Stern backs off and gives green light to Iranian player to sign in NBA

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Rumors and Free Agent Updates - Looking For Centers Edition
Published 8/22/2008 by noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) at LOY's PLACE a celtics green blog
... It took some red tape from the US government, but Iranian center Hamed Ehadadi has been cleared to sign with NBA teams. The NBA sent out an email on Wednesday to all 30 teams that they were free to enter into negotiations with the 7-foot-2 Iranian Olympian, as well as one of his teammates on Iran’s national team: guard Mohammadsamad Nik Khahbahrami. Signing Khadadi would be ok for the Celtics, but they better stay away from the guard if they don't want to give Tommy a heart attack trying to pronounce it. Even with the clearance, the NBA ordered its teams Wednesday to contact ...

Olympic Recap: Team Overviews by Kevin Pelton
Published 8/29/2008 at Basketball Prospectus
... of his career, though he's still an elite player. Iran : For Iran, making the Olympics was an enormous accomplishment. As recently as 2005, Iran had finished sixth in the FIBA Asia Championship. With China automatically qualifying for the Olympics as host, the door was open, and Iran took full advantage. This appearance was more about gaining experience than really competing. With no one on the roster over 26, however, Iran could develop into a threat. Star center Hamed Hadadi has been cleared by the State Department to sign with an NBA team after some earlier red tape and is ...