Arsalan Kazemi @ Philadelphia 76ers

[PSGman#19]

check his instagram, major post

link?

[pres80]

Ok so at last the interview which was due to come out yesterday was published and a so called bigger brother (read it paid agent) knew when it will exactly come out. Also he knows exactly what Arsalan's contract details are and have been in the recent years. Too much to know for a "Friend".

Anyway here is the article in Farsi: (Sorry but didn't have the time to translate it for those who can't read farsi)

http://www.khabaronline.ir/detail/37...ort/basketball

I'm gonna go through the points Kazemi makes and give my own opinion based on what i know about Iranian basketball and basketball in general.

First Arsalan says why did i play 25-30 minutes in tournaments before the world cup(in Poland and Slovenia) and then my playing time reduced in the WC itself? These decisions are for the Coaching staff to make and a player must obey whatever decision they make. If a coach send his players for 1 single possession he should showcase all he got in that lone position.

Next Kazemi says i left my team in the the middle of the Summer League to come back and join Team Melli. I appreciate the sacrifice he made here but i think he made the WRONG decision. If he was thinking about getting on the 76ers roster then he should've stayed with them the entire summer. Some coaches here think he thought the World Cup would be a bigger stage than the Summer League for Arsalan to show his talents to NBA teams. That's why he chose to come back and compete for the National team. I can't say the two parties are completely wrong or completely right but this case is still mysterious for me.

The next part is the biggest accusation Kazemi makes and i hope he can prove it otherwise I don't think he will wear the national team jersey as long as Mashhoon's and Becirovic are in charge. Kazemi claims that in the Slovenian tournament before the WC, Mehmet Becirovic was bringing in agents to Team Melli's camp so that he can send some players to Europe and make some money for himself through this. As far as i know the Mashhoon brothers they are extremely intolerant against such actions and i'm pretty sure if something like this had happened before their eyes they would outrageously warn and attack Becirovic. Still i think this claim needs to go under investigation. If Arsalan is right there should be a big punishment for Becirovic and if not i just don't know what to say about Kazemi!

In another part of the article Kazemi says that i told the coaching staff that i don't like to play as a backup C to come in for Haddadi. Once again a player is in NO position to disagree on his role on the team with the coach be it Kazemi, Haddadi or Samad. The person responsible for these decisions is the coach himself and he should take the blame if such a system for players doesn't work. I have never heard players like Lebron, Kobe, KD complaining about the different positions their coach makes them play in a game. Those guys surely have bigger egos than our young draftee.

Next Kazemi says that Becirovic only knows "Swearing" out of coaching. First of all we should know that with this exact coach Slovenia made the QF's in World Cup 2010 whereas they failed to reach the final 8 this year with a drastically improved Goran Dragic. So he isn't a bad coach at all if you look at resumes. Arsalan also claims that i have never had a coach which only swears and if Memi was coaching in the US he would've have been fired 1000 times!
Let's have a small look of how Lionel Hollins talked to HH in a Memphis training session:

http://grantland.com/features/behind...ionel-hollins/

Umm, have you ever thought that the "I played ball in the US" isn't a card? You trying to say a no body such as mashhoon and the iraninan coach know better than NCAA and NBA coach and GM's?

Come on man, you wrote a massive post just writing the opposite of everything you read that kazemi said just for the sake of disagreeing with him for whatever reason you dislike him for.

[behzadir]

Umm, have you ever thought that the "I played ball in the US" isn't a card? You trying to say a no body such as mashhoon and the iraninan coach know better than NCAA and NBA coach and GM's?

Come on man, you wrote a massive post just writing the opposite of everything you read that kazemi said just for the sake of disagreeing with him for whatever reason you dislike him for.

I didn't say Mashhoon or even the coach (which is not unlikely) know much about basketball in NBA, but it's not like Arsalan is the only one who knows how basketball is played there and as i said Haddadi is a much more reliable source if you have questions about american Pro basketball. So don't try to mix things up to bring up a point.

If you read my post i didn't disagree with AK on all his words, on the contrary i backed him up on some of his legit remarks which he questions the coach's decision on calling up players for Team Melli's roster.

Before you ever knew Kazemi was playing basketball and was somewhat a gem in the desert, i watched and supported Arsalan when he was part of Zob ahan's team when he was like 16. I still remember his monster block on Pouya Tajik back in those days that brought a big Wow to the crowd. I doubt there would be more than 1-2 guys who have seen his games in the NCAA more than me here. So don't get to a position where you wanna doubt me supporting this skillful kid.

[persianbruin]

Did you just call me a paid agent????
Even people who hate me on this site like masoud will tell you that is not what I do for a living. I hope I misunderstood what you said!!

