while averaging over 11 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. Omar plays hard on defense and uses his size and body to box out, explaining his double digit boards. Demonstrates very strong intangibles (has lost over 60 pounds since his freshman year, strong work ethic, strong leadership qualities, and very good with the media and fans) ...”

WILL JAKE VOSKUHL SHINE WITH ROS ELASTO PAINTERS?

NBA journeyman Jake Voskuhl has taken his playing bags for the first time outside the United States. The 6-11 slotman out of the University of Connecticut, who was the second round pick of the Chicago Bulls in the 2000 NBA draft, is suiting up for the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters in the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Voskuhl played nine years in the NBA, seeing action for the Bulls, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Bobcats, Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors. Voskuhl posted career averages of 4.0 ppg and 3.4 rpg in 450 total games from 2000 to 2009. Before embarking on a pro career, the 34 year-old Tulsa (OK) native played four seasons of college hoops with the University of Connecticut where he had norms of 6.3 ppg and 6.4 rpg in 138 total appearances. He had an estimated NBA total income of at least $12.3 million over the span of his career. Voskuhl is described as a hardworking survivor in the NBA, usually filling-up for injured big men, according to an article in HoopsWorld.

“Jake Voshkul is the kind of guy that most people forget is even still in the league. For the duration of his career he’s been the sort of guy who puts in very spotty minutes and just tries to fill in gaps for injured players ahead of him in the rotation.  Still, even an NBA role guy doesn’t stay in the league this long without some skill and hard work.”

MERALCO BRINGS IN JELANI MCCOY

Another NBA veteran is bringing his act to the Philippine shores. Eight-year veteran center Jelani McCoy is ready to help the Meralco Bolts’ bid to figure prominently in the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup. The 34-year old McCoy was a second round draftee of the then Seattle Supersonics (now OKC Thunder) in the 1998 draft. The former UCLA standout played for the Sonics, Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, and Denver Nuggets, with career norms of 4.6 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 260 total outings.  McCoy also had stints with the Bakersfield Jam and Los Angeles D-Fenders in the NBA D-League, Viola Reggio Calabria in the Italian League, Ukrainian club Azovmash Mariupol, Menorca Bàsquet of the Spanish League and Chinese team Fujian Xunxing. McCoy is said to be a good shot-blocker and a decent defensive player but his weakness is his inability to consistently hit free throws, according to his profile page in Stop Mike Lupica.

“Jelani McCoy went to school at UCLA.  He played there for only two seasons (and a portion of the third), but he still managed to leave as UCLA's career leader in block shots (188) and field goal percentage (.694). The Sonics drafted him in the 2nd round in 1998, 33rd overall. His rookie year he hit 56 of 76 FGAs (73.7%).  That's pretty impressive.  Also impressive: His FG% of .538 is higher than his FT% of. 490.  In other words, it's better to foul him than to let him shoot. "If there is a worse free throw shooter than Shaq, it's definitely Jelani." - internet scout on McCoy at UCLA.”

BARAKO BULL LANDS BIGGEST IMPORT CATCH IN NBA VET DERMARR JOHNSON

It has been seven years since the last NBA first round draftee had struted his wares in the local pro league. Dickey Simpkins suited up for the Alaska Aces during the 2005 PBA Fiesta conference. The coming Commissioner’s Cup will have DerMarr Johnson, who was the 6th picked over-all in the 2000 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks, playing for the Barako Bull squad. The 6-9 Johnson is a seven-year NBA veteran who suited up for the Hawks, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs from 2000 to 2008. He had career averages of 6.2 ppg and 2.2 rpg in 344 total games. Before joining the NBA, the District of Columbia native played a year of college ball for the University of Cincinnati, where he posted norms of 12.6 ppg and 3.8 rpg in 32 outings. Johnson almost played for coach Tim Cone and the Aces in 2004 after his Knicks stint but was later signed by the Nuggets. After his NBA career, the wiry 31 year-old forward began toiling in various pro leagues worldwide. Johnson had quite a journey in his life and basketball played a vital role in his transformation, according to an article written by Mark Grey of the Player’s Voice. Grey even mentioned how he outplayed and defended Kobe Bryant very well during one of his NBA games.

