Good Vibes

HONOLULU - Kobe Bryant was reportedly "very disappointed" with the lack of professionalism displayed by the FIBA referees and the stadium security.

The media caught up with Kobe Bryant after practice at the University of Hawaii at Manoa's Stan Sheriff Center and asked him several questions regarding his health and the upcoming preseason exhibition between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz.

When asked whether he watched the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship tournament the Black Mamba said, "I watched the finals. Yeah, the Chinese national team vs the Philippines."



"It would've been fun to see Jordan Clarkson there," Bryant said. Clarkson was supposed to be part of the Gilas Pilipinas squad but because of time restraints, the Lakers didn't clear him to play overseas.

When asked what he thought on the controversial officiating and off-court events before and during the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship Bryant said, "I was told that the Philippine team was having issues with transportation or something similar. The fishy thing is when they only attempted to fix the net when their crew was warming up. I'm not pointing fingers, but you know there's got to be something going on [laughter]."

"I didn't think too much about the early calls, but when they called the Filipino point guard for travelling while he was dribbling the ball, I knew something was wrong," Bryant said referring to a moment in the game when Jayson Castro William was called for a travel although he never moved his pivot foot before dribbling the ball.



The 5-time NBA World Champion also shook his head when showed the footage of several fans taunting the Gilas Pilipinas bench.

"Like I said, it is what it is. I hope the Philippine team still gets in the Olympics at Rio. [There's] still the qualifiers. It's not the end of the road for them. As for China, they have an impressive youthful squad. No matter the off-court antics are, they wouldn't get to where they are now without good staff and coaching."

Kobe Bryant expressed his excitement to play the upcoming NBA season alongside star rookie D'Angelo Russell telling the media that he's not afraid to play as a forward if he has to. "All for the team, man. All for that ring."

Basketball at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will be held from 6 to 21 August 2016. The preliminary and knockout matches for both men and women will be played inside the first hall of the Olympic Training Center in Olympic Park which seats up to 16,000 spectators.

ESPN: Kobe Bryant on season opener against Utah Jazz

CHANGSHA - Scouts at the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship are eyeing the two Gilas Pilipinas rising stars for potential careers in the NBA.

Of the 30 teams in the NBA, 9 sent official talent scouts to the FIBA Asia Championship tournament held in Changsha in China. Among these are the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat -- all of which are interested in both Terrence Romeo and Calvin Abueva.


Romeo, a Far Eastern University alumnus, is currently signed in the Philippine Basketball Association team GlobalPort Batang Pier. While Abueva, a Sebastino, is currently signed to the Alaska Aces.

Out of all the NBA teams interested in the two, the Miami Heat organization is apparently the closest to offering Terrence Romeo a 10-day contract albeit with their NBA D-League affiliate Sioux Falls Skyforce. This is according to multiple sources present in Changsha including the scout himself who refused to be identified on this publication.

Gilas Pilipinas faces the Chinese basketball team tonight at 8:30 PM Manila time for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship crown and a trip to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

CHANGSHA - Head coach Gong Luming is so confident that they'll win versus Gilas Pilipinas that he's willing to bet the Spratly Islands.


After China's dominant win versus Iran in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship semi-finals, head coach Gong Luming was asked which team he'd like to face in the finals. "I believe the Philippines has a better chance of getting into the finals. No disrespect to Japan," he replied.

When asked what he thinks China's chances are of beating the Philippines in the finals Gong Luming said, "I am very confident. I am so confident that I'm willing... [paused, laughter] I'm willing to make a bet. If we lose, they can have the Spratly Islands." The whole press room laughed at the obvious jab into politics.

No more than two hours later, Coach Baldwin's Gilas Pilipinas squad held off a very game Japan in their bracket's semi-finals which sets up the China-Philippines match tomorrow at 8:30 PM (Manila time).

The 2015 FIBA Asia Championship for Men is the 28th continental basketball championship in Asia. The tournament is organised by FIBA Asia. The winner of the tournament qualifies for the basketball tournament on the 2016 Summer Olympics, while the next three best teams will participate at the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men, as stated by FIBA and the IOC in qualification quota.

CHICAGO, IL - Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose announces retirement after breaking his orbital bone.

The 26-year-old Chicago Bulls guard bid farewell to the NBA and his fans, announcing his retirement that's effective immediately. "I hate to admit this, but my body could no longer go on," said Rose. "I want to be there for my family while I can still walk and function normally."


The NBA Superstar also told the media that his last shoe for the adidas brand will be released on early 2016.

Several NBA personalities such as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg gave their support for the injured Rose. "No doubt about that. But we put the players' health and well-being above everything," said Silver when asked if the Rose's retirement puts a major dent on the league's overall star power.

