Why don't we surprise everyone by signing this talented Euro?

If he can play for cheap, I'm for it. We don't need another SF or SG but like I said, chaep labor is always good. I see two things though:

1) What are his flaws? The overview didn't mention any.

2) If he is so good, why hasn't anyone picked him up yet?

 

re: Andrés Nocioni

Not sure many know any thing about him. Need to see game tape at least. Rox management will scout him and others.

I've never heard of the guy myself....but wouldn't it be funny if he turns out to be a good one; I wonder if anyone will remember that you posted this thread.



Watch him be the next "Jefferson."

 

...................................... jk

 

I saw him mentioned on the ESPN free agent list and they actually mentioned the Rockets among about five or six teams that were interested.

 

LOL

 

I remember hearing that several NBA GMs had a vague interest in signing him about two years ago, but nothing ever ended up happening. That kinda tells me that this guy is no one's savior. I'll pass.

 

Well if you had room on the roster for only one Euro project, who would you choose?

Andrés Nocioni or Boki?

Boki is still my great white hope.

 

I say we get both of them and let them duke it out for playing time during practice, deathmatch style.

 

"...And, most importantly, he is becoming a threat from outside. He improved his shooting technique a lot...He is not a pure shooter like Stojakovic but if he continues to improve he can be a legitimate NBA player."


A European player whose biggest weakness is shooting?

We need him like an Aerobed needs a hole.

 

Legendary dunk on Garnett as a 17 year old???

What the hell are they scouting? When this Euro was 17, the year would be 1996. When the hell would he have ever played against Garnett in 1996? If the site meant a monster dunk when he was 21 during the 2000 Olympics, then it might have happen.

 

Someone needs to push Nachbar around on the court. He plays better angry. Just like in the Italian league! Heh!

<- Happy-go-unlucky Boki (plays bad)
<- Angry-go-lucky Nachbar (plays good) ---> Where's Karl Malone?

 

Yeah, it strange. Seems like we have a few Euros in the NBA that can play both O and D like Gasol, Kirilenko, Nesterovic and Ginobli. And others like Dirk, Turkoglu, Okur and Parker who play decent offense, but weak defense.

Not sure about Darko Milicic. He seems as lost as Kwame Brown was. Considering his draft position.

 

I've seen this guy b4 somewhere. R u sure he isn't a draftee of some team?

 

"...15. Andres Nocioni, G/F, Tau Ceramica
The skinny: Nocioni, a native of Argentina, is widely considered the best NBA player not currently in the NBA. The 25-year-old, 6-foot-6 swingman is a strong, athletic, aggressive player who has shined on the Argentine national team and in Europe. He's averaging 13.7 ppg and 5.7 rpg in 25 minutes per game for Tau. Nocioni is a solid perimeter shooter with NBA 3-point range, but he shines posting guys up and playing the mid-range game. Teams have wanted him for some time, but a big buyout with Tau has prohibited him from making the leap. To get him this year, a team will have to give up a large chunk of its mid-level exception. He's worth it. Look for the Sixers, Spurs, Nuggets, Rockets, Celtics and Magic to show the most interest. "

Big names going quickly


By Chad Ford
ESPN Insider


Updated July 9, 2004

Cap space. It's priceless.

Just ask the numerous agents and players who have been raking in the cash so far this summer. After two years of relative fiscal restraint in free agency, it seems GMs have been given blank checks by their owners this summer.

What's the theme this summer? GMs gone wild.

