Sorry on the mispelling of his name. I don't see how or why Fran would lock himself into a 6 year deal when he has a chance to play in the NBA. He put his name in the draft for a reason, so why end your NBA dream before you even got it started. I can understand him staying overseas for a season, or two at the very most, but 6 years is ridiculous. Could he possibly be trying to force a trade? I don't remember reading anything prior to the draft about Fran wanting to play on any specific team(s), and Orlando is a great situation for him to be in. He won't have any pressure because Dwight Howard, Grant Hill, and Steve Francis draw the defenses attention. He also wouldn't have much competition in the frontline after this year. Both Cato & Battie are free agents, and likely won't be back. There has to be more to this story.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GatorsowntheSEC:</div><div class="quote_post">Interesting. I seriously doubt that Fran will sign a 6 year deal and ruin his chance to live his dream and play in the NBA(I think it's his dream, which is why he declared for the draft). </div> Don't forget the report I posted was from January and there has been some talk about how his agent might have brought this up again to increase his value for whatever reason. Anyway, I'm hearing more and more reports that it's true: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Spanish forward Fran Vazquez told Unicaja yesterday that he will remain another year in Europe." Sur "Fran Vazquez wants to play for Real Madrid." As "Why did you take the decision to say no to the NBA? Fran Vazquez: It was a tough decision, the toughest in my life. I said no because I feared I would not adjust well." Sur "Fran Vazquez: I truly didn't see myself ready to play there." Sur</div> Source I don't know what to think about it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Orlando Magic are disputing a report on a Spanish-language publication/Web site that first-round draft pick Fran Vazquez may play for Real Madrid in his native Spain instead of coming to the NBA this season. The report was published on AS.com, but it did not attribute the source, saying only that he could sign a two-year deal with Real Madrid. "We fully expect him to be in our training camp this fall," said Scott Herring, Magic director of basketball administration. "We've been in contact with his agent almost daily, and we've heard nothing that would lead us in that direction. That would be 180 degrees different from what we've been hearing." Vazquez has a buyout clause costing almost $1 million in the contract with his current Spanish team. The Magic said they are waiting only for the new collective bargaining agreement to be finalized next week -- which will specify how much they can pay toward the buyout -- before signing him. Vazquez, a 6-foot-10 power forward, was the 11th pick in the 2005 draft last month. At age 22, he was expected to be one of the more ready-to-play draft picks. His United States-based agent did not immediately return a phone message to comment.</div> Magic Deny Report on Vazquez's Status
shapecity, this is kind of not up-to-date and was released before the interviews and other reports I quoted above, besides I already posted it on the first page. You really think that management knows more than Fran himself when he said in an interview: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It was a tough decision, the toughest in my life. I said no because I feared I would not adjust well</div> for source see my post above...
That story was published today in <u>response</u> to the reports you posted. How is that not more current? Also most of those links no longer work, so something is not accurate. One story claims he will return for only 1 year, another says 2 years, and Real Madrid apparently want him for 6 years. The site also did not site any sources, so it's hard to sort out the real truth to Fran's intentions for this upcoming season. Here is how I see it playing out. Real Madrid won't buy him out unless he commits to a long term deal. Fran will not commit to a long term deal, so he will report to training camp and be on the Magic next year.
shapecity, sorry to disappoint you but this was published in response to another report from as.com where no source was mentioned. The report from as.com above is from the 28 July just as the orlando sentinel report but when I first read this report on Orlando Sentinel it was just 9.30am over here in Europe both reports (Sur and As.com) are dated from the 28 July as well, so they couldn't mean this report then. Besides, the orlando sentinel report doesn't mention the interview with Fran mentioned on Sur where he confirms that he declined the NBA contract from Orlando. Do you honestly think that either he was lying in his interview or Sur makes this all up? Sorry if anything is wrong with those reports from hoopshype or their short translation of the Spanish reports but my Spanish isn't as good as my English...
