By Lauren Brill
The Global Top 10 is your weekly guide to NBA global news. In this week's edition check out the Top 10 of all the Global Top 10s this season.
When the news that Pau Gasol would wear purple and gold broke Feb. 1, 2008 everyone knew it was big for the Lakers, but few knew how great of an impact the Spanish star would actually have in Hollywood. In the deal L.A. sent Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton,Aaron McKie , two first-round picks and the draft rights to Marc Gasol (Pau's brother) to Memphis. In return the Grizzlies sent their star, Gasol, along with a 2010 second round pick. Fast forward to the present, the third overall pick of the 2001 Draft was a crucial component in L.A.'s journey this season. Making it all the way to the Finals, Gasol averaged 16.9 points and 9.3 rebounds in the postseason. Throughout his time in L.A., Gasol demonstrated his ability to score, pass and rebound, complementing the skills of superstar Kobe Bryant. Never having won a postseason game prior to this season with the Lakers, the trade not only rejuvenated L.A.'s squad but Gasol's career as well.
Video:
Gasol's first game as a Laker
Photo: Gasol in Lakers threads
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When the news that Pau Gasol would wear purple and gold broke Feb. 1, 2008 everyone knew it was big for the Lakers, but few knew how great of an impact the Spanish star would actually have in Hollywood. In the deal L.A. sent Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton,Aaron McKie , two first-round picks and the draft rights to Marc Gasol (Pau's brother) to Memphis. In return the Grizzlies sent their star, Gasol, along with a 2010 second round pick. Fast forward to the present, the third overall pick of the 2001 Draft was a crucial component in L.A.'s journey this season. Making it all the way to the Finals, Gasol averaged 16.9 points and 9.3 rebounds in the postseason. Throughout his time in L.A., Gasol demonstrated his ability to score, pass and rebound, complementing the skills of superstar Kobe Bryant. Never having won a postseason game prior to this season with the Lakers, the trade not only rejuvenated L.A.'s squad but Gasol's career as well.
Video:
Gasol's first game as a Laker
Photo: Gasol in Lakers threads
Nene fought for his life this past regular season. Diagnosed in January with a malignant testicular tumor, Nene underwent chemotherapy. Some questioned if he'd ever return to the basketball court and almost no one believed he'd be back in the 2007-08 season. But Nene beat the odds as he laced up and entered Denver's game against Dallas on March 27, just 75 days after he last appeared in an NBA boxscore. While the cancer survivor only played 1:17, logging no points or rebounds in Denver's 118-105 victory, he was the night's most celebrated player. He defeated an opponent more potent than Jason Kidd and more destructive than Erick Dampier. Not to mention he could not use his 6-11 frame to muscle this cancerous enemy. While he didn't receive a ring this season, Nene is considered a champion. So, what makes him a winner? His words to the AP say it all as he explained, "I survived, I'm still here."
Photo: Nene received a warm welcome
Photo: Yao sat out
Video:
Manu: Sixth Man of the Year
Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash and Tim Duncan all joined forces to represent the West in the 2008 All-Star game in New Orleans. Starters Duncan and Yao scored a combined 10 points with four and six respectively. Coming off the bench, Dirk provided a nice spark for the West with 13 points in 26 minutes. While Captain Canada did not register his usual double-double, he did log eight points and six dimes in the Big Easy. However the collective effort of the West's international players was not enough to grab the win, as the East, who were led by LeBron James' 27-point MVP performance, triumphed 134-128. After the exhibition matchup, Nowitzki explained to Ballers Status, "It was a fun game down the stretch and he (LeBron James) really took the team on his back." Video:
All-Star Game: All Access
Photo: Yao Ming made a move to the hoop
Photo: Duncan's dunks on a dunk champ.
Photo: Nowitzki's jumper
The Global Top 10 is your weekly guide to NBA global news. In this week's edition check out the Top 10 of all the Global Top 10s this season.