2004 Signees
Player/Team Contract


Steve Nash/Suns 6 years, $66 mil
Marquis Daniels/Mavs 6 years, $38 mil
Marcus Camby/Nuggets 6 years, $60 mil
Mehmet Okur/Jazz 6 years, $50 mil
Adonal Foyle/Warriors 5 years, $42 mil
Rafer Alston/Raptors 5 years, $29 mil
Gordan Giricek/Jazz 4 years, $16 mil
Mark Blount/Celtics 6 years, $41 mil
Hedo Turkoglu/Magic 6 years, $39 mil
Carlos Boozer/Jazz 6 years, $68 mil
Emanuel Ginobili/Spurs 6 years, $52 mil
Brian Skinner/Sixers 5 years, $25 mil
Quentin Richardson/Suns 6 years, $48 mil
Carlos Arroyo/Jazz 4 years, $16 mil

Almost every deal that's been signed this summer has been jaw dropping. $42 million for Adonal Foyle? $68 million for Carlos Boozer, a second-round pick two years ago? $25 million for Brian Skinner? Brian who? Exactly.

Several teams, like the Suns, Jazz and Warriors, have now spent most of their space. A few others, like the Hawks and the Bobcats, still haven't landed a player. The Nuggets, who sported the second-most cap room of anyone this summer, are still looking at $16 million in cap. The Clippers have lots of space two, but are holding out for Kobe Bryant. The Spurs just spent a big chunk of theirs to re-sign Manu Ginobili, though they still have enough left to land a nice role player.

The Pistons, in an effort to keep Rasheed Wallace from the Knicks, also will have to fork over the dough. The Clippers, if they don't land Kobe Bryant, likely will use a large chunk to re-sign Quentin Richardson.

The best players left on the market are obviously Kobe Bryant and Kenyon Martin. Bryant is expected to decide this week between the Lakers, Clippers and Nuggets. Martin received a max offer sheet from the Hawks and may also get an offer from the Nuggets.

2004 Remaining Cap Space
Team Proj. Cap Space
Hawks $19.8 million
Bobcats $17.3 million
Nuggets $16 million
Clippers $14.9 million
Spurs $8 million
Pistons $8 million

Other players like Erick Dampier, Stromile Swift and Jamal Crawford can be had for the right price. But are any of these guys worth breaking the bank over?

Teams began wooing free agents on July 1st. Free agents cannot be signed until July 14, and a team will have 15 days to match an offer sheet to one of its restricted free agents.

Top 15 free agents

(R) = Restricted free agent

1. Kobe Bryant, G, Lakers
The skinny: Bryant has told several teams that he plans to make up his mind as soon as this weekend. The Lakers are still considered the heavy favorites to land Bryant. The Clippers are still believed to be running a close second. While the Nuggets fit the criteria that Kobe is looking for, a young, talented team with a great front office, Bryant's legal problems in Colorado and the smaller market for the team are working against the Nuggets right now. Put the chances that Kobe re-ups with the Lakers this summer at about 75 percent, especially now that the Lakers have turned up the burner on the Shaq trade talk.

2. Kenyon Martin, F, Nets (R)

Kenyon Martin
Martin

The skinny: ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported Thursday night that Atlanta had made Kenyon Martin a max, six-year offer to join the Hawks. However, Martin has not told the Hawks whether he'll sign the offer sheet. They could extend a max offer to Martin, hope he chooses them, and then hope that the Nets don't match it. However, by doing so, they take themselves out of the Kobe Bryant race.

3. Rasheed Wallace, F, Pistons
The skinny: After the Pistons won the NBA title, everyone just assumed Wallace would re-up there. The Pistons can offer him more money than anyone else, and he seems like a perfect fit in Detroit. However, he has taken the stance that the money doesn't matter and wants to find a place where his family is most comfortable. The Pistons are still the heavy favorites to re-sign him. Joe Dumars is expected to offer Wallace his contract this weekend. Look for it to come in at the five-year, $50-55 million range.

4. Steve Nash, G, Mavs

Steve Nash
Nash

The skinny: It's been considered a forgone conclusion for months that Nash would return to Big D, but everyone got a major wake-up call when Nash and the Suns agreed to a five-year, $65 million deal. The size of the deal stunned owner Mark Cuban, who declined to match it. That means Nash, on July 14th (when players can officially sign) will likely end his career in Phoenix.

