NBA Lockout forces Orlando Magic Rookie Justin Harper to play in France
Following the footsteps of fellow National Basketball Association’s rookies, Orlando Magic’s forward Justin Harper is the latest addition to the bandwagon of players, who have signed a deal to play overseas during the NBA Lockout.
The NBA players are going through a rough period in their careers because of the ongoing lockout, which does not seem to end in the near future. The players are not being paid; they cannot use the franchise training facilities and in the case of rookies, they are not even a part of the players union, which is at logger heads with the NBA owners over the new Collective Bargaining Agreement or CBA.
Harper has inked the deal with one of the top professional teams in the French league, SIG Strasbourg. He will feature for the team from the pre season, which will start from September 2, 2011.
The 6 ft 10 in forward said, “I weighed the advantages and disadvantages of going versus staying, and I just really thought the most good would come out of me going to France and playing.” He added further “If it's a longer lockout, like everybody's saying, then I'll get a chance to still be in shape and be playing against some professionals. It'll give me a chance to improve before I report to training camp.”
The power forward was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers as 32nd overall pick in 2011 NBA draft. The Cavs subsequently traded his draft rights to the Orlando Magic for the next two years. He is known to be a good perimeter shooter and over the span of the four seasons that he played at University of Richmond, Justin shot 38.2 percent of 3-point attempts.
Harper’s agent Lance Young told the reporters that apart from the clause (opt-out) dealing with Harper’s return for the NBA 2011-2012 season whenever it happens, everything else has been finalized.
Young was hopeful that Harper would be able to improve on various facets of his game during his stay in France. He specifically mentioned that this would help him not only to save some money but also to get experience of playing professional basketball.
In France, in addition to a car, an apartment and an expected salary of $14,000 per month, Justin will be provided with a signing bonus.
The officials of the Orlando Magic did not give any statements on this matter as the lockout refrains them to contact the players or agents. However, Young was confident that the Magic management would support the rookie’s decision as this would help him improve as player. He told that Harper has no plans of staying there until January or February or for the whole year.
The environment will offer different things for Harper but in the French team, he is accompanied by his old teammate and a point guard from Richmond, Kevin Anderson.
Young told that Harper is carrying insurance as there are increased chances of getting injured while playing overseas.
“There's always the possibility of getting injured, no matter if you're playing over there or you're playing over here,” said Harper. “It can happen anywhere. People get hurt doing the easiest things.”
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