Joey Dorsey: I wanted to leave Galatasaray

Vassilis Spanoulis, lord of European hoops and point-guard for Olympiacos, made a strong pitch to lure Joey Dorsey back to Greece, according to sources.

But Dorsey, a 31-year-old hulk for Turkish giant Galatasaray, is good in Istanbul, though flattered by the recruiting offer.

Sources said that following Galatasaray's 83-76 road win over AEK Athens a week ago, where Dorsey registered 10 points and 9 rebounds through 19 minutes, Spanoulis made a half-hour recruiting run to convince his former 2012 Euroleague championship jumpman teammate to re-sign with Olympiacos.

"I wanted to leave Galatasaray," Dorsey said after struggles with head-coach Ergin Ataman. "Dorsey was almost out of the team, but his last couple of games have been great. He is more committed," a club insider commented.

Dorsey, a former NBA center for the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, and Toronto Raptors, is one of the most dominant big men overseas. He was also voted Most Valuable Player of the Turkish All-Star game, and Defensive Player of the Year in Greece.  

Dorsey, a skilled high-level pick-and-roll finisher, encountered some struggles that almost triggered his exit from Galatasaray. He then, however, had a change of heart and elected to honor his commitment, posting 13 points and 11.1 boards through EuroCup games in Greece and Israel, including a season-high 16 points and 12 rebounds vs Hapoel Jerusalem.

Said Dorsey: "Where Is The Old Dorsey At? This is what they been saying all over the news an in the newspaper here overseas. I'm overweight an out of shape an lazy in practice. It hurt me so bad when I heard this, first of all I wanted to leave the team cause it was problems and guys being selfish, and after talking to coach nothing changed so I said fuck it but after talking to Spanoulis it wasn't professional to let my fan downs an not play good so I'm dedicating this year to the fans of Galatasaray".

Story by David Pick

Twitter: @IAmDPIck