Deng wows basketball fans
By Brian Owen
Luol Deng gave Sussex basketball fans a taste of the NBA, then promised there's still a lot more to come.
The Chicago Bulls star top-scored with 26 points, on 11-for-17 shooting, and added seven rebounds in almost 33 minutes of court time as Great Britain beat Ireland 87-59 in a Eurobasket warm-up at K2 in Crawley.
Deng played every role on the floor at various times and provided a sizeable crowd with several highlights, most notably a drive and two-handed dunk over a pair of startled defenders.
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He admitted: "It was fun to come and play in front of the English kids. We've got a good team but we've still got players to come back so we can be even better."
As much as for his scoring, Deng caught the eye with his defensive effort and unselfish approach.
He added: "We are trying to build our team so the best thing we can do is play unselfishly and get everyone involved."
Richard Midgley, the point guard from Burgess Hill, displayed a nice shooting touch and went 5-for-9 from the field for his 12 points, allied to plenty of energetic effort defensively.
The teams meet again at K2 tonight (7.30), tickets £10 on the door.
http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/argusgener...etball_fans.php
I think this is pretty cool. Deng is getting expirience at the 1 and 2. Plus he developing some hard core leadership skills. Its too bad Gordon hasn't decided to join the GB team. I think together, they would tear up international competition, and it would really improve their chemistry. I guess for now, we must settle for pops and deng. God, I can't wait for the preseason to start... I need to take care of my basketball fix.
Full Version: The awsomeness of Luol Deng knows no bounds
Deng is going to tear up the second rate competition, and it will give him a chance to learn more skills in a much easier setting.
It will be easier for him to work on his playmaking and post play bc its easier, but its still competitive organized bball, so that should be better than just working in a gym
its seems that Thabo has also ran out of bubble gum
Irish lose out to Switzerland
Saturday, 25 August 2007 22:45
Ireland opened their European campaign with a 86-58 loss to Switzerland in the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght on Saturday evening.
Switzerland had Thabo Sefolosha in their ranks and the Chicago Bulls star proved a consistent thorn in Ireland's side.
The Swiss raced into a 16-5 lead with Derek Stockalper's three pointer the highlight of the early stages. It was harsh on Greg Gurr's charges, who went close on a number of occasions. Emmet Donnelly did manage to find the basket and a free throw from Jason Killeen gave the home side some hope.
However, the visitors continued to pile on the pressure with the Sefolosha brothers causing havoc and Kgomotso also getting in on the scoring act.
Further baskets from Nicolas Porchet and Stockalper left Switzerland with a handsome 23-6 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Emmanuel Schmitt's side were in no mood to ease up and got the second quarter off to a flier with Valentin Wegmann netting an early basket.
A gutsy display from 211cm Killeen was rewarded with a basket and Ireland cut the gap to 17 points. The comeback didn't last long though and the impressive Stockalper restoring the Swiss' 19 point advantage.
Hoops star Ian O'Boyle got his name on the scoresheet with a two pointer soon after to mark the most encouraging spell for Ireland in the game.
The lively home support were able to produce their loudest cheer of the night seconds later when Issac Westbrooks struck a superb three pointer to maintain a lively spell for the home side.
The sides traded points with Seflolosha's basket being cancelled out by Killeen. Ireland's desire to eat into their visitor's lead gathered momentum when Conor Grace of the Marian club put another three on the scoreboard.
A basket and a free throw from Thabo Sefolosha and Maxime Jaquier respectively kept a wide distance between the sides but this half certainly represented a more positive spell for the Irish.
Trailing by 36-20 heading into the third quarter, Ireland needed a bright start to the third, but it was Switzerland with three three-pointers from Kgomotso Sefolosha and Maxime that left Ireland's hopes of a comeback hanging by a thread.
The margin was increasing and by the time Bulls star Thabo was hanging out of the basket midway through the period, Ireland were behind 51-25.
Ireland put the skids on Switzerland's dominance with baskets from Donnelly, Colin O'Reilly and Killeen, but a further three points from Kgomotso Sefolosha had the Swiss in complete control.
Liam Farrell kept his nerve in the closing moments with a basket but Ireland headed into the final quarter with it all to do.
A three from O'Boyle gave Ireland a fine start to the fourth period, but Ireland had a veritable mountain to climb.
A further basket from Grace and a three from Paul Cummins gave Ireland a better look to the scoreboard.
But Oliver Vogt and a three from Wegmann ensured that it would be the visitors leaving with maximum points from the opening games.
O'Boyle and Cummins rallied late with three pointers. Ireland warranted a bigger return from their performances in the first and second quarters, but it proved to be the Thabo Sefolosha show, with the Swiss winning out 86-58.
Top Scorers
Ireland
Paul Cummins - 11
Conor Grace - 9
Justen Naughton, Ian O'Boyle, Stephen King - 6
Switzerland
Thabo Sefolosha - 23
Valentin Wegmann - 13
Derek Stockalper, Kgomotso - 11
Irish lose out to Switzerland
Saturday, 25 August 2007 22:45
Ireland opened their European campaign with a 86-58 loss to Switzerland in the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght on Saturday evening.
Switzerland had Thabo Sefolosha in their ranks and the Chicago Bulls star proved a consistent thorn in Ireland's side.
The Swiss raced into a 16-5 lead with Derek Stockalper's three pointer the highlight of the early stages. It was harsh on Greg Gurr's charges, who went close on a number of occasions. Emmet Donnelly did manage to find the basket and a free throw from Jason Killeen gave the home side some hope.
However, the visitors continued to pile on the pressure with the Sefolosha brothers causing havoc and Kgomotso also getting in on the scoring act.
Further baskets from Nicolas Porchet and Stockalper left Switzerland with a handsome 23-6 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Emmanuel Schmitt's side were in no mood to ease up and got the second quarter off to a flier with Valentin Wegmann netting an early basket.
A gutsy display from 211cm Killeen was rewarded with a basket and Ireland cut the gap to 17 points. The comeback didn't last long though and the impressive Stockalper restoring the Swiss' 19 point advantage.
Hoops star Ian O'Boyle got his name on the scoresheet with a two pointer soon after to mark the most encouraging spell for Ireland in the game.
The lively home support were able to produce their loudest cheer of the night seconds later when Issac Westbrooks struck a superb three pointer to maintain a lively spell for the home side.
The sides traded points with Seflolosha's basket being cancelled out by Killeen. Ireland's desire to eat into their visitor's lead gathered momentum when Conor Grace of the Marian club put another three on the scoreboard.
A basket and a free throw from Thabo Sefolosha and Maxime Jaquier respectively kept a wide distance between the sides but this half certainly represented a more positive spell for the Irish.
Trailing by 36-20 heading into the third quarter, Ireland needed a bright start to the third, but it was Switzerland with three three-pointers from Kgomotso Sefolosha and Maxime that left Ireland's hopes of a comeback hanging by a thread.
The margin was increasing and by the time Bulls star Thabo was hanging out of the basket midway through the period, Ireland were behind 51-25.
