Vasquez chooses Real Madrid over Magic

[thegrahamcrackr]

How do you waste the 11th pick in the draft without knowing whether he will come over?

The Orlando Magic were stunned today to hear the decision by first round draft pick Fran Vazquez that he will play this season in Europe instead of coming to the NBA. So was his agent.

Vazquez, a 6-10 power forward from Spain, was expected to play a significant role as a rookie this season, yet he suddenly decided he wasn't ready for the rigors of the NBA.

"I've said `no,' because I was afraid to adapt to the American way of life, and of not giving the level they have asked,'' Vazquez told the Spanish newspaper Malaga hoy today. "I'm not a coward, but I prefer to stay in Spain, progress, and who knows? Maybe jump to the NBA in a few years.''

The Magic made Vazquez, 22, the No. 11 pick in the NBA Draft in June, believing his skill level was far superior to other more well-known college players like Sean May, Danny Granger and Antoine Wright, all taken behind him.

"Yes, we're a little surprised,'' said Dave Twardzik, Magic co-general manager who had seen Vazquez play six different times in Europe. "The message we've been getting all along -- before the draft, after the draft -- was that he was excited about playing here. He said it was his dream to play in the NBA. I don't know (what changed his mind).''

As of this evening, the Magic had not spoken personally to Vazquez, but only to his European agent, Jose Cobelo. They had been in almost daily dialogue with either Cobelo in Spain, or his American-based partner Marc Cornstein.

Cornstein didn't return phone messages today, but he issued a statement to the media.

"I was shocked and dismayed to read over the internet that Fran is reconsidering his earlier decision to join the Orlando Magic. All my prior discussions were that he was excited to fullfill his dream of playing in the NBA,'' Cornstein said in his statement.

From the time they drafted Vazquez, the Magic said they were certain there would be no problem signing him.

"I ask for the Magic to understand my decision,'' Vazquez said today. "I apologize to them. I know they will be upset because I've had much time to make this decision. Everyone thought I was going (to the NBA), but I was still thinking about it.''

Even though Vazquez said he isn't coming this season, the Magic will retain his NBA rights indefinitely. And it's not uncommon for NBA teams to draft an international player, and then wait two or three years before he arrives.

Manu Ginobili, for example, was drafted by the NBA champion San Antonio Spurs in 1999, but he didn't play his first season until three years later. However, the Magic did expect Vazquez immediately. And they could have used him.

When he came to Orlando the day after the draft, Vazquez looked excited about coming, but in awe of his surroundings at the RDV Sportpsplex. When shown the Magic's locker room, he pulled out his camera and started taking pictures of Grant Hill's dressing stall. He also talked about living his dream of playing in the NBA.

"When you draft an international player, something like this is always possible. We talked about it before the draft,'' Twardzik said. "It's something he has to figure out now, if it's what he wants to do.''

The Magic expected to sign Vazquez shortly after the league and the players union formalized their new collective bargaining agreement, which is now expected to happen by the first of next week. Under the already agreed upon salary scale, Vazquez was slated to sign a fully-guaranteed contract worth more than $5 million over three years.

He did have a buyout clause from his previous contract in Spain that would have cost an estimated $650,000, although almost all of it was going to be paid by the Magic.

Because they hadn't talked to him recently, the Magic have not given up hope completely in signing him. If he stays in Europe, it will alter some of their plans for free agency. Even without Vazquez, they still have 13 players with guaranteed contracts (including free agent guard Keyon Dooling, who has agreed to a contract pending the new CBA).

It does leave them with only four power players -- Dwight Howard, Tony Battie, Kelvin Cato and Mario Kasun -- and a significant need to add at least one more center/power forward.

His absence, coupled with their lack of flexibility this summer under the salary cap, will hurt them from an image standpoint. They are still hurting from the trade last season of Cuttino Mobley in exchange for Doug Christie, who hardly played because of a previous injury then demanded a trade. They could have benefited from Vazquez international style of play.

They had not planned on re-signing free agent Andrew DeClercq, but that could change now. They have little to offer other free agents, less than half the $5.1 million middle-class exception which will be split with Dooling.

