NBA loses one of his greatest talents

Joel Embiid may be the best basketball player I never set foot on the dance floor NBA. He's only 21, but his career is threatening the same injury that prematurely ended her career, Yao Ming.

Joel Embiid is one of the five most talented basketball players who came to the NBA in the last 25 years. That's my opinion. I may not be worth anything because Embiid may never play basketball now. The NBA has not yet played. He faces is that it will become one of those legends, which speaks during night meetings and theorized "what if".

- As I said, there is a chance that his career was over - says one source, quoted by the "Philadelphia Inquirer". - Some compare this to the situation of foot injury Kevin Durant. But it is much more serious. Injury Embiida like basketball murder.

Cameroonian, compared to Hakeem Olajuwon, it will go in the coming days the second surgery of the foot and leave the whole season 2015/16. After the first surgery left the whole season 2014/15.

95% of stories about koszykarzach from Africa contains such phrases as: "was wypatrzony", "started playing basketball very late", "it is a great athlete," and "little else can."

These terms also fit into the history of Embiida, outside the latter. To 17 years Embiid played football and volleyball. He did this in a family Yaounde, capital of Cameroon. The ball into the trash picked up for the first time in 2011. In the spring of 2014 years it was already the favorite to choose from No. 1 NBA draft pick. It's been less than three years from the moment when he first started to play, to pomeczowego interview in which the current coach of the Chicago Bulls - then coach of Iowa State University - Fred Hoiberg said, "That's the best player in the country. You ask why? Did you see how he played today? Because ".

- Grab everything like a sponge. Everything comes to him so easily. It has a natural feeling for this game, has a natural instinct. It also has skills that few gains even after working for several years - said about him, Bill Self, the coach who for one season 2013/14 led Embiida at the University of Kansas.

Perhaps it was the only and last season Embiida. 28 matches, 647 minutes and postpone for 40 minutes on average 19 points, 14 rebounds and 4.5 block. After this season Embiid was the favorite choice of No. 1 draft pick in 2014. Not Andrew Wiggins, hajpowany yet in 2013 on "Second LeBron James". Embiid played with Wiggins in the same team of Kansas, but from December 2013 mainly talked about measuring 213 cm Kameruńczyku.

In Cameroon Embiid played football - he was a helper. This is not a story of a boy wypatrzonego the middle of the steppe. His parents, Thomas and Christine have been married for 23 years and provided him a good childhood. For many surprise it was how Embiid quickly found himself in Western culture, but "JoJo" as a child had ... TV and the internet.

- Joel is a cheerful kid. Pulls it to the people - said his father.

Career "JoJo" began at age 17 when he was invited to a basketball camp in Yaounde. He led the camp Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, the Cameroonian winger, who plays in the NBA.

- He had a repertoire of such movements in the attack, which people learn to year - said today.

Then there was another camp in Johannesburg (South Africa), and then you Mbah a Moute Thomas Embiida convinced that this sent his son to the US. Yes Embiid landed in the well-known, the Florida school in Montverde. Then there was the season in Kansas, "Dream Shake" ...

But earlier was the first match Embiida when he stopped with the ball in the vicinity of the center line and surrounded by an aggressive half-zone and four players picked the ball up and shouted to coach, 'What should I do? What should I do? '. The coach yelled back, "Enter!".

Two years later Embiid Olajuwon did what he did after a good few years of NBA career

Eyenga in the team champion of Italy, Logan without a contract

Christian Eyenga, a leading basketball player in Polish league in 2014., Will play in the new season Euroleague champion Italy in a team Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari. The title of this club won the Polish representative was David Logan, but so far did not prolong the contract.

26-year-old Congolese Eyenga in the colors of Stelmetu Zielona Gora in 2014 won the silver medal and was one of the leaders of the team.

Last season he played basketball at PGE Turow Zgorzelec, but the club terminated the contract with him before the start of the tournament. The player went on to Varese of the Italian league, where he averaged 12.7 points and had 5.9 zb.

In 2009. He was drafted NBA with the number 30 by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He played in the club 50 matches and one match in the Los Angeles Lakers.

From drug dealer to master the NBA

15-year-old Caron Butler was sentenced to 1.5 years reformatory for distributing cocaine. In his case it was a blessing. Seven years later he was drafted the NBA. This would not be possible were it not for the strange behavior of a police officer. Thanks to not go to prison for at least 10 years.

