I am prone to fixations on foreign point guards. My latest obsession (Rubio? Old news! Prigioni? Old guy!) is Marcelo "Marcelinho" Huertas, who put in stellar performances in two losing efforts - losing by two points to the US, and by 4 points to Argentina (where he scored a heroic 32, but was out-heroed by Scola's 37). This guy is a great size for a PG, and plays EXCELLENT pick and roll with a center - in his case, both on the Brazil national team and on Caja Laboral, with Tiago Splitter. In fact, his greatest achievement may have been sweeping the seemingly unbeatable Barcelona in the ACB playoffs. This would be like the Blazers sweeping the Miami Heat in the 2011 finals - except perhaps even more of an upset. Barcelona were seen as pretty much unbeatable, and had toyed with the best teams in Europe in the Euroleague, so weren't expected to have any trouble in their own league. So basically, he's a big game player and a true PG. He's also very quick and athletic. Basically he's Bayless with less hops but actual PG skills. He's also a FA, and after his performance for Brazil this Summer it would be pretty much astounding if he didn't land an NBA job. Here's his performance against Argentina: [video=youtube;8RjxZSs4l6g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RjxZSs4l6g[/video]
You're a bit like "the boy who cried wolf" with your obsession, it's gotten to the point where I pretty much automatically dismiss whatever flavor of the month you trot out there. Is Huertas going to be the exception? I doubt it, and sadly I can't even be bothered to watch the video to get a taste of what he can do because of you pimping these guys for years.
I'll pass on another cry baby Euro (and yes, I realize Huertas is from Brazil). I mean, were pushing our luck with a saint like Batum. Seriously though, when I've watched Huertas he is good at pick n' roll ball, but his offense consists of ugly looking floaters. I haven't seen too many of them go down either.
He's from Brazil. Not really a Euro. That said, I'm not sure if we'd be interested in another project for our PGotF.
More fool you, because Rubio, Prigioni and Huertas are all good - all of them younger than Miller and all of them better than Bayless. It's not as if I realize they're crap and move on, it's just that I realize how much talent there is out there. To what? Your loss, lazy-ass.
I only watched him against the US - and he was pretty good. This guy is definitely an NBA caliber PG, imho.
+1. I appreciate your insights about these players. I think the talent difference between American prospects and foreign ones is getting smaller every year, and these guys are nothing to scoff at.
The 2005 NBA draft passed him over. Some players get a lot better by their mid-20s. I don't think his contract ends for another year, so NBA scouts can watch him, and take their time deciding whether to invite him to a 2011 training camp.
I'm not saying they aren't good, I'm just saying you've ruined a lot foreign point guards for me. Living up to your hype FWIW, I don't have a problem with foreign players, but I just don't get why you only pimp foreign point guards ...
I found this write up by Jonathan Givony enlightening Just what this team needs, another defensively challenged point guard.
