Olympic Qualifiers Results: Brazil, Spain, Greece and Puerto Rico Off to Paris!

[Hellcrooner]

Hernangomez received plenty of chances in the NBA. His issues are defensively. It's not like he only played a year in the NBA. If he was as good as the Gasol brothers or Hartenstein or Zubac or Sabonis or Valancunius, he would be in the league. You can't try to crap on Ayton and then say Willie should be in the league. Explain Alex Len still being in the NBA then?

any time he got playing time he deilvered ( scoring and rebounding).

he actually outplayed Hayes every time.
Yet
Hayes IS in the lakers
wily is in spain.

Sorry but there is bias.

[Chuck Everett]

Hernangomez received plenty of chances in the NBA. His issues are defensively. It's not like he only played a year in the NBA. If he was as good as the Gasol brothers or Hartenstein or Zubac or Sabonis or Valancunius, he would be in the league. You can't try to crap on Ayton and then say Willie should be in the league. Explain Alex Len still being in the NBA then?

any time he got playing time he deilvered ( scoring and rebounding).

he actually outplayed Hayes every time.
Yet
Hayes IS in the lakers
wily is in spain.

Sorry but there is bias.

Hayes is on a minimum. You think there's bias across the entire 30 team league not to have a job in the NBA? Why is Boban in the NBA? Why is Daniel Theis? Or is the bias strictly against big guys who were born in Spain?

[Hellcrooner]

Hernangomez received plenty of chances in the NBA. His issues are defensively. It's not like he only played a year in the NBA. If he was as good as the Gasol brothers or Hartenstein or Zubac or Sabonis or Valancunius, he would be in the league. You can't try to crap on Ayton and then say Willie should be in the league. Explain Alex Len still being in the NBA then?

any time he got playing time he deilvered ( scoring and rebounding).

he actually outplayed Hayes every time.
Yet
Hayes IS in the lakers
wily is in spain.

Sorry but there is bias.

Hayes is on a minimum. You think there's bias across the entire 30 team league not to have a job in the NBA? Why is Boban in the NBA? Why is Daniel Theis? Or is the bias strictly against big guys who were born in Spain?

euros in general.

[Quattro]

But but but werent nba players better than euroleague players? How did a team bahamas with 3 nba starters lose to a team Spain with one nba bench player ?? As i've always said non superstar nba players are less talented than euroleague players. This game and Fiba world cup games are proof to my claim.

My team just traded for the 2023 Euro league MVP. And turns out his one season in the NBA was so bad, he wants to break his contract, tuck tail and run back to Greece.

Just to emphasize, this isn't a euro league scrub, this is a Euroleague MVP.

[amcoolio]

It's not just that Hernangomez is bad on D, it's that he suffers critical lapses all too frequently that just kill your flow

[Nuntius]

"Baltic States" by definition includes Estonia

Years ago some Estonian foreign affairs(?) minister declared that Estonia is in Scandinavia, but nobody believed him

Estonia is indeed, by definition, one of the three Baltic states. That is true. But they do not speak a Baltic language like Lithuanians and Latvians. They speak a Finnic language, like Finland. This whole "Estonia can into Scandinavia" is a bit of a meme, I agree, but they are basically cousins with the Finns.

it's geopolitical term, language (or religion) is not important

Language (or religion) is quite often what determines the geopolitics of a region, though

[Nuntius]

But but but werent nba players better than euroleague players? How did a team bahamas with 3 nba starters lose to a team Spain with one nba bench player ?? As i've always said non superstar nba players are less talented than euroleague players. This game and Fiba world cup games are proof to my claim.

My team just traded for the 2023 Euro league MVP. And turns out his one season in the NBA was so bad, he wants to break his contract, tuck tail and run back to Greece.

Just to emphasize, this isn't a euro league scrub, this is a Euroleague MVP.

Vezenkov has always been a relatively unorthodox player. He was the EuroLeague MVP in 2023, that is true. But even during his MVP season, he didn't play an on-ball role. He has always been an off-ball player who excelled at getting himself in scoring positions before getting the ball. Last year, there were numerous videos on YouTube with the title "the MVP who doesn't need to dribble" about Vezenkov and his 22-23 season. That is just how Vezenkov has always played. He will always be a very useful player for a team that needs an off-ball scorer. If you use him in that role, he's going to produce at a high level.

