Spurs Look To Europe For Center

[Pistons < Spurs]

We could always trade you Nazr!!

[Kori Ellis]

How big is this Big Croat?

He's listed everywhere as 210-211 cm -- so 6'11.

More info ...

Nikola Vujcic is one of the best players in a rock solid Maccabi Tel Aviv team loaded with talent. With his rebounding and offensive finesse, he has established himself as one of the top big men in Europe.

The 210 cm center is not a fan of the spotlight, preferring the solace of his fishing boat just off the coast of his hometown Split.

But when you're as successful as Vujcic, s om, with its highs and lows, is bound to follow.

In 2005 Vujcic played his part in a second consecutive Euroleague le for Maccabi, as well as clinching a third successive Irael league crown. He was also selected to the All-Euroleague team (he was a second team selection in 2004).

EuroBasket turned out to be more of a disappointing experience for Vujcic, who was named captain of the Croatian team during training camp.

While Vujcic's individual performance was nothing less than stellar, he was unable to have an impact on Croatia's quarter-final game against Spain and scored just five points on 2/9 shooting in the 101-85 loss.

Despite the painful loss, EuroBasket 2005 did nothing to damage Vujcic's place in the European elite as a perennial FIBA Europe Player of the Year candidate.

[rayray2k8]

We could always trade you Nazr!!

Thats like the Rockets trading back for Mike James.

[Solid D]

Signing Vujcic and Javtokas both would be stripping Euroleague of two of their top Centers. Vujcic and Scola were both first team All-Euroleague along with Anthony Parker, Theo Papaloukas and JC Navarro. BTW, Garbajosa was the 2nd team All-Euroleague Pivot (PF) along with Lavrinovic (C).

He is an excellent player!

[Slinkyman]

youtube.com

highlights of Maccabi Tel Aviv, Vujcic is number 7.

it appears he's a good passer at least.

[ro_50]

How much money do you guys think he will be looking for from an NBA team?

[ducks]

he has a fishing boat so he can go fishing after spurs win it all
and he does not like the spotlight like duncan

[Solid D]

I thought Vujcic had another year on his contract with Maccabi but Eurobasket site shows he is signed through '06.

He does speak English, sort of like Oberto speaks English. I'm sure Pop could communicate with him just fine since he's Croatian.

[MaNu4Tres]

Why haven't spurs learned their lesson with veteran DECENT bigs from overseas? This guy has Oberto writtin all over him. I certainly hope spurs can come up with another solution for the center position.

[ducks]

1. Nikola Vujcic - Macabi Tel Aviv, PF, C, 6-11 (1978)

The Big Croat was playing in the shadow of Jasikevicius and Anthony Parker with Maccabi during their last two European le runs and didn't mind. He has a low key, humble personality, but there is nothing humble about his game. He is the most fundamentally sound bigman in Europe right now, period. A decent athlete, with great basketball IQ and vision, can easily hit the European 3 or back you down with a post move. The thing I love most about his game is his passing ability, he always seems to find a cutting player. He's solid on defense, holds his ground and tries to play smart defense. He was never drafted so by NBA standards he's a free agent, but its questionable if any NBA team would offer him as much money as he can make in Europe, but he definitely seems capable of playing in the NBA. Dallas offered him a 2 million deal a few years back.
http://nbadraft.net/velkavrh001.asp

[Bob Lanier]

The Big Croat was playing in the shadow of Jasikevicius

That's an ominous sign.

Really... it's not too late... just match the Pistons' offer to Nazr.

[jcrod]

youtube.com

highlights of Maccabi Tel Aviv, Vujcic is number 7.

it appears he's a good passer at least.

you can only tell him apart maybe two times, all the rest you can only guess.

[picnroll]

this. Tank and go for Oden.

[timvp]

Signing Vujcic and Javtokas both would be stripping Euroleague of two of their top Centers. Vujcic and Scola were both first team All-Euroleague along with Anthony Parker, Theo Papaloukas and JC Navarro. BTW, Garbajosa was the 2nd team All-Euroleague Pivot (PF) along with Lavrinovic (C).

He is an excellent player!

Would you rather have him than any bigman option still on the free agent market?

Give us some hope.

[Solid D]

Those who have NBATV and watched Eurobasket 2005 (won by Greece over Germany), should remember Vujcic with Croatia. He is a very accomplished player. He captained the Croatian team that also featured Gordan Giricek.

[jcrod]

Would you rather have him than any bigman option still on the free agent market?

Give us some hope.

Well NBADraft.net has him ranked #1 among euro big men to come to the NBA. Ahead of (2) Luis Scola and (3) Robertas Javotakas

[SequNets]

You got to be f........ing kidding me...........

