He's a chosen one...I give him approval.
Gal Mekel - our future PG?
- Thread starter karpasov
- Start date
More details on the Mekel story from Eurobasket.com (https://www.eurobasket.com/Israel/basketball.asp?NewsID=290475&showcomments=1&Women=0)
"Ex-Wichita State playmaker Gal Mekel entertained several high-level European offers from Israel and Spain before holding a summit with the Cavs' Casspi, his national-team teammate and close friend, before one of Israel's games in Eurobasket qualifying.
Casspi told Mekel that he needed to go to Florida after the Eurobasket campaign to train at the Pro Training Center near Tampa, just as Casspi himself had done early in his pro career.
"Omri called David Thorpe, whom he said was the best coach he had ever trained with, and asked if (Thorpe) would spend two weeks with me", Mekel exclusively told Eurobasket from Tampa, where he is completing his training stint. "Coach Thorpe requested to speak to me first before committing to me, and once we talked I knew it was going to be a great learning experience."
But neither Thorpe, nor Mekel, expected such fast results. Last week, Mekel did so well in an open-gym audition with the Utah Jazz that he was invited to Utahs training camp.
"He's really like a scientist with how he teaches, everything is simple but specific, and I quickly saw results with my game, shooting, dribbling, athleticism, etc.," Mekel said. "When Thorpe told me he thought I was a serious NBA prospect, I was moved and surprised to hear such comments from someone who sees the game like he does," Mekel added.
According to Mekel, Thorpe had begun to speak with a few teams about the 6-foot-4 guard for next season when the Jazz called to invite Mekel in for a look.
That workout turned out to be just the chance Mekel needed to show that his pick-and-roll prowess would adapt well to the NBA. After looking good on a court that also featured the likes of Utah veteran Derrick Favors and NBA veteran point guard Chris Quinn (Agency: Priority Sports), Mekel quickly won over some Jazz officials, including former sharpshooting guard Jeff Hornacek.
But not long after the high of being invited to Jazz camp, which officially began Tuesday, Mekel quickly learned that he would have to turn down the opportunity because he would not be able to secure the required working visa for several days, likely forcing him to miss at least a week of practices.
"Although the lack of an American work permit ruled me out for Utah's training camp, I feel good about my future," Mekel told Eurobasket. "It's very likely I'll play in Europe this year. Armed with all this new knowledge about how I can better my game, my goals are to keep improving my game, help my new team win and be prepared for possibly coming back to the United States next summer for either the NBA summer league or training camp in October.""
"Ex-Wichita State playmaker Gal Mekel entertained several high-level European offers from Israel and Spain before holding a summit with the Cavs' Casspi, his national-team teammate and close friend, before one of Israel's games in Eurobasket qualifying.
Casspi told Mekel that he needed to go to Florida after the Eurobasket campaign to train at the Pro Training Center near Tampa, just as Casspi himself had done early in his pro career.
"Omri called David Thorpe, whom he said was the best coach he had ever trained with, and asked if (Thorpe) would spend two weeks with me", Mekel exclusively told Eurobasket from Tampa, where he is completing his training stint. "Coach Thorpe requested to speak to me first before committing to me, and once we talked I knew it was going to be a great learning experience."
But neither Thorpe, nor Mekel, expected such fast results. Last week, Mekel did so well in an open-gym audition with the Utah Jazz that he was invited to Utahs training camp.
"He's really like a scientist with how he teaches, everything is simple but specific, and I quickly saw results with my game, shooting, dribbling, athleticism, etc.," Mekel said. "When Thorpe told me he thought I was a serious NBA prospect, I was moved and surprised to hear such comments from someone who sees the game like he does," Mekel added.
According to Mekel, Thorpe had begun to speak with a few teams about the 6-foot-4 guard for next season when the Jazz called to invite Mekel in for a look.
That workout turned out to be just the chance Mekel needed to show that his pick-and-roll prowess would adapt well to the NBA. After looking good on a court that also featured the likes of Utah veteran Derrick Favors and NBA veteran point guard Chris Quinn (Agency: Priority Sports), Mekel quickly won over some Jazz officials, including former sharpshooting guard Jeff Hornacek.
But not long after the high of being invited to Jazz camp, which officially began Tuesday, Mekel quickly learned that he would have to turn down the opportunity because he would not be able to secure the required working visa for several days, likely forcing him to miss at least a week of practices.
"Although the lack of an American work permit ruled me out for Utah's training camp, I feel good about my future," Mekel told Eurobasket. "It's very likely I'll play in Europe this year. Armed with all this new knowledge about how I can better my game, my goals are to keep improving my game, help my new team win and be prepared for possibly coming back to the United States next summer for either the NBA summer league or training camp in October.""
D
Deleted member 848
Guest
He is, but we're approaching this from the wrong angle.
The Jazz are looking at him as a potential CFO after Hyde retires, not as a backup PG. He's got all the attributes that we need in a successful financial officer.
cctrackstar
Well-Known Member
Now that he isn't coming over this year, it actually works better assuming that he comes back in the summer. Then Both Earl and Tinsley will be free agents and there will be tons of room on the team due to other expiring contracts. Then all Mekel has to do is outpreform Earl or Tinsley to get a spot on the team. Looks like he will be about 25 years old, younger than all or our current point guards.
I'm not going crazy thinking he's the reincarnation of John Stockon, I just like the idea of some new blood and I'm a sucker for a good story.
(BTW, he went undrafted in the 2008 NBA draft for those of you who didn't know)
I agree about working well for him to come next summer. He'll certainly have a fair shot to make the roster.
theNBAnerd
Well-Known Member
if he's as good as thorpe says, he probably won't be available next summer. sometimes you have to pounce while a guy is still somewhat under the radar.
i think it's a massive bummer if the jazz pass on this guy just because he can't be available until week two of camp. what a waste.
cctrackstar
Well-Known Member
And what were the Jazz supposed to do? Give him a guaranteed contract? They invited him to camp which is the most an undrafted free agent could expect. And as far as I know, the offer is still there, it was him who decided to stay over.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
Agree. Jazz need to add him as the 15th guy. Then he has a whole season to work out.
On the other hand, maybe he was a bit impressive, but not really much better than a guy like Quinn. If that's the case, the Jazz did him a solid by saying they liked his game and now his agent is doing his job in making sure to hype the workout as much as possible.
theNBAnerd
Well-Known Member
that's not what it sounds like though... it sounds like the jazz only wanted him if he was in uniform on 10/1. which makes absolutely no sense to me. but that's what it sounds like mekel is saying:
"Although the lack of an American work permit ruled me out for Utah's training camp, I feel good about my future," Mekel told Eurobasket.
Maybe worth bumping, as he was player of the month in his (weak) league?:
https://www.mhbasket.co.il/News.asp?id=1700&lang=en#.UOcy_aUyHzI
https://www.mhbasket.co.il/News.asp?id=1700&lang=en#.UOcy_aUyHzI
theNBAnerd
Well-Known Member
i saw someone wondering aloud on twitter if this guy should be waiting by his phone given the jazz's shaky PG situation.
probably not, since we don't have an open roster spot.... but, god forbid, if earl or jamaal got hurt, our backs are against the wall somewhat and we'd just about have to bite the bullet on what's owed raja so we could sign someone.
probably not, since we don't have an open roster spot.... but, god forbid, if earl or jamaal got hurt, our backs are against the wall somewhat and we'd just about have to bite the bullet on what's owed raja so we could sign someone.
and Randy.