Navarro’s strange trip back
Spanish guard Juan Carlos Navarro has surprised the NBA with his decision to return to FC Barcelona, the club he grew up with. Navarro’s move is pretty unusual considering he left a lot of money on the table last year to sign with the Grizzlies and that he was bound to get a good contract in the league this summer after a brilliant season with Memphis in which he averaged 10.9 ppg and was named to the All-Rookie 2nd Team.
So why did Navarro choose to re-join his former team?
“It all started when he returned to Spain for holidays after the NBA season came to an end,” Navarro’s agent Alex Saratsis told HoopsHype.com. “In his mind, there was no doubt he was going to sign a contract with an NBA team for coming years, but things started to change when FC Barcelona got in touch with us. They were willing to make a great economic effort to bring him back and besides Navarro was thrilled to see that Chichi Creus (a former Spanish player recently named GM of FC Barcelona) was running things. I was in Barcelona last week for Navarro’s birthday and that was when negotiations really heated up. They made two offers to us and the second one was one Juan Carlos couldn’t refuse.”
Reports out of Spain suggest Navarro’s contract is for five years and $15 million euros (around $23 million), making him the best paid player in the history of FC Barcelona’s basketball team.
Although free agents can’t negotiate with NBA teams till July 1, Saratsis gauged the interest in his client around the league. And from what he was hearing, there was big money waiting for him in the NBA also.
“They were not flat out telling me what kind of contract Navarro could get, but you could feel there was a lot of interest from five or six teams especially, Memphis included,” Saratsis said. “We were looking for a contract between $4.5 million and the mid-level exception and from what they were saying, I think it was doable. The names of Jason Kapono, Matt Carroll and Kyle Korver (all of them making more than $4.5 million per season) were often brought up when discussing what kind of role and contract he could get.”
With Navarro bolting for Spain, the Grizzlies get yet another bad break following a dismal season in which they got heavily criticized around the NBA after dealing Pau Gasol for little value. Memphis acquired the rights to Navarro from the Wizards last summer in exchange of a future first-round pick. Now they will have nothing to show for it. But there’s additional bad news for the Grizzlies: Marc Gasol, whose rights they obtained from the Lakers in the February trade, may join La Bomba in Barcelona.
“Juan Carlos understood that there was a possibility of playing with Marc in Barcelona and if that came to fruition, he would be thrilled,” according to Saratsis. “The basketball project of the team was very important to him. It was never about money for Navarro. He gave up money to play in the NBA.”
The question is, why give the NBA a try and then return to Europe after just one season – especially after proving he belonged in the league?
“Well, now he can at least say to himself that he was able to play there, that he was good enough to succeed in the NBA,” Saratsis said. “At one point, he thought he would never get a chance to play there and proving himself that he could do well in NBA was big for him.”
pitar Said,
June 19, 2008 @ 6:54 pm
The reason he gave the NBA a try for only one season and went back to Europe is money and prestige. A brilliant first season? Please, that’s a joke right? Sure the guy is a capable bench player but it ought to tell you something if he can’t start for one of the worst teams in the league. He got 5 years and 23 million from Barca. If he remained in the NBA he would have been looking at about 3 years and maybe $10 million. Sure he was a nice rookie but the guy was 27 years old and in his prime. He’s not Rudy Fernandez or Sergio Rodriguez who are still improving. Plus he is a huge star in Spain but not in the USA.
Ernewage Said,
June 19, 2008 @ 7:39 pm
Man, if that’s the ‘great offer he couldn’t reject’…. i thought we were talking about big bucks. And Marc could have joined him in Memphis, so let’s make it clear: If it’s not money and it’s not Marc, that only leaves family pressure to come back to Barcelona, cause that ‘great project’ should not interest him since he has already won the euroleague which is the most a team can aspire here in europe…
Arthur Said,
June 19, 2008 @ 8:55 pm
Or…he decided to go back to Spain to play basketball because he loves his home nation and prefers that culture. That is my guess. That and the fact that the players there care about winning. You will see more Euros going back because they see the way the NBA works and will be appalled.
Pau Said,
June 19, 2008 @ 9:03 pm
Well, it seems that the reasons can only be familiar love or money… i got a third one. I will not, under any contract would like to play on Memphis Grizzlies, a team that nearly ruin Gasol career. Funny how still some people keep on saying he is a bluff. In 4 months, Kobe MVP (never achieved in his lifetime) and a NBA Finals… pretty good for Gasoft right? Memphis is a team so wicked as NY Knicks or the Clippers. A team where interests are in the wrong way. Well, so not for me. Bye bye i return to FCB. And cheers for that. BIEN JUGADO JUANCAR!!!!! Felicitats.
