Interview by Spanoulis in a Greek newspaper

[justanotherspursfan]

He already thinks he's an all-star, and he would be 3rd PG on the Spurs, so the chances of him playing on the Spurs are zero.

It's not like JV is impossibly good. If he can play D as well as slash to the basket, VSpan could take Vaughn's minutes.

[IronheadSpur]

Did I just read this right? whottt thinks that:

-The Rockets fired Van Gundy to tempt Spanoulis to return.
-The Spurs hired Lindsey just to try to improve their chances of signing Spanoulis.
-The Spurs bought the Toros just for Spanoulis.

I am certainly not an insider on any of these teams, but I am willing to bet that:

-The Rockets were looking for a coach that can best integrate Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming and others into the best possible team, so that they can try to win a championship. I don't think the Rockets fired their coach and hired a new one to increase their chances of keeping their backup PG.
-The Spurs hired Lindsey because they thought he would do a good job over the next few years in the FO and help the Spurs remain a championship-caliber organization. Not to get one player.
-The Spurs bought the Toros because they thought it would be in their long-term best interests by helping them develop all of their younger players. I don't think they bought an entire basketball team just for Spanoulis.

In other words, I don't think the major organizational decisions of these two franchises revolve around Vasilis Spanoulis.

It doesn't sound to me like he has the type of at ude that fits the Spurs and with which the organization has been successful. If he changes his at ude and is willing to put in his time, I think he could be a good prospect as a backup PG. Not another Manu or TP. If he doesn't have the right at ude, void his contract and spend the money elsewhere.

[whottt]

I watched you tube...he does have NBA speed....he's got Nash speed...and he'd instantly be moved ahead of Vaughn in the rotation...just like Beno would be...if he cared. Plus he's got an at ude..he's not a pussy. At least not based on those clips I saw. I don't if his D is as good as the one guy said.

If his D was bad Van Gundy would certainly have mentioned it...he said it was the TO's that bothered him...


Pop learned how to deal with that thanks to Manu.


The job would be his to lose...

The bigger question is how would he and Parker feel about playing with each other...Parker probably isn't worried about such things anymore...but PG's generally don't like other PG's.

[YODA]

a few thoughts on this:
1. Manu's rookie year was up and down. Pop about lost most his hait the first year he was here. ill give pop credit for eventually letting Manu play his style of play.
2. Parker was basically hand fed his rookie season. Remember pop giving PARKER the plays everytime he came up the court?

With this is mind, I think he expected be like parker, manu, and Dirk, but how they play now. I dont think he was pateint enough to learn the NBA a timely fashion in Hoyuston, then pouted when things didnt go his way. He looks like he has the ability, but does he have the patience?

With San Antonio, Its obvious if he came over,he would be the 3rd string PG, but its also obvious that Vaughn is only a short term solution to the backup PG position. Wouldnt it be nice to give him this year to learn the system, then get some playing time when Vaughn is not up to par? He then could thrive next year as the official backup pg. All of this is contengent of course of Beno being gone.

your thoughts??

Yoda
Do or do not,,,there is no try

[Solid D]

Did I just read this right? whottt thinks that:

-The Rockets fired Van Gundy to tempt Spanoulis to return.
-The Spurs hired Lindsey just to try to improve their chances of signing Spanoulis.
-The Spurs bought the Toros just for Spanoulis.

I am certainly not an insider on any of these teams, but I am willing to bet that:

-The Rockets were looking for a coach that can best integrate Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming and others into the best possible team, so that they can try to win a championship. I don't think the Rockets fired their coach and hired a new one to increase their chances of keeping their backup PG.
-The Spurs hired Lindsey because they thought he would do a good job over the next few years in the FO and help the Spurs remain a championship-caliber organization. Not to get one player.
-The Spurs bought the Toros because they thought it would be in their long-term best interests by helping them develop all of their younger players. I don't think they bought an entire basketball team just for Spanoulis.

In other words, I don't think the major organizational decisions of these two franchises revolve around Vasilis Spanoulis.