Ireland put the skids on Switzerland's dominance with baskets from Donnelly, Colin O'Reilly and Killeen, but a further three points from Kgomotso Sefolosha had the Swiss in complete control.
Liam Farrell kept his nerve in the closing moments with a basket but Ireland headed into the final quarter with it all to do.
A three from O'Boyle gave Ireland a fine start to the fourth period, but Ireland had a veritable mountain to climb.
A further basket from Grace and a three from Paul Cummins gave Ireland a better look to the scoreboard.
But Oliver Vogt and a three from Wegmann ensured that it would be the visitors leaving with maximum points from the opening games.
O'Boyle and Cummins rallied late with three pointers. Ireland warranted a bigger return from their performances in the first and second quarters, but it proved to be the Thabo Sefolosha show, with the Swiss winning out 86-58.
Top Scorers
Ireland
Paul Cummins - 11
Conor Grace - 9
Justen Naughton, Ian O'Boyle, Stephen King - 6
Switzerland
Thabo Sefolosha - 23
Valentin Wegmann - 13
Derek Stockalper, Kgomotso - 11
Thabo might just be my favorite player on the Bulls.
BRITAIN TAKE STEP TOWARDS TOP FLIGHT
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Great Britain took another significant step towards promotion to European basketball's top flight with an easy 83-64 win over Holland in Almere.
Luol Deng again led all scorers with 27 points, with assistance from centre Andrew Betts, who had 13, and guard Mike Lenzly with 12.
As they had against Slovakia a week earlier, Britain made a steady start, posting an early 11-4 lead with two baskets from centre Betts.
Deng then scored the next seven GB points for an 18-10 lead before a three-pointer from Kees Akerboom enabled the hosts to pull the deficit back to 21-15.
The only concern for Britain will be that forward Robert Archibald, who has been troubled with ankle problems this summer, once again came out of the game early, being substituted in the second quarter.
Archibald appeared to jar his ankle when fouled on his way to the basket.
Lenzly hit a three to start the second quarter for GB and a three-point play from captain Andrew Sullivan brought Britain's first 10-point lead of the night at 27-17.
A three and two single free throws from Deng promised a 20-point lead by half-time, but a combination of turnovers, poor foul shooting and Dutch resilience derailed that and Chris Finch's team had to settle for a 13-point advantage at the break, with Deng already having 18 to his name.
That 20-point lead duly arrived with three minutes 39 seconds remaining of the third quarter, when a pull-up jump-shot from Nate Reinking took GB's advantage to 61-40, with Deng already having amassed 27.
A run of 13 unanswered points either side of the third quarter break brought the lead to an imperious 30 points at 76-45.
That left the the Dutch, who were led by Akerboom's 20 points, to gain some respectability in front of a subdued 4,000 crowd in a new arena.
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Great Britain took another significant step towards promotion to European basketball's top flight with an easy 83-64 win over Holland in Almere.
Luol Deng again led all scorers with 27 points, with assistance from centre Andrew Betts, who had 13, and guard Mike Lenzly with 12.
As they had against Slovakia a week earlier, Britain made a steady start, posting an early 11-4 lead with two baskets from centre Betts.
Deng then scored the next seven GB points for an 18-10 lead before a three-pointer from Kees Akerboom enabled the hosts to pull the deficit back to 21-15.
The only concern for Britain will be that forward Robert Archibald, who has been troubled with ankle problems this summer, once again came out of the game early, being substituted in the second quarter.
Archibald appeared to jar his ankle when fouled on his way to the basket.
Lenzly hit a three to start the second quarter for GB and a three-point play from captain Andrew Sullivan brought Britain's first 10-point lead of the night at 27-17.
A three and two single free throws from Deng promised a 20-point lead by half-time, but a combination of turnovers, poor foul shooting and Dutch resilience derailed that and Chris Finch's team had to settle for a 13-point advantage at the break, with Deng already having 18 to his name.
That 20-point lead duly arrived with three minutes 39 seconds remaining of the third quarter, when a pull-up jump-shot from Nate Reinking took GB's advantage to 61-40, with Deng already having amassed 27.
A run of 13 unanswered points either side of the third quarter break brought the lead to an imperious 30 points at 76-45.
That left the the Dutch, who were led by Akerboom's 20 points, to gain some respectability in front of a subdued 4,000 crowd in a new arena.
Deng makes the difference
THE major problem Albania managed to pose to Great Britain and their Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng in Edinburgh over the weekend were the repeated knocks on his hotel room door for autograph requests from visiting players.
But as Deng's fledgling international career continued in its hugely impressive manner - three competitive games and three victories by the huge margins of 25, 19 and 32 points - the 6'7" forward is acutely aware that the toughest tests lie ahead over the next two weeks.
GB visit Minsk to take on Belarus on Wednesday with the winners advancing to the four-team, two-legged play-off semi-finals from which the two victors will be promoted to the A Division of the European Championship, the minimum requirement the Brits need to be assured of an invitation to play in the 2012 Olympic basketball tournament as hosts.
Deng sauntered through his latest successful outing, as one would expect of a player who belongs at an altogether different level to Albania's game but hopelessly outmatched part-timers. Deng did not even attempt a shot for the first three and a half minutes, a self-imposed drought broken with an astonishing baseline dunk, and his efforts to share the ball with his team mates, particularly Scotsman Robert Archibald, spoke volumes of his selfless play on national duty.
Related Links
Deng does it again for Great Britain
Deng inspires Britain to overtake Holland
Deng ready to shoulder burden for Britain
The policy also worked with Archibald, playing in his homeland for the first time in a decade, eventually top scoring with 21 points, two more than Deng and four more than 7'1" Sevilla centre Andy Betts.
"It was certainly a different style," said Deng of the Albanians. "It was one of those games where I didn't want to try and play their style because it might have taken me away from what I was trying to do. I didn't want to just run up and down getting shots off.
"We were so much bigger inside with Rob and Andy that I wanted to get the ball to them and it was nice that Rob did so well here in Scotland. I told him I was going to look for him and throw the ball into him every chance I got. He has been bothered by a back injury but he wanted to play in front of the Scottish fans and it was great he top scored.
"I'm definitely enjoying playing for GB and now we know what a big game Belarus is. Our goal is to win these last three games and that's what keeps me focused and motivated. We're on the right path, we've just got to keep going."
GB even had the luxury of being able to rest starting point guard Richard Midgley in the Albanian rout, the youngster suffering a recurrence of a knee injury and remaining on the bench at Meadowbank to ensure his fitness for Minsk.
Although Albania scored the game's first basket, for a 3-0 lead, Deng's opening score put the home side 12-4 in front and the outcome was as good as settled. The only slight concerns for GB coach Chris Finch will have been his team's continued poor free-throw shooting (9 of 16 for a woeful 56.2 per cent) and the fact that Albania's high points tally included 11 of 18 successful three-point attempts, a worryingly high 61.1 per cent success rate.