Joakim Noah was present at the press conference and told the media, "you know [Rose] has had my full support since day one. This isn't the end for him. It's the beginning of another chapter of his lfie." Other NBA players such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant also tweeted their support for their ailing on-court rival.

Derrick Martell Rose is a former American professional basketball player who played for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association.

ML - "No disrespect to Daniel, he's cool and all, [but] I wanted to meet the AlDub couple."

On September 5, the 27-year-old guard from Golden State Warriors engaged in basketball drills, shoot-outs and scrimmage with several young basketball players from here and abroad as part of his first Asian tour with the sports brand Under Armour.


The one-time NBA Champion also participated in several photo shoots, interviews and media appearances.

One media appearance included was when he met local actor Daniel Padilla and his entourage. They shook hands, exchanged words for a few minutes and took pictures. Stephen Curry, however, was underwhelmed by this.

"I've seen the AlDub couple whenever my wife's Filipino friend watches them on YouTube. I think they're cool and it would've been cooler to meet them instead," Curry told the media before he left for China.

AlDub is a fictional supercouple pairing of Alden Richards and Yaya Dub (Maine Mendoza) from the daytime variety series Eat Bulaga!

TWITTER - The Dallas Mavericks owner accidentally posted a screen cap of his email tab during the DeAndre Jordan free agency fiasco. Look at it in its entirety here!

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LOS ANGELES - News has broke out that former Clippers center DeAndre Jordan has signed the wrong contract and will go to the New York Knicks under a 4-year $15 million deal.

"Someone slipped a contract signed by Phil Jackson for the Knicks instead of the one for the [Los Angeles] Clippers," said Jordan's agent. "We are pushing for an appeal and a meeting with the commissioner Adam Silver in order to correct this drastic mistake."

DeAndre Jordan told the media that he's very disappointed with the New York Knicks' "trickery." "I honestly thought Phil Jackson [would] be better than that," he finished.

It is important to note that Jordan verbally agreed to sign with Mark Cuban's Dallas Mavericks, but after a whirlwind of events including the whole Clippers organization locking him down at his Houston home, he was led to a decision to sign with the Los Angeles second team.

Social media has reacted with the contract issue using the hashtag #ContractGate on Twitter and Facebook. The NBA has contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation to help with the case. "We are looking into possible loopholes including an assistant or secretary possibly disguising as a Clippers staff slipping the Knicks contract in front of Mr. Jordan."

More on this story as it develops.

LOS ANGELES - The month of July is recognized as the National Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness month. During the month of July, Leukemia and Lymphoma awareness is a focus across the world, informing people on screenings, treatments and its prevalence in the world.

Leukemia and Lymphoma are described as cancerous hematologic malignancies which both involve blood. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that there will be 54,791 new cases of leukemia and 22,475 deaths in 2014. As for lymphoma, the American Cancer Society estimates that 83,650 new cases and 17,930 deaths will occur in the United States in 2014. As a result of the cancers, many patients will require either a blood transfusion or bone marrow transfusion.

Retired NBA star, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, has decided to run a blood drive in conjunction with American Red Cross to support the National Awareness Month for Leukemia and Lymphoma. So far, Johnson has had a of 1,827 donors including himself and has saved about 438 patients so far.

Many people are finding it odd and a bit terrifying that Johnson is donating his blood as well since he has been diagnosed as HIV+ since November of 1991. Since then, it has been reported that Magic’s HIV cell count remains so low that it is considered dormant. Although considered dormant, the virus still lives within Johnson.

[Source]

ORLANDO - Retired NBA champion Jason Williams aka "White Chocolate" has announced his interest to play in the Philippine Basketball Association.

"I can still go if you compare me to [The Panda's Friend]," Williams told Manila Link during a promotional interview for his soon-to-be released highlights mini-movie on iTunes. The Panda's Friend, born Ron Artest, currently plays in Europe professionally.

When asked on which team he'd like to sign to, Williams said, "isn't Pacquiao running a team down there? Maybe that one. We'll see."

Williams and Pacquiao briefly met in 2005 before one of the boxing superstar's fights.


A native of West Virginia, Williams played college basketball for Marshall University and the University of Florida. The Sacramento Kings selected him in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft. Williams also played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, and Orlando Magic throughout his career.

NBA - In the same path that there are more NBA-caliber players on the planet than there are list spots in the Association, there are ordinarily more than 60 participants in the NBA draft every year who are deserving of sharpening their skills to the highest level.

It's unavoidable, then, that some better than average prospects become lost despite a general sense of high potential, as the case will probably end up being for the class of 2015.

Luckily for them, being ignored on draft night is a long way from a passing ring for somebody's profession in basketball. Ben Wallace, Brad Miller and John Starks are perfect examples of undrafted All-Star ballots. Bruce Bowen ricocheted around France and the CBA before he landed in the NBA in 1997, and he didn't accept a spot on the wing for the San Antonio Spurs, with whom he won three titles, until four years after that.

