Javtokas's chances with the Spurs didn't end in summer 06 when the Spurs decided Elson and Butler were the answer (don't believe any anti-Javtokas bull about competing, it's made up crap like the anti-scola bull that floated around). Javtokas unfortunately had everything ended in 2005.
Javtokas got himself in the Spurs FO doghouse in 2005 after the ULEB cup MVP play. Javtokas was set to be a free agent then as well, but was so worried about an NBA work stoppage (and a lockout was on everyone's minds back then) that he re-upped with Rytas for one year before the Spurs even had a chance to sign him. He re-upped in June because he was about to start national team practice without a contract and the chance that the Spurs wouldn't be able to sign him for months, so he did a one-year.
That imo is what killed his chances of ever being a Spur. Never do anything that could be seen as disrespect to the Spurs or they'll bust you hardball style like they did with Scola and like they will with Splitter.
Javtokas while a better shotblocker isn't as good as Splitter either.
Neither one will ever be a Spur.
Good history.
The difference may be that the Spurs need Javtokas.
But I don't think he'd answer their calls. Despite what you say above, they did try to sign him before after all this, then abruptly halted negotiations to offer to Elson and Butler instead. Reportedly his agent and he himself were taken aback by this.
I think he stays in Europe and is happy there. We will not have any more shotblockers on this team.
Yes, he did.
I don't remember it going down like that. I remember that when the 2006 summer started, Presti and Pop were hyping up Javtokas. They all but said he'd be brought over. There was no anger or anything concerning Javtokas after his 2005 decision. , he even came to town during the 2005-06 season.
What happened was in that summer the Spurs offered him the LLE and he wanted more money. The Spurs said they were going to look at another big to bring along with him and Javtokas didn't want that. Either Javtokas or his agent (I forget who said it) said that he didn't want to have to vie for minutes with another big. The Spurs ignored that request and signed both Elson and Butler to offersheets.
If Elson or Butler had been matched, there was a chance the Spurs were going back to Javtokas ... but he was pissed by then. However, a two-year fully guaranteed contract for the LLE for Javtokas was fair. He could have come over for that money but he wanted some MLE action.
I'm not sure if that bridge is burned but I haven't heard anything from either side to indicate there is still interest.
Who's the pick that had the motorcycle accident?
Presti was somewhat hyping Javtokas, true, in particular on the pre-game radio. That's the only example I recall immediately. But hey, Pop also hyped Scola.
The bridge-burning is my interpretation going back as to why the Spurs offered only the LLE. They offered more to a fat Jackie Butler who was restricted. They weren't going to sign 3 bigs, 2 with the MLE and one LLE. They weren't so interested in a player who would not even give them the chance to sign him a year before, especially an ingrate who owed his surgically repaired career to the Spurs.
It all fits the 'doghouse theory' of Spurs negotiations, and it fits with why I never thought Scola would ever be a Spur despite his modest salary demands. Doghouse Theory Physics has been a tried and true theory of prediction, much like general relativity.
Besides, Javtokas probably wouldn't even be a good fit anymore compared to the summer of 06. He can't score other than dunks and a primitive hook shot. Spurs need help scoring now, the defense isn't the biggest problem.
Javtokas
Scola didn't the Spurs over.
Javtokas didn't the Spurs over.
Splitter might have ed them over, depending on your viewpoint.
But no, Javtokas didn't them over. You're an idiot.
Signing Javtokas to the LLE was always the plan. He wasn't good enough to break out the MLE. The LLE was more than he was making in Europe at the time. He tried to play hardball and lost.
Right now, I still wouldn't want Javtokas signed if he takes part of the MLE.
Read my original post. It's clear I was talking about Splitter.
Alright. Shenanigans. Sorry.
Yes, Splitter ed the Spurs over.
Javtokas is no better or worse than other 6th bigs the Spurs could pick up. He is a good shot blocker, which makes him an option. I think another shot blocker on the bench could be a help, but for 8 minutes or less a game, I'm certain that the LLE is sufficient. If he wants more, he can stay in Europe.Presti was somewhat hyping Javtokas, true, in particular on the pre-game radio. That's the only example I recall immediately. But hey, Pop also hyped Scola.
