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Hedo Turkoglu reveals battle between former Boston Celtics and LA Lakers players for national team selection

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Aug 5, 2025 2:00 PM ET

Hedo Turkoglu spoke about how two Turkish stars brought their LA Lakers and Boston Celtics rivalry in their battle for selection.

With the NBA currently in the midst of the offseason, NBA players are trying to keep themselves active and ready ahead of their respective training camps.

Several players are looking to represent their national teams in various international tournaments this summer. While there are no Olympics or a FIBA World Cup, there are smaller-scale events happening in the world.

Jonathan Kuminga was hoping to represent Congo at the FIBA Africa tournament. But Kuminga’s contract dispute with the Warriors cost him that chance.

A little higher on the globe, Luka Doncic is set to test his physique with Slovenia, as he looks to win the EuroBasket tournament with the national team.

But there is another European team that has two former NBA stars battling it out for a spot on the roster. And it looks like a legendary NBA rivalry is seeping its way into this duel.

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Hedo Turkoglu on choosing between Kendrick Nunn and Shane Larkin

Hedo Turkoglu, a former NBA star and current president of the Turkish Basketball Federation, spoke in an interview with HT Spor.

He shed some light on the selection battle between former NBA stars Kendrick Nunn and Shane Larkin, and what led to them snubbing the former Lakers star (Nunn) and sticking with former Celtics star Larkin.

“We were really thinking about the possibility of acquiring Kendrick Nunn, but after a conversation with Shane Larkin and his visible will and commitment, we didn’t take steps in that direction.

“Yeah, there were internal dialogues in our Federation about Kendrick Nunn, just like with all the other players, but that’s all, really.

“Of course, people talk about it because Ergin Ataman is coaching him in the same club, but there were no concrete steps from our side.

“Larkin had a couple of unlucky experiences with our national team in the past, including suspension, but he’s been in Turkey for years, and he has shown great commitment throughout the years.

“Larkin wants to succeed with our national team, and we decided to keep going with him.” (H/T via BasketNews)

LA Lakers and Boston Celtics rivalry continues to be the greatest ever

It is quite interesting that the choice between the two stars happened to be between a former LA Lakers star and a former Boston Celtics star.

It just goes to show how legendary the rivalry between the two sides has been and continues to be.

Next season, the LA Lakers will try to compete for an NBA championship. Not just because the Lakers want to capitalize on LeBron James and Luka Doncic’s pairing, but for another big reason.

In 2024, when the Boston Celtics won the NBA championship, they regained their spot as the winningest franchise in NBA history, with their 18th title.

This ended a four-year-long deadlock between them and the LA Lakers, as they were both tied at 17 NBA championships after the Lakers won the title in 2020.

Can the Lakers get it done? It appears LeBron James and Luka Doncic are in lockstep in pursuit of their championship goals and will work very hard to make it happen.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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