Minnesota Timberwolves Rumors
The Heat have filled Howard’s spot with the hiring of former Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Malik Allen, the former Heat player. Still, a vacancy from previous shuffling remains on Erik Spoelstra’s bench. But Riley recognized that Haslem also has created a rich life away from the court, with several South Florida enterprises, including an Aventura restaurant he operates with Wade. “He wants to buy pizza franchises and stuff,” Riley said. “There’s nothing wrong with that either.”
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich was a tough idea for Rosas and his parents to wrap their heads around. A sandwich? With peanut butter and jelly on it? What sorcery was this? “There is no peanut butter and jelly sandwich in Colombia,” Rosas said. “That’s not part of our culture.” It’s an example of how complicated the assimilation process can be, especially when it came to mastering English, which Rosas and his parents began studying upon their move to Houston. The move had its trying moments, especially as it related to the family they left behind in Colombia. “The opportunity in this country is incredible, and it’s worth the sacrifices that are made, but it’s not easy,” Rosas said. “It’s language. It’s culture, it’s family. Communication isn’t where it’s at today. I remember taping holiday greetings, Christmas greetings to our family in Colombia on an old tape and mailing it over so they could have it and receiving tapes back and forth. That piece of culture and family was different.”
His success is not lost on other Latinos in the league. “Gersson is just another example of how much opportunity exists in the NBA for people from any background if you put the time and dedication in to your passion,” Charlotte coach James Borrego said. “Gersson understands the importance of being a role model for the Latino community both within the basketball world and world at large.”
Basketball, Colombia, Houston and now Minnesota. Family has taken on different shapes for Rosas. His family’s migration to America led to a career in basketball. People he worked with in the Rockets and USA Basketball became close friends. Now, there’s a family to form with the Wolves. There are also games to win, but building that kind of familiarity with the Wolves can help with that. “I see the passion and desire for this organization to do something that hasn’t been done,” Rosas said. “They’ve had successes, they’ve had failures, they’ve had challenges, but this market and this fan base, they want something meaningful that has staying power, and that’s our motivation right now.”
Dario Saric moved to Phoenix Suns with a trade from Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday and he seems to be satisfied with this turn of events. As he tells in his recent interview with Sibenik.in, “I’m not sad about this trade, I’m actually happy about it all and glad because I think I didn’t get a fair chance in Minnesota. In Phoenix, I very much expect it. All in all, I’m satisfied.”
But the Sudanese-born Deng is not waiting for the end of his playing days for his next big score. He’s been investing in real estate almost since the time he entered the league in 2004 and has amassed an impressive portfolio—hotels, resorts, condos and apartment buildings—worth $125 million. Deng is part of a new crop of sports stars leveraging their fame and fortunes in new ventures and striking while the iron is hot. In the NBA alone, you have current players like Stephen Curry, Blake Griffin and LeBron James launching film production companies; Andre Iguodala and Kevin Durant are active venture capital investors; and Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose are also engaged in large-scale real estate deals. “If you know the market and you are using your leverage and doing the right deals, it is really nonstop with the opportunities,” Deng says.
Pete Thamel: Great nugget for @YahooSports NBA Draft show: Jarrett Culver demanded that his agents find a gym for him to workout after the draft. (Which will be like midnight). His reps told me they have one reserved. @TexasTechMBB coach Chris Beard: “The game consumes him.”
