Experiences of Sergio and Rudy in the NBA serve as a warning example

From an interview with Spanish PG/SG Sergio Llull, drafted by the Nuggets and then traded to the Rockets for cash in 2009.

Question: The experiences of Sergio Rodriguez and Rudy (Fernandez) have made you rethink your options in the NBA?
Llull: Yes, it's true that I've taken notice of what has happened to Sergio. A lot. I know that in order to be a big player in the NBA, several things have to happen. That's why I don't want to rush going there. If I ever play in the NBA, I'll do it when I'm ready.
...
I don't want to rush going there and spending the time on the bench. I want to make a name for myself in Europe first, win titles and keep improving my game.

http://www.publico.es/deportes/299575/arrebatos/salen/corazon

The Portland Trail Blazers, reducing NBA hopes for strong foreign players league-wide ;-)
Adelman and Morey won't be amused. And if Llull takes notice, so probably do Victor Claver and other unsigned draft picks.

almost 2 years ago Norsktroll 20 comments 0 recs |

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excellent

this was all a plan in the beginning to lessen the talent of the rest of the nba

Awesomeness (ô'səm-nes)
1. n. Something that inspires awe
2. n. Nicolas Batum

by thomasikehara on Mar 5, 2010 1:25 PM PST reply actions

Problem is the teams with the best unsigned draft picks are probably the Blazers (Claver, Freeland, Koponen), Spurs (Splitter, De Colo, Javtokas, Sanikidze, …), and well probably the T-Wolves (Rubio, Pekovic). Rockets have a lot but likely no one as good as Llull. Magic might have already given up on Vazquez ever coming over.

http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/data/draft/unsigneddraftpicks.jsp

by Norsktroll on Mar 5, 2010 1:31 PM PST up reply actions

Seems like European big guys translate much better than the guards, at least so far. Wonder if this is because they pick up a bunch of skills with the more outside-oriented game (for bigs) and are then ahead of American big men, while the guards have it a bit easier in Europe because the middle is much more open. Then, when they come over here, they have a tough time finishing in packed lanes.

by atomiccafe on Mar 5, 2010 1:31 PM PST reply actions

The middle in Europe is not open at all since you can camp in the lane and in general play very physical.

by Norsktroll on Mar 5, 2010 1:33 PM PST up reply actions

Some guards have done well here

Parker
Ginobili (Yes, he’s from Argentina but played a lot in Europe)
Petrovic
Marciulionis

#52

by CatMan2 on Mar 5, 2010 3:00 PM PST up reply actions

Rudy is averaging more minutes than Jose Calderon in the first 2 seasons.

Jose Calderon also had the benefit of competing with TJ Ford and the eastern conference. He just lost his starting job to Jarrett Jack. Raul Lopez and Juan Navarro are recent flameouts. Sergio just lost the starting job to Bill Walker. Rudy is playing behind Brandon Roy.

Spanish guards aren’t exactly setting the NBA on fire.

"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith

by blzrfan on Mar 5, 2010 1:33 PM PST reply actions

Yep Yep

spot on.

I didn't mean to turn you on

by dukedee on Mar 5, 2010 7:26 PM PST up reply actions

Sound like good news to me...

as blzrfan just brought out, its not like we seen a million Spanish guards rocking it in the NBA. It less to do about what team there on than it does them not being NBA players. If Llull wants to say over seas until he’s better, I think thats a great idea.

by In Walks Rudy on Mar 5, 2010 1:37 PM PST reply actions

after rereading what I just typed, it makes almost no sense, lol

typing way to fast FTL

by In Walks Rudy on Mar 5, 2010 1:39 PM PST up reply actions

Llull and others likely have Euro agents whisperring these sorts of things in their ear daily.

Of course the agents have much to gain by the players staying in Europe… why wouldn’t they want to taint the idea a little?

An offensive rebound in paragraph form. -Mr. Golliver

by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Mar 5, 2010 1:45 PM PST reply actions

The bottom line is

they get treated like any other player. If you’re good enough you will start and play heavy minutes. Rudy is not good enough to beat out Roy, Andre or even Batum for minutes.

I understand they can make more money overseas and play more. But that doesn’t mean they should just be handed playing time without earning it.

To be big in the NBA you have to be a big time player.

by Bskey on Mar 5, 2010 2:17 PM PST reply actions 3 recs

Nic seems to be getting more and more minutes

for a Euro.

Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#10 #52 -- #5 #7 & #88 are back!

by jscot on Mar 6, 2010 4:04 AM PST up reply actions

sergio is a sub par nba player. should be a warning for other potential sub par players from over seas

[insert witty nomenclature and/or out of context quote from someone that makes more money than I]

by HallelujahHoeDown on Mar 5, 2010 2:41 PM PST reply actions

If I was a European player (any position), I'd be very hesitant to come over.

For most of them, it’s less money, more physical games, at least twice as many games, with a consequent increase in risk of injury. It’s time away from your family, your friends, your country.

The main thing the NBA has in its favor is, for now, cache as the most talented basketball league in the world. Thus, Rudy and others who are so driven can fully test their mettle.

#52

by CatMan2 on Mar 5, 2010 2:54 PM PST reply actions

Euro soft-serve

I can think of 3.5 must have euro players.

Dirk Novitzki – German; best european player ever. Period!

Arvidas Sabonis – Lithuanian; best european Center ever; Period!

Detlef Schremp – German; 2nd best European PF after DN ever in the NBA. Debate it.

Tony Parker – France; a fine PG and a big question mark. He’s the .5 guy because he’s the one European player to be the beneficiary of a bona-fide superstar. The other three received no handouts.

None of these guys come from Spain but maybe one day Pau Gasol will change the discussion. Not yet. All those Spanish softies better stay home because life in the NBA looks tougher than Survivor Island from here.

by oregonslee on Mar 5, 2010 7:50 PM PST reply actions

Pau Gasol is a stud

I’d take him over Detlef any day. And you forgot Viktor Khryapa – what gave Portland fans more joy than the 2 or 3 times a game he did something that made them stand up and shout:

Khryapa!

If you ever hear of someone punching out a girl scout and stealing her Samoas, it was me
- Mortimer

by Clevelander among roses on Mar 5, 2010 7:54 PM PST up reply actions

Oh,

And that other Gasol brother’s kicking some butt too. I don’t hear anyone calling him soft.

If you ever hear of someone punching out a girl scout and stealing her Samoas, it was me
- Mortimer

by Clevelander among roses on Mar 5, 2010 7:55 PM PST up reply actions

Pau is a STUD, for reals, and his caveman little bro is legit as well.

As much as I wish both statements were untrue, they’re cold, clammy facts.

by Marvin100 on Mar 5, 2010 9:43 PM PST up reply actions

Re: euro soft-serve

well all those “Spanish softies” combined beat the Germans(with Dirk), the Lithuanians, and France(with Parker & Batum) at the European Championships to take Gold xD
What are we suppose to say? greatest European players Dirk, parker… they can’t even lead their NT team to the championships?

just saying…. playing in the right team, with the right coach, with the right team-mates, in the right system they feel most comfortable in, It’s like finding the missing piece to a puzzle, which can shape up their NBA career in a positive way.
But ofcourse there’s some that don’t fit in right, Guards are the most vournable

by anen87 on Mar 5, 2010 11:01 PM PST up reply actions

Yea… if you’re not good enough to play in the NBA, you WON’T. I read this guy saying that and it shows that he is not ready to play in the NBA. It’s good for him that he figured it out before trekking stateside.

Bring the bling to Rip City, Natch'

Trade John Canzano!

by richardb on Mar 6, 2010 8:14 PM PST reply actions