HoopsHype.com Rumors

Ian Whittell: David Blatt, the man who (might have) said GB shouldnt be in the Olympic tournament is now going out of his way to say nice things about us Twitter

Coaching, Russia, Great Britain, Olympics, David Blatt 

Ian Whittell: Chris Finch: "I have things in the States I need 2 concentrate on. I've enjoyed it and I'd like to stay involved in some capacity but I'm not sure what my future commitments will allow ... " Lets hope he can sign off with a W in the BBL derby v Bob Donewald and China. Twitter

Coaching, Russia, Great Britain, Olympics, David Blatt, Chris Finch 

Jerry Zgoda: Best explanation I've heard yet for Shved's performance comes from Russian coach Dave Blatt, who used an Icarus analogy after today's game Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Russia, Olympics, David Blatt, Alexey Shved 

After Brazil took a lead late in the game, Shved had a driving assist, a pull-up jumper and a three-pointer, before teammate Vitaliy Fridzon hit a game-winning three-pointer from the corner with four seconds remaining. "I like him,'' Russian forward Andrei Kirilenko, another player signed by the Timberwolves, said of Shved. "He's growing up. Our whole team is growing up together. I think he's taking that role very, very seriously, and I think he's going to keep blossoming.'' Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko, Russia, Olympics, Alexey Shved 

Forward Sonny Weems (26 y.o., 198 cm) joined CSKA Moscow. The contract with the American player is signed for three years. Sportando

Russia, Sonny Weems, CSKA Moscow 

Oscar Cuesta: #JJOOMas Kirilenko's 35 points are the 2nd highest scoring made by a Russian-born player behind Aleksandr Belov's 37 (09/01/1972 vs PUR). Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko, Russia, Olympics 

The 31-year-old Kirilenko had developed a history of injuries during his 10-year NBA career with the Utah Jazz, but now he looked renewed. "I feel great,'' he said. "I'm running like a young deer.'' SI.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko, Russia, Olympics 

Marc Stein: Russia coach David Blatt on Kirilenko & Shved vs. Team GB: "If I'm the Minnesota Timberwolves ... I've got a big, fat smile on my face." Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko, Russia, Olympics, David Blatt, Alexey Shved 

Is it really possible that Andrei Kirilenko could join the Nets at this late stage of free agency? He says it is! During a break in Olympic training Thursday, the 6'9" forward was asked by a Russian reporter about his professional future. - One can not ask about your club career? When will you make a final decision? - I do not know. Before me is a very serious dilemma. There are several scenarios. - Is one of them - "Brooklyn Nets"? - Maybe "Brooklyn Nets", and perhaps with CSKA Moscow ... NetsDaily

Brooklyn Nets, Free Agency, Andrei Kirilenko, Russia, CSKA Moscow 

Net Daily: AK-47 Still Possible for #Nets? He Says So! http://sbn.to/MpUPUz Twitter

Brooklyn Nets, Free Agency, Andrei Kirilenko, Russia, CSKA Moscow 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Before Lakers assistant Quin Snyder agreed to lucrative spot w/ CSKA-Moscow, he turned down interview for head job w/ Magic, sources tell Y! Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Coaching, Russia, Quin Snyder, CSKA Moscow 

Quin Snyder has decided to leave Mike Brown's staff with the Lakers to join Ettore Messina with CSKA Moscow as an assistant coach next season, a league source said Monday. Snyder and Messina spent last season together with the Lakers, after Brown was hired to replace the retired Phil Jackson in May 2011. Messina opted to return to Moscow, where he coached from 2005 to '09. Snyder was mentioned as a candidate for NBA head coaching vacancies in Charlotte and Orlando. Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Russia, Ettore Messina, Quin Snyder, CSKA Moscow 

It’s almost a done deal and it’s a big win for European basketball. Andrei Kirilenko, the marquee superstar of last season’s Euroleague, according to sources from Moscow has already decided to stay at least one more year at CSKA. EuroHoops.net

Euroleague, Andrei Kirilenko, Russia, CSKA Moscow 

Kirilenko can use the NBA opt out clause in his three year contract until the 12th of July, but he seems to have already made up his mind. He wants to stay at Moscow and win the Euroleague title – he missed it by just one point in the thrilling final against Olympiacos – he likes the competition spirit in the old continent, where every game is a must win situation for him, and of course he enjoyed his stay with his family in his home country. EuroHoops.net

Euroleague, Andrei Kirilenko, Russia, CSKA Moscow 

David Locke: Andrei Kirilenko's opt out of Euroleague contract must be used by July 12th - all signs are pointing toward another year in Europe. Twitter

Euroleague, Andrei Kirilenko, Russia, CSKA Moscow 

Ex-Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko is "50-50" about returning to the NBA for the 2012-13 season, a league source with direct knowledge of the situation told The Salt Lake Tribune on Thursday. Salt Lake Tribune

Free Agency, Andrei Kirilenko, Russia, CSKA Moscow 

Lokomotiv Kuban officially announced the signing of Nick Calathes from Panathinaikos. The American/Greek guard signed a contract for the next two seasons. Calathes averaged 8ppg in Euroleague and 7.6ppg in Greek A1 in the season 2011-12. Sportando

Russia, Nick Calathes 

"I don't know about Spain because we have a very good offer from Turkey and then we will also check the market with CSKA Moscow, see what happens with (Nenad) Krstic there. Right now it's very hard to get a big contract in Spain, so I don't see a big possibility for Semih there." HoopsHype

Free Agency, Semih Erden, Russia, CSKA Moscow 

Fran Fraschilla: Looks like 6-9 Russian Andrey Vorontsevich close to signing with Thunder. 24-year old worked out 3 weeks ago. Liked him at past EuroCamps. Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Russia, CSKA Moscow, Andrey Vorontsevich 

Fran Fraschilla: Vorontsevich went head-to-head with Kyle O'Quinn and Andrew Nicholson at Thunder workout a few weeks ago. CSKA Moscow buyout may be issue. Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Russia, CSKA Moscow, Andrey Vorontsevich