Former Nevada Wolf Pack basketball star Nick Fazekas learned plenty of things in his first season as a professional player.
He learned how to adjust to the heightened speed of the game.
He learned how to deal with the rigors of a long season.
But more than anything, he learned the NBA is a business.
"In the NBA, you are just kind of an employee. You are just there," said Fazekas, adding that the business aspect can dull the joy of the game. "At all times you are vulnerable to something that could happen to you. You don't know where you will be the next day. You might be off to another city."
It would be difficult for Fazekas not to be hardened by the business side of the sport.
The 23-year-old power forward bounced from one place to the next last year, playing with Tulsa's D-League team as well as the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Now, his future home is uncertain. After receiving a qualifying offer from the Clippers, the two parties agreed to dissolve the offer on Aug. 1.
Fazekas, who makes his home near Dallas, said the Clippers' qualifying offer did not have salary protection because he was brought to the team under a 10-day contract instead of through the draft.
"It was kind of like being stuck between a rock and hard spot," Fazekas said. "With the Clippers, there were no guarantees, and now instead of being available to only one team, I am available to 29 more."
Speaking via telephone from San Antonio, Fazekas said several teams have shown interest in him and that he was in the middle of working out for the Spurs.
When asked whether he was anxious he had yet to sign a contract or comfortable letting an offer come in before NBA training camps open on Oct. 1, he said: "A little bit of both."
"I've got faith in my agent, that he will put in the best possible situation," Fazekas said.
Fazekas will earn NBA money next season no matter where he plays, thanks to the two-year deal he signed with the Mavericks after last season's draft. He said his goal is to play in the NBA next season, but he might take a look at playing overseas if an NBA team doesn't come calling.
"If I had to go to Europe, it's not the end of the world," Fazekas said. "You can look at it as a positive. You would get a chance to experience a whole new country and get a whole different culture. But my goal has always been to play in the NBA, so that is what I am focused on."
A trip to Reno is in Fazekas' immediate future. The Wolf Pack's all-time leading scorer will be in town this weekend to promote the Reno Bighorns, the city's new NBA Development League team.
Fazekas said his experience in the D-League last year helped "polish up" his game and show his skills to NBA scouts. He said he thinks Reno will be able to support both the Wolf Pack and Bighorns.
"I think there are a lot of real good basketball fans in Reno," he said.
Fazekas will also be a celebrity guest judge at the Bighorns' dance team tryouts on Saturday from 1-4 p.m. at The Stadium Sports and Fitness Club in South Reno. Fazekas said he hasn't come up with a criteria for judging the dancers, but will have something in place before the contest.
"I guess I'm going to have to ask around to see what good dancing looks like," Fazekas said. "I haven't done anything like this, but they asked me and I said, 'Yes.' I'm looking forward."
08-21-2008
Bruno
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
pad300 will be happy. :)
08-21-2008
cool hand
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
sign him, to complete our non-athletic tag.
08-21-2008
sribb43
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Some idoit mavs fans wonder how the mavs could let this guy go....he is nothing but a slow footed sloth. If you think Big Z is slow on the Cavs, wait till you see Fazekas in action
Yes, he is slow afoot. He's a pivot player, pretty much.
The positives: He has good offensive skills, sets good screens, rebounds well and has very good b-ball IQ. He makes for + trips.
The negatives: I didn't notice his defensive abilities in college but in the NBA summer league and pre-season games that I saw him play, he was not good at all defensively.
08-21-2008
MoSpur
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Didn't the Spurs want to get more athletic?
08-21-2008
SenorSpur
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Mavs sloppy seconds.
08-21-2008
Sissiborgo
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Quote:
Originally Posted by sribb43
Some idoit mavs fans wonder how the mavs could let this guy go....he is nothing but a slow footed sloth. If you think Big Z is slow on the Cavs, wait till you see Fazekas in action
Yep, while I won't say I have a personal preference that he makes it, this is the kind of thing that the Spurs as a team should be looking at...Younger guys coming in as 5th/6th men and getting a chance to learn the system.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sribb43
Some idoit mavs fans wonder how the mavs could let this guy go....he is nothing but a slow footed sloth. If you think Big Z is slow on the Cavs, wait till you see Fazekas in action
Slow he may be ... But everywhere he has played (including the NBA, look at his time on-court last season) he has been productive. We've had slow guys before eg. Rasho, K-Will, Malik (Malik wasn't a fast guy... but he'd run on every play. Effort alone can be enough). The only reason those guys left was because either excessive contract size (Rasho, Malik) or got too old (K-Will was over 40 IIRC when we let him go). A young big who is cheap and productive ... If slow comes with that package, I'll still take it.
