Nike Basketball News

Dream Season: 23 & 24 - LeBron James 2009 MVP

GoodN81 — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:37:12 GMT

In this extended piece to the Dream Season: 23 & 24 series, relive the crowning of the League’s 2009 MVP. Fittingly, LeBron accepts the award where it all began St. Vincent-St. Mary’s HS in Akron, OH. It was there, in the gym where LeBron lit up the scoreboard with teammates Romeo, Willie, Sian, and Dru. LeBron shows us the town, the school, and even the lockers where he and the Fab 5 prepared for gametime.

Be sure to follow LeBron as he continues the More Than A Game Tour back in the US.
More Than A Game Tour

NBA 360 Spinback: LeBron James

GoodN81 — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:33:37 GMT

Take a look back at some of the greatest highlights of LeBron James’ inspiring career. We take a trip down memory lane, starting with LeBron’s very first appearance in an NBA jersey. And from the moment he stepped on the court as a pro his intensity has never let up. It’s full-court, all-position basketball.

Be sure to follow LeBron as he continues the More Than A Game Tour back in the US.
More Than A Game Tour

More Than A Game: The Tour

GoodN81 — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 03:24:36 GMT

The More Than A Game Tour is kicking off. Follow all the action from the road as LeBron and his teammates from Saint Vincent - Saint Mary travel the world.

Unstoppable Drive

nikebasketball_emea — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:01:36 GMT

To perform at the Final Four, you need drive - an unstoppable drive. Go behind-the-scenes and find out how Josh Childress, coach Messina, MVP Spanoulis and others prepared for the showdown in Berlin.

LeBron James: 2009 NBA MVP

nikebasketball_emea — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:56:13 GMT

What separates a great player from a Most Valuable Player? After breaking countless individual scoring records and winning gold in Beijing, this season, LeBron found the answer.

His stats speak for themselves-28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game. Now, had LeBron put up those numbers on an average team, he would be in the discussion, but it wouldn't be a lock. Not without the team he's built bonds with out there in Cleveland.

Lebron's name topped every list even before the midseason break because he stuffed the stat sheet within the team concept. Everything he's done this season-- on both ends of the court-has been totally within the framework of the Cavs, exactly as it's been discussed in the locker room and on the practice court. His level of devotion to his squad is unrivaled in the league right now. His unique ability to inspire and lift his teammates perform better has also moved legions of fans around the world to do the same.

There are a several good players in Cleveland, and they're all better because of LeBron. Not just because his presence occupies so much of the opponent's attention, creating opportunities for them to shine. From the moment the bus leaves for the airport to the moment the final buzzer sounds, something of LeBron is rubbing off on each of those players-advice on a subtle way to defend the pick-and-roll, working on the best angle to cut so that LeBron can get them the rock, or working on a pre-game routine that helps break up a long and sometimes exhausting season.

That's what a leader does, that's what a great teammate does. He changes the game with a clutch shot, an impossible pass, a cheer from the sidelines, or a cloud of chalk. It's why he's considered one of the greatest of all time. It's why in 2008-2009, he's the most valuable.

It all comes down to details.

nikebasketball_emea — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:40:23 GMT

The moment has come. Four massive teams. A world-beating battle. But this time, more than ever, it’s the little things that will make the difference.

Little things, like being that nano-second faster to the rim, gaining that one extra inch of air, earning the psychological edge by analysing your opponent’s offensive plays.

These are the details we’ve all been working on for weeks – preparing our players for every possible scenario; thoroughly outlining our opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.

It’s a tough time for the players. They want to perform in the national league but they don’t want to risk getting injured right before the greatest moment of their season.

That’s why I need them to focus on the game only, so I have to find that delicate balance they need to be confident, but not too relaxed. And to be excited, but not nervous.

The team most capable of eliminating even the tiniest of distractions will have the greatest chance of winning. I can give my players all I can - but once they’re on the court, it's up to them.

I don’t know what will happen, how we will play, or even if we will win. But this I do know: I won’t miss a single detail that can help make us first in Europe.

Ettore Messina

Playing the big games

nikebasketball_emea — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:22:35 GMT

Here we go – the final four. The stakes are higher. The game is different. But the objective is still the same: winning.

We’re always the team everyone wants to beat, so we’ve learned to take every game seriously - no matter who we’re playing against. At the final four we’ll meet the best teams in Europe. And we’ll meet them on a night they’re most eager to crush us. But we’re used to that, our opponents are always coming at us armed to the teeth.

