Today’s gossip reaches out a bit further than Europe, as a former NBA player thinks LeBron James should go to Cleveland plus more from the NBA, news from China and then back to our continent.
Barkley: LeBron should go back to Cleveland
Former NBA star Charles Barkley, now an analyst with ESPN has stated that LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are due a reunion.
Barkley admitted that it would be a great way for James to end his career if he went back to Cleveland. He also took a cheeky shot at the Miami Heat fans.
“I’ve always thought he was going to go back to Cleveland,” Barkley said to ESPN. “Nobody dislikes LeBron. I think LeBron made a huge mistake with that ‘Decision’ crap. He’s come back and since admitted that. That’s the only thing people hold against LeBron.
“He’s a great player, a great person. I hope he goes back to Cleveland. Those fans in Miami are not real fans, those fans in Cleveland are real fans. I’ve always hoped he would go back to Cleveland. That would be a great way to finish his career.”
James’ contract with the Heat expires this summer.
Golden State Warriors WANT Love
With Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love exploring his options in the free agency market this summer, it’s been no surprise that a lot of NBA teams are battling for his signature.
The Golden State Warriors have reportedly emerged as front-runners to sign the forward in 2015.
The Warriors think they have a legitimate chance of landing All-Star player, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. After Tuesday’s news conference to introduce Steve Kerr as Golden State’s head coach, some team sources confidently outlined their reasoning for being considered a top contender in the Love sweepstakes.
“You know we’ll be aggressive,” one Warriors source said, asking for anonymity because NBA brass isn’t allowed to comment on players under contract with other teams. “We usually get our guy.”
Bobby Brown to stay in China
Former Euroleague Alphonso Ford Scoring Trophy winner Bobby Brown has reportedly signed a three-year deal with the Dongguan Leopards.
Brown averaged 30 points a game last season in the CBA with many being led to believe that the American would land a contract in the NBA.
The former Montepaschi Siena guard though wants to win a title in China.
A plea from Partizan and Red Star Belgrade (statement)
“Dear friends,
Basketball community has strong influence and in these very difficult times for Serbia we need your attention and call to action. As you probably know, heavy rain and floods have hit Serbia causing the evacuation of almost 25.000 people in five days. The area affected covers over more than 30 cities and villages in eight districts mostly in Central and Western Serbia. Many of them are without drinking water, electricity and communication, people lost their homes, villages and complete infrastructure is ruined; some areas can still be reached only from the air. In response to the disastrous floods in Serbia, people in our country are trying to help those who are directly affected. Numerous international organizations, charities, countries around the world, people from all the continents are helping people in Serbia. BC Partizan NIS together with players, former players and coaches will do everything to help our own people, but in this hard moment we also need your assistance. Basketball has significant influence, so, please help us spread the word and fundraise. Please use your influence in media, on fans, official sponsors and all the people of good will to spread the word and help. The people of the districts struck by the worst floods in history of Serbia are suffering and need it more than ever. Any kind of your help will be highly appreciated and of great importance. Please let us know about your intentions and actions you may organize. We can show that basketball community can make a difference and that we all are at the same side – one team with different colors, but the same goal. Basketball community is strong and as we share joy and great energy during sport season, we believe that in difficult moments we can raise awareness and help, all together as one team! Let’s win this match together!
Sincerely yours, BC Partizan NIS Belgrade and People of Serbia.
Dear sport friends,
Our country is currently facing unprecedented flooding. A terrible natural disaster which had struck Serbia took many human lives and created enormous material damages. The danger is not over yet, and we will need a lot oftime and money to eliminate all the consequences. At the first indication that the floods caused by massive rainfall will lead to a crisis of unimaginable proportions, BC Crvena zvezda Telekom got maximally engaged to help the disadvantaged. Our two sports halls, Basket City and Basket Land, used for years for the games of Euroleague Nike qualifying tournament for juniors (NIJT), have been – in the shortest possible time and with the help of great involvement ofpeople who work at the club – adapted and prepared for the reception of evacuees. Weworked around the clock to care for the most vulnerable, among them many children, pregnant women, elderly and immobile people, and we were the first to provide help after they left their homes, cold and wet. The players and coaching staff of BC Crvena Zvezda Telekom also got engaged in charity work, as did the the members of the club management who provided financial assistance on Friday, May 16. Basketball players also actively participated in the storing of humanitarian aid which kept coming into our help reception centre in large quantities and which was distributed to those who needed it most.
Also, our international players, Jaka Blazic (Slovenia),Demarkus Nelson (USA) and Charles Jenkins (USA), Oleksandr Lypovyy (Ukraine) through video messages that were forwarded through internet sites and social networks, urged their compatriots to help the vulnerable households in Serbia with their donations. Considering our very strong partnership and friendly relations, we would like to ask you to use your immense influence and authority in the basketball world and urge the basketball teams and organizations across Europe to engage in humanitarian action to help Serbia. Given the daunting scale of the floods in Serbia, we will not be able to rebuild the country alone and provide a normal life for a large number offamilies. For years now, the Euroleague has been promoting socially responsible and humanitarian actions, and therefore we hope that you will consider our appeal and help us. Wire instruction (in EURO): Beneficiary: Ministry of Finance – Treasury Department Address: Pop Lukina 7-9,RS- 11000 Beograd – Serbia SWIFT: DEUTDEFF Account No.: RS35 9085 0461 9019323080 Reference: Help for flooded Serbian regions. Wire instruction (in USD): Beneficiary: Ministry of Finance – Treasury Department Address: Pop Lukina 7-9,RS – 11000 Beograd – Serbia SWIFT: BKTRUS33 Account No.: RS35 9085 0461 9019323080 Reference: Help for flooded Serbian regions. Any help is welcome.
Cordially yours,
Belgrade, May 21st 2014.”
