| Jasikevicius Being Lured Back to Maccabi? Authored by Andrew Perna - August 7, 2006 - 12:27 am
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Sarunas was left as the odd man out. It seemed as though he left his jump shot in Israel, as he struggled shooting. He hit just .396 of his field goal attempts, and only .364 from beyond the three-point line.
Another season of drama and injuries left the Pacers with a depleted roster that was forced to scratch and claw their way into the postseason. Sarunas finished the season averaging 7.6 points and 3.0 assists per game, but in the postseason he vanished (2.8 points and 1.0 assists in six games).
With rumors swirling that Indiana was shopping him, up until they were able to trade away Johnson last month, his unhappiness is well known. Things didn’t go as well as he expected in Indianapolis, and now he may have a way out.
Israeli news reports have suggested that, Maccabi Tel Aviv, his former team is very interested in having the two-time Euroleague champion back on their roster. Maccabi coach Neven Spahija told an Israeli news source that he spoke with Jasikevicius late last week, “We discussed his situation at Indiana. Obviously, he’s not happy - everyone knows that.”
It’s an unfortunate turn of events for a player that excelled overseas. The NBA game seemed to be a perfect fit for the Maryland graduate, but after one season of play it seems as though the wheels have been put in motion for Jasikevicius to return to Israel before his contract is up.
Of course, in order for him to return to Maccabi Tel Aviv the Pacers would have to agree to buy out the remaining two years on his contract, and I’m not sure that’s something Larry Bird wants to do. Bird is a stubborn man and allowing Sarunas to walk away after just one season doesn’t seem like something Larry Legend condone.
The Pacers management have made a few moves that where seemingly designed to make Jasikevicius happy and change his mind about wanting to leave. First, the Pacers traded Anthony Johnson, who worked wonders for the team last season, leaving Sarunas as the main threat to often-injured Jamaal Tinsley and his starting point guard position. Second, they signed another former Maccabi player in Maceo Baston.
The athletic power forward played with Jasikevicius for two seasons and won back-to-back Euroleague titles with him. Those moves, in addition to a handful of others, have transformed Indiana’s roster.
The transformation seems to make Indiana a much more athletic and faster team, something that will also benefit Jasikevicius should he remain a Pacer. As a sports fan I think that news of Sarunas wanting to head back to Europe is disappointing.
I understand that things didn’t go well for him in his first NBA season, but they could have been worse. He got substantial playing time and he’s with an organization that is committing to winning. If he approached Larry Bird in hopes of a contract buy-out it would be the equivalent to quitting.
He’d be leaving the Pacers and the NBA for Israel, where he knows he’ll have more success because he has done so in the past. He turns 31 in March, and maybe he wants to excel on the basketball court while his body will still let him. With that said, I still think he should give Indiana and the NBA try. At least play out the remainder of his contract.
The people of Indiana embraced him last year, and he was one of the few Pacers who weren’t booed off the court multiple times last season when the going got tough. Sarunas even added his name to the Pacer record books when he scattered Reggie Miller’s rookie record for three-pointers made with 86 last season.
Heading home to Europe with your supermodel wife would be an easy out for you Sarunas, but do us all a favor and give the Pacers one more shot. Karma has got to be on our side this season, and we could use your outside shot...
Andrew Perna can be reached at Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
