Japanese guard signs for NBA's Phoenix Suns

[George O'Brien]

Japanese guard signs for NBA's Phoenix Suns

TOKYO : Yuta Tabuse has signed for the Phoenix Suns, boosting his hopes of becoming the first Japanese to play in the US National Basketball Association (NBA) regular season, the NBA's Tokyo branch said.

The 23-year-old guard, who took part in the Denver Nuggets' pre-season training camp last year, will join the Phoenix club for the start of the season on October 10.

After failing to make the Nuggets' 12-man roster, he helped Long Beach Jam win the independent American Basketball Association league last season.

Tabuse played with Brigham Young University Hawaii for three years before joining Toyota Alvark of Japan's Super League in 2002.

He quit the Japanese club last year with his sights set on the big-time American league, taking part in Phoenix's camp in July and playing in summer games.

- AFP

 

[SweetD]

maybe we can move Howard for a box of chicken wings.

 

[elindholm]

This screams "training camp fodder" like no other signing in recent memory. Tabuse has no chance at all of making the team. What's he going to do, take Barbosa's job?

 

[SweetD]

This screams "training camp fodder" like no other signing in recent memory. Tabuse has no chance at all of making the team. What's he going to do, take Barbosa's job?

Maybe they could use Barboas at the two and Tabuse as a true-point gaurd. Maybe Casey could be moved?

 

[elindholm]

Maybe they could use Barboas at the two and Tabuse as a true-point gaurd. Maybe Casey could be moved?

Sure, okay, maybe. I guess that would be one of the Suns' patented pipsqueak lineups. No other team would consider it, but you're right that the Suns might.

From what I saw in the summer leagues, Tabuse isn't an NBA-caliber player. Players that small need to have something exceptional about their games in order to compensate. I know that some people on this board thought more highly of him, but I didn't see anything that would qualify as "exceptional." "Sort of being able to cut it" at 5' 7", or whatever his height is, is admirable, but it doesn't get you a spot on an NBA roster.

 

[George O'Brien]

Certainly screams "training camp fodder" to me. So unless there is a plan to unload Eisley (we can always dream ) he doesn't even a shot as an IR emergency player.

 

[SweetD]

Could also be a media move. Like Lamas and Santigo??

 

[Mainstreet]

Say what you want about Tabuse, but he brings excitement to the game and the fans would love to cheer for this fiesty little underdog. He is sort of an Elliott Perry type player.

What he brings to the game is uptempo. He can really scoot the ball up and down the court. If he could develop his shot he would be a Boykins type of player.

Certainly I know the chances of him making the Suns are slim but he is certainly a player a team would want in camp. Also as SweetD pointed out, he could be a precurser to a trade and player that might be nice to have on the IL.

 

[fordronken]

Yeah. To me, this move screams more "public relations" than "training camp fodder."

 

[PhxGametime]

What he brings to the game is uptempo. He can really scoot the ball up and down the court. player that might be nice to have on the IL.

I haven't seen him play but if Eisley is traded or there is a buy-out - he could be a 14th-15th man on IL. With only Nash and Barbosa on line-up - Suns might feel another less expensive back-up that can push ball (is what Suns are looking for) knowing JJ can spell minutes incase of serious injury?

 

[slinslin]

Tabuse is good especially in an up-tempo game. Size doesn't hurt Boykins either.
He can't be worse than Eisley was last season especially not for the $$$. The Suns are probably going to make more money with Tabuse than he is earning.

http://www.nba.com/suns/news/qa_tabuse_040710.html

Also japanese media is nuts. When a german soccer team signs a japanese player the next day there will be 20 media teams from japan around.

 

[Yuma]

We need another big guy, NOT another back up PG. This is a training camp move! Unless someone can come up with ANOTHER ridiculous REAL GM trade that gets rid of Marion, Eisley, Barbosa, etc., in a three way trade for Tim Duncan and Shaq!

 

[slinslin]

Didn't Gambo mention that the Suns are trying to negotiate a buyout for Eisley?

 

[elindholm]

Didn't Gambo mention that the Suns are trying to negotiate a buyout for Eisley?

He raised it as a possibility, but I think that possibility has been obvious to everyone on this board for months. I've never believed that Gambo has any inside information, and I'm not about to start believing it just because he states the obvious from time to time.

I doubt that Eisley will agree to a buyout. Furthermore, as some on this board have pointed out, he isn't that big a problem to the Suns right now, aside from holding an IR spot. They don't have any FA money to spend right now, and they'll have the MLE next summer no matter what, so whether Eisley is on the books or not doesn't really make a big difference one way or the other.

 

[NJYAJ09]

If Eisleys gone, I could see Tabuse making the team in the IR.

 

[jbeecham]

The Suns need to tell Eisley that if he wants to play this season then he needs to accept a buyout and sign with another team. The only problem that could occur is if Eisley really doesn't want to play and would rather sit on the IR and collect a paycheck.

