Orange and Blue Hue » Bye, Nick… Enjoy Greece

Nick Calathes has left the building, ladies and gentlemen. If my shock over the matter seems rather lacking, it’s simply because we’ve all seen this one coming for a long time.

He’s going to Greece.

The short-lived Nick Calathes era is over at Florida.

Calathes confirmed in a text message to The Sun on Saturday that he will forgo his junior season at Florida to play professionally in Greece. He did not return additional calls seeking comment.

A source close to Calathes’ family said the 6-foot-5 guard from Casselberry had agreed to a three-year contract with reigning Euroleague Basketball champion Panathinaikos. The source said the deal, with incentives, could pay Calathes up to $2 million per season.

Hey, in today’s economy, a $2 million dollar paycheck is hard to pass up. We understand the dollars and cents part of the equation.

Calathes leaves behind an incomplete legacy at Florida, likely to be buried as a brief two-year interlude of brightness in otherwise forgettable, downtrodden times for Gator hoops. Calathes, despite his brilliant play, never competed in the NCAA Tournament, never won a championship of any sort and must bear the somewhat uninspiring mantle of “best player on a mediocre team.” In fact, Calathes was often the best player on the court regardless of whom the Gators happened to be playing any given night. He was that good. But for all his individual highlight reel no-look passes, he was never the catalyst that charged and inspired his team to greatness. Timmy Tebow, you are not, sir.

Enjoy the great pay and life on the road in Europe. We here at Orange and Blue Hue wish you the best of luck. And we mean that sincerely.

P.S. May the blinding and seemingly constant glory of Florida football continue to keep our hoops issues in the shadows.

6 Comments so far

This is not a surprise, but it still hurts. NIT for the 3rd straight year? Maybe…

Shouldn’t hurt too much with Kenny Boynton on the way.

I am ready to get on with ‘Life After Nick’. The news that he has gone seems to be energizing the uncommitted 1s and 2s. God help us if we have any injuries in the guard group.

1974Gator: I feel the same way. He was a good player for us, but he’s gone now, and I’m not going to spend too much time wondering about what could have been. He moved on, so must we.

Highlight film no look passes sailing out of bounds, and crossover dribble of his foot at crucial moments.

Mark my words– we will be better without him. Sweet Sixteen here we come! Watch! The Tyus/Kadji/Macklin era is upon us. I am soooooo excited!

I also predicted he would be in greece, not the NBA, on a previous post’s comments. Disagree at your own peril!

Did you hear that Janoris Jenkins got Tasered?

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