Tito Said,
June 19, 2008 @ 11:04 pm
If you come to think about it, numbers do count but his B-Ball IQ is nice for a point guard who teams in the NBA don’t give a chance. I wasn’t expecting him to turn Memphis into a .500 hundred team by himself but he does have good point guard qualities. He is a pass-first point guard which my Knicks need really bad. Too bad he chose to go back home but he couldn’t refuse that money since Euro’s are worth more than the dollar and he will be surrounded with passionate fans.
mohjo Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 1:15 am
I actually think it’s a good business decision, im happy for Navarro and I think he is capable of definetely being a productive 6th man in the NBA, and growing into an impact role player averaging 14.3pts/game 4.2assits/game.
XOSE Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 1:24 am
Family, a society that he might not feel confortable…
He’s not a young stallion, he’s a family man, he loves to PLAY basket, not just go-to-go likely selfish Gay or Redds that are idols for basketball IQ brainless fans. He has proved himself he can play there… then back home with the family, taking away his daughters from a culture that idolatrizes popularity in such a way that if your daughter doesnt lick cream from the great biceps of a popular college guy, she’ll be out and marginalized, I teach at the Univeristy of Colorado… I can tell
Well done man!
XOSE Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 1:26 am
…plus the economical mobbing that Barcelona applies to home players (Ylasova is lucky of being not elegible for the Soanish National team)
Gatsby Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 2:05 am
Yep, you are right, but $23 million for five years in Europe are big bucks, specially in Spain. But I agree with you that family pressure may be one important reason for him to come back after just one season.
Anyways, although he has won the Euroleague, Navarro is a player that disappears in big games.
Noah Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 2:09 am
It’s possible he would have gotten most of some teams MLE in the U.S. If those contract numbers are accurate, he’s getting about that much in Europe. Of course, the only reason he makes so much in Europe is because our economy is terrible and the dollar is worthless. If the U.S. actually had a good economy, he might have stayed here. It’s the reason Tiago Splitter is staying in Europe, too. On the other hand, maybe he prefers to play in his home town. Derrick Rose is sure agitating about that…
duckvid Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 2:35 am
I think Navarro was homesick last year, and that’s about it. Just add the fact that he was a winner (at least he was used to) in a losing team and you have it.
He prooved he can play, maybe not at a starter level, but he had enough. Family pressure could help also to make his decision, but I wouldn’t say pressure when talking about two little daughters…that may be a needing.
And, as per the money…remember: had he signed for an NBA team, he’d have to pay his due to FC Barcelona as agreed when he left (if I remember well: 10M euro in yearly payments). Back home, he will earn much more in comparison.
Don’t know…I also think he could’ve tried further in NBA, but I really understand him coming back
enzo Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 4:41 am
All you talk, please…, It´s all about name. In Europe, basketball is increasing, Navarro is probably one of the best, and tecnically in also U.S. If we remain the last WorldCup, Spain, actually champion, did a great job. What about US? Not the best players: Lebron, Wade, Howard, Depaul, Duncan…yeah right!!! Navarro profile, right now in NBA is not well considered, but he is a really great player. We know that in Europe. Prestige and consideration are weapons for a good player!!!! Navarro forever!!!!!!!
locke Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 4:45 am
He is in debt to Barcelona, he owes them a lot of money, and he wasn’t sure of signing a huge contract in the NBA, so he was forced to return to Spain, to solve the economic problems.
joe Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 6:24 am
Well, there is a huge reason, that noone says. European players are addicted to winning. Navarro couldn’t stand losing 50-60 games a season, playing for joke-Memphis. In Europe you are only paid if you bring titles, in NBA if you bring ads and fans. Basketball equals winning in Europe, while it equals show in USA.
Thats why other great European players such as Papaloukas, Diamantidis, have turned their backs at the nba. Papaloukas last year was clear: “I could only go to a team that plays for the championship”. Papaloukas plays 70-75 games a season with CSKA, he loses 5-8 and states he gets sick every time. Thats the difference between basketball and show. Thats why you havent won a world championship for 14 years…
Michael Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 6:45 am
ya money is definitely the most important in this case. and I agree with pitar that when Navarro is at his age of 27, he may rather choose to return to Barca for the more successful and competitive team, comparing to the Griz with simply no future in the league right now
Leo Gatz Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 8:14 am
SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!!!!!
