Splitter thinks about playing in Brazil during lockout

Spurs' Tiago Splitter is considering to play in Brazil during the NBA lockout.

After playing in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Mar del Plata and earning an Olympic berth for his home country, Brazil in the 2012 London Olympics, San Antonio Spurs’ Tiago Splitter is apparently studying proposals from few ballclubs and thinks about the possibility of returning to play in Brazil during the NBA lockout, according to the Portuguese website veja.abril.com.br.

“I think it is a good option for me and for basketball in Brazil. I’d rather play than standing still and doing nothing. If you have the opportunity to play in Brazil and all goes well, why not? ” Splitter said.

After getting the services of Leandro Barbosa of the Toronto Raptors, Flamengo has also presented a proposal to Splitter, Brasilia Pine did the same.

Some clubs in Europe are also interested in having Splitter, who had success in Spain.

Video: Ginobili on winning the FIBA Americas crown

San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili talked about winning the FIBA Americas title against Brazil:

Manu shares his Olympic experience

After completing their mission of gaining an Olympic berth, and winning the FIBA Americas crown for Team Argentina, San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili talked (via FIBA.com) about his Olympic experience.

Manu Ginobili and Team Argentina have accomplished their goal, they now eye another shot at Olympic glory in London next year. (Photo via FIBA.com)

Ginobili is probably Argentina’s most famous player ever and one of the team’s leader together with Houston Rockets’ Luis Scola.

 “This is one of the best teams I’ve ever played in and the one that makes me more proud to be part of,” said Ginobili, who notched six three-pointers in Argentina’s 81-79 win over Puerto Rico in semifinals.

Ginobili repeated once and again how stressing the semifinal was, but also how happy he was of having achieved a new goal.

“The Olympics are the biggest sporting event in the world. The only fact of living in the Olympic Village is amazing. When you go out for a walk, you see (Usain) Bolt, (Kenenisa) Bekele, the best swimmer in the World.

Argentina beats Brazil for FIBA Americas crown

In their quarterfinal match against Argentina, San Antonio Spurs’ Tiago Splitter and Team Brazil came out victorious.

With both teams already earning spots in the 2012 London Olympics, the game was mostly for pride, but there is more at stake — the FIBA Americas Crown.

Luis Scola and Argentina got their revenge against Splitter and Brazil, then won the 2011 FIBA Americas crown. (Photo via ESPN)

With the title on the line, and revenge on their minds, Argentina started the game with a statement.

They stormed out early outscoring Brazil 21-9 in the opening period behind Luis Scola’s inside game. In the second quarter, Brazil tried to make their way back to the ball game and were within 22-25 on a Marcus Vinicius jumper midway in the period.

Ginobili, Argentina edged Puerto Rico; gains Olympic berth, and setup Finals clash with Splitter and Brazil

Losing only one game in eight matches at the FIBA Americas Championship, and having been beaten Puerto Rico early in tournament, San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili and Argentina appeared to be the heavy favorites to beat Puerto Rico again in their semifinal game but that wasn’t the case.

Spurs' Manu Ginobili and Team Argentina gained their ticket to the 2012 London Olympics and setup a Finals showdown with Tiago Splitter and Brazil.

Both teams started out strong, and were tied at 13 in the 4:33 mark of the first quarter, when Team Argentina went on 9-0 blast to build a nine-point lead, 22-13 and finished the period up by five 29-24.

However, Dallas Mavericks’ Juan Jose Barea and Puerto Rico have other plans in mind, outscoring Argentina in the second quarter 20-11, to take a 44-40 lead at halftime.

Led by Ginobili in the second half, Argentina surged into a comeback.

Manu hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 48 early in the third quarter and then made another 3 with 5:27 left in the period as Argentina take a 54-51 lead.

But Barea made a 3-pointer of his own to tie the game once again at 54 and then assisted on another three-point basket for a 57-57 deadlock.

Splitter, Brazil gets revenge against Dominican Republic; earned Olympic berth

San Antonio Spurs’ Tiago Splitter and Team Brazil defeats the Dominican Republic 83-76 at their FIBA Americas semifinals match and earned a ticket to the 2012 London Olympics.

Spurs' Tiago Splitter and Team Brazil punched their ticket to the 2012 London Olympics.

