Another shot
I want another shot at the NBA!
My agent has been communicating with a couple of NBA teams so far but as of today my #1 objective right now is to keep BBCD in Pro A.
I have been given here an opportunity to excel on the court, good coaching, and a tremendous amount of on-court experience which I have fully taken advantage of.
For example, I’ll be the first to admit I used to see the game at the PG position as it progressed in present-tense, but now with this added experience and mental growth I see more than just the next pass after mine (which I call the hockey assist), I now see the next 3-4 plays and what pace to play at just by quickly examining whose hot on my squad, whether or not we’re scoring consistently, and the defense being played.
Coach has definitely took the time out to teach me this. Because as a basketball player you always hear since your a young kid “think the game” and its true. Basketball is a bunch of fun for me again I must admit.
We had a very important game and although I scored 19 points and had 10 rebunds and 8 assists, we lost by 7. We’ve got four games left in order to stay in Pro A. We have a number of injuries so I need to step up my game to a higher level.
Coach told me that now I’m the leader of the team. It’s not only about the points, the assists, it’s about making my teammates better.
As for the NBA teams interested, I came here to get experience and improve my jump shot, and I’ve done those things.
We’ll see during the summer, I’ll keep working to get better… like picking the NCAA champ! I had Pittsburgh, but you know, it’s so easy to pick the usual suspects (the Dukes, the North Carolinas…).
Seriously, I’ve read that it seems the Nets are committed to keep the core intact. Coach Lawrence Frank was very honest when he told me last summer that I was the final cut; he let me know which areas I had to improve so I would get to play in the NBA again.
Finally, it’s play off time! I see Cleveland winning the championship because of the maturity of LeBron James, and the fact that everybody on the team knows their role. LeBron can score 30 points, get 10 rebounds and 10 assists, and everybody on the team loves him. He’s been the MVP of the season and he will be the MVP of the Finals.
That’s all!
jonathan Said,
April 19, 2009 @ 5:43 pm
No offense Jules, but you’re leading the league in turnovers, shooting 52% from the free throw line (u shot 83% as a junior in college!), and you’ve only made one 3-pointer in 10 games…You need to be thinking about whether u can play at a higher level than the bottom feeders of the French league, let alone the NBA…
Tunez Said,
April 19, 2009 @ 7:47 pm
Do you what you gotta do, get back in the L! That’s where you belong.
Bobby Said,
April 20, 2009 @ 9:04 am
Julius,
Keep doing your thing, we here in Jeresy would like to see you back in the NBA (hopefully playing for the NETS) you would be a great addition to our team, great spirit, workethnic, your well rounded. I am pushing for you.
Oh man... Said,
April 20, 2009 @ 10:15 am
Jonathon… what a solid realisation u have alerted us too. The jumpshot still is horrible, the 3 ball non existant, the ignorance and shameless promotion of themselves still evident and this line which is funny…
I want another shot at the NBA!
My agent has been communicating with a couple of NBA teams so far but as of today my #1 objective right now is to keep BBCD in Pro A.
If that was your #1 objective right now, wouldnt that go ABOVE ” I want another shot at the NBA? ” lol err… umm hmmm
Porky Said,
April 20, 2009 @ 10:58 am
Julius- dont you wish your last name were Irving? Or perhaps your first name were Gil (baseball reference for you young folks). Actually what if your name was Edward Witten? Then you would be the smartest person in the world. What if your name were Georgie Gleep or Mortimer Vanderlip? Those are funny names I think.
Sincerely,
Porky Appleyard
Jush13 Said,
April 20, 2009 @ 3:24 pm
Hello Julius,
Most of my family lives in Besançon, the French city you play for.
I suppose it should be weird to live in a small city like that for an American player. What do you think of people and food around there ?!
Thanks and good luck
PS: there was a good American player named Ronnie Smith who played severeal years for BBCD some years ago. And he happened to play for French national team after becoming French. Maybe you could play with Tony Parker, Diaw, Turiaf, Pietrus… :p
AJ Said,
April 20, 2009 @ 4:29 pm
Hi Julius,
It seems you have a “fan” club of a couple spoil sports for your article, but I’m sure you won’t dwell on that. There are pleny of ball fans who think you’re doing great in Besançon. I don’t know if your jump shot has improved enough to silence all the critics, but I’ve definitely watched you make big strides in the intellectual side of the game. I think you’d be an asset on most NBA teams, both because of what you bring to the court and what your bring to the locker room.