You can’t worry about high stakes or rivalry during the game. Once you allow these thoughts to takeover your mind, you’ll lose focus of what the team’s supposed to do. You lose focus of your defensive assignment or that cut you’re supposed to make on offence. You should always focus on winning; let the fans worry about rivalry.

At the final four, we’ll take the teams as they come. It’s not about who we’re playing - all the teams are tough and experienced. It’s about what you want to achieve. If you want to be the best, you have to play the best - and beat them.

NO PRESSURE

nikebasketball_emea — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:00:04 GMT

This is it - the final chapter of the season, the Final Four. The pressure’s breathing down your neck - but you can’t let it take control. Any distractions will only damage your game.

I’ve been in this situation for the last seven years, so it’s easy for me to say. But it’s true; it’s not about the pressure. It’s about the team that performs best - the team that manages to stick to their play, because that’s what brought them to the finals in the first place.

There’s only one way to do this: work even harder, get into the best possible shape and prepare your team for any situation. Make sure you know how to react when you’re down ten points in the final, or whether to shoot or to pass with just seconds left on the shot clock.

Finals will always bring high expectations. There will always be that immense pressure, but in the end results aren’t decided by outside pressure - they’re decided by the team.

Theo

NBA, HERE WE COME.

nikebasketball_emea — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:15:53 GMT

Recently we played a Euroleague game in Belgrade in front of 22,000 frantic fans. European basketball is getting big. And not just big – it’s getting better every year, with major talents rising in every team.

European players have become top athletes; they’re quicker, jump higher, run faster and yet they’ve maintained their typical European team style. They can still open up a game with smart passes, and they still look for the open man.

So what has caused this giant leap in quality? Well, first of all, the simple fact that the European fan base has massively grown over the years and games are now televised all over the continent. This has made European Basketball more professional – allowing players and teams to evolve.

This increased level of professionalism can also be seen in the high standard of referees. The European game is one of the toughest games to ref because of the high level of contact. Just ten years ago it was very hard to win away games, especially in some hot spots. But our refs just kept getting better and better. Nowadays, if you play hard and smart, you have a fair chance of winning abroad - no matter how hot the crowd.

And finally, THE GAME IS GETTING GLOBAL. Twenty years ago, European teams only had two foreigners and most of the time, they were unknown Americans. Today, we see American stars in the Euroleague and an increasing number of European top players in the NBA. Although the greatest superstars are still from the US, there’s new talent from all over the world waiting to take over.

The European fans, still love the great NBA stars but they also get more and more excited by the intensity and the drama involved in most of our games. The distance between us and the magic world of the NBA is still there but, believe me, we're closing in - fast.

Ettore Messina

Prepare for the big one

nikebasketball_emea — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:26:44 GMT

It’s all falling into place now – in just a few weeks time we’re performing on the stage we’ve worked so hard for all year - the Final Four in Berlin.

The whole team is excited, but we know we’ve got more to accomplish. Getting there wasn’t our only goal – we want to go the there and win. So this month we’re going to be playing hard and preparing ourselves for that week in Berlin, because we know it didn’t come easy.

The team had some difficult games halfway through the season – little things like injuries and rhythm can make a big difference in a team. And I should know, I struggled with my share of ‘little things’ at the beginning of 2009.

But all that is just being human. Everybody has their ups and downs and it’s 90% psychological. It all comes down to coping with it, keeping confidence, sticking to your game and limiting your mistakes.

Players like Theo Papaloukas are therefore essential to our team - both on and off the court. This guy has seen it all, he’s playing his seventh Final Four in a row and won it three times.

Younger players like myself ask him loads of questions to find out what to expect. But you can ask an experienced player all you want - in the end you have to focus on your own game and expect the unexpected.

It’s not about the captain. It’s about the team.

nikebasketball_emea — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:31:09 GMT

What changes when you become captain? The way you play? The way you relate to the coach? The way you relate to the fans?

The answer: none of the above.

The only thing that changes is your responsibility to help every member of the team play better. My role as a captain is to drive, influence, my teammates sometimes on court sometimes from the bench, during a game, by giving directions and encourage them to perform better for the game.

On the court, I work as hard as everyone to help my team win – the same thing I always did. I don’t change my attitude towards people, or play a different game.

The only thing I have more than other players is experience. I’ve played with most Greek players in the national team, so everyone knew my background and experience and accepted me as their captain. Some players are in the finals for the first time, so I talk with them to help them prepare for what’s coming.

