Sim Bhullar became the first player of Indian descent to sign an NBA contract when the Kings inked the humongous center this week, according to the Associated Press. Sacramento’s Vivek Ranadive is the league’s first Indian-born majority owner, and is excited about basketball’s growth in India. “I’ve long believed that India is the next great frontier for the NBA, and adding a talented player like Sim only underscores the exponential growth basketball has experienced in that nation,” said Ranadive. Here’s more from out West:
- A Team USA spokesperson tells Zach Harper of CBSSports.com that Jerry Colangelo’s comments citing a “contractual situation” as a reason for pulling out of international play were referring to Kevin Love, not Kevin Durant. Colangelo’s explanation was originally reported as a contradiction of Durant’s stated reason for leaving Team USA, which involved personal and physical exhaustion.
- In a reader chat response, Jabari Davis of Basketball Insiders writes that any excitement over how many resources the Clippers new owner Steve Ballmer will pour into the franchise should be tempered by CBA restrictions, which will limit the team from adding much talent in the coming years.
- Davis believes that the Wolves will “probably” max out Ricky Rubio, who is asking for as much in extension negotiations with the team.