“Since being drafted, Johnson has seen his share of highs and lows, but good luck getting him to talk about either.  Not known as a person who talks much, getting Johnson to talk about himself is like pulling teeth. However, sitting in his basement, the tales of his journey are all over.  He will never tell you that he has made over 10 million dollars in his career, but the six figure watch on his wrist as well as the  Mercedes and Porsche in the driveway let you know he has done all right for himself.  If you ask him about the picture that hangs on his wall of him guarding Kobe Bryant, he simply replies, “Kobe is the best player on the planet.”  What he won’t tell you is that in that game, he used his 7 foot wingspan to harass Bryant all night, forcing him to turn the ball over 6 times, or that he outscored him in the game.  He never brings up the fact that he broke his neck but you can still see the two scars over his eyebrows where they drilled the holes in his head.  DerMarr rarely ever talks about his father who passed away after years of drug abuse, but the tattoo of his father’s face on his arm lets you know that he meant a lot to him.  Johnson would never call himself a scholar, but challenge him to a game of Scrabble (which is already out and ready to go at all times) and you will think otherwise.  About the only thing you will ever hear Johnson boast about is his Domino championship belt he plays his friends for.”

BO PERASOL AND HIS CHAMPIONSHIP KARMA

The door is slowly closing in for the Powerade Tigers of coach Bo Perasol as they trail the Talk N Text Tropang Texters three games to nil in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup finals. This is the second finals stint for Perasol in his pro coaching career. It can be recalled that Perasol piloted the Air21 Express to the championship series against the Ginebra Gin Kings during the 2008 PBA Fiesta Conference. With the Express leading the series, three games to two, Perasol uttered one of the most unpopular quotes in league history before a live TV audience. He said that the Cuneta Astrodome (the venue for game six) is too small for the anticipated Air21 championship celebration. And alas, the Gin Kings went on to win the series in seven games. The bad karma seems to haunt Perasol anew.

“Maliit ang Cuneta Astrodome para sa championship celebration namin. (the Cuneta Astrodome is too small a venue for our championship celebration).”

PETRON BLAZE PINS HOPE ON EX-MAVERICK NICK FAZEKAS

Don’t look now but a former NBA big man is suiting up for the Petron Blaze Boosters in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Nick Fazekas, a 6-11 former star of the University of Nevada, is already in town and ready to help the Boosters cause for the next conference. Fazekas wound up his collegiate career as the all-time leading scorer in the Wolfpacks history with 2,464 points. He also led the team to four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. The Colorado native was picked 34th over-all in the 2007 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks. He saw action in only four games during the 2007-08 campaign for Dallas with norms of 1.8 ppg and 0.8 rpg before being waived. He was later picked up by the Los Angeles Clippers, where he played for 22 games. Fazekas posted averages of 4.7 ppg and 3.9 rpg for the Clippers. He also played for the summer league teams of the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets. Fazekas brought his talent to Europe in 2008 and has seen action for Belgian club Base Oostende and French teams  ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne and JDA Dijon. One bright note in Fazekas playing career was when he was chosen number one pick over-all in the 2010 NBA D-League draft by the Reno Bighorns. Fazekas is said to be more of a perimeter player with a good shooting touch, according to scouting reports of the Draft Express.

“Fazekas was viewed as something of a perimeter player coming out. Fazekas always does a good job working off the ball when his teammates draw his defender. He lacks the quickness to get many touches off of cuts, but is smart enough to know make himself a big target when he’s open at the rim. His touch makes him a very capable finisher, and he shows a good running hook going right despite not being able to get a step on his defender.”