Arsalan had a lot more to say! A lot lot more trust me! I read the body of the interview 10 days ago and advised him to throw out half of it. These are not accusations. It is the truth. Nobody has denied them because they could not be denied.
Did you know that prior to going to Spain haddadi and samad didn't talk to each other for over a week because haddadi got into fight with samad because if his ballhog attitude? TM is a mess and that coach is at the head of the line of people to blame

[Farhad-7]

Did you just call me a paid agent????
Even people who hate me on this site like masoud will tell you that is not what I do for a living. I hope I misunderstood what you said!!
Arsalan had a lot more to say! A lot lot more trust me! I read the body of the interview 10 days ago and advised him to throw out half of it. These are not accusations. It is the truth. Nobody has denied them because they could not be denied.
Did you know that prior to going to Spain haddadi and samad didn't talk to each other for over a week because haddadi got into fight with samad because if his ballhog attitude? TM is a mess and that coach is at the head of the line of people to blame

Even if what you and AK say is 100% true. Then khak to sareh AK.
He is only 24. He is the future of Iran's basketball.

These problems within the team and coach, I find it doubtful that it's all true but even if it is....I feel that I'm hearing one side of the story whilst it's being exaggerated due to personal reasons.

He should have known better instead of making a huge deal out of this. Mashhoon can keep out of TM if he stays. But even if mashoon and the coach leave, (or they forgive him which I doubt) AK will be back in TM but he's going to make a big fuss out of everything and tell people like you about it to defend him instead of telling him ways to minimize the problems for the sake of his future!!! Plus jealousy, competition, ball hogging, interpersonal player issues, etc happens all the time and since AK is so vocal about it, he won't be trusted by his future teammates. He needs to learn to play hard and make good decisions knowing that he's 24.

I hope he's successful. I have been a fan of him and I will always be. The concerns I have is because usually these players with attitudes who come out and talk too much at this age fail when their careers hasn't hit the prime unless they're as good as Kobe Byrant. (Even if the issues they bring up is not their fault)
Professionalism sometimes includes staying quiet on needless topics because of a bad year at TM basketball. What AK is sharing doesn't mean shit.

EDIT: Also if you think TM bball is corrupt/biased, look at the Eastern European Bball associations and see how well they're doing every where in Euro with players in big leagues because they don't run their mouths.

[Masoud_A]

Khaleh Zanak in Iranian sports, big fuckn surprise.

[persianbruin]

Even if what you and AK say is 100% true. Then khak to sareh AK.
He is only 24. He is the future of Iran's basketball.

These problems within the team and coach, I find it doubtful that it's all true but even if it is....I feel that I'm hearing one side of the story whilst it's being exaggerated due to personal reasons.

He should have known better instead of making a huge deal out of this. Mashhoon can keep out of TM if he stays. But even if mashoon and the coach leave, (or they forgive him which I doubt) AK will be back in TM but he's going to make a big fuss out of everything and tell people like you about it to defend him instead of telling him ways to minimize the problems for the sake of his future!!! Plus jealousy, competition, ball hogging, interpersonal player issues, etc happens all the time and since AK is so vocal about it, he won't be trusted by his future teammates. He needs to learn to play hard and make good decisions knowing that he's 24.

I hope he's successful. I have been a fan of him and I will always be. The concerns I have is because usually these players with attitudes who come out and talk too much at this age fail when their careers hasn't hit the prime unless they're as good as Kobe Byrant. (Even if the issues they bring up is not their fault)
Professionalism sometimes includes staying quiet on needless topics because of a bad year at TM basketball. What AK is sharing doesn't mean shit.

EDIT: Also if you think TM bball is corrupt/biased, look at the Eastern European Bball associations and see how well they're doing every where in Euro with players in big leagues because they don't run their mouths.

quite the opposite. He was being criticized for being quiet for too long. He was letting his backers down by staying quiet. He had to come out with the truth. He owed it to people and so he did.

#2 he once told me for you to be in a good spot in TM you gotta be samad's bitch! Those of them who are in good shape are constantly khayemali samad! He said I play my game and don't try to speak over others but I don't pachekhori either.

#3 have you ever asked yourself why ak wasn't with TM last year during the Asian championship? Samad had told TM coach ageh Arsalan biyad man bazi nemikonam!!

#4 the same contract for the same amount petro gave ak, samad wanted but he couldn't get. Another source of jealousy. Same team ak signed with this year after he signed it was revealed to us that samad wanted to join them but they pick ak instead!! It is important for you guys to k ow these Chinese teams cannot have more than one Asian player (non-Chinese of course). For example they can't have two Iranians at the same time so a Chinese contract is not as east as you think.

#5 this is not soccer. The avg player makes a lot more in china compared to Europe.

#6 Arsalan almost quit TM many times due to all the abuse by the coach and getting set up by the "mafia" on a daily basis. But he didn't wanna do that to his country. He will never ever join TM again. He feels betrayed and I don't blame him.

#7 he is the nicest guy with no ego. No wonder his coaches at Oregon loved him. Give you am example: I was sick all of last week and missed work. He called me 6-7 times a day toile sure I was ok and if I needed anything. One time bought soup and went out of his way to bring it to my house. Yesterday before he left the US came picked me up took me to a restaurant. Didn't let me touch a thing, got me soup and then room me to doctors for chest X-ray. All of this while his flight was 8 pm.
I told him the reason these things happen to you constantly is because you are too nice and mellow so people like to take advantage of you.
And behzadir, I am not a friend as his mom keeps telling me I am as close anything to a brother to him. And as a brother I happy for him. 600k in 6 months? We should all be so lucky

[Sharkie]

If AK wants to play in the NBA, he needs to toughen up and be aggressive. His lax attitude won't cut it in the best league.