Table (won/lost/pts): 1. Great Britain 5/2 12, 2. Belarus 5/2 12, 3. Slovak Republic 4/4 12, 4. Netherlands 4/3 11, 5. Albania 0/7 7
GB: Archibald 21, Deng 19, Betts 17, Reinking 13, Sullivan 13, Lenzly 12, Sanders 8, Huggins 5, Haslam 2.
Albania: Bilali 24, Kasmi 23, Shima 12, Cuka 9, Lame 5, Cane 3, Garo 2.
THE major problem Albania managed to pose to Great Britain and their Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng in Edinburgh over the weekend were the repeated knocks on his hotel room door for autograph requests from visiting players.
But as Deng's fledgling international career continued in its hugely impressive manner - three competitive games and three victories by the huge margins of 25, 19 and 32 points - the 6'7" forward is acutely aware that the toughest tests lie ahead over the next two weeks.
GB visit Minsk to take on Belarus on Wednesday with the winners advancing to the four-team, two-legged play-off semi-finals from which the two victors will be promoted to the A Division of the European Championship, the minimum requirement the Brits need to be assured of an invitation to play in the 2012 Olympic basketball tournament as hosts.
Deng sauntered through his latest successful outing, as one would expect of a player who belongs at an altogether different level to Albania's game but hopelessly outmatched part-timers. Deng did not even attempt a shot for the first three and a half minutes, a self-imposed drought broken with an astonishing baseline dunk, and his efforts to share the ball with his team mates, particularly Scotsman Robert Archibald, spoke volumes of his selfless play on national duty.
Related Links
Deng does it again for Great Britain
Deng inspires Britain to overtake Holland
Deng ready to shoulder burden for Britain
The policy also worked with Archibald, playing in his homeland for the first time in a decade, eventually top scoring with 21 points, two more than Deng and four more than 7'1" Sevilla centre Andy Betts.
"It was certainly a different style," said Deng of the Albanians. "It was one of those games where I didn't want to try and play their style because it might have taken me away from what I was trying to do. I didn't want to just run up and down getting shots off.
"We were so much bigger inside with Rob and Andy that I wanted to get the ball to them and it was nice that Rob did so well here in Scotland. I told him I was going to look for him and throw the ball into him every chance I got. He has been bothered by a back injury but he wanted to play in front of the Scottish fans and it was great he top scored.
"I'm definitely enjoying playing for GB and now we know what a big game Belarus is. Our goal is to win these last three games and that's what keeps me focused and motivated. We're on the right path, we've just got to keep going."
GB even had the luxury of being able to rest starting point guard Richard Midgley in the Albanian rout, the youngster suffering a recurrence of a knee injury and remaining on the bench at Meadowbank to ensure his fitness for Minsk.
Although Albania scored the game's first basket, for a 3-0 lead, Deng's opening score put the home side 12-4 in front and the outcome was as good as settled. The only slight concerns for GB coach Chris Finch will have been his team's continued poor free-throw shooting (9 of 16 for a woeful 56.2 per cent) and the fact that Albania's high points tally included 11 of 18 successful three-point attempts, a worryingly high 61.1 per cent success rate.
Table (won/lost/pts): 1. Great Britain 5/2 12, 2. Belarus 5/2 12, 3. Slovak Republic 4/4 12, 4. Netherlands 4/3 11, 5. Albania 0/7 7
GB: Archibald 21, Deng 19, Betts 17, Reinking 13, Sullivan 13, Lenzly 12, Sanders 8, Huggins 5, Haslam 2.
Albania: Bilali 24, Kasmi 23, Shima 12, Cuka 9, Lame 5, Cane 3, Garo 2.
BRITS EXTEND RUN
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Great Britain sealed their place in Europe's divisional play-offs with an 83-51 win against Belarus in Minsk.
It was a tough game which both teams - the best units in the group - needed to win if they were to advance towards next year's European Championship 2009 qualifying matches.
GB now face a two-leg tie on September 11 and 15 against Finland, Georgia, Switzerland or Romania, their opposition being determined by games played later in other groups.
Reduced to nine men by the absence of 6ft 10in forward Chris Haslam - whose wife has just given birth - Chris Finch's team, riding high on a six-match unbeaten run, completed their fourth straight qualifying win with the help of 27 points from Chicago Bulls' Luol Deng and 12 from centre Andrew Betts.
Betts established himself in the heart of the GB defence and only rarely allowed the Belarus forwards, including the 7ft Aleksandr Koul, a chance to work and score unhindered.
Overall, it was once again Great Britain's defensive intensity that was the crucial factor.
They killed off Belarus' resurgence after half-time by holding them to just 21 points in the second half and a mere five in the last quarter.
After the scare of having Deng called for two fouls in the opening minute, Britain cruised away from their hosts with a 15-2 streak for a 24-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.
But Vladimir Verameyenka and Arseni Kuchinski brought Belarus back in the second quarter and GB's eight-point half-time lead (38-30) looked even more precarious when Igor Mescheriakov opened the third quarter with a three-pointer.
But a three from Richard Midgley and another from Deng studded an 18-5 run which effectively ended Belarus' resistance.
Deng had nine points in that run and his defensive intuition in the fourth quarter, snaring a pair of steals, started an 8-0 run which started the crowd cheering his and Great Britain's effort, before the fans started heading for the exits.
Don't look now, but Deng is becoming scary good... I think we will be watching him in the olympics
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Click here for post-match reaction
Great Britain sealed their place in Europe's divisional play-offs with an 83-51 win against Belarus in Minsk.
It was a tough game which both teams - the best units in the group - needed to win if they were to advance towards next year's European Championship 2009 qualifying matches.
GB now face a two-leg tie on September 11 and 15 against Finland, Georgia, Switzerland or Romania, their opposition being determined by games played later in other groups.
Reduced to nine men by the absence of 6ft 10in forward Chris Haslam - whose wife has just given birth - Chris Finch's team, riding high on a six-match unbeaten run, completed their fourth straight qualifying win with the help of 27 points from Chicago Bulls' Luol Deng and 12 from centre Andrew Betts.
Betts established himself in the heart of the GB defence and only rarely allowed the Belarus forwards, including the 7ft Aleksandr Koul, a chance to work and score unhindered.
Overall, it was once again Great Britain's defensive intensity that was the crucial factor.
They killed off Belarus' resurgence after half-time by holding them to just 21 points in the second half and a mere five in the last quarter.
After the scare of having Deng called for two fouls in the opening minute, Britain cruised away from their hosts with a 15-2 streak for a 24-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.
But Vladimir Verameyenka and Arseni Kuchinski brought Belarus back in the second quarter and GB's eight-point half-time lead (38-30) looked even more precarious when Igor Mescheriakov opened the third quarter with a three-pointer.
But a three from Richard Midgley and another from Deng studded an 18-5 run which effectively ended Belarus' resistance.
Deng had nine points in that run and his defensive intuition in the fourth quarter, snaring a pair of steals, started an 8-0 run which started the crowd cheering his and Great Britain's effort, before the fans started heading for the exits.
