According to a <a href="http://es.telebasket.com/eng/mostranews.asp?id=114383">telebasket report</a> Pau Gasol is declaring for the draft. A 7'1'' combo forward, 21 years old. Now all we need is another foreigner over 7 feet tall. His name is Yao Ming. ------------------ "That's been a lifelong dream of mine." -Vince Carter, after laying it in on a breakaway, much to the Vancouver crowd's displeasure.
I have been reading up on this guy for a while and I really hope this is the case, that he comes out. I would not mind the Rockets taking a chance on this guy. He's over 7-feet tall and a small forward... if he has any talent the dude is a walking mismatch. Check out this from a <A href="http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/133/sports/The_More_Valuable_Player+.shtml" target="_blank">Boston Globe article</a> that comments partly on Pau Gasol. Celtics general manager Chris Wallace and some other NBA talent scouts have been in Europe this past week for the European Final Four. Wallace et al hope to get a look at the latest European hot shot, 20-year-old Pau Gasol, who plays for F.C. Barcelona. Gasol has been described as another Toni Kukoc; he's a slim 7-footer who is versatile with the basketball and has the range of Dirk Nowitzki. ''Actually,'' said European scout Mike Cound, who also handles some international players, ''he's much more like Kevin Garnett. This kid is legit. He's every bit 7-1 or even 7-2 and he can shoot the three. But he's also real thin, a lot like Garnett was a few years ago.'' Cound said F.C. Barcelona's general manager told him Gasol, still under contract, will not be allowed to bolt for the NBA next season. (There apparently is a stiff escape-clause payment.) Thus, any team that picks him would likely have to wait at least a year, as the Celtics once did with Larry Bird. ''If you are a team with a few first-round picks, or if you're a team which can afford to wait, he's an excellent choice,'' Cound said. Gasol announced Friday he would submit his name to the NBA for the June 27 draft, adding he might withdraw by the legal date (June 20) if he is not assured he will be a high pick. Cound said that should not be a problem. ''If everybody knows what they should know, he is a lottery pick,'' Cound said. One European spy reports Gasol and 20-year-old Antonis Fotsis of Panathinaikos, arguably the two best forwards on the continent, are both coming out. Fotsis declared early for the NBA draft last season, but then withdrew his name. He is expected to declare again this season and not withdraw. In other words, look for him in an NBA uniform next season ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET [This message has been edited by Clutch (edited May 13, 2001).]
NIKEstrad, Pau Gasol has had my attention for awhile. I have visited some other BBS sites and there is a very wide range of opinion on how good he really is. These opinions are being posted by Europeans have actually have seen him play. Some posters maintain he is the best player in the best European league. Does anyone know/remember for sure if the Rocks brought Turkcan (sp?) in for a workout or did they draft him on reputation? I would hope they bring Gasol over and if the workouts go well give him serious consideration. I don't think he's a 13 pick. In the press, Gasol is generally receiving similiar reviews to Nowitzki. Dirk was a 9. I hope the Rockets experiences with Turkcan hasn't jaded them to foreign players. ------------------ GATER [This message has been edited by GATER (edited May 13, 2001).]
GATER,Turkcan did have a workout with the Rockets,in which he showed excellent shooting skills. Certainly workouts are important, but good performances against difficult opposition are better indicators of a player's skills. ------------------
Actually, if Orlando does send us the #18 and Gasol is available then, I could very well see the Rockets drafting him, since they don't actually want the pick (I presume, because of the guaranteed contract when they need all the cap space they can get and the roster spot). Still, it sounds like Gasol would be redundant if Langhi actually fulfilled his potential, and I believe he will, given the time. I'd almost rather try to negotiate with Vancouver to accept the #18 in place of our pick obligation to them. Don't forget we owe them a Top-15 next year, and Vancouver needs an #18 or higher to pay off Detroit or forfeit their lottery pick. ------------------
If Gasol's availability to play next year is in question, he very well could be there at 18 (if we get it) or possibly 22.....look how TskTsk went all the way down to #23 (or was it 24?) last year, from rumors of being a top 10 lock. Turkcan allegedly had one of the most impressive shooting display the Rockets had seen. I don't see how it'd turn them off to foreigners; they did trade Turkcan shortly after for a future pick (Detroit's via Philadelphia), and Turkcan never played a game in a Rockets jersey. ------------------ "That's been a lifelong dream of mine." -Vince Carter, after laying it in on a breakaway, much to the Vancouver crowd's displeasure.
Clutch , Do you see him as a Nowitzki type player? With all those skills that Dirk has? Because if he can be something like Nowitzki, I would love to pick him up. EUROS CAN FLAT OUT SHOOT. ------------------ "Break off the block like Maurice Green" --- Steve Francis President of the Moochie Norris fan club.
