We took it off the site for a while so that we could focus our coverage on the FIBA World Cup. And with the domestic seasons about to take shape, TalkBasket’s gossip column is back up.
SEFOLOSHA TO INVEST BACK HOME
Atlanta Hawks’ Thabo Sefolosha has been named an honorary president of his local basketball club and is going to invest in the team from Switzerland so that they can return to the Swiss premier division.
Vevey Riviera Basket, who play in the Swiss LNB (second division) have a goal to reach the top tier in the country and Sefolosha, who played at Vevey as a junior is willing to invest some money into the club.
There is also a hint that he might lace them up and play in a few games.
GUSTAVO AYON TO REAL MADRID??
Mexico might have missed out on a trip to Madrid for the final rounds of the FIBA World Cup but their star player Gustavo Ayon might be heading there for a possible three seasons.
Ayon is rumoured to be heading to the Spanish capital on a three-year contract, worth €1.8million, according to Solobasket.
The forward, who spent last season with the Atlanta Hawks has also reportedly turned down offers from San Antonio and Barcelona, the latter of which will please the Real Madrid faithful.
Ayon averaged 17 points and 7 rebounds in the World Cup but the Mexicans fell in the second round to eventual winners USA.
WOLVES GM IS CONFIDENT ABOUT RE-SIGNING RUBIO
Minnesota Timberwolves general manager Milt Newton is confident that Ricky Rubio will stay with the Wolves for the upcoming NBA season.
This despite his team-mate and friend Kevin Love now in Cleveland.
Via AP:
”We’re going to look at the situation the same way we did with Kevin,” Newton said. ”We’re going to do the best thing for the organization, and if we can get something done sooner, great. If not, we’re not necessarily in a rush.”
If Rubio becomes a restricted free agent, the Wolves could match any offer he receives on the open market. As it stands today, they don’t appear willing to offer the five-year maximum contract that former team president David Kahn was saving for Rubio, but Newton said there would be an advantage to getting a deal done before the season starts as opposed until waiting until next summer.
”Going forward, you want to show good will and trust in a player,” Newton said. ”So it can kind of go both ways whether you wait or do something now, but it has to be right for both sides.”
DESPITE MVP STATUS; KD IS STILL SECOND TO JAMES
Well, according to Sports Illustrated he is.
The list:
- LeBron James
- Kevin Durant
- Chris Paul
- Russell Westbrook
- Tim Duncan
- Anthony Davis
- Kevin Love
- Stephen Curry
- Dwight Howard
- Blake Griffin
Kobe Bryant comes in at 24th position while Derrick Rose is 23rd.
