HoopsHype.com Rumors

With Dwight Howard sidelined, do you feel like Spain is going to have the best inside game at the Olympics? Marc Gasol: At the end of the day, it's about finding a balance and playing together. We have to play defense, which is what then makes it easier for us to run and score. Who's the third favorite after the U.S. and Spain at the Games? MG: Argentina has to be up there. They have a terrific team. Better than France? MG: Yeah, France too. But the Argentines have played together for a long time. France has a lot of talent and a good mix of veterans and young guys. But Argentina... I've always loved how they play. HoopsHype

Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, USA Basketball, Spain, Argentina, France, Marc Gasol, Olympics 

Fred Kerber: Hilton Armstrong at #Nets camp sed playing in France was great even if not NBA. "I loved it, my wife loved it, my daughter learned French" Twitter

Free Agency, Hilton Armstrong, France 

Spurs point guard Tony Parker responded gracefully to news he would not be carrying the French flag into the Olympic Stadium during opening ceremonies of the London Olympics this summer. After leading France to a berth in the tournament after a 12-year absence with MVP-type play in the European Championships, Parker was considered a strong possibility to carry the tri-color in London. Instead, the French Olympic Committee selected Laurel Flessel, who has won five medals in four prior Olympics. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, France, Olympics 

Noah said he still plans to play for France in the London Olympics. "I'm gunning for it," Noah said. "I'm hoping I'll be healthy and able to play." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, FIBA, France, Olympics 

Jeff Zillgitt: France names 18-man preliminary roster for London Olympics. NBAers on list: Batum, Beaubois, Diaw, Mahinmi, Noah, Parker, Seraphin, Turiaf. Twitter

Tony Parker, Kevin Seraphin, FIBA, Rodrigue Beaubois, Ronny Turiaf, Ian Mahinmi, Joakim Noah, France, Boris Diaw, Nicolas Batum 

Asked recently whether he’s talked to officials from the French national team, Pietrus started talking about the Celtics. “Have I talked to the team? Not yet. But hopefully I will be (with the Celtics) for another five years,” Pietrus said in typically animated fashion. And, oh yeah, about the Olympics. “I haven’t talked to the French national team yet because I’m focusing on my C’s,” he said. “But after the season we’ll have to talk soon.” Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Mickael Pietrus, France 

SLAM: I saw you talking about the TP Show on Twitter. Can you explain what that is? TP: Oh, that’s my radio show that I do in France. It’s every Monday, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. It’s the No. 1 sports show in France right now. I like to do it. I have different guests every week, and since Fat Joe was there for the grand opening of my club, I decided to invite him on my radio show. SLAM

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Media, France 

SLAM: So you’re on the radio talking about sports? TP: It’s a sports show, yeah. I invite different people. I had Kobe on it, Chris Paul, David Robinson, Dominique Wilkins, David Beckham, all kinds of sports. SLAM: You interview the athletes? TP: Yep. SLAM: You’re stealing our media jobs! TP: [Laughs] No, no. It’s in France. SLAM

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Media, France 

Chris Tomasson: There was an apparent misunderstanding regarding a Tweet I had yesterday. Ronny Turiaf says his French Olympic berth is not yet finalized. Twitter

Miami Heat, Ronny Turiaf, France 

Chris Tomasson: Johan Petro on being in Olympics for France "I want to play. I made it clear throughout this whole year (to French officials) I want to play Twitter

Johan Petro, France 

Having seen promising young guard Rodrigue Beaubois go down playing for France and now seeing face of the franchise Dirk Nowitzki nursing an injury and out of Dallas' lineup after playing for Germany, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he will continue the uphill battle to make international basketball off limits to handsomely paid NBA players. Cuban has argued that NBA owners should not be saddled with the full risk of their players suiting up for their countries in the offseason, and he said other owners agree with him but aren't as vocal in their opposition. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Rodrigue Beaubois, Mark Cuban, USA Basketball, David Stern, France, Germany 

Emiliano Carchia: Former NBA player now in ASVEL, Hilton Armstrong denied that he was back to the States having a workout with Los Angeles Clippers. 'I was not in the States during my vacation time. Some friends came to Lyon and I have been here for Christmas' Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Hilton Armstrong, France 

Pape Sy is back to France where he will play for the season with Gravelines-Dunkerque. The French player was waived by Atlanta Hawks and didn't get another contract in the NBA. Sy will practice with Gravelines from Thursday. Sportando

Free Agency, France, Pape Sy 

SIG Strasbourg made official the signing of Alexis Ajinca. The big man didn't make the team in the NBA and decided to return to France. Sportando

Free Agency, Alexis Ajinca, France 

Emiliano Carchia: L'Equipe reports that Alexis Ajinca who didn't make any team in the NBA might sign with SIG Strasbourg in the next days Twitter

Alexis Ajinca, France 

Mike Monroe: Spurs Tony Parker in great shape after return from playing for ASVEL in France. 'I'm ready to go. I played my last game last week.' Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, France, ASVEL 

Josh Robbins: Justin Harper, @Justin Harper, probably played his last game for Strasbourg IG 2nite: 33 minutes, 7 pts., 10 rebs. SIG lost. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Free Agency, France, Justin Harper 

Josh Robbins: Harper's NBA-out is triggered when both sides ratify new CBA. So he should be back in the U.S. before camp starts Dec 9 Twitter

Orlando Magic, Free Agency, France, Justin Harper 

Portland bans Batum from playing in Bilbao. El Correo

Portland Trail Blazers, France, Nicolas Batum 

The NBA star received a notification from his agents in which they advised him to not play any more games in Europe. El Correo

Portland Trail Blazers, France, Nicolas Batum