- 1. UNO
Gasol: Graceland to La-La Land - 2. TWO
Duncan's Trey Keeps Spurs Afloat - 3. TROIS
Yi vs. Yao ... The Results - 4. SI
Parker Nails Crucial Shot - 5. CINCO
Nene Makes His Comeback - 6. SIX
Is Deke Done? - 7. SETTE
The Ming Dynasty on Hold - 8. ACHT
NBA Announces NBA China - 9. JIU
Sixth Manu of the Year - 10. TEN
2008 All-Star: The Results
Gasol: Graceland to La-La Land
When the news that Pau Gasol would wear purple and gold broke Feb. 1, 2008 everyone knew it was big for the Lakers, but few knew how great of an impact the Spanish star would actually have in Hollywood. In the deal L.A. sent Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton,
Video:
Gasol's first game as a Laker Photo: Gasol in Lakers threads
1. Gasol: Graceland to La-La Land
When the news that Pau Gasol would wear purple and gold broke Feb. 1, 2008 everyone knew it was big for the Lakers, but few knew how great of an impact the Spanish star would actually have in Hollywood. In the deal L.A. sent Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton,
Video:
Gasol's first game as a Laker Photo: Gasol in Lakers threads
2. Duncan's Trey Keeps Spurs Afloat
When the ball landed in Tim Duncan's hands with three ticks to go in overtime in Game 1 of the First Round series against Phoenix , it was sink or swim for San Antonio. Down by three, the Virgin Islands native nailed a shot from downtown to keep the reigning champs afloat. “He was the third option. You can imagine my horror when it went his direction.” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said to the East Valley Tribune. Following Game 1, Popovich was able to breathe easy as his team went home with a 116-115 victory. As for the three-point stud, he finished the night with a game-high 40 points and 15 rebounds, adding to the evidence that proves he is one of the best in the business. While San Antonio won the series, they couldn't repeat their championship journey this season, as they fell to the Lakers 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals.
3. Yi vs. Yao ... The Results
The Finals have just concluded but back in November there was another matchup that received nearly as much hype. Yi Jianlian and Yao Ming caused a sports media frenzy, as the two Chinese national players faced off in Houston when the Rockets hosted the Bucks. With the world watching, Yi and Yao brought their "A" game. The Bucks' rookie logged an impressive 19 points and nine rebounds but failed to top the six-year pro. Yao registered a double-double with the game-high in points and rebounds (28 points, 10 rebounds), leading the Rockets to 104-88 victory. After the game Yao spoke to Yahoo! Sports about the young import and said, "I hate to say this. But he may be better than me." While Yi failed to prove that he is better than Yao just yet, he displayed similarities to Houston's center, as both athletes ended their seasons early because of injuries.
4. Parker Nails Crucial Shot
The Spurs may not have gone all the way this season, but they went on quite a postseason ride. After defeating the Suns in a hard-fought First Round, the young New Orleans Hornets challenged the veteran Spurs, taking the Conference Semifinals series to seven games. San Antonio entered the fourth quarter of Game 7 against the Hornets up by 15 points but its final period was anything but smooth. New Orleans looked to be making a comeback and brought the game within three with 1:37 left on the clock. On the verge of a fourth-quarter breakdown, San Antonio needed a boost and fast. The former champs had a play set up for Manu Ginobili. “I ran ‘wedge roll’ for Manu because I wanted him to get to the free-throw line," Popovich explained to the San Antonio Express-News. But the plans fell through and the ball landed in the hands of last year's Finals MVP Tony Parker. Parker at the time had missed 6-of-9 from the floor in the second half. But the French native rose to the occasion, nailing a jump shot that sealed the win and saved his team's season. Parker finished with 17 points and five dimes in the Spurs' 91-82 victory. The point guard's shining moment was his big shot down the stretch. Following the game the Popovich explained the magnitude of the jumper as he told the San Antonio Express-News, “He came off that pick and just knocked it down. That took it from three (points) to five. I told the team: Biggest shot of the game." While the big shot gave San Antonio a big win, the Lakers stopped the Spurs in their tracks, defeating them 4-1 in the Conference Finals.