The bridge-burning is my interpretation going back as to why the Spurs offered only the LLE. They offered more to a fat Jackie Butler who was restricted. They weren't going to sign 3 bigs, 2 with the MLE and one LLE. They weren't so interested in a player who would not even give them the chance to sign him a year before, especially an ingrate who owed his surgically repaired career to the Spurs.
It all fits the 'doghouse theory' of Spurs negotiations, and it fits with why I never thought Scola would ever be a Spur despite his modest salary demands. Doghouse Theory Physics has been a tried and true theory of prediction, much like general relativity.
Besides, Javtokas probably wouldn't even be a good fit anymore compared to the summer of 06. He can't score other than dunks and a primitive hook shot. Spurs need help scoring now, the defense isn't the biggest problem.
We need more offense, for sure. But we're not looking for offense from a 6th big. We need offense from the wing and perimeter. Duncan, Parker, Mahinmi and Oberto will provide enough paint scoring.
So far people have suggested Patrick O'Bryant, Alonzo Mourning (if healthy), Rod Benson, Javtokas, and a draft pick/Toros assigment for the 6th big slot. None of these guys will mean the difference between winning and losing a championship. So, if Javtokas comes, fine. If not, no one cares.
I don't remember it going down like that. I remember that when the 2006 summer started, Presti and Pop were hyping up Javtokas. They all but said he'd be brought over. There was no anger or anything concerning Javtokas after his 2005 decision. , he even came to town during the 2005-06 season.
What happened was in that summer the Spurs offered him the LLE and he wanted more money. The Spurs said they were going to look at another big to bring along with him and Javtokas didn't want that. Either Javtokas or his agent (I forget who said it) said that he didn't want to have to vie for minutes with another big. The Spurs ignored that request and signed both Elson and Butler to offersheets.
If Elson or Butler had been matched, there was a chance the Spurs were going back to Javtokas ... but he was pissed by then. However, a two-year fully guaranteed contract for the LLE for Javtokas was fair. He could have come over for that money but he wanted some MLE action.
I'm not sure if that bridge is burned but I haven't heard anything from either side to indicate there is still interest.
Now that he is older, a two year LLE is about as much as he could reasonably demand anyway. It works well for the Spurs cap plan, too.
Is Javtokas currently under contract. I remember reading that he was not getting good minutes this past season--maybe that humbled and/or soured him enough to be satisfied with the LLE.
Nobody has answered this: Do we have any reason to believe Javtokas would be interested in playing in the NBA at this point? Do we know he'd even answer the Spurs' phone calls?
I agree with your memory. I think he turned down the Spurs offer for a bigger/better offer from a Greek team. As I recall, he got there and didn't play much.
This was a foreshadowing of the bidding war for players that is now going on with the Euros. Something that wasn't forseen when we started drafting all those develpmental players.
Now, if the player is any good the top Euro teams have enough money to be compe ive with their contracts. If they're not any good, who wants them over here?
Javtokas wanted part of the Spurs' MLE in '06. He didn't get it and he went to a Greek team. Then he proceeded to suck that season.
Are you waiting for Javtokas himself to answer you?
Javtokas signed last summer a 2 years contract with a NBA opt out close at the end of the first year.
We can assume that he hasn't fully ruled out coming in NBA one day.
Saying that, I would be really surprised to see Spurs signing him this summer.
Curious what is Javtokas getting paid by the Dynamos?
€1.5M per year.
So even on an LLE, if he showed anything at all he could make more money in a couple of years in the NBA.
Personally I'm not high on him. He seems a little stiff and without a natural feel for the game.
How well did he play this past year? Does anyone have his stats?
Thanks Bruno...12 ppg 6 rpg 1.4 bpg in 26 minutes shooting 70 percent. I like it. His athletic presence may be our best option right now for a big. It be nice to sign him or diop to the LLE, resign Kurt Thomas, and let horry walk.
Am I correct to say he's 28 years old? Not that he's old if he is...
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