Fouling on purpose, a FT game now, Serbia makes them, up 6. Fournier likes to grease back his hair like Pat Riley.
Bogie made his last one a couple minutes ago. Gobert on the bench. Batum a 3 with 2 seconds left! 3 down.
Understanding this was a do or die situation for his country and he had to produce. Hopefully this is some things to come for the next season. I think he has another level or two in him. And if he reaches it, it should put him right about All Star caliber. And he will really help the team
Today IMO France played the best when he was the facilitator. He only had 2 assists but that was because of the missed shots by his teammates. He made some great passes. He started shooting in the 4th when it was obvious he had to. But we have all seen that before. I think he can continue to improve his passing skills, but I don't think he will ever be a great volume scorer. He will always defer to Dame and LMA. He will hit big shots in the clutch though. I agree he can get better (and needs to) but I am not sure his scoring will go up by much. I would be happy if he increase his PPg to about 17.
Aldridge holds back Batum, who will always be just our #2 forward, deferring to #1. Aldridge should shoot less.
If he changes how he goes about/views the game. If he takes each game serious and doesn't pick and choose when he turns it off and on, that will be an improvement. That will effect every stat line there is in the book. This one area is where I expect him mature if not this season, seasons to come.
No one is holding Nic back but Nic. You think if Aldridge shoots less then Batum would not defer as much? I think it is the other way around. Nic needs to be more aggressive with his shots so it takes the pressure off of LA. No doubt in my mind that LA would welcome that.
Teodosic was 24/12. He'd be a starter in the NBA. They said he's kind of cold-hearted like Kobe, not especially liked by teammates. He's Serbia's best player but doesn't want to join the NBA, I think.
He's also got a bit of a reputation of folding in the clutch. And he doesn't play defense worth a shit. But he can shoot the lights out most of the time. He's a bit like Vasilis Spanoulis - incredibly crafty but a step slow. I'm actually intrigued by Nemanja Bjelica - he's sort of Kukoc-like. Or if you like, slow white Lamar Odom. Timberwolves have his rights. I think he's Heurtel's teammate in his day job.
That article is 2 years old. He folded in the clutch today, too. Look at my box score link, and switch to his shooting chart for the 4th quarter.