Being the captain is about doing everything you can to help your team succeed every time you are on the court – it’s that simple. And that’s how I’ve always played.

Theo

Hoop Summit: Game Day

nikebasketball_emea — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:41:26 GMT

After losing his first four Nike Hoop Summits, World Select Team head coach ROB BEVERIDGE recorded his first victory in Portland Saturday ...

I really felt earlier in the week that this group was coming together. They enjoyed each other's company and we spent a lot of time on team bonding exercises.

We went ten-pin bowling and were laughing at each other for the gutter balls and because the bowling alley were struggling to find size 17 shoes for some of the guys. We had competitive drills and the guys had to do push-ups or have piggy-back races when they lost. All that really brought this group together and you saw what this team is about.

This is the biggest challenge I could ever have in my coaching career. I have spent year after year listening to the USA guys talk about the problems they have of bringing their team together but unless a coach has been in the situation we're in, you really have no idea of the difficulties we face.

It's like a game of chess and trying to teach all the players which piece they are in the game and obviously the biggest challenge we have is doing that with the language barrier to overcome.

So, while the win is fantastic, I'm more concerned that the players appreciate what they have actually done - they have done something very very special and I feel privileged to call myself their coach.

I'll always think how lucky I am. I'm a professional coach, I get to travel the world, develop friendships with people and have long-term relationships with many of the players and I know I will keep in touch and follow the careers of many of these kids.

At the end, our celebrations were pretty wild and that was relief more than anything. I'm a competitive guy and to beat the USA on their own court with so many things against us ... that was pretty special.

DONATAS MOTIEJUNAS, from Lithuania, scored 21 points in the World Select Team's 97-89 victory in the Nike Hoop Summit game in Portland Saturday.

This is history!

The last time the World Team beat the USA in this game was 1998 so beating them here in Portland is awesome for us and, especially, for the coaches.

From 10 different players, selfish players including me, the coach built a TEAM. Not every coach could do that and you have to honor our coach, Rob Beveridge, for doing it.

Of course, the USA thought they were better than us but we proved we were the better team and, again, that is thanks to the coaches and I thank them with all my heart.

Rob has been coaching this team for five years and he has so much experience which he passed on to us and that is why we won the game.

It seemed like the week started slowly but it finished like an explosion! For me, the second half of the game was really enjoyable, the first half not so much, but I think I finished the game strong.

There was quite a big crowd at the game but when you have played in some of the gyms I have played in in Lithuania, then the noise and the crowd tonight is nothing!

The NBA is a dream for me - of course it is, who wouldn't want to play there? And watching the game between the Blazers and the Lakers on Friday showed me what the NBA is like. Did tonight show me I'm ready for the NBA? I don't know. I am waiting to hear from somebody! I have said before, when the people around me tell me I am ready for the NBA, then I am ready. Not until then.

So the week is over and I have so many memories, it is impossible to pick just one. There will not be one memory I take home, there will be lots - both on the court and off it where this was my first ever time in America.

But if I had to choose one memory, it would probably be the final buzzer when our celebrations started. The World Team has waited 11 long years for a victory. Now, thanks to the coaches, and teamwork, we have made history.

MILAN MACVAN led the World Select Team to a 97-89 victory at Nike Hoop Summit in Portland Saturday, scoring 23 points and adding 14 rebounds and 6 assists.

I have won against a US team before, at the World Championships in Novi Sad, and any time you beat Americans is special. America is the biggest country in the world for basketball so to beat them in their own country ... it is hard to describe.

This was an enjoyable week for me - my first time in the USA - and I am glad I was selected because I learned so much and had so many experiences.

Even though there were some language problems at first, we made friendships that will last for a long time and, even though many of us knew each other from playing in Europe, we had not played together before.

We obviously spent a lot of time in practice but we did many different things as well - like designing Nike iD shoes for a team mate.

There was fun but, of course, the week was about the game and, while the game was tough, we played a lot of zone and that helped us win. Zone is how we beat the USA in Novi Sad and we did the same here. Maybe that's the way to beat the USA all the time.

After the game, there were many journalists asking us questions. One said I reminded him of Kevin Love. He's a great player, I love Kevin Love, but I don't want to be Kevin Love! I want to be Milan!

When I was young I liked a European player, Vlade Divac, and, in the NBA, Charles Barkley, so maybe I am more like them.

The NBA is my dream, of course. We saw Portland play the Lakers on Friday and that was fantastic, my first NBA game. But maybe I have more chance in Europe because I'm not a great athlete. Maybe that's a problem for me, I don't know.

