"Wouldn't we all love to spend the spring in Italy. However, assistant coach Stephen Silas' trip to Treviso starting today is all business, something the Charlotte Bobcats hope pays off in both this draft and in future years. Silas will be one of a half-dozen NBA coaches instructing at a camp for young European pros. The three-day weekend event is somewhat similar to the Chicago NBA Combine, except it includes both players available in the June 23 draft and others who will be available to the NBA over the next few years. Since they are pros, rather than American college players, there are no eligibility issues to preclude their participation. "They have about six NBA coaches and European coaches, too, so we're paired up," Silas described, following a workout of possible second-round picks Tuesday at Time Warner Cable Arena. "The great thing about that camp is some guys are available in this draft and others in future drafts." "To have the opportunity to coach them, to get them over on the side and really talk to them, is invaluable. With them being all the way overseas, you don't really get the chance to get in touch with those guys, to get a feel for them and talk to them. So to coach over there is great." The Bobcats' experience with International players is limited and of mixed results. They traded for Frenchman Boris Diaw, but that came well into Diaw's NBA career. They signed Argentina's Walter Herrmann in 2006, later trading him to the Detroit Pistons. They drafted French big man Alexis Ajinca in the first round in 2008 and he proved to be a bust." Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/06/08/2359878/bobcats-hope-trip-to-europe-pays.html