The reason why he wants to break his NBA contract isn't because he wants to "tuck tail". He simply doesn't want to play for a tanking team. He wants to play on a competitive team. He wants to play a team with playoff aspirations. It's not hard to imagine why. He signed with the Kings exactly because they were a playoff team that wanted to take that extra step. It's not a shock that he seeks to return to Europe now that he's been traded to a team that doesn't aim to compete right now.

[Mirotic12]

But but but werent nba players better than euroleague players? How did a team bahamas with 3 nba starters lose to a team Spain with one nba bench player ?? As i've always said non superstar nba players are less talented than euroleague players. This game and Fiba world cup games are proof to my claim.

My team just traded for the 2023 Euro league MVP. And turns out his one season in the NBA was so bad, he wants to break his contract, tuck tail and run back to Greece.

Just to emphasize, this isn't a euro league scrub, this is a Euroleague MVP.

EuroLeague doesn't have any of the same criteria as NBA for things like MVP awards. Numerous EuroLeague MVPs were bench players and/or role players, and/or guys that were not a top 3 option on their team. Yes, EuroLeague often names players that come off the bench, or are not a top 3 option on offense as the league MVP. Vezenkov is a role player. Yes, he was the EuroLeague MVP. He was also a role player.

Some of the EuroLeague MVPs were key stars (Navarro, Spanoulis - those types of players), as something similar to what you might think of in the NBA, while some of them are role players, as you would think of it in NBA terms (Bjelica, Vesely, Vezenkov - those types of players).

Actually, Vezenkov's role on offense in EuroLeague was no different than his role on offense in the NBA. Run to a spot, and stand there and wait for the ball to come to you, and then shoot it if you have a good look. That was his role in EuroLeague. That was his role in the NBA.

It's a totally different sports culture than in the USA. The criteria of what constitutes a league MVP or not is totally different. Kostas Sloukas was just named the 2024 Greek League MVP, and he averaged 8 points a game in the league. Dimitris Diamantidis in his career won the Greek League MVP 4 times. He was a guy that was averaging 8-9 points a game....that's how different the sports culture is. A player can win league MVP with a scoring average of 8 points a game. So what may or may not constitute a league MVP in Europe is way, way different than what does in the NBA.

Vezenkov has never in his career had a role on a team that was the equivalent of something like the role that an NBA MVP would have on their team. He's always been a role player on every team he played on.

[BrianInPhilly]

Hernangomez received plenty of chances in the NBA. His issues are defensively. It's not like he only played a year in the NBA. If he was as good as the Gasol brothers or Hartenstein or Zubac or Sabonis or Valancunius, he would be in the league. You can't try to crap on Ayton and then say Willie should be in the league. Explain Alex Len still being in the NBA then?

Len is just a good guy, thats my explanation ha. I do not think there is euro bias in the nba, surely there isnt one anymore, but man, Len is not an NBA player, I dont know how he keeps getting those contracts, they just have to like him.

I swear Len has to be the most underrated guy in the NBA - people like yourself who obv don’t watch him just crap on him for no reason. Shows your ignorance. He had a higher +/- than the starter Sabonis, Len had the 2nd best defensive rating in the nba last year of guys who played 40+ games, he led the nba last year in screen assists per minute, he’s an elite post defender and above average rim protector .., shall I go on? Len is obviously an nba player and a very solid one

[UcanUwill]

But but but werent nba players better than euroleague players? How did a team bahamas with 3 nba starters lose to a team Spain with one nba bench player ?? As i've always said non superstar nba players are less talented than euroleague players. This game and Fiba world cup games are proof to my claim.

My team just traded for the 2023 Euro league MVP. And turns out his one season in the NBA was so bad, he wants to break his contract, tuck tail and run back to Greece.

Just to emphasize, this isn't a euro league scrub, this is a Euroleague MVP.