[persianbruin]

If AK wants to play in the NBA, he needs to toughen up and be aggressive. His lax attitude won't cut it in the best league.

it is the first i am hearing this. Last year during the summer league, Kendall gill called him "a bull in a china shop" given how physical he was. He even played when he was injured. Del curry wanted to sit him a few times but he kept saying I am ok and kept playing.
Anyways, none if this matters since he doesn't have the option to play in the NBA (unlike samad and hamed )

[Shahin]

What happened to his jump shot? 4 years ago he was shooting them with occasional success, and right now he is not even taking them. Seriously doubt he'll ever make it in the NBA without at least a mid ranger jumper. Has he completely lost confidence in that shot? Look at Oshin, his shooting motion is ridiculous, almost comical, but he has enough confidence in himself to try.

[Hadi]

i read that interview and i feel bad for Kazemi.

he is talking like a typical iranian khaleh-zanak player.

sad

[persian-eagle-13]

Sixers would've released him by now if they werent interested.

AK is not costing Sixers any money, so why should they release him!! if something is not costing you money and you have the rights to that player you will keep the player til the contract expires!! Sixers can us AK to trade for anther player, for cash or future pick etc.....

[persianbruin]

AK is not costing Sixers any money, so why should they release him!! if something is not costing you money and you have the rights to that player you will keep the player til the contract expires!! Sixers can us AK to trade for anther player, for cash or future pick etc.....

Except that there is no contract! The question is why not sign him if you wanna tank?? The answer is that he is valuable and you are missing out on keeping him for cheap in the future. You mentioned him being traded and I say exactly! But you have to have value to be traded.

I need to remind you that manu ginobili started the NBA 3 years after he was drafted 57th. Anyways, persian eagle if you see me even responding to you it is because I respect your opinion and I see this as a constructive conversation. If I ever ignored your comments that is when you know your opinion means shit to me. So keep on talking about this as I like dissecting it

[EKBATAN]

AK is not costing Sixers any money, so why should they release him!! if something is not costing you money and you have the rights to that player you will keep the player til the contract expires!! Sixers can us AK to trade for anther player, for cash or future pick etc.....

well if u kill his value, how can u hope to trade or cash in? he was a known figure a year ago and now he doesnt have much hype unless he comes back to summer league and show case himself again. or do good in china since its not a bad league

[EKBATAN]

I didn't say Mashhoon or even the coach (which is not unlikely) know much about basketball in NBA, but it's not like Arsalan is the only one who knows how basketball is played there and as i said Haddadi is a much more reliable source if you have questions about american Pro basketball. So don't try to mix things up to bring up a point.
If you read my post i didn't disagree with AK on all his words, on the contrary i backed him up on some of his legit remarks which he questions the coach's decision on calling up players for Team Melli's roster.
Before you ever knew Kazemi was playing basketball and was somewhat a gem in the desert, i watched and supported Arsalan when he was part of Zob ahan's team when he was like 16. I still remember his monster block on Pouya Tajik back in those days that brought a big Wow to the crowd. I doubt there would be more than 1-2 guys who have seen his games in the NCAA more than me here. So don't get to a position where you wanna doubt me supporting this skillful kid.

what arsalan has done to get himself to get drafted by an NBA team is something that should be admired, encouraged and set as an example for our youth in almost any sport. the guy had a dream, worked hard, put himself in place to make NBA (coming from Iran)...now whether he got a contract or not is something else but he went down in history in the NBA draft and made the sweet 16 in college. Haddadi if it wasnt for his height and lack of centers in NBA, would've never made it and he was a special case with great potential who ended up not living up to it. Iranian basketball federation AND the coach should have glorified arsalan and welcomed him to the team and created an environment at camp where arsalan and hamed could influence others and learn from them. players like samad or others, where they are a better player or not, should still use arsalan's knowledge to learn more and use his experiences to their advantage AND the development of iranian basketball. i feel like he never got that support and to blame it all on arsalan like he's some kind of show off c0cky player is not the correct way of looking at this. its easy to look back and say oh he shoulda done this or he shoulda done that....sometimes u dont know what future will bring so u make your decisions at best as u can at the moment. when u buy a house you dont know if prices will go up or down in the next 10 years but u plan for the best. unfortunately what i hoped to happen for iranian basketball with emergence of hamed and kazemi didnt really pan out and it would be a shame if they both fade away and 20 yrs from now we'll look back and say damn we had 2 players that coulda been NBA material and help our basketball grow in the country but it didnt happen. sadly iranian authorities didnt take the necessary steps to promote basketball and ask for hamed and kazemi to step in and be examples.



i blame this TM feud on both parties, cant just blame one side.