IT’S MATT HARYASZ FOR THE ALASKA ACES

A mobile big man will reinforce the Alaska Aces in its bid for redemption in the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Aces head coach Joel Banal has tapped the services of 6-11 Matt Haryasz to help turn around the fortunes of the Uytengsu franchise after a disappointing ninth place finished in the Philippine Cup. Haryasz played four years for the Stanford University Cardinals in the US NCAA. What is remarkable in Haryasz stint with the Cardinals is the elevation of his scoring year after year (from 1.8 ppg to 6.9 ppg to 12.5 ppg and finally to 16.2 ppg in 122 total games). The 27 year old Phoenix (AZ) native later played for the Arkansas RimRockers for two seasons in the NBA D-League. During the 2007-08 campaign, Haryasz saw action for seven games with Napoli in the Italian league, posting norms of 2.1 ppg and 1.9 rpg. Last season, he suited up for the Dutch club Groningen with averages of 11.6 ppg and 5.4 rpg in five outings. Banal is optimistic that Haryasz will be the man the Aces will anchor its post game and so far, is impressed with what he had seen during the training camp, according to the Aces official website.

“He`s very efficient. He`s also a proven winner, since high school and during his stay at Stanford University where he finished Sociology. I also talked at length with Tommy Sheppard, Vice President of Basketball Administration of the Washington Wizards, who had some really nice words about Matt. He talks and communicates a lot during practices. You see that he has real basketball intelligence. He is also very hard-working and applied himself to the game. I hope this attitude rubs off on his teammates.”

DIRK IS STRUGGLING

Through the years, reigning NBA finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki of the defending champions Dallas Mavericks is the epitome of the true pro basketball player. But as the new season unfolded last December, the German bomber is playing just a shadow of his old self. The wear and tear of playing NBA ball and seeing action with the German national squad in the Euro Championships last summer could have finally caught up with the 33 year-old Nowitzki. Now he will miss four games to re-condition his body and recover from his sore right knee. His absence will truly spell trouble for the Mavericks but it may work for them in the long run. Nowitzki is currently averaging a 13-year career low of 17.5 ppg and 5.4 rpg in 16 outings this season. The last time he posted an average of below 20 points was during his sophomore year in 1999-200. Nowitzki says it would be better for the team to be without him at this time, according to Yahoo! Sports.

“We just thought it was a good decision for everybody. I’m not happy right now anyways, so the guys are better off when I’m not out there. This gives me time to really do some of the stuff that I couldn’t do when my knee was bothering me the last couple weeks. I couldn’t lift and run and do the things I needed to do.”

SLAM PHL 155

The long wait is over for a preview magazine of the 2011-12 NBA season as SLAM PHILIPPINES issue No. 155 finally hit the market last weekend. The said issue has Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder as its coverboy. Also featured are Paul Pierce, Carmelo Anthony, Penny Hardaway from the old school, John Wall and the favored teams to win it all this season. Interesting articles on Filipino pros includes James Yap, Jayjay Helterbrand, Kelly Williams, Gabby Espinas and Jeff Chan. The magazine is available at all Fully Booked outlets and other leading bookstores nationwide. Grab a copy now!

BEERMEN WINS FIRST ABL PHILIPPINE DERBY

The San Miguel Beermen won the battle of Philippine franchise in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) after defeating the Air-Asia Philippine Patriots, 78-70 last Saturday. It was the first win for the Beermen, which dropped its opening assignment against the Westports Malaysia Dragons. On the other hand, the Patriots tasted its first loss after scoring an impressive 86-58 rout of the Bangkok Cobras on opening day. It was a tight game in the opening half but the Beermen started to control the game in the third canto, according to the league’s official website.

“The final buzzer saw the San Miguel Beermen retaining their lead and winning the game at 78 to the AirAsia Philippine Patriots’ 70 points. San Miguel Beermen’s Dalron Lamar Johnson had a brilliant game and ended with a double double at 23 points and 11 rebounds. It was Anthony Gene Johnson of the AirAsia Philippine Patriots that was the highest scorer for this match-up however, with 25 points.”

JR. NBA CONQUERS PUERTO PRINCESA

NBA Legend and new US Jr. NBA Coach Marty Conlon taught Puerto Princesa kids the fundamentals of basketball and the STAR values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect as the 2012 Jr. NBA Philippines Program presented by Alaska visited Palawan for the very first time upon the invitation of Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn last January 15 and 16. 

150 local coaches and 551 kids turned up for the free coaches and school clinics held at the City Coliseum and the Seminario de San Jose. The Jr. NBA visits Pampanga and Cagayan de Oro next for more school clinics and NBA Cares activities, even as Manila gears up for more school clinics through February. 

