SenorSpur
07-25-2008, 01:24 PM
I don't know if this has been posted. For whatever it's worth, the Spurs did make a big play for former Nuggets forward, Eduardo Najera.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=080718-najeraanalysis
Among the veteran free-agent signings, Eduardo Nájera joining the New Jersey Nets was somewhat of a surprise. The quintessential "glue" player had been courted by New Orleans, Dallas, Golden State, San Antonio and even the Oklahoma City formerly-known-as-the-Sonics, teams that could extend a four-year deal for the 32-year-old forward.
Eduardo Najera answers a question Wednesday during a news conference to introduce him as a member of the Nets. "The West is tough. Even when I played for Dallas, we were never favored to get to the Conference finals. Last year, a Nuggets team with an $83 million roster was swept out of the playoffs. Going to the East always intrigued me," Nájera said in his introductory news conference Wednesday at the Nets' facility in East Rutherford, N.J.
The Nets reportedly offered Nájera $12 million over those four years, while San Antonio offered $8 million for that span. The Spurs' priority was signing Corey Maggette. When the free-agent shooting guard signed for more money with Golden State, San Antonio signed Roger Mason to fill that active, penetrating, backup shooting guard role they could have used in the playoffs this May.
Mason's money took the gilt off the offer for Nájera, who presumably would have replaced Robert Horry in the rotation. Nájera's 36.1 percent 3-point shooting, rebounding (4.3 per game in 21.3 minutes) and team play displayed last season likely would have far exceeded what the fading Horry produced.
"Teams interested in signing me really brought up my 3-point shooting. It's funny because I have always had the stroke, but only last year did a coach [Denver's George Karl] encourage me to take those shots," said Nájera, whose 147 attempts were nearly three times more than the 55 he took in his first seven seasons combined.
Nets coach Lawrence Frank wants a team that "attacks, attacks, attacks" as he put it. "If the 3 is there for Eduardo, I want him to take it," said Frank. "That's part of what attracted us to him.
"Here's a player with character, who competes every second on the court, who is disciplined, who brings a tremendous work ethic. He will have an impact on the young players on this team."
The recently-acquired Bobby Simmons will likely start ahead of Nájera, who will get his minutes backing up Simmons and at the power forward position when the Nets decide to go small.
Nájera also runs the court well, as he had to do with the Nuggets last season. "Coach Karl wanted us to take a good shot ideally in the first 12 to 13 seconds of a possession, so I had to run the court a lot. I expect to do that at times with the Nets," Nájera said.
"Fast-breaking became a lesser-used weapon over the years. When we had Kerry Kittles, Kenyon Martin, Richard Jefferson and Jason Kidd in their primes, we may have had the top fast-breakers in each of their positions in the league. We may have some of those qualities with this group now," Frank noted. "If Eduardo is on the court, feeding the fast break off his defense is definitely an option."
So Nájera quickly took the best deal that was on the table, but not necessarily the best offer that could have materialized.
"My representatives advised me that if I waited, a team could be in such a position of need for a player like me that they would work out a deal, or a sign-and-trade that would have netted me more money. But I know [Nets GM Kiki Vandeweghe] very well from our time in Denver, I got to know [Nets president] Rod Thorn and coach Frank, and I realized how serious they are about building a contender in the East," Najera said. "I would much rather enjoy my summer than torture myself and my family and risk losing an opportunity like the Nets', in order to maybe squeeze a few more bucks. I don't like to play those games."
For the first time in his eight-year career, Nájera will walk into a locker room where he is one of the senior figures, one of the natural leaders in the franchise. In the past, he may have seen things done wrong or attitudes in need of adjustment, but he would defer to the team's stars and leaders. Now, other than Vince Carter, there are no other veterans with Nájera's life experiences and track record.
"I guess I have the opportunity to be more vocal, but I will probably still speak through my actions on and off the court, as I always have. Anyone can talk," noted Nájera.
So what did Nájera see in the Nets, beyond the additional dollars in the contract and his trust in Vandeweghe?
"I have always been an underdog. As a Mexican player coming to the United States, I was an underdog the day I arrived at the University of Oklahoma. Same thing in the NBA. Coach Don Nelson had me playing center at times with the Mavs.
