Carlos Arroyo Releases New Single “Morena,” Featuring Nicky Jam & Jeon

Posted on July 16, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Arroyo is getting a massive assist…

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican former professional basketball player and reggaeton singer has released his new single “Morena,” as well as the song’s music video.

Reeling in reggaeton star Nicky Jam and urban newcomer Jeon, Arroyo offers up a hard-hitting reggaeton and dembow track married with Middle Eastern-infused dance beats.

Produced by Saga WhiteBlack, “Morena” is about a man who’s trying to conquer the girl he likes at the club. The song’s melodies and catchy hooks easily remind fans of old-school reggaeton singles like Don Omar’s “Dale Don.”

The edgy music video, helmed by director Gus, features all three artists in a parking garage loaded with dancers, cars, neon lights and fire.

Arroyo previously played in the NBA for teams like the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat. He kicked off his music career in 2009, collaborating with artists like Yomo and Ivy Queen. He’s currently the general manager of the Puerto Rico national team.

Balancing his love for basketball and music, Arroyo returned to the scene in 2020 after a nine-year hiatus and has since collaborated with Farruko, Rauw Alejandro, Luis Fonsi, and Jowell & Randy.

Pau Gasol Agrees to One-Year Deal with the Portland Trail Blazers

Posted on July 25, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Pau Gasol will be blazing a new trail…

The 39-year-old Spanish professional basketball player has agreed to a one-year, $2.6 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, according to ESPN.

Gasol joins a reshaped Trail Blazers roster that’s prepared to make a run at a return to the Western Conferencefinals — and perhaps beyond.

On Twitter, Gasol said he’s enthused to join the Blazers.

“I’m very excited to announce that next season (my 19th in the @NBA) I’ll play for the @trailblazers,” he tweeted, adding, “Ready and happy to join one of the best teams in the league!”

Gasol will be added to a center rotation that includes Hassan Whiteside, Zach Collins and Jusuf Nurkic — once Nurkic returns from a serious leg injury.

Portland had success with a center rotation that included Enes Kanter late last season and into the playoffs. Kanter signed with the Boston Celtics this summer.

Gasol brings the résumé of a future Hall of Famer as compiled across 18 NBA seasons, including two championships and six All-Starappearances.

He signed with the Milwaukee Bucks after a buyout with the San Antonio Spurslast season but played only three games with Milwaukee before a season-ending foot injury.

Gasol finished the campaign having played just 30 games, averaging a career-low 3.9 points and 4.6 rebounds.

Gasol discussed a free-agent deal with the Blazers in 2016 before signing with San Antonio.

He also has played with the Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls, and he had an outstanding FIBAcareer with the Spanish national team.

Lopez Passes Buck Williams as Brooklyn Nets’ Career Leading Scorer

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Brook Lopez is celebrating the swish smell of success…

The 29-year-old half-Cuban American NBA player has passed Buck Williams to become Brooklyn Nets‘ career leading scorer.

Lopez, the team’s center, surpassed Williams with a jumper late in the fourth quarter of a 114-105 loss to the Boston Celtics.

Lopez, who finished with 25 points, started slowly but passed Williams with a turnaround jumper on the baseline with just over 4 minutes left in the game.

Williams’ career spanned 17 seasons from 1981 to ’98, the first eight of which were with the New Jersey Nets.

Lopez, was drafted by the then-New Jersey Nets in the first round in 2008, said he didn’t take moving to the top of the Nets’ record books with his 10,441st point lightly.

“It’s a great honor, obviously a lot of amazing players have played here,” Lopez said. “I’m just proud to have my name up there with those guys.”

Lopez, the NBA All-Rookie First Team selection in 2009, was an NBA All-Star in 2013.

Barbosa Agrees to One-Year, $2.5 Million Deal with the Golden State Warriors

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’ll be another golden season for Leandro Barbosa…

The 32-year-old Brazilian professional basketball player and veteran guard has agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract to stay with the NBA champion Golden State Warriors, according to ESPN.com.

Barbosa has bounced all over the league and played for six different teams in his 12 seasons. He was taken 28th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in 2003, then was traded to the Phoenix Suns, where he played his first seven seasons.

After stops with the Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics and Suns again, Barbosa signed a one-year deal with the Warriors in 2014.

The 6-foot-3 combo guard appeared in 66 games (one start) for the 67-win Warriors this past season, primarily backing up league MVP Stephen Curry. Barbosa averaged 7.1 points and 1.5 assists in 14.9 minutes per game.

Barbosa, an unrestricted free agent, made several key contributions in the playoffs, including 13 points in a Game 5 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.

In 2007, Barbosa won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award after averaging 18.1 points per game.

He holds career averages of 11.4 points and 2.3 assists in 22.9 minutes per game.

Barbosa Reaches One-Year Deal with the Golden State Warriors

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Leandro Barbosa has landed a golden opportunity…

The 31-year-old Brazilian professional basketball player has reportedly reached a deal to sign with the Golden State Warriors for the upcoming season, according to ESPN.com.

After Barbosa received initial interest from the Miami Heat, Golden State has secured a commitment from Barbosa on a one-year deal at the veteran minimum, according to NBA front-office sources.

Barbosa played 20 games last season with the Phoenix Suns, with whom he broke into the NBA in 2003-04. He’s also had stints with the Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics.

Golden State had been searching for guard depth and gladly struck a deal with Barbosa before this weekend’s start of the FIBA World Cup in Spain.

Barbosa joins fellow NBA veterans Nene, Tiago Splitter and Anderson Varejao in leading a Brazilian squad that sees itself as a real contender for the championship along with the two consensus favorites: Team USA and host Spain.

Asked recently about his NBA future, Barbosa told ESPN.com: “Man, I’m just really focused on this World Cup.”

Lopez: A Late Addition to the 2013 NBA All-Star Team

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Then there were two…

Brook Lopez will be joining Carmelo Anthony in Houston this month.

The 24-year-old half-Cuban American Brooklyn Nets center has been named as an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve by NBA Commissioner David Stern.

Stern picked Lopez to replace Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, who was voted in by the fans as a starter but will have to miss the rest of the season due to a right ACL tear last month.

Lopez, initially passed over for an All-Star spot, will now make his debut in that NBA mid-season showcase on February 17 at the Toyota Center in Houston. He will be Brooklyn’s lone representative.

“It’s a huge honor,” Lopez said in a statement after the Nets’ 105-85 home loss this week to the Miami Heat.

“First and foremost, I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. They make my job 100 times easier, playing with Deron (Williams), Joe (Johnson), Gerald (Wallace), they gift wrap me buckets and take a lot of attention away from me on the court. It is something I have been working towards and it’s been a goal of mine and it will definitely be an exciting weekend.”

This season, Lopez is averaging 18.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocked shots per game – tops for his team in all three categories.

Anthony Extends Streak of 20-Point Games

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Carmelo Anthony’s streak of 20-point games continues…

The 28-year-old half-Puerto Rican NBA All-Star forward for the New York Knicks scored a game-high 28 points to help his team snap an 11-game losing streak in Boston with an 89-86 victory over the Celtics on Thursday night.

Anthony scored at least 20 points for the 27th straight game, third most in franchise history behind Richie Guerin‘s 29 and Patrick Ewing‘s 28.

“I’m just trying to block everything out and do what I have to do to win the game,” said Anthony, who also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. “This whole night was satisfying. To win in this building was a long time coming.”

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