Now on its fifth year, the Jr. NBA excitement builds up in April as Regional Selection Camps are held  in Palawan, Pampanga, Cagayan de Oro and Manila for boys aged 10-14. The high point of the program happens in May with the National Training Camp in Manila where the ten members of the 2012 Jr. NBA All Star Team will be selected.

I'M BACK!

It was more than two months ago since the last article was posted on this site and to borrow the phrase from the G.O.A.T. some ten years back that shocked the basketball landscape, this writer is proud to say “I’M BACK!”


During that span, I’ve missed writing on a lot of hoop developments both internationally and in the local front. There was the end of the NBA lockout, the start of a compressed 66-game regular season last Christmas day, the pre-mature retirement of young star Brandon Roy, the opening of the 3rd season of the Asean Basketball League (ABL), the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup and so much more.


Well, it seems I have a lot of catching ups to do and for the meantime, it just feels good to be back!

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NBA LEGEND CLYDE DREXLER HEADLINES NBA MADNESS PHILIPPINES

Orlando Magic and Portland Trail Blazers dance teams to visit schools

as part of first-ever NBA Madness Team Spirit School Tour 

NationalBasketball Association (NBA) Legend Clyde Drexler and the Orlando Magic and Portland Trail Blazers dance teams will take part in NBA Madness Philippines 2011, the NBA’s interactive basketball fan event. Jointly organized by the NBA and Solar Entertainment, NBA Madness Philippines 2011 will visit metro Manila from Sept. 28 to Oct. 2.

NBA Madness is a free fan event featuring basketball clinics and games, including the Clyde Drexler Challenge, in which fans can compete against the NBA legend for prizes.  Drexler will give fans a unique insider perspective as he provides live commentary at viewing parties showing some of the NBA’s greatest games.  The event will also feature dance team performances, Asia Miles dance clinics, autograph sessions, and a video game corner featuring the newest NBA video game, NBA 2K12.  Fans can take part in the excitement of NBA Madness Philippines 2011 on Oct. 1 at the SM Southmall and Oct. 2 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

Official partners for NBA Madness Philippines 2011 include Asia Miles and Gatorade with media partners Basketball TV, Solar Sports, Studio 23 and NBA Premium TV also supporting the event. Venue partners are SM Mall of Asia, SM Southmall, SM City North Edsa, and SM Cinemas.

Drexler is a 10-time NBA All-Star and was voted in to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004.  He won an NBA championship with the Houston Rockets in 1995 and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.  Drexler was also a member of the storied ‘Dream Team’ that won an Olympic gold medal in 1992.

In addition to the mall events, the first-ever NBA Madness Team Spirit School Tour will bring two NBA dance teams to five schools in Manila to conduct free dance clinics for campus dance teams.  The dance teams will make school stops from Sept. 28 to Sept. 30 and will participate in the Search for the Team Spirit School Champion at the Team Spirit Festival at NBA Madness.

As part of NBA Cares, the NBA and the SM Foundation will also partner to conduct a Read To Achieve read and play session for 100 underprivileged kids from all over Metro Manila on Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Skydome at SM City North EDSA.

The NBA legend and dancers will also make a stop at the Finals of the Coors Light NBA Pop-A-Shot Tour 2011, which takes place on Sept. 29 at the Metrowalk in Pasig City.

About the NBA

The NBA, founded in 1946, is a professional sports league and global business that features 30 teams in the United States and Canada.  During the 2010-11 season, NBA games will reach 215 countries and territories in more than 40 languages.  Official NBA rosters currently feature 83 players from 40 countries and territories.  NBA merchandise is sold in more than 125,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents.  NBA.com averages more than 26 million page views per day, with more than 50 percent of the site’s visitors coming from outside of North America.  The NBA is the No. 1 U.S. sports league on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, with the most fans, followers, and videos viewed on each, respectively.

*****

Media contacts for the said event are Sheila Rasu of NBA Asia (Tel.: 852-2843 9628, Email: srasu@nba.com) and Tessa Jazmines (Tel.: 63-9175261369, Email: tessa@larcandasset.com) and Kalvin Sangalang (Tel.: 63-9228399548, Email: kalvin@larcandasset.com) of Larc and Asset.

