Who is Jorge Garbajosa?

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Jun 6, 2006 7:26 AM EDT

Ah Euro players. They can be so successful and yet in some cases such complete failures. For every Nocioni there is a Skita, and for every Dirk there is a Fredrick Weiss. So when the news broke that Colangelo was looking to bring in a Euro to help stabilize the Raps front court we had to do our diligence. When rumours are he was to get $3-$4 million a year (a price tag that some quality NBA players get) we really had to try and determine what it is that Colangelo was seeing. Sure there has been some press, but nothing that really gave any insight into the kind of player we might be getting. Will he help in the rebounding department? Will he toughen up the front court? Who is this guy? Well here's what we found on the player who abroad is known as "Garba".

Looking back at Garbajosa's career it has been one of great length already. Jorge started playing pro-ball for Tau Ceramica at the same age most of us were thinking about nothing more than getting our driver's license and not having our parents drive us and our girlfriends to the movies...he was 15. That's one of the huge difference between the NBA and Europe - there really is no age minimum. Obviously at that age, getting minutes on what has become one of the dominant teams in Europe is tough to do, but Garba did manage to play in seven games in the 1995/96 season. Playing even two garbage minutes is still an accomplishment when you have to be picked up in order to actually GET TO THE GAME.

His next professional move took place five years later when he signed with Benetton Treviso. Playing for another European powerhouse club, it was there that he really started to develop. Garba's game developed into one of multi-dimensional capabilities as he could stroke the three and shoot it at a respectable percentage (career high 45.7%, 100 shot minimum) while still playing on the inside. Garba was also a decent rebounder always pulling down between 5 and 7 a game. Upon the conclusion of the 2003/04 season he signed a long-term deal with Unicaja, one of the Spanish League's premier clubs who is currently playing in its semi-finals.

After signing long-term with Unicaja, Garba had the following to say during his interview on Euroleague.net:

Interviewer: Your career has had three clear stages: starting with Tau as a teenager, in a group of old pros at Benetton and with Unicaja now as the team leader. How would you describe each phase?

Garba: "I have always looked at everywhere I have gone as a place to be for some time, to get to know the city and the club, and not just be there to play. I went to Tau as a young guy, and grew up there as a player and a person. The club helped me with everything that I could have asked for arriving as a 15-year-old, and I still have some of my best friends in Vitoria. Making the change to Treviso wasn't easy. I knew I had to play well to get chances on such a team as Benetton. And with work and trying to add more to my game, I developed another form of playing, shooting more from outside. But in a club such as Benetton, it was easy to get adjusted and do things well, because of the help and confidence they give you. As we said, coming to Unicaja with an important role has been a challenge I could not reject. And things here are better than I could have imagined. There's a great group of guys, I have everything I need and I look forward to many successful years here."

Is it just me or is one season and then jumping ship "not quite getting to know the city and the club?" That being said, you can't see this as a big deal. Although the NBA is not for everyone, obviously the lure of a big contract (as mentioned it looks to be a lucrative contract) and trying one's hand against the world's best has to be appealing. Seems much like a Sarunas Jasikevicius situation, where after so much success abroad it was time to try the next level. Regardless of him turning his back on Unicaja it's not like Colangelo just went out and traded for Steve "I Hate Vancouver" Francis.

If it is a situation like Jasikevicius, then how much success has Jorge had abroad? In the Spanish league playoffs Garbajosa is averaging 14.3 points per game. In the last game against Adecco Students he had 19 points, 1 board and 5 assists. First thing that jumped out when I saw this stat line is not the 19 points however, no, it's the 1 board in 35 minutes. Of course it is unfair to judge a player on one game and a rebounding performance like this one is not the norm for the Spaniard. His Euroleague average for the 05/06 season is just shy of 7 rebounds per game.

