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Rockets Sign Kostas Papanikolaou

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by BimaThug, Aug 8, 2014.

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rocketpower2 Member

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Team Option and Non-Guaranteed is huge. No wonder why the overpay happened

#121 rocketpower2, Aug 8, 2014

rocketsballin Member

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oh 4.8m then 4.6...uhh...i'll take it anyway. would've liked a 2year/4m deal, thought morey would work his cheap contract magic.

#122 rocketsballin, Aug 8, 2014
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The_Yoyo said: ↑

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Pd-U-FeiG9w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Thank you much for the intro to the newest Rocket

could his nick be Pop I guess not we have a Pop in the NBA

#123 Naismith, Aug 8, 2014
clos4life Member

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batkins said: ↑

I like the acquisition but don't understand why we gave him the contract we did. If we have to cut him to make a deal next summer, we waste his draft rights just for one year. I doubt we'll have to though...
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There is always trading him for Durant... :grin::grin::grin:

#124 clos4life, Aug 8, 2014
BMoney Member

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cheke64 said: ↑

This is ridiculous. Insane
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It's going to be ok, man.

#125 BMoney, Aug 8, 2014
Amir's Johnson Member

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Nickname: Papageorgio

#126 Amir's Johnson, Aug 8, 2014
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cheke64 said: ↑

This is ridiculous. Insane
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Bro, enough. We get it.

#127 RV6, Aug 8, 2014

pwnyxpress Member

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So weird...we're going to go from a team that was no defense to a team known for its defense this upcoming season...

I feel it!

#128 pwnyxpress, Aug 8, 2014
shastarocket Member

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Looking at his contract structure, I'm glad we spent the money on him and not someone like Marion.

#129 shastarocket, Aug 8, 2014
mfastx Member

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Jeez, that sure is a lot of money.

For us to pay him that much, he should be able to step right in and contribute this season.

Expectations are high for him, 2yrs/10mil? He's like our 4th highest paid player lol.

#130 mfastx, Aug 8, 2014
Raven Member

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Interesting

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/kostas-papanikolaou

#131 Raven, Aug 8, 2014
REEKO_HTOWN I'm Rich Biiiiaaatch!

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shastarocket said: ↑

Looking at his contract structure, I'm glad we spent the money on him and not someone like Marion.
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But Marion is someone I know! I know his name! I can talk to my buddies about him and they know who he is!!

#RocketKaren

#132 REEKO_HTOWN, Aug 8, 2014

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mfastx said: ↑

Jeez, that sure is a lot of money.

For us to pay him that much, he should be able to step right in and contribute this season.

Expectations are high for him, 2yrs/10mil? He's like our 4th highest paid player lol.
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He is going to contribute this season. This guy may not be oozing with potential, but that's because he's a solid player already. Technically it's just a one year deal. Had to pay more to get him out of europe, otherwise, we'll never know what he can really do here.

#133 RV6, Aug 8, 2014

J.R. Member

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DraftExpress(2012)

A productive role-player for the Greek National team and European powerhouse Olympiakos, Kostas Papanikolaou has been a steady contributor at the EuroLeague level for two years. After a tremendous showing this past week at the Euroleague Final Four in Istanbul, making all five of his 3-pointers and scoring a Euroleague career-high 18 points in the championship game victory, Papanikolaou's stock has risen to the point that it wouldn't be surprising at all to see a team take a shot on him in the second round on draft night.

An average athlete with an excellent feel for the game, good fundamentals, and terrific maturity, Papanikolaou's profile may not jump off the page on first glance, but his size, defensive prowess, experience and productivity at the highest levels of European basketball make him one of the most intriguing 1990-born international prospects automatically eligible for the 2012 NBA Draft.

Standing 6'8 with a solid frame, Papanikolaou has excellent size for a NBA small forward, though he sees time at both forward spots for the Euroleague champions Olympiacos. He runs the floor with purpose, and is able to play above the rim when he has a head of steam, but is otherwise an average athlete. He isn't explosive from a stand-still and his limited agility makes it difficult for him to create his own shot in one-on-one situations, but his non-stop motor and willingness to initiate contact allow him to make some plays by virtue of his physical tools in the European game.

On the offensive end, Papanikolaou spends most of his time out on the perimeter, even if quite a few of his possessions end at the rim as a result of his off-ball movement. Not a terribly assertive scorer, Papanikolaou functions as a complementary player, seldom forcing the issue and making smart reads playing off his teammates. He's turned the ball over just 30 times so far this year in nearly 1000 minutes, about once for every 40 Euroleague minutes he plays.

Nearly half of Papanikolaou's touches come in spot-up situations according to Synergy Sports Technology, and the lefty has been a sporadic catch and shoot player in recent seasons. He is the definition of a rhythm shooter, seldom making a contested shot or a long jumper that he doesn't simply step into, but he's knocked down 39% of his catch and shoot jumpers this season. Showing a quick release and solid shooting mechanics, he's been a little streaky at times this year, making just 34% of his 3-pointers on the season. Considering how heavily his contributions offensively revolve around this part of his game, he'll need to continue improving his consistency to reach his full potential in the European game or otherwise, but his showing this past weekend at the Final Four was clearly a major and very visible step forward.

