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@ Slokar
Wait- did I miss something?
"Raptors sucked, Raptors sucked, Raptors sucked, ladies and gentleman..."
Aw.. I saw Sho.
His airball few minutes ago... It was a bad one!
Nice dunk by Graham!
I missed it... must have been typing.
Guess the winning starts next game.
Soaking it All in From the Sidelines: Uros Slokar
(TORONTO) - Two summers ago, I remember walking into the Raptors' practice facility at Air Canada Centre for a press conference that was being held to introduce Toronto's latest draft selections. On a make-shift stage, sitting at a long table, were Charlie Villanueva, Joey Graham, Roko Ukic, and a guy I will admit I had never heard of, Uros Slokar.
Slokar was 22 years old at the time, but he looked more like 16 - at best! If not for his 6'11" frame, I would have guessed he was an MLSE intern, not a professional basketball player.
Most of the media in attendance were directing their questions at Villanueva and Graham, and there was even a little buzz about Ukic as well, a young guard that was projected by some to be a first round pick that year (he went in the 2ND round, 41ST overall).
However, not one question was posed to Slokar. He simply sat behind a microphone on stage, smiling from ear to ear, taking it all in.
When the press conference was over, I strolled over to Slokar, and introduced myself. We chatted for a couple of minutes and I walked away from our conversation not knowing if I'd see the guy again in Training Camp later that year, or if he'd be a "project" for the Raptors - stashed away back in Europe for years to come.
The Slovenian forward did indeed return to Europe for the 2005-06 season, where he helped Benetton Treviso win the Italian National Championship.
But when camp opened in Kitchener-Waterloo this past October, Slokar was back on North American soil, and the word was that he had a legit shot at making the Raptors' roster. If for no other reason than honing his skills against NBA talent, Toronto - thin up front anyway - figured Slokar would be better off on this side of the pond, as opposed to going back over to Europe.
Selfishly, I'm glad the Raptors made that decision - to keep Slokar with the big club. It's been a pleasure to get to know Uros - and I've got to tell you, he's one of the funniest people I have ever met. In a league full of egos and arrogance, Slokar is the most laid-back, mild-mannered, quick-witted guy you'll find.
"I always try to be open with people because … if you go at him like, 'I'm a big star; I'm a big person; I'm an NBA player and you're not', that's the worst thing you can do," he said. "If you approach a person and act like a normal person - not 'Superman' - you can show people that you're here not only for yourself."
He added with a laugh though: "I would be glad to play with Superman though because we'd win the Championship immediately."
It's that sense of humour that makes Slokar so likable. I'm convinced if he were playing just a little bit more, he'd be an instant favourite for Raptors' fans. He's still developing his nose for the ball in terms of becoming a better rebounder, but he's got a smooth stroke - with range (even 3PT range) - and a soft touch too. However, with such a limited role on the Raptors, folks haven't had a chance to literally see Slokar play, let alone hear him in interviews and sound-bites. Yet you won't hear him complain for one second about how this year has gone.
"Yeah, I've had a lot of time to watch," he said. "I knew when I came over here that I wouldn't get a lot of chances this first year so I basically devoted my time to working on my body, working on my game, looking at other players, preparing for next season, and looking at what the NBA is all about. I kind of look at guys like … Andrea, Rasho, (and) Jorge … what they had to do to get over here and get the minutes.
I'm learning from them a lot - especially Rasho - he's giving me advice every day."
In fact, the two Slovenians are hanging out so much, they've developed a bit of an Abbot and Costello act - constantly cracking jokes and spewing their good-natured sarcasm at anyone who will listen. Raptors' assistant coach Jim Todd calls them "The Blues Brothers", but I don't know if even Akroyd and Belushi could handle Uros and Rasho.
"At the beginning of the season I was (being mistaken) for everyone from Andrea Bargnani to Rasho Nesterovic to Kris Humphries," said Slokar. "Well, I'm kind of joking (about Humphries). Nobody mistakes me for him."
But now, after five months, (people) know who I am and that's kind of cool. Now I don't have to sign anymore Rasho Nesterovic pictures!"
