This is what powerhouse teams do: they go for the big names. Remember back in intramurals when there’d be one or two teams – many of the best and most popular players – and they would befriend and do pretty much whatever they could to get any free agent players or younger newcomers who didn’t have a team? They wanted to stay on top, or had to stay on top, so they did what they had to. With the chance that Barcelona could find itself rolling with both Gasol bros, Real Madrid is going all out. They already have Serge Ibaka, Rudy Fernandez and Sergio Rodriguez. Now they want LaMarcus Aldridge… and Dwight Howard. Read More »

This is why I love Rudy Fernandez. (And check out full highlights from the game after the jump.)

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Arvydas Sabonis was, and remains, a big figure in Portland, a point that will be reinforced after his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame next month. The city is inviting back Sabonis on Aug. 18 to be honored for his seven seasons in the Rose City. It’s an appropriate gesture for the 7-3 Lithuanian, who along with the concept of brewing, is still one of Portland’s most treasured imports. Read More »

When I first heard this rumor, my initial reaction was, “Thank God!” Manu Ginobili has been a hand-check and hard-foul waiting to happen for too long. He’s won his rings, he’s built his legacy, now it’s time for him to bring his “Euro game” back to Europe. According to FIBA.com, Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid are rumored to be offering Ginobili a contract worth $13.5 million for next season – which is much more than the $10.7 million he’s making this season in the final year of his deal with San Antonio. For the love of guards and the Western Conference, please take the money and run. Read More »

Earlier this month, we told you about how the women in Portland love them some Rudy Fernandez. Today, those same women were delivered some sad news: Rudy Fernandez might return to Europe. While nothing is official, according to FIBA.com, Fernandez revealed he is open to a possible return after finding his second NBA season a lot tougher than expected. Read More »