LOCKOUT TO END ON SEPTEMBER 28?

This is absolutely a welcome news to all who loves the NBA. Both negotiating parties, the team owners and the players association, are rushing things up to come up with a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) within the next three weeks. Target date is reportedly on September 28. And if everything goes well as planned, NBA training camps will open on time come the first week of October. NBA commissioner David Stern confirmed that they are trying to work things out on or before the said date. “Yes. We have three weeks”, Stern quipped. On the other hand, NBPA executive director Billy Hunter thinks there is still a lot of time left to save the 2011-12 season, “I think there is. I think there clearly is. There’s more than enough time”, according to CBS Sports.

“With that, Stern dropped the first publicly acknowledged deadline for a deal to be reached without canceling at least a portion of training camps or preseason. Three weeks from Wednesday is Sept. 28, and training camps league-wide are scheduled to begin the first week of October.”

ALL IS SET FOR LOCKOUT LEAGUE

Chauncey Billups

While the players union and team owners continue to meet with the purpose of charting a new CBA as others try their luck overseas, a number of NBA players are trying to put up a league where they can shape up and recondition their bodies while awaiting the lockout to end. It is the closest thing to training camp. Some 40 players, mostly from the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets, are all set to see action in an NBA- caliber league. The designated league commissioner is veteran NBA trainer Joe Abunassar. The proposed venue of the competition will be in Las Vegas, the site of the annual NBA summer league. The league wil start on September 12 and ends up on September 23 with the championship game, according to The New York Times.

“As many as eight teams, featuring seven or eight players each, will play daily starting Sept. 12. The series will end with two days of playoffs, with a championship game Sept. 23. Games will be officiated and played under N.B.A. rules, albeit with 10-minute quarters and without coaches barking from the benches. The plan is to sell tickets (about 500 a day, with proceeds donated to charity) and to stream the games live on the Internet.”

NEVER ENDING EXODUS

Sonny Weems

Even though there are recent developments that could probably unlock the on-going NBA lockout, American pro players continue their odyssey to play hoops overseas. As of the last count, 46 have already signed contracts to ply their trade on foreign land. The list includes nine players with no-opt out clause in their deals which makes them ineligible to return to the NBA once the lockout ends before the 2011-12 season. These are Rasual Butler (CB Gran Canaria, Spain), Wilson Chandler (Zhejiang Guangsha, China), Earl Clark (Zhejiang, China), Acie Law (Partizan, Serbia), Nenad Krstic (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Chris Quinn (Khimki Moscow, Russia), Darius Songaila (Galatasaray, Turkey) Garrett Temple (Casale, Italy), and Sonny Weems (Zalgiris Kaunas, Lithuania). Herewith is the complete updated list of players who have signed contract with foreign clubs, according to Mark Nugent of Hoopsworld.

“Jeff Adrien: Benetton Treviso, Italy (Golden State Warriors, Unrestricted Free Agent)

Lavoy Allen: Strasbourg IG, France (Philadelphia 76ers, Rookie)

David Andersen: Montepaschi Siena, Italy (New Orleans Hornets)

Hilton Armstrong: ASVEL Villerbanne, France (Atlanta Hawks, Unrestricted Free Agent)

Leandro Barbosa: Flamengo, Brazil (Toronto Raptors)

Nicolas Batum: Nancy, France (Portland Trail Blazers)

Keith Benson: Team Sassari, Italy (Atlanta Hawks, Rookie)

DeJuan Blair: Krasne Krylya Samara, Russia (San Antonio Spurs)

Trevor Booker: Bnei Hasharon, Israel (Washington Wizards)

Craig Brackins: Maccabi Ashdod, Israel (Philadelphia 76ers)

Rasual Butler: CB Gran Canaria, Spain (Chicago Bulls, Unrestricted Free Agent), No opt-out clause

Wilson Chandler: Zhejiang Guangsha, China (Denver Nuggets, Unrestricted Free Agent), No opt-out clause

Earl Clark: Zhejiang, China (Orlando Magic, Unrestricted Free Agent), No opt-out clause