That connection to his fellow countryman has been huge for Slokar, as he's had to make the transition to living in Canada - in North America - for the first time. Though he told me he's used to being away from home - having played outside of Slovenia since 2003 - there's little doubt having a friend in Toronto helped ease the uncertainty of a new team and a new league. On top of that, Slokar played with Andrea Bargnani (2003-06) and Jorge Garbajosa (2003-04) while he was a member of Benetton.
"The opportunity (to come to the NBA) came and I said 'sure, why not'. I've got guys that I played with (so) I am familiar with the surroundings around me," he said.
He added that coming to the NBA "was a personal decision to broaden my horizons. I played in the top level in Europe; I played on the bottom level of Europe; I have played on all levels in Europe already."
Though he has played in only 15 games this season (35:52 total minutes), he said he doesn't regret making the decision to leave Europe.
"I'm glad I'm around (this season) and we're doing really well. Even if I don't play, I just try to keep up the spirits of the other guys."
However, that doesn't mean Slokar isn't hungry to do more and play a greater role for this team in future seasons. And he's not driven by money or fame; he is driven by a love of the sport and a hunger for winning.
"When you see a picture of Michael Jordan, it doesn't say: 'He has $500 million'; it just says 'Michael Jordan: Champion'. That's why people know him," he said.
"There are guys who were in the league that had $50 million and nobody knows who they are or where they are. But there are guys who just made a big impact - not caring about the money - or what people said about them - and I think that's what's most important and everybody should concentrate more on that."
LINK
Great minds Ploto. I was about to post the same article.
Here are the pics that were with it:
I met Uros when the Raptors were here. The article is right about how nice he is.
Not about the Raptors, but I thought some Slovenian posters who come in here might like to see this:
Nets' Nachbar serves as president of team in Slovenia
It is always interesting to look forward to what you could see a player doing after his playing days are over. I could easily see Rasho as a scout- maybe scouting European players for an NBA team.In his role as New Jersey's sixth man, Bostjan Nachbar is nothing if not efficient. The supersub is a whirling dervish on the court, whether it be bombing from behind the three-point line (39 percent for the season) or going hard to the hole (Nachbar has had several YouTube-caliber dunks this season). Nachbar has become an indispensable part of the Nets' rotation.
As a team executive, well, let's just say Nachbar is absentee.
That's not a bad thing, though. In addition to his duties in the Nets' frontcourt, Nachbar doubles as the president of Kosarkaski Klub Koper, a first-division team in the Slovenian Men's League based out of the city of Koper. He is the de facto face of the 40-year-old franchise despite spending most of his time living an ocean away.
Two years ago, while a member of the New Orleans Hornets, Nachbar, 26, negotiated a deal with Koper that gave him the right to run the team for three years. While Nachbar spends most of Koper's season Stateside (the NBA and Slovenian League's seasons coincide), Nachbar's father, Vlado, a former basketball coach, runs the day-to-day operations.
"Basketball in Slovenia isn't as big as it was six or seven years ago," Nachbar says. "My father and I want to make it big again, give kids an alternative to playing soccer."
As Nachbar points out, basketball has faded in Slovenia since the late 1990s, when NBA players like Nachbar, Toronto's Rasho Nesterovic and Charlotte's Primoz Brezec starred in the league. Growing up, Nachbar struggled with the politics of playing in his homeland, as the local teams (which have low operating budgets) clung to their talented players, refusing to let them sign more lucrative deals with powerful Euroleague teams.
"I know how hard it was for me," says Nachbar, whose brother, Grego, plays for the team. "With my team, I want to be just the opposite. I want to help these young kids develop so they can go on to bigger and better things."
The club has thrived under Nachbar. When he took over, Koper was floundering at the bottom of the First Division. Support was at an all-time low and the team was in danger of dropping into the country's Second Division, which happens automatically when a team finishes in last place. But with an operating budget of just over $200,000 (the highest budget in the league is $700,000), Nachbar has overhauled not only the senior team but also a junior, cadet and pioneer team that has players as young as 14.
