Another week has gone by in the world of basketball.  We now know the groups for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil [The main World Cup draw for us is to come, of course] and today, Nelson Mandela was finally put to rest but what has been occurring in the hoops world?

RONDO BACK NEXT MONTH?

Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens announced that star guard Rajon Rondo could return to action in the new year; following a torn ligament in his right knee that he suffered on January 25.

It has also been hinted that Rondo might possibly return on the 1-year anniversary of his injury.

The Celtics guard has been cleared for full contact practice even though Stevens admitted that it is a preliminary step for the All-Star point guard getting in a game.

”He won’t play in games, is what I’ve been told, until after the first of the year,” Stevens said to the Boston Globe.

“And that still is, we’re talking in big generalities there. I don’t know when that means. It could mean a month from now, it could mean six weeks from now. There’s a lot of different variables that have to be met for him to be cleared for games.”

PAU GASOL LOOKING TO BE TRADED?

On the TalkBasket podcast, volume 38 in July, NBA writer Chris Sheridan came on the podcast and said that Los Angeles Lakers’ forward Pau Gasol will “finish next season with a different team and I can assure you 100 percent.”

A little over five months later and Sheridan’s promise is being looked into.

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NICK YOUNG HIGHLIGHTS SHAQTIN’ A FOOL

Remember THAT missed 360 lay-up. Watch the reaction on the hilarious Shaqtin’ A Fool

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WESTERMANN: PARTIZAN ARE MY HEROES

Injured Partizan guard Leo Westermann took to Twitter after his side’s surprise 79-77 win at Fenerbahce.

Westermann tore his ACL in the early stages of the Euroleague season and is recovering back in France.

 

 

POCIUS OUT FOR A MONTH

Zalgiris guard Martynas Pocius will be out for up to four weeks with a broken wrist that he suffered during his side’s 65-63 win against Anadolu Efes on Thursday.

Pocius will miss the crucial final Regular Season game against Brose Baskets next week along with the opening games in the Top 16, should they get through.