Tuesday, August 20, 2013

NBA Player suiting up in FIBA Americas, Caracas 2013

With the help of Hoops Hype I've compiled a list of the NBA Players one can expect to find in FIBA Americas, Caracas 2013.

Luis Scola of the Indiana Pacers
Argentina (1 of 4)
PF Luis Scola, IND
SF Carlos Delfino, MIL
SG Manu Ginobili, SAS
PG Pablo Prigioni, NYK


Brazil
(0 of 6)
SG Leandro Barbosa, WAS
C Nenê, WAS
C Fab Melo, BOS
C Tiago Splitter, SAS
C Anderson Varejao, CLE
C Vitor Faverani, BOS  


Joel Anthony of the Miami Heat
Canada (5 of 10)
C Joel Anthony, MIA
PG Cory Joseph, SAS
SG Kris Joseph, BKN
PF Andrew Nicholson, ORL
PF Tristan Thompson, CLE
C Samuel Dalembert, DAL
PG Steve Nash, LAL
C Robert Sacre, LAL
PF Kelly Olynyk, BOS
SF Anthony Bennett, CLE
Fransisco Garcia of the Houston Rockets
Dominican Republic (1 of 3)
SF Francisco Garcia, HOU  
C Al Horford, ATL
SF Charlie Villanueva
, DET
Jamaica (0 of 1)
Roy Hibbert
Gustavo Ayon of the Atlanta Hawks
Mexico (1 of 1)
PF Gustavo Ayon, ATL

JJ Barea of the Minnesota Timberwolves
Puerto Rico (1 of 1)
SG JJ Barea, MIN
Greivis Vasquez of the Sacramento Kings
Venezuela (1 of 1)
PG Greivis Vasquez, SAC

Definitely going to get a Souvenir 'Caracas 2013' T shirt. The Vasquez, Venezuela jersey as well as the Luis Scola, Argentina one look the most enticing to me.

Update: Whilst Venezuela's star player was an emotional presence in the tournament, Greivis Vasquez was unable to play due to his rehabbed ankle. "I would like to play (at the FIBA Americas Championship), it's a desire that I feel in my heart, but at the same time I understand this is the correct decision. "I am sure that I will be an important player in the future of the national team of Venezuela.".
Greivis was recently traded to the Sacramento Kings and is one of the fastest rising stars in the NBA.
Credit: @FVBaloncesto
- My time in Caracas, Venezuela for FIBA Americas 2013

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Live Basketball Store: Basketball Heaven in Cordoba, Argentina

Argentina are the only team that has comprehensively bested Team USA in International competition (Olympics 2004 and FIBA World Championships 2002). As such I was expecting a healthy support for Basketball. Despite spotting a humble Luis Scola mural and seeing a Manu Ginobili graphic for the Gatorade stand in the Supermercado I'd seen very little. None of the big Sporting stores and brands stocked basketball merch, not even sneakers for the most part. Let alone singlets and shorts.
(Update: I've been told the reason is a trade embargo rather than a lack of demand. Items need to be manufactured in Argentina.)

I was pretty bummed, that was until I discovered 'Live Basketball' in the student town of Cordoba. Occupying the first level it was Basketball paradise. I was in luck as currently there was an exposición for hometown hero Fabricio Oberto. It contained murals, medals, jerseys and sneakers from all his stints playing Basketball around the world including his Championship Ring for with the 2007 San Antonio Spurs and the 2004 Olympic Gold Medal. There were kiosks for each of his teams with videos highlighting his finest plays and Oberto's experience in each city.

The store stocked some cool Argentinian merchandise as well as NBA Gear.
Seriously, Basketball Heaven!

VIDEO: Live Basketball StopMotion

Fabricio Oberto: 10 yrs in NBA
10+ Years representing Argentina's National team

Oberto posing with FIBA and Olympic medals
Oberto's International jerseys and awards
Live Basketball Store
Full Court press
McFarlane Toys NBA Action figures
Manu Ginóbili jerseys
Shoe sizes for Wade, kobe, LeBron, Yao and Shaq
'Live Basketball' Cordoba, Argentina
More about 'Live Basketball':
Peatonal 25 de Mayo 34
Córdoba, Capital
Argentina
- Read the 'Live Basketball' Blog
- Like the 'Live Basketball' Facebook page
- Watch the 'Live Basketball' YouTube Channel
- About Founder Pablo Cabial

Update: Found another dedicated Basketball store in Argentina, this time in Rosario.
MVP Store
Tucuman 1319,
Rosario, Santa Fe
MVP Store - Official Facebook page