5. Nene Makes Courageous Comeback
While NBA teams battled for a championship this month, NBA player Photo: Nene received a warm welcome
6. Is Deke Done?
Has the time finally come? While Dikembe Mutombo has yet to officially declare that his playing days are done, back in March during halftime of a Houston-Minnesota game the Rockets paid tribute to the vet's 17-year outstanding career. The Kinshasa-born athlete received the Defensive Play of the Year award four times throughout his career. He is an eight-time All-Star and has been named to six All-Defensive Teams and three All-NBA Teams. Following Yao Ming's injury, Mutombo became an integral part of the Rockets' squad this past season. While some had suggested that the big man bow out years ago, Mutombo proved this past season that he still has much to offer an NBA team. As his fans, teammates and coaches celebrated his illustrious career, many still wonder if the 41-year old has had enough? Mutombo explained to the Houston Chronicle after the tribute, "At some point, I have to come to the decision that I'm going to walk away from this game. If it doesn't happen today or tomorrow, someday it has to happen."
7. The Ming Dynasty on Hold
This season Houston had an incredible 22-game win streak. But after 12 straight victories, many thought the Rockets' fun was done, as Houston's general manager Daryl Morey announced that center Yao Ming would be sidelined for the remainder of the season, including the playoffs. The 7-6 center spent the latter part of the season recovering from a stress fracture in his left foot. To treat the stress fracture, the Chinese import had surgery and as promised, The Ming Dynasty was out of commission for the remainder of the season. Yao, understandably, down about the situation at the time of the announcement, explained to Rockets.com, "I felt so horrible walking in this building knowing I need to tell coach and my teammates the situation. When coach tells everybody I am out for the season, everybody is like quiet. That kind of quietness makes me feel kind of scared." Photo: Yao sat out
8. NBA Announces NBA China
With David Stern at the helm, the NBA is always growing and expanding. In January the league announced the formation of NBA China. Former CEO of Microsoft Greater China, Tim Chen, was chosen to lead NBA China in managing all of the NBA's business affairs in Greater China. While the NBA has had a strong presence in China for many years, NBA China has allowed the NBA to collaborate with the Chinese Basketball Association to further the NBA's relationship with China's immense basketball community. Five companies including, ESPN, a division of The Walt Disney Company, Bank of China Group Investment, Legend Holdings Limited, Li Ka Shing Foundation and China Merchants Investments have partnered with the NBA in its effort to successfully execute its plans for the populated country. NBA commissioner David Stern explained in January, "The opportunity for basketball and the NBA in China is simply extraordinary. The expertise, resources and shared vision of these immensely successful companies will help us to achieve the potential we see in the region." With an infrastructure now in place, the NBA's growth world wide is becoming increasingly more apparent to fans spanning the globe.
9. Sixth Manu of the Year
You might have been surprised when Miami shipped Shaq off to Phoenix. The Sixers beating the Pistons in Game 1 of the First Round of the 2008 Playoffs could be considered unexpected. But Manu Ginobili winning the Kia Motors Sixth Man of the Year accolade? That was a no brainer. Week after week, Ginobili had appeared in the Global Top 10 for his aggressive play and incredible scoring ability. The Argentinean received 615 out of a possible 620 points for the Sixth Man accolade. Serving as the sixth man in 51 of the 74 regular season games he played in, Ginobili led the reigning champs in scoring, averaging 19.5 points. He also compiled averages of 4.8 rebounds, 4.5 dimes and 1.5 steals in the regular season. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich complimented Ginobili's selfless attitude after his reserve received the honor, as he told the San Antonio Express-News, "Manu is a player much more concerned about the group than himself. He got over himself a long time ago. It's all about his team and what he can do, and he will do whatever is best." Video:
Manu: Sixth Man of the Year10. 2008 All-Star: The Results
Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash and Tim Duncan all joined forces to represent the West in the 2008 All-Star game in New Orleans. Starters Duncan and Yao scored a combined 10 points with four and six respectively. Coming off the bench, Dirk provided a nice spark for the West with 13 points in 26 minutes. While Captain Canada did not register his usual double-double, he did log eight points and six dimes in the Big Easy. However the collective effort of the West's international players was not enough to grab the win, as the East, who were led by LeBron James' 27-point MVP performance, triumphed 134-128. After the exhibition matchup, Nowitzki explained to Ballers Status, "It was a fun game down the stretch and he (LeBron James) really took the team on his back."
Video:
All-Star Game: All Access Photo: Yao Ming made a move to the hoop
Photo: Duncan's dunks on a dunk champ.
Photo: Nowitzki's jumper
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