Najera vs Magic, Riga to retire from NBA - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

MavsFanFinley · 07-01-2003, 11:40 PM

This is taken from the DMN.

Najera to match up with Magic Johnson

Mavericks forward Eduardo Najera is big in his home country of Mexico. But it'll be interesting to see what kind of home-court edge he'll have when he goes against one of basketball's international legends.

Najera will play Magic Johnson in a pair of one-on-one exhibitions in an outdoor baseball stadium in Mazatlan on Tuesday.

The exhibition is to promote the game and help charities in Mexico.

Rigaudeau to retire, return to Europe

The Mavericks expect Frenchman Antoine Rigaudeau to retire from the NBA, meaning his $660,000 salary would come off the Mavericks' salary cap.

Rigaudeau, a 6-6 shooting guard, had trouble making shots in cameo appearances last season and was left off the playoff roster.

Rigaudeau probably will return to a European League club.

Mandyahl · 07-01-2003, 11:41 PM

najera vs. magic. that would be cool to see.

cookies_n_mavs · 07-02-2003, 12:36 AM

That is very interesting!!! I bet Eddie beats him [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Mandyahl · 07-02-2003, 12:38 AM

it's possible...didn't magic play in the all-star game three on three thing? i don't remember him looking all that good, but i don't really know.

ames7 · 07-02-2003, 01:05 AM

That's an interesting idea. I hope they broadcast it so we can watch.

I kind of feel bad for Riga. In our view, it's probably best he leaves, but for him, it's questionable. He may have been fine after some more time with the team & training camp. It's too bad he had a bad experience, but I don't get how they thought he could just jump in & adjust midseason. Best of luck to him back in Europe.

hero = dirk · 07-02-2003, 01:17 AM

i've always been fond of riggy. i really thought he wasn't given a fair chance, and i guess he didn't give himself a fair chance either. that summer league could have really gotten him in the groove. he coulda developed into an NBA player... but i guess we can't do anything now. ah well.

Mandyahl · 07-02-2003, 05:07 AM

he should hvae stayed and played in the summer league just to see if he could adjust. but that was his decision and his loss really, so oh well.

southern_sweets · 07-02-2003, 08:33 AM

That sounds so cool. I wish I could be there to watch.

If anyone finds out if it will be on TV please post the details.

Of course, Eddie will win. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

madape · 07-02-2003, 08:37 AM

Eddie, don't draw blood! He's infected!

southern_sweets · 07-02-2003, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: madape
Eddie, don't draw blood! He's infected!

OMG! I forgot about that. This is not a good idea after all.

Mandyahl · 07-02-2003, 08:41 AM

i think it will be fine.

Simon2 · 07-02-2003, 08:50 AM

I hope Eddie doesn't get infected. That's all I have to say. Today, Eddie eats Magic. In the 80s, Magic makes Eddie disappear.

Mandyahl · 07-02-2003, 09:16 AM

eddie won't get infected. what's the probability of them both having an open wound at the same time?
it should be fun to watch.

sturm und drang · 07-02-2003, 09:16 AM

Are we really that paranoid about AIDS? Yikes.

cookies_n_mavs · 07-02-2003, 09:26 AM

Eddie will win. Eddie won't get infected. Eddie will be sanitary.

Chiwas · 07-02-2003, 12:02 PM

Magic and his team, has played several times here in Mexico against Najera's team. It started since Eddie became drafted. The center of the Oklahoma Sooners, who wasn't drafted, Avila, another Mexican and now center of the national team along Llamas, the first Mexican in the NBA, played in Johnson's team several games.

BRIAN27 · 07-02-2003, 11:53 PM

Magic did play in the 3 on 3 games on all-star weekend, and he didn't look good. Eddie will win easily.

mavsfanforever · 07-02-2003, 11:59 PM

We will forget Riga when the season starts. Josh Howard is much younger and better defender.

Mandyahl · 07-03-2003, 04:23 AM

i think we have pretty much already forgotten riga.

Chiwas · 07-03-2003, 10:33 AM

I was counting on Riga, and it seems Nellie too.

But he retreated! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Mandyahl · 07-08-2003, 10:14 PM

link

Najera, Magic thrill fans in Mexico

Pair teams up to teach, play and raise money for charities

07/09/2003

By DAVE WIELENGA / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

MAZATLAN, Mexico – Approximately 12,000 people came to Teodoro Mariscal Baseball Stadium on a hot and humid Tuesday afternoon to see a one-on-one showdown between their national hero and basketball's preeminent international ambassador.

Eduardo Najera looped in a 3-pointer to defeat Magic Johnson, 16-13. Thing is, the game really wasn't one-on-one, or even much of a game. Johnson and Najera had partners during the two 3 ½ -minute periods – boys in the first period, girls in the second – and the men mostly dished the ball to the kids, sometimes launched lazy outside shots or dropped in easy dunks, but never, not once, squared off against one another.

Nobody booed. Instead, Johnson and Najera, of the Dallas Mavericks, were cheered wildly by a crowd that spilled onto the field and strained against the circle of bodyguards who hurried them from the court. Along the way, both players threw their jerseys and shoes into the throngs of admirers. For two days, Johnson and Najera had tutored young players and raised money for children's charities. The people appreciated it.

Johnson predicted that Najera's example would bring other players out of Mexico into the NBA – not only because of his talent on the floor.

"The thing that makes Eduardo special is that he hasn't forgotten where he was born and raised," Johnson said.

Johnson said he is impressed with Najera on the court, too – although he thinks Najera should shoot more.

southern_sweets · 07-08-2003, 10:22 PM

I knew Eddie would win.

Eddie is awesome. A great player and a great person.

VIVA Najera!!!!!

ames7 · 07-08-2003, 11:35 PM

Aww, that's nice. What a cool thing to do. I do hope Eddie works on that jumper & his FT over the summer so he can shoot more.

Edit: Found a few pics on this page.

Chiwas · 07-08-2003, 11:49 PM

What did I like more? That the news appeared in The Dallas Morning News.

Quote:

Johnson predicted that Najera's example would bring other players out of Mexico into the NBA – not only because of his talent on the floor.

Hope so, hope so. Don't you? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Quote:

although he thinks Najera should shoot more.

Oh Magic, should you had said it? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/img]

Quote:

Along the way, both players threw their jerseys and shoes into the throngs of admirers. For two days, Johnson and Najera had tutored young players and raised money for children's charities. The people appreciated it.

I appreciate Magic for doing so in Mexico.

Chiwas · 07-22-2003, 11:43 AM

Today's Najera news.

Najera is in Dallas right now. Cuban asked him to not play the Pre Olympics if he isn't recovered 100% of the knee. (Mark is affraid that Eddie beats the US [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img])

- Eddie says the knee is hurting and doubts to be at 100% for the games. He canceled the trip to LA for the rehab, cause the Mavs doc considers that in Dallas he can have the same rehab, and will be doing it the next two weeks.

Mavs conditions Eddie. (In spanish)