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I'm very excited about seeing Papa play this year. He brings a very intriguing blend of skills off the bench. He's a very crafty player, who although looks awkward is very deceptive, both on the offensive and defensive ends. Once he gets his range on the 3FG down, his versatility could be instrumental in our run this year. His court awareness and passing skills are above average. His ball handling is pretty good, but coupled with his unorthodox mechanics he's getting by folks and/or finishing against tough defense. I really like his ability to play 3-4, and even a little 2. When Harden's out, he appears to be our next best facilitator. With Ariza and Papa, maybe I won't miss Chandler so much.
His defensive awareness vs the Spurs was awesome to watch. Especially in that 2nd quarter, it was like he could anticipate where the ball would end up in the Spurs' passing attack. Must be that Euro-style passing. There was one instance when Papa waited in the lane, eyes tracking the ball and sure enough the Spurs ended up with a guy going down the middle. Papa was there to foil the attempt. He may not be fast by NBA standards, but the game is not too fast for him.
Has anyone suggested the nickname Kostas Pop-a-dick-in-ya-mouth? Inappropriate, yes. Best reserved to be used in the Game Chats of course.
he is very crafty with his in the lane passing. I just wish he cuts down on the bounce passes to the forwards and instead goes with up in the air passes.
His 2nd blog entry is up. This is via google translate so here goes ... http://nba.sport24.gr/article/3107385/kai-twra-o-kobe-bryant Kostas Papanikolaou writes for the premiere in the NBA against the Lakers of Kobe Bryant and expresses his admiration for the champions Spurs. Hi all, I am very happy to start the NBA championship while impatient. Firstly from the first preseason game I was very excited about the fact that finally became reality in my dream and I'm in the NBA. The real, however, the league starts now in a much-golf, which I have seen so many times on TV, the Staples Center. I can not imagine better conditions for my debut in the NBA. Against the Lakers, and the opportunity to be confronted with one of the leading sports in Kobe Bryant. The truth is that I have not thought of, nor have even digest. It is a difficult and long road to walk to become better and win a seat to the rotation of the Rockets. Even in the team there has been no word about our first opponent. I imagine it will be at practice Monday, which would actually start preparing for the showdown with the Lakers. I am satisfied with how the season went friendly. It is certainly a bit strange the whole process, because I did not expect to have so much time to participate. At the same time I realized how to play friendly, has nothing to do with the time of participation in officially. So I keep a small basket and I'm prepared for all eventualities. When you are for the first year in the NBA, is luxury to think that you will have time to participate. I can not think so high. So I see. I came in totally different conditions and behavior in relation to what I experienced at the European level. My goal is to be ready to meet the requirements when I asked to press on the court. Provide me in this effort, is the culture of the elite, cultivated in me playing for Olympiakos, Barcelona and the national team. Should star every year and are invited to make this year the Rockets in the West. Carved my character, the pressure conditions created by the championship in Europe and at the same time I learned not to settle for anything other than the first. It was happiness for me, I had many teammates in a metal. I can not think of anything less than the top. The same goes for the Rockets. The team works very hard in training. All show terrible mood. From Howard and Harden, until the rookies, like me. We can not make predictions, but it is certain that we will continue to improve day by day. Confess how friendly it was an exciting experience. Several times I caught myself staring at the ground, it is very great difference in culture that exist around a match -even filiko- NBA, and gameplay in general. If I can find a top moment would choose the friendly champions Spurs. . I was impressed by the huge Ginobili, o Duncan and Parker. Especially Ginobili, who all say how einaimegalos age, is so fast that it does not have time. The sharpness of Parker is unique. In the first three minutes had four assists. The Duncan is methodical in his movements as surgeon and ekmtallefetai every mistake defense in the paint. The saw all this from the TV, but it is different to watch live, in-game. Generally during the pre season I gained considerable experience. Efstochisa some baskets ... crazy, but these are more for the fans and not for me. Some appearances highlights not guarantee anything. Besides the regular season will be much different. Not going to go mad because I put a couple of baskets falling! I was very pleased with that at all friendly, saw Greek flags in the stands and my compatriots to come to speak to me after the matches. Until I came here I could not fully understand how important it is for them to see Greek play. It's all very warm. I wish you success and always say is how proud of their ancestry. The Greeks located in Houston, is so warm with me, that I really 'have enslaved the behavior and mood. Of course I feel ambassador Greek basketball in the NBA. Which I managed to become another Greek representative in the top league in the world. The door of the NBA is not closed for Greek players. Just be RTHOUN here has to do with how they are determined to xevoleftoun and start from scratch. Why I am doing here. I start again from scratch. I'm not saying that I will be here for many years. I do not know. The only thing I can guarantee myself is that will hunt up there that does not get. At the level of everyday life I find a rhythm. There are things that are still in the middle, in relation to adaptation, home and car. They are things to be solved but directly. I have highly customized. I feel great that I'm in the wonderful city of Houston. They have come parents and my brother to help me and those to prepare the house and helped me a lot. Without those I would be back, because with training and travel, not left much time to deal with anything else. I want once again to tell you how glad we hold this contact, through the NBA GREECE and the Rockets.com, for American fans. See you again soon. Do you support the Rockets. Costas
Watching his highlights all put together like that he really reminds me of a taller Goran Dragic just in terms of movements, shot creation, craftiness, and overall demeanor.
Hello Guys, I'm a greek from Athens, read the original post in greek from Pap's blog and must warn you it's google translation posted above is dangerously messy to the point that distorts the actual points the guy wants to make. Wish I had the time to translate it myself , but all in all Kostas describes how realistic he is about his rookie season, that he is eager to work hard to get minutes in the rotation and how excited he is to be in the NBA and Houston- where he feels absolutely great. Also he points out that he' s been accustomed to play for championship teams that always go for the 1st position and he sees Rox to be such a team and he's ready to contribute so that they reach the top. Last sentence is " Support the Rockets" and that's how he ends all of is blog posts.
I just hope they will call him his full name, the constant nagging about nicknames in the last pre-season game was tiresome. Not everybody should have a nickname, especially not one that rhymes (KP for three) that could be a hiphop name like K-Pap or KP for that matter, but also big poppa though it's not that bad..just stick with his name and stop forcing it. No more porno or corny names, I'm looking at you Bullard with your freaking Bud let's party and chandler bang...
Thanks for posting that. Kostas sounds like a Rudy T kind of guy. Hungry and humble. The attitude he expresses is about as good as it gets.
"I feel great that I'm in the wonderful city of Houston." - Kostas Papanikolaou A new addition to my sig.