5. Mehmet Okur, C, Pistons (R)
The skinny: Okur agreed to a six-year, $50 million offer sheet with the Jazz on Monday evening. It's very unlikely that the Pistons will match. The Pistons are focused on re-signing Rasheed Wallace and would have to renounce him to get enough cash to match the Jazz's offer.

6. Erick Dampier, C, Warriors

Erick Dampier
Dampier

The skinny: Dampier had a career season and decided to opt out of his contract, foregoing a starting salary of $8.1 million next season. Can he recoup that on the open market? Maybe. Several teams with cap room are in desperate need of a big man and may be willing to offer Dampier big bucks, despite a pretty spotty history of injuries and malaise. More likely, Dampier will recoup the cash in the long term. The Lakers are interested if they lose Shaq. The Grizzlies, Heat, Mavs, Wizards and Pacers are interested, as well, if they don't land Shaq. All five teams can offer a six-year deal at the mid-level that, in total, would exceed what Dampier gave up by opting out. Or, they could work out a sign-and-trade with the Warriors that would earn Dampier even more cash.

7. Emanuel Ginobili, G, Spurs (R)
The skinny: Ginobili reached a verbal agreement with the Spurs on Thursday night. His contract will be for six years at between $50-55 million, according to sources.

8. Carlos Boozer, F, Cavs (R)
The skinny: Boozer shocked just about everyone on Thursday, agreeing to a six-year, $68 million deal with the Utah Jazz. The Cavs only have his early Bird Rights, meaning that they won't be able to match his contract unless they clear an additional $8 million in cap room. That's very unlikely.

9. Stromile Swift, PF, Grizzlies (R)

Stromile Swift
Swift

The skinny: Expect Swift to be a hot commodity this summer. The Grizzlies want to keep him, but at what price? According to sources in Memphis, they'll match any offer, that's how high they are on him. He really started coming on last season, and with so few athletic shot blockers available, he's sure to command a big raise. The Hawks, Bobcats, Nuggets, Warriors and Jazz could end up being players, but if the Grizz are going to match offers for him anyway, he may have a tough time actually getting an offer sheet.

10. Mark Blount, C, Celtics
The skinny: Blount surprised a lot of people on Thursday by agreeing to re-sign with the Celtics for six years, $41 million. Blount was also pursued heavily by the Heat and Sixers, but in the end, opted for the Celtics deal which paid him the most money.

11. Jamal Crawford, G, Bulls (R)

Jamal Crawford
Crawford

The skinny: Crawford claims he wants to re-sign with Chicago, but the truth is the Bulls appear to be going in a different direction. The fact Chicago drafted Ben Gordon appears to hurt Crawford's chances of getting a big contract there. Teams that believe Crawford can be a good NBA point guard are going to be the most interested. The Knicks have shown the most interest and are trying to work out a sign-and-trade with Chicago. The two sides were talking about a deal that would re-sign Crawford for six years, $60 million and send him along with Jerome Williams and Eddie Robinson to the Knicks for Shandon Anderson, Othella Harrington, Dikembe Mutombo and Frank Williams.

12. Quentin Richardson, G, Clippers (R)
The skinny: The Nuggets wanted him, but the Suns beat them to the punch, offering Richardson a six-year, $48 million deal to sign in Phoenix. The Clippers have his rights and can match any offer. Expect them to do so if they don't land Kobe.

13. Darius Miles, F, Blazers (R)

Darius Miles
Miles

The skinny: Miles was a breakout performer for the Blazers over the last two months of the season. He ended the season averaging 14.5 ppg and 5.1 rpg and was a big part of the team's late playoff push. Portland will absolutely try to re-sign him, but other teams likely will get involved, as well.

14. Adonal Foyle, C, Warriors
The skinny: Foyle as one of the hottest free agents on the market? You better believe it. The Warriors made him an offer he couldn't refuse on Monday evening -- six years, $41.6 million with a $10 million team option in year six. That's an unbelievable deal for Foyle. Lon Babby is in the early running for agent of the year.

