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New Jersey Nets guard Jordan Farmar is looking forward to a "great life experience" playing for Israeli champion Maccabi Tel Aviv during the NBA lockout. Farmar was greeted at the airport on Thursday by dozens of fans singing and banging drums in celebration. Speaking to reporters later, Farmar said he was excited to play "for an organization that is committed to winning." YNetNews.com

New Jersey Nets, Jordan Farmar, Lockout, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Farmar said he believed he would adjust well to the European game and fit in just fine with a deep Maccabi squad. "I'm here to be a positive influence," he said. "I'm a leader by nature, whether I'm on the floor or not. I'm not here to show anybody up. I'm just trying to be a member of the team, a positive influence and whatever they ask of me I'll do." YNetNews.com

New Jersey Nets, Jordan Farmar, Lockout, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Greeted at the airport by fans singing and banging drums, New Jersey Nets guard Jordan Farmar said Thursday he is excited about playing during the NBA lockout with Israeli champion Maccabi Tel Aviv, a club he followed as a youngster. Aside from Israel's own Omri Casspi, who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Farmar is the only Jewish player in the NBA. ESPN.com

New Jersey Nets, Jordan Farmar, Lockout, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

He is one of the highest-profile players to play for Maccabi, the runner-up in the Euroleague last season and an organization he said is "committed to winning." Farmar won two NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers before joining the Nets in 2010. The 6-foot-2 guard will play for Tel Aviv as long as the lockout continues. "I'm committed to this team, to the coaching staff and the organization for the time I am here and I want to do my part to help the team grow," Farmar said at a news conference at Maccabi's Nokia Arena. "Leaving at the end is not something I'm looking forward to ... but there is a business aspect to it. Part of my contract says when the NBA restarts I have to go back." ESPN.com

New Jersey Nets, Jordan Farmar, Lockout, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Casspi, who has spent the past two years in the USA with the Sacramento Kings, had hoped to secure a move home following the NBA lockout. But a snag over the amount of tax he would be required to pay has persuaded the 23-year-old to consider joining French side Villeurbane along with San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker. "Unfortunately, several significant problems like taxes have prevented me from joining the team I most wanted to play for," Casspi wrote on his Facebook page. "I wish to thank David Federman and Shimon Mizrahi for their sincerity and understanding throughout the negotiations. I have immense respect for both of them. "I want to thank all Maccabi fans for their love, and at this moment in time I'm as sad as they are." The Jewish Chronicle

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv, France 

Dubi Pick: Farmar's (@JordanFarmar2) t-shirt made more buzz then his actual presence - printed "Nice Jewish Boy" http://t.co/uj4XSUs Twitter

New Jersey Nets, Jordan Farmar, Lockout, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Maccabi Tel Aviv will have to manage this season without the help of Omri Casspi. The NBA player announced yesterday on his Facebook page that he will not join the champions this season. Casspi, who has held long negotiations with Maccabi, wrote, "Unfortunately, several significant problems like taxes have prevented me from joining the team I most wanted to play for." Casspi added, "I wish to thank David Federman and Shimon Mizrahi for their sincerity and understanding throughout the negotiations. I have immense respect for both of them." Casspi played the last two seasons for the Sacramento Kings, and returning to Israel would force him to pay taxes on his income there. Moreover, Maccabi's budget for securing his services wasn't high, but the taxes on his salary as an Israeli would be. Haaretz

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Dubi Pick: Official - @Casspi18 will not join @MaccabiElectra. The two sides met today & came to the understanding that the tax issues are too big to swallow. Casspi is currently considering European offers during the @NBA lockout. He is extremely disapointed @MaccabiTLV_BC didn't workout. As previously reported, @Casspi18 offers are coming from France, Russia and the Spanish @ACBCOM league. Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Dubi Pick: Despite enormous desire of reuniting w/MTA @Omri Casspi isn't at all close to a yellow comeback. Specific contract clauses can't be resolved Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

