NBA Europe Live 2010 has officially begun. The Los Angeles Lakers will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves today in London but it all started Sunday in Italy. The New York Knicks took on Olimpia Milano. The Big Apple side looked rotten in the first half but by the second they freshened up their game winning the contest, 125-113. Amare Stoudemire put up old jersey STAT's scoring 32 in his official debut in Knickerbocker blue and orange. Italy's own Danilo Gallinari (who is a Milan native) kick started the Knicks second half run with one of his trademark three pointers. Gallinari didn't fail to impress for the Knicks in front of his native crowd, with five total three's en route to 24 points. Gallinari wasn't the only Knick in attendance who used to play for Milano. Knick coach Mike D'Antoni ran the point for Milano in the 80's leading them to two Euroleague titles and five Italian championships. More European ties will unfold in the following days, including Spaniard Pau Gasol taking his Lakers too London and Barcelona. Keep it BASKETBALL 24/48/82 for first hand coverage from London.
In other international bball news, anything the male Team USA can do the women can do better. The women's USA team struck gold in the 2010 Female World Championship, slapping the Czech Republic with a 89-69 win in the final. Angel McCoughtry of the Atlanta Dream woke up from her loss in the WNBA finals to become the saint for the USA, pacing them with 18 points. McCoughtry shared the court with a member of her WNBA finals opponent the Seattle Storm. There was no turbulent relationship however as Sue Bird let the stats rain, scoring 11 and dishing out 3 assists. Make that two trophy's for Sue Bird's cabinet. Bird's key play has helped both her club and country soar. The U.S. spread the floor extremely well with four players seeing double in points. The USA will now have to ask the Lakers and the Timberwolves how London is as they have now secured their qualification to the 2012 Olympic Games held in England's capital.
One NBA talent worthy of international competition will be grounded for some time even in his home country. The Chicago Bulls will have to sober up to the fact that they will be without Carlos Boozer for around two months.Their big offseason acquisition broke his hand Saturday and will miss the start of the NBA season. Carlos will require surgery as he broke the fifth metacarpal bone in his right hand. Chicago will miss their new right hand man who was picked up to really give some growth and maturity to these Baby Bulls. Chi-town still have a strong squad able to hold them over while Boozer drink up the action in a suit and tie. Their front court, (which features Briton Luol Deng) is still formidable especially with the news that Joakim Noah has agreed to an extension with the team. It's a shame for the fans however that they will have to come to terms with the fact that it'll be a while before they see Booze and Rose work the pick and roll. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
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