Sorry for double posting but it is now official: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> The Orlando Magic were stunned today to hear the decision by first round draft pick Fran Vazquez that he will play this season in Europe instead of coming to the NBA. So was his agent. Vazquez, a 6-10 power forward from Spain, was expected to play a significant role as a rookie this season, yet he suddenly decided he wasn't ready for the rigors of the NBA. "I've said `no,' because I was afraid to adapt to the American way of life, and of not giving the level they have asked,'' Vazquez told the Spanish newspaper Malaga hoy today. "I'm not a coward, but I prefer to stay in Spain, progress, and who knows? Maybe jump to the NBA in a few years.'' The Magic made Vazquez, 22, the No. 11 pick in the NBA Draft in June, believing his skill level was far superior to other more well-known college players like Sean May, Danny Granger and Antoine Wright, all taken behind him. "Yes, we're a little surprised,'' said Dave Twardzik, Magic co-general manager who had seen Vazquez play six different times in Europe. "The message we've been getting all along -- before the draft, after the draft -- was that he was excited about playing here. He said it was his dream to play in the NBA. I don't know (what changed his mind).''</div> Orlando Sentinel: Vazquez won't play for Magic this season
Does it mention how long he would stay in Spain for? He says a maybe, 'a few years', that sounds like at least two or three. If it's for just a year no big deal, but Fran Vazquez should have let the team and his agent know before he decided to speak to the media about it. Or better yet just pull out of the draft like a lot of other International players did.
No, he didn't mention how long he thinks he needs but it sounds like he's completely unsure if he ever will: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"I'm not a coward, but I prefer to stay in Spain, progress, and who knows? Maybe jump to the NBA in a few years.''</div> I think he couldn't pull out of the draft because of his age (22) he was automatically listed in the draft just like when you finished your senior year at college, you can't pull out of the draft then. He mentions the American way of life as one reason, I just thinks the NBA daily life and all that might have pulled him off it, 82 games a season and lots of travelling, that's not how it is over here. Maybe it would be better if we had already a Spaniard on the team.
Man this sucks. Hopefully he can develop in Spain, get better, and then join Dwight and Jameer when they are in their primes and we have three great players. Then they all live happily ever after. The End.
So our big spanish goon isnt going to play for us. That's great, so basically we have the same team plus Diener and Dooling, two more guards. Cato can still play, but he's injured and we could've improved a lot more. Not to stay on the sour subject, but really; Green, Granger, McCants, May?!?! Im already depressed, I really hope we can still make the playoffs.
I've lost respect for the guy, he's an ass clearly, we'll get by though, but i wish we could just hire dirk to go back to europe and break his thumbs, i think marc cuban would let us, it's be good publicity
Chalk another draft day blunder for the magic. I knew from the moment we got him it was a bad pick and this only makes it worse. He is sorry to the magic. How can you tell this organization that you will play here and then after the draft just bail on us. He isnt an NBA player. He dreamed of playing here, bullsh*t. You know how many players never get the chance to play in the NBA. This guy has it and thats with a guaranted contract. What a waste of a pick. We could have made ourselves better with granger or wright and know we lose a piece we could have used. I lost all respect for him. You dont to this in the NBA, its fine if u wanna pull this crap in ur euro league, but stay out of the draft if u dont want to play here.
Don't make it sound like the NBA would be the best thing in the world (and I don't mean in terms of best basketball league). He is human and as human he has the right to decide what he thinks is best for him. He also said he never said to management that he is definitely sure about that he wants to come and play in the NBA. And smokrockz, he couldn't stay out of the draft, he was automatically listed because of his age, read my post above for more info. Edit: I've been reading about this now quite a lot and I'm hearing that nobody of the Magic organization talked with him before the draft, that he didn't work out for us and he and his agent were very surprised when Orlando drafted him. Twardzik saw him six times in Europe play, but that's it. Really, it's mainly the fault of our management and looking at the track record not only of Orlando's draft history but also at Twardzik's draft history when he was GM in Golden State, it's not really surprising.
