International basketball offers numerous fascinating nuances, including the ability to swipe the ball off the rim as Kevin Durant did against Slovenia. “Instincts kind of kicked in,” said Durant, who joked he did not know if it was a block or a rebound. It would have been goaltending in college or the NBA.

The Americans are still struggling with the way traveling is called, especially Andre Iguodala, who said the United States lost a slew of easy fast-break points because of traveling violations that would not have been called in the NBA.

“It seems like if you’re running on the fast break and the ball is thrown to you, you can’t catch it,” he said. “You have to let it bounce. It’s tough to run full speed, catch the ball and try to put it down.”

Philadelphia 76ers forward Andres Nocioni won’t play for Argentina at the world championships because of a left ankle injury.

The 76ers advised Nocioni to skip the tournament, and Nocioni confirmed Thursday he won’t play.

Nocioni told reporters that the team “exercised an option in my contract that when I get injured during national team activities they can prevent me from playing.”

After an MRI, a team doctor recommended that Nocioni stay off the court until the start of training camp at the end of September.

There already was some doubt whether the 76ers’ Andres Nocioni could play for his native Argentina in the FIBA World Championships. Now, after trying to come back from a left ankle sprain suffered July 31, the rugged 6-7 forward is out.

Sixers president Rod Thorn confirmed the news last night after Dr. Jack McPhilemy, team orthopedist and medical director, viewed Nocioni’s most recent MRI report.

“Dr. McPhilemy didn’t like what he saw, and felt Andres should not play or put a lot of impact on the ankle,” Thorn said. “Andres wants to play and feels very close to his country, but, in this case, it’s just not prudent for him to play.”

The 76ers’ Andres Nocioni is likely to play for his native Argentina against Germany on Saturday in its opening game of the FIBA World Championships in Turkey.

Nocioni, a rugged 6-7 forward, did not play in his country’s final “friendly,” a 93-89 overtime victory over Turkey, earning the Argentines the Efes Pilsen World Cup. Nocioni has been coming back from a left ankle sprain suffered July 31. He played 13 minutes in an 89-82 victory over Lebanon, sitting out after the first 5 minutes of the third quarter.

“I came out as a precaution,” Nocioni told El Diario Ole de Argentina.

Sixers coach Doug Collins said he has spoken with Nocioni several times.

“He told me [last] Saturday that he was feeling much better, and that he hoped to be ready for the game against Germany,” Collins said. “He assured me that he wouldn’t do anything to hurt his ability to play for us this season. I’m counting on him to use good judgment.”

China’s top athletic footwear brand is banking on Evan Turner being a star with the 76ers.

Li-Ning announced yesterday that it had signed the No. 2 overall pick to a multiyear contract. Turner will begin appearing immediately in the company’s global marketing and will wear Li-Ning as a rookie. He will have his own branded sneaker and apparel in the second year of the deal.

CNBC first reported the contract.

“This is truly a game-changing moment for the Li-Ning brand,” Brian Cupps, Li-Ning’s brand initiative director for basketball, said in a statement. “Adding a supreme young talent like Evan Turner sends a message to the global basketball community that Li-Ning basketball is committed to being a player on the global stage.”

Andre Iguodala’s Diary: “[Last] night we played great. Derrick Rose was clutch, Kevin Durant played tremendous on both ends. We need to work on communicating a little bit better, but that takes time. For me, defensively, I feel I’m where I need to be. Offensively, I need to find my spots. There’s so many great guys on this team that you have a tendency to stand around and watch at times.”

Doug Collins had hoped to meet in person with Elton Brand this summer.

Though that hasn’t happened – Collins’ birthday prevented it the last time, with Sixers assistant coach Quin Snyder visiting instead – Collins has been in regular communication with Brand and is thrilled with the veteran power forward’s progress.

Brand traveled from his home in Los Angeles to Philadelphia two weekends ago and worked out with strength and conditioning coach Jesse Wright.

“He had a great workout,” Collins said. “More importantly, he weighed 255. That’s the weight I want him. I said, ‘Elton, I’d like to see you at 255.’ Here it is early August at 255. It’s going to take all that stress off his legs. To me, that’s an incredibly positive sign to what Elton would like to see happen this year.”

Brand, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon four years ago, weighed in the mid-260s last season, when he averaged career-lows in scoring (13.1 points), rebounding (6.1) and minutes (30.2). His averages during his 11-year career are 19.3 points, 9.7 boards and 37.2 minutes.

Brand, 31, has three years and $51 million remaining on his contract.

“I’ve talked to Elton numerous times on the phone and we’ve texted,” Collins said. “He’s in shape and his legs feel good. He feels like he’s getting more lift. In his words, ‘I’m ready to go.’ “

A person familiar with the deal says the Philadelphia 76ers have hired Rod Thorn as their new team president.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal isn’t expected to be announced until Thursday.

The person said on Wednesday night that team president Ed Stefanski will stay on as general manager. Stefanski had held both roles since he replaced Billy King in December 2007.

King replaced Thorn as New Jersey’s, GM last month.

Reality will set in professionally for Green come late September when training camp opens at Saint Joseph’s. What is in store for Green will be up to new coach Doug Collins.

“I think hiring Doug is great for our team,” he said. “He’s a very respected guy, a very knowledgeable coach, who played in Philly and knows the expectations of the fans. We expect to be better this season. We’re looking up right now, with the hiring of Doug, getting the second overall pick. We’re headed in the right direction.”

And where does Green see himself fitting in?

“For me, it’s been a different challenge almost every year, and this season will be the same,” he said. “I’m flexible and have been throughout my career. I’ve done whatever has been asked and will do the same this season. I’m looking to be better this year than I was last year. I appreciate so much being able to play in one city for my whole career. I realize how rare that is. I will do whatever is asked of me and do it the best I can. Whether I get a lot of minutes or not, I’ll give it my all, just like I always have.”

Evan Turner still shakes his head while remembering his subpar performance at the Orlando Summer League that ended nearly a month ago. During those five games in 5 days, he seemed a step behind his normal game and grew more frustrated as the week progressed. The common problem was a lack of conditioning, something he has been working on since leaving Orlando.

“I’ve been playing pretty much every day against good competition,” Turner said. “It was really an eye-opener for me to get my butt kicked, but it was also a good thing, I think. That hasn’t happened to me in a really long time, so it made me realize how much harder I had to work to get myself ready for training camp. I can’t wait to get started and play with my new teammates and learn from them, and get ready for the season.”