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http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=12861

Omri Casspi, one of the few international prospects with a chance to go in the first round, went from putting his chances at staying in the draft at 50-50 to saying without hesitation about a week later that he is planning to stick. His outlook improved that much after attending the Chicago gathering and group workouts in Minneapolis and Oakland, Calif. "I know there's a lot of big interest in me now," the 20-year-old from Israel said. Casspi is a 6-9 small forward who needs to get a lot stronger, but he is willing to play overseas for another season in a move that would allow NBA teams to take him and develop a young talent without a salary-cap hit. SI.com

#28?

Casspi gets his own thread?

Wolves board==draft board.

Casspi has a lot of ball skills. Could be a decent playmaker. Might have a problem with the rookie slot situation, but I guess he really wants to play in the nBA. I like him.

Dr.Krapinsky wrote:Casspi gets his own thread?

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=12865

The Spurs are in the market to buy a lower first round selection and word has it they are very high on Omari Casspi and may be able to nab him in the 20's. Casspi is not expected to pull out over draft position, he is pretty set on becoming the first Israeli to play in the NBA and is more concerned with getting on a winning team than getting drafted high. The Spurs could end up with two very solid ready to play players.

To be fair, there are Bulls fans here who are still trying to convince us that Hinrich for #6 is a fair trade.

Normally I would be opposed to giving a late first round pick their own thread (especially when we can't agree on a #6 pick), but I find him to be a very realistic possibility considering that he is offering to stay an extra year and there is a good chance that the Spurs will buy the pick to get him if he's available.

I would be all for Casspi at #28

Casspi, Young and Collison is my list of players for the 28 pick...as it has been for a while. Of course with the unpredictability of the second half of the 1st round, who knows what players will actually be available. If it's anything like the current mocks, though...those are my targets.

Casspi would be a stud at #28. From what I understand, he either has an NBA option in his contract, or he has a very chap buy-out, like 500k that an NBA team could pay. He's ore concerned about playing in the NBA than he is about how much he'll make.

The kid's got talent.

Not only does he have a sexy beard, but he dunks better than Kevlar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSe5gzsnNOo
Greatest highlight song ever!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDakqwBa ... re=related
Check out the block on one end and then run the floor for the dunk on the other right away in the beginning. Then he pops his jersey. Representing SOTA next year.

Is he going to be available at 28? With how much he wants to come to the NBA, his buyout, and the fact that he's willing to wait a season, doesn't he look pretty attractive, especially to cash strapped teams in the late 1st round?

He wants a first rd promise. I think we can do that with the 28th.

I know he is Israeli, but I wonder if he is jewish. Following jewish tradition work is forbidden on the sabbath day, and some orthodox conservative Jews considering sports a form of work. I did about 40seconds of research and could not find my answer. It is an interesting possibility.

If you can't find it in 40 seconds, it doesn't exist.

After watching some stuff on youtube, I would pick him at 18. Sounds like he has interviews with 19, 20.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7opOAH7iARM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDakqwBan54&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nl3ZJn1eMs

Harold Miner also looks good on youtube...

that being said, I reserve judgment if we were to pick him there...it would highly depend on how 1-17 went. I could MAYBE see picking him at 18...

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1090923.html

Maccabi Tel Aviv's Omri Casspi is expected to play for a European team next year even if he is picked in the first round of the NBA draft, according to sources close to the player. Haaretz

The 2.05-meter small forward is currently in talks with various teams including the Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls and Portland Trailblazers, but none have promised him a place on their roster next season, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported yesterday. Haaretz

Chicago picks at #16 and #26 while Portland picks at #24. I don't believe he will be available with the #28 pick.

revprodeji wrote:He wants a first rd promise. I think we can do that with the 28th.

I know he is Israeli, but I wonder if he is jewish. Following jewish tradition work is forbidden on the sabbath day, and some orthodox conservative Jews considering sports a form of work. I did about 40seconds of research and could not find my answer. It is an interesting possibility.

If that was an issue, I have to believe someone would have made a big deal about it.

revprodeji wrote:He wants a first rd promise. I think we can do that with the 28th.

I know he is Israeli, but I wonder if he is jewish. Following jewish tradition work is forbidden on the sabbath day, and some orthodox conservative Jews considering sports a form of work. I did about 40seconds of research and could not find my answer. It is an interesting possibility.

I'm a noted Casspi homer who has spent a good deal of time with him and his father over the past couple years. He is Jewish, but as is the case with most Israeli's his age, they don't take the whole not working on the Sabbath thing too seriously.

Would love to get him here, but know Portland is taking a close look, especially since they are strongly considering adding Freeland.

Casspi is a tough kid, and a good athlete with a money mid-range game. Ball skills are solid, but not great. Has great hands and anticipation on defense. Awkward shooting mechanics, but not a bad shooter.

He was the best player during the Monday morning session at the Minnesota workout, and heard had was very good at the Golden State group workout as well. Between the two workouts, every NBA team saw him, including Portland twice. And Portland brought him in on Friday as well. So they saw him 3 times last week.

One of these days people are just going to have to stop inviting Portland to these things....

*shakes his fist* Dang you Portland....

I read that quickly and thought you were pissed at Poland.

Oh, Poland is on the list too. I blame them for Borscht/Barszcz. Their time will come...

Haven't they suffered enough?