<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> Oleksiy Pecherov wasn't the only honored guest at the Washington Ukrainian Festival in Silver Spring a few weeks ago. But standing 7 feet tall and wearing cool wraparound shades and several yards of beige fabric, he clearly was the most visible.</p> Accompanied by his parents, Vladimir and Olga, and his younger brother, Sasha, on a steamy Saturday afternoon, the 21-year-old Pecherov acted sincerely glad to be at the event.</p> The Washington Wizards' first-round draft pick in 2006 was introduced and said a few words of thanks. He checked out the dancers and musicians and strolled among the craft and food booths, stopping to chat, sign autographs and pose for pictures. He sampled the native cuisine, which he deemed acceptable. He got to meet the Ukrainian ambassador, Oleh Shamshur, who said of Pecherov, "I'm not an expert, but he's an excellent player."</p> Despite the heat, Pecherov, who goes by "Pech," was gracious and accommodating to a fault. He likes to talk. He smiled often, greeting all who wanted to welcome him to the area or just say hello.</p> "I'm glad they invited me, and I'm glad to participate," he said in heavily accented but understandable English. "I feel comfortable here, like it's part of my country. They got a lot of stuff going on here."</p> The festival was another means of facilitating Pecherov's coming to America. His family is helping with the transition by spending a month with him before returning to Kharkov, the second-largest city in Ukraine. Pecherov loves his hometown so much he sounds like a member of the chamber of commerce or whatever it's called over there.</p> "People know the capital, Kiev, but they don't know Kharkov," he said. "It's very beautiful. If you have the chance, you should go there. We've got a lot of stuff there."</div></p> Source: The Washington Times</p> </p>
He's a lot like most European power forwards in the league, take Andrea Bargnani if you will. In the summer league, Pecherov always hung around the perimeter waiting for an open 3 pointer which he knocked down. He got position in the post once in a while, but he didn't seem to comfortable down there and he doesn't seem he could the same against bigger competition in the NBA. He can crash the boards on both ends, but he's not strong enough to establish a presence in the paint, but that was all during July and we're hoping he gains muscle.
He's a lot like most European power forwards in the league, take Andrea Bargnani if you will. In the summer league, Pecherov always hung around the perimeter waiting for an open 3 pointer which he knocked down. He got position in the post once in a while, but he didn't seem to comfortable down there and he doesn't seem he could the same against bigger competition in the NBA. He can crash the boards on both ends, but he's not strong enough to establish a presence in the paint, but that was all during July and we're hoping he gains muscle.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (peg182)</div><div class='quotemain'>i'm interested to see this guy play. can anyone tell me anything about Pecherov?</div></p> </p> From what we saw in the summer league he's definitely talented. He follows a terrific three point jumper with the ability to rebound. I was very impressed with Pecherov's performance and am excited to see what he can bring to the 5 spot this up-coming season. </p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (peg182)</div><div class='quotemain'>hm, that sounds good...except isn't there already another Wizard like that?</div></p> </p> I think you may be referring to Darius Songaila, Dsong mainly comes off of screens and knocks down mid-range jumper. He's a decent rebounder and mediocre banger. They have similarities but I don't think Songaila will be getting a ton of minutes this season behind Blatche and Jamison.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GArenas)</div><div class='quotemain'> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (peg182)</div><div class='quotemain'>hm, that sounds good...except isn't there already another Wizard like that?</div></p> </p> I think you may be referring to Darius Songaila, Dsong mainly comes off of screens and knocks down mid-range jumper. He's a decent rebounder and mediocre banger. They have similarities but I don't think Songaila will be getting a ton of minutes this season behind Blatche and Jamison. </p> </p> </div> </p> I'm actually referring to Blatche, but Songaila works too.
