Olympiakos owes players money
by Nate Timmons on Oct 13, 2009 5:20 PM MDT
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PrintThought this story from Sports Illustrated on Greece's Olympiakos was pretty relevant since Linas Kleiza, formerly of the Denver Nuggets, decided to sign with them versus returning to the Nuggets at a fraction of his new pay check, but will L.K. receive all that money?
Sounds like things could be dicey overseas ...
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isn't it great
good move there linas kleiza. a future denver stiff getting stiffed on his current contract.
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
Childress
Saw something on TV that detailed what it was like playing over there. Some of the arenas are ghetto and about the size of a high school gym. The crowds can get rowdy and games had to be stopped cause of rioting. Apparently they travel cheaply despite getting paid a lot (guess not…) and in Childress’ case getting a free apartment and car.
Childress tried to come back to the NBA unsuccessfully and will play there another year. I wonder what he would say if he regrets it or not, he is getting that money but also playing years out of the prime of his career in Greece
"I wonder what he would say if he regrets it or not"
I am not so sure it’s regret that he would be feeling, because it would be a unique experience, but once he plays in the NBA it will be a total shock as to how much better the game is over here. Any serious NBA caliber player shouldn’t even think of going overseas to play. It makes your career somewhat tainted, in my opinion. Anyways, I’m glad those bastards are losing money. And I hate to say it but I’m kind of glad Kleiza might be too since he bailed on us.
by GoldenNugget on Oct 13, 2009 11:49 PM MDT up reply actions
H U G E F A V O R
lk really helped denver. he cannot come back to the nba without the nugs. his contract is up at the same time as kmart’s and the current collective bargaining agreement. he can opt out of his greek deal after the first year but if denver is doing well they can give him a real low ball offer. 5 years at 10 million or he can go back to europe. had he signed the contract last year it would have cost denver 12 million this season with the tax. lk needs a new agent.
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
Death Threats?
That’s the best part. I wonder if Kroenke has any muscle for hire keeping bill collectors and rabid agents at bay. I wonder if he’s hiring? But in all seriousness LK shot himself in the foot (or his agent did) when he turned down the mid season offer the Nuggs extended to him. Dude is seriously a fan of his own brand of Kool-Aid. I think living in Europe would be real chill, but having to play in front of the guys that were too rowdy for the soccer hooligans would be a drag no doubt.
Kleiza is European
Cut him some slack. I’m kinda angry at him too for not accepting that offer, but getting twice the money in an environment MUCH closer to his country is undeniably tempting. It’d be like if the NBA was in Europe. Any American-born star would love to play in their home country for a lesser-known team for more money because it is much more familiar to them, if that makes any sense. And look at the bright side: Kleiza may become a better flopper, which means that he’ll at least have SOME defensive contribution, even if it is kinda cheating.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Kleiza was absolutely beastly (by his standards) in 2007-08
He lost a lot of confidence last season. Arron Afflalo will do an excellent job for making up for Kleiza. BTW, I see it more as Joey Graham+(White or another swingman who makes the roster) making up for Dahntay and Afflalo for Kleiza, since Afflalo is a better defender and three-point shooter than both Dahntay and Kleiza. Balkman should get increased minutes and is going to make up for both of them. Malik Allen sucks.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
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