Stats say a lot but accolades say even more. It's damn near impossible to determine how 14.3 points per game would translate into the NBA (hence the risk associated with the signing) but you can't argue with the fact that Garbajosa had a solid year in Europe. In December he managed to win the Euroleague MVP for the month and more importantly achieved one of this past season's primary goals in getting his team to the Top 16 Tournament. At the tournament the team went 3-3 in Group D action and did not manage to qualify for the next round. Unfortunately Garbajosa only managed to play in four of those six games. In the four games he participated in, he averaged 15 points and 8 boards, approximately 21 percent of the team's offence. Garba shot a large number of threes though for his position, taking 23 three point shots and only 19 two point shots. This questionable shot selection is somewhat balanced out by the fact that he took twenty-eight free-throws. All in all his numbers were good enough to get him Top 16 MVP honours for week three of the tournament. His best game - 22 points, 11 boards, 4/5 from beyond the arc and drawing 8 fouls. Perhaps what really sticks out was his ability to get to the line while still taking a high number of three-point shots, something that is fairly unusual.

So against his European brethren and NBA cast-offs Garba is a force, but we all know the European game and the NBA game are very different. How will he match-up with the best in the world? There was only one way to find out, the 2005 Eurobasket Tournament. In this tournament some of the best in the world come to play, i.e. Dirk, Parker, and virtually every European in the NBA. While playing for Spain he averaged 14.5 ppg, and 6.2 rpg. Sounds like a nice contributor to a team with Pau Gasol, the Raptors own Jose Calderon, and Juan Carlos Navarro. What is disconcerting however is that his averages were given a huge boost when against Latvia he had 31 points. In fact, if you look at his numbers for the tournament what you will notice is that against the teams with stronger and NBA experienced front-courts, he did not perform well.

VS Serbia & Montenegro (Milcic, Radmanovic, Rebraca, Kristic) : 5 points, 6 boards
VS Latvia (no-one noteworthy): 31 points, 4 rebounds
VS Israel (no-one noteworthy): 21 points, 9 rebounds
VS Croatia (Mario Kasun, Marco Tomas): 14 points, 6 rebounds
VS Germany (Dirk Nowitzki): 4 points, 6 rebounds
VS France (Pietrus, Diaw): 12 points, 6 rebounds

Perhaps the most worrisome of the bunch here are the games he had against Serbia & Montenegro and even more so against Germany which was in fact the semi-finals. Now at the time I wasn't watching those games to see if Garba was going to be a NBAer, or more importantly a Raptor, so it may be unfair to judge based strictly on the numbers, but it looks like he may have a thing or two to learn in order to be successful in the L. Of course, Garba has been on the mind of a few NBA scouts for the past year or so and Draftexpress has also touched on Garba, in particular after the 2005 King's Cup (Spanish Tournament). During that tournament Garba won MVP and the reviews were solid. Jorge was praised for his basketball IQ and defense despite his lack of size. Oh and even here it was evident that getting "Garba" to play in the same league as "Mamba" was going to be a pricey endeavour.

So as Raptors' fans how do we feel about this potential signing? What can we expect? One thing that comes to mind is that Colangelo is really putting himself out there for criticism, and right off the bat. This is by no means a proverbial "slam-dunk" and it seems like a fairly high-risk move. Of course we all know BC is not shy in terms of making gutsy moves, but to take a flyer on a guy who seems to struggle against NBA competition is worrisome, especially on a team with little roster flexibility to date. On the flip side, another big man that can draw the defence away from the hoop is a positive, and anyone who gets high marks for basketball IQ and defense must get a look. Seems like a great replacement for Hoffa, or even more so Bonner at some point.

There will undoubtedly be a learning curve for Garba, and at 29 it will be a steep one. This is no spring chicken we're talking about, but of course there is no expectation for Garba (or at least there shouldn't be) to get huge minutes. This is simply a play by BC that could help solidify the bench by bringing in a player with a better skill set then what currently resides on that end of the pine.

It's a gutsy move by BC.

Here's hoping for the fans sake it works out better than the Nate Huffman experiment.