Hes scared already to play in the NBA without even playing a game. He will always be scared if he doesnt try to atleast go to our training camp. Our trainers are pros if he didnt see a highschool player come in and dominate the best NBA players then maybe he isnt right for the NBA. I was giving this guy a chance but he might have lost my respect unless he changes his mind then lets sign some other Pf to back up Howard.
My only problem with Fran staying in Europe is that he cost a player be it college or high school from being picked in the first round or not being picked at all-thats bullshoot-if i didnt get drafted or it costs me some money by not getting picked in the first round (a la Salim Stoudemire), i would fly to Spain and kick his a-s
Interesting insight Coranor, it's not a surprise either, Twarzdik made senseless moves in Golden State, and this is just a typical debacle by him. I think the hate should be placed on him instead of Fran. I remember reading several articles and the Magic expressed interest in bringing in a wing player or drafting Sean May if he was still on the board. Then the Magic pull a shocker and go with Fran when May and the top swing players were still available. Another move they could end up regretting was trading Andrivicious away to the Cavs. Even though Fran is not going to play next year, at the moment, he will develop in Europe and he could always change his mind during the course of the year. Maybe it's better for him to be honest about his skills and not come into the NBA and embarass himself. The last thing you want is a rookie to lose confidence and never recover from it, or get frustrated by lack of playing time and then leaving, only to break out on another team. Playing Europe is better than him playing in the NBDL at this point.
Just think we could of got Granger or Simien because they are PFs, but no we got Fran and he is going to play in Spain. This sucks.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TwinTowers:</div><div class="quote_post">Just think we could of got Granger or Simien because they are PFs, but no we got Fran and he is going to play in Spain. This sucks.</div> Danny Granger is a small forward and Wayne Simien would have been way to high of a pick at #11. We would have been criticized even worse picking Simien. I heard on another forum that several Magic personnel will be flying to Spain on Monday to meet with Fran Vazquez. He hasn't signed a contract with Real Madrid so there is still a chance we can change his mind. I have been thinking and even if we can't get Fran back, I don't think this is such a bad thing after all. Let's face it, the Magic are at least a few years away from being a championship conteder so having Fran get experience in Europe may help us in a few years. Fran will most likey get more playing time on Real Madrid then he would have gotten here in Orlando. Assuming that Fran comes to play for us in a few years, this might turn out for the better. Manu Ginobili played three seasons in Europe before he came to the NBA and we all know how good he is. Things happen for a reason so maybe it will all turn out good and Fran will join the team after improving overseas.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Swish15:</div><div class="quote_post">Danny Granger is a small forward and Wayne Simien would have been way to high of a pick at #11. We would have been criticized even worse picking Simien. I heard on another forum that several Magic personnel will be flying to Spain on Monday to meet with Fran Vazquez. He hasn't signed a contract with Real Madrid so there is still a chance we can change his mind. I have been thinking and even if we can't get Fran back, I don't think this is such a bad thing after all. Let's face it, the Magic are at least a few years away from being a championship conteder so having Fran get experience in Europe may help us in a few years. Fran will most likey get more playing time on Real Madrid then he would have gotten here in Orlando. Assuming that Fran comes to play for us in a few years, this might turn out for the better. Manu Ginobili played three seasons in Europe before he came to the NBA and we all know how good he is. Things happen for a reason so maybe it will all turn out good and Fran will join the team after improving overseas.</div> The Magic situation is unique however. Unlike the Spurs who could afford to wait on Ginobli, because he was a second round pick. Fran was a lottery pick, and the main reason for lotteries is to help teams get success right away. Also the Magic need to win not necessarily a championship, but playoffs hopefully second round or they might not be the Orlando Magic much longer when Fran finally does come over they might be the Kansas City Magic or something towards that nature. The future of this franchise depends on their success in the upcoming seasons.