"Absolutely, we would have liked to have him this season,'' Twardzik said. "But if he stays there, he'll be playing with the best competition outside the NBA. When we do get him, he'll be a little stronger, a little more mature and his game a little more polished.''

 

[myrondizzo]

ouch that sucks for orlando

 

[The Commish]

Wow these Euro's are dropping like flys. There will definately be a backlash come next year's draft.

 

[goldseraph]

I swear the Magic are cursed... they passed up Granger, Gerald Green, Warrick, Antoine Wright etc for this guy? Now they might not see him for a few years , if ever? I'm embarassed to be a Magic fan.

 

[tobiazz]

I wish the Lakers had picked him at 10. If teams thought he was going to stay in Europe, he probably would have went closer to 20. He should have got good money if he signed as the 10th pick. Strange that he would pass that up.

 

[coloradosun]

I bet they now regret trading Martynas but they did get Gortat from us.

 

[BigDavis75]

I hated the pick then and hate it even more now. I also thought Martynas was a steal and was pissed when they traded him, this might be one of the worst drafts ever.

 

[Joe Mama]

I hated the pick then and hate it even more now. I also thought Martynas was a steal and was pissed when they traded him, this might be one of the worst drafts ever.

Martynas will never contribute anything remotely significant to the NBA.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

The real story is that Vazquez went back to Real Madrid because he knew he wouldn't have to play behind Pat Burke any more.

 

[Errntknght]

Good, George


What I want to know is why are people talking as though the Suns were legitimately interested in Pat Burke? I haven't even seen any media speculation that we might be. I rather like the sound of his game for us so I hope there's something to it.

 

[BigDavis75]

Martynas will never contribute anything remotely significant to the NBA.

Joe Mama

You know this because..........

 

[myrondizzo]

Good, George


What I want to know is why are people talking as though the Suns were legitimately interested in Pat Burke? I haven't even seen any media speculation that we might be. I rather like the sound of his game for us so I hope there's something to it.

hoops hype:
"The Suns quickly found a replacement for Voskuhl on the 27th when the team signed Pat Burke to a contract."
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_13574.shtml
not much but who knows?
edit
Voskhul’s place on the roster — he was the 10th or 11th man last year — will be taken by 6-foot-11 center Pat Burke. Burke played his college ball at Auburn and will sign a oneyear deal for the veteran minimum of $1 million. Burke, who will be 32 years old in December, played 62 games for the Orlando Magic in 2002 before heading to Spain to play for Real Madrid.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=45267
The Suns filled the big-man void for less money by agreeing to terms with Pat Burke, a 32-year-old center. Burke played his sixth Euroleague season last year with Real Madrid, averaging 17 minutes, 6.4 points and 4.3 rebounds in the regular season and playoffs. The Auburn product was in the NBA in 2002-03 with Orlando, where he started eight of 63 games.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0728sunstrade0728.html

 

[Joe Mama]

You know this because..........

it's my opinion. I would have been upset with him even in the second round.

Joe Mama

 

[Errntknght]

I have an even lower opinion of Martynas than Joe does, if anyone is interested...

 

[Chaplin]

I have an even lower opinion of Martynas than Joe does, if anyone is interested...

That just means he'll be a future head coach of the Phoenix Suns.

 

[George O'Brien]

I never could understand the infatuation with MA. The fact that Sabonis was tutoring him was not going to change him into a Sabonis who was ALWAYS e physically dominating player (just ask the 1988 USA Olympic team). MA is an athletic stick figure who would have to play SF to have any hope for minutes since he would get killed under the boards.

The problem is that having a 7'3" SF is not that useful unless he is extremely quick, which MA isn't. 7'3" matters under the basket, but on the wing it's nice but not as important as the other skills.

The point is that nothing has changed except that it appears MA's SF skills are far weaker than originally supposed.

 

[F-Dog]

That just means he'll be a future head coach of the Phoenix Suns.

I wasn't here for your first 5000 or so posts, Chap, but that's the first LOL you've provoked from me in the last two years.