Among current constituents, Wesley Matthews, Jose Calderon, Udonis Haslem, Timofey Mozgov, Jeremy Lin and J.J. Barea made their impact in the NBA despite being relative unknowns before.

These seven youngsters may all emulate their example. On the other hand, they could simply wash out of an association that didn't call their names on Thursday.

1. Christian Wood, PF, Houston Rockets

2. Cliff Alexander, F, Brooklyn Nets

3. Aaron Harrison, G, Charlotte Hornets

4. Terran Petteway, G, Atlanta Hawks

5. T.J. McConnell, PG, Philadelphia 76ers

6. Brandon Ashley, F, Atlanta Hawks

7. Robert Upshaw, C, Los Angeles Lakers

NEW YORK - Adam Silver, the commissioner of the National Basketball Association, has announced in a presser today that the league is interested in expanding its market to the Philippines, Spain, China and Lithuania.

The NBA published a statement to the media that stated its interest to expand its reach globally. "The NBA is watched in over 200 countries. Basketball is truly worldwide. We plan to expand our league to big basketball markets in Asia and Europe."

"The level of competition will be the same, since the expansion won't mean that they'll be national teams. They will still have to draft and sign players in the NBA," clarified Silver. "We are taking this big step to truly make NBA a global authority in basketball."

The FIBA has announced their support for the move, saying that "the more these countries are exposed to basketball, the more they'll be interested in watching national teams compete against each other."

As part of the expansion to the four countries. Scouts have been encouraged to look for talent within the regions. Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. is seen by the Philippines as the one to spearhead the influx of Filipino basketball players in the NBA.

Parks, who was known for his heroics in National University, has been scouted by multiple NBA teams including the Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings.

The NBA gave the Philippines a taste of a league game when the Houston Rockets versed the Indiana Pacers in a preseason exhibition back in 2013 as part of its NBA Global Games world tour.

NEW ORLEANS - Star forward for the New Orleans Pelicans Anthony Davis comes out with his homosexuality after signing a 5-year $125 million contract extension with his current team.

The Pelicans #23 Anthony Davis has been highly regarded as one of the elite forwards of the NBA. He made an impact in the 2014-15 season which garnered him and the city of New Orleans much media attention for his style of play on the basketball court.

"I'm gay," Anthony Davis told the media at the Pelicans presser today. "I've been gay since high school."

The LGBT community congratulated Anthony Davis on his decision to come out publicly. "We are very proud of him and Jason Collins. They are very strong men and great representatives of our community," said one gay Pelicans fan on Twitter.

Anthony Davis told that media, "I hope my sexuality does not affect anyone's view of me [especially] the fans. New Orleans -- five more years!"

Anthony Davis averaged 24.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.9 BLKPG on 30.89 PER. He was one of the front runners for the NBA MVP race behind Stephen Curry, LeBron James and James Harden.

LOS ANGELES - Former Barangay Ginebra import Jackson Vroman was found dead in his Los Angeles residence on Monday (Tuesday, Manila time).

Vroman, who played for the Gin Kings in 2012, was found in a pool, according to The Des Moines Register.

He was 34 years old.

Police have yet to announce the cause of death, although his friend, poker and Instagram personality Dan Bilzerian, said the player’s death was caused by an accident.

Multiple reports of California news pages suggest that he tripped down the stairs of his residence and hit his head on the edge of the pool before drowning to death.

Barangay Ginebra has sent their condolences to Vroman's friends and family through their Facebook page.

NEW YORK - A memo sent by the NBA states that players are no longer allowed to say "thank God" in any way shape or form. This applies during international and nationwide (US) TV broadcasts of games.

"We do not want to offend those who have a different belief," said NBA commissioner Adam Silver. "I respect everyone's belief, which is why the board and I has agreed to implement this rule during widely broadcasted games."

The memo stated that during local broadcasts of up to a state level, players are allowed to celebrate their belief on-screen in any way shape or form. It also stated that other forms of praising a deity is no longer allowed on-screen.

The issue was brought up to the former NBA commissioner David Stern's attention late in 2009 when multiple complaints from non-Christian fans stated that they were offended by the celebration of the Christian God on-screen.

The most notable complaint being on NBA star Stephen Curry who recently won a NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors.

Curry was reportedly disappointed with the NBA board's decision and has filed a petition to uplift the restriction.

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Clippers intend to sign Filipino player Bobby Ray Parks Jr. after the NBA Summer League says inside source.

A Los Angeles Clippers insider has told us that the team is fully confident that they will sign Parks after the NBA Summer League. "They're just scouting how he performs in the summer, but they already have one foot in the doorway," said the insider.