 

[devilalum]

The Suns need to tell Eisley that if he wants to play this season then he needs to accept a buyout and sign with another team.

This violates the CBA.

 

[Mainstreet]

Didn't Gambo mention that the Suns are trying to negotiate a buyout for Eisley?

If Eisleys gone, I could see Tabuse making the team in the IR.

Bring on Tabuse! I like the hustle this little guy instills with his play. It's contagious. Sure he will probably end up on the IR but if Eisley could be moved one way or the other, it would be great to have this guy in reserve. I want Suns basketball to be exciting again.

I can still remember little Elliot Perry being hugged by Charles Barkley after making hustle plays. His white socks were nearly as big as him. Elliott's big heart made him special.

To clarify one item, the Suns definitely still need another serviceable center/powerforward. I am definitely not advocating getting Tabuse at the expense of a big man. I think the IL can be used judiciously.

Perhaps Eisley could be packaged with Jacobson and/or a pick for a serviceable big man. Maybe even Zarko could be included in such a package but I really think Zarko is only going to improve. I would particularly hate to part with him.

If the Suns are only one legitimate big man away from contending (which I think they are) let's get him but not at the expense of the core of our franchise. The Chicago pick should only be used in a trade for an immediate impact big man that has significant time left on the clock in terms of youth.

Yes! I'm excited about the upcoming season and so should all the Suns fans.

 

[elindholm]

Look, Elliot Perry was about 6' 0". He was small, but not miniscule. Tabuse is in a completely different category.

Perry was also a very good shooter. He needed room to get his shot off, of course, but teams who left him open paid the price. So far, I haven't seen that from Tabuse.

The Suns already have a high-energy backup point guard. His name is Leonardo Barbosa. One is enough -- this ain't pee-wee league.

 

[Mainstreet]

Look, Elliot Perry was about 6' 0". He was small, but not miniscule. Tabuse is in a completely different category.

Perry was also a very good shooter. He needed room to get his shot off, of course, but teams who left him open paid the price. So far, I haven't seen that from Tabuse.

The Suns already have a high-energy backup point guard. His name is Leonardo Barbosa. One is enough -- this ain't pee-wee league.

Thanks for bringing the wisdom of your insight. Perhaps your right. However, I only mentioned Elliott Perry because he brought alot of heart to this team that was packaged in a small body. Obviously they are different players. Maybe Tabuse can bring high octane, enthusiam and PG skills to the table. The Suns must see something in this "pee-wee league" player to want to sign him. Perhaps the Suns are planning some moves down the line whereby Tabuse might have a place as a back-up, even if it is only on the IL.

I choose to remain optimistic and give the young man a chance before writing him off.

 

[elindholm]

Thanks for bringing the wisdom of your insight.

Heh, I'll bet you particularly appreciated the "wisdom" of the way I butchered Barbosa's first name. Ahem, Leandro, sorry about that.

The Suns must see something in this "pee-wee league" player to want to sign him.

The Suns sign trading-camp fodder every summer.

If he's on the roster come opening day, I will be sure to admit how wrong I was. But right now I'm saying there's no way he makes the team. I'm not trying to be "wise" or hostile; I just think that's the way it is.

 

[Mainstreet]

Heh, I'll bet you particularly appreciated the "wisdom" of the way I butchered Barbosa's first name. Ahem, Leandro, sorry about that.

Gosh, I hope you don't grade me for spelling.

Seriously, I like to pick out some underdog players every year and root for them to make it in the NBA. A player with the name of Yuta Tabuse, I have to root for him. Plus he is a little spark plug. I loved it when Boykins played well last year.

So I will root for Yuta even though the odds are against him and me. That is part of being a Suns fan for me. It's not whose right or who is wrong. However, I do think he will bring some fire to camp.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

This violates the CBA.

No it doesn't. A team may tell any player under contract that they will not play them. They cannot force him to take a buyout, but they can tell him he won't play at all for the Suns next year (meaning his only chance to play is to accept it).


Anyways, a buyout won't do anything to the suns cap number. However, it will save them some cash, and free up a roster spot. Basically, unless they can get him to agree to a pretty good buyout, I doubt they will do it. Even though Eisley sucked, he still could offer good insurance for an injury.

 

[Joe Mama]

I liked this guy in the summer leagues. I thought he was a pesky and surprisingly adequate defender, he pushed the ball at every opportunity and looked good doing it, he was able to create opportunities for others, and when I saw him he was knocking down his open shots. Of course he is only about 5'10" and 160 pounds. I don't think they would have any trouble getting 110% + every second from this guy. That's for sure.

All that said, unless Howard Eiseley agrees to a buyout or is miraculously traded there is no way Tabuse is going to make the regular-season roster. Now if he was a foot taller...

Joe Mama

 

[elindholm]

Now if he was a foot taller...

... he'd instantly become the starting center.

Come on, you know you wanted to say it.