Being the only team to beat Brazil in tournament heading into the semifinals, the Dominican Republic looked confident as they battled the Brazilians toe-to-toe.

The Brazilian nationals raced out to a 9-4 run to start the first quarter but the Dominican Republic fought back and tied the game at 17 with just three seconds remaining in the period before Jack Martinez fouled Rafael Hettsheimeir, who made 1-of-2 foul shots to give Brazil a one-point lead after the opening period.

Ginobili has contract offer from former Italian team, Virtus Bologna

Virtus Bologna reportedly made an offer to Spurs' Manu Ginobili to play in the Italian League during the lockout.

San Antonio Spurs star Manu Ginobili has a contract offer from his former Italian team, his agent Herb Rudoy confirmed to Express-News.

However, Manu has yet to make a decision.

Manu’s brother, Leandro confirmed the offer from Virtus Bologna, which was originally reported by Italian sports publication Gazzetta Dello Sport.

“I don’t think Manu is thinking he will go play in Italy for two months before returning to the Spurs,” Leandro Ginobili said, according to the newspaper.

Ginobili is in the middle of the FIBA Americas Championship, where he’s trying to help Argentina earn an Olympic spot.

He is averaging 15.9 points, 3.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds in eight games for the Argentine national team at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Mar del Plata.

In nine seasons with the Spurs, Ginobili has averaged 15.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 blocks .

He’s a three-time NBA champion, a two-time All-Star and was named Sixth Man of the Year in 2008.

Ginobili is under contract with the Spurs for two more seasons and is scheduled to make $14.2 million next season.

Spurs’ coach Brown guided Boomers to a spot at the London Olympics

San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Brett Brown and Team Australia have outlasted New Zealand 81-64 in a gripping FIBA Oceania Championship clash to secure their place at the London Olympics with a 2-0 series lead.

Spurs' assistant coach Brett Brown helped Australia to gain an Olympic berth.

The Boomers – who finished fourth at the 1988, 1996 and 2000 Olympics, and finished 7th in Beijing – capitalized on the constant foul trouble of Mika Vukona and Thomas Abercrombie and a 22-9 (18-17) second half rebounding advantage.

Their worked on the boards finally paid dividends midway through the fourth quarter as they unleashed a devastating 28-3 run to finally put space between the two teams.

Brad Newley led a very even Australian performance with 12 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Kirk Penney led the way for New Zealand with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists despite the switching Australian defense swarming on him all night, forcing the Kiwi superstar into a 2-of-10 shooting night.

Game 3 will be played in Sydney on Sunday evening.

Manu, Argentina bounced back against Dominican Republic; Splitter, Brazil mauled Puerto Rico as both teams move onto semifinals

Brazil and Argentina won their final games in the second round at the FIBA Americas Championship on Thursday, setting the matchups for the deciding semifinals.

Manu will lead Argentina against Puerto Rico in Saturday's semifinal match.

San Antonio Spurs teammates Manu Ginobili and Tiago Splitter played for their respective home countries and handled separate foes with success.

One night after losing to Brazil, Ginobili and Argentina bounced back in a big way, overpowering the Dominican Republic 84-58.

Luis Scola of the Houston Rockets had 25 points to lead Argentina, while Ginobili added 17 points.

Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks had 16 points to lead the Dominican Republic.

Meanwhile,  Splitter and Team Brazil remained undefeated in the second round of the tournament with an easy 94-72 win over Puerto Rico.

Canada loss to Panama; failed to finish in Top five; Rautins steps down as coach

After a thrilling victory over Uruguay, San Antonio Spurs’ Cory Joseph and the Canadian national team concluded play at the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship with a 91-89 loss to Panama.

Spurs' Cory Joseph and Team Canada failed to finish in Top 5 at the FIBA Americas.

Both teams came out firing to start the game, as Panama stormed out to a 6-2 lead early in the game.

However, Carl English scored 15 points in the first quarter, including three 3-pointers, that gave Canada a narrow 27-24 lead after the opening quarter.

In the second quarter, Panama began to close the gap early in the period behind Gary Forbes’ offensive scoring.

Canada regained the lead with an alley-oop by Jevohn Shepherd.  Both teams exchanged points the rest of the quarter, with Panama taking a one point lead into halftime 49-48.