Ball Don't Lie - NBA

Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:05 pm EDT

What Von Wafer in Greece means

I'm an American. You can't blame me, and you know you're used to it.

We see everything through the prism of our own American experience. That goes for denizens in every country, I'm not going to argue against that, but it's hard to argue that any other country on earth produces more output based around what, exactly, [this] means for America.

And I can't tell you what Von Wafer(notes) will do for Olympiakos next year. I can tell you, however, what a year with that swaggering behemoth of an international club can do for Von Wafer (who has signed with Olympiakos), and the NBA.

It might settle him down, a bit.

There's no point in telling you that a trip overseas will humble Wafer, because he's been pretty humbled for a while. Unable to secure a significant NBA deal despite NBA talent, left to dangle during the offseason. Somewhat ignored by an incumbent team that is desperate to bring back the sort of skill he provides best - solid, and unhurried, scoring.

There's no point, either, in trying to pass off Olympiakos as some sort of slumming exercise. He's not playing for the Birmingham Barons. No, the conditions aren't exactly approximating NBA standards, but he's not exactly going to be shoving little bags of Doritos down his gullet for a pregame meal. Hell, half the Golden State Warriors do that anyway.

What this could do is chill Von Wafer the hell out. He was so desperate to get a consistent NBA gig, that when he received one last season with the Houston Rockets, he pressed. I know I'm watching this through a TV screen, but he pressed in a way that made you think he'd go nuts if everything didn't go perfectly, not in a way that made you think, "contract year, that guy is getting his."

And when things didn't go perfectly, he did go nuts, in a way. Wafer was kicked out of a playoff game against the Lakers last season by coach Rick Adelman, in a dispute over playing time. The Rockets made a bit of noise this summer about bringing him back, but really, that was it.

So, off to Olympiakos. Where he joins Linas Kleiza(notes) among recent NBA transfers, and gets to try that whole "contract year" (no matter the terms) thing all over again. Here's hoping his European turn is a mellow one.

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41 Comments

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  1. QuAzY
    1. Posted by QuAzY Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:17 pm EDT

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    Goodluck Chump!!! Blah!!! Fans are so crazy you might not even make it back here in the US
  2. Lajames W
    2. Posted by Lajames W Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:41 pm EDT

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    He can ball and he has no contract in the NBA which is a league full of nutcases. He must be really out there.
  3. Michael Scott
    3. Posted by Michael Scott Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    Just another reason Trevor Ariza is crying himself to sleep now.
  4. cire1244
    4. Posted by cire1244 Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:47 pm EDT

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    uh, i don't get your golden state warriors reference...
  5. luiscolafan
    5. Posted by luiscolafan Mon Aug 10, 2009 5:03 pm EDT

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    I am so Mad this hapn ..
  6. Scott
    6. Posted by Scott Mon Aug 10, 2009 5:05 pm EDT

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    why another low blow to the warriors? what the fark are you talking about? i thought odom was the junk food fiend. didn't you get enough heat from your last warriors jab, calling us fairweather fans? scram roach! randolph in your face!
  7. Andrew P
    7. Posted by Andrew P Mon Aug 10, 2009 5:06 pm EDT

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    umm what are you guys talking about this guy sucks
    every game i watched him play he shot every time his hands touched the ball
    i dont think ive ever seen this guy pass
  8. M. Carlson
    8. Posted by M. Carlson Mon Aug 10, 2009 5:39 pm EDT

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    What does this mean for CJ Watson?
  9. Shaq and a Half
    9. Posted by Shaq and a Half Mon Aug 10, 2009 5:51 pm EDT

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    Childress, Wafer, Kleiza. 3 gone, 1 to go! Iverson's gotta get the deal done!
  10. dima7549
    10. Posted by dima7549 Mon Aug 10, 2009 6:54 pm EDT

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    Arsehile!!!!!!!(Johnny Dangerously)
    Warriors eat Fritos, not Doritos.
  11. DJ
    11. Posted by DJ Mon Aug 10, 2009 7:21 pm EDT

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    this guy does not play team basketball. And he is not another trevor ariza. The last thing Trevor would be doing is crying right now.
  12. L
    12. Posted by L Mon Aug 10, 2009 7:23 pm EDT

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    Who the hell is Kelly Dwyer?? Is it a girl or guy?? What credentials does this person have??
  13. James B 007
    13. Posted by James B 007 Mon Aug 10, 2009 7:35 pm EDT

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    Yet another cheap shot at the Warriors. You need to stop getting your panties in a bunch Kelly.
  14. Michael B
    14. Posted by Michael B Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:15 pm EDT

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    Glad you're back Dwyer, how about a post on the Bull's miserable off season? Although I was no fan of Ben Gordon, what are they doing? Why is it they haven't gone after a post scorer since Elton Brand? Love to hear your thoughts.
  15. MishaUCLA
    15. Posted by MishaUCLA Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:53 pm EDT

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    classy jab at the warriors Dwyer, I hope the fans, widely recognized as some of the most loyal in the league don't forget it
  16. jon
    16. Posted by jon Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:08 pm EDT

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    Your a c0ck sucker
  17. giovanni
    17. Posted by giovanni Mon Aug 10, 2009 11:27 pm EDT

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    Not to mention the availability of fine Grecian women-I heard they bathe in extra virgin olive oil and taste of ambrosia ....
  18. abuditdit
    18. Posted by abuditdit Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:10 am EDT

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    gud luck von wafer
  19. laker fan 1989
    19. Posted by laker fan 1989 Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:33 am EDT

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    Is it just me or does everyone else hates anything Dwyer writes. He is ALWAYS NEGATIVE and even sometimes judgementally racist. This guy is about as bad as what Ariza's agent did to him (David Lee). He should not be allowed to be a sports writer. Grrr i hate him as much as i do the denver chicken Nuggets!
  20. kobesneyeg
    20. Posted by kobesneyeg Tue Aug 11, 2009 3:19 am EDT

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    Hey L, SHUT UP. If you hate the content that much then don't read KD's posts.
  21. TGkyuubi
    21. Posted by TGkyuubi Tue Aug 11, 2009 3:22 am EDT

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    Laker Fan it's just you.
    KD is pretty much unbiased in his writing and has some inightful and informative posts here at BDL.
    Always gives the Lakers and Kobe a fair shake and would never shy away from calling anybody out when he thinks something isn't right,
  22. Yiannis_23
    22. Posted by Yiannis_23 Tue Aug 11, 2009 4:12 am EDT

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    Iam a Panathinaikos fan, too bad his team will come 2nd again in Greece as it happens the last 10 years!!
  23. go giants
    23. Posted by go giants Tue Aug 11, 2009 5:12 am EDT

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    what is it with you and the warriors. did stephen jackson bone your mom or something?
  24. Mr Ma
    24. Posted by Mr Ma Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:57 am EDT

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    tell me how Spanoulis is doing? cuz u kno, in greece, he is tmac.
  25. Maika
    25. Posted by Maika Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:02 am EDT

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    The Rockets went from contender to pretender overnight????
    Whats up with that? The Rockets & Nuggets are falling apart at the seems ! I think because the Lakers,Spurs, Magic,Cavs,Celtics are so Loaded up with talent right now the rest of the league has already called it a day and QUIT before the season even has started yet !!!

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