Anthony Parker listed as top Euro Free Agent

[REALBird]

Excuse me if this has been posted already, but it appears Anthony Parker has informed Maccabi Tel Aviv that he's not going to return there for the final season of his contract. It appears AP, the reigning two time MVP of the Euroleague is planning a return to the US.

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=1394

Wish AP would have stuck it out with the Sixers, he might have been the only person to ever truly compliment Iverson. Good Luck to AP, looking forward to seeing him play in the NBA.

[tornado]

This is an awesome story with picture and a video link to some awesome plays, on Anthony Parker, and the author, Jonathan Givony of draftexpress.com states unequivocally that AP
"should have been back playing in the NBA a long time ago"
and
"hands down the best player in the world outside of the NBA"

The article states that the Raptors, Pacers, T-Wolves, Celtics, and Cavaliers are all bidding for his services in the NBA.
This is a must-read article:

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=1394

Thanks REALbird

[it's boogie time]

That was quite a highlight reel.

I hope he comes back to the US. I'd like to see him play and it would be nice for BU to have two guys in the NBA.

[MikeCash]

This is extremely exciting. I thought it would never happen again. AP is one of my favorite basketball players of all time. I wish the Bulls needed him...

[tornado]

The highlight video is indeed awesome.
AP gets tremendous elevation on his jumper and dunks.
PS-- there are links at the end of the story for TWO more highlight videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os-Dx0orSmo

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Vo8xZpv1bSw&search=Anthony%20Parker

One European report said AP had been talking to one of the Italian team owners causing speculation he might also look to play there.
Maccabi's long time coach Pini Gershon is not returning next year and that's one of the strong reasons AP is unhappy.

[flipper]

could ap be better than hawk was when he was 31?

[MikeCash]

That seemed like right about the time that Hersey started to decline. I'm not sure if it was him or how he was being used, but his minutes stayed about the same that year (199, but it was the first time in his career he failed to score 1,000 pts.

His shooting percentage went way down that year, and his three-point shooting percentage went from 42% the year before to 31% in 1998.

[Braves4Life]

Hawk

I loved Hawk and got to see him in Charlotte, but he was definately on the downward side of his career by age 31. His shot was not as consistent and he seemed to have lost a step. (although the NBA game had become much quicker and the players more athletic IMO. Their b-ball skills, however, were significantly worse ) On the positive side, Hawks leadership, defensive, and rebounding skills dramatically improved. He was the consumate Team player.

Hawk's career stats

http://www.databasebasketball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=HAWKIHE01

From this video of Parker he appears much more athletic than Hawk ever was and his skills also seem better than Hawk's (even when Hawk was at his best). That said, the NBA game is much quicker and more athletic than Hawk's early days and I'm not sure if AP could put up Hawk's numbers, even if AP may be more talented. Remember, Mikan and the early NBA studs could probably not hold their own in today's NBA (mainly because of the crappy rules that stress athleticism over team play. I think even Magic and Bird would not shine today. Not because of their game but because of the selfish, overpaid athletes of today. That's why most of us hate the NBA and why college ball is so popular )

[Thor_Batchelor_42]

Forgive me if this is a dumb question, but why did AP go overseas in the first place. And, why did he not try to make an NBA squad during the past several years?

[Da Coach]

In his 3rd year in the NBA, Parker was on the Orlando Magic roster, but was playing very little. He had an offer to play in Europe and asked to be released from his contract so he could pursue a career in Europe. Orlando obliged, and AP was an immediate impact player in Europe and quickly became very successful.

[BobbyG]

Wow. Parker looks way too good to be in Europe. He belongs in the NBA.

He had quite a good shooting percentage in that highlight reel .

[Dallas Brave]

AP would be a perfect fit on the Mavs