Howland

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Comments

great paper.

y not get him. From wat i have heard he bring toughness and boards, that is wat we need right now. Plus I believe matt bonner should be traded at the trade deadline next season if he doesnt produce. Same wit hoffa.

by kenno on Jun 6, 2006 12:54 PM EDT reply actions

Assuming Calderon continues to struggle, which I think is a pretty safe assumption, that would be what 10, 12 guys the Raps have brought over from Europe/Southeast Asia with no success? What's the point? I have also heard the comment (you guys???) that Garbajosa's name is awfully close to "garbage," so at least he has a built-in nickname.

We need toughness, NOT another guy to "stretch out the defense"--that's the whole team as it is (Bonner, Peterson, Villanueva etc.). What we clearly need is a banger, not another shooter who averages 2.4 rebounds.

I'm tired of the Europeans. Draft Aldridge, play him at the 5 with Bosh at the 4 and get on with it. I wish the draft was sooner . . . are you guys "x"-ing the calender off each day like I am?

by Aaron on Jun 6, 2006 1:26 PM EDT reply actions

Please trade hoffa and eric williams make some cap and roster room.

by FANTASY_GM on Jun 6, 2006 3:07 PM EDT reply actions

Aaron, isnt that the point of Garbajosa...isnt he a banger, and rebounder, a tough player??

I believe that any player who likes getting to the FT line is a good acquisition. Too often on the raptors teams, no one has wanted the contact. THe only thing I worry about is the supposed 4 million/year. THat seems like alot for an unproven player at the nba level.

Also I am not sure that calderon will continue to struggle like last year. I was really impressed with him especially during the first part of last year. Then he ran into injury problems and kind of stunk it up. I will chalk that up to hitting the proverbial rookie wall. I also think he ended up shooting around 45% from the field. I think calderon will be decent this year. No jason kidd, but maybe a luke ridnour/kirk hinrich player when they wer ein their first year.

by scott on Jun 6, 2006 6:20 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with aaron completly....we don't any 30 year old spanish project. We need a young american center from Texas.

If we can get aldridge as center and sign Pryzbilla, we have our 6 spot set for year to come.

Next order of business will be to get a starting point guard either through a trade (im not opposed to shipping out joey graham, matt bonner, eric williams) or free agency...

by gabriel on Jun 6, 2006 8:16 PM EDT reply actions

nbadraft.net has adam morrison at the number 1 pick spot?

Is this something I have missed? is Morrison even being considered for the raps?

by utes on Jun 7, 2006 9:26 AM EDT reply actions

I hear Morrison has been having great workouts which may account for his rise to the #1 slot. I'm not sure why anyone would put that much stock in workouts; either he merits the pick based on what he did in college or he doesn't. From what I saw in college, I think he's a guy who will be able to score at the NBA level, but he won't be much of a defender or rebounder.

by Skywalker on Jun 7, 2006 7:34 PM EDT reply actions

Morrison is #1 because nbadraft.net thinks that the most likely scenario where the Raps would trade the pick would involve someone wanting to get Morrison.

by sl64 on Jun 8, 2006 4:06 AM EDT reply actions

Draft.net also had Ivan Chiriaev being drafted in the second round the past two years...(http://nbadraft.net/chiriaevstory.asp)

by Franchise on Jun 8, 2006 8:34 AM EDT reply actions

Get garbajosa! hes got a better average than andrea bargnani!

by ANDREW on Jun 18, 2006 5:04 PM EDT reply actions

I'm from Spain and i can say you that Garbajosa is a great player. He's very talented and experienced. Best spanish player in our league excepting Juan Carlos Navarro.
P.D: Spanish National Team: CalderÃ³n, Navarro, Jimenez, Garbajosa, Gasol. INCREDIBLE TEAM!

by nokerti on Jun 27, 2006 10:00 AM EDT reply actions

Trust me, he aint gonna disappoint you at all, youll see. He is a tough all around player, surely the second best spanish player. Have a look at him in the next world championship...I bet youre going to like his talent for sure.

by Spaniard on Jun 27, 2006 10:12 AM EDT reply actions

Hi. I'm spaniard I there is just one thing I would like to say.

