Euro invasion!

[Rastapopoulos]

I've wondered for years why the NBA hasn't tried harder to get established star Euros over. It seems like you either get them young (and in the case of Nikoloz Tskitishvili, completely untested) or not at all. But now with the economy tanking seriously in Spain and Greece in particular, more of those players might be coming over. The Spurs have signed Erazem Lorbek of Barcelona, MVP of the ACB finals, and the Knicks have invited my longtime fave Pablo Prigioni over for a look.

Why not take advantage of this? We have cap space, but (a) there are very few decent NBA FAs this year, (b) the good ones wouldn't come here, and (c) the half-decent ones will cost a fortune. And still might not come.

Euro players, on the other hand, regard $1M (rightly) as an obscene amount of money, and can be had cheap. And there are a lot of really good PGs out there:
Dimitris Diamantidis
Bo McCalebb
Vassilis Spanoulis (more of a combo guard, but a very good passer)
Milos Teodosic
Victor Sada
Marcelinho Huertas

Now, certainly not all of them are NBA starters, and possibly none (although I would bet large sums of money that Diamantidis would be), but they have bball IQ coming out of their ears, and all would be better PGs than anything we've got on our roster, even after the draft.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I think that the Jasikevicius experiment soured a lot of people on "BBIQ-heavy, athletically-challenged" Euro guards. I know I was one that was pimping him hard, because I thought that court vision and pure shooting could translate. It didn't.

Get me Big Greek Shaq, though, and I'm on board.

 

[Sedatedfork]

I watched part of that Diamantidis video. Very quick shot. Like scary quick. Like what the hell are you doing throwing that up? Oh it went in, yay!

 

[jlprk]

For each name on that list, how much would it cost to buy out each contract? Which NBA team holds the rights?

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Euro players, on the other hand, regard $1M (rightly) as an obscene amount of money, and can be had cheap.

vspan makes 2.4 million EU after taxes, and he flamed out with houston already did he not?
DD makes makes around 2 million EU after taxes

so yeah....not so much

 

[Rastapopoulos]

vspan ... flamed out with houston already did he not?

You mean, like Jeremy Lin?
And if you're "the Rocket Man" then flaming out is a good thing!
[video=youtube;P4OY23eQJTE]

Apparently Spanoulis, miffed at his lack of minutes, told Jeff Van Gundy that at home he was Tracy McGrady. Van Gundy retorted that they had the real thing here.
Still, the Spurs were intrigued enough to trade the Rockets the rights to Scola for him, not knowing that he'd already decided to go back to Europe.

DD makes makes around 2 million EU after taxes
so yeah....not so much

Jesus, he does? I wonder if he'll be affected by the tanking economy in Greece, though.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

You mean, like Jeremy Lin?

no, like if jeremy lin flamed out 5 years ago and went to play in greece

 

[VanillaGorilla]

There's a much bigger risk with these guys because they haven't proven themselves against NBA teams. More risk than free agents who have already proved themselves in the NBA, but probably less risk than draft picks, at least for the real stars from Europe.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

vspan ... flamed out with houston already did he not?

Define "flamed out". He left to play in Europe - as you point out, for MORE MONEY. (Not to mention better food and complete adoration.)

DD makes makes around 2 million EU after taxes

How much money does Steve Blake make? How much money would we have to offer Goran Dragic to get him to sign (incidentally, someone who put up much less impressive stats in Europe than any on the list I gave)?

 

[3RA1N1AC]

he flamed out as in couldnt get minutes and begged his way out of the league with his tail between his legs

steve blake makes $4 million a year i think, not sure what dragic is gonna sign for, prolly 7ish id guess

anything else?

for a euro fanboy i would have figured you to do a little homework on these guys

 

[MickZagger]

Wonder what the 3 year turnover rate is on Euro guys?

I hope Olshey learned his lesson on Yuroslov Korolev.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

he flamed out as in couldnt get minutes and begged his way out of the league with his tail between his legs

For more money, stardom and better food. Wouldn't you? That's the downside of the rookie contract for established players.

Lin, on the other hand, was just cut.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Wonder what the 3 year turnover rate is on Euro guys?
I hope Olshey learned his lesson on Yuroslov Korolev.