Don't look now, but Deng is becoming scary good... I think we will be watching him in the olympics
I don't want to be Debbie Downer, but has he faced any quality defenders yet?
QUOTE (madisonsmadhouse @ Sep 6 2007, 09:39 AM) 
I don't want to be Debbie Downer, but has he faced any quality defenders yet?
No NBA names. They will come after Deng carries them into the competitive leagues.
Oh yeah, and in the mini playoff GB is going to have to win for promotion there is a chance they will play Selfosha's Swiss team.
QUOTE (TeaLeafReaderII @ Sep 6 2007, 12:48 PM)
Oh yeah, and in the mini playoff GB is going to have to win for promotion there is a chance they will play Selfosha's Swiss team.
That could be fun.
especially bc they'd definately guard eachother
unlike when noc and kirk matched up for the bronze game at the fiba worlds last summer
unlike when noc and kirk matched up for the bronze game at the fiba worlds last summer
Looks like the Deng is going to face Selfosha in the biggest games of their summer. Shame with all the money I'm throwing at direct TV that I still won't be able to catch it.
DENG HOPING TO SEE OFF SEFALOSHA
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By Ian Parker, PA Sport
A team-mate now stands in the way of Luol Deng fulfilling his international ambitions this summer.
In the last two months, the Chicago Bulls star has led Great Britain to four straight wins, allowing the Britons to force their way into a two-game play-off for promotion into Europe's Division A of basketball nations.
That promotion is critical to their hopes of playing in the 2012 Olympics on home soil.
But Deng and Great Britain have been drawn against Switzerland - and Deng's fellow Bull Thabo Sefalosha - for the play-off series which tips off in Sheffield on Tuesday.
"I'm real excited about it," Deng said of the match-up against his team-mate.
"With the way things work out, you know I'd rather play someone else and see (Switzerland) go through too, but I'm still excited. I play against him all year in practice so it's going to be really good.
"You just have to accept the challenge and hopefully it will bring the best out of both of us."
Deng, who is Sudanese-born but grew up in London after his family sought political asylum, has spent the last two months with the Great Britain team, leading the scoring in three of the last four games as the British reeled off wins over Slovakia, Holland, Albania and Belarus to snatch the final play-off berth.
It has been a major commitment for the only Bull to figure in all 92 regular-season and play-off games for Chicago last season to make.
It has not always been easy, but Deng has never wavered in his dedication to the cause.
"I'm not going to lie, it's had its ups and downs," Deng said of the last two months.
"The commitment has been tough. You don't get to spend as much time as you could with your family, but you have to understand the situation and my family understands the situation. That's the tough part. Basketball-wise, it's been great. It's been great being here and playing with these guys."
With two months of work behind them, success or failure now comes down to their ability to beat Switzerland and secure promotion.
"This is a big game. It feels like the (NBA) play-offs," Deng said. "You've given your summer to try and do this so you want to try and get the best result so you know it's been a good decision. It's been a good decision so far, so you want to make sure you get the job done."
With Deng on board, Great Britain go into the series as the clear favourite.
"I don't have a problem labelling us (as favourites) but the thing we have to guard against is complacency after such a good performance in the group," said coach Chris Finch, who saw his team rout Belarus 83-51 last week behind 27 points from Deng.
"We've talked about the fact we have no margin for error. To get to the play-off games we had to win all four and we can't take a break from that mentality."
The key to recent successes has been the way that Deng and other new arrivals in the squad - including former Memphis Grizzlies draft pick Robert Archibald - have been quickly integrated.
"I think the key has been how all the guys have got along," said team captain Andrew Sullivan.
"There's a lot of egos here, everyone wants to do their part, but a lot of guys have taken a bit of a back seat to try and fit in because everyone believes in what we're trying to do.
"You speak to people on other national teams who say it can be a bit of a nightmare when you get guys in from the NBA or the other big leagues around Europe and that you get a lot of personality clashes, but I think here our personalities seem to have complimented each other."
If Great Britain can clinch promotion with victory in this series - Game Two is in Switzerland on Saturday - they will be well on course for the 2012 Olympics.
DENG HOPING TO SEE OFF SEFALOSHA
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By Ian Parker, PA Sport
A team-mate now stands in the way of Luol Deng fulfilling his international ambitions this summer.
In the last two months, the Chicago Bulls star has led Great Britain to four straight wins, allowing the Britons to force their way into a two-game play-off for promotion into Europe's Division A of basketball nations.
That promotion is critical to their hopes of playing in the 2012 Olympics on home soil.
But Deng and Great Britain have been drawn against Switzerland - and Deng's fellow Bull Thabo Sefalosha - for the play-off series which tips off in Sheffield on Tuesday.
"I'm real excited about it," Deng said of the match-up against his team-mate.
"With the way things work out, you know I'd rather play someone else and see (Switzerland) go through too, but I'm still excited. I play against him all year in practice so it's going to be really good.
"You just have to accept the challenge and hopefully it will bring the best out of both of us."
Deng, who is Sudanese-born but grew up in London after his family sought political asylum, has spent the last two months with the Great Britain team, leading the scoring in three of the last four games as the British reeled off wins over Slovakia, Holland, Albania and Belarus to snatch the final play-off berth.
It has been a major commitment for the only Bull to figure in all 92 regular-season and play-off games for Chicago last season to make.
It has not always been easy, but Deng has never wavered in his dedication to the cause.
"I'm not going to lie, it's had its ups and downs," Deng said of the last two months.
"The commitment has been tough. You don't get to spend as much time as you could with your family, but you have to understand the situation and my family understands the situation. That's the tough part. Basketball-wise, it's been great. It's been great being here and playing with these guys."
With two months of work behind them, success or failure now comes down to their ability to beat Switzerland and secure promotion.
"This is a big game. It feels like the (NBA) play-offs," Deng said. "You've given your summer to try and do this so you want to try and get the best result so you know it's been a good decision. It's been a good decision so far, so you want to make sure you get the job done."
With Deng on board, Great Britain go into the series as the clear favourite.
"I don't have a problem labelling us (as favourites) but the thing we have to guard against is complacency after such a good performance in the group," said coach Chris Finch, who saw his team rout Belarus 83-51 last week behind 27 points from Deng.
"We've talked about the fact we have no margin for error. To get to the play-off games we had to win all four and we can't take a break from that mentality."
The key to recent successes has been the way that Deng and other new arrivals in the squad - including former Memphis Grizzlies draft pick Robert Archibald - have been quickly integrated.
"I think the key has been how all the guys have got along," said team captain Andrew Sullivan.
"There's a lot of egos here, everyone wants to do their part, but a lot of guys have taken a bit of a back seat to try and fit in because everyone believes in what we're trying to do.
"You speak to people on other national teams who say it can be a bit of a nightmare when you get guys in from the NBA or the other big leagues around Europe and that you get a lot of personality clashes, but I think here our personalities seem to have complimented each other."
If Great Britain can clinch promotion with victory in this series - Game Two is in Switzerland on Saturday - they will be well on course for the 2012 Olympics.
