Koponen Signs in Italy

by Dave on Aug 21, 2008 11:02 AM PDT Comment 39 comments

From the Finnish News Agency, translated:

Petteri Koponen has signed a four-year-contract with an Italian top league (Serie A) team, Virtus Bologna. This means that Koponen will not play in the NBA next season.
"This is a dream come true for me. I have signed a four year deal with Virtus Bologna, which includes a pretty good buy-out to NBA, that we were able to negogiate. Salary is as good as it would've been in the NBA", Koponen said.

After the two last seasons Koponen has been showing his skills with Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Summer League. However, the team has so many guards that he wasn't able to get a roster spot.

"Along with all the contract offers from Europe, many NBA teams were also interested, but Portland didn't want to let me go. The good part is that Portland still believes in me and that we can again meet in the future. In a way, it's bad that I couldn't have a bigger influence on these things. It's all business", Koponen said.

Philadelphia drafted Koponen as the 30th pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA draft, but Portland Trail Blazers acquired the rights for the player. 76ers

"Portland GM Kevin Pritchard saw moving to Europe as a better option than getting little playing time in the NBA and also playing perhaps in the D-league. On the other hand, my agent told me that more than ten NBA teams would've signed me, if I would've been able to leave", Koponen said.

In Bologna, Koponen will fight for playing time with Earl Boykins, who is an former NBA player. Boykins is only 5"5, so he's totally different type of player than Koponen, who is 6"5.
"The acquisition of Boykins tells a whole lot about how high the goals for the team are", Koponen said.

Bologna will try to win the Serie A championship the upcoming season, and they'll also participate in the FIBA Eurocup, which is the third most highly ranked international league in Europe after Euroleague and ULEB Eurocup.

Bologna has won the Italian championship three times, the last one in 2001, when the team also won the Euroleague and the Italian cup.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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Italia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peteri, of all places to go besides the Blazers, Italy is not bad! Im soo happy for you.

Sophia

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by BlazerFan1 on Aug 21, 2008 11:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Cool

best of luck Petteri! It seems like he has some vested interest in the Blazers, like he wants to be a part of this organization. I mean, it seems he turned down interest from other NBA teams.

"Jerryd is straight ahead at you. Rudy dips around. Jerryd is a rock. Rudy is the wind. Jerryd loves the ball in his hands. Rudy moves without it. Jerryd defends by getting up in your grill. Rudy plays the spaces in between. Jerryd has focused vision. Rudy sees all around him. Jerryd likes to score off of the dribble. Rudy can catch and shoot. Jerryd is aggressive. Rudy is sneaky. Jerryd will hit you hard. Rudy will annoy you until you hit him." -Dave

by joelor on Aug 21, 2008 11:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

not really

Portland owns his rights, so he couldn’t turn down other NBA teams. He has no ability to sign with them. Reading between the lines, it sounds as though maybe some of those teams inquired about acquiring his rights from us, but KP turned them down.

Rule #1 of nitpicking is to get it right.

by douglast on Aug 21, 2008 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How many times is

Earl Boykins going to drive right through PetKo’s legs in practice. Hilarity will ensue

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

by jonestr on Aug 21, 2008 11:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Good to hear

Hope to see him in 4 years!

The street lights is on.

by Magnum on Aug 21, 2008 11:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Good luck Pet!

Hope to see you at Gonzaga schooling the Zags again next summer!

The inbound to McGinnis, drives, stops, pumps, shoots, short, no good...AND THE GAME IS OVER! ~ Bill Schonely

by SandbergOnSports on Aug 21, 2008 11:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So...did they

have a face-to-face like KP said? Just curious.

And so that’s where Boykins is. I don’t know why he never got signed by an NBA team. He was always a decent scorer off the bench. If Buggsy could make it, why couldn’t he?

by grimc on Aug 21, 2008 11:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Probably not

He said to the Columbian that he wanted to talk with Nate after he returns from the Olympics face to face to decide about PetKo. I’m not surprised at all that the solution was to station Petteri back in Europe for a few years and try to find a good team that allows for a fair buyout. Just the timing is a little bit odd.

Odenied: Asked whether he noticed Oden favoring his right knee, Frye dismissed it entirely. "He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors."

by Norsktroll on Aug 21, 2008 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and Petteri is in Europe anyway

Finland is preparing for the EuroBasket qualifying round that begins this weekend. They looked pretty good in friendly matches, beating France and Latvia.

Odenied: Asked whether he noticed Oden favoring his right knee, Frye dismissed it entirely. "He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors."

by Norsktroll on Aug 21, 2008 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've always like Boykins...

… but I understand he has a reputation for a shoot first PG.

I’d say he has “made it” in the NBA, as he has several years in the league now. My guess is the reason he’s in Europe now is the money (and PT) is better than what he can get here. I doubt anyone is interested in offering more than the veterans minimum, which, to be honest, is about what he would be worth to most teams.

"Don't draw fire; it irritates the people around you." - Your Buddies

by timg56 on Aug 21, 2008 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope he plays alongside The Petter.

Petter at the Point, Boykins at shooting guard (which is what he really is).

And they’d switch on defense.

=(_8c(|)

by QualityPie on Aug 21, 2008 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Makes sense.

Actually, the only reason I’m a little more than mildly curious is because I made the mistake of drafting him in a fantasy league the season he completely disappeared from NBA rosters; and I drafted him only because of his reputation as a shoot-firster…

by grimc on Aug 21, 2008 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Boykins

Is a gunner like others have said, and most teams (no teams?) want a 5 foot gunner. Muggsy Bogues made it for so long because he was a pure PG who was very careful with the ball, usually leading the league in A/TO.