A step away from death

Butler in 1997 (he was then 17 years) left the correctional facility for minors. Together with her mother and brother moved closer to the center in his hometown, to get out from the old environment. One day he was visited by Andre King, one of a group of old friends with a drug gang. Butler urged for an unspecified share, but Caron said no. Mainly due to the fact that a leg was pinned electronic "collar", through which the police knew where he was and what he was doing.

Two hours later, King was shot, to this day do not know under what circumstances. Two years later, in 1999, shot James Barker, in 2004, was killed by bullets Antonio Strong. It's old friends from the time the NBA basketball drug trafficking.

Born in 1980, Butler never met his father. He grew up in Racine. This city in the 90s had the highest average homicide in the United States. Butler thank God he's alive. - He puts us on the way incomprehensible to us, things just have to be noticed. As a result, I'm not finished as Andre and James - he said.

A future member of the champion team NBA (Dallas Mavericks, 2011) The drug trade began at the age of 11 years. Over the next four arrested him 11 times. In porachunkach gangster he killed several of his friends, once witnessed the shooting - the world look like 15 years old.

Finally, a've done. He was arrested again. He had with him, in addition to cocaine, $ 1200, but did not betray neither of where he got the drugs, nor from whom he got the cash. It got to the illegal possession of weapons. He was convicted.

In Miami they praised the bravery of former drug dealer (Fig. AFP)

  
For possession of cocaine and a gun (as explained to his mother, he got it from "one of the black brothers") he got three months of public works. Additionally it hits the 18 months to correctional center for juveniles maximum security prison in Wales, Wisconsin.

Under the covers from the police

- There were happening things that we see only in the film. People are slashed to get out of there. We always have to be careful on his back. I was terrified - he said.

In juvenile he landed for 15 days in solitary confinement for a fight with another convicted. His only contact with the world was tiny, barred window. With boredom stared through it for hours. The only thing I was able to see, is a basketball court. It was his ticket to another world, but then still did not know.

- I was not interested, what they do, but there was no choice. Now I think it's God's will. I had to see these athletes want my life changed - told years later.

It's an NBA record. The well-known basketball earn up to 343 million dollars

He never was perhaps the most outstanding players, but raking huge sums of contracts. It wywindowało him to the forefront the highest paid basketball players in history.

Kevin Garnett signed a two-year contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. During this period it has to earn 16 million dollars. Basketball "Forest Wolves" became the first player in history to play in the NBA began late teens and continues to have her on the neck of 40-tuple.

Winger can play only one season and end his career, so he has constructed an agreement. However, as calculated journalists businessinsider.com, if Garnett will last until 2017, will be the highest paid basketball player in the history of the league.

Within played 22 seasons scoops of $ 343 million. No one before him throughout his career he earned not so much. Garnett came just in time when an agreement between players and owners clubs on wages basketball was not properly regulated. If he went to the NBA is not in the mid 90's, but a decade later, would not be able to come to such income.

Garnett is the NBA champion Boston Celtics in 2008. In addition to Minnesota, also played in the Brooklyn Nets. He gave his first in the NBA in 1995. Karl-Anthony Towns, freshman selected by Minnesota in this year's drafted, was born 12 days after his debut Garnett.

LeBron James will be in Cleveland for two years

One of the best basketball players in the world LeBron James, four-time most valuable player of the regular season NBA, is the Cleveland Cavaliers for the next two years. He has to get, according to unofficial sources, 46.9 million dollars.

For the first time since 2006. MVP of the regular season 2009-2010, 2012-2013 extended the contract with the club, not signed her as a free agent.

In the last season he led the "Cavaliers" to the NBA finals, where the team from Cleveland lost to the Golden State Warriors 2-4. However, Sam went down in history winning 38.3 percent of team points in all the meetings finals. Better statistics had only Michael Jordan, who for the Bulls gained in the finals of 1993. 38.4 percent. Section. His average of the finals is 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists, which means that became the first basketball player in the history of the fight for the championship leading in three classifications.

Born on 30 grudnia 1,984 years Raymonde LeBron James started climbing a peak in team basketball St.Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron Ohio state capital. In the NBA debut in 2003 in the team the Cavaliers after the he was drafted with the number 1. Fast given the nickname "King James".