Jorel Jenious Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 10:14 am
Navarro,
As one of the few Grizz fans not in LA, it’s sad to see you go. But hey, you got some good run in the league, realized that scores of guys are satisfied with just “making it” to the league, and would party, too hard, after 20 point blowouts.
I couldn’t imagine how you feel, I feel slightly pissed seeing these guys bullsh!tting at clubs after dropping far to much on tickets for another terrible game.
Plus 5 years for 15 million Euro’s in a country where you’re a God as opposed to 3 years 11 million you would’ve gotten here. * And anyone who thinks you’re a point guard hasn’t seen you play much, we Memphians know you are a slower, less athletic, Spanish Ben Gordon, but we love the hell out of you’re energy.
Too bad we won’t get anything back, but what did the Grizz get back for Pau, James Posey, Jason Williams, Bonzi Wells, Earl Watson, Lorenzen Wright….(the list is endless)?
Michael Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 10:21 am
I am a native Memphian and huge fan of Pau and JCN. I also love Barcelona and can’t blame JCN for going home for the comfort and the money. I am saddened by it because I really liked the guy and only wish him the best as he burns up the nets in the euroleague. I assure you that Spanish paella and sangria on La Rambla are a decent swap for bbq and draft beer in Memphis, though I love both.
Cheers to La Bomba, he will be missed.
Jason Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 11:24 am
People think Memphis is a doormat for other teams, but that isn’t the case. They got 2 first round picks from the Lakers in the Gasol deal, plus the younger Gasol brother. If you put young Marc with Rudy Gay and Hakim Warrick, Mike Conley, and Kyle Lowry, plus 5 first round picks in the next 3 years, and possible Mike Miller (if a draft-day trade isn’t made), you have a team that is playoff ready in 2010.
I think you guys are thinking short-term and not long-term. San Antonio, Phoenix, and Dallas are getting old. The Lakers, Portland, and New Orleans are the future. With what the Grizzlies have, asset-wise, over the next 3 years, the future is very bright.
Coleman Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 11:35 am
Even if the numbers look comparable, what he’s getting in Europe is way more money than what he’s getting here. Figure in the exchange rate and the fact that announced salaries in Europe are NET (after taxes), he’s making closer to 35 million or more. Plus he gets to be the man on a team in one of the best cities in the world.
Better Version Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 11:38 am
Another reason for returning to Barcelona is JCN will always be more successful in Europe than the US based on style of play, especially on defense. In the NBA he would never become a starter, he is flawed because he is a tweener : too short for a 2guard, yet by no means a pure point, Plus more importantly, he’s a defensive liability regardless of who he guards. In Europe you can play more of a zone defense and there’s more of a motion offense that deemphasizes the need for a playmaking guard. These differences cover up JCN’s weaknesses and allow him to succeed on a star level.
hippynate Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 12:40 pm
As a Wizards fan I was quick to jump on Grunfeld for not getting more than a 2nd Round pick out of the Grizzlies… but how about if you’re the Grizzlies and you just gave up a high 2nd round pick for one mediocre year from a bench player. With Grunfeld’s track record he’ll turn that pick into gold, once again proving he’s one of the best GM’s in the league, with or without luck. This time it was luck.
hippynate Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
oops, a FIRST round pick… Grunfeld is even more genious. At the rate the Grizzlies are going that’ll be top-10…
zach Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
Jason, the draft picks the they are getting from the Lakers for the Pau trade are going to be at the bottom of the draft, just like this years pick witch will be 28. Thats not that great of a pick unless they can package it with something else to get some better value.
space Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 3:06 pm
memphis made a decent move. pau gasol was terminally unhappy and wouldn’t survive the 3 year rebuild it would take to get them back in the playoff hunt. after having him for a few years they too must’ve realized he was not the centerpiece of their franchise even if he was their most productive player. in return they got kwame brown and a 1-shot chance to see if he has an nba career left. they also get his contract coming off them as of this summer. they got a possible future center to replace his center/power forward tweener brother. in marc they also got a player close to 6 years younger and a true center. not to mention the draft picks to use. eventhough highly questioned you can’t deny the longterm shrewdness of that move.
navarro leaving clears their glut at point guard. at least one of their point guards was going to get traded during the summer. that was a given. lowry, navarro, conley, crittendon… too much. navarro leaving does take away the possible trade bait they once leveraged. if navarro is leaving, he obviously didn’t enjoy something here. this is becoming a slow trend as of late as a few euro players have decided to pack up and leave. what is going on in the inner workings of the nba franchises nowadays? its starting to leave a weird taste.
