Taken From the AP: http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2001/0706/1223206.html --------------------------------------------- MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota's lone 2001 draft pick was in Timberwolves garb Friday, but whether he will wear their uniform next season remains up in the air. Following his first workout for Wolves coaches, former Arizona center Loren Woods said it is possible that he will play in Europe next season for more money rather than sign with the Wolves this summer. "I'm just as serious about (playing in Europe) as I am about signing a contract here," Woods said. "I would fit right in in an organization like this, but I've got to do what's best for me. Right now I don't really know what that is yet." Because Woods -- once considered a potential lottery pick -- slid into the second round to the 46th pick, the Timberwolves' offer could be substantially lower than one offered by a European club. He said several teams have already been in contact with him, but that he would prefer to play in Minnesota. "It's not all about the money," Woods said. "I really want to play in this organization, but it's not going to be to the point where I'm going to be risking a lot of things in order to stay here." Coach Flip Saunders said he is sure Woods eventually will suit up for the Wolves and was confident that it will happen next season. "I know that he's going to play in the NBA and play for us, whether it's this year or next year," Saunders said. "I hope that he's going to look at his opportunity as far as this year and realize that this is the place for him to be." Regardless of where the 7-foot-1, 245-pound shot-blocking specialist will play next season, he said he was happy to be at Target Center on Friday for a two-hour workout where he participated in individual drills and a scrimmage. "He's not here on a tryout basis or anything," Saunders said. "When we drafted him we liked the things he could do, and I think he just re-emphasized them today. He looked really good." Woods said that, despite his plummet down the draft board, he was pleasantly surprised with where he landed. "I'm glad I got the chance to come out here and show what I can do," Woods said. "It's a great honor to me that Minnesota even drafted me considering how things were going. ... Nobody expected I could go this low, but it's a good thing. It's a team that needs some help up front, and I think I can help this team out in the front court." --------------------------------------------- ------------------ http://titansmania.50megs.com is far better to ask a question and be a fool for 15 minutes, than to never ask a question and be a fool for the rest of your life." Confucious say: "Boy who meet girl in park, very lucky. But boy who park meat in girl, extremely lucky!"
Does anyone know the Turkish word for "moron"? If you get a chance to play in the NBA, TAKE IT! I remind you of the saying "out of sight, out of mind", if he goes to Europe, he might never make it back into the NBA. ------------------ Don't ask, I lost a bet.
Scoonie Penn did the same thing last year. Playing overseas is great if you're in Woods' situation, and the Wolves wouldn't improve if he played in Europe, which I like as a Rockets fan I know Chris Morris' kids and they've told me about how when he played overseas he was paid very well and got a free villa to live in. ------------------ I am Rainman [This message has been edited by tacoma park legend (edited July 06, 2001).]
I agree. Two or three years away could finish him. Once in the NBA he could, at the very least, get the designation of 'potential'. And then just like Cato make gobs of money. ------------------ humble, but hungry.
Sounds like Woods is running away again. Just like he did at Wake Forest. When Duncan left he was supposed to take over, but no, he transferred instead, saying he didn't want the pressure of following Duncan. It sounds to me like he doesn't want the pressure of playing in the western conference, against Shaq and Duncan. He won't amount to anything, wherever he plays. ------------------ "For there is nothing either good or bad, thinking makes it so." - William Shakespeare (1564-1616), Hamlet
Woods could have a long, productive career in Europe. He will make lots of money, meet beautiful women with exotic accents, and experience the world. I don't see how going overseas for a couple of years could hurt him. If he does not dominate in Europe for a couple of million dollars a year, then he will have never made it in the NBA for less than a million a year. I think L. Woods is smart to go where the money is- and that is Europe. (of course, he is going to have to get used to the way those French folks smell) ------------------
A 2nd round pick doesn't get any guarantees. I suspect Woods is just using whatever negotiating ploy he can. He won't be in Europe. He was drafted by a team desperate for a center and desparate for a draft choice. ------------------
I need to go back in time and kill my high school career counselor! ------------------ [This message has been edited by Swopa (edited July 06, 2001).]
I've heard the same from a girl that used to date Dean Garrett. Dean freakin' Garrett! ------------------ This space awaiting something witty to be said in a long, slow off-season...
Is that the guy on Hawaii-5-O? ------------------ "For there is nothing either good or bad, thinking makes it so." - William Shakespeare (1564-1616), Hamlet
Also, if his back is going to fall apart in a year or two, he'd better the the money while he can. ------------------
Come on guys Loren Woods is making the right decision! If he thinks playing in Europe FAR, FAR AWAY from the Western Conference will help him, then by all means do it Loren! It'll be in ou. . .YOUR best interest! ------------------ "Win if you can, lose if you must but always cheat!" - Jesse Ventura
Mike Morris? That kid is gonna be in the league one day. He plays for Katy-Cinco Ranch, I think. Unbelievable player. ------------------ "They couldn't shoot, rebound, or pass, but other than that, they played great!" -Bill Walton
If Woods goes to Europe he will go off the NBA radar which will make it difficult for him to come and play in the league. ------------------
Woods can't be serious. Its every basketball player's dream to play in the NBA (not Europe), and he has a chance to do so. I can understand if he went undrafted. If he refuses the Wolves offer it will be extremely difficult for him to return. Europe will always be there regardless of how his NBA career pans out. Him going to Europe is a stupid stupid career decision (unless he doesn't make the roster next year). ------------------
I don't think some of you realize how good NBA caliber players have it over there. Scoonie Penn did the exact same thing last year, and he was all but guaranteed a roster spot given the Hawks pg situation at the beginning of last season. Don't worry about Woods not having another chance in the NBA, especially when considering the Timberwolves hold his draft rights, the same team that started 6'6 Reggie freakin' Slater in the playoffs at center. You also have to take into consideration that he has a very, very bad back, and when given the choice of free housing and nearly 1 million dollars a season, the choice is rather easy IMO. It's basically like he's going to be in the minor leagues, except he'll be going up against better competition than he would get in say the CBA, and at the sametime he's getting paid handsomely. Also, where is he more likely to throw out his back, the NBA or overseas? The NBA, no question, so why not go play in Europe, become financialy stable by playing there 2 or 3 years, then making a comeback? And unlike if he was in the NBA, he keeps his salary in its entirity since all other expenses are paid for. ------------------ Ya ot be opredelennyj chelovek zhivoj [This message has been edited by tacoma park legend (edited July 08, 2001).]
All that aside, It's the NBA! The American Dream. How can you pass that up? If anything he should try his luck out here first, and pack his bags if it doesn't work. ------------------ The title will come to ClutchCity once again.
TPL nailed it. I also read that he could make $1 Mil plus in Europe, versus $300 K or so in Minneapolis. If that were me, I'd be taking Turkish lessons already. Loren Woods. . . the next Nate Huffman. ------------------ KanHoop "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?" -- George W. Bush, Florence, S.C., January 11, 2000
Marc Jackson went over to Europe after the Warriors drafted him. Now every other person on the boad wants the Rockets to go after him for 4+ mil per. Instead of getting beaten down by all the big guys here in the West, he hones his skills in Europe and comes back over here as an even sweeter shooting 7-1 center than he already is. Half the teams in the league will be throwing that middle class exception at him. ------------------ What's a Nubian?
