My first reaction to hearing Ettore Messina's name connected with the Jazz coaching vacancy was: they want a Euro coach? Then I remembered I'd made this mistake before. Twenty-four years ago, during a summer league game, I checked a New Jersey Nets roster to learn about Drazen Petrovic. The Croatian guy was a good player, but I figure...
READ MOREHe is an anomaly, a contradiction of sorts in our "grass is always greener elsewhere" world of sports today. As others seek validation in a bigger paycheck, a different location or a more prestigious position, he has remained true to the ultimate bottom line: winning championships. When it comes to that, no one has been more successful tha...
READ MOREIn professional sports, organizational culture has become as much a part of analyzing a team's potential, as many on-court variables. With free agency a few weeks away, players, media and front office personnel will consider professional and positive locker room environments as much as cap space, and playing time. For Kings guard Marc...
READ MOREIf you've been paying attention to this year's NCAA Men's Division Tournament – also known as March Madness – you've probably heard of this week's Italian of the Week. Ryan Arcidiacono was born on March 26, 1994, to Joe and Patti. Both of his parents attended and met at Villanova University. Ryan grew up in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, where he practic...
READ MOREJimmy Valvano is a name not widely known this side of the Atlantic. In America, he is revered as an extraordinary inspiration. It was as a college basketball coach of NC State Wolfpack that the brash Italian-American made his name. After 10 years' coaching, "Jimmy V" arrived at State and told anyone who would listen he would win the Nation...
READ MOREBy Lorne Chan Spurs.com Marco Belinelli is giving an interview in Italian, moments after the Spurs won the NBA title in June. He thanks his family for believing in him when his emotions take over. When he mentions his small hometown of San Giovanni in Northern Italy, Belinelli can no longer speak. The first Italian NBA champion wipes his...
READ MOREby Nel Imperial The Boston Celtics are still big-name hunting on the trading front with less than two weeks left before February 18 deadline. HoopsRumors.com provided details on the Celtics' attempt to snag Italian forward Danilo Gallinari from the Denver Nuggets. The Celtics, armed with multiple draft picks and a handful of young...
READ MORESan Antonio's Marco Belinelli won the 3-point contest at NBA All-Star Saturday night. Belinelli made his final three shots to finish with 19 points, edging Damian Lillard by one to advance to the final from the West. All-Stars Stephen Curry and Kevin Love both finished with 16 points. Bradley Beal had 21 points to win the East bracket...
READ MOREEttore Messina had taken a sip from the NBA cup before when he was a consultant on Mike Brown's staff with the Lakers for the 2011-12 season. This time is like opening wide, throwing back his head and drinking it all in. "The Spurs," he said with a grin. "It is a familiar taste." A comfortable fit, like a designer Italian suit.The team w...
READ MORERadio Italia e la NBA. Il meglio della musica italiana e il top del basket professionistico americano insieme per una grande ed esclusiva partnership. Ripassiamo un po' di storia. Il primo italiano a giocare nella NBA è stato Stefano Rusconi che nel 1995 tenta il grande salto oltreoceano e firma con i Phoenix Suns. La sua avventura dura un...
READ MORE