China Update: Kenyon Martin & Peter John Ramos

People playing in China can play in the NBA in March. I've mentioned about re-signing Josh Boone. Now let's talk Nuggets (Kenyon Martin, Wilson Chandler, J. R. Smith) and a tall dude named Peter John Ramos.

KENYON MARTIN: Martin hadn't played well or his Chinese team and they released him. However, they're holding his rights until the season ends in March. I loved Kenyon Martin as a Net, but that was a long time ago and I think it's time to move on. Injuries and age have taken a toll.

From ESPN:

Posted: December 21, 2011, 8:36 PM ET

Report: Kenyon Martin off Xinjiang

(...)

The Flying Tigers' adherence to the rules, however, might dampen any hopes that other established NBA players who signed in China during the lockout -- Wilson Chandler, J.R. Smith and Aaron Brooks -- to return to the NBA sooner than expected.

Based on new rules instituted for this season in China, teams there were told that they could only sign NBA free agents and could not grant out clauses to those players to come back to the United States in the event of the lockout ending. That meant Martin, Chandler, Smith and Brooks knew they were likely committing to staying through the end of the Chinese Basketball Association season in March before having the freedom to sign a new NBA deal.

J.R SMITH: Smith has been the leading scorer in the Chinese league and plays on the same team as Josh Boone. If Morrow goes in a Dwight Howard deal, J. R. Smith is a welcome replacement. Just a great scorer.

WILSON CHANDLER: Chandler has been scoring well in China, although not quite at J. R. Smith's rate. If the Nets can get him, then get him. Scorers are welcome.

PETER JOHN RAMOS: This is the big question mark. He plays on the same Guangsha team as Wilson Chandler. The coach is NBA veteran Jim Cleamons.

Peter John Ramos is 7'3 1/2" and would be the tallest player in the NBA. He is of Puerto Rican descent and he was raised in New York City--always good for marketing.

He never went to college, but played semi-pro ball and was OK in the D-league in 2006-07. He was drafted by the Washington Wizards in 2004, but played only briefly. He's still only 26 years old.

From Asia Basket:

Ramos' double-double lands him Player of the Week award - Dec 19, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

26-year old center Peter John Ramos (222-C-85) put on an amazing game in the last round for Guangsha L. and receives a Asia-basket.com Player of the Week award for round 13.
He had a double-double of 34 points and 14 rebounds, while his team beat Shanxi Zh. (#8, 6-5) 126-112. Guangsha L. maintains the 3rd position in Chinese league. They would have been even better if they hadn't lost a few games earlier this season. Guangsha L. will need more victories to improve their 8-4 record. Ramos turned to be Guangsha L.'s top player in his first season with the team. Ramos has impressive league stats. He is in league's top in rebounds (3rd best: 13.4rpg) and averages solid 1.6bpg and 61.6% FGP.

A front line of Peter John Ramos and Dwight Howard would be absolutely massive.

Can Ramos play in the NBA? The one person who knows is coach Jim Cleamons. The Nets might want to give him a call.

In yesterday's game, Ramos played 26 minutes and finished with 25 points and 16 rebounds. Curiously, he didn't record a block.

SUMMARY:

There are other players to look at, but J. R. Smith and Wilson Chandler are the obvious NBA targets. Josh Boone also, Kenyon Martin not so much.

Peter John Ramos??

From NiuBBall.com:

The arrival of P.J. Ramos and his effect on Guangsha

Edward Bothfeld

December 22nd, 2011

Back on November 29th, the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions made the first major roster move of the season. Just five games in, they released the ineffective Dwayne Jones and brought in Peter John Ramos. Now having played seven games with his new team, NiuBBall is taking a look at Ramos’ effect on his teammates.

Obviously, Ramos has been a welcomed addition to the Lions. In his seven games with Guangsha, he is averaging 24.1 points and 13.4 rebounds. Compare these numbers with Dwayne Jones, who he replaced and averaged 6.4 points and 10.2 rebounds in five games, and you can see how much of an impact Ramos has had.