Don't draft crappy players who can't play? Wait to see if they can play in their own countries before you draft them? Don't listen to Chad Ford?

 

[RR7]

For more money, stardom and better food. Wouldn't you? That's the downside of the rookie contract for established players.

Lin, on the other hand, was just cut.

Except as a 2nd round pick, he wasn't on a rookie contract. He had a really nice 2 year, 3.7 million dollar deal.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

steve blake makes $4 million a year i think, not sure what dragic is gonna sign for, prolly 7ish id guess

Do you know what a rhetorical question is?

for a euro fanboy i would have figured you to do a little homework on these guys

Here's what my research tells me about Spanoulis:

During Spanoulis' first NBA season there was a dispute between him and the team's head coach Jeff Van Gundy over playing time. Much of this stemmed for the team's General Manager Carroll Dawson having promised Spanoulis about 20 minutes of playing time each game off the bench, playing at both of the guard spots. There was an issue between the team's management, Spanoulis, and the coach as well over the contract that Spanoulis had signed. In order to sign with the Rockets and fulfill his dreams of playing in the NBA, Spanoulis took a considerably smaller contract than the one that was being offered to him by his Euro team Panathinaikos. He still had one year under his contract with Panathinaikos, but his buyout was small and could be paid by the Rockets. Panathinkaikos countered the Rockets contract offer of $5,832,000 US dollars (equivalent to 4,665,600 Euros at the time) over 3 years with an offer of 13,200,000 Euros over 5 years, a contract that at the time (July 18, 2006) was worth the equivalent of $16,500,000.

This meant that Spanoulis essentially agreed to play for Houston at a price of $1,944,000 per season for 3 years, passing up on Panathinkaikos' offer of $3,300,000 per season over 5 years, just for a chance of playing in the NBA. Since Spanoulis gave up a total of $10,668,000 in order to play for the Rockets and was promised playing time in return as one of the contract negotiations, it led to a falling out between Spanoulis and the team's coach Van Gundy, after Van Gundy benched Spanoulis, citing that rookie players are dangerous for coaches that are in contract years and that Spanoulis was too foul prone and lacking in outside shooting touch to be a good fit in Van Gundy's offensive system. Van Gundy was in fact in a contract year, as he had just an option year left on his coaching contract with Houston.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Except as a 2nd round pick, he wasn't on a rookie contract. He had a really nice 2 year, 3.7 million dollar deal.

this

he begged out of the last year of his contract after his trade to the spurs, and the spurs happily obliged

 

[3RA1N1AC]

listen, i actually like vspan, but there is no way he is coming back over here for a million dollars, so this thread was dead before it started

 

[Rastapopoulos]

listen, i actually like vspan, but there is no way he is coming back over here for a million dollars, so this thread was dead before it started

You're almost certainly right. And he probably wouldn't even for Steve Blake money, as he's happy where he is and getting a bit long in the tooth. However, if the Greek economy totally tanked, he might consider it.
However, he was only one example, and actually the least PG-ish of my examples. Bo McCalebb is much more likely, and has every chance to be better than Damian Lillard.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

he begged out of the last year of his contract after his trade to the spurs, and the spurs happily obliged

You're right that the Spurs released him. Here's the reason he left "with his tail between his legs":

On August 19, 2007, Spanoulis was released by the San Antonio Spurs after deciding he wanted to play in Greece during the 2007-2008 season. This was due to the fact that his mother was in poor health and Spanoulis wanted to be near her.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

If the Spurs are doing it, it is at least worth looking into (top notch organization in my eyes).

The problem I see is roster spots. Blazers have two 2nd rounders, and a couple euros they may try and bring over. Throw in a draft pick or two and hopefully a serious piece with FA money and roster spots start filling up.

Euro players remind me of the stock market. Blazers got in a little late but early enough that they got a couple good picks. Then the Euro player market got over inflated as many teams got in on the trend late and picks on Euros were turning into wasted picks. Blazers got a little euro happy, IMO, and got bit. But now the trend seem to shy away from euro players . . . which means it might be a good time to buy, especially if the Euro economy is a factor.