After the first season, he won the award for best newcomer. Since 2005 he has been performing in the All-Star Game East - West and in the years 2006 and 2008 he was elected the MVP. In 2008 he was also top scorer in the NBA. Cleveland led to the playoffs in 2006-2010.

In 2007, his team advanced to the conference finals for the first time since 1992, and then to the final league - the first time in the history of the club. His team had to acknowledge the superiority of the San Antonio Spurs (0-4). It's double Olympic champion - from Beijing (2008) and London (2012).

Five years ago he left Cleveland and moved to the Miami Heat, with whom he played in the finals four times, won two championship rings (2012 and 2013) and was selected in those years Finals MVP. His return in 2014. Ohio was the biggest transfer hit in the NBA.

Wild stories, or how to Jordan changed his mind

What happened on Wednesday night in the NBA was one of the most savage history in the era of social media. The coach and players the Los Angeles Clippers barricaded themselves in the house DeAndre Jordan to convince the middle to continue playing the Clippers. Jordan last Friday decided to go to the Dallas Mavericks, but he had a signed contract. Unexpected developments accompanied Twitter and "emojis" thrown graphics, among others, players Clippers, Mavericks, Bryant and even Kobe'ego by Roger Federer.

Wednesday evening, night and Thursday morning - together 12 hours was one of the most amazing events in the history of the NBA.

Everything that took place happened because in the NBA apply a little different system than perhaps in other sports. In the first week of July, players holding a valid contract for another season agree to contracts with new clubs. They can sign them but only from 9 July.

During this first week of July - so-called moratorium - the authorities NBA and the NBA Players Union financial summarize the entire previous season to set a new threshold (eg salary-cap), according to which clubs can operate on the market of free agents. Usually these contracts agreed in the first week of July are then honored by players and clubs, as of July 9, you can sign it. But this time was different. And how else!

"Emoji Wars"

On the one hand, he was 27-year-old basketball player who doubted its decision, announced last Friday. A week ago Friday, Jordan decided he leaves the Clippers and resign from the offer of 109 million dollars for five years. Instead, they sign a four-year contract for $ 80 million with the Dallas Mavericks.

Since that decision, Jordan was in his hometown of Houston, but the signature of the contract could submit only the chair. 22 on Wednesday evening (hr. 6 am on Thursday, Polish time). His decision was most surprising in the summer window, because it seemed that he wanted a shirt Clippers continue to fight for the championship with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. But the Mavericks opened a new world to him and convince him that the only Mavericks player to become what would be - that the Clippers will always be in the shadow of Paul and Griffin.

Jordan grabbed the hook and let himself be seduced Mavericks owner Mark Cubanowi and winger Chandler Parsonsowi. Parsons from Wednesday July 1 Jordan did not leave a single step, and two days later - after meetings with several teams - Jordan surprised the Clippers your decision.

But soon after, because even on Monday, Jordan contacted the coach and the president Clippers Docem Rivers. He began to doubt whether he chose properly ... it is an open secret that large role in its adoption had a very good knowledge of the Cubana with Dan Fegan, Jordan's agent and one of the most powerful figures in the world of.

None of the journalists, however, reported no doubts about Jordan. Nobody else probably did not know ... Until Wednesday afternoon our time.

It was still only 12 hours to the point where players will be able to sign, as Marc Stein of ESPN after hours. 18 Polish time wrote that Jordan is hesitant. This information is immediately aroused huge interest. Around the same time began a real race. To Houston, to Jordan, they flew and rode Rivers and the players Clippers. In turn, the Dallas Mavericks army was coming.

At the same time, the players Clippers and Dallas posting on his Twitter called "emojis" (Japanese emoticons). Parsons began with Dallas, who threw on Twitter small graphics plane. JJ Redick answered him with the Clippers, who published a graphic depicting a car. The situation was so abstract that moment later, Yahoo! Sports reporter Adrian Wojnarowski - best informed journalist about the NBA - explained the meaning of "emoji" Redick, who happened to be near Houston, at his home in Austin and was able to get to Jordan by car.

