Full Article <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Once Andres Nocioni flew home to Argentina and traveled to the national team's pre-Olympic training camp, he told reporters he plans to play for the Bulls next season.Once Andres Nocioni flew home to Argentina and traveled to the national team's pre-Olympic training camp, he told reporters he plans to play for the Bulls next season. Nocioni, a 6-foot-7 forward, spent nearly three days in Chicago. He arrived Tuesday, shot some baskets with coach Scott Skiles, toured the city Wednesday, then caught a flight back to South America early Thursday night. He did not sign a contract or speak to reporters during the trip. "Everything is in order to assure that next season I will play for the Chicago Bulls," Nocioni told the Clarin newspaper in Argentina. "I appreciate the kindness that Chicago gave me during my stay. We were very comfortable. </div> Looks like the Bulls finally landed someone via free agency. The offer is said to be worth $10 mil over the next 3 years. The only holdout on him signing with Chicago is that his current team in Spain wants his $3.6 mil contract buyout paid in full. I currently, don't know much about him, if anything actually, but, from what I've heard, he's supposed to be very good, hopefully that's true, cause any good player is always nice to have around. A link to his profile on NBAdraft.net is below also for your viewing pleasures.. Profile
ESPN Insider recently ranked him the #6 best Free Agent available right under Darius Miles and right ahead the likes of Divac, Hassell, Malone, Peterson, Clark, Stevenson, Barry, Kukoc, Fizer, Mihm, etc. He was also the #1 International Free Agent on their list. He reminded me a lot of Vince Carter the last time I saw him play. This is a big steal. He's not one of those projects who were only getting 2 ppg and 2 rpg in international play. He lit up Benetton (featuring pro prospects Uros Slokar and Andrea Bargnani) earlier this year for 36 points and 15 rebounds. Here is what Insider had to say about him - <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">6. Andres Nocioni, G/F, Tau Ceramica The skinny: Nocioni, a native of Argentina, is widely considered the best player not currently in the NBA. The 25-year-old, 6-foot-6 swingman is a strong, athletic and aggressive player who has shined on the Argentine national team and in Europe. He's averaging 13.7 ppg and 5.7 rpg in 25 minutes per game for Tau. Nocioni is a solid perimeter shooter with NBA 3-point range, but he shines posting guys up and playing the mid-range game. Teams have wanted him for some time, but a big buyout with Tau has prohibited him from making the leap. The Bulls brought him in Tuesday and were close to finishing a deal that would pay him roughly $10 million over three years. However, nothing can become official until Nocioni works out his buyout with Tau (it's reportedly a whopping $3 million).</div>
Guy sounds extremely good from that. His profile says he has Carter-esque explosiveness, so that's likely to be a plus. Also, at $10 mil over 3 years, if he's as good as he's supposed to be, that's a hell of a steal. He could likely start at shooting guard or small forward, depending on what happens with Jamal and what they want to do with Gordon and Deng. So, it's very likely he could come straight out of the gates and make an immediate impact for the Bulls.
I've read things about him before, and frankly, I'm excited! I would be less dissapointed if Jamal left upon acquiring Nocioni. It'll also allow Deng to be able come off the bench,rather than starting at this age. If we get him, I think he can make a big impact. I really hope its true that we're getting him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ObieCent:</div><div class="quote_post">I've read things about him before, and frankly, I'm excited! I would be less dissapointed if Jamal left upon acquiring Nocioni. It'll also allow Deng to be able come off the bench,rather than starting at this age. If we get him, I think he can make a big impact. I really hope its true that we're getting him.</div> Yea, this will definitely take the sting away if we lose Jamal and it will take away a lot of pressure from one of the rooks, either Gordon or Deng. They won't have to produce as much and won't have as much pressure on them. That's always a good thing cause you don't need to put a lot of pressure on a rookie and put him in a position to have to produce. Typically, you want to give rooks time to develop in their first year, and if they get Nocioni, it will definitely help do that.
Will Andres Nocioni be considered a rookie? If he's considered a rookie and gets the starting job, then I'd consider him an early Rookie of the Year candidate. It would be kind of like Gordan Giricek's rookie year. From what I've seen in the World Championships, I think that Nocioni is a bit more talented than Giricek, but they are similar in that they both entered the NBA as rookies after being professional players for many years. He and Nick Collison should shock a hell of a lot of people. I can't wait to see him face the USA in the Olympics this summer.
I would think that Nocioni should be considered a rookie. He may have professional experience, but all of that's across seas. And, if I'm correct, Manu Ginobli had experience overseas and came to the NBA and got like, 3rd or 4th for ROY. So, I believe that you are considered a rookie until after your first season in the NBA, even if you played for a few years professionally acroos seas.
ANDRES NOCIONI Height: 199cm / 6'7'' 103kg / 228lbs Position: Forward Born: 1979 Nationality: ITA-ARG Current Team: Tau Ceramica Last season stats: Euroleague: 16games: 13.7ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.5apg Spanish ACB: 29games: 16.0ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.7apg ANy news what happend with him ?? is he goin to sign or not ?
i saw play nocioni because i live in chile a country who is neigbhor with argentina he come to play to my city he is really good and i saw he a lot of times in tv i think his game is something like Antawn Jamison a good scorer very explosive and with a very good body and a very good vertical i think he can be a starter in chitown
I dont think Chicago is in need of a player that has a dunkers mentality if there is one.. I dont mind a guy that can finish good on the fast break but try to dunk the ball every time.. NO.
I don't believe that Nocioni will be a "dunker". Just because he has the ability to get out in the open court and finish, doesn't mean he's going to have a "dunkers" mentality. From what I hear, he is a very good shooter and defender. I think he will be a very good NBA player, assuming the Bulls do get him. But, to say he has a "dunkers" mentality without even seeing him play isn't really right. Just cause he can dunk, means nothing. Kobe can dunk, is he a "dunker"? No. So, that's a bad assumption that you make. If he can finish, it's a plus, but, I don't believe he's soley a dunker.
Well, if he's as good as your saying I dont mind having him on my team.. I just hope he can play defense and is a positive influence on younger guys like Duhon, Deng and Gordon.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"While the Crawford situation seems to be on hold, Bulls operations chief John Paxson had some good news to report Monday about his negotiations for 6-7 Argentine forward Andres Nocioni. "A deal with Nocioni is imminent,'' Paxson said. "We should have a contract done in the next couple of days. But he still won't be able to join us until after the Olympics because he will be playing on Argentina's national team.'' Paxson declined to give financial details, but a league source reported earlier that Nocioni will sign a three-year, $11.5 million contract, helping to provide him with the $3 million he needs to buy out his contract with Spain's Tau Ceramica"</div> taken from realgm.com Seems that finaly we'r gettin him !
I could've sworn I heard from somewhere that he ahs already agreed to sign a contract once he gets this buyout clause of his back.