Ovais Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 4:27 pm
Memo to Memphis: this isn’t the end of the world. Let him rule in hell. If I were a player I’d rather play against the best players in the world. This guy is not a winner. Good riddance!
mempho Said,
June 20, 2008 @ 6:17 pm
The guy was a decent player but not a franchise changer. He was a very decent long range shooter but, like any other Europen player, he’d give those points back because of his lack of toughness on the defensive end. And it’s obvious alot of you guys never watched any of his games because you would know that he’s nowhere near being a true point guard; he’s basically a 2guard locked inside a 1’s body.So to say that the Grizzlies were crowded at the point position with him on the team is incorrect because point is not his position. I actually think he did it for the money and I couldn’t blame him for that.
xose Said,
June 21, 2008 @ 2:07 am
Ovais… he’s a world champion, something that Garnett, James cannot state despite you believe that NBA is the WORLD and D.C & NY the main cities… when was lat time… 1994? 14 years ago omnipotent friend??
ha ha ha
what a contraculture of yours.
Anthony RapFAN Said,
June 21, 2008 @ 2:32 am
With Pau gone, the Grizzlies team in another dissarry (how many times were hey in dissarray?), more years of terrible basketball, ownership chaos, fans who hate this team, a retarded GM, and an owner who cannot control the actions of his retarded GM…there’s a good reason Jaun Carlos Navarro left that dump of a franchise. There is no hope in Memphis, and Conley and Gay will now have to carry this worthless franchise into Oblivion. JC Navarro made a choice that willl benefit is future, family, and life for years to come. Adios Bomba… try to convince Marc Gasol to get the hell out of this disgraceful franchise.
ludovicle Said,
June 21, 2008 @ 5:22 am
More than money, it seems pretty obvious that JunCa comes back in Europe to play more interesting games than in NBA…
Playoffs are the only good games to play (for a player) or to watch (for fans) and Menphis play between 0 and 4 games of this kind every year…
And no worries for JuanCa, he should play versus the supposesd best players this summer in Beijing… so we’ll see if he’s still a “bench player”!
bballer Said,
June 21, 2008 @ 9:36 am
xose, garnett has an olympic gold medal which is valued more than the worlds. so when the us wins the gold in china by an avg of 20ppg would you guys finally shut up about the insecurities you feel about your heroes vs. the nba game?
oustide of barca and a few other teams, most clubs do not win championships. just b/c jcn has the benefit of playing for the best teams, what does it say about players who play for non-winning clubs? the euro game and the nba are two different games. if the euro game is so superior, why is it that us nba rejects like langdon and will bynum the best players in the euroleague.
just enjoy the game and leave the nationalism behind. if you can only enjoy a sport b/c a guy from your nation is playing, then you are not a fan at all. i watch sports for the beauty of it, regardless of nationalities.
long beach warrior,ca Said,
June 21, 2008 @ 10:36 am
23 million for 5 years WITHOUT TAXES…
So, really it’s like 46 million for 5 years in the US [since taxes take around half of your pay in the US]
Now tell me if he was smart or not
I think that was a smart move; especially since Pau Gasol, the player who drew him there left for another team.
Matt Said,
June 21, 2008 @ 11:58 am
JCN was a fantastic player. He’s one of a small handful of true catch-and-shoot players. I think most NBA GMs and coaches would love to get their hands on this guy. Unfortunately for my Cavs, he would’ve been pretty unhappy no matter where he was in the NBA. He was always talking about the culture shock and so forth. When Barca offered him the contract, he just couldn’t look back.
lil wayne Said,
June 21, 2008 @ 2:47 pm
dis cat maaaaaan cant even believe dat. guess he couldnt handle shit in da nba..started out hustlin ended up ballin doo
id Said,
June 21, 2008 @ 5:10 pm
Navarro has unspeakably bad shot selection.
But, regardless of his love for taking crazy 3 pointers with 21 seconds on the shot clock, he would be a fool to turn down 8 figures to play in Europe.
Where would you rather live? Barcelona, which is one of the nicest cities in the world, or Tennessee?!
richol Said,
June 21, 2008 @ 5:12 pm
I am responding to Pitar
You voiced the main reason why an international player doesn’t want to play in the NBA anymore…Respect and money.
Juan Carlos Navarro is a mega star at home,capable of changing the complexion of a basketball team in an instant.For these guys,money doesn’t have the same value than the american counterpart.Consideration,self-esteem,intellectual curiosity are much more what these europeans are looking for.
