<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Turiaf confirmed a rumor that has been circulating for several weeks, that Gelabale likely will opt out of his contract with Real Madrid after this season and join the Sonics next season. ?When I was talking to him, he told me he did not want to come this year but he wanted to come next year,? Turiaf said. ?So that would be next season.? The Sonics will need to work out compensation for Real Madrid. Under terms of the new collective bargaining agreement, the Sonics can pay up to $500,000 toward a buyout, something they have indicated they would be willing to do. Seattle also would need to negotiate a contract with Gelabale. Since he was a second-round pick, they can pay him whatever they want. Turiaf said the Frenchman will be worth it. ?He is a mix of (Golden State?s) Mickael Pietrus and Jason Richardson,? Turiaf said. ?He is real, real athletic, can shoot the ball very well, though not necessarily the 3. A very smart player; makes the right decision. He is definitely a great, great pickup for Seattle.? Gelabale?s intentions could affect what the Sonics do in the days leading up to the trade deadline if they know they are going to have another guard next season. Sonics general manager Rick Sund, at the NBA All-Star Game, said it is very unlikely anything will happen until after he gets back to Seattle because most general managers have dispersed after attending league meetings Friday. Sund said activity will begin again in earnest Monday after the All-Star Game festivities are over. He continues to seek a backup point guard by offering Reggie Evans and/or Ronald Murray, contacting Orlando about one of their five possibilities. However, it appears the only one the Magic wants to part with is Steve Francis, and the Sonics are not going to trade for him. Sonics CEO Wally Walker recently went to see Gelabale play in Europe, and while he did not play well in the particular game that Walker witnessed, he has been having a good season. ?You guys are going to find everything wrong with him, he is too skinny, he is too this, he is too that,? said Turiaf, who grew up in France. ?But when you see him play, he will quiet everybody because he is pretty good.?</div> Source
Yeah, I read this yesterday. I'm looking forward to seeing Gelebale play. Does anyone else remember at the NBA Draft when the Sonics took him in the second round, and his hair was too long and too tall for his hat to fit? He just placed it gracefully atop his 'do and walked on to shake Stern's hand. Funny stuff...
I was wondering how Gelabale was doing, in light of the fact that his countrymen are doing quite well here in the States: Parker, Diaw, Petro and Pietrus. I thought I read Gelabale played better than Diaw on the National team? Anyway, we could definitely use someone with some basketball smarts on this team, even better that he has some skill and athletecism.
The only thing I'm worried about is that he's going to be the same type of player as Damien. Specifically, playing only shooting guard or small forward.
I think he'll be able to help us. If not, he can always jump up and down like Turiaf on the bench cheering his team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Roland Hood:</div><div class="quote_post">I was wondering how Gelabale was doing, in light of the fact that his countrymen are doing quite well here in the States: Parker, Diaw, Petro and Pietrus. I thought I read Gelabale played better than Diaw on the National team? Anyway, we could definitely use someone with some basketball smarts on this team, even better that he has some skill and athletecism.</div> He didn't do better, IMO, but he was very solid. He's a good jumper but he's on and off with his jump shot. If he comes to the NBA and hits his shot consistently he will be the top role player for the Sonics.
He started the season very well with Real Madrid (I haven't followed it since his first 6-7 games) and was drawing rave reviews with an improved jumper to add to his trademark hustle and hops. The guy still has one of the best straight verticals I've seen, and reminds me a bid of Dez in the way he crashes the offensive boards, plays percentage D and puts on a bit of a high-flying act. We'll see him in the dunk comp next year too.