08-21-2008
mrspurs
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
First thought that came to mind was this. Maybe thats why alot of nba players are headed off to play overseas. The business part the nba players have to deal with. Now that they can get the same or even more money overseas. Shorter seasons, im guessing awhole lot less bull crap from the fans. Im guessing since bball isnt the top sport of most countries. You might be able to shop wherever you want and not even be known.
08-21-2008
Solid D
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrspurs
Now that they can get the same or even more money overseas. Shorter seasons, im guessing awhole lot less bull crap from the fans.
I wouldn't be so sure about that. Projectile dodging is an acquired skill.
08-21-2008
DROB4EVER
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
What the hell is RC and Pops deal that they feel they need to act as a shelter for every unathletic player the NBA has to offer. Can we please get bigs who can dunk!
08-21-2008
Solid D
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Quote:
Originally Posted by DROB4EVER
What the hell is RC and Pops deal that they feel they need to act as a shelter for every unathletic player the NBA has to offer. Can we please get bigs who can dunk!
:lol
The element of surprise. Unfortunately, he's a little soft at the other end of the floor.
08-21-2008
SenorSpur
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Quote:
Originally Posted by MoSpur
Didn't the Spurs want to get more athletic?
That was supposed to be the thought.
08-21-2008
DPG21920
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Hill and Mahinmi are pretty athletic.
08-21-2008
MI21
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
I thought the Mav's would love him considering every season they seem to need to have a slow footed, outside shooting, no defense playing backup for Dirk? :lol
08-21-2008
MoSpur
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Pad300, KWill wasn't that slow for being 40. He was the fastest after Tony Parker in wind sprints if I am correct.
08-21-2008
ashbeeigh
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
I just like saying his name. The Spurs' names are all getting too easy to say. I need some harder ones to wow my friends with.
08-21-2008
wisnub
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
An AVERAGE player who got potential but not that great potential...sounds like a player whom Spurs like. Lets get him. I dont know why but I remember the day we got Bonner..just a thought
08-21-2008
wisnub
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
By the way the name is hard to spell...Im sure he's Spurs material
08-21-2008
SenorSpur
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Sounds like a Bonner-starter kit
08-21-2008
dallaskd
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Quote:
Originally Posted by MI21
I thought the Mav's would love him considering every season they seem to need to have a slow footed, outside shooting, no defense playing backup for Dirk? :lol
Bass is the man now, but he really should be starting and Dirk at the 5.
Player-----Career TReb%----Career PER
Bonner-----11.4 -----------14.2
Fazekas----19.2------------19.6
Fazekas is theoretically still adapting to the league...Bonner is in the "prime" of his career. While Fazekas might not work out for the Spurs (hell, he may yet bust), but try not to assume that I am a complete idiot...
08-21-2008
dbestpro
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Fazekas is 5 years younger and 1 inch taller than Bonner and a heck of a lot cheaper. Sign Fazekas for the big deep threat and trade Bonner for Charlie Bell. Milwaukee gets to dump Bell's long contract and picks up a big deep threat. Bell fills the the scoring backup point.
08-21-2008
Solid D
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Quote:
Originally Posted by dbestpro
Fazekas is 5 years younger and 1 inch taller than Bonner and a heck of a lot cheaper. Sign Fazekas for the big deep threat and trade Bonner for Charlie Bell. Milwaukee gets to dump Bell's long contract and picks up a big deep threat. Bell fills the the scoring backup point.
Fazekas plays on the inside and is not a really threat from the perimeter. Bonner is a better perimeter Big, as Tolliver has shown to be.
Cant judge the two together, Fazekas is a face up shooter and gets alot more uncontested looks, Ian is a post player.
Ian is 10x the player Nick is.
08-22-2008
Tully365
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
I'm looking for Mahinmi to put up better numbers than Horry or Elson did last year. If he does that, the front line of the Spurs will be better than last year. I think he's a good young player with nice potential, but when I read people writing things like Ian will be the new DRob or Ian will be a 20/10 guy... it just sounds like wildly unrealistic expectations. I'd hate for him to be averaging 7 ppg and 5 rpg or 8 & 6 at midseason and have a bunch of people jump on spurstalk and say he sucks... but I guarantee you that will happen.