"A lot of other teams pay a lot of money to older players then fold when they don't win," Nachbar says. "I didn't want that. I want to make sure the younger players get a chance to play."
His popularity in Slovenia has brought in sponsors, and Nachbar takes every opportunity in the offseason to meet with potential sponsors as well as the Koper mayor to drum up support. During the summer he travels back to Koper, where he recently built a house, and sits in on team meetings and occasionally scrimmages with the players. When the Nets' forward reports to NBA training camp in October, Vlado sends his son tapes of the team's games and Nachbar will follow the club's statistics over the Internet. The two talk basketball by phone several times a week.
"We make most of the decisions together," Vlado says. "Boki will look at the tapes and give me his opinion."
Nets coach Lawrence Frank, for one, isn't surprised Nachbar has made the conversion from player to executive.
"Boki is a smart guy," Frank says. "A lot of former players become general managers. I could see Boki in an NBA front office someday."
Nachbar's teammates are equally as supportive -- to a point.
"I know he would do a great job," Richard Jefferson says. "But if he asks me to suit up for his team, no way."
Nachbar says he will continue to run the team through the end of the year, when he will make a decision whether to stay on as team president. Surely a man who makes $2.5 million per season could use the extra paycheck, right?
"No money," Nachbar says with a laugh. "I do it because I love working with these kids. As long as their interest is there, I'll be there."
LINK
That was an interesting article. Boki is multi talented.
The article made me forget why I came in here.
Toronto hosts Orlando tomorrow. Sho and Hedo get to have a reunion.
Can u believe that ? my brother and a colleague have been sent to Toronto for 5 days, and their company got them FREE tickets for tomorrow's game (Toronto vs Orlando)
Maybe the colleague gets locked in a supply closet right before tip off?Can u believe that ? my brother and a colleague have been sent to Toronto for 5 days, and their company got them FREE tickets for tomorrow's game (Toronto vs Orlando)
Damn ; u are aware of my plan.Maybe the colleague gets locked in a supply closet right before tip off?
The weirdest part ? going there (on monday), they didn't know anything about that ; this evening, my brother called me : " U know what? our bossed called us this afternoon to tell us that free tix for Raps-Magic were waiting for us" ; I'm like
My bro watches NBA games on occasion, but he is not a hardcore fan like me ; so, it should have happened to me ; last time I went to Toronto, I had to pay for a ticket
I think I'm gonna join his company ; 3 months ago, he was offered an XBOX 360
Xbox 360, free NBA
But I'm happy for him ; It's gonna be his first attendance @ NBA basketball , but he 'd better get an autograph from Andrea
Bargnani is out for one month because of an appendicitis.but he 'd better get an autograph from Andrea
Poor Nani. Feel better!
I hope your brother gets you an autograph or something else cool, Lefty.
Updated: March 21, 2007, 11:14 AM ET
Raptors' Bargnani has appendix removedESPN.com news services
TORONTO -- Rookie Toronto Raptors forward Andrea Bargnani underwent an emergency appendectomy on Wednesday morning and no timetable has been set for his return, the team said.
Bargnani is expected to be released from the hospital in the next few days.
According to Italian media reports, Bargnani, 21, became ill after practice Tuesday and had the surgery overnight.
"He's just waking up right now, but everything is fine. He seems to be doing well," Toronto assistant general manager Maurizio Gherardini said Wednesday morning from Mount Sinai Hospital.
Bargnani, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft, is averaging 11.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game for the Atlantic Division-leading Raptors.
Bargnani and Portland's Brandon Roy are considered the top candidates for rookie of the year. Bargnani is coming off Eastern Conference rookie of the month honors for February, when he averaged 13.5 points on 50 percent shooting.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Damn ! ok now I want an autograph from ....Sam Mitc ; I really like him
Nani?Poor Nani. Feel better!
I hope your brother gets you an autograph or something else cool, Lefty.
Hope Andrea will be OK.
I didn't know what else to nickname him. If you have a suggestion...
Maybe Andy?
Tks; IF he gets a chancePoor Nani. Feel better!
I hope your brother gets you an autograph or something else cool, Lefty.
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