Then how come he is not on the Rockets summer league team despite that the Rockets wanted him there to work on his game? Sure sounds like he's given up to me.
From Greek website Superbasket Link: http://www.superbasket.gr/print.php?a=4283 01-07-2007 12:44 Vassilis Spanoulis was playing in OAKA against European Selections and the President of Panathinaikos, Mr Thanassis Giannakopoulos was watching in his face his “beloved child that came back where he belongs”. During the exhibition game between Greek National Teal and European Selections, Mr Giannakopoulos revealed the V-Span is ready to resign with Panathinaikos after his unsuccessful last season with Houston Rockets. Spanoulis declared that he has already made up his mind and he will announce his plans for the future within the following week. .
Who is this Yi and what exactly has he accomplished on international basketball to be more famous than someone who's a member of the second best team in the world? (It's not an ironic question, I really don't know who this guy is, or what team he plays for).
Morey is saying they don't want to release Spanoulis/He can help the team-yada yada, but then does another thing in bringing in more guards at his position. Of course its about improving the team and not aimed at Spanoulis, but Rockets probably felt his heart wasnt with the team for quite a while now not just recently, and he couldnt give the Rockets the proper dedication... Not much sorrow to be had for Spanoulis. Cant the guy just travel home every summer, like what he's doing now? 3-4 months home to Greece, 8-9 months in the NBA? (Not gonna be hypocritical cuz I know I wouldnt want to play in Greece all year if the choice was between a foreign country and the NBA in my home country.) But if my big break in my basketball career was in Greece, I'd be all about some baklava and would respectfully IMMERSE myself in the culture. The guy's still relatively young. He can ALWAYS go back to play in Greece and still be loved when he's 27-28. Not like they're gonna forget about him. The Rashard Lewis draft day snub was 10 yeas ago and people in Houston are still raving about the hometown boy and how to get him on the team and he's NEVER played for the Rockets.. Not much ways to spin it positively for Spanoulis; he's just going where the love and adoration is. So much for being a true "gutsy competitor"
You can't blame a guy for being homesick. By the same token, the Rockets invested a lot of money in him. They need to get something back. I would play hardball with him. He had no problem taking the money.
If Spanoulis agrees to a buyout for $0. If Sura's salary is indeed in the 4M range as BBscientist claims. Then a package of Sura+Spanoulis+Lucas can snare Kurt Thomas. Why would the Suns do this? It gets them under the luxury tax.
i find it funny that spanoulis has made up his mind to play over there, when it's not even his decision. i'd hold his ass hostage for being a b****.