[jcrod]

Top 10 (Over 22) International Prospects



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


By Uros Velkavrh
10/26/05

While the 2005 NBA draft showed a continuing trend of NBA teams shying away from young International players, the free agent season showed a new trend developing with NBA teams going after the top International players in their prime and with lucrative multiyear deals. Among the top International free agents that were signed this summer were Sarunas Jasikevicius PG, Lithuania (Pacers), Fabricio Oberto PF/C, Argentina (Spurs), Arvydas Macijauskas SG, Lithuania (Hornets). Each is expected to make an impact on their respective teams.
The following is a list of the top European players (at or near their prime) who NBA teams could look at to bring over next year or in the future:


1. Nikola Vujcic - Macabi Tel Aviv, PF, C, 6-11 (1978)



The Big Croat was playing in the shadow of Jasikevicius and Anthony Parker with Maccabi during their last two European le runs and didn't mind. He has a low key, humble personality, but there is nothing humble about his game. He is the most fundamentally sound bigman in Europe right now, period. A decent athlete, with great basketball IQ and vision, can easily hit the European 3 or back you down with a post move. The thing I love most about his game is his passing ability, he always seems to find a cutting player. He's solid on defense, holds his ground and tries to play smart defense. He was never drafted so by NBA standards he's a free agent, but its questionable if any NBA team would offer him as much money as he can make in Europe, but he definitely seems capable of playing in the NBA. Dallas offered him a 2 million deal a few years back.

2. Luis Scola - Tau Ceramica, PF, 6-9 (1980)

Drafted by San Antonio as a late second rounder. It was written in the stars he would join them this year, but his club's unwillingness to lower the buyout clause and San Antonio's ability to sign his countrymen Oberto have postponed his move to the NBA. Strong like a bull but also agile, he has a variety of offensive moves which makes him a very tough defensive assignment. He's a tough player mentally, that fights on every possession, which can sometimes get him in foul trouble, but considering the NBA style of game is more physical, he could very well excel with his combination of strength, quickness and finesse.

3. Robertas Javtokas - Lietuvos Rytas, C, 6-11 (1980)

Was drafted #56 in 2001 by guess who, the San Antonio Spurs. An absolute steal back then, he was on his way to becoming the best defensive center in Europe when his motorcycle accident happened. It was questionable if he would ever walk again, much less play. But today, it's as if it never happened, Javtokas is the best defensive bigman in Europe. He has an NBA body and athleticism, a very good vertical leaper and he uses all these attributes to his advantage, especially on the defensive end. His offense is steadily improving, he's developed a nice hook shot that he's hitting with regularity and is good finisher around the basket. He can be erratic from the FT line and need a more consistentcy on his jumpshot from 15 ft out. He might be a better center than any current center San Antonio has, which considering the group (Mohammed, Oberto, Nesterovic) speaks for itself. The rich have options to become even richer.

4. David Andersen - CSKA Moscow, C-PF, 7-0 (1980)

When drafted by Atlanta Hawks (#37) in 2002 he was an athletic but skinny big man, that had potential written all over him. A few years later and after a dominating second half of the season this past year that potential is beginning to pay off big time. A good rebounder and nice shoot blocker, he uses his quickness real well to get past his opponents. Has a nice midrange jumper and can put the ball on the floor to get by his man. Although he has developed his body in the past two years an extra few pounds wouldn't hurt him. Andrew Bogut the best big man from Down Under? Hmmm.

5. Kristof Lavrinovic - Dynamo Moscow, PF-C, 6-11 (1979)

He and his twin brother Darius had a coming out party at the last Olympic games at Athens showing the world their skills and untapped potential. If it weren't for his legal troubles, some NBA team would be owning Kristof's rights right now. But a man cannot change his past and Kristof doesn't needs to as his game is loud enough to take him to the promised league despite his past. His athleticism combined with his strength is something rare in a big man and add to that his shooting touch with range to the European 3, and you have a combination of skills that creates mismatches all over the floor. Consistency is not at the desired level yet and he's still learning how to use some of the natural advantages he has over his opponents. He speaks very little English, so this is another factor for playing in the NBA.

[Please_dont_ban_me]

Hmm...Maccabbi...that sounds awfully familiar. Javtokas running mate?

[Please_dont_ban_me]

Anthyony Parker as in, Tony's brother who went undrafted?

[jcrod]

Still sucks though.

[Kori Ellis]

Anthyony Parker as in, Tony's brother who went undrafted?

No.

Tony's brother who went undrafted in TJ (Terence). He's waiting on a summer league invite from someone and if he doesn't get one, he'll go play in France.

The other brother Pierre will play at UTSA.

[T Park]

PDBM

Javtokas played for Rytas,

and Anthony Parker is no relation....

Still sucks though.

Of course.


They have to trade for an all star.

[rayray2k8]

Sad to see that this guy sort of gives people false hopes, when in fact theres almost no one available on the market.

[timvp]

If they get him and then use the rest of the MLE on Ariza, that'd be good.

If they get him and pocket the rest of the money, they'd be waiving a white flag before the season begins.