Boykins is also supposed to have a bad attitude and thinks he is a better/more important player than he is.

He’s definitely getting more money than he woulda’ ever got here in the NBA, so good for him. I am happy he found a place to make some scratch.

Remember that game Darius Miles got his career high (47 points maybe?) against Denver, in Denver? I remember Miles was going up for an alley oop (he already had one or two before) and Boykins intentionally went under him while Darius was in the air and tried to injure Miles. After that I disliked Boykins. That was a chump move and could really hurt a guy who got up very high.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Aug 21, 2008 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

An Earl Boykins sighting!!

Didn’t know he was playing anywhere these days.

Good situation for Petko and the Blazers. Glad to hear this.

“The acquisition of Boykins tells a whole lot about how high the goals for the team are”, Koponen said.

“And how low the shower heads are,” he (shoulda) added.

by lukeyhere on Aug 21, 2008 11:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That sounds a lot like Agent-speak

“oh TONS of team are interested in my client!” probably not the whole truth

Woof

by Charles Barkley McLovin on Aug 21, 2008 11:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Mhm, if Toronto goes with Ukic (Croatia) and Phoenix with Dragic (Slovenia) hoping those will cure their backup PG woes

There could have been a market for Koponen, who in time should be much better than both of those guys.

Odenied: Asked whether he noticed Oden favoring his right knee, Frye dismissed it entirely. "He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors."

by Norsktroll on Aug 21, 2008 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Beno Udrih no doubt has started teams looking

for the next Beno Udrih.

by grimc on Aug 21, 2008 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It looks like Pete will be playing against fromer Blazer Qyntel Woods

Center Earl Barron has become the latest in the long line of NBA players to jump ship to Europe for more money, signing a contract with Italian team Fortitudo Bologna, according to the Lega Serie A website.

Barron will be joined by former NBA player Qyntel Woods, who also made the jump to Fortitudo Bologna

link

Woof

by Charles Barkley McLovin on Aug 21, 2008 11:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Phew, good they aren't on the same team. He could have spoiled our little Fin

Earl Boykins is a positive influence. If anybody can teach PetKo how to get his shot up in the NBA without getting blocked, this little guy can. Also he is lightning quick, so he is a good scrimmage partner in training.

Odenied: Asked whether he noticed Oden favoring his right knee, Frye dismissed it entirely. "He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors."

by Norsktroll on Aug 21, 2008 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Boykins is a crafty guy and will make the Finn a better player.I think this is best for all concerned

by southern oregon on Aug 21, 2008 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I shudder at the name of QW.

Me no like mean man with bad doggies

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Aug 21, 2008 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting stuff

If he negotiated a good buyout, that’s great. That means he may be there for four years, or 2 or 3. If he’s coming, he’ll want to come sooner rather than later, so he can get his rookie contract over with and make some real money.

I don’t much doubt there were other NBA teams that would have signed him if they could. He’s a very good prospect.

What we really need, now, is an Italian-speaking Blazer fan in Italy to keep us up to date with how he’s doing over there.

Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo

by jscot on Aug 21, 2008 12:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Sucks for amlmart1.....he is going to have to move to Italy

BEdgers

by Sabonis4Ever on Aug 21, 2008 12:16 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Good for Petteri

Glad to see he worked out an affordable buyout. Thats really important.

"Why would we lie to ourselves dude?"
"Be excellent to each other."
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by GreatOden'sRaven on Aug 21, 2008 12:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Petteri's former club reports that the buyouts are possible after each season

And doing a little research, I just saw that Virtus Bologna is the former club of e.g. Marko Jaric and Manu Ginobili. Nice.

Currently (respectively last season before the acquisition of Boykins) their starting point guard is Will Conroy, who had a very brief NBA career with the Clippers before being waived and going overseas.

Odenied: Asked whether he noticed Oden favoring his right knee, Frye dismissed it entirely. "He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors."

by Norsktroll on Aug 21, 2008 12:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

sounds good

I’m glad he’ll be playing in one the top leagues. He’s certainly got some talent, but he needs this experience badly.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Aug 21, 2008 1:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, good for him.

At least he’ll be able to show his true colors there and if all goes well, come to the NBA in a little while.

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Aug 21, 2008 1:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Dream come true...

yeah right. Hopefully he can make it to the US with the big boys and prove he has the talent to stay here.

If you're paddling upstream in a canoe and a wheel falls off, how many pancakes fit in a doghouse? None! Ice cream has no bones!

by Arby on Aug 21, 2008 2:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I lived in Italy for three years, seven months and four days

I’m sure that statement alone will allow some BEdgers to surmise what my occupation was at the time.

I didn’t get to see tons of hoop action, though Italy seems to be a rising #2 to Spain in European ball. I think Petteri will do very well in b-ball, and in addition, the girls up North are much more “friendly” than the girls in the South are…

I’m disappointed he didn’t stick this year but I’m very excited to see him the Black and Red sometime in the next few years. Go Petteri!

by BlazerD on Aug 21, 2008 3:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Now who wants to make a fanpost about our 15th roster spot ;-)

Left open for trade purposes, Hill, Jackson, a dark horse player…

Odenied: Asked whether he noticed Oden favoring his right knee, Frye dismissed it entirely. "He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors."

by Norsktroll on Aug 21, 2008 3:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think it's a dark horse

remember we got Ime as a walk-on. I wouldn’t be surprised if we go into the season with that spot open to fill in case of an injury or need for a specific type. That’s OK with me, I don’t need that spot to be filled right now (as long as PK can’t have it.) Guess that means Sergio is staying.

"It’s Dave’s house and we’ve been invited over to play. We play by the house rules or get sent home. Period." - me, 08/16

by jorga on Aug 21, 2008 6:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs