Anderson Varejão Returning to Cleveland Cavaliers in Player Development Role

Posted on January 14, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Anderson Varejão is heading back to Cleveland…

One of the most popular players in Cleveland Cavaliers’ history, the 40-year-old Brazilian former professional basketball player has been hired as a player development consultant and global ambassador for the team that he played with for 14 NBA seasons.

Known for his hustle and frizzy hair, Varejão, affectionately nicknamed “Wild Thing” for his rambunctious playing style, was with the Cavaliers from 2004 to 2015.

He spent two seasons with the Golden State Warriors before the center returned to Cleveland after a three-year break from the NBA.

He retired after playing five games in the 2020-21 season.

Varejão had stayed connected to the organization, making periodic appearances at practices and games.

In his new role, Varejão will help develop players on the floor while also working with coaches and front-office members during the season. The Brazil native will also travel to broaden the team’s global reach, especially in Latin America.

“Andy embodies all that the city of Cleveland stands for and beyond, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring his experience, leadership and character back into the Cleveland Cavaliers family,” said Koby Altman, the Cavaliers’ president of basketball operations. “His infectious work ethic and commitment to our community have earned him his rightful place in the fabric of this organization and all of Northeast Ohio, and his impact on the game internationally will benefit our global outreach.”

The Cavaliers plan to honor Varejão with a halftime presentation during their Jan. 21 game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

“I am thrilled and honored once again to be a formal part of the Cavaliers family,” Varejão said. “This is a unique opportunity to start a new chapter of my life with the team I love and in the city I love.”

Varejão was a key member on two 60-win teams in Cleveland. He averaged 7.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in 596 games for the Cavaliers, who acquired him in a 2004 trade with the Orlando Magic.

In 2012-13, Varejão averaged a career-best 14.4 rebounds per game, and he ranks in the top 10 in several offensive categories for the Cavaliers.

Demi Lovato Takes Part in Twitter Q&A About Mental Health with “OK Not To Be Okay” Collaborator Marshmello & NBA Star Kevin Love

Posted on September 21, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Demi Lovato’s spreading her “OK Not To Be OK” message with the world…

NBA player Kevin Love moderated a Twitter Q&A about mental health with the 28-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress and her “OK Not To Be OK” collaborator Marshmello.

While 2020 has thrown curveball after curveball at the world and the well-being of millions, Lovato, Marshmello and Love wanted people to know it will get better.

The Cleveland Cavaliers player — who recently penned a personal essay about his mental health struggles — replied to fans who asked questions using the #OKNotToBeOK hashtag about what tools, from therapy to different hobbies, they can use to improve their mindset.

“It’s not easy some days, but knowing ‘it’s ok not to be ok’ has truly helped me with this,” Lovato responded to a fan who asked about motivating yourself even during the rough patches. “You have good days… and a couple bad days in between. We can’t stress ourselves with trying to be perfect. Love you too!”

https://twitter.com/ddlovato/status/1308129595221143554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1308129595221143554%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.billboard.com%2Farticles%2Fcolumns%2Fpop%2F9453162%2Fkevin-love-ok-not-to-be-ok-mental-health-twitter-qa-demi-lovato-marshmello

New York Knicks Agree to Trade Carmelo Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder

Posted on September 24, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Carmelo Anthony is ready to take Oklahoma by (thunder)storm…

The New York Knicks have agreed to trade the 33-year-old half-Puerto Rican NBA star, a 10-time All-Star forward, to the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to ESPN.

The Thunder will send center Enes Kanter, forward Doug McDermott and a 2018 second-round pick (via the Chicago Bulls) to New York, league sources said.

Anthony, 33, will waive his no-trade clause and his $8.1 million trade kicker to accommodate the deal, league sources told ESPN.

A trade call is scheduled for Monday to finalize the deal with the league office, sources said. Anthony is planning to arrive on Monday afternoon in Oklahoma City to take a physical and be available to practice Tuesday at the opening of the Thunder’s training camp, according to league sources.

Anthony would only waive his no-trade clause for the Thunder, Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers, league sources said. His no-trade clause will go with him to Oklahoma City.

Anthony joins the league’s reigning MVP, Russell Westbrook, and All-Star forward Paul George on a reshaped and formidable Western Conference contender. Westbrook and George — who could become free agents in the summer of 2018 — played a significant role in recruiting Anthony to waive his no-trade clause for Oklahoma City, league sources said.

The Thunder made a huge commitment with the Anthony deal, incurring $27.8 million in luxury tax for the 2017-18 season. The Thunder payroll will rise to $134 million this season. Anthony has two years, $54 million left on his contract, including a player option for $27.9 million in 2018-19.

Santana to Perform National Anthem Before Game 2 of the NBA Finals

Posted on June 3, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Santana is back in the NBA Finals…

The 69-year-old Mexican American musician, a 10-time Grammy-winner will make his return to the NBA Finals stage to perform the national anthem on Sunday night (June 4).

Joining Santana will be famed bassist Benny Rietveld. The two are slated to perform at the start of Game 2 between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

For the last two years, the San Francisco native has performed in the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena.

Train singer Pat Monahan delivered a powerful rendition prior to Thursday night’s Game 1, where the Warriors beat the Cavs, 113-91.

Santana will continue his musical escapades later this month when he launches his U.S. summer tour in Washington. The tour will kick off June 23 and run through August.

You can watch Santana and Rietveld’s performance at 8:00 pm ET on ABC.

Varejao to Continue Playing for the Golden State Warriors

Posted on July 15, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Anderson Varejao is still a warrior…

The 33-year-old Brazilian basketball player has agreed to a return to the Golden State Warriors, according to ESPN.

Sources have told ESPN.com that the Warriors and Varejao have finalized a one-year deal that will bring him back to Oakland after Golden State signed the longtime player on February 22, 2016,

Varejao, 33, spent the first 11 seasons of his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers after being selected 30th overall in 2004.

He joined the Warriors following the 2016 trade deadline after he was moved to the Portland Trail Blazers and then waived.

During the Warriors’ playoff run to the NBA Finals, he averaged 5.5 minutes and 1.2 points a game.

Varejão is the first player in NBA history to play for both Finals teams in the same season.

Bufoni to Appear at the 2016 Kids’ Choice Sports Awards

Posted on July 10, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Leticia Bufoni is ready to Kid around…

The 23-year-old Brazilian professional street skateboarder is among several top athletes who’ve signed on to take part in the 2016 Kids’ Choice Sports Awards.

Bufoni, who became the only female athlete to win three X Games gold medals in the same year back in 2013, is nominated in the Queen of Swag category.

In addition to Bufoni, other top athletes set to participate include Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.

In addition, Nickelodeon has lined up Nick Cannon, along with several other top athletes, to hit the stage at UCLA‘s Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.

Also taking part are Curry’s Warriors teammate Klay Thompson and fellow NBA pro Iman Shumper (Cleveland Cavaliers); NFL players Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Von Miller (Denver Broncos); MLB player Prince Fielder (Texas Rangers); NHL player Tyler Toffoli (Los Angeles Kings); Triple Crown-winning jockey Victor Espinoza (American Pharoah); professional snowboarder Jamie Anderson; and professional skateboarder Tony Hawk.

The awards show is set to tape Thursday and will air from 8:00-9:30 pm ET/PT on July 17.

Seattle Seahawks two-time Super Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson will return as host, and retired NBA star Kobe Bryant is set to receive the Legend Award.

Blacc to Perform During Game 7 of the NBA Finals

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a star-spangled Sunday for Aloe Blacc…

The 37-year-old Panamanian American singer-songwriter will provide the night’s entertainment with a special rendition of the National Anthem before tonight’s winner-takes-all game between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

In addition to performing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the Grammy-nominee will also

offer the crowd at Oakland’s Oracle Arena a special halftime performance.

Blacc helmed the vocals for Avicii‘s 2013 hit “Wake Me Up” and unleashed his third album Lift Your Spirit in 2013.

Don’t miss Blacc and Game 7 tonight when the game airs live tonight at 8:00 pm ET on ABC.

Santana to Perform National Anthem at Game 2 of the NBA Finals

Posted on June 5, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Santana is heading back to the hardwoods…

The 68-year-old Mexican musician and his wife Cindy Blackman Santana will once again perform the “Star-Spangled Banner” at Game 2 on Sunday night.

The global rock star has sold more than 100 million records over his 40-year tenure thanks to Latin-infused hits like “Oye Como Va,” “Maria Maria” and “Smooth.”

In April, he released Santana IV, which saw the reunion of his band’s original ’70s lineup, comprised of Santana, Gregg Rolie on keyboards, Neal Schon on guitar, Michael Carabello on percussion and Michael Shrieve on drums.

Santana IV also debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200.

His wife, Cindy Blackman, is an American jazz and rock drummer, who also joined her husband in performing the national anthem at last year’s NBA Finals.

After the Golden State Warriors claimed victory in Game 1, the hometown team will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers for round 2 at Oakland’s Oracle Arena on Sunday, June 5.

The game airs at 8:00 pm ET on ABC.

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.

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Celebrating the Latino Influence

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