Where in the world is/was

[historyman]

The 2014 NBL-C draft


http://nblcanada.ca/p/14513/nr/100266-nblbrampton/2014-nbl-canada-draft-results

I hope Jordan enjoys those January bus rides across the Maritime Provinces for 7 hours then 5 hours across Quebec where in the smaller towns in all night diners the waitresses don't try and speak English. Then a few more hours into Ontario to the Toronto area where they dress in cold hockey dressing rooms and play on courts put over ice and get fast food to eat. When the games over they go to dive motels in bad neighborhoods in London or Windsor before they make the 20-25 hour bus ride back to the Maritimes where the only friends they will have will be the other players. They will stay in small dumpy apartments in Charlottetown where the sun goes down between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. After a few days sleeping and a few nights playing they will get on the bus for another road trip in the middle of winter in Canada. And that probably isn't the worst of it.

I'm sure he'll have the time of his life.

By the way both the Montreal and Ottawa franchises have folded in the last two years.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_Storm

I noticed Shawn Vanzant formerly of Butler played for the Storm last season.

Living in the Maritimes as far as weather isn't so bad. It's finding things to do that is so tough. I hope Jordan likes fish.

The Eastlink Centre has hosted numerous concerts over the years, including The Tragically Hip, Bryan Adams, The Guess Who, Willie Nelson, The White Stripes, George Jones, & Girlicious on their first tour. On November 3, 2009, magician David Copperfield performed there.

Those are the ones they promote.

[LaPorteAveApostle]

Wow.  We honeymooned in PEI.  What a wonderful island.  We've contemplated getting a summer place there, actually.

But winter...yeesh.  I don't even know.

Yeah.  Good luck, Jordan!  Not too many California kids that far away.

If he can make it there, he'll make it anywhere

[FWalum]

Ryan had a really nice game against Mexico today.  25 Min on 4/9 shooting (4 of 7 from 3-PT) 4 rebounds and 3 assists and only one turnover! Did most of his damage in the 3rd quarter and really broke the game open for Australia.

[wh]

Australia accused of losing on purpose

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2187346-goran-dragic-claims-fiba-world-cup-game-between-australia-and-angola-was-fixed

In looking at the video highlights from the article, it does look like the Boomers were playing "matador defense." 

matador defense (mat'-uh-dor' de'-fens) noun. A lackluster, low-effort form of defense in which the defender simply reaches for the ball and then quickly pulls his hand away -- similar to how a matador pulls his cape out of the way of a charging bull -- as the offensive player drives by him for an easy shot at the hoop.

[vu72]

Australia accused of losing on purpose

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2187346-goran-dragic-claims-fiba-world-cup-game-between-australia-and-angola-was-fixed

In looking at the video highlights from the article, it does look like the Boomers were playing "matador defense." 

matador defense (mat'-uh-dor' de'-fens) noun. A lackluster, low-effort form of defense in which the defender simply reaches for the ball and then quickly pulls his hand away -- similar to how a matador pulls his cape out of the way of a charging bull -- as the offensive player drives by him for an easy shot at the hoop.

and the purpose of this "effort" was??

[wh]

Australia accused of losing on purpose

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2187346-goran-dragic-claims-fiba-world-cup-game-between-australia-and-angola-was-fixed

In looking at the video highlights from the article, it does look like the Boomers were playing "matador defense." 

matador defense (mat'-uh-dor' de'-fens) noun. A lackluster, low-effort form of defense in which the defender simply reaches for the ball and then quickly pulls his hand away -- similar to how a matador pulls his cape out of the way of a charging bull -- as the offensive player drives by him for an easy shot at the hoop.

and the purpose of this "effort" was??

This better explains why they would "let" Angola win:

From the Sydney Morning Herald

Boomers' World Cup loss to minnow Angola enables them to miss USA side of draw

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/boomers-world-cup-loss-to-minnow-angola-enables-them-to-miss-usa-side-of-draw-20140905-10cqy0.html#ixzz3CPWQE87e

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/boomers-world-cup-loss-to-minnow-angola-enables-them-to-miss-usa-side-of-draw-20140905-10cqy0.html

By the way, I have no problem whatsoever with what they did.  The coach's job is to put his team in a position for the best possible outcome in the tournament - period.

[valporun]

Yeah, in this pool play setup, I don't mind when a team tanks a win to get a better medal round matchup in the tournament.

[valpotx]

I had wondered why all of the starters played minimal minutes. 

[bbtds]

I wonder how Rowdy and Kikas each individually felt about this. It really goes against my constitution to ever not play my best in a sporting competition.

[valpotx]

Stalin Ortiz set a Colombian basketball league record of 42 points in a game, several months back:

http://elblogdelbaloncestero.com/2014/05/01/stalin-ortiz-recibio-un-reconocimiento-por-sus-42-puntos-con-guerreros-de-bogota/

[valpopal]

[tweet]522112259225821184[/tweet]

[LaPorteAveApostle]

Looks like his twitter feed...he was expecting something to happen Oct 9, which didn't, and so then he packed his bags for Canada?  Anyone know more?

