Derrick Walton, Jr. signs with Sydney Kings (Australian league)
Thread title should be Walt a Kin. Try harder next time, Vlady.
fewer words/symbols is better?
"D a K"
congrats to Derrick!
Are the "Pistons" genuinely NBA experience?
The Pistons are 1 of 8 franchises with 3 or more NBA Titles, we’ll be back in the hunt in a few years.
Was that clip from 1991, when the Bulls finally beat the Pistons after they bounced them from the playoffs three years in a row? Also, haven't the Pistons won a title and been to the finals more recently than the Bulls?
Jerry Krause, circa 1998 - "We need to make adjustments now. Otherwise we'll end up like the Celtics."
Larry Bird, when asked to comment re above - "They wanted to be us when we were kicking their ass."
I think it is. Also, despite getting his pocket picked in this GIF, Dumars graced the cover of Sports Illustrated for being the only one in the League who could guard MJ. The playoff game I went to, I believe Joe D. held Jordan to 9 points as the Pistons beat the Bulls and advanced.
imagine posting a comment thinking it was cool then getting pooped on for being ridiculously incorrect
Congrats Derrick. If you're gonna be play lower level international ball, Australia's a pretty good country to land in
Best wishes to King Derrick.
As a "Down Under" aside: a college friend is currently vacationing in nearby Tasmania with her husband. While out shopping, she found a store loaded with UM merchandise - and with not a STAEE item in sight.
Tasmanians obviously have excellent taste.
I also certainly feels like the right time to be leaving the states and heading to Australia. Go get em DWJr.
Well, yeah, it's winter there!
oh my, look who has a new avatar. vlady, that is a dandy! you da' man.
Take your mates out to Hungry Jacks for a woppah!
They play dirty down there.
UFC 270 Main Event? It's Tiiime!
Derrick's royal.
Go, Walton! Go, Wolverines!
Does this mean he's not playing summer league? I would have hoped with the Spurs apparently tanking and trading Murray that he'd get a shot at bench minutes at least.
Fair dinkum, as they say. I bet making decent money in a town like Sydney as a professional athlete would be loads of fun (and a little better than Poland).
One of my favorites. Pure class and effort. I loved his cup of coffee with the Pistons last year. I think he's getting every drop out of his pro career. Sounds like he's going to a good team in Australia. Kick some ass, No. 10!
He's gone to a land down under
Where women glow and men plunder
Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder
You better run, you better take cover
Good luck, Derrick.
Men plunder? I always thought the word was ‘chunder’, slang for vomiting.
That's the next chorus:
And he said, "I come from a land down under
Where beer does flow and men chunder"
The first chorus is from the POV of a strange lady.
Out of curiosity, I looked up what types of salaries, Australian NBL players make. Looks like $120,000 - $250,000 USD/year for "Imports" such as Walton. Not a bad gig and getting to live in Sydney for a stint.
https://www.josecolorado.com/blog/Australia-nbl-basketball-salaries
Thanks - I was just about to ask about this!
Hell get free housing and car as well.
OK, some fascinating facts about the NBL and the Sydney Kings:
- Starting with the big one, there's a team in this league called the Tasmania JackJumpers. They have not one but TWO home arenas. And yes, I will be shopping for some Tasmania JackJumpers gear.
- The Sydney Kings play in an 18,000-seat NBA-sized arena that was built for the Sydney Olympics. It has four seating levels.
- The Kings are coached by former Kansas player Chase Buford.
- Derrick is currently the only American player on the roster. Past players have included Al Harrigton, Stephen Jackson and Andrew Bogut.
- The NBL calls its finals the "Grand Finals." The Kings have won the Grand Finals four times, most recently in 2022.
- Lastly, there's a very notable Michigan connection to the Sydney Kings. From 2016-19, the Kings were coached by Andrew Gaze - the same Andrew Gaze who played for Seton Hall in the 1989 NCAA final. The NBL's MVP trophy is named after him, so I'm really hoping that Derrick Walton Jr. will win the 2023 Andrew Gaze Trophy.
Congrats! He represented the school excellently. A blast to watch play. Good luck down under mate
Houston killed it last night