HOOP DREAMS IN BRITAIN
Deng a hot commodity in Europe
Bulls forward has eyes on Olympic bid, not new deal
By Mark Woods
Special to the Tribune
September 10, 2007, 8:06 PM CDT
EDINBURGH, Scotland -- The autograph demands are relentless.
The buzzer has sounded only seconds before, but the pens are out—not from fans, from opposing players. They have seen this Chicago Bull perform even greater feats on TV, and though he has helped his national team crush their hopes, they want a souvenir of the moment.
But this is neither Barcelona '92 nor Michael Jordan.
This is in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, and the Sharpies are being uncapped by vanquished Albanians and put into the hand of Luol Deng. The scene is witnessed by 2,000 Union Jack wavers gathered to watch Britain edge closer to a berth in the 2012 Olympic Games in the young Bull's adopted home city of London.
"The UK took my family in when we left the Sudan," Deng says. "I feel I want to put something back."
To earn an invitation to the Olympics, Britain must first earn promotion to Europe's A Division. It will play the first of a two-game finals series Tuesday night against Switzerland, led by Bulls compadre Thabo Sefolosha.
This odyssey and the diverse nature of FIBA basketball, Deng claims, has raised his game even closer to All-Star level. Whether desired or not, he has been anointed the leader of Britain's crew.
And he is confronting the new challenges straight on.
"After a while, your IQ adjusts and expands to the style here," he says. "The NBA is more one-on-one. Here they call the three-second rules, the zone defenses. That makes it harder to drive in the lane. A lot of times, I might be ball-watching, and in European basketball, you get punished for that. All of this will make me better."
Mostly, Deng has been the one dishing out the punishment in settings as diverse as Croatia, France and Belarus, where British Basketball Federation officials were so wary of the local hospitality that they transported their food for the two-day trip. So far, Deng leads Britain with 23.5 points per game, 4.7 assists and 2.0 blocks. Only a three-point percentage of 22.2 percent has darkened the sheet.
"I definitely worked on my range," he says. "But I also worked on my ballhandling and my post play. I'm a lot stronger."
If that is music to the ears of Bulls coach Scott Skiles, it has been manna from heaven to British head coach Chris Finch. A native of St. Petersburg, Fla., he has harnessed Deng's NBA skills while tempering his instinct to try to do too much. But in a land where soccer rules supreme, Britain's basketball ambition has been to win hearts and minds as well as games.
"We have to shake off this mentality here that basketball is an American sport," Finch says. "It's not anymore. It's a worldwide sport. I always tell people that Brazilians don't see soccer as British. But that's where guys like Luol come in, where people can come along to our games and see him on TV, and identify with him."
No. 9 is still a blip on the UK's radar, but the scanner, at least, is picking him up. There was an appearance on the BBC's nightly news, attention from outside the small group of reporters who cover the sport. This may be small-time compared to the NBA playoffs, but the Luol Effect, however peripheral, has been noticed.
"I felt like after the year I had, and being with GB, it was going to happen," says Deng. "I just play basketball. That kind of thing takes care of itself. I don't think that I have to do anything spectacular."
Ultimately, how impressive those efforts will have been will be determined Saturday in Geneva. Then it is back to Chicago and different dreams. Plus, the small matter of a new Bulls contract to consider.
"Hopefully it will happen before training camp," he says.
His autograph perfected, it is just one more item for him to sign.
Copyright © 2007, The Chicago Tribune
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Deng a hot commodity in Europe
Bulls forward has eyes on Olympic bid, not new deal
By Mark Woods
Special to the Tribune
September 10, 2007, 8:06 PM CDT
EDINBURGH, Scotland -- The autograph demands are relentless.
The buzzer has sounded only seconds before, but the pens are out—not from fans, from opposing players. They have seen this Chicago Bull perform even greater feats on TV, and though he has helped his national team crush their hopes, they want a souvenir of the moment.
But this is neither Barcelona '92 nor Michael Jordan.
This is in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, and the Sharpies are being uncapped by vanquished Albanians and put into the hand of Luol Deng. The scene is witnessed by 2,000 Union Jack wavers gathered to watch Britain edge closer to a berth in the 2012 Olympic Games in the young Bull's adopted home city of London.
"The UK took my family in when we left the Sudan," Deng says. "I feel I want to put something back."
To earn an invitation to the Olympics, Britain must first earn promotion to Europe's A Division. It will play the first of a two-game finals series Tuesday night against Switzerland, led by Bulls compadre Thabo Sefolosha.
This odyssey and the diverse nature of FIBA basketball, Deng claims, has raised his game even closer to All-Star level. Whether desired or not, he has been anointed the leader of Britain's crew.
And he is confronting the new challenges straight on.
"After a while, your IQ adjusts and expands to the style here," he says. "The NBA is more one-on-one. Here they call the three-second rules, the zone defenses. That makes it harder to drive in the lane. A lot of times, I might be ball-watching, and in European basketball, you get punished for that. All of this will make me better."
Mostly, Deng has been the one dishing out the punishment in settings as diverse as Croatia, France and Belarus, where British Basketball Federation officials were so wary of the local hospitality that they transported their food for the two-day trip. So far, Deng leads Britain with 23.5 points per game, 4.7 assists and 2.0 blocks. Only a three-point percentage of 22.2 percent has darkened the sheet.
"I definitely worked on my range," he says. "But I also worked on my ballhandling and my post play. I'm a lot stronger."
If that is music to the ears of Bulls coach Scott Skiles, it has been manna from heaven to British head coach Chris Finch. A native of St. Petersburg, Fla., he has harnessed Deng's NBA skills while tempering his instinct to try to do too much. But in a land where soccer rules supreme, Britain's basketball ambition has been to win hearts and minds as well as games.
"We have to shake off this mentality here that basketball is an American sport," Finch says. "It's not anymore. It's a worldwide sport. I always tell people that Brazilians don't see soccer as British. But that's where guys like Luol come in, where people can come along to our games and see him on TV, and identify with him."
No. 9 is still a blip on the UK's radar, but the scanner, at least, is picking him up. There was an appearance on the BBC's nightly news, attention from outside the small group of reporters who cover the sport. This may be small-time compared to the NBA playoffs, but the Luol Effect, however peripheral, has been noticed.
"I felt like after the year I had, and being with GB, it was going to happen," says Deng. "I just play basketball. That kind of thing takes care of itself. I don't think that I have to do anything spectacular."
Ultimately, how impressive those efforts will have been will be determined Saturday in Geneva. Then it is back to Chicago and different dreams. Plus, the small matter of a new Bulls contract to consider.
"Hopefully it will happen before training camp," he says.
His autograph perfected, it is just one more item for him to sign.
Copyright © 2007, The Chicago Tribune
Mother in train crash that killed kids dies
Photo From New Bin Laden Video Released
5 guilty in Oufit trial
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HOOP DREAMS IN BRITAIN
Deng a hot commodity in Europe
Bulls forward has eyes on Olympic bid, not new deal
By Mark Woods
Special to the Tribune
September 10, 2007, 8:06 PM CDT
EDINBURGH, Scotland -- The autograph demands are relentless.
