Julius Hodge invited to work out for Nets

[GMJ]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nets Daily)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Meet Kiki’s First “Fallen Angel” - Julius Hodge
May 20, 2008, 5:57 am Word comes from Australia that Julius Hodge, the former Nugget, is working out with the Nets. Hodge, who played for the Adelaide 36ers last season, was invited by Kiki Vandeweghe the GM who drafted him in 2005. The 24-year-old, 6′-7″ swingman disappointed at Denver, then was shot along a Colorado highway. He has since played for the Bucks, and two teams in the Italian League. He was one of Australia’s top players.

Sixers till shooting for Hodge - Boti Nagy - Adelaide Now</div>

 

[J-HoAgZ]

If this is the Hodge who I think played at NC State I don't think it would be a bad pickup I liked him in college. Also I hope Jamaal Tatum makes the team as the backup PG he's the perfecr backup type. Quick, tight defense, good shooter, and most importantly brings energy.

 

[rory]

This year's Linton Johnson?

 

[Claud]

No Hodge is sick.. he just got to get his shit together.. Its truly a fallen angel if they pick him up. Could help ALOT our sucky bench.

 

[GMJ]

But would Hodge really impact our team anymore than Ager? Then its the case if we would rather have a better 3 point shooter, or a better defender. All in all I don't see this being significant.

 

[soul driver]

hassan adams ftw

but seriously, I wouldn't mind inviting Hodge. Hey, it's just an invite, nothing guarenteed or anything.

Also, I'm not giving up on Ager, as a matter of fact, I really hope he devlops and works hard this summer.

 

[Dumpy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (soul driver @ May 20 2008, 10:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>hassan adams ftw

but seriously, I wouldn't mind inviting Hodge. Hey, it's just an invite, nothing guarenteed or anything.

Also, I'm not giving up on Ager, as a matter of fact, I really hope he devlops and works hard this summer.</div>

they all have potential. With the exception of the truly phenominal talents, players have to work hard to be successful in the NBA.

One of my complaints with the Nets is that they haven't tried to develop young players that were undrafted or released by the team that drafted them--instead they have opted to go for the quick-fix low-potential veteran with declining skills, especially on defense. The league is full of "finds" like Jamario Moon, but a team has to have vision and patience. I don't care if Hodge or Ager pan out. The fact that the Nets are looking at them and giving them an opportunity would be a positive development to me. Of course, the free-agent period hasn't started yet, so there's still time for the FO to muck it up.

 

[Universe]

I would love to give it a shot. Glad we aren't just sitting around and waiting for Melo, that we actually want to get better.

 

[Kid Chocolate]

I think everyone liked Hodge when he played for the Pack.

Too bad he failed miserably in the NBA.
Let's give him a shot anyway. Just keep him away from Chris Paul to protect his go-nads.

 

[SportsTicker]

I second Dumpy's emotion. Tired of Murrays and Padgetts and Mercers and Magloires and Allens and yes, Armstrongs and a host of other retreads.

Hodge was a Kiki project. He took Hodge at #20, higher than most thought he would go. NBADraft.net's last mock in 2005 had him going in the early second round. Then, Kiki suffered the slings and arrows of second guessers when Hodge turned into a bust, not even averaging a point per game and then getting shot while driving on I-76 outside of Denver at the end of his rookie year. He was traded to the Bucks who released him two weeks later, then played in the summer league for the Sonics last year but didn't get a camp invite.

So he went overseas. He played for two Italian League teams, averaging 11.9 ppg for the higher level one before heading first to Australia's NBL which he just dominated for 12 games: 24.6 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists with three triple doubles. Then, he came back home to the D-League where he had similar numbers for 16 games: 23.7 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists. He was player of the week three times in Australia, once in the D-League. His outside shooting seems to have improved. It was his biggest problem.

Aussie coach, who desperately wants him back, says Hodge told him he would be in NJ at least through mid-July. That would seem to indicate he will be playing for the Nets in the summer league.

 

[pegs]

First of all, allow me to begin with: TRIP-LE DOUB-LESSS!!!!!

That's pretty sweet. Okay, seriously now...I'm pretty excited for the way we've been thinking since acquiring Kiki. I very much enjoy going the young route instead of the old and useless route. If this and other various trade talks are what Kiki brings to the table as a GM, then I must say, I wish we had him much, much sooner.

As for Julius Hodge, sounds like a good idea. It's a nice low-risk, high reward type of thing. If he can score, defend, maybe shoot well, it sounds like we could have a lil steal on our hands.

A personal pipe dream for me would be bringing in Josh Pace as well (a great defensive player, who has improved substantially since his days at SU).

 

[Universe]

Weird fact is that he was named after Julius Erving. The future? Haha.

 

[reganomics813]

A swingman with good size, athleticism, and something to prove? This is a no-brainer invite. Keep 'em coming Kiki!

 

[danxcr]

i have been impressed with what kiki has been doing... i have nothing against him inviting people to camp to show what their worth... lets hope this pays off

 

[cpawfan]

Hodge was drafted to become a tall PG

Neither the PG skills nor the outside shooting were there to make him valuable to Denver

 

[o.iatlhawksfan]

I wondered what happen to this dude. He was the ACC player of the year in 03 I think.