<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Sonics' second-round pick Mickael Gelabale refused to go to the NBA and extended his contract with Real Madrid through 2008.</div> HoopsHype. Well, maybe Shieky was right when he guessed we'll never see him, as my guess is a deal with a marquee club like Real Madrid would involve a very expensive buyout. Makes you wonder why guys like he and Vazquez even bother to go in the draft - I suppose just to increase their value and give them extra leverage when negotiating a deal in Europe.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">HoopsHype. Well, maybe Shieky was right when he guessed we'll never see him, as my guess is a deal with a marquee club like Real Madrid would involve a very expensive buyout. Makes you wonder why guys like he and Vazquez even bother to go in the draft - I suppose just to increase their value and give them extra leverage when negotiating a deal in Europe.</div> I don't know about your guy, but Vazquez was in the draft because of his age. Like college players after their full time at college, with his 22 years he was automatically eligable for the draft. And because of his potential to be drafted in the lottery, he was invited in the green room along with other bonuses like a new suit. Would you turn such an offer down? Of course wanted his agent to get the best deal not only for Vazquez but also for himself but other factors played an important role in his decision to stay in Europe, friends, family, different culture, and many more things. Sorry if this is off topic here, but basically just mentioning the one reason for being in the draft and not signing with his team, is a bit too onesided. Edit and @monty Yes, they have his rights, but only his NBA rights which have nothing to do with his international rights. Those rights they own only apply when he finally decides to play in the NBA. Then the Sonics is the only team which has the right to sign him to an NBA contract.
I understand they are automatically eligible at 22, just annoying that they let teams do all the necessary scouting etc and lead them to believe they are getting the rights to a player when they want to call upon them. Gelabale even went to the trouble of attending the draft, so it's a bit strange is what I mean
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">I understand they are automatically eligible at 22, just annoying that they let teams do all the necessary scouting etc and lead them to believe they are getting the rights to a player when they want to call upon them. Gelabale even went to the trouble of attending the draft, so it's a bit strange is what I mean</div> I don't understand you, it's the teams decisions and choice who they are going to scout and it's the teams response to do it those things properly. As I said, I don't know about your guy, but the Magic never talked with Vazquez personally, nor with his Spanish agent. Now, think about it, they never talked to him before pratically offering him a multimillion dollar job? Would an ordinary company do that? Would they offer a multimillion dollar job to a boy from the country they never ever spoke with? Should now every player who thinks he likely doesn't want to get drafted / play in the USA go out and tell everybody and so likely pass on either a good chance in case he changes his mind? Would you practically give up a chance for a multimillion dollar job just because you think it would be fair to a multimillion dollar business? Come on, try at least to look at those things from the players point of view and not only from your beloved Sonics. What I expect now is that NBA teams are going to scout less Europe players, which is sad but understandeable, and go back to the roots, focus again more on national players.
What's going to happen is that we are going to see more and more polished European's come over here after they have already played out there contracts--which is good b/c outside of Dirk, AK47, Peja, Gasol, and Parker not too many young European players have had an impact in this league. Guys like Ginobli and Jasiekavus were European stars before they played a game in the NBA. Most guys that are getting drafted aren't even the best players on their club team. Why would you make such an investment on a player who has to make serious adjustments to their games and lifestyles in order to flourish in the league? Europeans do not like how the NBA have treated their icons. Guys like Marko Jaric, Roko Uric, Mickael Pietrus, Antione Rigadeau, Hanno Mottola, Carlos Delfino, Mehmet Okur, Ibrahim Kutluay, etc. are all legends in their respective contries but for one reason or another they have found themselves playing in a reduced role in the league or not playing at all. Some may say that their games don't warrant them having a larger role on their teams but that is a stretch considering these same players when representing their countries have outplayed many of the Americans that are currently ahead of on their depth chart. These young European players don't view the NBA as being a league that showcases international talent. It makes sense for these players to want to stay in Europe--especially considering that they have a large role on their teams and they are making more money than they would make in the league. It's terrible for the teams that drafts these players, but good GM's have to be able to do their homework when it comes to these players. This Gelabale pick is still a good pick b/c I don't think that there is a second round player that could have broken into our rotation if all of our restricted free agents resign. We'll be able to fill out the roster with an undrafted free agent or two (O.T.?) and sit and wait for Gelabale to become a top notch European prospect--if he has that ability. We may have to dip into the bank a little bit to get him to come over--but wouldn't it be great to have the luxury of bringing over one of Europe's best players when Ray Allen's contract is up in 2010? I don't think that the Spurs regret waiting 3 years on Ginobli or waiting however long they will have to wait for Luis Scola. Patience is a virtue in this league.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Coranor:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't understand you, it's the teams decisions and choice who they are going to scout and it's the teams response to do it those things properly. As I said, I don't know about your guy, but the Magic never talked with Vazquez personally, nor with his Spanish agent. Now, think about it, they never talked to him before pratically offering him a multimillion dollar job? Would an ordinary company do that? Would they offer a multimillion dollar job to a boy from the country they never ever spoke with?</div> Well there you go, I assumed the Magic wouldn't be so naive. I apologise to Vazquez. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Should now every player who thinks he likely doesn't want to get drafted / play in the USA go out and tell everybody and so likely pass on either a good chance in case he changes his mind? Would you practically give up a chance for a multimillion dollar job just because you think it would be fair to a multimillion dollar business?</div> I have no real problem with Gelabale, I just find it strange that he would travel all the way over to the States to attend the draft, and then sign a contract overseas after he does get drafted. Not saying he's wrong, just saying it strikes me as weird. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Come on, try at least to look at those things from the players point of view and not only from your beloved Sonics.</div> I'm a Sonics fan, of course I'm going to have a biased point of view. But doesn't it seem strange that the kid seemingly wanted to play in the NBA, and has now turned around and gone down a different route?
Real Madrid has been known to pay players a pretty penny (four Ps chyea). I don't think its surprising at all... he knows he would have to stay in Europe for a year at least anyways... why not sign a big deal with a big club?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shard:</div><div class="quote_post">Real Madrid has been known to pay players a pretty penny (four Ps chyea). I don't think its surprising at all... he knows he would have to stay in Europe for a year at least anyways... why not sign a big deal with a big club?</div> No one would ever guess you were drunk when posting that, but you were.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">No one would ever guess you were drunk when posting that, but you were.</div>
Once Wilkens was signed and with the probability that Vlade will sign at least the one year tender, when was Gelabale going to play this year? In fact, would he even make the lineup if they had him in camp? If he goes to Euroupe and gets better for a year or two, he might actually make the roster in a couple of years...and Vlade may not be here by that time. 2nd rounders don't get guaranteed contracts, why take the gamble when he has money on the table? Also, if the Sonics cut him during camp, wouldn't that make him a free agent? If he doesn't come to camp and therefore sign an NBA contract...they get to hold his rights and see if he gets better overseas.
http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=1083 ^ A glowing report of his play for France so far. Also mentions get-out clauses every season in his contract fot Real.
