NBA rumors: FIBA star drawing interest
Artūrs Žagars is garnering NBA interest after an impressive stint at the FIBA World Cup. This summer, Žagars averaged 12.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists in 25 minutes per game. He helped Latvia's national team defeat teams like France, Spain, and Brazil. Even more impressive, in the team's final game against Lithuania, the 23-year-old set a tournament record with 17 assists.
The OKC Thunder's Davis Bertans spoke highly of his teammate and his NBA prospects. Bertans said:
Everything can happen if you end up at the right place at the right time. He has all the tools to do it. He's relentless, as you can see. They're putting their best defender on him every single night, and he still delivers for us. Davis Bertans on teammate Artūrs ŽagarsAfter a productive summer, sources told Donatas Urbonas of basketnews that, "Some NBA teams are also considering a two-way contract for Žagars." However, according to EuroHoops' Aris Barkas, Žagars is nearing a deal with Fenerbahce, the Turkish powerhouse. He's expected to sign there and play on loan in Lithuania with Wolves BC. Žagars has played professionally in Europe since 2017. All in all, Žagars should have no trouble finding a suitable home in the upcoming season.
NBA rumors: Kerr explains loss
After coming home empty-handed from the FIBA World Cup for the second straight year, Team USA is forced to reflect. In a tough battle for third place, the US lost to Canada in overtime 127-118. It's worth noting that the USA was without Brandon Ingram, Paolo Banchero and Jaren Jackson. For the US, Anthony Edwards led the way with 24 points. Austin Reaves finished with 23 off the bench. Mikal Bridges had 19, including this jaw-dropping 3-pointer that tied the game at 111 in the final seconds.
After the game, Coach Kerr said:
Congrats to Canada, they played a great game. I feel bad for my guys. They are an amazing group, tough to try to hang in there without three guys, but we did everything possible. Mikal had an amazing shot but we didn't have more gas. And with Canada shooting like this we couldn't win Steve Kerr after USA's loss to CanadaAs Kerr pointed out, Canada was awesome from deep. Dillon Brooks put up video game numbers, shooting 7-of-8 from 3 and finishing with 39 points. This is quite the redemption arc for a player who was booed every time he touched the ball a month ago. Thanks to Dillon Brooks' 39 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 31, Canada was in the driver's seat for most of the game.
Kerr spoke about the lack of continuity for Team USA and the problems that come along with so many changes. "It's hard to build continuity because we have so much turnover from year to year," Kerr said. "We have to focus on what's winning a FIBA game. The NBA is very different from FIBA and some things will be good and vice versa. There's a lot to learn for sure."
All Team USA can do now is dust themselves off and prepare to settle the score at the upcoming Olympics (and LeBron James is reportedly already recruiting). If it's any consolation, both of Team USA's previous World Cup failures in 2006 and 2019 led to Olympic gold medals. In other words, see you in Paris, Canada.
NBA rumor: Rockets sign Boban
Guess who's back? Boban is back. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the 7-foot-3 center agreed to a one-year contract to return to the Houston Rockets. In other words, keep the State Farm and Goldfish commercials coming.
Boban Marjanovich enters his ninth NBA season. Along with the Rockets, Boban has played for the Spurs, Pistons, Clippers, Sixers, and Mavericks. Boban averaged 3.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in the 2022-23 season with a true shooting percentage of 71%.
Boban is a huge presence in the locker room. As Wojnarowski put it, he's "one of the most popular teammates and marketable players in the league." Last April, Boban was featured in Texas Monthly, where he discussed his leadership role with the Rockets. Boban told Texas Monthly, "Maybe I play less," he says, "but I can help with advice to the young guys. If you can't always help on the court, you can help on the side." When you have someone like that in the locker room, his influence and impact are invaluable. Cheers Houston.
