Watching some videos of this kid. Reminds me of a former Blazer draft pick: Linas Kleiza He was a very serviceable bench player. Can we expect the same from him?
I was thinking along the same lines. With 4 years pro for a good euro team, I think he should be able to jump right in and give some help off the bench, mostly at the 3, but also at the 4 in emergencies. I have only watched clips, so I could be very wrong. Would love a detailed analysis from someone who actually watched a few games of his this season.
I'm kind of hoping he's more like Jorge Garbajosa. Kleisa was/is athletic but not a good defender, and not much of a lockerroom guy. Garbajosa was the ultimate team guy, and while a bit of a SF/PF tweener, a surprisingly effective defender. KP is known for his hardnosed defense.
Greek players haven't had much success in the NBA over the past decade. So few have even tried to come over.
I can't think of any apart from Spanoulis, who was buried on Jeff Van Gundy's bench. I think it has a lot to do with the health of the Greek League, or at least the top two teams. Spanoulis (like Navarro) actually opted out of an NBA contract to go back. They like their local food and being treated like rock stars. The atmosphere of an Olympiakos-Panathinaikos game tops any NBA arena, if you can handle the flying objects.
I have a hard time believing this "hardnosed defense" would ever be able to translate to the NBA. He'll get thrown around and left in the dust. I'd really us rather not waste draft picks on Europeans.
"Thrown around"? Who do you think he'll be guarding - Dwight Howard? Yeah, that #48 pick was just GOLD DUST! Just think, we missed out on Darius Johnson-Odom!
uh, it wasn't even our pick. It was a gift given to us for allowing the Knicks to pay Felton 3.4M. Literally something for nothing (we weren't signing Felton, and didn't expect anything in return for renouncing him).
Anyone watching the HOU game? He's still trying to find consistency in his jumper but you can see that he's going to be a player. Super high IQ and crafty. His fakes/hesitations are already Scola-Esque.
I call it how I see it. He went 1-8 from 3 and his form is rushed. Took the most shots tonight, and turned the ball over 3 times, ending at -7(worst on team tonight). Let me know if he actually improves his game and becomes an average player. Until then I'll be sitting here ecstatic that we unloaded this chump for T-Rob.
He just isn't that good. Reminds me of Vladimir Radmanovic. He'll stick but he isn't anything special.
I think I knew this guy, but I'm not sure which one. It was either the one I knew in 3rd grade, 7th grade, or 11th grade.
I'd rather have T-Rob playing 1/8 games, but getting 8 rebounds and not sucking, than have Kostas papanikalau throwing up 0-13% shooting nights 1/3 games.
His shot isn't falling .....at all. I really like his skillset but I'm glad that he's sucking for Houston. Eat it, Morey!
