Good times, bad times
Hi everybody,
It’s getting close to the start of training camp. I’m so excited!
Before that happens, I’m going to tell you a tale about my first few years in Europe. The tough times when I had to build my career. A lot of difficult experiences like, for example, not getting paid in time… I never got used to that. It was a culture shock to me. I had no clue that was the way in some clubs.
I got to Spain to play in Lugo with Breogan in 2005. That was pretty much the turning point in my career. My former agent George Bass told me, “OK, you start in a small team but if you play well then you’ll be where you want to be.” So I followed his advice, went to Lugo and had great numbers… And I had three consecutive non-payments!
Now it may sound funny, but it was tough back then. Three years in a row with the same problem? Enough was enough. So I left. I was about to left the dream of becoming a star in Europe. I told the team that the contract said that if I didn’t get paid in 21 days, I could leave the team. They were 22 days late, so I left.
I told them: “I don’t want your money. Just want to leave and I’m going back to Miami. I just want to leave. I’m not happy being around dishonest people because I’m a honest person. I have respect for myself.”
That was it. I went to Madrid, I bought my flight to Miami and thought about everything. Called Bass and he said “OK, then come home.”
But the next day, as I left the hotel and called a cab to go to the Barajas airport, I felt I had to finish my business. I swallowed my pride and decided to go back to the team. Didn’t matter if they were going to pay me or not. Not getting paid ain’t right. It’s my job. I do my job everyday to the fullest and I expect to get paid. But it didn’t matter anymore. I just wanted to finish my business.
So I flew back to Lugo and I went back to practice. We had a game against Granada the following day. I played well and we won the game. I took a lot of heat from the media for leaving the team. They said, “Oh, he only plays for money.”
Well, they were wrong about me. Now you understand who I am, and I wasn’t the player they portrayed me to be in 2005. The same people who said that now say I’m a winner and a leader. Go figure.
I’ve never talked about this situation before. People say a lot of things about me, but some people who saw me everyday said the opposite. My coaches in Lugo, the people who know about basketball… They supported me a lot. The fans too. Moncho Lopez, one of my coaches that year along with Moncho Fernandez, was later the Spanish National Team head coach and now he coaches the Portuguese National Team.
That season I averaged 20 ppg and 7 rpg. Still the media was coming at me with negative stuff. I got paid at last when the season ended. And then my agent started to receive calls from great European clubs.
Like they say, the rest is history.
I’ll be back with more stories soon. Bye!
Alex Said,
August 11, 2009 @ 7:29 pm
Pete, you are a man. America is the best!
Thank you shearing the story with us.
danilo thann Said,
August 12, 2009 @ 1:17 am
Thanks for sharing Pete.
The hard times and having to swallow your pride have now paid off!
Enjoy the upcoming season!
Ricky Said,
August 12, 2009 @ 5:39 am
To the first poster - are you the same Alex that I used to share a ride into work with in Newmont, Kentucky?
Dude, how did Zupes get on at college? Did he graduate?
Great to see you still love hoops.
Ricky
john Said,
August 12, 2009 @ 9:16 am
I hear you loud and clear …
You still have no talent as a basketball player..you shouldve stayed in europe working at a local supermarket you bum….
Ohh boo hoo, didnt get paid on time, suck it up tough guy…
P.S
Learn how to dribble before you walk
Andre Williams Said,
August 12, 2009 @ 9:38 am
What up Pete. I heard from our former teammate at Indian Hills CJ Bruton. He emailed me about a month ago. Good luck this season. Hit me up drewilliams08@gmail.com
George Bass Said,
August 12, 2009 @ 10:11 am
Glad to see you on top in Europe year after year, you have always been a winner and you always will be! Congrats!
Gerard Said,
August 12, 2009 @ 10:41 am
Hi Pete,
Have you got time to enjoy Barcelona? Places, foods, etc. I like as “Barcelones” to know about what you like or dislike about your new home. BTW are you gonna live in the city or in the towns around?
Good luck!
Alex Said,
August 12, 2009 @ 10:50 am
Ricky, sorry man, i am not.
GB Said,
August 12, 2009 @ 3:04 pm
Who were the “soleros” in spain? lolololol…holla at yo boy!
Kalen Said,
August 13, 2009 @ 1:32 am
It’s nice to see your point of view about this issue, Pete, but you should recover some memories that seems to be hidden for you. First, the fact that you get paid late the last time was because you didn’t have an account in a Spanish bank so the money transfer had to be done in special conditions. There were no intention in Lugo in not paying. Second, you committed a mistake by leaving Lugo without asking first why you didn’t get your salary at time and you missed a training session because of that. Moncho was very disappointed with your attitude that day, though it is completely understandable if you hadn’t been paid before in another places and I’m sure you both talked later and solved this misunderstanding. Happily with your years in Spain you have shown you are a true pro, competitive and one of the top basketball players of the ACB, but I just thought it was fair for Lugo’s people and some of the Spanish press to clarify some points of your post. Sorry about my English and keep writing, I like your post a lot
Moncho Fernández Said,
August 13, 2009 @ 12:41 pm
Thanks for your words Pete¡¡
I´ll see you next season¡¡¡
Good luck guy.
Moncho Fernández
C. Bennerman Said,
August 13, 2009 @ 2:51 pm
I TOO experienced a series of similar experiences while playing in Spain. I am blessed to say that i never had a problem with payments being late, but what’s to compensate for being truely unhappy in a situation. A players feelings is not taken under consideration when talking to a GM or even your agent in some cases. What Pete did, most players do not do, and i was one of those players. The team i was with when this happend is irrelevant but it occured in Spain. The frustration, the back stabbing, the reputation bashing, all played a key role in decisions that were made on my behalf, BUT…i too feel that there is unfinished business. And when you feel this way as a player, you have to correct it. It’s not that easy to just walk away from anything as a competitor knowing that you did not hold your end of the bargain. Never again. Off to Italy i go…CB
danilo thann Said,
August 13, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
Gotta have a Spanish bank account, Pete!!!
atomic sushi Said,
August 14, 2009 @ 5:20 pm
hey pete! you used to play here in manila with J. Honeycutt. You guys were a badass tandem. me and my brother tried to emulate you. we even wore carolina blue colors whenever we played together. we were in High school back then and we were always excited to play ball and try to emulate the both of you. cheers to you!
Gerard Said,
August 17, 2009 @ 5:06 am
Cameron Bennerman tell us you story in Burgos. I saw that you played there under a one month contract. I understand that you didn’t create an spanish account for one month.
amaia Said,
August 19, 2009 @ 5:33 am
you are the best !!!!! good luck in Barcelona !!!!