It doesn't sound to me like he has the type of at ude that fits the Spurs and with which the organization has been successful. If he changes his at ude and is willing to put in his time, I think he could be a good prospect as a backup PG. Not another Manu or TP. If he doesn't have the right at ude, void his contract and spend the money elsewhere.

The voice of reason and sound thinking.

[whottt]

Did I just read this right? whottt thinks that:

-The Rockets fired Van Gundy to tempt Spanoulis to return.

Oh I am pretty sure if they told Spanolis he was going to get minutes and JVG refused to give him to them, and the kid no longer wanted to play for them because of it...Van Gundy would get fired over that...it's not like his stock was high.

And if they aren't high on him...then how come he outlasted Van Gundy?

-The Spurs hired Lindsey just to try to improve their chances of signing Spanoulis.

Um...you do realize the Spurs once hired someone just so Mengke Bateer would have some one to talk too...

They hired a coach to make Tony shoot better...

-The Spurs bought the Toros just for Spanoulis.

Ok I was stretching it there...

They bought the Toros for the draft picks already in their system...

But they could gurantee him minutes and keep that promise...via D-league. I doubt they would though...

I am certainly not an insider on any of these teams, but I am willing to bet that:

-The Rockets were looking for a coach that can best integrate Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming and others into the best possible team, so that they can try to win a championship.

Playing in a ty offense is player repellent...you notice the Spurs started getting more FA as their offense opened up...it's not a coincidence.

I don't think the Rockets fired their coach and hired a new one to increase their chances of keeping their backup PG.

What makes you think they wanted him to be their back up PG?

And you don't think players get coaches fired? Even rookies?

-The Spurs hired Lindsey because they thought he would do a good job over the next few years in the FO and help the Spurs remain a championship-caliber organization. Not to get one player.

You don't understand the NBA...the Spurs had a vacancy...this guy potentially had insight into aquiring a Manu type talent...

I gurantee you the Spurs would hire a mother er if it could get them another Manu.

In other words, I don't think the major organizational decisions of these two franchises revolve around Vasilis Spanoulis.

Who says it's major for the Spurs...

I think what went down with this kid definitely had something to do with Van Gundy being fired...definitely.

It doesn't sound to me like he has the type of at ude that fits the Spurs and with which the organization has been successful. If he changes his at ude and is willing to put in his time, I think he could be a good prospect as a backup PG. Not another Manu or TP. If he doesn't have the right at ude, void his contract and spend the money elsewhere.

And it doesn't sound to me like you spend a lot of time following the Spurs...they've tried to sign dog fighters, wife batterers, coach chokers, Karl Malone...

The Angels left with Drob...If Satan was interested in playing for the Spurs...Pop would invite him to camp to find out if he had game.

[AFBlue]

Spanoulis said in a telephone interview with Houston television station KRIV from Greece that the trade didn't change his mind.

"Nothing changes my mind. I still want to stay in Greece," he said.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2934887

I think I've seen another comment elsewhere, but it does appear that his initial reaction was not positive if you're looking for him to come over.

Having said that, there are plenty of times when players pull 180's from one week to the next.


I also got some clarification on his contract situation. If he wants to play in Greece next year, he'll have to be bought out of his contract (presumably with the cash the Spurs received in the deal), but that would mean the Spurs no longer owned his rights and he would be free to sign with anyon....Euroleague, NBA, or otherwise.

It'll be interesting to see how this situation develops....

[whottt]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2934887

I think I've seen another comment elsewhere, but it does appear that his initial reaction was not positive if you're looking for him to come over.

Having said that, there are plenty of times when players pull 180's from one week to the next.

Ehh...I am running out of energy to argue about it. He'll probably be released from his contract today...

I also got some clarification on his contract situation. If he wants to play in Greece next year, he'll have to be bought out of his contract (presumably with the cash the Spurs received in the deal), but that would mean the Spurs no longer owned his rights and he would be free to sign with anyon....Euroleague, NBA, or otherwise.

It'll be interesting to see how this situation develops....

