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OT - Marqus signs in Phillipines

14K views 106 replies 26 participants last post by  el gato mount 
#1 ·
#2 ·
Hmm- through August. So given the months and duration of this opportunity, where does this leave Marqus for NBA Summer League?

Can he opt out of this if he can get on a team? I'm assuming yes, if a spot is available. I would hope so.
 
#3 ·
Marqus point blank needs to get paid, which is why this is a smart move for the summer. He didn't make anything playing in the D League the past two years (I believe the top contract for a player who is not on an NBA 15 man roster in the D League is 25k). American Imports in the Philippines make between 20 and 30k a month.

Marqus has already been in the NBA summer league the past 2 summers, a 3rd summer would not do a whole lot for him in the eyes of NBA GM's (not saying it would do zero, but it wouldn't do a ton) and the pros of making bank for 3-4 months in the Philippines are probably much, much greater than another summer in the summer league... At this point for Marqus, the only thing NBA related that is really worth while is an invite to Vet Camp, which is not necessarily connected with being in the summer league at all (considering how much teams have already seen him)...

I'm encouraged by this because to me, it looks like Marqus is finally starting to look at the big picture (that he needs to start looking for worthwhile contracts and not simply sit around in the D League and bank on the NBA callup).

I think the writing is pretty much on the wall for where he stands in the eyes of the NBA considering his numbers the past 2 years and the lack of a callup.
 
#4 ·
Yeah, I don't disagree with most of this except that the International money has always been there for him and Marqus is from a pretty stable situation in that he could have afforded to play for short money the last two seasons while trying to stay stateside and get a Call-Up and stick on a roster. I think getting no Call-Ups this season definitely needs to start making him think Internationally for next year. I think spending these past two seasons in the D League has made sense, he's been one of the best players- gotten better offensively, and honestly I look at the NBA rosters, especially for the non-playoff teams, and there's no way Marqus couldn't have made some of those teams. I mean, Charlotte was brutal this season. There were 479 players that played in the NBA this season, Marqus is probably somewhere around 490-500 in terms of being that close.

I agree, Summer League wouldn't mean much for him if he went out and played 12-15 min a game and scored 8pts and had a few rebounds and blocks. He would need to go out and kill it at this point and have some games to remember- I just remember watching Jeremy Lin play against John Wall in the Vegas Summer League and that performance single-handedly made him an NBA player. All it took was 1 game. Lin didn't immediately make the NBA, but that game got him in the door more than any thing else. Marqus would need something like that to happen for him at this point- because as you've said, most scouts know what he does at this point.

Hopefully he can kill it in the Phillipines, make some good coin, and come back for Veterans Camp/Training camp and make a roster- if not, head somewhere overseas in a top league- because I do think he's maximized what the D-League can offer him right now, and it is played out for him at this point.
 
#5 ·
With NBA Summer League starting up soon, any word if Marqus is going to come back over from the Phillipines?

As one might expect, he's destroying whatever competition is in that league over there. Judging by his own roster, doesn't look like there are a lot of noteworthy US players over there- but I'm sure he's getting a nice pay check.
 
#6 ·
The Filipino league has height restrictions. Imports have to be under 6'5" in socks. Marcus Douthit (formerly of Providence College) got Filipino citizenship and at 6'11" is the only guy over 6'5" in the league. Paul Harris scored like 40 a game over there after he left the Red Claws.

So basically its a joke.
 
#12 ·
Yah...its about time. His agent, along with Marqus making some mistakes early in his pro career, are a bulk of the problem, and sometimes you can't shake the past. From the people I've spoken to his agent is a bulk of the problem.

Marqus is also actually getting a legit challenge now in Germany, and playing in Germany shows he's committed to his career. The D-League didn't really do that for him, and he had already done all he could there.
 
#13 ·
+1

Great move all around for Marqus. He's in the right place.

Interestingly, it looks like he's replacing Patrick Ewing, Jr on the roster. Blakely was traded for Ewing, Jr in the D League.
 
#20 ·
"Marqus was cut for failing his physical"..............................................(news just stops there)

So anyone have any details surrounding this, ie why did one of the most fit college basketball players I've seen fail a physical/ what's next for Marqus?
 
#21 ·
The implication (based on google translate and my limited German skills) from this article is that he simply showed up not in basketball playing shape.

Rundschau Online

The article is about the team's struggle to find a mid-season replacement for Blakely on short notice. The google-translated paragraphs that relate to Blakely are below. For those that haven't experienced the joy of Google translate and language translation in general, the bolded headline is a bit of a shocker...