Every Euroleague player is a role player, even the MVPs. The dynamics of rosters there is completely different, best teams can have 7 or more equally good euro star level players, thats how Hezonja leads Real in PPG, but he is probably their 6-9th best player overall.

Vazenkov was very good in 2023, but he is also the player who takes like one dribble per game on average.

He was also injured and missed like 3 months of last season due to injury. How are we still getting these comments? Man I tackled this topic so many times. So much to nba success is opportunity. Vazenkov didnt get one last year, and now ignorant fools crapping on how Euroleague MVP sucks again. NBA keep drafting absolute Euroleague bench warmers in a lottery all the time, but naw, their MVPs suck. Many examples were given how opportunity means everything here. Drazen, Ingles, Danny Green...

You know who also sucks, Domantas Sabonis, he sucks at FIBA ball so bad, I would rather have Vazenkov on my FIBA team than Sabonis without question. Vazenkov was right up there with Luka and Markannen in last Eurobasket, he was unbelievable. He cooked NBA players on daily.

I know Vazenkov is good, one down season in Sacramento, where hes a rookie, on a new continent, new league, new team, new rules and where hes injured for 3 months, doesnt change the fact he is good, been good for years and is better than number of NBA players without any doubt in my head.

I even know Domantas Sabonis is good. He had so many chances, sucked for team Lithuania every single time. But I know, just like Vezenkov, he has proven himself overall to be good in his environment.

[Johnny Bball]

But but but werent nba players better than euroleague players? How did a team bahamas with 3 nba starters lose to a team Spain with one nba bench player ?? As i've always said non superstar nba players are less talented than euroleague players. This game and Fiba world cup games are proof to my claim.

My team just traded for the 2023 Euro league MVP. And turns out his one season in the NBA was so bad, he wants to break his contract, tuck tail and run back to Greece.

Just to emphasize, this isn't a euro league scrub, this is a Euroleague MVP.

Vezenkov has always been a relatively unorthodox player. He was the EuroLeague MVP in 2023, that is true. But even during his MVP season, he didn't play an on-ball role. He has always been an off-ball player who excelled at getting himself in scoring positions before getting the ball. Last year, there were numerous videos on YouTube with the title "the MVP who doesn't need to dribble" about Vezenkov and his 22-23 season. That is just how Vezenkov has always played. He will always be a very useful player for a team that needs an off-ball scorer. If you use him in that role, he's going to produce at a high level.

The reason why he wants to break his NBA contract isn't because he wants to "tuck tail". He simply doesn't want to play for a tanking team. He wants to play on a competitive team. He wants to play a team with playoff aspirations. It's not hard to imagine why. He signed with the Kings exactly because they were a playoff team that wanted to take that extra step. It's not a shock that he seeks to return to Europe now that he's been traded to a team that doesn't aim to compete right now.

If that were the case, he should be very easy to move again/reroute. But that doesn't seem to be the case right now.

[realball]

But but but werent nba players better than euroleague players? How did a team bahamas with 3 nba starters lose to a team Spain with one nba bench player ?? As i've always said non superstar nba players are less talented than euroleague players. This game and Fiba world cup games are proof to my claim.

My team just traded for the 2023 Euro league MVP. And turns out his one season in the NBA was so bad, he wants to break his contract, tuck tail and run back to Greece.

Just to emphasize, this isn't a euro league scrub, this is a Euroleague MVP.

Vezenkov has always been a relatively unorthodox player. He was the EuroLeague MVP in 2023, that is true. But even during his MVP season, he didn't play an on-ball role. He has always been an off-ball player who excelled at getting himself in scoring positions before getting the ball. Last year, there were numerous videos on YouTube with the title "the MVP who doesn't need to dribble" about Vezenkov and his 22-23 season. That is just how Vezenkov has always played. He will always be a very useful player for a team that needs an off-ball scorer. If you use him in that role, he's going to produce at a high level.

The reason why he wants to break his NBA contract isn't because he wants to "tuck tail". He simply doesn't want to play for a tanking team. He wants to play on a competitive team. He wants to play a team with playoff aspirations. It's not hard to imagine why. He signed with the Kings exactly because they were a playoff team that wanted to take that extra step. It's not a shock that he seeks to return to Europe now that he's been traded to a team that doesn't aim to compete right now.

