On a roster that is returning almost completely intact from last season, rookie guard Nando DeColo is doing his best to fit in with his new teammates.
That's easier said than done for someone who is working to improve his English, understand a different culture, and adapt his game and style of play to a team that has a history of success.
"I work every day trying to get better with English", says the 25 year old newcomer. "It helps having players from the French National team here (Boris Diaw and Tony Parker) and it also helps me that the Spurs play similar to a European style of basketball. More teamwork and less one on one."
DeColo spent three years in the ACB, the league based in Spain that is widely considered to be the best in Europe. He averaged 13 points for Valencia, then joined Diaw and Parker as the trip represented France in the London Olympics.
Although Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has downplayed DeColo's role on this season's squad because of the depth the Spurs enjoy in the backcourt, Nando has shown flashes of what he can do with creative passing, sharp ballhandling skills, and keen overall court vision. DeColo would like to contribute, but also knows he is in a learning process.
"I have worked very hard for the past three seasons to make it here, so now I listen to my coaches and teammates to get better", says DeColo, "I am very happy to be with the Spurs."
The Jim Rome Show
The Jim Rome Show
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Perhaps the most respected voice in the world of sports broadcasting, Jim Rome is the leading opinion-maker of his generation. As host of the nation’s premiere sports radio talk show, as well as his television program on ESPN, Rome is an important arbiter in a chorus of sports media sycophants. Known for his aggressive, informed, rapid-fire dialogue, Jim has established himself as the top choice of athletes and fans when it is time to know what is going on beyond the scoreboard.
Rome’s nationally syndicated radio program, The Jim Rome Show, a.k.a. The Jungle, airs on more than 200 radio stations each weekday and boasts more than 2.5 million listeners. But these are no ordinary listeners; they are a legion of fans known as “The Clones” who live and breathe for Jim Rome’s “take” on the day’s larger issues of sport. It is his departure from conventional sports commentary that has resulted in Rome’s unique dialogue with his listeners.
Rome has made a cameo appearance along side Michael Jordan in Space Jam; appeared in Blink 182’s music video; appeared on HBO’s Arliss; and released a CD, “Welcome To The Jungle”, which featured memorable sound bites from frequent callers and the hip music regularly used on the radio show.
Jim spent a two-year stint hosting ESPN2’s Talk2, a nightly one-hour interview show. Rome began his radio career at KTMS, Santa Barbara as the “$5 an hour” traffic reporter and covered UC Santa Barbara’s sports. He left KTMS for San Diego’s all-sports station, XTRA Sports 690. It was during a temporary stint on a late-night show for the station that Rome debuted his “smack” (Jungle Glossary term meaning sports talk in a gloating, uninhibited or unbridled manner. The style yielded high ratings, and by acclimation of his listeners, The Jungle was born. In 1996, to further keep up with demand, Premiere Radio Networks acquired exclusive syndication rights and the program continues to pick-up affiliates throughout the country.
Rome graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1987, with a degree in Communications. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Janet and their son Jake.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
