"...One of the best shooters we have ever tested here."

Found this old article on my computer. Seems kind of silly when you read it again.

Sounds ominously similar to the Nachbar pick, doesn't it?

Scary...



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Turkcan surprises with deft shot
By MICHAEL MURPHY

Copyright 1998
Houston Chronicle 8:29 PM 6/26/1998


After going through last season with a roster that had more wrinkles than the California raisin crop, the Rockets wanted to stock up on a few young Turks with their three first-round picks in the 1998 NBA draft.

And in Mirsad Turkcan, their third first-round pick at No. 18, the Rockets literally did -- they picked a young Turk. Turkcan, a 6-9 forward from Efes Pilsen, is the first Turkish player to be selected in the annual NBA draft.

"My phone has been ringing all day," said Turkcan, who averaged 15.2 points and 9.2 rebounds last season for Efes Pilsen, the top team in Turkey. "They are very excited. It is big news in Turkey. The television (stations) were (doing) live (interviews over the phone), and newspapers were putting it on the front page. I am so excited."

But not as excited as coach Rudy Tomjanovich sounded when he introduced Turkcan at Friday's news conference. Tomjanovich knew Turkcan, 22, had a reputation as perhaps the most rugged rebounder in Europe, but during his workouts in Houston before the draft, the coaching staff found out "Mickey" can stick the outside shot as well. Like most every other team in the NBA, the Rockets have expanded their overseas scouting, and Turkcan was on several wish lists Wednesday when the NBA held its draft at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia.

"This pick I have to credit to our scout, Joe Ash," Tomjanovich said. "Joe had told me about him during the season, and he told me that (Turkcan) was the most aggressive international player he had seen. He really goes after rebounds, but he (Ash) couldn't really describe what position (Turkcan) plays." He said, `Well, he sort of plays like a (Dennis) Rodman, but I think he can shoot.'

So when we brought Mirsad in, we worked him out and he said that he played (power forward) for one team, but he also felt he could play (small forward). "We didn't know about his outside shot, but then we put him through the (shooting) drills, and to our amazement he was one of the best shooters we have ever tested here. We are very pleased to add him to our basketball team."

Even if Turkcan is a name that isn't on a lot of tongues in Houston. Yet. "I know that right now, probably a lot of people are saying, `Who is this guy?' and, `Where did they get that guy?' " said Turkcan with the help of an interpreter, Erhan Uskup, president of the American-Turkish Association. "But I am determined to make my name known by contributing to the success of the Rockets. Over here, nobody knows me. "Many players from Europe come over here for the draft, but after the first and second round, they go back to Europe because they didn't make it (get drafted). But I have come to Houston to play."

Turkcan said he will go home for three weeks before returning to Houston for good. When his vacation is finished, Turkcan will come back to Houston to lift weights and shoot the basketball in preparation for the NBA season.

"I have played for the (Turkish national team) and the junior team for the last four years and have had only seven days of rest," Turkcan said. "I spoke to Rudy today, and he said that maybe after 20 or 25 days I can come back." About the only negative impression Turkcan has had of the draft is it has forced him to miss much of the World Cup. Like Hakeem Olajuwon, Turkcan began his athletic career on the soccer pitch. "Oh, yes," Turkcan said. "It was my first sport, just like Hakeem. I got too tall, though. By the time I was 15 I was 6-6, and that's too tall for football (soccer). "My favorite (World Cup) teams are Yugoslavia and Brazil. I think Yugoslavia will win. We'll see. "I have only seen two games, Germany and Yugoslavia (playing a) 2-2 (tie) and then at the airport (Thursday) Yugoslavia and the U.S. (a 1-0 Yugoslav win)."

 

Yeah, it's that "happy go lucky, cavalier" attitude which is so funny.

Is like one of the coaches saying, "Wow! The guy hit 50 free-throws in a row during a practice session. It was one of the most incredible shooting displays I've ever seen in my life! This guys is going to be something special in this league!"

Sound like Bill Walton embellishments to me.

The scary thing is...
I can't tell if the coaching staff is just feeding the media a sound bite about the draft, or do they really believe what they are saying about our draft picks (without even seen ONE regular seasons game)?

 

LOL!!!!!

Joe Ash better be careful, he might pull a hamstring one of these days! Or worse, his cell phone my drop out of his pocket!