Big Papa hasn't played since 2/21 because of his hurt ankle. Any updates on his situation? Will he even crack the rotation when he returns? I think our team would benefit from his play, but I'm not sure who's minutes he would take, right before the playoffs no less. I apologize if this thread is cumulative--I could not find any threads on K-Pap.
I haven't heard anything on him, but I hope he comes back soon. If Brewer does get moved to the starting lineup, Papanikolaou would be a big help off the bench behind Ariza.
it's been about a month... severe ankle sprains can easily take about that long to heal... I remember seeing a video of the incident and he was carried off the floor by teammates, so I imagine it was pretty severe. Plus, even if he was healthy, the rockets could be doing what they are doing to KJ (not playing him to deflate his value) so we could resign him again next year at a lower rate.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Daniel Hackett said Alessandro Gentile will join the <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets">@HoustonRockets</a> from next summer</p>— Sportando (@sportando) <a href="https://twitter.com/sportando/status/580644504576925697">March 25, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Gentile will be the next Pap although i don't know how will sign him with Smith, KJ and Brewer as FA this summer.
Not even the worst this year? http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/11/8/7177501/ricky-rubio-injury-minnesota-timberwolves
Certain types of ankle sprains take a long time to heal and his was bad enough per reports that he was carried off the court.
We were winning games by bigger margins earlier in the year partly because of him. He defends his position. Offensively, he often makes something out of nothing. When he doesn't have something he defers to a teammate. He just does winning things.
Thank you! People are undervaluing him way too much. The guy is our second best playmaker right after Harden and it showed earlier on in the year when mcfail actually gave him p.t. He plays with energy and like Yodels said 'just does winning things.' Give the man some respect.
All true but that was before the Arrival of Brewer and Josh Smith. No more minutes available at the 3 or stretch 4/Delfino role after those acquisitions.
kostas should never of been out of the rotation. he already proved himself in november with all the injuries. his shooting is the same as brewer's. he can defend 3s and 4s and some 2s. runs the floor well, has a pasing game, he can at least get to the basket. if they played him and brewer then harden and ariza would get the rest they need every game. first 2 months ariza's shot was terrible mainly cuz he was tired - avg almost 40mpg. and now in march harden's having his worst shooting month. in january both ariza and harden's minutes went down and efficienty up. they only needed to give him around 10mpg. he cant hurt u that much when he's only getthing thos eminutes. bad move on the coaching staff.
Papan's game isn't flourished but I think he deserved better. This team is not winning any trophy yet.
I really like Papa's game BUT he is not the missing link to a championship! Like others have already stated, the arrivals of Smith/Brewer have pretty much taken his minutes away, but that doesn't mean that he wont be valuable in the postseason. Good versatile players usually end up playing one way or another! ....... ....... .......