Jon Diebler: Panionios, Greece (Portland Trail Blazers)

Jordan Farmar: Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel (New Jersey Nets)

Alonzo Gee: Prokom Trefl Sopot, Poland (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Danny Green: KK Union Olimpija, Slovenia (San Antonio Spurs)

Justin Harper: Strasbourg, France (Orlando Magic, Rookie)

Ersan Ilyasova: Anadolu Efes, Turkey (Milwaukee Bucks)

Pooh Jeter: Joventut Badalona, Spain (Sacramento Kings)

Trey Johnson: Teramo, Italy (Los Angeles Lakers, Restricted Free Agent)

Nenad Krstic: CSKA Moscow, Russia (Boston Celtics, Unrestricted Free Agent), Signed two-year deal with no opt-out clause

Acie Law: Partizan, Serbia (Golden State Warriors, Unrestricted Free Agent), No opt-out clause

Ty Lawson: Zalgiris Kaunas, Lithuania (Denver Nuggets)

Jon Leuer: Skyliners Frankfurt, Germany (Milwaukee Bucks, Rookie)

Patty Mills: Melbourne Tigers, Australia (Portland Trail Blazers, Restricted Free Agent)

E’Twaun Moore: Benetton Treviso, Italy (Boston Celtics, Rookie)

Timofey Mozgov: Khimki Moscow, Russia (Denver Nuggets)

Chandler Parsons: Cholet, France (Houston Rockets, Rookie)

Nikloa Pekovic: Paritzan Belgrade, Serbia (Minnesota Timberwolves)

Chris Quinn: Khimki Moscow, Russia (San Antonio Spurs, Unrestricted Free Agent), No opt-out clause

Magnum Rolle: LG Sakers, South Korea (Atlanta Hawks)

Mustafa Shakur: Pau-Orthez, France (Washington Wizards, Unrestricted Free Agent)

Kyle Singler: Lucentum Alicante, Spain (Detroit Pistons, Rookie)

Darius Songaila: Galatasaray, Turkey (Philadelphia 76ers Unrestricted Free Agent), No opt-out clause

DaJuan Summers: Montepaschi Siena, Italy (Detroit Pistons, Restricted Free Agent), Signed two-year deal, opt-out after first year

Pape Sy: Gravelines-Dunkerque, France (Atlanta Hawks)

Garrett Temple: Casale, Italy (Charlotte Bobcats, Restricted Free Agent), No opt-out clause

Nikola Vucevic: KK Buducnost Pdogorica, Montenegro (Philadelphia 76ers, Rookie)

Sasha Vujacic: Anadolu Efes, Turkey (New Jersey Nets, Unrestricted Free Agent)

Von Wafer: Venoli Cremona, Italy (Boston Celtics, Unrestricted Free Agent)

Sonny Weems: Zalgiris Kaunas, Lithuania (Toronto Raptors, Restricted Free Agent), No opt-out clause

Mario West: Tezenis Verona, Italy (New Jersey Nets, Unrestricted Free Agent)

Deron Williams: Besiktas, Turkey (New Jersey Nets)

Reggie Williams: Caja Laboral Vitoria, Spain (Golden State Warriors, Restricted Free Agent)

Sean Williams: Maccabi Haifa, Israel (Unrestricted Free Agent).”

Video: DWIGHT HOWARD DUNKS ON A GIRAFFE

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=82260542-9ceb-41e2-91a8-38314850355e" target="_new" title="">Dwight Howard dunks on a giraffe</a>

MARIKINA GENT SETS NBA POP-A-SHOT SCORING RECORD

Just like Ricardo Reyes, the Filipino busboy-You Tube sensation from Los Angeles who beat NBA superstars in the arcade game of Pop-A-Shot, Raul De Leon of Marikina City has turned out to be the man to beat in the ongoing Coors Light NBA Pop-A-Shot Tournament 2011 in Manila over the weekend.

