Lakers to sign Gelabale
The Lakers will add even more international flavor to its roster with the signing of swingman Mickael Gelabale, who will be the second French player in franchise history after Ronny Turiaf. The former Sonic will join the team for training camp on a make-good contract.
Gelabale, whose career has been recently derailed by injury problems, is understandably excited about the prospect of playing for the NBA champions.
“It’s a dream come true for me,” Gelabale said. “It’s a legendary team, with guys like Magic, Kareem, Kobe… I was a fan of the team as a kid.”
Gelabale’s second season with the Sonics, where he averaged 4.5 ppg and 2.1, was cut short due to to an ACL injury. He’s been trying to recover from it for the last year and a half, even making an appearance in the D-League last season with the L.A. D-Fenders, the Lakers’ affiliate.
The French swingman claims he’s fully recovered now.
“The knees are very good. It’s 100 per cent,” Gelabale said. “We had some tests in Los Angeles and both of my knees are very, very strong. I’ve been working out a lot and now I’m even able to do things I couldn’t do before.”
The 6-foot-7 Gelabale has relied a lot on his athleticism throughout his career, so being completely healthy is key for him in order to have a chance to make the Lakers’ opening night roster. With a team stucked with scorers, he’ll have to earn his spot showing his defensive skills. There, Gelabale thinks he’s up to the task.
“I had other options in the NBA. Other teams invited me, but I chose the Lakers because I think I can make the team. I can bring my defense to the Lakers. I remember there have been times when I played against Kobe that he would congratulate after the game for being such a good defender. I know it’s going to be hard to make the team, but you have to start somewhere.”
Gelabale had a deal in place with Alicante of the Spanish League earlier in the summer, but it finally didn’t go through because of contract issues.
“They said they were going to pay me 400,000 euros, but they changed the contract to 350,000 without my knowledge. I’m not one to renounce my word, but I couldn’t take that. I didn’t go to Alicante, but I’m not closing the door to Europe.”
That would be Plan B. The No. 1 option right now, even if a long shot, is making the Lakers.
Lakers looking to bring French player to camp - Lakers blog - OCRegister.com Said,
September 18, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
[...] Maybe it’s the French thing or the braids. But the Lakers reportedly are looking to bring Mickael Gelabale, an former Sonics swingman and French national, to training camp. [...]
Lakers to Sign a Frenchman + Lamar gets engaged? | Lakers Nation Said,
September 18, 2009 @ 3:03 pm
[...] + Lamar gets engaged? By Ryan | News | 18.09.09 | HoopsHype.com is reporting that the Lakers will sign former Sonics swingman Mickael Gelabale to a “make good contract”, meaning no financial obligations until he [...]
NBA PM: McGrady Back Early? – HoopsWorld « CelebrityTwitterGossip.com Said,
September 18, 2009 @ 5:22 pm
[...] and Gelabale: Jorge Sierra over at HoopsHype reported today that the L.A. Lakers are about to sign free agent Mickael Gelabale. Gelabale played two seasons for the Seattle SuperSonics but has been trying to recover from an ACL [...]
SLAM ONLINE | » Lakers Sign Mickael Gelabale Said,
September 20, 2009 @ 6:54 am
[...] Lakers will add even more international flavor to its roster with the signing of swingman Mickael Gelabale, who [...]
Lakers Ink Gelabale « nbaroundtable Said,
September 20, 2009 @ 4:43 pm
[...] link to a Hoopshype article with some quotes from Gelabale The French swingman claims he’s fully recovered [...]
RUSSELL REAVESBEY Said,
September 21, 2009 @ 10:23 am
I’M HAPPY THAT THIS LAKERS HAS A ANOTHER PLAYER IN MICKAEL GELABALE I HOPE HE DOES WELL WITH YOUR TEAM
ALSO I HOPE KOBE BRYANT AND THE REST OF THE TEAM WINS ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2010
***OFFICIAL 2009-2010 WORLD CHAMPION LOS ANGELES LAKERS THREAD*** - MBWorld.org Forums Said,
September 21, 2009 @ 2:54 pm
[...] all of you on some of the camp fodder that the Lakers are bringing in: Lakers to bring in Gelabale Link: Former Seattle Supersonic and French teammate of Ronny Turiaf - I remember this kid as being extremely athletic and solid defensively. He’s a swingman (2/3) with [...]