Rookie/Free Agent Camp

[Chaplin]

Zarko is sounding pretty good...

Cabarkapa Impresses in First Workout


By Dustin Krugel, Suns.com
Posted: July 14, 2003

While rookie Zarko Cabarkapa is not yet comfortable speaking English in front of TV cameras, he is fluent in the game of basketball and it showed in his first official practice as the newest member of the Phoenix Suns.

The forward from Serbia and Montenegro signed a guaranteed three-year contract with a team option for a fourth season on Monday morning and then impressed the Suns’ brass in the opening day of the team’s Rookie/Free Agent Camp, which also included veterans Joe Johnson, Casey Jacobsen and Jake Tsakalidis. Additionally, Tom Gugliotta was expected to participate in Monday’s evening session on the America West Arena practice court.

“The one who stands out is Zarko,” said Suns assistant coach Mike D’Antoni, who will serve as the Summer Suns' head coach during the Reebok Rocky Mountain ***** (July 18-26). “We are pretty enthused about him. You can see that he has some skills that you really can’t teach. He’s 7-foot and goes to the hole. He explodes to the basket, and he’s tall and long.”

The Suns are scheduled to practice twice daily through Wednesday and conclude camp with one morning session on Thursday, before departing for Salt Lake City, Utah.

“This is my first day in camp and I’m very happy to play with these guys,” Cabarkapa explained to a couple of reporters without the use of an interpreter. “Everything is new to me. I hope in a few days I’ll be okay because it’s the same game, but it is little bit different.”

While Cabarkapa, the 17th pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, was meeting many of the Suns’ campers for the first time on Monday, the 22-year-old spent some quality one-on-one time last week with several of the Suns’ veterans, including Jacobsen.

“He’s already getting better,” admitted Jacobsen, who was selected 22nd overall by Phoenix in last year's draft. “He’s got really good skills. I don’t want to put him in a stereotypical European mold, but a lot of those guys are really tall and they can do everything well. They can dribble, they can pass, they can shoot and they can take it to the basket. They’re really complete players and you can never have too many of those on the team.”

More than anything, Jacobsen said he was impressed with the newcomer's attitude.

“When I talk to him he listens and when he talks to me he’s very respectful, and it seems like he really wants to learn and get better,” he added. “I think the sky’s the limit for him.”

While the rookie is still too self-conscious to speak a new language in front of a camera, Cabarkapa promised that would change soon.

“Now I speak so-so, but on camera I must look good and sound good," he smiled. "In a couple of months I’ll be okay.”

 

[Chaplin]

Visa Problems Delay Barbosa's Arrival


By Dustin Krugel,
Posted: July 14, 2003

While top draft pick Zarko Cabarkapa earned rave reviews on the first day of the Suns’ Rookie/Free Agent Camp Monday, fellow rookie Leandro Barbosa was noticeably absent.

The Brazilian guard, who the Suns acquired from the Spurs in a draft night trade, is currently dealing with visa issues and was stuck in Brazil. The Suns hope to have him in camp later this week and the 28th overall pick in the 2003 draft is expected to sign a contract upon arriving in the United States.

“We’re trying to set up an appointment right now with the consulate to get the visa issue resolved,” said Suns President Bryan Colangelo. "We’ve more or less agreed to terms on the contract. It’s just a matter of the signing of the contract.”

One thing the Suns won’t have to worry about is negotiating Barbosa’s release from his Brazilian club, Baura Tilibra. His contract expired on June 30.

“If you know someone who is in the consulate’s office, maybe you can give him a call,” Suns assistant coach Mike D’Antoni joked. “We are trying to get him as quick as we can.”

IN-STATE RIVALS

With Barbosa missing, University of Arizona's Jason Gardner and Arizona State's Curtis Millage shared point guard duties for the Suns on Monday.

“It gives the two little point guards from this area time to show themselves," said D'Antonio. "It should be a good camp for them."

Of course, the Pac-10 rivals are used to going head-to-head after four meetings over the last two years.

“Jason Gardner and I are actually good friends,” said Millage, who was not selected in the 2003 draft after playing two seasons with the Sun Devils. “There’s always a rivalry between ASU and U of A, but off the court we are friends. When you go out there on the court you have to be ready to play against anyone, no matter who we are. You have to go out there and play hard.”

Gardner‘s first workout ended abruptly after suffering a cut over his right eye during Monday morning’s practice, which required three stitches. The 5-10, 191-pound undrafted free agent was, however, expected to return for Monday’s evening practice session.

TOE UPDATE

NBA Rookie of the Year Amaré Stoudemire watched Monday morning’s practice session sporting a boot on his right foot and and surprised many when he told reporters he hopes to return to the court in three weeks.

Stoudemire underwent successful toe surgery on his right foot on June 12 and was not expected to play again until September when informal workouts begin, but D’Antoni said not so fast.

“I’m sure he’s pushing it," the coach said. "I’m sure we’ll hold him off as long as we can. We will not injure that commodity – for sure. He is probably a fast healer, but we will be cautious with him.”

QUOTABLE

Suns veteran guard Joe Johnson on the first day of Rookie/Free Agent Camp: “Some guys are coming in here and trying to get a spot. Some are just coming in and working hard. It was real competitive out there. You’re going to get a couple of bumps and bruises, but it’s basketball.”

 

[King A]

interestingly, jj called a "veteran" guard - i kinda like that but it's funny on the other hand and
why is big jake wearing warm up shirt #22 and not #25?

 

[Joe Mama]

I saw couple quick highlights of Cabarkapa on the Channel 12 six o'clock news this evening. The first play was a dunk on a fast break. The second was a nice finger roll on a baseline layup. I'm sure they will show them again on the 10 o'clock news. If you have a chance you should definitely watch it.

I liked Cabarkapa much more after seeing some video clips on ESPN.com before the draft. The two highlights I saw tonight also showed me that he is much more athletic and coordinated than I would have guessed before having seen him. I would go as far as to say he might have Dirk Nowitzki like athleticism. I just hope he can shoot as well as Dirk.

Joe Mama

 

[Joe Mama]

It's only one game in the summer league, but Lampe shot 1-7 for 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assists, 5 personal fouls, and 3 turnovers. The New York Knicks summer league team lost to the Milwaukee Bucks team.

Joe Mama

 

[jbeecham]

Wow, I just saw the Zarko highlights on channel 3 and he looked impressive (although the competition was not). He had a nice dunk, a nice 15ft jumper & one really impressive play where he skyed for a rebound and then quickly started taking the ball coast to coast. He looked like a guard handling the ball.

 

[jbeecham]

Here are some pics of Zarko from the practice:

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You must be registered for see images

 

[elindholm]

Well, the second photo shows that he can get higher than Tsakalidis. That's a good sign.

 

[jbeecham]

It looks like Big Jake is hunched down on that play like he's setting a pick or boxing out.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by elindholm
Well, the second photo shows that he can get higher than Tsakalidis. That's a good sign.

"Get higher" or "jump higher"? I believe Lieutenant Dan could have jumped higher than Big Jake.

Joe Mama

 

[SweetD]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
"Get higher" or "jump higher"? I believe Lieutenant Dan could have jumped higher than Big Jake.

Joe Mama

You must be registered for see images

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
"Get higher" or "jump higher"? I believe Lieutenant Dan could have jumped higher than Big Jake.

Joe Mama

lol