08-22-2008
SenorSpur
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tully365
I'm looking for Mahinmi to put up better numbers than Horry or Elson did last year. If he does that, the front line of the Spurs will be better than last year. I think he's a good young player with nice potential, but when I read people writing things like Ian will be the new DRob or Ian will be a 20/10 guy... it just sounds like wildly unrealistic expectations. I'd hate for him to be averaging 7 ppg and 5 rpg or 8 & 6 at midseason and have a bunch of people jump on spurstalk and say he sucks... but I guarantee you that will happen.
If Ian averages 7 ppg and 5 rpg, on a consistent basis, that would be a successful first full year.
Player-----Career TReb%----Career PER
Bonner-----11.4 -----------14.2
Fazekas----19.2------------19.6
Fazekas is theoretically still adapting to the league...Bonner is in the "prime" of his career. While Fazekas might not work out for the Spurs (hell, he may yet bust), but try not to assume that I am a complete idiot...
Cant judge the two together, Fazekas is a face up shooter and gets alot more uncontested looks, Ian is a post player.
Ian is 10x the player Nick is.
Gentlemen, Fazekas has played at the NBA level, not the D-league. The stats I posted were for his NBA time. You might want to a) review those pages, and b) keep them in mind when you have this discussion. Finally, I would urge you not to think Fazekas OR Mahinmi; the discussion is better framed and Fazekas OR Tolliver... Mahinmi has a guaranteed contract.
08-22-2008
SenorSpur
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Quote:
Originally Posted by pad300;2727646[B
]Gentlemen, Fazekas has played at the NBA level, not the D-league.[/B]
In truth, Fazekas spent time both at the NBA level and the D-League level. Specifically, he played for the Fort Worth entry of the D-league, while with the Mavs. I remembered hearing an interview with him locally and it seems he was laboring from boredom while during his stint there. He really, really felt he could've helped the Mavs right away. Unfortunately for him, he was never given that chance. Obviously, the Mavs, particuarly Avery, must've thought he wasn't ready.
08-22-2008
pad300
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Quote:
Originally Posted by SenorSpur
In truth, Fazekas spent time both at the NBA level and the D-League level. Specifically, he played for the Fort Worth entry of the D-league, while with the Mavs. I remembered hearing an interview with him locally and it seems he was laboring from boredom while during his stint there. He really, really felt he could've helped the Mavs right away. Unfortunately for him, he was never given that chance. Obviously, the Mavs, particuarly Avery, must've thought he wasn't ready.
Indeed he has played both the D-league and the NBA. If I am going to look at a player's utility in the NBA, I would focus on his NBA time. The vast majority of that time was after Dallas cut him to make room in the Kidd trade, and he was then signed by the Clips (9 minutes in 4 games with DAL, 260 minutes over 22 games with LAC). Avery may have made a mistake...While 260 minutes is not a huge sample, it is an acceptable reason for optimism.
08-22-2008
SenorSpur
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Quote:
Originally Posted by pad300
Indeed he has played both the D-league and the NBA. If I am going to look at a player's utility in the NBA, I would focus on his NBA time.
Makes sense.
08-22-2008
dbestpro
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Quote:
Originally Posted by Solid D
Fazekas plays on the inside and is not a really threat from the perimeter. Bonner is a better perimeter Big, as Tolliver has shown to be.
Fazekas shot 43.1% from the 3 point line his senior year in college. 28 for 65.
He can hit the 3.
09-24-2008
NuGGeTs-FaN
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
He signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Nuggs for training camp. I hope they bring him in as a big body for insurance.
While playing college basketball for the University of Nevada, Reno (1975–79), Edgar Jones set the school's all-time points total record (1,877); a record which stood until broken by the Wolf Pack's Nick Fazekas on November 18, 2006
09-24-2008
Ed Helicopter Jones
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Quote:
Originally Posted by SenorSpur
A bit of Fazekas trivia, mainly for Ed Helicopter Jones:
While playing college basketball for the University of Nevada, Reno (1975–79), Edgar Jones set the school's all-time points total record (1,877); a record which stood until broken by the Wolf Pack's Nick Fazekas on November 18, 2006
NOOOOOOO!!!!!! :lol
09-24-2008
SenorSpur
Re: Fazekas has worked out with Spurs
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed Helicopter Jones
NOOOOOOO!!!!!! :lol
Sorry dude, but we know who the true Nevada-Reno U balla was, don't we? :lol