There has never been a player like Garbajosa in Spain. Would it suit for the NBA? Men, if you are considering people like Anderson Varejao, Saras Jasikevicius, Andres Nocioni or Arturas Macijauskas, Garbajosa is 10 times better than they are and does 100 times their tasks.

What's to be said about him? Nice shots (better than most point guards in Europe), versatile, rebounder (it must be said that rebounding in Europe is not like rebounding in the NBA, though), stealer, blocker, great defender, GREAT team-play abilities...

I would say he's second only to Pau in Spain.

You are considering acquiring him? Just do it.

by spanish guy on Jun 27, 2006 10:54 AM EDT reply actions

>>>Iâ€™m tired of the Europeans

Aaron, I'm tired of watch NBA basket ball.

come up court, spread out, dump ball into centre;
stand around and watch as centre pushes defender back
and tries to dunk. shot is missed and teams run to
other side of court to watch same play.

The most entertaining teams are the ones with several
Europeans (non Americans) (Phoenix San Antonio)

Its nice to see 7 footers that can do more then dunk.

Problem with Raptors will be the coach, if he can not
adjust to playing a more up tempo European game. (more then
one pass, pick and rolls, give and go)

by rick on Jun 28, 2006 11:51 AM EDT reply actions

-- I'm tired with the Europeans.
Well, I'm fed up with Europeans too. And I'm a Euro myself!

by Euro Boy on Jun 28, 2006 12:40 PM EDT reply actions

Someone forgett that the coach of Garbajosa in Italy was Mike D'Antoni...

by Fabio on Jun 28, 2006 5:41 PM EDT reply actions

Hey guys! One thing Nocioni is from Argentina... South America. Not Europe. I've saw this guy playing in europe and believe me it's quite a good team player. It will fit pretty well in the Raptors. He is not afraid taking big shots. If he does things like in Europe you will be happy to have him .

Coach_G

by Coach_G on Jun 30, 2006 6:14 AM EDT reply actions

Hi I'm from Italy and I agree with Spanish Guy: Garba is good! Just give him some months to understand NBA and you will see.

He's a very clever player, he knows the game and he always brings his contribution. Good shooter, excellent in playing D, great rebounder

He can do well, even though the Raptors would need someone for the back court. Bosh, Villanueva, Garba, Nesterovic, Bargnani... ok, it's time to see also for a guard or a small forward...

pbarbs

by pbarbs on Jun 30, 2006 6:36 AM EDT reply actions

Raps will definately sign garba, especiall since villanueva is gone

by ANDREW on Jul 4, 2006 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

Hi
I'm spaniard. What I can say about Garbajosa is that he is a very good player, and he is so good because he is a very clever player. He has played at a good level in three top teams in two different top leagues.
His lack is that he is weeker than the american power fordwars and slower than the forwards. I'm afraid that he can't show his talent in 10 minutes per game against the muscles of the NBA.
If the Raptor's coach finds a place for Garbajosa beside a good center, he will do a great job (points, assists and steals, but no rebounds). If not, he will last just one year in Toronto.

by javier on Jul 7, 2006 5:17 AM EDT reply actions

there has jus been news that the raps have jus signed garba nd anthony parker, mayb john salmons soon...colangelo is our savior BUT im not sure bout the charlie-ford trade :S

by Shane G on Jul 12, 2006 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

I think that the Charlie-ford trade was needed. I hated to see charlie go, but i understand why. I have the Colangelo creidt, he is building the team he said he was going to bring. I think he is also think from a business stand point, by building the toronto market around the world. after losing vinice, our rep went down, but now the world is pay some attention to us again. when it comes to on court success, TJ is going to be more important than we think. These new euro players are build for versility and quickness, toronto is going to run. we also will see at least 4 different starters at the small forward position.

by Marlon M on Jul 13, 2006 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

Garbajosa, is the best kept secret in European basketball. His talent are leadership skills are astonishing. He is one of those players that can take a team on his back and make things happen. Think, Ginobilli on a small PF position.