Best of luck!
PackRush Said,
April 20, 2009 @ 5:10 pm
hey Jules met you at the RED and WHITE game your sophmore year GO PACK! hey johnathan pretty harsh to say the least…forgot to mention his 19pt 9asst 9reb avg the last couple games and 15point 6asst 5reb avg a game in arguably the most physical league in all of EUROPE!! but you do have a point the free-throw average is sucky(wassup jules lol)..He did choose NCSTATE over powerhouse Syracuse, Adelaide 36ers over the MELBOURNE TIGERS(top team in aussie) and Besancon over LeMans(top team in France)..Maybe the “Jules of Harlem” is like the rest of us and likes the “underdawg”?? except for you Laker and one year Celtic fans :p
Sasha Vujacic Said,
April 21, 2009 @ 8:31 pm
julius why bother trying
machine reckons you go play girly sport like skating of the ice.
Chris Tifre Said,
April 21, 2009 @ 8:47 pm
Julious i hope you get your shot but you got to understand just because your tearing it up overseas doesn’t mean that your ready for the NBA. Playing overseas is like being in the minor leagues in baseball. The problem with your game is that you cannot shoot the ball consistently from the perimeter,no 3 point range,and your not athletic at all. At your size you should be able to do all the above,and thats what the league looks for. So thats a big reason why you probably won’t get a shot. If you improve on these things and have strong summer league then maybe some teams will call you.What worked for you in college was your playmaking ability. You still can do the same now but nba teams are gonna leave you open knowing you cant shoot the ball. Sometimes its all about working on your game. Like for example Vince Carter. When he first came to the NBA all he could do was jump and dunk. But he has lasted so long because of his ability to shoot the ball and keep defenses honest. Then you got a guy like Harold Minor. He one the Slam Dunk Contest but was outta the league like in 3 years cause he couldn’t shoot a lick. So thats my point. NBA scouts look at if players can build on their weaknesses and yours you haven’t done it unfortunely. Anyway hope you can work on your game and good luck
Ovais Said,
April 21, 2009 @ 9:19 pm
Julius, dont listen to the critics. Keep striving to improve. You’ve achieved alot more than those non-contributing zeroes.
Russell Robinson Said,
April 22, 2009 @ 2:55 pm
Who doesn’t deserve another shot? You will get yours, question is what will you do with it…Personally as a fan of basketball its never really been your basketball skills, its been your attitude that has preventing you from excelling. From the way it sounds you matured and with your work ethic there’s not doubt you’ll be just fine. It your boy Russ. Keep doing you, I’m you of you man…One
P.S Just stand clear of me because I’m on a mission too and I’m taking heads (Pause)
Foolius Said,
April 22, 2009 @ 4:14 pm
Seriosuly Jules, you got enough game to play bottom leagues in Europe, or top tier competitions in Asia or Australia. You do not have the skills to play in the NBA. Accept that and move on.
RetepAdam Said,
April 23, 2009 @ 12:52 am
Julius, I don’t think your style of play is going to plug in well for most Euroball teams. You’d probably be better off putting in a little more time in the D-League before someone gives you a shot. If you leave for Europe, you’re probably not coming back to the NBA.
So, it’s really about what you want to do. If you want to stick to the dream of playing in the NBA, you’d probably be better served to go the D-League route, but if you want to get paid more money, Europe’s the answer. Just don’t expect much more than that.
Baback orama Said,
April 23, 2009 @ 6:40 pm
Sasha vujacic! ah ah ah! a basketball player? a star sucka.
bubs Said,
April 24, 2009 @ 7:36 pm
julius what good there are a lot of hater talking crazy. u see i know julius has the skill to get back in the NBA. I know julius since he was in 8th grade. and yes i agree with some of u guys. if he said he improve on his Jump shot then he has because julius is a hard worker. and to that oh man go suck a @@#$%% u didnt even play ball HA HAHa
jush13 Said,
April 25, 2009 @ 2:43 am
For those who know basketball…
Udonis Haslem played in France before coming back to the US. And I think he’s playing at good level.
Moreover, Europe is not D-League… Remember NBA Europe Live Tours:
2006 : FC Barcelona 104–99 Philadelphia 76ers
CSKA Moscow 94–75 Los Angeles Clippers
2007 : Unicaja Málaga 102–99 Memphis Grizzlies
Real Madrid 104–103 Toronto Raptors
in 2008, to avoid some more losses the NBA teams played only against NBA teams…