The Kings needed an "off-ball scorer". They have ball dominant guards and a C who passes extremely well out of the high post. In theory, Vezenkov should have been a perfect fit in their offense.

But it turns out that he's just waaaay too slow for the NBA. He wanted out from the Kings because he wanted a bigger role, but there's absolutely zero chance that a team with playoff chances would give him a bigger role. It's unlikely a team with no playoff chances would either.

The Raptors could easily be in play for a play-in spot if Vezenkov could be a reliable starter. They have four of five starters locked down and need a floor spacer to pair with Scottie Barnes. And they are so many tanking teams in the East (Nets, Bulls, Wizards, Pistons) they are likely to just fall into the play-in by default. But Vezenkov knows he's not a reliable starter in this league. He very much is trying to tuck tail and run, but he just can't afford to leave $8 million on the table.

[Nuntius]

My team just traded for the 2023 Euro league MVP. And turns out his one season in the NBA was so bad, he wants to break his contract, tuck tail and run back to Greece.

Just to emphasize, this isn't a euro league scrub, this is a Euroleague MVP.

Vezenkov has always been a relatively unorthodox player. He was the EuroLeague MVP in 2023, that is true. But even during his MVP season, he didn't play an on-ball role. He has always been an off-ball player who excelled at getting himself in scoring positions before getting the ball. Last year, there were numerous videos on YouTube with the title "the MVP who doesn't need to dribble" about Vezenkov and his 22-23 season. That is just how Vezenkov has always played. He will always be a very useful player for a team that needs an off-ball scorer. If you use him in that role, he's going to produce at a high level.

The reason why he wants to break his NBA contract isn't because he wants to "tuck tail". He simply doesn't want to play for a tanking team. He wants to play on a competitive team. He wants to play a team with playoff aspirations. It's not hard to imagine why. He signed with the Kings exactly because they were a playoff team that wanted to take that extra step. It's not a shock that he seeks to return to Europe now that he's been traded to a team that doesn't aim to compete right now.

If that were the case, he should be very easy to move again/reroute. But that doesn't seem to be the case right now.

I will be honest here and say that I am completely ignorant when it comes to Toronto's trade rumors. I can barely keep in touch with the rumors of the team I support

[Nuntius]

The Kings needed an "off-ball scorer". They have ball dominant guards and a C who passes extremely well out of the high post. In theory, Vezenkov should have been a perfect fit in their offense.

Yes, I agree that it is a good fit on paper. It didn't work out all that well for any of the parties involved and I cannot say that I watched enough Sacramento games to know why it didn't work out.

But it turns out that he's just waaaay too slow for the NBA.

Perhaps that was indeed the case. I can neither confirm nor deny since I didn't watch enough games. I will rely on the expertise of Sacramento fans for this one.

He wanted out from the Kings because he wanted a bigger role, but there's absolutely zero chance that a team with playoff chances would give him a bigger role. It's unlikely a team with no playoff chances would either.

The Raptors could easily be in play for a play-in spot if Vezenkov could be a reliable starter. They have four of five starters locked down and need a floor spacer to pair with Scottie Barnes. And they are so many tanking teams in the East (Nets, Bulls, Wizards, Pistons) they are likely to just fall into the play-in by default. But Vezenkov knows he's not a reliable starter in this league. He very much is trying to tuck tail and run, but he just can't afford to leave $8 million on the table.

Aren't the Raptors trying to tank as well? Isn't this the "Fail for Flagg" year?

[realball]

Aren't the Raptors trying to tank as well? Isn't this the "Fail for Flagg" year?

We'd love to tank, but unlikely that we lose more than the Nets, Bulls, Wizards, and Pistons. Probably going to be competing with the Hawks and Hornets for one of the play-in spots.

[Nuntius]

Aren't the Raptors trying to tank as well? Isn't this the "Fail for Flagg" year?

We'd love to tank, but unlikely that we lose more than the Nets, Bulls, Wizards, and Pistons. Probably going to be competing with the Hawks and Hornets for one of the play-in spots.