Many people in Toronto are eager to see Roko land in the NBA, so far in Spain he has been a big disappointment, irregular, though flashy.

by Carlos De Lorenzo on Jul 21, 2006 4:37 PM EDT reply actions

Garbajosa tiene demasiado nivel para una mierda de equipo como Toronto. Con jovenes pivots de Texas, USA lleva varios aÃ±os haciendo el ridÃculo en los campeonatos internacionales.

by Spanish on Jul 24, 2006 8:08 PM EDT reply actions

I think Jorge Garbajosa is a very good option for every team in the world, (I donÂ´t think the same about CalderÃ³n). Maybe he will not become a NBA super star, (he is not fast and strong enough), but anyway he will work hard for the team and will make at least 15-20 points per game.
Remember the best player so far in the NBA may be Kobe or Nowitzki, the second one european... Euro basket is almost at the same level, and the only reason it is not over is because of the doping. Everybody knows USA professional leagues (NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL) has got "very light rules" with that, itÂ´s a fact. Maybe Garbajosa increase his body power in a couple of years with some extrange sustancies, like Gasol did...
NBA basket is dangerously close to FIBA basket, just drugs keeps him up.

by Frank Castle on Aug 19, 2006 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

...and he is a world champion. in a championship where our world-famous stars only fights themselves, not for each other. statistics show everything, except teamwork. except success.

by Norbi Szabo on Sep 3, 2006 8:23 AM EDT reply actions

You are in the right path... Calderon and Garbajosa... If you guys in Toronto manage to get also Jimenez, Gasol and Navarro you will have the best team in the world!

by Pablo on Sep 5, 2006 6:28 PM EDT reply actions

Who is Jorge Garbajosa? I will tell to you:
THE BEST "4" IN EUROPE. If Raptors give him minutes then he will demostrate it. Let's go Jorge!
An spanish basketball addict.

by Manuel Garcia on Sep 18, 2006 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

replying to Frank Castle;s -
"Everybody knows USA professional leagues (NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL) has got â€œvery light rulesâ€ with that, itÂ´s a fact. Maybe Garbajosa increase his body power in a couple of years with some extrange sustancies, like Gasol didâ€¦"

It is totally unaceptable to make such a outrageous ACCUSATIONS without any kind of proof. Has Gasol ever tested positive for any kind of drug? You CAN NOT say that kind of thing. It is a very serious OFFENSE against any athlete's honor. If you have any proof i dont know about, please feel free to share.

by Carlos De Lorenzo on Sep 18, 2006 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

Hi!
I'm from MÃ¡laga, Spain, the city of the Unicaja Baloncesto, the last team of Garbajosa. He has been the BEST player of this league, we are so happy because he can make a dream come true in the NBA... but also sad because we are going to miss him a lot!!!!! :(
Hope the people of Toronto enjoy with his way of playing basket!
Bye, ;)

by Marga on Sep 20, 2006 1:02 PM EDT reply actions

Â¿QuÃ© es eso de que algunos estÃ¡n cansados de europeos? Vamos a ver, Occidente es Europa y el resto es tierra colonizada.

En cuanto a Garbajosa, os dirÃ© quien es Garbajosa: Garbajosa es el "PUTO AMO", Â¡quÃ© cojones! Garbajosa es DIOS. Lo vais a flipar.

