[simple simon]

SAITAMA -- Good things come in small packages

Well, that's what they say, but after watching Sofoklis Schortsanitis play for the past couple of weeks in the FIBA World Championship, it would be easy to disagree with that adage

Schortsanitis, who was averaging 8.8 points per game heading into the final, has been one of the revelations of the tournament.

The 208-cm, 158-kg reserve center was a constant spark for Greece, including in its huge win over the United States in the semifinals, throughout its run to the final

The big man with the nickname "Baby Shaq" has NBA written all over him.

The 21-year-old, who was a second-round pick of the Los Angeles Clippers in 2003, has four years remaining on his contract with Olympiakos, but has an escape clause that will allow him to get out of it to play in the NBA.

The buyout on Schortsanitis' contract with the Greek club is only $ 500,000, according to sources.

The Clippers, who came within one game of the Western Conference finals last season, would have to pay that amount, and then come to terms with the Kavala native, to bring Schortsanitis to L.A.

HoopsHype - NBA Rumors

i love to see the Clippers do well

[ThePundit]

Tell me he doesn't sound like a cartoon character..Porky Pig, Richochet Rabbit, Peppe Le Pe and Sofoklis Schortsanitis...

[simple simon]

im wondering what they are gonna call him

Shorts ?

Sofa ?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by simple simon

SAITAMA -- Good things come in small packages

Well, that's what they say, but after watching Sofoklis Schortsanitis play for the past couple of weeks in the FIBA World Championship, it would be easy to disagree with that adage

Schortsanitis, who was averaging 8.8 points per game heading into the final, has been one of the revelations of the tournament.

The 208-cm, 158-kg reserve center was a constant spark for Greece, including in its huge win over the United States in the semifinals, throughout its run to the final

The big man with the nickname "Baby Shaq" has NBA written all over him.

The 21-year-old, who was a second-round pick of the Los Angeles Clippers in 2003, has four years remaining on his contract with Olympiakos, but has an escape clause that will allow him to get out of it to play in the NBA.

The buyout on Schortsanitis' contract with the Greek club is only $ 500,000, according to sources.

The Clippers, who came within one game of the Western Conference finals last season, would have to pay that amount, and then come to terms with the Kavala native, to bring Schortsanitis to L.A.

HoopsHype - NBA Rumors

i love to see the Clippers do well

See, idon't understand the whole buyout thing...Didn't the kid from Russia bail on his team for the NHL, and US courts upheld it?

Why are the Clippers having to wait?...is it more of a question of development?

Here is a profile on the kid.

NBA Draft.net -- Sofoklis Schortsanitis profile

[mervinout]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Tell me he doesn't sound like a cartoon character..Porky Pig, Richochet Rabbit, Peppe Le Pe and Sofoklis Schortsanitis...

and sounds like something a troan ad would warn me about. Ya USA built there team not to be to much of an inside team but like most european teams. and this guys killed Team USA in the paint, this isnt a bad signing at all. He will be a good bench player for the clippers. Are there any rumors with corey magette still or they gone???

[mervinout]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

See, idon't understand the whole buyout thing...Didn't the kid from Russia bail on his team for the NHL, and US courts upheld it?

Why are the Clippers having to wait?...is it more of a question of development?

Here is a profile on the kid.

NBA Draft.net -- Sofoklis Schortsanitis profile

im not sure what your asking. are you asking why this is a much smoother transation then malkin. if so the reasons are simple Russia has nothing to do with the Iternational Federation of Hockey i think thats what they call it. So Russia has no contract with the NHL that says this is what it would take to outright steal our players. Plus Malkin is under contract.

FIBA has a deal with the NBA that they can take players but certing stipulations are in the contract. Theres the buyout which the clippers have to pay. IF russia was part of the federation they would of lost malkin for 200k

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by mervinout

im not sure what your asking. are you asking why this is a much smoother transation then malkin. if so the reasons are simple Russia has nothing to do with the Iternational Federation of Hockey i think thats what they call it. So Russia has no contract with the NHL that says this is what it would take to outright steal our players. Plus Malkin is under contract.

FIBA has a deal with the NBA that they can take players but certing stipulations are in the contract. Theres the buyout which the clippers have to pay. IF russia was part of the federation they would of lost malkin for 200k

Yep...that was it...I didn't know their was a standing agreement with the NBA...Thanks...

[mervinout]

but remember some teams in the fiba can stop certin players if they dont have the nba language in their. but for the most part the players that stay longer feel there not ready for the nba and take a couple years to stay in europe then come to america so most of their teams have an idea its going on

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by mervinout

but remember some teams in the fiba can stop certin players if they dont have the nba language in their. but for the most part the players that stay longer feel there not ready for the nba and take a couple years to stay in europe then come to america so most of their teams have an idea its going on

What's the time line on this kid?