USA - Krzyzewski wants culture of success

MADRID (FIBA World Championship) - Mike Krzyzewski is not just targeting gold at the FIBA World Championship this summer.

The United States coach has his eyes on future tournaments as he tries to build a program that attracts the best players in the NBA every summer.

US Olympic Men's 1992 Dream Team Hall of Fame Ceremony Video

The US Olympic Men's National Basketball Team is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.



1992 NBA Dream Team
Olympic: Gold Medal

1. Michael Jordan
2. Magic Johnson
3. Larry Bird
4. Charles Barkley
5. David Robinson
6. Clyde Drexler
7. Scottie Pippen
8. Patrick Ewing
9. Karl Malone
10. John Stockton
11. Chris Mullin
12. Christian Laettner

Coach: Late Chuck Dally

Turkey to host FIBA World Championship for first time

Turkey will be the host of the world's most important basketball event for the first time in its history.

Turkey will be the host of the world's most important basketball event for the first time in its history.

The 2010 FIBA World Championship will begin officially in Istanbul on August 27.

A ceremony will take place at Istanbul's Sinan Erdem Sports Hall at 9:15 p.m.

The 2010 FIBA World Championship group games will be played in the cities of Ankara, Kayseri, Izmir and Istanbul from August 28 to and September 2. The finals will take place in
Istanbul from September 2 to 12.

24 teams are qualified for the event, while the draw on December 15, 2009 divided them into four groups of six.

Group A matches will be played in the central province of Kayseri. The six teams competing in the Group A are Angola, Argentina, Australia, Germany, Jordan and Serbia.

Group B matches will take place in Istanbul among Brazil, Croatia, Iran, Tunisia, Slovenia and the United States.

Group C matches will be played in Ankara. The six teams competing in the Group C are China, Ivory Coast, Greece, Russia, Puerto Rico and Turkey.

Canada, France, Lebanon, Lithuania, New Zealand and Spain will compete in Group D in the western province of Izmir.

source: worldbulletin.net

NBA LIVE STREAM: Los Angeles Lakers 2010 NBA Championship DVD Videos

Los Angeles Lakers 2010 NBA Championship Videos

Watch how the Lakers reach the NBA Championship and How they battle it out with the Boston Celtics. A classic NBA Finals 2010 Game 7 between the most influential team in the NBA League. Relive it once again. Watch the Los Angeles Lakers 2010 NBA Championship highlights Now.

Women Buys Lebron James Pendant For 5 Dollars - Real value is Thousands.

Akron Woman Finds Out LeBron James Pendant Worth Thousands

When Vaneisha Robinson bought a diamond studded pendant in the shape of LeBron James' number 23 jersey at a yard sale four years ago, she thought it was costume jewelry.

"I used to go to high school with it around my neck, not knowing the value of it," Robinson said.

Robinson got curious about the pendant's value a few months ago when she noticed the diamonds were set in the same way real ones are. She took it to a local jewelry store for a once-over.

"They tested the diamonds and they told me that it was real and that I should invest in getting it certified," Robinson said.

Robinson, 20, who is an amateur boxer, saved $200 to pay for a certified appraisal by the International Gemological Institute. The pendant she paid $5 for four years ago is worth nearly $10,000. She's put the jewelry up for sale on eBay.

Despite the backlash caused by James' decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and play for the Miami heat, Robinson believes the pendant will sell for top dollar.

"LeBron James (sic) brand will never die out," she said.

"If he got a ring it might go up in value. You never know."

source

Manila Lebron James: Udonis Haslem re-signs with the Miami Heat .

Joins Wade, Lebron James and Chrish Bosh as the Miami Heat starts to chase the NBA RING.

Haslem turned down a lucrative contract offers and will sign a five-year contract with the Miami Heat. Udonis Haslem will received $20 million.

He was quoted in miamiherald.com saying:

"It was an opportunity to win, an opportunity to be close to my mother, with her illness, and an opportunity to be a part of something special," he said. "I've never been in this for the money. I would be changing my DNA if I changed just for money."

With the result of his signing with the Miami Heat, Dyane Wade, Lebron James and Chrish Bosh will have a formidable and dependable role player.

Watch some of the NBA Highlight Videos of Haslem:

Agent: Zydrunas Ilgauskas agrees to sign with Heat, follow LeBron James to Miami

Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Agent: Zydrunas Ilgauskas agrees to sign with Heat, follow LeBron James to Miami
By Tim Reynolds (CP)

MIAMI — Zydrunas Ilgauskas has dealt Cleveland another blow by planning to follow LeBron James to the Miami Heat.

The veteran centre, who started playing for Cleveland in 1997 and has never suited up for another NBA team, expects to sign a two-year contract with the Heat later this week, agent Herb Rudoy said Tuesday. The two-year deal would come with a player option for the second season, Rudoy said.

"We've agreed to agree," Rudoy said.

Ilgauskas' decision became known less than a week after James — who played a role in recruiting the 7-foot-3 Lithuanian to South Florida — sparked outrage and outcry in Cleveland by going on a made-for-television special and saying he was joining the Heat.

This departure won't generate the same reaction from Clevelanders, but it'll hurt nonetheless.

Ilgauskas was a fan favourite for more than a decade, and when he returned to the Cavs after getting traded to the Washington Wizards this past season, a sellout crowd welcomed him with huge signs bearing the letter "Z'' — his moniker. Ilgauskas never played for the Wizards, quickly getting bought out and then returning to Cleveland after a 30-day waiting period.

Playing with James again was a major factor in Ilgauskas' decision.

"LeBron was very encouraging and explained the whole situation," Ilgauskas told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "And, obviously, he's my friend, and him being there made it a lot easier to choose."

On his Twitter feed, James quickly welcomed Ilgauskas to Miami.

"Glad u are joining me in South Beach my friend. Also thanks for the encouraging words big fella," James wrote.

The Heat had no immediate comment. They had talks about acquiring Ilgauskas when he was available this past season after the trade to Washington and buyout that followed.

Ilgauskas is the Cavs' career leader in games played, blocked shots and rebounds. He was drafted by the club in 1996 and overcame serious foot injuries that nearly ended his career.

He's just the latest name to join what shapes up as a serious title contender in Miami, joining not only James but Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem and presumably Mike Miller, who agreed to a deal late last week that remains unsigned. Agent Arn Tellem wrote on his blog Monday that Miller will play in Miami.

It's still possible Ilgauskas accepts a one-year deal, though his preference is the multi-year arrangement. Continue reading here...