De Leon, 49, who works at a pest control agency, set a local Pop-A-Shot record high of 563 at the second leg of the 2011 Coors NBA Pop-A-Shot competition at Blue Onion Bar in Eastwood, Libis, Quezon City last weekend. The score is the highest in this year’s tournament so far, and even higher than last year’s Coors Light NBA Pop-A-Shot championship score of 457. De Leon played twice, scoring 491 on the first try, then made the record-setting score on his second attempt. He has been playing pop-a-shot for 13 years.

“I usually shoot with two hands, but this time I only used my right hand to shoot, using the stock-up method. Just shoot and shoot and keep your focus. The basket isn’t moving anyway, and there is a lesser chance to miss a basket. I just love this game,” he said. Four other Pop-A-Shot artists got into the Blue Onion Magic 5 and will join De Leon in the Coors Light NBA Pop A Shot Finals. They are : Edmund Bolino, 227; Gioncarlo Chua, 217; Donn Torres, 199 and Arthur Campos, 149.

The next Coors Light NBA Pop-A-Shot leg will be held at SM MOA Baywalk from September 1-3. The fourth leg will be held at Greens and Grills at Festival Mall in Alabang from September 8-10. A final leg will be held at the end of September with the final venue to be announced. As an added incentive for loyal fans, the top five who participate at every venue from this week's SM MOA Baywalk onwards till the finals will stand a chance to win a Coors Light-NBA Loyalty Prize Pack. The first five loyal fans who turn up at the finals will win the Coors Light-NBA Loyalty Prize Pack.

To join the NBA’s favorite arcade game, all that bar habitués have to do is purchase two bottles of Coors Light Beer to be able to play two 30-second games for the night, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The top five scorers of each venue will advance to the Coors Light NBA Pop-A-Shot Final Challenge at the end of September, with the winner getting a unique NBA experience.

NBA talent will attend the Finals to add more excitement to the challenge of beating the clock while shooting as many basketballs as possible into an authentic NBA Pop-A-Shot machine.

TIME IS PUMAREN’S NEMESIS AT SHOPINAS.COM

Definitely, time will not be on the side of coach Franz Pumaren as he tries to form a competitive team for the PBA’s newest ballclub, the Shopinas.com Clickers. With only a month to go before the opening of the local pro league's 37th season, it looks like the return of the former De LaSalle Green Archers champion mentor to the pro league will be a bumpy one. Pumaren, who played for the Ron Jacobs-mentored National squad in the 80’s, will try to build the team around his former La Salle star guard Renren Ritualo. He also plucked three rookies from the PBA draft last Sunday in Smart Gilas spark plug Mark Barroca (first round), former UP Maroons slotman Magi Sison (second round) and ex-JRU Heavy Bomber Mark Cagoco. Pumaren says he will try to get most of his players from the free-agent pool as he began conducting tryouts for the Clickers. Herewith is a complete list of players who reportedly showed up in the first day of Shopinas training camp:

“Mark Andaya, Mark Canlas, Marvin Cruz, Mark Cagoco, Dennis Daa, Chad Alonzo, Ogie Menor, Bambam Gamalinda, Khasim Mirza, Paolo Hubalde, Jojo Duncil, RJ Jazul, Gio Ciria Cruz, Angel Raymundo, Magi Sison, Pong Escobal, JR Aquino, and Hiram Bagatsing.”

BEASLEY'S INJURY: AN EYE-OPENER

Reports of Minnesota Timberwolves star forward Michael Beasley fracturing his left wrist while attempting to dunk during an exhibition game in China had vibrated throughout the NBA circles. It has cause an alarm for all those players entertaining thoughts of playing overseas during the lockout period. Beasley, who is in China together with another prominent NBA star Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics, was putting on a dunking exhibition when the injury happened. Ira Winderman of NBC Sports says the Beasley incident could very well become an eye-opener to all NBA players, according to Pro Basketball Talk.

“This is not a moment about Michael Beasley or the Timberwolves or even such exhibition tours, which are typical of most offseasons.

"This well could be the moment when those previously so willing to head overseas during the lockout contemplate, give greater reflection to the possibilities of such an injury, weigh risks perhaps not previously considered.

"There is little doubt that over his three seasons, Michael Beasley has had a way of getting the NBA to pay attention.

"This time, though, it might provide pause to an entire league.”