I don't think they have to buy him out do they? He's the one refusing to play...they can just release him right? And he's off their budget. Anyway...the Rockets probably gave them the money to do that with if that's what they have to do.

The Spurs probably will make some kind of token effort...just to see.

I have a really hard time believing they aren't interested in that kid if he wants to play here....really interested. He's got talent....and the Spurs want a back up PG. And I don't think he's the bad guy in this deal either...the Rockets lied to him to get him over here...and he gave up 9 mil. I'd be pissed too.

It's not like he said it'd have been better off if he hadn't been drafted after they drafted him or anything...


You never know though...it may turn out that the Rockets were the desperate ones...I think that kid is more of an NBA caliber talent than Scola....or Butler. I think that's pretty obvious.

[IronheadSpur]

This just in...

Insurgent Attacks in Iraq Linked to Spanoulis

[nkdlunch]

LMAO, this guy is a scrub that will probably will be no better than Beno.

I cannot ing beleive we let Scola go for this piece of

[whottt]

The voice of reason and sound thinking.

So how was Horry's retirement party? Did he smile yet?

[drmvp]

I don't think they have to buy him out do they? He's the one refusing to play...they can just release him right? And he's off their budget.

IIRC...The Rockets paid their usual portion of $500K when they helped buy out V-Span's overseas contract. If V-Span doesn't live up to his contract, his contract calls for him to pay back $350K of the Rockets' portion of the buyout. I believe this clause in his contract is transferable to any team to which he's traded.

Hence, he would owe the Spurs $350K if he stays in Greece.


BTW, good job in making the case for V-Span.

[bigfan]

The bottom line is this; is he better than Beno and will he play for the Spurs? If he's better than Beno bring him over and get rid of Beno. Since Beno lost his minutes to Vaughan, he needs to be sent someplace where he can get another shot, he will never get out of the doghouse here and he still has talent.

[thekingrobert]

this guy destroyed some good nba defenders on smaller spaced court

[pad300]

About Spanoulis's contract. As I understand it, Spanoulis can't sign a contract with a Euro team, until his current NBA contract is bought out/expires. What happens if the Spurs play hardball? Currently, Spanoulis is in Europe saying he ain't coming back. If the Spurs just ignore what he is saying, when the season starts and he doesn't show up, can they just take it to the NBA (and/or a real court) and dump the guy for non-performance (ie. they wouldn't have to pay his salary or buy him out, keep the money from the rockets, and open up a slot)? What are the implications of this wrt to the salary cap (do the Spurs get some sort of exception)?

[Mr. Body]

whottt wants to go sign Macijauskas to a long deal. Claims these guys were just 'misunderstood', poor, beleaguered guys whose sensitive feelings should be catered to at every turn.

Nah. Spanoulis is a prima donna who couldn't cut it in a better league and is trying to save face at every turn. He went whining home.

The fact some are managing to overlook is that this deal makes sense only if Spanoulis does not come over. On the roster, he'd be deadweight, occupy a roster spot they burned a very good PF to buy, and they would suddenly owe him all of $1.9M.

No, the Rockets included money in the deal explicitly to buy him out. He's not coming, and thank God.

[ploto]

The fact some are managing to overlook is that this deal makes sense only if Spanoulis does not come over. On the roster, he'd be deadweight, occupy a roster spot they burned a very good PF to buy, and they would suddenly owe him all of $1.9M.

Thank you- back to reason. The Spurs wanted to shed Butler's salary. First option is to find a team under the cap who can absorb the salary. Second- to find a guy like Spanoulis whose salary matches under the CBA but who is never expected to play and who will either mutually agree to get out of the contract or who will agree to be bought out for significantly less. The Spurs did not give up Butler and Scola to get a third string PG for $2M per season. They did it to save $$$.

[drmvp]

No, the Rockets included money in the deal explicitly to buy him out.

Huh? Where did you hear that?

Why would the Spurs need to buy out V-Span's contract? It's he who has vowed to never play in NBA again. So being in violation of his contract, the Spurs wouldn't owe him anything, and he'd, in fact, owe the Spurs $350K. Check out the soup on Aisle 62.