I suppose if Canada can send us two hoopers, the Law of Conservation of Ballers means we had to send them two back.

[valpotx]

Very interesting.  I can understand Jordan Coleman playing in Canada, but LaVonte should have been able to secure a much better league in Europe.  Congrats to him, but he is better than that league

[valpopal]

Checking on former Crusaders playing pro ball, I came across an article in Spain today that reports (if my skill to read Spanish is still functioning) Kevin Van Wijk suffered a broken hand this week and will be out of action for about 8 weeks. Remembering how much of a warrior Kevin was at Valpo, I wouldn't be surprised to see him back sooner.

[valpotx]

It'd be cool if KVW gets regular time with The Netherlands national basketball team, so that he and Hammink can improve them, just like our 3 Finnish players!

[valpotx]

Ali Berdiel is selected to the Puerto Rican national team for the Central American and Caribbean games in Veracruz per his Facebook:

http://www.elnuevodia.com/seissembradosenelequiponacional-1876703.html

Here is the English conversion from Freetranslation.com (not the best, but gives you an idea):

Larry Ayuso, Christian Dalmau, Carlos Rivera, Jorge Bryan Díaz, Alamo and Miguel Angel Ali Berdiel are confirmed between the 12 basketball prodigies that will play on the National Team in Veracruz 2014, reported this morning by acting leader.

Carlos Calcaño, leader of the National Selection in Veracruz, appointed to those players following the completion of the first practice of the preselection occurred this morning in the colosseum Mario 'Don Quixote' moral.

Their appointments show that there are six vacant spaces to fill the list of 12 players that the Olympic Committee of Puerto Rico (Proc) has asked the Basketball Federation of Puerto Rico (FBPR) for the Central American and Caribbean Games Veracruz 2014.

Of those nominated, only Rivera was absent this morning to practice. The management of the team reported that Rivera was excused. The shipowner was active with the selection in the past world.

If they were in practice, even though they were not appointed by Calcaño, players like David Cortes, Danny Vassallo, Alex Galindo, Javier Mojica and Andres Torres.

Vassallo, Galindo and Mojica and FBPR are in talks because the players would have conflict with attend Veracruz 2014 if they arrive at an agreement to play at the level of clubs on the outside.

The manager of the selection, Alfredo 'Piranha' Morales, reported that Tyler Polo and Kevin Young will be invited to practice with the selection that will travel to Veracruz. These players are outside of Puerto Rico.

[vu72]

Brandon Wood signs with Alba in Hungary.  Is this a top Euro level team??

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/thirdyearpro?source=feed_text&story_id=3450061168005

[LaPorteAveApostle]

The shipowner was active with the selection in the past world.

Indeed.

[valpopal]

LaVonte Dority scored 12 points in his first exhibition game as a pro; however, nine other players on his team also scored in double figures as they won with a final score of 160-122. Apparently there wasn't much of an emphasis on defense.

http://www.bramptonguardian.com/sports-story/4926670-a-s-light-up-the-scoreboard-in-exhibition-win/

[valpotx]

So LaVonte's team won against the USA All-Stars, who are players from Toronto...

Hungary is not a top division in Europe.  However, they did win their league in the 2012-2013 season, and were the first Hungarian team to play in the EuroCup in 9 years (went 2-8 and were last place in their EuroCup group).  They followed that season up with a 5th place finish in Hungary in 2013-2014.  It looks like they had Eloy Vargas on their team, who many would remember from Kentucky, but it doesn't look like he actually played for them in 2013-2014:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alba_Feh%C3%A9rv%C3%A1r

http://basketball.eurobasket.com/team/Hungary/Alba_Fehervar/633

http://www.eurocupbasketball.com/eurocup/competition/teams/showteam?clubcode=VSZ

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eloy_Vargas

The President of the team is a former player who logged 109 games in the NBA, and is the only Hungarian to have played in the NBA (Cavaliers, Bulls, Raptors, Pistons).  I don't remember the guy, but maybe some of you do since he played for Midwest teams:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korn%C3%A9l_D%C3%A1vid

[valporun]

I think Kornel David was on some of either the Tim Floyd or Bill Cartwright Bulls teams, but I do recall the name.

[valpopal]

Nice article with video about Ryan Broekhoff's current play in Eurocup and Euroleague action: http://pickandroll.com.au/euroview-euroleague-round-2/

[valpotx]

A post on Facebook from Valpo Athletics states that LaVonte Dority signed a pro contract to play in Germany!  This is much more appropriate for his talent level, versus him signing in the Canadian league!

Also, it is good to see Rowdy doing well against top competition in the Euro Cup!  If he keeps playing this well, he has the potential to make an NBA roster in the next few years, especially after impressing at the World Cup.

[Kyle321n]

[tweet]530095494727340034[/tweet]

[Smj]

Anyone know why Jay Harris did not play last night for UIC?