Navarro knows now that he belongs;he knows that the superiority complex that the NBA players used to portray are false and vain.
These guys are ambassadors and will work frantically to convince other european players that the trip over the atlantic doesn’t worth it and the buildind of a Super Euro League can be as profitable than the NBA.
Then ,we’ll have a real world champion at the end of regular seasons.
Watch ans see…Pitar
Schlomo Said,
June 21, 2008 @ 8:49 pm
JCN is another undersized 2 guard who loves to shoot. I’m sorry but his game not any different then alot of selfish AMERICAN NBA players. I love reading other posts from about how inferior the NBA is to the international game. Put togethor a team of American players, have them play togethor for 4 years straight by a good coach and bring whatever the rest of the world has to offer because the best players are still in the NBA.
Now I certainly dont blame him for leaving, but he knows that he will never be more then poor man’s euro jason terry. Rudy Fernandez I hope though can make the jump and prove that good basketball is good basketball no matter where you’re from.
phil Said,
June 21, 2008 @ 9:46 pm
Good riddance.
bart Said,
June 22, 2008 @ 2:07 am
also consider the number of games to be played with Barcelona per year versus the number of NBA games per year then divide by contract price — could also make for a longer basketball career
magnus Said,
June 22, 2008 @ 2:32 am
I think most of you don’t know Spanish-way-of thinking at all: Navarro, an idol in Spain, leaves Memphis, not ’cause of money, but ’cause he is a basketball player, not a bench man.
I’m sure he thinks that he could play from the beginning of each game, specially in a team like Grizzlies.
However, I think there’s another reason: he can’t understand basketball as a game where each player looks for his own statistics, instead of european game, where team is first. In my opinion, players like Rudy Gay are the reason why american basketball is being beaten last years by european.
» Juan Carlos Navarro…. Coach Holmgran Said,
June 22, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
[...] Läs mer om Navarro`s chockbesked på hoopshype. [...]
Gene S Said,
June 22, 2008 @ 4:58 pm
To receive comparable money and be a star in your home culture is motive enough. Why put up with living in a foreign country, where you’re not a citizen — and don’t want to be — away from your family and friends. The only real reason is money, and that loses its charm after a while.
I would have slightly more difficulty understanding if it were the Celtics he were leaving, because of their unique team culture. Detroit and San Antonio and Houston also have strong team-family cultures. But, even then, people like living at home.
jeremy Said,
June 22, 2008 @ 11:25 pm
magnus hit the nail on the head. he’s not leaving for the money obviously, he’s leaving because he’s not enjoying the game he loves. gasol was going to kill rudy gay himself if he had stayed in memphis and it was quite apparent that gay and most of his teammates just don’t get along. funny though, because gay was the complete opposite in college. he’d shoot 20 times one game and shoot 4 the next, i don’t know what changed his attitude in the pros. points = $$$
navarro might not even have wanted to come here in the first place but he and gasol are best friends so i think that had a bit to do with him joining the grizzlies.
xose Said,
June 23, 2008 @ 12:55 am
Bballer,
sorry you misunderstood, first at all I AM NOT Spanish.
I live in the usa and here I can tell about void nationalism, so I agree with you, nationalisms are just a cancer that end up in stupid wars.
What I meant was basically that here no one but little teams (celtics, spurs, former suns) plays basketball, it’s basically a show. I always get bored with nuggets games despite his fantastically sefish duo. If there are overated players, you can find them in NBA, other stuff is a slam dunk conquest. There were always great american players who succeded in european TEAMS. I just meant that I can’t believe that a brainless player like Rudy gay can be considered an star just because he dunks, he scores sometimes and he can’t ever look at any open teammate, despiet seeing him. Man, Puerto Rico is even a great challenge for the USA basketball team. If USA wins the gold, I would like to see how… thanks to Howard muscles? thanks to the brand new PG generation (not like Marbury, who defeated by himself Spain last time they met) but I insist on basketball as a Team Sport. It doesnt happen here.
massimo valzgris Said,
June 23, 2008 @ 4:25 am
if you wonder why he went back you must have never been to Barcelona. It’s a great city to live in and, well, with 15 million euros It looks even better. Then technically he is going to play Euroleague with what now becomes everybody’s favourite, while The Grizs are just cursed.
miguel Said,
June 23, 2008 @ 6:20 am
im from spain and im dissapointed with navarro´s exit by the back door in the nba. nobody will remenber him there and my sadness is about it cause i think he could have been an european star there in usa. theres no doubt about it. if somebody hesitates about his game yet i recomend them to watch the olimpics.
in usa iavaroni used him to stay in the corner and shoot. wrong
he s a good shooter but not like kapono or korver he can make layups assists but in a team where rudy gay shoots everything and in 40 minutes averages 1 assist is not easy.