The buzzer has sounded only seconds before, but the pens are out—not from fans, from opposing players. They have seen this Chicago Bull perform even greater feats on TV, and though he has helped his national team crush their hopes, they want a souvenir of the moment.
But this is neither Barcelona '92 nor Michael Jordan.
This is in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, and the Sharpies are being uncapped by vanquished Albanians and put into the hand of Luol Deng. The scene is witnessed by 2,000 Union Jack wavers gathered to watch Britain edge closer to a berth in the 2012 Olympic Games in the young Bull's adopted home city of London.
"The UK took my family in when we left the Sudan," Deng says. "I feel I want to put something back."
To earn an invitation to the Olympics, Britain must first earn promotion to Europe's A Division. It will play the first of a two-game finals series Tuesday night against Switzerland, led by Bulls compadre Thabo Sefolosha.
This odyssey and the diverse nature of FIBA basketball, Deng claims, has raised his game even closer to All-Star level. Whether desired or not, he has been anointed the leader of Britain's crew.
And he is confronting the new challenges straight on.
"After a while, your IQ adjusts and expands to the style here," he says. "The NBA is more one-on-one. Here they call the three-second rules, the zone defenses. That makes it harder to drive in the lane. A lot of times, I might be ball-watching, and in European basketball, you get punished for that. All of this will make me better."
Mostly, Deng has been the one dishing out the punishment in settings as diverse as Croatia, France and Belarus, where British Basketball Federation officials were so wary of the local hospitality that they transported their food for the two-day trip. So far, Deng leads Britain with 23.5 points per game, 4.7 assists and 2.0 blocks. Only a three-point percentage of 22.2 percent has darkened the sheet.
"I definitely worked on my range," he says. "But I also worked on my ballhandling and my post play. I'm a lot stronger."
If that is music to the ears of Bulls coach Scott Skiles, it has been manna from heaven to British head coach Chris Finch. A native of St. Petersburg, Fla., he has harnessed Deng's NBA skills while tempering his instinct to try to do too much. But in a land where soccer rules supreme, Britain's basketball ambition has been to win hearts and minds as well as games.
"We have to shake off this mentality here that basketball is an American sport," Finch says. "It's not anymore. It's a worldwide sport. I always tell people that Brazilians don't see soccer as British. But that's where guys like Luol come in, where people can come along to our games and see him on TV, and identify with him."
No. 9 is still a blip on the UK's radar, but the scanner, at least, is picking him up. There was an appearance on the BBC's nightly news, attention from outside the small group of reporters who cover the sport. This may be small-time compared to the NBA playoffs, but the Luol Effect, however peripheral, has been noticed.
"I felt like after the year I had, and being with GB, it was going to happen," says Deng. "I just play basketball. That kind of thing takes care of itself. I don't think that I have to do anything spectacular."
Ultimately, how impressive those efforts will have been will be determined Saturday in Geneva. Then it is back to Chicago and different dreams. Plus, the small matter of a new Bulls contract to consider.
"Hopefully it will happen before training camp," he says.
His autograph perfected, it is just one more item for him to sign.
Copyright © 2007, The Chicago Tribune
Mother in train crash that killed kids dies
Photo From New Bin Laden Video Released
5 guilty in Oufit trial
Symbol: | Market Indices
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Sam Smith: A call for change
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Deng a hot commodity in Europe
Bulls forward has eyes on Olympic bid, not new deal
By Mark Woods
Special to the Tribune
September 10, 2007, 8:06 PM CDT
EDINBURGH, Scotland -- The autograph demands are relentless.
The buzzer has sounded only seconds before, but the pens are out—not from fans, from opposing players. They have seen this Chicago Bull perform even greater feats on TV, and though he has helped his national team crush their hopes, they want a souvenir of the moment.
But this is neither Barcelona '92 nor Michael Jordan.
This is in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, and the Sharpies are being uncapped by vanquished Albanians and put into the hand of Luol Deng. The scene is witnessed by 2,000 Union Jack wavers gathered to watch Britain edge closer to a berth in the 2012 Olympic Games in the young Bull's adopted home city of London.
"The UK took my family in when we left the Sudan," Deng says. "I feel I want to put something back."
To earn an invitation to the Olympics, Britain must first earn promotion to Europe's A Division. It will play the first of a two-game finals series Tuesday night against Switzerland, led by Bulls compadre Thabo Sefolosha.
This odyssey and the diverse nature of FIBA basketball, Deng claims, has raised his game even closer to All-Star level. Whether desired or not, he has been anointed the leader of Britain's crew.
And he is confronting the new challenges straight on.
"After a while, your IQ adjusts and expands to the style here," he says. "The NBA is more one-on-one. Here they call the three-second rules, the zone defenses. That makes it harder to drive in the lane. A lot of times, I might be ball-watching, and in European basketball, you get punished for that. All of this will make me better."
Mostly, Deng has been the one dishing out the punishment in settings as diverse as Croatia, France and Belarus, where British Basketball Federation officials were so wary of the local hospitality that they transported their food for the two-day trip. So far, Deng leads Britain with 23.5 points per game, 4.7 assists and 2.0 blocks. Only a three-point percentage of 22.2 percent has darkened the sheet.
"I definitely worked on my range," he says. "But I also worked on my ballhandling and my post play. I'm a lot stronger."
If that is music to the ears of Bulls coach Scott Skiles, it has been manna from heaven to British head coach Chris Finch. A native of St. Petersburg, Fla., he has harnessed Deng's NBA skills while tempering his instinct to try to do too much. But in a land where soccer rules supreme, Britain's basketball ambition has been to win hearts and minds as well as games.
"We have to shake off this mentality here that basketball is an American sport," Finch says. "It's not anymore. It's a worldwide sport. I always tell people that Brazilians don't see soccer as British. But that's where guys like Luol come in, where people can come along to our games and see him on TV, and identify with him."
No. 9 is still a blip on the UK's radar, but the scanner, at least, is picking him up. There was an appearance on the BBC's nightly news, attention from outside the small group of reporters who cover the sport. This may be small-time compared to the NBA playoffs, but the Luol Effect, however peripheral, has been noticed.
"I felt like after the year I had, and being with GB, it was going to happen," says Deng. "I just play basketball. That kind of thing takes care of itself. I don't think that I have to do anything spectacular."
Ultimately, how impressive those efforts will have been will be determined Saturday in Geneva. Then it is back to Chicago and different dreams. Plus, the small matter of a new Bulls contract to consider.
"Hopefully it will happen before training camp," he says.
His autograph perfected, it is just one more item for him to sign.
Copyright © 2007, The Chicago Tribune
Mother in train crash that killed kids dies
Photo From New Bin Laden Video Released
5 guilty in Oufit trial
Symbol: | Market Indices
66° F, Partly Cloudy | Current conditions | 7-day forecast
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Sam Smith: A call for change
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BIG WIN FOR GB
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By Ian Parker, PA Sport
Great Britain moved a step closer to the 2012 Olympic Games with a comprehensive 74-41 victory over Switzerland in the first leg of their promotion playoff game in Sheffield.
