Serge Ibaka is focused more on contributing to his new EuroLeague team than returning to the NBA, writes Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews (subscription required). Ibaka signed with FC Bayern Munich this summer and is adjusting to being back in Europe again after spending the past 14 seasons in the NBA. He’s coming off a season-best 20-point game and is averaging 11.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per night while shooting 56.7% from the floor for the German squad.
The 34-year-old big man is grateful to be playing again after ending last season in limbo. He appeared in just 16 games with Milwaukee before being traded at the February deadline to Indiana, which waived him two days later.
“My focus is playing in Bayern. I want to keep improving here,” Ibaka said. “Playing basketball is one of the most beautiful things one can do. I didn’t play for 10 months and now I’m playing basketball, something I like to do. I’m grateful for this moment.”
There’s more from around the basketball world:
- Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports believes the NBA needs to address its Scott Foster situation after the official’s latest incident with Warriors guard Chris Paul Wednesday night. Calling Foster “a prima donna ref” with an “outrageous and unchecked ego,” Bourguet points out that he ruined Paul’s return to Phoenix by giving him two quick technicals and ejecting him late in the first half. Suns fans turned out to welcome back one of the most significant players in franchise history, but Foster upstaged that by extending the long-running feud he has with Paul. Suns star Devin Booker told reporters that he could feel the tension between Foster and Paul before the ejection. “Yeah, ’cause I’ve seen it closely too,” Booker said. “This was long before Chris was in Phoenix, so that’s some history that they might have to settle between themselves one day, when they’re both retired.”
- Partizan Belgrade and Olimpia Milano are among the teams that have expressed interest in Goran Dragic, relays Ennio Terrasi Borghesan of Sportando. The report, which originated in the Serbian media outlet SportKlub, said Dragic is still hoping for an NBA offer and is reluctant to commit to a European team. The 37-year-old point guard wasn’t picked up this summer after spending last season with Chicago and Milwaukee.
- Spain, Latvia, Greece, and Puerto Rico have emerged as the favorites to host Olympic qualifying tournaments for the 2024 Games in Paris, Urbonas adds in a separate story. A draw ceremony is set for November 27 in Switzerland, and the official announcement of the host nations is expected before then. Twenty-four nations will be vying for four Olympic spots in the six-team qualifying tournaments.
Here’s the thing, Chris Paul brings all this crap upon himself because he’s a schmuck on the floor.
But in spite of that Scott Foster needs to rise above it and act accordingly and appropriate to his job.
On the street or within a family or whatever, then tempers flare Etc, but Foster must remember he is not part of the game.., he is an official and needs to keep his personality, ego, and preference for conduct out of it.
As difficult as it is Foster needs to be neutral and that’s the sign of a great ref. It doesn’t matter what happened 10 minutes ago, 10 years ago, 10 seconds ago. Today’s a new day and this is a new game. Give a player a chance to try to right things with improved or just a different conduct.
The problem with Refs is when they start arguing with players. T the player up and walk away instead of arguing with players. Foster did not do that and just T him up less than 1 30 seconds later. It changed the entire game. Foster is becoming the Angel Hernandez of the NBA.
Did you see Foster walk after Kerr after he T’d him up lol. He was looking for any excuse to eject Kerr as well.
It’s almost at the point that you just don’t have him officiate any CP3 games.
Ibaka should be on a bench somewhere in the NBA. Come on OKC or Toronto SMH. Unless he is truly happy there
Bulls should sign Dragic. They have the worst PG rotation in the NBA
Welcome to golden state
Foster should be ashamed. Just give Paul 1 tech and walk away
Yes Paul has the no not me foul whine so what… that’s the nba
Scott Foster should’ve been fired after the Donaghy gambling fiasco. He was clearly involved, as he received 134 phone calls from him during this time
Maybe that’s what Paul
Said to him