Hornets signing Damien Wilkins

BlackOutBuzz · Post #1 » by **BlackOutBuzz** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 4:17 pm

From his Venezuelan teams twitter account (Guaros de Lara):

@GuarosOficial
"Estaba esperando vuelo para Venezuela cuando llegó la llamada de Charlotte y es una oportunidad que no podía dejar pasar" Damien Wilkins.

Which basically means: "I was preparing for my flight to Venezuela when I got the call from Charlotte, and I could not pass up this opportunity."

Bad, bad implications here though.

BlackOutBuzz · Post #2 » by **BlackOutBuzz** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 4:22 pm

Bonnell has apparently "confirmed" this, by the way. Though I can't "confirm" that as I can't see his tweets.

Post #3 » by **BigSlam** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 4:28 pm

BlackOutBuzz wrote:From his Venezuelan teams twitter account (Guaros de Lara):

@GuarosOficial
"Estaba esperando vuelo para Venezuela cuando llegó la llamada de Charlotte y es una oportunidad que no podía dejar pasar" Damien Wilkins.

Which basically means: "I was preparing for my flight to Venezuela when I got the call from Charlotte, and I could not pass up this opportunity."

Bad, bad implications here though.

You think it's some sort of MKG injury knee jerk signing??

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Post #4 » by **fatlever** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 5:00 pm

are we talking about the same Damien Wilkins who hasn't played in the league in years?

Post #5 » by **fatlever** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 5:00 pm

Should have just signed CDR when we had the chance.

LamarMatic7 · Post #6 » by **LamarMatic7** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 5:21 pm

my top3 associations when hearing the name Damien Wilkins:

1) son of Gerald, nephew of Nique;
2) once made a buzzer-beating game-winner off a rebound on the opening day of the season back in like 2007;
3) is a guard who can't shoot threes.

very blah.. we always pick up the randomest 15th men, guys on the wrong side on their career paths. there is just no absolute upside one can imagine about this situation. quite the Jamario Moon-esque signing.

and I know that I shouldn't even get upset as all he'll see will be 3 minutes of playing time in some random blow-out at Atlanta. but the signing still makes little sense.

Post #7 » by **yosemiteben** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 5:25 pm

Dude gets to get NBA level coaching and to go to China on the Hornets' dime. Good for him.

Weird signing though.

Post #8 » by **BigSlam** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 5:33 pm

Would have preferred Landry Fields or Dorrell Wright.

Or Terrence Williams.

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Post #9 » by **BigSlam** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 5:34 pm

How about Wallace? Bring him back for funzies if we are going to sign a burnt out wing.

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MPM · Post #10 » by **MPM** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 5:42 pm

I'd prefer Dominique Wilkins. He's only 55. Cliff could give him all of Lamb's minutes a la Maxiell/Vonleh. Fun!

Bassman · Post #11 » by **Bassman** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 5:51 pm

I guess we're so stacked with quality depth nobody worth a crap was willing to sign with us. If true hope it's just to be a practice/crash dummy during camp.

BlackOutBuzz · Post #12 » by **BlackOutBuzz** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 5:55 pm

BigSlam wrote:
BlackOutBuzz wrote:From his Venezuelan teams twitter account (Guaros de Lara):

@GuarosOficial
"Estaba esperando vuelo para Venezuela cuando llegó la llamada de Charlotte y es una oportunidad que no podía dejar pasar" Damien Wilkins.

Which basically means: "I was preparing for my flight to Venezuela when I got the call from Charlotte, and I could not pass up this opportunity."

Bad, bad implications here though.

You think it's some sort of MKG injury knee jerk signing??

Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

Well, that's my fear anyway. Personally I'd just roll with Batum and Marvin at the 3 and hope one of our collection of 2 Guards steps up.

BigSlam wrote:Would have preferred Landry Fields or Dorrell Wright.

Or Terrence Williams.