But that was only the beginning of a great emoji-war. As soon as Blake Griffin of the Clippers he published "emoji" of the plane, car and helicopter. A few minutes later, Clippers point guard Chris Paul - returning quickly from holiday in the Bahamas and rushing to Houston - won the internet, because they threw "emoji" with banana and boat. Why? A few hours earlier on the Internet there were pictures showing how to Paul, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Wade's wife Gabrielle Union wearing swim together in the Bahamas on inflatable banana.

Then there was Paul Pierce, the new player the Clippers, who flew from Rivers to Houston. 37-year-old Pierce also tried to throw a "emoji" but ... could not. So I threw the bigger picture of a rocket. Shortly after Kobe Bryant asked on Twitter "Emoji Battle?" and threw the pictures of his five championship trophies. In the meantime, on account twitterowym by Jordan appeared in six championship trophies (Michael Jordan won enough). Even Federer wrote to Bryant tweet consisting of "emojis".

It all happened really.

Meanwhile, in the so-called ugly by saying "real" race won Clippers, who first got to the house of Jordan. For a long time we did not know anything, but Griffin managed to publish on Twitter picture chair blocking the door handle from the door. Jordan meanwhile not only not to allow anyone else inside, but did not answer a phone from his agent and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

For several quarters before the time "zero" Wojnarowski wrote that Jordan has already decided to return and now the Clippers players ... sit in his house and play cards and video games.

Still no one could get inside, and Griffin threw a still picture of a broken tent in your backyard - probably Jordan - and wrote "Okay everybody, good night!".

When it was clear that Jordan will sign a new contract with the Clippers, Pierce published a picture as it does, and it faces the coach Rivers and mother of Jordan.

But this comedy-drama may have an impact on how he looked in the coming years will be a process of free agents.

Will there be a repeat?

Jordan certainly was not the first player in NBA history who had doubts about the decision he had made, but since I did this since last Friday agreed on further movements in the market are derived from the NBA - attempted as it turned out - the transition to Mavericks .

Mavericks if they knew that Jordan will not play for them, for example, could stand in the reins after the other centers. For example, after Roy Hibbert, who was traded to the Indiana Pacers Los Angeles Lakers for selection in the 2nd round pick (that is, basically for nothing).

During this period, July NBA free-agent market functions like a domino - a decision some influence on the decisions of others and so on. Clubs have the so-called "cap-space" to sign contracts with players. I know for example that after the July 9 this whole "cap-space" will allocate to one player who held July 1-8 has agreed to play for them - no longer compete with others.

Is the NBA can change this process? It will be difficult, but it is to be done.

Financial Calculations would have to either take faster, or such 3-4 days instead of 7-8 days as it is now, or to be carried out even at the end of June to 1 July so that the players can immediately sign contracts. The problem is that in the NBA period ends on June 30, so in order to start this process such as two weeks earlier, would be based on assumptions about what may happen in the last two weeks of June. And there is an additional problem - the authorities do not allow NBA players to parts of the books and calculations and just show them the final numbers. A lot of stuff is counted from sponsorship contracts in the halls after the sale of t-shirts. Then all the proceeds are taken to a common boiler and divided - according to the current system - 50 to 50. In the season 2014/15 they amounted to 4.8 billion dollars. It is on this basis is determined then the level of salary-cap, which in turn has a decisive impact on the amount of contracts for players.

The question - whether the NBA should leave this process as he is and to treat the case as an exception Jordan?

We'll see about that in the coming months. So far Mavericks owner Mark Cuban did not want to dwell on this story - at least publicly - and said on Thursday that he was thinking only of the future. But you can be sure that this matter will return even in the lobby or at the meetings of the NBA club owners. Already example on Monday will meet in Las Vegas, trainers, m.in Rivers and Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle. The first match of next season Clippers-Mavericks in Dallas promises to be exceptional.

At the end of Jordan is the Clippers and the team of Paul, Griffin and Rivers will become also more likely Jordan team, who argued Mavericks transition to a potentially larger role in the attack. Clippers gave in June to Charlotte winger Matt Barnes (eventually went to Memphis in exchange for - of course - Luke Ridnour) and reserve centers Spencer Hawes, and in return acquired the enigmatic Lance Stephenson. They will sign a new three-year contract with Paul Pierce (unless Wizards manage to still barricaded himself in his house) and if they add to the composition of one player under the basket and one on the circuit, it should be a real contender for the championship next season.