Furthermore, in order to release him totally from his NBA contract and allow him to play in Greece, the Spurs might demand even more than $350K from V-Span.

I don't always trust the Spurs' talent-evaluation skills, but when it comes to making money...

[Mr. Body]

Huh? Where did you hear that?

It's in the contract. Cash considerations intended to buy out Spanoulis's contract of the amount he requests.

Why would the Spurs need to buy out V-Span's contract? It's he who has vowed to never play in NBA again. So being in violation of his contract, the Spurs wouldn't owe him anything, and he'd, in fact, owe the Spurs $350K. Check out the soup on Aisle 62.

In the NBA they have guaranteed contracts. The Spurs are legally obligated to pay him his full salary this year. True, if he does want to play in Europe, he will need to be bought out, but this is a give-and-take relationship. He has them over the barrel as much as they do him, since they don't want to pay him the entire $1.9M. He, of course, wants to play for another team, so they will strike some kind of equilibrium value for his current contract higher than $0 and lower than $1.9M that satisfies both parties. There is a chance he walks away from the contract completely, which he said in a time of anger, but he could easily request it all for a negotiation point.

An important question is whether his contract, if 'voided', would remain for salary cap purposes. I believe it still remains, meaning technically the Spurs are not saving a whole lot in luxury tax - only the difference between Butler and Spanoulis's contracts.

[drmvp]

In the NBA they have guaranteed contracts. The Spurs are legally obligated to pay him his full salary this year.

I hear what you're saying, and you do a thorough job of presenting your case.

But I don't for one minute believe that the Spurs would owe V-Span a dime if he violates his contract, guaranteed or not. And, as I stated, he would, in fact, owe the Spurs $350K under those conditions.

How his contract violation would affect roster spots, cap space, etc., I don't know. So there may be some give and take necessary. But the financial ball is certainly in the Spurs' court, in my opinion.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Actually, the conditions of the trade were cash considerations to the Spurs. It does not state the money included in the deal is explicitly for buying out Spanoulis, but it's obvious the Spurs would use some of the money they received from Houston to do so if necessary.

[Mr. Body]

Spanoulis hasn't really violated his contract, he's just not coming back to the NBA. There's no such thing as voiding it for non-play or whatever; a guarantee is a guarantee. When Macijauskas came over and proved to not be worthy for the NBA, New Orleans bought him out to send him back to Europe.

So the question is whether Spanoulis will hold the contract over the Spurs' head, knowing they don't want to give him any of the money. The see-saw of negotiation is certainly tipped in the Spurs' direction, since they can prevent him from playing at all, but he can play hardball if he wishes. (For my money, he won't, but who knows.) I still wonder whether his contract can be cut from the salary roll, but don't think so, which means the luxury tax dump wasn't that great.

[Mr. Body]

Actually, the conditions of the trade were cash considerations to the Spurs. It does not state the money included in the deal is explicitly for buying out Spanoulis, but it's obvious the Spurs would use some of the money they received from Houston to do so if necessary.

One of the MySA articles did say the money was intended for that purpose, but I'm too lazy to find it.

[spurster]

Spanoulis hasn't really violated his contract, he's just not coming back to the NBA. There's no such thing as voiding it for non-play or whatever; a guarantee is a guarantee. When Macijauskas came over and proved to not be worthy for the NBA, New Orleans bought him out to send him back to Europe.

So the question is whether Spanoulis will hold the contract over the Spurs' head, knowing they don't want to give him any of the money. The see-saw of negotiation is certainly tipped in the Spurs' direction, since they can prevent him from playing at all, but he can play hardball if he wishes. (For my money, he won't, but who knows.) I still wonder whether his contract can be cut from the salary roll, but don't think so, which means the luxury tax dump wasn't that great.

Are you serious? If Spanoulis violates his contract by not showing up, I'm pretty sure the Spurs could just drop him without paying him anything.

[Mr. Body]

Are you serious? If Spanoulis violates his contract by not showing up, I'm pretty sure the Spurs could just drop him without paying him anything.

He is owed the money.