Apart from his touches as a spot-up shooter, most of Papanikolaou's shots come right at the rim. He isn't adept at creating his own shot, and is only a decent ball-handler, even if he does occasionally push the ball up the floor himself or beat his man and get to the rim with a straight-line drive. Extremely active off the ball, Papanikolaou proves to be a capable finisher at the rim, using his body well and showing good touch. He struggles to finish over and around athletic shot-blockers, but gets the job done in the paint at this level with timing and smarts, converting 60% of his field goal attempts inside the arc.

Defensively, Papanikolaou is rock solid at the Euroleague level. By no means is he a lock down defender, but he competes every possession, always boxes out, makes some plays in the passing lanes thanks to his anticipation, and does a terrific job pestering his man off the ball. Spending time defending both forward spots, Papaniolaou is better suited to defend the three, as his lack of size and tremendous physical strength can be a challenge for him in the post. His average lateral quickness may render him slightly less effective at the NBA level, but his fundamentals and basketball IQ would surely help him hold his own against better athletes. He's also a solid rebounder, particularly on the offensive end due to his activity level.

One of the most mature and polished players in this year's group of automatically eligible international prospects, Papanikolaou is by no means a glamorous player. He may not be an aggressive enough scorer for certain NBA coaches, but his size, defensive prowess, ability to accept and fill an important role, knack for playing low-mistake basketball, and reputation as a winner at every level he's played at make him one of the most intriguing role-playing prospects available in the second round.

Best Case: Omri Casspi
Worst Case: Walter Hermann
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NBA.com(2012)

Strengths:
* Solid athleticism with good explosiveness and quickness
* Strong leaper and a solid rebounder
* Great hustle and aggressiveness
* Lefty, can score inside and outside
* Can play both the 2 and the 3
* Works very well off the ball

Weaknesses:
* Lateral quickness needs improvement
* Needs more consistency from long range
* Hasn’t shown much ability to create shot off the dribble

NBA Projection:
Papakikolaou could be a mid-late second round pick. If he wants to find a place for himself in the NBA will need to work on his outside shot (find consistency and some off dribble ability) and figure out the defensive concerns around him. Some athletic improvement is possible. With some strides and the proper development, we can see Papanikolaou in the rotation of a NBA franchise in the future.

Reminds me of:
A cross between Manu Ginobili and Luke Jackson, he’ll never be as good as Ginobili but he’ll be better than Jackson.

What Insiders say:

Nick Gibson, SLAM On-line
"I was instructed by both an NBA and a Euroleague official to take a peek at this kid that had impressed them in limited time vs. San Antonio. It didn’t take long for Kostas to make an impression; he dove for loose balls, grabbed boards, and what struck me most was the way he cut fearlessly across the middle, hands up and ready to receive. In a few minutes against LeBron and Co. the following day, same story. If he expands his already diversified offensive game and keeps the attitude on track, we could see him reach Carlos Delfino levels in just a few years."

Luka Bassin, International Scout and Coach
"He raised his stock a lot during Euroleague Final Four where he showed not only his technical and tactical attributes but the most important thing in sports – to have a heart and that he is not affraid of big games. Could be the steal of the draft."

Alejandro Gonzalez, International Scout, NetScouts Basketball
"Papanikolaou has the position size and ability to be successful in the NBA. His ability to work and produce off the ball may make him more suitable to the European style but the NBA potential is definitely there."

Rafael Uehara, The Basketball Post
"After the Euroleague final, Papanikolaou will possibly be a commodity in the second round. He’s shown the ability to perform in the grand stage against elite class competition. With his combination of terrific defensive hustle and instincts and an offensive skill set of intuitive cutting and quality shooting NBA teams have to take notice"
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#134 J.R., Aug 8, 2014
shastarocket Member

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REEKO_HTOWN said: ↑

But Marion is someone I know! I know his name! I can talk to my buddies about him and they know who he is!!

#RocketKaren
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To be fair, I don't know if I anyone here can consistently spell Kpap's last name correctly.

#135 shastarocket, Aug 8, 2014
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K Pap can prob already give us better minutes than Garcia and Casspi would lol

#136 Zbed, Aug 8, 2014
napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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Naismith said: ↑

Thank you much for the intro to the newest Rocket

could his nick be Pop I guess not we have a Pop in the NBA
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You're right - I'm not sure Pops Mensah-Bonsu would appreciate his nickname being taken.

#137 napalm06, Aug 8, 2014
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Raven said: ↑

Interesting

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/kostas-papanikolaou
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This is why he's not another Boki

Strengths: Lefty Forward who has good form on his jumper...has a strong wide body in the post and is not afraid to fight for position...ish greatest strength is his jump shot as he is a good shooter both at the free throw line and behind the arc...when defenses crowd his shots he has the ability to drive and go to the hole...2009 Greek Best Young Player...MVP of the 2009 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championships where he led Greece to the Gold Medal...2010 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championships Silver Medalist and All-Tournament team member...In August of 2009 made his first appearance with the Greek National Team.
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You can see him literally banging his way down in the post in one of the videos. Boki was never that kind of player.

#138 RV6, Aug 8, 2014

craguin Member

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mrm32 said: ↑

This guy averaged 52% from the 3 point line two years ago?
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Haymitch said: ↑

On how many attempts per game?
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PAPANIKOLAOU - 2012-2013 STATISTICS

#139 craguin, Aug 8, 2014
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He's a lefty. That's all the information I need. Morey's infatuation continues.... And I hope it pays of.

#140 Rokman, Aug 8, 2014

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