http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20080228_Source__Sixers_may_buy_out_Giricek.html Source: Sixers may buy out Giricek By PHIL JASNER Philadelphia Daily News jasnerp@phillynews.com Gordan Giricek could be on the verge of becoming a former 76er. According to a source familiar with the situation, the Sixers are planning to accommodate the Croatian swing man's request to be bought out of the remainder of his contract. As long as Giricek is waived before midnight Saturday, he will be playoff-eligible if he signs with another team. The source indicated that, as of now, his likely destination is Phoenix, although that hinges on a decision coming from veteran Brent Barry, recently waived by Seattle after being traded there by San Antonio. Barry has said he is deciding whether to sign with the Suns or return to the Spurs after also considering Boston, Houston and Dallas. By league rule, he could not return to the Spurs until March 21, 30 days after being traded. If Barry opts for the Suns, the Giricek situation would be moot. Sixers president/general manager Eddie Stefanski declined to comment before last night's game against Orlando. The Sixers acquired Giricek and a future first-round draft choice from Utah Dec. 29 in a trade for Kyle Korver. The deal, though, was never about any interest in Giricek other than his expiring $4 million contract. He has appeared in just 12 games, averaging 3.1 points in 9.2 minutes; he appeared in 22 games with the Jazz before getting involved in a disagreement with coach Jerry Sloan. Buying out Giricek would save the Sixers about $300,000 in payroll money, but would not affect their available space under the salary cap this summer. More importantly, it would solidify the roles of starting shooting guard Willie Green and second-year swing man Rodney Carney. The move would leave the Sixers with 14 players, although they are unlikely to add anyone, even on a 10-day contract. Giricek, 30, spent five seasons playing in Croatia and one in Russia before becoming a second-round draft choice of Dallas in 1999. In his sixth season, he has also logged time with Memphis and Orlando. He started the season with a career scoring average of 10.2 points and a 36.8 percentage from three-point distance. He averaged 7.8 points in 61 games with the Jazz last season, making six starts.
Why? He's awful in every aspect other than shooting. Head is a much better option. There's a reason the Sixers consider him a waste of a roster spot. Evan
Why? Why? Are you serious? You surely have been around here long enough to know the Rockets need every piece of waived scrap that's ever existed. C'mon...as soon as the Suns and Spurs get wind of this, the Rockets may have to "settle" for Brent Barry.
I thought he did a decent job defending Tracy McGrady in the playoffs. If we want a big guard who can at least defend and shoot at an acceptable NBA level, Giricek may not be a bad choice. I'd think he would be more ready to contribute some minutes than Bobby Jones. TMac and him allegedly hated each other as teammates in Orlando, though... then again, we got Bobby Jackson, who fought TMac back then, too.
Tracy Mcgrady did a great job defending Tracy McGrady in the playoffs by bailing them out with difficult jumpshots. Giricek is not known for his defense but he's a very good mid range jumpshooter. Yes, he's bigger than Luther so he can be better for some defensive matchups. He's a better passer than Luther and better off the dribble, so he can be a decent option if Luther is struggling during a certain game. Some competition never hurts. If the Rockets can pick him up for the veteran's minimum, he shouldn't hurt us any. He's a feisty competitor.
No question Luther is better. But who's behind Luther? We have options in the frontcourt, but we have none in the backcourt. If nothing else, he can be a good practice player for the Rockets to help them get their sets down.
That's not how I recall it. Kirilenko was the primary defender. They rotated numerous others including Harpring and Fisher at McGrady to wear him down. They could do this because Battier was/is an easy cover in the half-court. 82games shows Giricek wasn't part of any successful 5 man playoff rotation. It takes a lot for me to bad rap a fellow Croation, but they don't need Gordon.
Bobby Jackson, who's fine at both spots. I'd admit I'd like a back up 2 that's taller than 6-3, but maybe that's Jones or Green. The way I see our current rotation: Starters (min at position) - Backups (mins at Position) 5 Mutombo (20) - Scola (20) - Hayes (8) 4 Scola (15) - Landry (25) - Hayes (5) - Novak (3) 3 Battier (30) - McGrady (15) - Green (3) 2 McGrady (20) - Head (20) - Jackson (5) - Jones (3) 1 Alston (30) - Jackson (15) - Brooks (3)
Regardless of what Giricek brings to the table, I'm still appalled at the current lovefest NBA players have with Phoenix. They are in the running for every freaking player out there. It's getting really annoying that whenever you read that a player is about to get bought out, and or is a Free Agent, and there's a list of teams that the player is interested in, Phoenix is ALWAYS on there. No matter what kind of style the player plays, or how much money he wants....it's PHX or bust. I understand that Houston (especially since Yao went down) isn't the most attractive place to play, but come on!
Well ... it certainly worked out for Quentin Richardson and Tim Thomas. I would think Phoenix might be the perfect place to pump up his stats and try to steal more money from some other team.
Giricek was good last year 06-07. Better rankings than Fisher. He also had better ratings than Fisher and Barry in last years playoffs. Giricek has had a bad year this year--but it could be more because of the run in/dog house with Sloan, and then he was traded to a crapy team running with new guys. He will be 31 this summer--so no surprise Phily would not have an interest in keeping him, but that doesn't mean he can't play. Overall, smart move by Phx, maybe better than landing Barry. Giricek may not be great defensively, but he is annoying and laterally moves OK, more than can be said for Brent at this stage in his career.
oh- now it is official. but there is a reason he has been traded and cut (other than salary cap). vspan 2.0 anyone?
Unlike VSpan he has been a decent NBA rotation player. He will be 31 this summer, was in his last year of his contract, and Phily had young swingmen--thus they considered the buy out so long as we would go to the Western conference. Pretty classy org move.
