Canada - Solomon back to make impact in NBA

From www.nationalpost.com
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The stereotype of the American basketball player dying to play in the National Basketball Association took a hit this summer when Josh Childress left the Atlanta Hawks to go play in Greece.

By that time, Will Solomon had already spent years thinking that same way: Money and playing time were more important than competing in the league he grew up watching.

"I wasn't even looking to the NBA. I had a contract on the table. I was looking to go back to Europe," Solomon said of his off-season mind set as his new team, the Toronto Raptors, worked out for the first time yesterday at Carleton University.

"My agent called me with the [Toronto] situation. I looked into it. We both talked about it for about a week. I came here and visited Toronto. I met with [head coach Sam Mitchell]. He's from the same area I'm from. We met with him, had lunch. We talked. I liked his strategy. I liked his charisma. I liked him as a person and also I respected him as a player."

All of that, not to mention the chance to prove that he can play in the best league in the world, compelled Solomon to head back to North America to play for the Raptors. The 30-year-old guard estimates he gave up about US$2-million from his old club, Fenerbahce of Istanbul, Turkey, to return to the league.

His first go-around in the league, however, was not a memorable one. Solomon skipped his senior year at Clemson University to enter the 2001 draft, in which he did not get picked until the second round, 33rd overall, by the Memphis Grizzlies.

After an unspectacular year in Tennessee, he had a choice to make.

"It was my decision, going to Europe," Solomon said. "I had an offer on the table from Memphis and [one from] Washington at the time, but my agent and myself, we decided it was good money in Europe. Really, I was a young guy at the time and I wanted to play. Looking at the situation I was going into, I was the third point guard in Memphis behind Jason Williams and Brevin Knight."

One year overseas morphed into six. Solomon played in Greece, Israel and Turkey, including a stint with Maccabi Tel Aviv, where Anthony Parker was among his teammates.

And Solomon became one of the more explosive scorers in the Euroleague.

"The [plan] wasn't to stay six years, but I was happy, playing, [getting] good money, taking care of my family, and myself " Solomon said. "I just grew accustom to the European life. I wanted to stay there. And I enjoyed it."

At the same time, he saw Parker excelling in Toronto, with other former Euroleague players such as Jose Calderon and Jorge Garbajosa making an impact.

And when Calderon supplanted T. J. Ford as the team's starter, the Raptors were left with a gaping hole behind Calderon.

Former second-round pick Roko Ukic is expected to fill that spot, but the team appears content to let the 24-year-old watch a whole lot before takes on a significant role.

And that leaves some space for Solomon.

"I think [Solomon] gives Sam a little bit more of a comfort level," president and general manager Bryan Colangelo said yesterday, "knowing that he's got someone back there not only that has played in the league but has achieved a pretty high level of performing in Europe."

"At this point in my career I feel that's it's not about money," Solomon said. "It's about really being happy. It's about trying to fulfill some of the goals I didn't fulfill as a basketball player."

And if that does not work, well, there is always the money.

"Whatever happens, happens. I have a career in Europe. It's always in the back of my mind."