"The new man must be fully in the juice"

"Now we go our list of possible candidates again have to delete some names but because the players have since come across elsewhere, other names are new to it because they have become free," the painstaking research work described Koch. Since the time these days is that many clubs still make changes to their squad, the situation is constantly in flux.

On one aspect Koch now wants to put the experience with Blakely particular importance: "It must be a man who is currently in full juice It makes no sense to bring in someone who has not played for months and at the still conditional basis. be placed "would, according to Koch. Whether search, check and medical check up to the next scheduled game against Trier on Sunday (17 clock, Telekom Dome) can go on the stage? Koch is skeptical: "That will be difficult."
 
#22 ·
The implication (based on google translate and my limited German skills) from this article is that he simply showed up not in basketball playing shape.
Makes sense I guess, if he wasn't working out and training properly. Seems like a long time since he was waived by Clippers in training camp until now, so definitely possible.

Marqus's post- UVM pro career doesn't seem like it's gone as it should. He should try and speak with Coppenrath to figure out what he's done right, maybe he would be willing to be a mentor.
 
#24 ·
Marqus, after the abortive first attempt to sign with a German team (Bonn) has now signed with Neckar Riesen ("Giants") Ludwigsburg, at least until the end of the season ("after he was killed at the end of December League rival Telekom Baskets Bonn by the medical check", per Google translation).

He seems to be off to a good start, and coach John Patrick had nice things to say about him. The photo shows him wearing no. 22 and is captioned "ein Kraftpaket mit Defensivqualitäten" ('a powerhouse with defensive qualities'). http://www.lkz.de/sport/lokalsport_artikel,-Blakely-soll-die-Kraefte-buendeln-_arid,109925.html

There's a Meet & Greet with Marqus as part of fan activities on Jan 24.

Hope his luck is finally changing!
 
#27 ·
Only one game played so far -- 3 points in 16 minutes of action, but I'm sure there's plenty of rust (not fully back in the juice yet!).

The boxscore for his first game is here --> Neckar Riesen vs s. Olivier

They are currently at the all-star break, so the next game for Neckar isn't until January 26th. The full schedule is here --> 2012-13 Neckar Riesen Ludwigsburg schedule, so you can follow them for the rest of the season.
 
#30 · (Edited)
After their long layoff, Neckar beat the Tigers 68-56. Marqus had a pretty solid game according to the box score, going for 15 points, 9 boards, 4 dimes and 5 blocks in 20 minutes of play (while guarding some guy who was built like a larger version of Brian Voelkel). Linking to the highlights because I can't get over the fact that there are apparently pretzels served at German press conferences (highlights start 1:30 or so in)... Highlights Apparently their next game is saturday against BBC Bayreuth who has Joe Trapani (who appears to be having a decent season of his own) on their roster.
 
#32 ·
Marqus Blakely counts now no longer in the squad of the Neckar GIANTS Ludwigsburg. Blakely asked for personal, family reasons, to have the contract rescinded.

With regret but also with understanding react Neckar GIANTS Ludwigsburg on the personal request of the player. The valid until end of season contract is canceled. Originally from the U.S. Forward is already traveling soon return to his homeland.

Sporty and human Blakely was an asset to the team. The Neckar GIANTS Ludwigsburg Marqus Blakely wish all the best for their future and thank him for his efforts.

There's the translation.
 
#35 ·
Could be anything. Could be a better deal in a better league. That first team in Germany before he "failed his physical" was a much better German team/league then this one he just left.
 
#43 ·
How so? I really don't think it's a stretch to believe his last team was not an optimal situation and he could have voluntarily left if he didn't like his current team, and maybe it's for a better opportunity with a different team?.

That being said, I'm not going to pretend there are no problems as well, stemming from the failed physical w/ Bonn. Something is obviously wrong with that.

It's not like I think he should be in the NBA, but there's zero reason why Marqus shouldn't be playing in a top flight league/team in Europe getting paid well right now.
 
#46 ·
There are very very few ideal situations. Even LeBron James is not in an ideal situation. He is the best player in the league and does not have a max contract. You have to make the most of each situation you are in. Often times athletes who fail seem to have a sense of entitlement that isn't realistic. At this point, if he wants to continue to pursure a pro career, Marquis needs to find any job and prove he can be a team player. If he chooses not to do this maybe some of us can pool some money and pay Marquis and Gerardo Suero to play each other one on one.
 
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