15. Andres Nocioni, G/F, Tau Ceramica
The skinny: Nocioni, a native of Argentina, is widely considered the best NBA player not currently in the NBA. The 25-year-old, 6-foot-6 swingman is a strong, athletic, aggressive player who has shined on the Argentine national team and in Europe. He's averaging 13.7 ppg and 5.7 rpg in 25 minutes per game for Tau. Nocioni is a solid perimeter shooter with NBA 3-point range, but he shines posting guys up and playing the mid-range game. Teams have wanted him for some time, but a big buyout with Tau has prohibited him from making the leap. To get him this year, a team will have to give up a large chunk of its mid-level exception. He's worth it. Look for the Sixers, Spurs, Nuggets, Rockets, Celtics and Magic to show the most interest.

Best of the Rest

Unrestricted: Stephen Jackson, G/F, Hawks; Marcus Camby, C, Nuggets; Karl Malone, F, Lakers; Brent Barry, G, Sonics; Antonio McDyess, F, Suns; Rafer Alston, G, Heat; Bruce Bowen, G/F, Spurs; Eric Williams, G/F, Cavs; Keon Clark, F, Suns; Greg Ostertag, C, Jazz; Jon Barry, G, Nuggets; Rodney White, G/F, Nuggets; Troy Hudson, G, T-Wolves; Derek Fisher, PG, Lakers; Brian Cardinal, F, Warriors; Slava Medvedenko, C, Lakers; Toni Kukoc, F, Bucks; Bob Sura, G, Hawks; Brian Skinner, F, Bucks; Marcus Fizer, F, Bobcats; Trenton Hassell, G, T-Wolves; Ron Mercer, G, Spurs; Joel Przybilla, C, Hawks; Keyon Dooling, G, Clippers; Zeljko Rebraca, C, Hawks

Restricted: Marquis Daniels, G, Mavericks; Etan Thomas, F/C, Wizards; Hedo Turkoglu, G/F, Spurs; Carlos Arroyo, PG, Jazz; Mo Peterson, F, Raptors; DeShawn Stevenson, G, Magic; Gordan Giricek, G/F, Jazz; Jake Tsakalidis, C, Grizzlies; Chris Mihm, PF, Celtics; Courtney Alexander, G, Hornets.

International free agents: Arvydas Macijauskas, G, Tau Ceramica; Fabrico Oberto, C, Parmesa Valencia; Sarunas Jasikevicius, PG, Maccabi Tel Aviv; Ognjen Askrabic, F, FMP Zeleznik; Demos Dikoudis, PF, AEK (Greece); Walter Hermann, PF, Argentina; Nikola Vujcic, PF/C, Croatia.

 

Nesterovic plays O? Gasol plays D? That's news to me.

 

Better analysis here....

<a HREF="http://www.draftcity.com/articles/0057.htm">The Top Overseas Free agents on the Market</a>

 

Well, it's true that Gasol is not at the same level defensively as Andrei Kirilenko (3rd in blocks). But Pau a decent shot blocker (18th in NBA). He's not a softy like Dirk is on defense.

Nesterovic can play good offense. But that's not his job in San Antonio. His job was to help out Duncan after Robinson left; doing the dirty work. He did a very good job considering that some sports journalist were writing him off at the start of the season.

For example, did you watch the Spurs 1st round playoffs? He was mainly used for a defensive role. In Minnesota he was sought out to score more. True, he's not a 18ppg guy (11.2ppg). But he's not a slouch. He has a balanced game.

Basically, I was trying to point out there is a wide range of Euro players. Some of which can play D, some can't. Some only O. And some balanced. I know that there is a perception on European players that they could not play defense. Well, some of that is changing.

RIET, made a funny observation by pointing out Andrés Nocioni "having a weakness in shooting." Very ironic, given our past perceptions of Euro players.