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BigSlam wrote:How about Wallace? Bring him back for funzies if we are going to sign a burnt out wing.

Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

Agreed on all counts, kinda surprised Wright hasn't caught on somewhere.

I'd rather bring in a Jamario Moon than a Cory Higgins though, so there's that.

BlackOutBuzz · Post #13 » by **BlackOutBuzz** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 6:05 pm

Bassman wrote:I guess we're so stacked with quality depth nobody worth a crap was willing to sign with us. If true hope it's just to be a practice/crash dummy during camp.

Word is it's a training camp deal, so we now have 14 guaranteed contracts and 5 guys that are essentially tryouts:

Aaron Harrison
Elliot Williams
Sam Thompson
Jason Washburn
Damien Wilkins

All those guys competing for spot #15, though I could also see us parting with Roberts or Hairston for instance if a couple others impress.

Snidely FC · Post #14 » by **Snidely FC** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 7:49 pm

I'm so confused.

HornetJail · Post #15 » by **HornetJail** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 7:56 pm

can he defend?

dmutombo321 · Post #16 » by **dmutombo321** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 9:17 pm

Obviously he would be coming on board as a stop gap, assuming he makes the roster, seeing as how he's 35 years old. But to his credit, he dominated D-league competition during his brief stint there before signing overseas last year.

http://www.ridiculousupside.com/2014/11/25/7277871/damien-wilkins-not-showing-signs-of-age-wins-nba-d-league-performer

dmutombo321 · Post #17 » by **dmutombo321** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 9:23 pm

Against the juggernaut Canton Charge no less...

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnRx41XJ3B0[/youtube]

LamarMatic7 · Post #18 » by **LamarMatic7** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 10:41 pm

dmutombo321 wrote:Obviously he would be coming on board as a stop gap, assuming he makes the roster, seeing as how he's 35 years old. But to his credit, he dominated D-league competition during his brief stint there before signing overseas last year.

http://www.ridiculousupside.com/2014/11/25/7277871/damien-wilkins-not-showing-signs-of-age-wins-nba-d-league-performer

interesting find. the stats mentioned in that article are at least worth something.

BlackOutBuzz · Post #19 » by **BlackOutBuzz** » Tue Oct 6, 2015 12:09 am

New blog post on Wilkins' website details the signing:

http://thewilkinsword.com/2015/10/05/charlotte/

Cliff notes...

His original connecting flight between Atlanta and Venezuela was supposed to be in Miami, but was rerouted to Charlotte. The flight was supposed to be two nights ago, but was postponed until yesterday.

He caught the Magic-Hornets game on the radio while driving to his hotel, still in Charlotte. Heard about the injury to Kidd-Gilcrest [sic] in real time, of which he called "foreshadowing."

Later that night he got a call from a D-League assistant that said Cho wanted to know if he was in shape, "as if that's ever a question."

When Wilkins told him he was in Charlotte, he was told to contact his agent immediately and see if "anything could come of this before I leave."

With nothing certain, he went back to the airport yesterday morning to again try to fly to Venezuela. Fight was again delayed, but his agent called him with about 50 minutes to spare that he had a deal with the Hornets.

“Damien! Do not get on that flight!!” He said emphatically! I asked, “so we’re a go with Charloote?” He said, “yes sir!!”

"It’s fate. I was supposed to have been in Venezuela already but that wasn’t God’s will. I’m where I’m supposed to be. There’s no way I won’t make this team!"

It's a little off-putting how he reacts to the injury, but I get it, he's excited about another chance.

Most concerning though is that it really sounds like his proximity may have been the main reason he's here.

BlackOutBuzz · Post #20 » by **BlackOutBuzz** » Tue Oct 6, 2015 12:14 am

dwilk3000“Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.” (Mathew 7:7,) Go to my website and read my blog about how this happened. Trust me you will not believe it!! www.damienwilkins.com under the tab "thewilkinsword". Lil Washington stand up!!!! #BuzzCity #TheGetBack