Here are some interesting news that I managed to gather from around the NBA:
1. MANU PREFERS FACING INDIANA IN THE FINALS
We all know the Indiana get its hopes high when they managed to force the series to Game 7 against Miami. Both of them are struggling to reach the finals and face the well-rested San Antonio Spurs. I see most of the fans are picking the Heat over Pacers because of their big three. But if you ask one of their future opponents, Manu Ginobili did not hesitate to answer which team he prefers to play against. Here's his explanation for rooting on the Pacers:
“It’s not that we pull (for Indiana),” he said. “I think this time it’s different than before because the homecourt advantage. It is a big difference. It’s not definitive. It doesn’t mean that whoever has homecourt advantage is going to win. But we all prefer to have a Game 7 at home than on the road if we could get to that point. But besides that, different styles, I think we can match up with both.”
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| Image source: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/slideshow/Manu-Ginobili-2012-13-55157.php |
Since the format for the NBA Finals is 2-3-2, the Spurs will have the homecourt advantage if they face Indiana in Game 7. That could benefit them because the morale is different if the fans inside the arena are cheering for your team. We'll see if Manu can get what he wants after this Monday (Tuesday in Southeast Asia).
source: http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/06/01/manu-ginobili-would-prefer-to-meet-pacers-in-the-finals/
2. GRANT HILL ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT
After playing in the NBA for 19 years, Grant Hill finally decided to hung up his jersey. During his stint, he bacame a five-time NBA All-Star, an Olympic gold medalist, and a co-winner of Rookie of the Year award with Jason Kidd in 1994.
Last season, he signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. Unfortunately, he only played for 29 games. Then, the 40-year-old forward decided that he can't do this anymore.
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| Image: NBA.com |
Hill averaged 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals during a
career that included stints with the Clippers, Detroit, Orlando and
Phoenix.
source: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/grant-hill-retires-nba-19-003439631--nba.html
3. ANDREA BARGNANI IS ON THE TRADING BLOCK AGAIN
The Toronto Raptors will be shaken up from the ground up with the new leadership of GM Masai Ujiri, who left Denver Nuggets for the lone Canadian team. According to Mark Stein's tweet, the first order of the business is to fix the roster and will start with Center Andrea Bargnani.
ESPN Mark Stein's tweets:
First order of biz for new Raps GM Masai Ujiri: Word is he'll shop Andrea Bargnani everywhere he can in hopes of moving him before July 1
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 1, 2013
The 7-foot center has a $22-mil reamaining on his contract with two years left. He will be shopped to the 29 other teams for a less-expensive player. I doubt that there are teams who are interested with his contract since he's becoming more injury-prone. He missed Raptors' final 19 games due to his elbow injury. He is also not a great defender and rebounder despite his height advantage.
If worse comes to worst, the Toronto's front office might use their last option: Amnesty Clause. That way, they cannot be charged with huge tax even if they're still paying him his last contract as a Raptor.
source: http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/06/01/report-raptors-will-try-to-trade-andrea-bargnani-before-july-1/
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