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Wednesday And-1 links: FIBA wants 3-on-3 basketball in Olympics

David Stern

NBA Commissioner David Stern takes questions before Game 1 of the NBA finals basketball series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat, Tuesday, June 12, 2012, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

AP

Here is our regular look around the NBA — links to stories worth reading and notes to check out (stuff that did not get its own post here at PBT) — done in bullet point form. Because bloggers love bullet points like I love a good IPA.

• Forget the under-23 age limit stuff, what international basketball governing body FIBA wants to see in the 2016 Olympics (or soon after) is a new 3-on-3 tournament. They are promoting 3-on-3 events world wide, are doing rankings and basically want this to be the beach volleyball of basketball. They are pushing this hard. Seriously. And no, we couldn’t just slap some NBA players together last minute, you’d have to qualify at tournaments around the globe. It all sounds a little crazy, but as somebody getting plenty of FIBA material sent to him, trust me they are pushing for this.

• By the way, NBA Commissioner David Stern was awarded the Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee. Which I guess is a big deal and all.

• Tim Grover’s gym in Chicago — where Michael Jordan worked out in the day and where Jordan invested $1.5 million later — is headed to foreclosure. The place still draws big name NBA players like Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant to work out there, but that’s not paying the bills.

• Great series of stories looking at the biggest factors in the Warriors upcoming season and what it will take for them to make the playoffs, by Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com. Here are the top three: 1) Andrew Botgut stays healthy; 2) Stephen Curry stays healthy; 3) Mark Jackson really steps up into the role of coach.

• Here’s a good look at what Team USA might look like for 2016 in Rio.

USA Basketball president Jerry Colangelo praises Kevin Love, says winning a gold will never get old and he is in for Rio in 2016.

• Danny Granger bought a new home in Los Angeles (where he spends his off-seasons) from Kevin Williamson — the guy behind the “Scream” series and the executive producer of “Dawson’s Creek.” That’s so LA.

• The Jazz have the “problem” of having both Paul Millsap and Derrick Favors to play the four spot. One way that could rectify it, give Millsap some run at the three every night.

• Expect Jason Richardson to start at the three in Philly.

• Byron Scott is saying Tristan Thompson is the most improved Cavalier this summer. Take that with some salt, we need to see him in games before we buy in.

• Kyrie Irving reportedly told just-drafted Cavalier Dion Waiters he better improve his conditioning before training camp.

• The Rhino, Craig Smith told CSNNW.com signed in Israel because he was “tired of being a roster filler.” He wanted minutes he wasn’t going to get in the NBA, so he went to the Holy Land.

• The Rockets waived center Josh Harrellson as part of them picking up Carlos Delfino.

• The Bucks have reportedly lost their interest in unrestricted free agent Mickael Pietrus.

• Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy has requested a judge reduce his 36-month probation term by three months. After he did jail time. But yes, totally use him as the cornerstone of your argument the NBA is fixed. He’s very credible.

• Here is Stan Van Gundy saying the Magic organization handled the Dwight Howard situation poorly and they got what they deserved.
• Bob Ryan will be missed.