Parks, who played for National University in the Philippine collegiate level, has been invited by the Dallas Mavericks for this year's summer league. The Mavericks has the option to sign him after the summer or let the Bulldog go to the Clippers before the start of the regular season.

The NBA's Las Vegas summer league kicks off at July 10.

CHICAGO - 6-time NBA Champion and basketball legend Michael Jordan spoke to ESPN today regarding the Cavaliers-Warriors 2015 NBA Finals series. Jordan said, "LeBron doesn't deserve my jersey number (23)."

Michael Jordan was with his spouse Yvette Prieto today to give a tour of one of their Chicago homes for a documentary with ESPN. When asked about LeBron's loss against the Golden State Warriors in the 2015 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan said that he was "very disappointed" with the Cavaliers forward.

"The number has been tainted. No offense to LeBron. He's a phenomenal player, but 23 is 23, you know?" Michael Jordan told ESPN correspondent Kennedy Cushion. Jordan was all laughs throughout the interview inside his $45 million estate.

The documentary "Air Estate" will be shown next month exclusively on ESPN.

CLEVELAND - As LeBron James leads the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Playoffs, the two-time NBA champion announced to the media that he used steroids in the offseason per ESPN.

During an interview with ESPN, the star forward admitted to using steroids before the season started. He confirmed, "I used performance enhancing drugs in the offseason, I admit that. But the testing only counts during the season." He also pointed out that other NBA players do the same but did not name anyone specifically.

When asked how long he's been using steroids for, he jokingly responded, "I've doing this my whole life. How do you think my hairline got like this?" Before the interview ended, he did clear up that he started using steroids during his final year in St. Vincent-St. Mary High School on his own terms.

LeBron James also spoke about his 10th trip to the postseason as the Cavs closed out the season with a 34-9 record, his sibling-like relationship with Kyrie Irving and his disconnection with Kevin Love. Watch the full video on ESPN.

OAKLAND - As quick and shocking as a knockout, the first and only eight-division world champion and Philippine Congressman, Manny Pacquiao, has bought full ownership of the NBA's Golden State Warriors. The Warriors announced the purchase today at a press conference held in Oakland, California.

Pacman made waves today in the basketball world after buying off sole ownership of the Warriors team. He will have full control of the organization including its team and staff. The boxer turned politician already runs a basketball team in the Philippines called the Kia Motors where he is a playing coach.

The mega movie star is also seeking ventures in China where he looks to buy a basketball franchise to run in Hong Kong. "If possible, he will also buy a team in the European leagues. We have been keeping an eye in Europe for an up-and-coming team like the Warriors, so look out for that," his agent addressed the media.

This is not Manny Pacquiao's first encounter with the Golden State Warriors as he was recorded to be practicing in their court late 2014 to promote his fight against Algieri. He was able to meet the likes of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. The latter told ESPN that he was "happy and excited" about the purchase. The Warriors are regarded as one of the NBA Western Conference's top contenders for the title race.

CLEVELAND - Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James has publicly confirmed through ESPN that he is joining the Philippine men's national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, in the upcoming off-season. The two-time NBA Champion also stated that he will be touring with the team next year to promote Nike in the Southeast Asian territories.

The 31st FIBA ranked Gilas Pilipinas was able to catch the attention of the Cleveland Cavaliers forward and NBA Superstar LeBron James in their attempt to compete against world-class talent in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.


The Philippine national team was able to secure a win in the tournament, their first in 40 years. A new roster is in the works under head coach Chot Reyes who was able to convince LeBron James to go through naturalization in the Philippines. The Akron hero accepted the offer informally through Twitter, but went on to ESPN to announce his decision to join the team.


LeBron James is a two-time NBA champion, four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, two-time Olympic gold medalist, one-time NBA scoring champion and the 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year.

PHILADELPHIA - "The Philadelphia 76ers are aiming for a winless record this season," says a NBA insider. Rumors surfaced early this season when the Sixers opened their first five games with five losses. "They want all the draft picks they can get and they're not taking any chances," added the insider.

"They tanked so good last year, they think they can do it again," the insider told us, "and they want to perfect it this time. They want to go for 0-82." The impossible might just happen as the Sixers are still winless this season.

Michael Carter-Williams has already been evading questions regarding tanking. Instead, he resorted to joking with the media and saying that he watches The Ellen DeGeneres show to get his mind off the losses. "He's taking his mind off the loses, but he's still focused on losing," the NBA insider reported to us in a call. "'Why win now when you can win later?' That was one of the things that came out of the GM's mouth earlier this week in a player-corporate meeting."

And who could blame them? They're already off to a good start in losing. The Sixers can potentially cap it off with the worst season ever in NBA history. That will add them to the record books and land them good picks next year.