Â¿SerÃ¡ posible que haya quien prefiera a un niÃ±ato palurdo de texas antes que a Garbajosa?

by Un EspaÃ±ol on Oct 10, 2006 3:10 PM EDT reply actions

I actually think he will do well, he is a fighter and does the little things. The NBA lacks this, these days. The pre-season has started pretty decent for him. I wish him luck and think he will be just fine!

by Q on Oct 11, 2006 7:18 AM EDT reply actions

You havenÂ´t seen a player like this since Larry BirdÂ´s times

by chok on Oct 13, 2006 5:40 AM EDT reply actions

Si seÃ±or, Garbajosa es el puto amo y lo va a demostrar .

estos americanos no tienen ni puta idea de baloncesto,ellos solo ven(y extraÃ±amente les gusta)a unos chicos extraordinariamente dotados para correr y saltar meter balones en una cesta(y llaman a eso baloncestoÂ¡Â¡Â¡),en europa si que se ve baloncesto pata negra...

pero ahora llega el mas listo de la clase y les va a dar con lo mas gordo...

ole tus cojones Torrejonudo..Â¡Â¡Â¡Â¡

by chineti on Oct 13, 2006 5:58 AM EDT reply actions

The thing is I have seen the pornoplayer perform QUITE WELL against Nowitzki defending against him in a way I have rarely seen when you refer to a player like Dirk.

What can I say about Jorge? He has an extraordinary game intelligence and he's always adding things to the team, scoring, rebounding, assisting, blocking or simply doing all those things that stats don't show. That's the reason he is one of those players coaches love to have in their teams. He was named MVP in the ACB playoffs (Spanish league) and best 4 in the World Championship. He is an ACB champion and a World Champion. His solidarity and team player spirit will make him become a fan favourite in Toronto.

by Peterman on Oct 14, 2006 5:13 AM EDT reply actions

Now you know who's Garbajosa: the one who will win a lot of matches and make from Toronto a play-off team.

Congratulations from Malaga.

by Jose Miguel on Oct 19, 2006 5:01 AM EDT reply actions

you have no idea...basket is much more than a few statistics or averages...Jorge is a great player and very complete. Maybe he isn't very fast or strong but he really understand the game and i cannot say the same about others "fantastic" american players you would like to have in Toronto.

by FÃ«anor on Oct 19, 2006 5:56 PM EDT reply actions

replying to Gabriel;

Please, you have no idea..
Who is Garbajosa?... In three words....Garbajosa is God,...do you understand me, man? ....He is a "golden boy".....

by SaludosCordiales on Oct 23, 2006 10:38 AM EDT reply actions

Hi from Spain,

i think Garbajosa isn't the standard NBA player, so I'm not sure of his numbers in Toronto this year.

In Europe, Garbajosa was a smart player against big players, that's the reason for his ability getting to the FT line.

But he had always a problem: his lack of resistance in long-time champioships. He maybe be irregular in a hard competition like NBA. But it's sure that Jorge has an enormous talent for this game.

Maybe Toronto needs a very big Golliath in the paint... Garbajosa is David.

Sorry for mi limits with English!!

by Morg on Oct 23, 2006 1:54 PM EDT reply actions

Goodo player, good guy... Garbajosa will be the best rookie of the year!! Sure!!

by Number 6 on Oct 24, 2006 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

Es mejor no explicar quien es JORGE GARBAJOSA: Â¡Â¡Â¡PRONTO LOS VAIS A VER!!!. Capaz de sufrir en la pista como nadie. Capaz de cargarse el equipo a sus espaldas. Con una muÃ±eca prodigiosa y con mas cojones al rebote que el ESPARTERO'S HORSE.

ANIMO GARBA, FORZA ATLETI y por cierto, si lees esto: NO SE PUEDE EXPLICAR A ESTOS TÃOS QUE CON LA DIFERENCIA HORARIA NOS VAN A MATAR DE SUEÃ‘O POR VERTE

by JUANJO on Nov 2, 2006 6:51 PM EST reply actions

Es que sÃ, el puto amo,pero me parece que se ha dejado llevar por algo mÃ¡s que el deporte al irse a esta cosa que llaman equipo, que fijo que hasta ahora no sabÃan quien era Dios, no se merecen tanto espectaculo.....OjalÃ¡ que Garbajosa siguiese en el UNICAJA, se le hecha de menos
UNICAJA A POR LA LIGA

by LucÃa on Nov 3, 2006 2:40 PM EST reply actions