Mavericks turn have a serious problem, because the contract agreement with Jordan, agreed a four-year contract conditions for 57 million dollars from the caster defender Wes Matthews. Mavericks planned to remodel you - departed Monta Ellis (Pacers) and Tyson Chandler (Suns) - and the next season to fight for the second round of the playoffs. Now their situation becomes complicated, because they have no market, Jordan and also disappeared after the other potential candidates, such as mentioned Hibbert (Lakers) and Brandan Wright, who signed a three-year contract with the Grizzlies.

Other interesting information:

From Thursday players sign contracts previously agreed, inter alia, Kevin Love (Cleveland - 110 million dollars. For 5 years), Jimmy Butler (Chicago - 95.5 million dollars. For 5 years), Goran Dragic (Miami - 85.0 million dollars., 5 years), Wesley Matthews (Dallas - in the end there 57, but 70.0 million. for 4 years) and Paul Millsap (Atlanta - 59.0 million dollars. for 3 years) ... The two-year contract (second season is a player option) with the Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James signed as planned. For the first year the game will receive a $ 22.9 million, for the second 24.0 million dollars, but for the year in July probably once again withdraws from the contract in order to receive higher salaries (level salary-cap has a jump from 70 to 90 million dollars) ... Tim Duncan will sign a two-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs for a total of only 10.4 million dollars (second season is a player option) ... The new club chose Jeremy Lin, who unexpectedly decided to Charlotte Hornets. Lin will receive only $ 4 million for the two seasons playing ... Luis Scola left the Indiana Pacers and sign a one-year contract for $ 3 million with the Toronto Raptors ... Mavericks made the first move after the story with Jordan and on Thursday brought the Milwaukee Bucks Zaza centers patchouli. In exchange, they sent only choice in the 2nd round pick ... The contract for one season in Miami Heat sign Gerald Green ... Mirza Teletovic sign a contract for one season with the Phoenix Suns (5.5 million dollars.) ... The contract with the Utah Jazz signed German center Tibor Pleiße, and Brazilian striker Raul Neto related to the Jazz three-year contract for 2.8 million dollars ... Renewed contract for one season with the Washington Wizards signed Drew Gooden (3.3 million dollars.) ... One-year contract with the Clippers will show off the former winger Lakers Wesley Johnson (1.1 million dollars.) ... Renewed contract with the Mavericks signed Charlie Villanueva (1.3 million dollars.) ... Luke Ridnour - after his contract during the week was traded by as many as four clubs - he has been released from Toronto Raptors.

DeAndre Jordan stay in the Los Angeles Clippers

Thursday is the first day in the NBA, where basketball players can officially sign the negotiated contracts in recent days. Volte-face performed DeAndre Jordan, who promised to bind to the Dallas Mavericks, and eventually became the Los Angeles Clippers.

Nearly 27-year-old center, the best rebounder player last season, was one of the most coveted free agents on the market. Already on July 3 he announced that it has agreed with the Mavericks four-year terms of the contract, amounting to 80 million dollars.
But on Wednesday, Jordan did not react to any attempt to establish contact with him through Dallas. In his house there was a delegation composed of Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, coach Doc Rivers and players led by Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Paul Pierce. As soon as the clock struck midnight and signing of contracts has become permitted, Jordan initialed a contract with the Clippers, also for four years, but for 88 million. From caused confusion to rest quietly during the ten day Caribbean cruise, which starts on Thursday.
Mavericks for it were in a very difficult position. Believing in Jordan to acquire the distance to your current Phoenix Suns center - Tyson Chandler. In the meantime, they disappeared from the market other players present at this position.
Club of Dallas in 2011, reached for the championship. His number one star Dirk Nowitzki. Germany has already had 37 years and being aware that it is less and less able to give the team, agreed to a wage reduction, to be able to download other valuable players and once again fight for the highest goals.
A year ago, the Mavericks tried to contract Dwight Howard, but he chose the Houston Rockets. In contrast, the acquisition of Rajon Rondo turned out to be a dud. Now the club let go both him and Moncia Ellis.
Volt Jordan may cause the intention to be bound by Texans also dispenses Wesley Mathews, who has so far appeared in the Portland Trail Blazers. Then on the battlefield will remain virtually only Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons, and the Mavericks likely will not remain nothing more than to give up the dream of a championship and begin the slow process of rebuilding.