"I see the Nets and I see where the Hornets were a few years ago -- young talent that got better as they played and won together. What the Nets will emphasize will play to my strengths. If my hunch is correct, I may play a larger role in more meaningful playoff games with this franchise than with most of the others who were interested in signing me. We'll see," said Nájera.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=080718-najeraanalysis
Among the veteran free-agent signings, Eduardo Nájera joining the New Jersey Nets was somewhat of a surprise. The quintessential "glue" player had been courted by New Orleans, Dallas, Golden State, San Antonio and even the Oklahoma City formerly-known-as-the-Sonics, teams that could extend a four-year deal for the 32-year-old forward.
Eduardo Najera answers a question Wednesday during a news conference to introduce him as a member of the Nets. "The West is tough. Even when I played for Dallas, we were never favored to get to the Conference finals. Last year, a Nuggets team with an $83 million roster was swept out of the playoffs. Going to the East always intrigued me," Nájera said in his introductory news conference Wednesday at the Nets' facility in East Rutherford, N.J.
The Nets reportedly offered Nájera $12 million over those four years, while San Antonio offered $8 million for that span. The Spurs' priority was signing Corey Maggette. When the free-agent shooting guard signed for more money with Golden State, San Antonio signed Roger Mason to fill that active, penetrating, backup shooting guard role they could have used in the playoffs this May.
Mason's money took the gilt off the offer for Nájera, who presumably would have replaced Robert Horry in the rotation. Nájera's 36.1 percent 3-point shooting, rebounding (4.3 per game in 21.3 minutes) and team play displayed last season likely would have far exceeded what the fading Horry produced.
"Teams interested in signing me really brought up my 3-point shooting. It's funny because I have always had the stroke, but only last year did a coach [Denver's George Karl] encourage me to take those shots," said Nájera, whose 147 attempts were nearly three times more than the 55 he took in his first seven seasons combined.
Nets coach Lawrence Frank wants a team that "attacks, attacks, attacks" as he put it. "If the 3 is there for Eduardo, I want him to take it," said Frank. "That's part of what attracted us to him.
"Here's a player with character, who competes every second on the court, who is disciplined, who brings a tremendous work ethic. He will have an impact on the young players on this team."
The recently-acquired Bobby Simmons will likely start ahead of Nájera, who will get his minutes backing up Simmons and at the power forward position when the Nets decide to go small.
Nájera also runs the court well, as he had to do with the Nuggets last season. "Coach Karl wanted us to take a good shot ideally in the first 12 to 13 seconds of a possession, so I had to run the court a lot. I expect to do that at times with the Nets," Nájera said.
"Fast-breaking became a lesser-used weapon over the years. When we had Kerry Kittles, Kenyon Martin, Richard Jefferson and Jason Kidd in their primes, we may have had the top fast-breakers in each of their positions in the league. We may have some of those qualities with this group now," Frank noted. "If Eduardo is on the court, feeding the fast break off his defense is definitely an option."
So Nájera quickly took the best deal that was on the table, but not necessarily the best offer that could have materialized.
"My representatives advised me that if I waited, a team could be in such a position of need for a player like me that they would work out a deal, or a sign-and-trade that would have netted me more money. But I know [Nets GM Kiki Vandeweghe] very well from our time in Denver, I got to know [Nets president] Rod Thorn and coach Frank, and I realized how serious they are about building a contender in the East," Najera said. "I would much rather enjoy my summer than torture myself and my family and risk losing an opportunity like the Nets', in order to maybe squeeze a few more bucks. I don't like to play those games."
For the first time in his eight-year career, Nájera will walk into a locker room where he is one of the senior figures, one of the natural leaders in the franchise. In the past, he may have seen things done wrong or attitudes in need of adjustment, but he would defer to the team's stars and leaders. Now, other than Vince Carter, there are no other veterans with Nájera's life experiences and track record.
"I guess I have the opportunity to be more vocal, but I will probably still speak through my actions on and off the court, as I always have. Anyone can talk," noted Nájera.
So what did Nájera see in the Nets, beyond the additional dollars in the contract and his trust in Vandeweghe?
"I have always been an underdog. As a Mexican player coming to the United States, I was an underdog the day I arrived at the University of Oklahoma. Same thing in the NBA. Coach Don Nelson had me playing center at times with the Mavs.
"I see the Nets and I see where the Hornets were a few years ago -- young talent that got better as they played and won together. What the Nets will emphasize will play to my strengths. If my hunch is correct, I may play a larger role in more meaningful playoff games with this franchise than with most of the others who were interested in signing me. We'll see," said Nájera.