Now I must go home and play in the National Championships in Serbia which end in May and, after that, I'll talk to my agent about the NBA and the future. Right now, I have no plans.

But, like every kid in Europe, the NBA has always been my dream. I started playing basketball in the first place because I wanted to be Shaq O'Neal. That was my first basketball jersey and I still have it at home, though I can't fit in it any more!

Maybe one day I will be back here and playing again. Who knows?!

TOMISLAV ZUBCIC from Croatia hit 17 points in the World Team's 97-89 upset of the USA at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland Saturday.

I have learned so many things, about basketball and life, this week and I am so glad I was here and part of the win.

We feel we have been part of history and I am going back to Europe thinking maybe I can play now. After all, I have beaten the USA! How many Europeans my age can say that?

From the start, the Americans were saying that they would beat us and had the attitude that they would beat us easily. I didn't like that attitude and we showed them how to play. We showed them that they were not the best. We were!

The first thing you have to say is our coach, Rob Beveridge, did a very good job and the second is we played like a team - playing good defense. We stopped them because they like to run and we stopped them running thanks to our rebounding and our smart players.

When we play like that, this team could beat anybody.

I am very happy personally with my performance and the way I played tonight because other people were watching. I scored what I scored but I think I did other things to help us win and that was important.

Like every young guy, I dream of playing in the NBA but it is not in my mind right now because I do not think this one game will make such a difference.

To play in the NBA, you must play well for a few years and you must have experience for the NBA. I'm not yet ready to play in the NBA.

But I do think that I am a better player and I have had so much fun this week. It is something I will always remember.

Photo Credit: USA BASKETBALL

Hoop Summit: 1 day to go until tip-off...

nikebasketball_emea — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:35:37 GMT

Watch behind the scenes footage from the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon. This annual basketball game event features the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Select Team, comprised of the top high school boy senior players, playing against a World Select Team, comprised of top players 19-years-old or younger from around the world. Get to know these young, up and coming prospects before they become stars.

Photo Credit: USA BASKETBALL

The Family: Playoffs Preview

nikebasketball_emea — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:16:59 GMT

With the regular season just about history, it’s time to turn our attention toward the Greatest Show On Earth, aka the postseason. Two months of intense desire, amazing finishes, and furious battles. The games are played with the sure knowledge that anything less than full effort means a premature end to championship dreams.

Let’s begin our look ahead with the team that came up just short last season, and is gearing up to erase that bitter ending from their collective memory—the Los Angeles Lakers. Showtime is back on the coast, as the #1 seed out west is favored to make it back to the ultimate round.

Leading the way…well, you already know about Kobe Bryant. Great talent, sure, but also an incredible competitive streak, a ferocious defender, and a player who can will his team to victory, either in a game or a series. Simply put, Kobe has to be accounted for at all times, even when he’s taking a breather on the sideline—just his glare from the bench gets his teammates motivated.

One of those sidekicks is critical to L.A. making that leap to winning it all. Andrew Bynum was just shoving his way into the elite big man category when he went down with a knee injury. Fortunately, it wasn’t as serious as the one he suffered last season, when he missed that showdown with Boston. Bynum has made his return, and should provide the missing piece to the puzzle in the paint. L.A. was brutalized inside by the Green Machine last year—that won’t happen with Bynum around.

The Bryant and Bynum combo isn’t all L.A. has to offer. Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom were pushed around pretty good by Boston’s bigs last year, and they are eager for redemption. Gasol has been berserk this campaign, averaging just shy of 20 and 10. Thursday night, with Bynum back and occupying defenders, Pau pounded Denver to the tune of 27 points and 19 rebounds, his third double-double in four games. Odom is always a double-double threat every night, too, showing a rare ball-handling, shooting, post-up versatility. More importantly, the tandem has taken the opportunity to establish more of an inside presence in Bynum’s absence. That’s some serious size and length L.A. can throw at teams when all three are playing, and playing well.

Another player who will be more of a factor this time around is Trevor Ariza. The 6’8” forward has given his team a little of everything this year—a scoring option, solid defense, smart rebounding, and a step up in “want-to.” L.A. has depth to spare, and Ariza is the best of the subs.

Nothing is guaranteed in this league, but it will be a surprise if the purple and gold aren’t in the final two.

Hoop Summit: 4 days to go until tip-off...

nikebasketball_emea — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:37:47 GMT