That is fair. You do have more talent than these 4 teams. Tanking in the East isn't easy. We tried to tank in the Wemby draft but #6 was the best we could get.

[Mirotic12]

My team just traded for the 2023 Euro league MVP. And turns out his one season in the NBA was so bad, he wants to break his contract, tuck tail and run back to Greece.

Just to emphasize, this isn't a euro league scrub, this is a Euroleague MVP.

Vezenkov has always been a relatively unorthodox player. He was the EuroLeague MVP in 2023, that is true. But even during his MVP season, he didn't play an on-ball role. He has always been an off-ball player who excelled at getting himself in scoring positions before getting the ball. Last year, there were numerous videos on YouTube with the title "the MVP who doesn't need to dribble" about Vezenkov and his 22-23 season. That is just how Vezenkov has always played. He will always be a very useful player for a team that needs an off-ball scorer. If you use him in that role, he's going to produce at a high level.

The reason why he wants to break his NBA contract isn't because he wants to "tuck tail". He simply doesn't want to play for a tanking team. He wants to play on a competitive team. He wants to play a team with playoff aspirations. It's not hard to imagine why. He signed with the Kings exactly because they were a playoff team that wanted to take that extra step. It's not a shock that he seeks to return to Europe now that he's been traded to a team that doesn't aim to compete right now.

If that were the case, he should be very easy to move again/reroute. But that doesn't seem to be the case right now.

Olympiacos is offering him way, way more money than he makes in the NBA.

The Kings needed an "off-ball scorer". They have ball dominant guards and a C who passes extremely well out of the high post. In theory, Vezenkov should have been a perfect fit in their offense.

But it turns out that he's just waaaay too slow for the NBA. He wanted out from the Kings because he wanted a bigger role, but there's absolutely zero chance that a team with playoff chances would give him a bigger role. It's unlikely a team with no playoff chances would either.

The Raptors could easily be in play for a play-in spot if Vezenkov could be a reliable starter. They have four of five starters locked down and need a floor spacer to pair with Scottie Barnes. And they are so many tanking teams in the East (Nets, Bulls, Wizards, Pistons) they are likely to just fall into the play-in by default. But Vezenkov knows he's not a reliable starter in this league. He very much is trying to tuck tail and run, but he just can't afford to leave $8 million on the table.

He doesn't need that money. Olympiacos' offer to him makes that totally irrelevant.

[realball]

He doesn't need that money. Olympiacos' offer to him makes that totally irrelevant.

The highest paid Euroleague player makes like $4 million. Vezenkov is signed for nearly $7 million this year, and has a team option $7 million next year (likely not going to be picked up).

[Mirotic12]

The highest paid Euroleague player makes like $4 million. Vezenkov is signed for nearly $7 million this year, and has a team option $7 million next year (likely not going to be picked up).

Nikola Mirotic makes €12.5 million euros per season (€10 million euros from Barca and €2.5 million euros from Milano). That is $13.15 million US dollars per season. If you figure in the tax differences, it's actually quite a bit more than that in how the NBA would count it. He's the highest paid player in Europe.

Olympiacos has offered Vezenkov a contract that is equal to $53.5 million US dollars over 5 years in NBA money. $53.5 million is a lot more than $7 million. He doesn't care one bit about that money.

[Johnny Bball]

The highest paid Euroleague player makes like $4 million. Vezenkov is signed for nearly $7 million this year, and has a team option $7 million next year (likely not going to be picked up).

Nikola Mirotic makes €12.5 million euros per season (€10 million euros from Barca and €2.5 million euros from Milano). That is $13.15 million US dollars per season. If you figure in the tax differences, it's actually quite a bit more than that in how the NBA would count it. He's the highest paid player in Europe.

Olympiacos has offered Vezenkov a contract that is equal to $53.5 million US dollars over 5 years in NBA money. $53.5 million is a lot more than $7 million. He doesn't care one bit about that money.

4 years 16 million Euros (or 4/14) is what I've read. Greece isn't Spain.

That said, Raptors have not bought him out or waived him and negotiations continue.