I thought his performance but be better cause i saw him grow up and improve but sometimes coaches prefer give minutes to conley cause is a high draft election , is good but not to play all minutes he played.
Atrick Said,
June 23, 2008 @ 8:32 am
Who can blame him, if he makes 5 million euros a year, that’s like making $7.5 million here…and it can only get better for the euro.
Better money, a great society that he loves, I’d move to.
Rip-Hamilton32 Said,
June 23, 2008 @ 10:42 am
(I don´t speak english)Juan Carlos is a of the best players of the Barca history and in USA was menospreciated.
Aupa ESPAÑA y a semifinales!!! Mr Sierra aver cuendo traduce al español esta pedazo de web!!
Karolis Said,
June 23, 2008 @ 1:59 pm
Why play for NBA 82 games, and get 3mln if you can get 4.3mln playing for hometown + be a star?
andrescalamaro Said,
June 23, 2008 @ 5:03 pm
@ xose
You say you’re not Spanish, but:
u catalan?
AB_40 Said,
June 23, 2008 @ 5:50 pm
better money, better team anyone? Barçelona is better then the memphis grizzlies which is a verry weird team. He just wanted to play with pau. The lakers can’t afford him so he’s just going home to a better paid job with a better team.
And before y’all get all defensive which one of you honestly believes that the memphis grizzlies would get their ish together and be in the playoffs in 09 of 10… *gulp* 2010 wtf haha sounds spacy doesn’t it
Eduardo Said,
June 24, 2008 @ 9:32 am
the more important difference is that Spain is the best place for live…
and nobody wants to play with rudy gay :s the more egoist nba player which in memphis can do everything he wants…and the results are there…
Miguel Said,
June 24, 2008 @ 12:08 pm
if you’ve been to barcelona, you would understand that it’s not a place you can leave behind so easily.
Muunis Said,
June 24, 2008 @ 10:22 pm
First thing he saw what NBA is. Bunch of games and stats with their own rules and tactics. You must be a horse to play in NBA. So his choice was smart basketball with real fans and human emotions. Europeans and NBA basketball both have their positive and negative sides and Navarro is for Europe.
Jason Said,
June 25, 2008 @ 12:33 pm
Yeah,
I was quite surprised to see him going back to the ABC Spanish League as well. But like one of the posters said before, have anyone of you. who cannot understand why he left been to Espana or Barcelona. Espana is a beautifull place and a culture real rich in history and really has much more to offer than America. Good luck to Navarro, he will be back home, playing for his old team back at home and also more importantly making more money, which ultimatley what everything in this world is about… I use to live in Espana, Andalucia and miss it there, we will be back there next month. Maybe some of the people on here who are piling on Navaro will get a chance to visit there.
geoff Said,
June 25, 2008 @ 1:44 pm
Screw Navarro. Thats a first round pick we traded to get that guy. Thanks a lot Navarro.
I don’t want to see another euro player ever play for the grizz. Flat out disgusting.
LowPostman Said,
June 25, 2008 @ 4:18 pm
i bet we start seeing more of this, from foreign-born players and even from some bubble US players. the euro is A LOT stronger than the dollar right now. and while the allure of NBA as the strongest league in the world will always pull players wanting to prove themselves, the fact that it now may pay less than the top clubs overseas is bound to have an effect, at least on a percentage of current and future second and third-tier international players. those are the players that, like Navarro, stand to make more outside of the NBA.
xose Said,
June 25, 2008 @ 5:09 pm
I’m a citizen of the world Calamaro.
Rich Said,
June 25, 2008 @ 5:09 pm
I can’t wait for team USA to kick the crap out of everyone in China so we can stop hearing about how we’re all about stats and show. Good for Navarro for making money and doing what’s right for him. But if I see another snooty euro basketball fan post that the NBA doesn’t have the best players in the world I am going to scream.
José Manuel Said,
June 28, 2008 @ 2:21 am
Navarro está mucho más agusto en España y en su ciudad natal que en Memphis o cualquier lugar de Estados Unidos y si encima su mejor oferta era del Barsa… no tenía mucho que pensar. Yo creo que el pensaba que iba a tener muy buenas ofertas y al final la mejor era la del barsa y así Laporta tendrá más apoyos para las elecciones.
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