The margin of victory should make Saturday's second leg a formality, and that will put Britain into FIBA Europe's Division A - a basic requirement if FIBA is to allow them to play in London in five year's time.
Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng was the star of the show, leading Britain with 31 points, 12 rebounds and four assists.
Although Switzerland scored first through Thabo Sefalosha, Britain responded with eight straight points to take control in the early stages.
Deng made it 10-5 with his first points of the game before beginning a personal battle with Chicago Bulls team-mate Thabo Sefalosha, fouling the small forward as he dunked to turn it into a three-point play.
Sefalosha returned the favour at the other end with another foul and Deng made both shots from the charity stripe to make it 14-8.
With Britain leading 19-10, Deng picked up his second foul of the game when he clashed with Thabo Sefalosha again.
Switzerland scored the first points of the second quarter when Thabo Sefalosha set up brother Kgomotso for a layup that made it 21-13.
It was a rare breach of the British defence - Switzerland would score only seven points during the second quarter, returning miserable shooting figures of three of 14 (21%) from the field.
After a breather on the bench, Deng then to the fray to spark Britain, forcing Thabo Sefalosha into another foul.
Deng was proving a menace to the Swiss defence and he drew his fourth foul of the game with 3:38 left in the half, making it 27-15 as he split the free throws.
Cedric Matufu then sank a three-pointer for Switzerland to close the gap back to nine.
The first half ended with Michael Lenzly stealing the ball from Thabo Sefalosha in midcourt to sink an easy layup that made it 32-18.
That was part of an 11-0 run for Britain which straddled the half-time interval, making it 38-18 when veteran Roger Huggins made a layup with 8:10 left in the period.
Oliver Vogt ended Switzerland's drought but Britain responded with an 8-0 run - six of the points scored by Deng.
The 6 foot 7 in forward was everywhere, blocking a Mafutu layup before scoring a layup that made it 48-22.
When he sank a three-pointer with 1:21 left in the period, Britain led 53-26.
Things were not going so well for Thabo Sefalosha, who picked up his fourth personal foul moments later and was taken out of the game.
The period ended with Deng leaping to dunk Reinking's pass and make it 55-26.
In a slopping final quarter, Britain barely extended their lead but Deng managed to thrill the crowd with two fine athletic layups as he cut a path through the Swiss defence.
Thabo Sefalosha returned to dunk the ball home, but it was a brief cameo appearance before he fouled out with 1:02 to play.
Sefalosha left with 21 points and nine rebounds to his name.
Mafuta and David Ramseier finished the next highest scorers for Switzerland with five points each.
The game finished with Deng scoring on an alley-oop pass from Sullivan to the delight of the crowd.
Britain shot 29 of 65 (47%) from the field.
Reinking added 13 points for Britain while Huggins had eight points and six rebounds.
The Swiss were condemned by dire shooting, making only 15 of 58 (26%) from the field.
E-mail Article Print-Friendly Subscribe to RSS Feed
Post to del.icio.us
By Ian Parker, PA Sport
Great Britain moved a step closer to the 2012 Olympic Games with a comprehensive 74-41 victory over Switzerland in the first leg of their promotion playoff game in Sheffield.
The margin of victory should make Saturday's second leg a formality, and that will put Britain into FIBA Europe's Division A - a basic requirement if FIBA is to allow them to play in London in five year's time.
Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng was the star of the show, leading Britain with 31 points, 12 rebounds and four assists.
Although Switzerland scored first through Thabo Sefalosha, Britain responded with eight straight points to take control in the early stages.
Deng made it 10-5 with his first points of the game before beginning a personal battle with Chicago Bulls team-mate Thabo Sefalosha, fouling the small forward as he dunked to turn it into a three-point play.
Sefalosha returned the favour at the other end with another foul and Deng made both shots from the charity stripe to make it 14-8.
With Britain leading 19-10, Deng picked up his second foul of the game when he clashed with Thabo Sefalosha again.
Switzerland scored the first points of the second quarter when Thabo Sefalosha set up brother Kgomotso for a layup that made it 21-13.
It was a rare breach of the British defence - Switzerland would score only seven points during the second quarter, returning miserable shooting figures of three of 14 (21%) from the field.
After a breather on the bench, Deng then to the fray to spark Britain, forcing Thabo Sefalosha into another foul.
Deng was proving a menace to the Swiss defence and he drew his fourth foul of the game with 3:38 left in the half, making it 27-15 as he split the free throws.
Cedric Matufu then sank a three-pointer for Switzerland to close the gap back to nine.
The first half ended with Michael Lenzly stealing the ball from Thabo Sefalosha in midcourt to sink an easy layup that made it 32-18.
That was part of an 11-0 run for Britain which straddled the half-time interval, making it 38-18 when veteran Roger Huggins made a layup with 8:10 left in the period.
Oliver Vogt ended Switzerland's drought but Britain responded with an 8-0 run - six of the points scored by Deng.
The 6 foot 7 in forward was everywhere, blocking a Mafutu layup before scoring a layup that made it 48-22.
When he sank a three-pointer with 1:21 left in the period, Britain led 53-26.
Things were not going so well for Thabo Sefalosha, who picked up his fourth personal foul moments later and was taken out of the game.
The period ended with Deng leaping to dunk Reinking's pass and make it 55-26.
In a slopping final quarter, Britain barely extended their lead but Deng managed to thrill the crowd with two fine athletic layups as he cut a path through the Swiss defence.
Thabo Sefalosha returned to dunk the ball home, but it was a brief cameo appearance before he fouled out with 1:02 to play.
Sefalosha left with 21 points and nine rebounds to his name.
Mafuta and David Ramseier finished the next highest scorers for Switzerland with five points each.
The game finished with Deng scoring on an alley-oop pass from Sullivan to the delight of the crowd.
Britain shot 29 of 65 (47%) from the field.
Reinking added 13 points for Britain while Huggins had eight points and six rebounds.
The Swiss were condemned by dire shooting, making only 15 of 58 (26%) from the field.
The ESPN article
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/news/story?id=3014743
Thabo and Deng match up again Saturday
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/news/story?id=3014743
Thabo and Deng match up again Saturday
Sounds like both guys are responding well to being the #1 players on their teams. That can only help us.
GB beat the swiss by an aggragate of 44. ESPN has Deng's summer journal up: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=DengDiary
its pretty cool. Deng is super down to earth.
I especially got a kick out of the last entry.
"Back to the Bulls
Chicago (Sept. 16)
The day after the game and a celebration, I said good-bye to the guys and headed off straight to Chicago to start getting ready for the NBA season.
I have had pretty good contact with the Bulls. I spoke with coach Scott Skiles before I left and he wished me luck with GB. Then I have been in regular e-mail contact with our GM John Paxson and assistant Ron Adams. I like where I'm at, I feel good with this organization and love the city. I know when I go back there will be lots of questions about my contract talks with the Bulls but, honestly, I'm not even thinking about that. I know if I continue to work hard and reach new levels that one day I'll have a new contract in Chicago.
