Associated Press
The NBA notebook …
NEW YORK ó Iran’s national basketball team has been invited by the NBA to train in Utah and play against NBA and NBADL teams in preparation for the Beijing Olympics.
Iran is taking part in the Rocky Mountain Revue, the Utah Jazz-hosted summer league and will play four games. The team will also observe NBA team practices and talk to players and coaches about basketball.
“In an increasingly turbulent world, it is rewarding to bring people together to celebrate teamwork, discipline and respectful competition on the court,” NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement. “The NBA embraces the opportunity to welcome the Basketball Federation of Iran and the Iranian Olympic team in a demonstration of how something as simple as a game of basketball can promote understanding.”
Iran will play two games against the NBA D-League Ambassadors, a team consisting of 10 players who competed in the developmental league last season, this week at The Factory ó the Utah Flash’s practice facility. Iran also faced a Dallas Mavericks team on Saturday and a Utah Jazz squad on Monday, with both games at Salt Lake Community College.
LAKERSLOS ANGELES ó With great reluctance, the Los Angeles Lakers decided at Friday’s deadline they wouldn’t match Golden State’s offer for Ronny Turiaf, meaning the former second-round draft choice will move up the California coast to play for the Warriors.
“There are emotional ties with Ronny that go beyond basketball,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said on a conference call. “I think that makes it difficult. I think organizations that draft players who turn out to be good players, it’s hard for them to let go of those players. And if you know Ronny, you know he’s a special kid.”
The Warriors signed Turiaf, a restricted free agent, to a four-year, $17 million offer sheet last week. By rule, the Lakers had seven days to decide whether to match it. The three-year veteran from Gonzaga averaged 6.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 78 games with the Western Conference champions last season, making 21 starts.
OKLAHOMA CITY
OKLAHOMA CITY ó Oklahoma City has signed restricted free agent guard C.J. Miles to an offer sheet.
Oklahoma city general manager Sam Presti announced the move on Friday. Under terms of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, Miles’ current team, the Utah Jazz, has seven days to match the multiyear offer.