I'm following the Spurs, who is the current Rose of Europe?

 

[3RA1N1AC]

mccalebb doesnt even want to come to the nba

if anyone id like to bring back sergio

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Say no to euros

 

[Rastapopoulos]

More on Prigioni to the Knicks:

The Knicks tried to sign Prigioni in the summer of 2009, when Grunwald was Donnie Walsh’s deputy, after they failed to ink Ramon Sessions. Prigioni’s current team, Caja Laboral, is ready to offer a one-year deal.

Prigioni has never played an NBA game, but has teamed with NBA players and played against them on the world stage. He is expected to be the starting point guard on Argentina’s team making another run at gold this summer in London with the core of Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni, Fabricio Oberto and Carlos Delfino. Most prognosticators have Team USA as heavy favorites, with Spain and Argentina battling for silver.

“I’m not surprised because I know a lot of guys there who want to try it,’’ Szczerbiak said of Prigioni considering a leap to the NBA. “He improved his 3-point shooting, he knows how to run and direct a team and he’s very good at pressing the ball. He’s not a great shooter, but he makes his 3s.’’

Szczerbiak said he can’t imagine Prigioni having a problem adjusting to the rigors of the NBA.

“He plays for the toughest coach in the Spanish League [Dusko Ivanovic],’’ said Szczerbiak, who lives in Cold Spring Harbor and is the father of 10-year pro Wally Szczerbiak. “He demands 100 percent attention and dedication throughout the season. He’s known as The Sergeant.’’

 

[Rastapopoulos]

mccalebb doesnt even want to come to the nba

Yeah, he SAID that, but I think that was when he was pissed off that he didn't get an offer. I'd like to see him actually turn down an offer.

if anyone id like to bring back sergio

I'd be okay with that. No Nate, and it's not like we're going to win, so why not run'n'gun? It would be a blast to watch.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I'm following the Spurs, who is the current Rose of Europe?

If you mean Derek Rose, it would probably be a toss up between Spanoulis and McCalebb, as both are scoring lead guards and clutch as hell. Spanoulis certainly doesn't have Rose's athleticism (he might not even have MY athleticism) but finds ways to win (like when Greece beat the Larry-Brown-coached, LeBron-James-led USA team). McCalebb does have pretty elite athleticism, but I doubt he's quite 6 feet. He's also considerably younger than Spanoulis. Here he is:
[video=youtube;eugrg0g7aZI]

[video=youtube;ZAamJml1VLQ]

 

[Pinwheel1]

Euro players are too big of a headache.I would not pass on a really good one, but all things being equal in terms of talent.......take the Americans. (and by American I include the whole continent)

But the Euros have it pretty good over there as discussed, so when things don't go their way , they want out. I don't like having to kiss their or their agents ass to keep them happy.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Euro players are too big of a headache.

Huh? Are you generalizing from Rudy to an entire continent? What headache has been caused by Tony Parker (except to Brent Barry and Eva Longoria), Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki, Arvydas Sabonis et. al.?

I would not pass on a really good one, but all things being equal in terms of talent.......take the Americans. (and by American I include the whole continent)

Because of course no Americans are ever a headache, oh no.

But the Euros have it pretty good over there as discussed, so when things don't go their way , they want out. I don't like having to kiss their or their agents ass to keep them happy.

The thing is, you don't have to let them out. And if you pay them equivalent to their skill level (like Parker et. al.) they never want out.

 

[MickZagger]

I still would be interested to see what the 3 year turnover rate's like on Euro's.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Huh? Are you generalizing from Rudy to an entire continent? What headache has been caused by Tony Parker (except to Brent Barry and Eva Longoria), Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki, Arvydas Sabonis et. al.?

Because of course no Americans are ever a headache, oh no.

The thing is, you don't have to let them out. And if you pay them equivalent to their skill level (like Parker et. al.) they never want out.

I thnk when the 5th overall pick decides he wants to wait 2 years before coming over........It's a fucking head ache. Would I have passed on Rubio? Yes if there was someone on the board with equal talent. An American is not likely to say hold off on that 3.5 million a year rookie salary while I stay home for two years.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

McCalebb's Fenerbahce Ulker just beat the Celtics.