I'm really driven by this thought. When I get back to Chicago, I don't want a single writer to be able to say, "The summer was hard on him, playing for GB did something negative to him." This is all positive for me, the attention I've been under, the position I've been put in on this team. It's something I haven't been in before. After the last season I had in Chicago, this is something that is really going to help me. Maturity-wise, even though I've considered myself pretty mature, this summer is going to help me.
If you want to be a superstar or a great player in the NBA, then you've got to do that -- step up your game when it's on the line in the final period. I don't mind doing that. I think we've got a lot of good players on the Bulls, but a lot of us are pretty young, we're all coming up together. Sooner or later, somebody is going to have to step up as we get older and wiser. When I get back to the NBA it's something I'm going to focus on. I want to sit down with our coaches, talk to them about it, watch tape with them and learn as much as I can from them. I want to step up and take over big games.
A lot of teams have got better in the Eastern Conference this summer and I think we will be better too. A lot of the same guys are coming back and then comes the maturity factor. With this being my fourth year in the league, and the core of our team being together that long, I feel my confidence and the Bulls' confidence is building all the time."
I'm so excited about this upcoming season... it is going to be sweet.
its pretty cool. Deng is super down to earth.
I especially got a kick out of the last entry.
"Back to the Bulls
Chicago (Sept. 16)
The day after the game and a celebration, I said good-bye to the guys and headed off straight to Chicago to start getting ready for the NBA season.
I have had pretty good contact with the Bulls. I spoke with coach Scott Skiles before I left and he wished me luck with GB. Then I have been in regular e-mail contact with our GM John Paxson and assistant Ron Adams. I like where I'm at, I feel good with this organization and love the city. I know when I go back there will be lots of questions about my contract talks with the Bulls but, honestly, I'm not even thinking about that. I know if I continue to work hard and reach new levels that one day I'll have a new contract in Chicago.
I'm really driven by this thought. When I get back to Chicago, I don't want a single writer to be able to say, "The summer was hard on him, playing for GB did something negative to him." This is all positive for me, the attention I've been under, the position I've been put in on this team. It's something I haven't been in before. After the last season I had in Chicago, this is something that is really going to help me. Maturity-wise, even though I've considered myself pretty mature, this summer is going to help me.
If you want to be a superstar or a great player in the NBA, then you've got to do that -- step up your game when it's on the line in the final period. I don't mind doing that. I think we've got a lot of good players on the Bulls, but a lot of us are pretty young, we're all coming up together. Sooner or later, somebody is going to have to step up as we get older and wiser. When I get back to the NBA it's something I'm going to focus on. I want to sit down with our coaches, talk to them about it, watch tape with them and learn as much as I can from them. I want to step up and take over big games.
A lot of teams have got better in the Eastern Conference this summer and I think we will be better too. A lot of the same guys are coming back and then comes the maturity factor. With this being my fourth year in the league, and the core of our team being together that long, I feel my confidence and the Bulls' confidence is building all the time."
I'm so excited about this upcoming season... it is going to be sweet.
Im just excited that both Thabo and Deng are doing so well. I can't wait until the season starts 
Holy Khryapa!
QUOTE
Russia stunned hosts and world champions Spain 60-59 in the European Basketball Championship final to secure the gold medal on Sunday.
Jon Robert Holden sank the winning two-pointer with two seconds remaining leaving the favourites Spain with silver.
Russia earned automatic qualification to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Spain have already qualified.
Russia last won gold in 1985, when they competed as the USSR, making it their 15th gold medal in the Euros. It was Spain’s sixth failure in the final and they have never won gold.
Russia’s Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko scored a game-high 17 points and was voted the tournament’s MVP. He was supported by Victor Khryapa with 12 rebounds and seven points.
.....
The front page of sports daily Marca had a picture of Gasol lying on his back on the court with his head in his hands, under the headline: “They lost (by a point in the last second) but won (a place in every Spaniard’s heart).”
Daily Sport’s headline was “Silver Tears”, while AS said: “Gasol failed, Kirilenko shone.”
Memphis Grizzlies centre Gasol told reporters: “We are sad at the moment but I’m sure we’ll be proud tomorrow. I saw that last shot going in, perhaps with two seconds I should have got a little closer to the basket, but it ended like that.”
Gasol finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds but also missed five of eight foul shots in the fourth quarter.
Russia’s Andrei Kirilenko was voted the tournament MVP and finished the final with 17 points and five rebounds. He averaged 18 points and 8.6 rebounds a game.
“Hopefully this will be the first of many titles. Spain are a great team, but we just played really well,” Kirilenko said. “We made Spain nervous and we played as a team. I might be the MVP but it’s been a team effort all the way.”
Russia coach David Blatt also focused on the team ethic as being key, and congratulated Kirilenko for his award. But the American-Israeli who masterminded Russia’s victory had his own ideas for the top player award.
“Andrei is the most spectacular, but probably our best player has been Victor Khryapa. He might have been the secret to our success,” Blatt said.
The Chicago Bulls forward averaged 7.8 rebounds and just over three assists a game.
Jon Robert Holden sank the winning two-pointer with two seconds remaining leaving the favourites Spain with silver.
Russia earned automatic qualification to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Spain have already qualified.
Russia last won gold in 1985, when they competed as the USSR, making it their 15th gold medal in the Euros. It was Spain’s sixth failure in the final and they have never won gold.
Russia’s Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko scored a game-high 17 points and was voted the tournament’s MVP. He was supported by Victor Khryapa with 12 rebounds and seven points.
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The front page of sports daily Marca had a picture of Gasol lying on his back on the court with his head in his hands, under the headline: “They lost (by a point in the last second) but won (a place in every Spaniard’s heart).”
Daily Sport’s headline was “Silver Tears”, while AS said: “Gasol failed, Kirilenko shone.”
Memphis Grizzlies centre Gasol told reporters: “We are sad at the moment but I’m sure we’ll be proud tomorrow. I saw that last shot going in, perhaps with two seconds I should have got a little closer to the basket, but it ended like that.”
Gasol finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds but also missed five of eight foul shots in the fourth quarter.
Russia’s Andrei Kirilenko was voted the tournament MVP and finished the final with 17 points and five rebounds. He averaged 18 points and 8.6 rebounds a game.
“Hopefully this will be the first of many titles. Spain are a great team, but we just played really well,” Kirilenko said. “We made Spain nervous and we played as a team. I might be the MVP but it’s been a team effort all the way.”
Russia coach David Blatt also focused on the team ethic as being key, and congratulated Kirilenko for his award. But the American-Israeli who masterminded Russia’s victory had his own ideas for the top player award.
“Andrei is the most spectacular, but probably our best player has been Victor Khryapa. He might have been the secret to our success,” Blatt said.
The Chicago Bulls forward averaged 7.8 rebounds and just over three assists a game.
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