In response to Eurobasket's report yesterday concerning Maccabi Tel Avivs star point guard Jeremy Pargo opting out of his contract and becoming a free player, Pargo's agent Brad Ames, addressed the situation for the first time, explaining the player's side of the story. 'This was a very difficult decision for Jeremy to make,' said Ames, 'He truly enjoyed his time with Maccabi Tel Aviv, yet, Jeremy's main goal is to play in the NBA.' Eurobasket.com

Maccabi Tel Aviv, Jeremy Pargo 

ESPN's Marc Stein hinted that one of the NBA teams that is interested in Pargo's services once the lockout ends, is the San Antonio Spurs. Ames explained that Pargo's move was well thought out. 'During June we had conversations with a number of NBA teams who expressed a great deal of interest in Jeremy for next season. Jeremy had the option to terminate his agreement with Maccabi, and he exercised his option,' Ames added, ending any possibility of Pargo's return to Nokia Arena this season. Eurobasket.com

San Antonio Spurs, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Jeremy Pargo 

Dubi Pick: After the Pargo bomb, Omri Casspi officialy agreed on terms w/ power organization Macc T.A. Will sign by the end of the week. Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

“We are in advanced negotiations with Casspi and we have basically agreed all the financial terms,” Federman told Army radio on Sunday. “Assuming he decides to play in Europe during the NBA lockout, he will do so at Maccabi.” Jerusalem Post

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Maccabi Tel Aviv co-cowner David Federman said in an interview on Israeli radio on Sunday that Cavaliers forward Omri Casspi has entered into discussions to play with Maccabi Tel Aviv during the NBA lockout, although Casspi would be able to return to the Cavs immediately if the NBA and its players association reach an agreement. A source close to Casspi, who suffered a minor knee injury last week in training with the Israeli national team that could keep him out of the upcoming European championships, said the discussions were preliminary at this point and that nothing had been finalized. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Sources say Maccabi, meanwhile, has been taking a long look at former NBA lottery pick Rashad McCants, since Casspi and Farmar could be called back to the States at any team if/when the lockout ends and since Pargo's departure robs Blatt's team of its most dynamic scorer. Speaking on an ESPN.com podcast, Stern stated that there is some interest in contraction from both the league and players sides and that the subject will be picked up after the current Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations are completed. "[Contraction] is not a subect that we're against," Stern said. "In fact, when you talk about revenue sharing, a number of teams have said that if you have a team that is perpetually going to be a recipient, aren't you better off with the ability to buy them in? Because between the revenue sharing and the split of international and the TV money, we could almost buy them in with their own money. "The players actually have been heard to suggest that as well, which was interesting because that means they are suggesting that we eliminate 30 jobs, or the potential for 30 jobs. So we've said to the players, you know, 'Give us the right to contract, let's agree upon what the basis will be. Let's make this deal and then let's continue to look at that subject.'" CBSSports.com

Lockout, Rashad McCants, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

In addition, Maccabi is negotiating NBA lockout terms with Israeli forward Omri Casspi. The Cavs' talented player considers Maccabi to be his home and never ruled out the possibility of returning there in the future. A source told Eurobasket 'as of now there are negotiations but they are still young. Omri has other European offers as well but its hard saying no to Maccabi. Chances are 50-50.' Eurobasket.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Israeli NBA star Omri Casspi is returning to Maccabi Tel Aviv, David Federman, one of the club's owners said in an interview with Army Radio on Sunday. According to Federman, the majority of Casspi's contract has been negotiated and he will be joining Maccabi for the upcoming season, granted the NBA labor dispute continues and the 2011-2012 NBA season is delayed or canceled all together as many suspect. Jerusalem Post

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

"We are really in advanced negotiations with Casspi and for a number of weeks we have been contemplating how to act. Assuming Omri wants to play in Europe, it will be with us," Federman said. Jerusalem Post

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Maccabi Tel Aviv offered Casspi $40,000 a month until the NBA work dispute is resolved. Casspi is under contract with the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers but would be allowed to sign with a European club as long as the NBA owners continue to lockout players until a new Collective Bargaining Jerusalem Post

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Marc Stein: Evening's last word: Loud rumbles emanating from Israel that perennial Euroleague power Maccabi Tel-Aviv taking long look at Rashad McCants Twitter

Lockout, Rashad McCants, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv