Off to France
Hello everybody!
I recently signed for the remainder of the season with French team Besançon. After leaving Australia I was able to go home and be with my family and friends in NYC. Then about a week later I was heading to Europe.
The city seems to be good but honestly I haven’t seen pretty much. My whole routine consists on going from my hotel room to practice, focusing on learning the offense and defensive system of the team.
Coach told me he wants me to get to the lane and create good shots for the other guys. You know the drill… Play hard, distribute well, effective shooting, guarding the best point guard and most importantly: running the team.
And talking about my teammates… There are really good players, but there is a really, really good young player called Justin Hawkins. This kid really can play. He has a smooth stroke, like Carmelo Anthony’s. This kid has a lot of potential.
We worked out for an hour and after the second practice we went together to lift weights. I feel good knowing that he also loves being in the gym. We’re gonna push each other to get better. This is a plus in this situation.
But I mean it: this kid has game. We can complement each other very well on the court.
I have no NBA opt-out clause this time. I will focus for the remainder of the season on Besançon.
This can be a very positive situation, coming to a team that desperately needs some help.
About the stuff that happened in Australia… I wish the team luck. I think it was a good situation for the most part… And I wish my former teammates and coaching staff the best of luck in the future.
Anyway, I don’t think this will hurt any chances to come back to the Australian League someday.
Honestly right now I’m focused on doing the best in the French League. This is definitely a situation that could help my career… Playing some combo guard, a lot of point guard, helping the team getting Ws.
That’s all for now.
Bye!
UPDATE: My first game went really good: 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and only one turnover in 24 minutes playing the point guard position. We won by 2points. I defended Brian Laing, a St. Raymonds High School teammate of mine, university of Seton Hall graduate. I must admit it wasn’t as easy-going at first but I got into a good rythm by the 2nd half and our up-tempo offense allowed me to get in transition, throw alley-oops and set my teammates up for easy scores. It was tough leading and running our offense so quickly in just a few days but leading and running a team has never been a challenge for me.
Dr Dunkz Said,
February 1, 2009 @ 8:41 pm
“Anyway, I don’t think this will hurt any chances to come back to the Australian League someday.”
See you in a Melbourne Tigers jersey next season my man
John Said,
February 1, 2009 @ 10:50 pm
Well there will be no need for an opt out clause from your French team as they only sign great players there.
I see you still have not really given us a good story on why you left the Aussie team mate and if you do not think it will effect you coming back then wrong again. I am amazed the French team would sign you. You may just leave half way through a game.
I still do not understand what went wrong. For someone who was a flop in the NBA and became a star in a country of 20 million why would you give that up?…
Speedz Said,
February 2, 2009 @ 1:01 am
NBL and their financial issues… (like the Bullets and Kings…!)
it happens when the league struggles to make an impact into one of the mainstream sports where AFL, NRL, Criket and Union dominate the airwaves…!
Not to mention the A -League also trying its darn hardest to make an impact onto the market too but with all the right sponsor and sound planning…
I guess that what NBL lacks atm is lacking a long term plan & vision and a good group of financial backers to make a significant impact into the mainstream media like they did years ago…
Its not too late but it will be increasingly hard to attract top quality overseas players if they cant sort themselves out… (league wise…)
cristyle Said,
February 2, 2009 @ 2:54 am
hey julius, so what really happened with the australian team, why did you league, as i heard u were having a killa season? ca
Un ancien joueur des Nuggets à Besançon | NBA, Basket Français Pro A, Pro B, Equipe de France Basketball, Euroleague, streetball Said,
February 2, 2009 @ 4:51 am
[...] en passant par l’Italie et l’Australie. Si l’on en croit ce qu’il raconte dans son blog, il a l’air motivé à l’idée de jouer en France. “Je n’ai pas de clause [...]
tRuTh HuRtZ Said,
February 2, 2009 @ 4:54 am
Listen up yall.
This be the truth.
Hodge was PAID IN FULL when playin in Australia. FACT.
He & his manager returned the payment AFTER recieving it. FACT
Hodge turned his back on his team and walked out for no good reason. FACT
So this guy deserves to spend the rest of his ballin life playin in z-grade league for a middle of freakin nowhere town in france.
Enjoy your time eatin snails and frogs legs Julius.
Ando Said,
February 2, 2009 @ 4:59 am
I’m surprised someone picked you up. We (36er fans) were really disapointed with the way you left. A lot of fans were there to see you and for you to not show up like that shows pretty bad character. If the Tigers pick you up next season, good luck to them. They are going to need it.
JayBeez Said,
February 2, 2009 @ 9:25 am
Hey Julius,
just want to show some French love around here, congrats on your signing with Besançon, a usually solid ball club that featured in the past some well known players who later had a big impact on NBA teams like Bruce Bowen. Take time to enjoy the city and if it’s too boring (some of my friends from Besac would kill me for saying that ahah
just remember the TGV can get you to Paris in less than 3 hours.. You’ll find plenty of entertainment here word!
anyway good luck for the remainder of the season and your next game vs Nancy, that should be a tough one!
peace
FORREST CRUNK Said,
February 2, 2009 @ 10:52 am
“leading and running a team has never been a challenge for me.”
uh, except when you were, um, in the NBA
Howard Eisley Said,
February 2, 2009 @ 4:22 pm
great player
BETCATS Said,
February 2, 2009 @ 9:10 pm
JULIUS!!! I have watched you since you were at NCSU, I still got a bootleg, bright red NCSU #24 in my closet. You are the best! Man i want you back stateside ASAP so i can watch you. Call me selfish, but your the man Julius, i just wanted to let you know that.
Luke Said,
February 2, 2009 @ 11:51 pm
French teams are notorious for not paying in full or on time!! Wow so leaving a team that bent over backwards to pay you as quoted and on time to going to france? all that needs to be said what goes around comes around. There are alot of talented guys not in the nba cause of the space above the shoulders and alot of guys that have won miltiple chips for the exact same reason. You think a player like Bill Wennington could match up on you? No, but he was a good person and teammate and not destructive, hence him sitting back counting his rings while you re in a foreign country playing with your fingers crossed. Wake up
XztatiK Said,
February 3, 2009 @ 3:05 am
AAHAHAHAHAHA!
The only people that will pick you up are in the only country that is actually as heartless as you, France!!!
Classic.
“French history: They turn on their friends and surrender to their enemies!”
Sounds like you’ll fit in just fine…
creep Said,
February 3, 2009 @ 6:06 am
u will never play be allowed in the nbl again my friend
Matt B Said,
February 3, 2009 @ 6:25 am
Keep up the blogs! Tell Justin Hawkins what’s up for me…hooped against him in the WAC the last few yrs! I’m in Holland and enjoying it so far.
aussiehaters Said,
February 3, 2009 @ 4:03 pm
you Australians need to let it go with your hate for Mr. Hodge already.. it really speaks volumes on the type of people you “really” are.. keep it up the jules of harlem on his way to stardom! GO PACK
Luke Said,
February 3, 2009 @ 4:32 pm
Really are? We tell it how it is.
fku OZ h8r Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 5:32 am
Can’t handle the truth hey Aussiehaters…Not many Yanks can.
Unlike you Americans, we directly speak the truth rather than beat around the bush.
That is indeed what we are “really” like.
I know for a fact this is something you guys are uncomfortable doing.
And before you ask…Yes….i have been the the States many times.
reekwon Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 8:26 am
Wow lots of hate for Julius around here… You guys need to get over it, players leaving their teams happen all the time in every league not named NBA, I don’t know what went wrong with Julius in Australia but you don’t quit for no reason, it’s up to him to tell us what happened or not, he does as he wants cuz he owes us nothing.
Basketball-wise, leaving the Australian league is no biggie, nobody notices that league, he’ll get much more exposure playing in Europe where they actually play some D, even if it’s for a midlevel team in an average league.
Sat Guru Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 4:54 pm
Jules,
Have to ask the question….Why not come back to the D-league? I mean, Scouts are looking at you all the time here, especially now with the 10 day contracts being signed. Was it the team, ABQ, or what was it. I am curious?
Roro Said,
February 5, 2009 @ 10:42 am
Besancon is the former team of Bruce Bowen!!!!!
Matt Said,
February 6, 2009 @ 5:31 am
hey Julius!
Man i still wish you were at the sixers… would u welcome a return back if they asked for it?
reekwank Said,
February 6, 2009 @ 9:37 pm
yo reekwon…you say “the Australian league is no biggie, nobody notices that league” ? so where do you think Stephen Jackson came from ???
WhyMoFo Said,
February 6, 2009 @ 9:41 pm
Why even bother given this dude a blog?
He is a never-been.
You might as well hand every nba bust a blog at this rate.
Pick up your game hoopshype and hand this blog over to a player we actually want to read about!
FORREST CRUNK Said,
February 8, 2009 @ 9:40 pm
YEAH WHERE THE HELL IS OUR RAFAEL ARAUJO BLOG DAMMIT
Ghost Said,
February 9, 2009 @ 7:59 pm
@Luke: “French teams are notorious for not paying in full or on time!!”
Are you kidding me ??? Give me one example of a player who didn’t get paid. It’s not like in Russia or Greece. Obviously you know absolutely nothing about French basketball. Moreover there is a court called “les Prud’hommes” which settles cases between workers and employers so if someone has a salary problem, no problem he will win the case and get paid. Don’t talk when you don’t know.
Good luck to you Julius and Besançon is a nice city but don’t eat too many kebabs (never seen so many kebab in a city lol).
NBL Said,
February 10, 2009 @ 12:42 am
no1 notices the NBL, it is a nothing league run by a bunch of morons, Luc Longley Andrew Bogut and Patty Mills never played in the NBL for a reason. The Quality is bad, crowds are bad and so is the pay… it is a last resort for any professional player.
To the Aussies Said,
February 12, 2009 @ 3:25 am
This “truthful Aussie” who writes that you all are truthful. You have been to America, yada yada. I have been to Australia. I love your women because you beat them. Your not truthful, hell, in your writings, you couldnt even master the english language. Sounds like you were drinking with one hand and beating your wife with the other. No time for typing. The guy didnt like your stinking country. A whole continent is mad at a ‘never-been’ ball player sounds like a lot of jealousy and venom to me. The guy makes more than all of us on this blog, combined. Do your thing Hodges. Obviously him getting training camp invites means he is worth something. I haven’t heard of any of you guys getting a try-out. Hell, you guys probably hadn’t even ridden first-class on a plane. What in the hell comes out of Australia anyhow? (Ball-player wise) You guys can’t put out an All-Star to save your life. The recent guy who came from your country made fun of the first guy to come from your country. Thats how bad it is. Tsk tsk Aussies. Stick to your rugby and beating wives and leave the real sports over in the US of A. Hell, when your Men can get more Gold Medals in the Olympics than your Females, then you can talk.
J-Foxxx Said,
February 14, 2009 @ 2:43 am
hrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrmmmmmmmmmmmm
I would have you on my team any day J-Hodge.
Even if it was an NBL team.
Your welcome here anytime.
ABQ Jules... WE WANT YOU BACK Said,
February 17, 2009 @ 12:06 am
yo Jules we want you back in the abq. we will still have your rights because we will hopefully alocate you next year. i know you signed for the rest of the season but if you wanna get back to the nba, you should come to albuquerque.
ALex
fab Said,
February 21, 2009 @ 11:55 am
hey julius!!
i ‘m a fan of BBCD….i hope you like playing for besançon
it’ s a shame for the last roanne game but i hope the new wil be ready for next game in besançon and i wish you to do a big gam for the victory!!!!!