Rumors

Marko Ljubomirovic: #Nuggets Aaron #Gordon after watching Nikola #Jokić in last game in Prague at #EuroBasket: “#Serbia 🇷🇸 is power, I surprised him by coming here”

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Christos Tsaltas: Denver Nuggets forward, Aaron Gordon, is in Prague and he's watching Serbia-Poland game, supporting his teammate and back to back NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic. The crowd showed some love for Gordon. #EuroBasket #MileHighBasketball

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Serbia opens Group D play September 2 in Prague against Netherlands. Also in Group D are group hosts Czech Republic, Poland, Finland, Israel. The top four teams in each group advance to Round of 16. "Jokic will be with the national team from the first day when the NBA rules allow it," the Serbian federation maintains.

BasketNews

I recently told Satoranský that his first pro coach in Prague, an American named Ken Scalabroni, had also coached Lauri Markkanen’s father Pekka in Germany. “I didn’t know Lauri’s dad played basketball,” Satoranský said. Scalabroni coached Pekka for Bamburg, a team that Bulls assistant coach Chris Fleming has also coached.

The Athletic

Although he was “lucky” to have a basketball hoop around the corner from his childhood home in Prague, Satoransky wasn’t always able to play. It was a multi-purpose court, also used for volleyball, handball and tennis. He often had to wait patiently for his turn, the lanky kid dribbling a ball off to the side. “I would have to be lucky to be there when no one rented the court,” he told NBC Sports Washington.

NBC Sports

Jakub Vrana was on his personal tour with the Stanley Cup trophy through a series of clubs in Prague, and he invited Satoransky and his friends to join the party. Of course, Satoransky couldn’t pass up the opportunity. “He was texting me like, 'Congratulations on winning the Stanley Cup. It’s great for the city,’” Vrana explained. “I was like, ‘Yeah, man. You play for the Wizards, right? You are from the Czech Republic, only Czech guy in the NBA. You should come to my party and hang out. It’s fine, and it’s cool.’ He’s a nice guy.”

NBC Sports

“You know, the first time I faced American players was when I was 19 years old in Prague? That’s when I realized the things I need to improve. One of the most important things was my body. Although I feel good about it now as a point guard in Europe, I think it’s an average body for the NBA,” Micic said to Eurohoops.

EuroHoops.net

Several N.B.A. referees are fluent in Spanish, and the fourth-year official Gediminas Petraitis speaks Lithuanian, said Monty McCutchen, the N.B.A.’s vice president in charge of referee development and training. While the league does not currently offer foreign language courses for officials, he said, “this may very well be an area of growth we explore in the future.” Tomas Satoransky, a shooting guard for the Wizards who was born in Prague, is susceptible to what he described as “blackouts,” when he excoriates himself in Czech. Coach Scott Brooks has asked for translations. “And I’m like, ‘Coach, I don’t even know,’” Satoransky said.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Several N.B.A. referees are fluent in Spanish, and the fourth-year official Gediminas Petraitis speaks Lithuanian, said Monty McCutchen, the N.B.A.’s vice president in charge of referee development and training. While the league does not currently offer foreign language courses for officials, he said, “this may very well be an area of growth we explore in the future.” Tomas Satoransky, a shooting guard for the Wizards who was born in Prague, is susceptible to what he described as “blackouts,” when he excoriates himself in Czech. Coach Scott Brooks has asked for translations. “And I’m like, ‘Coach, I don’t even know,’” Satoransky said.

New York Times

Overheard in a somber locker room was one player, Robin Lopez, talking in a hush with agent Arn Tellem about his summer plans which includes some weddings and a trip to Budapest and Prague. In another corner, Nic Batum sat by himself and stared off, so frozen in thought that I asked him if he was alright. Batum nodded.

Oregonian

Scout 1 on Dante Exum: I’m not putting my nuts on the line for this guy. I’m not drafting the next Tskitishvili. Now, the guys that saw him in Prague, if they’ve seen enough, then fine, but I can’t do it. There is no frame of reference. He’s going top five or six. But if you think it’s a lock to Orlando, they like [Marcus] Smart too.

Grantland