I really think that the pap dog is going to fill the backup SF and then stretch PF role nicely off the bench. I like this signing. We still need one creator or so on the perimeter.
Agreed. I don't see much out there in FA so I'm crossing my fingers that Canaan pans out or something like that.
Offensive Carl, I usually let your comments slip, but, not this time. Your comment is utterly inappropriate and offensive. Who the hell are you to make a comment like this? Have you ever been to Greece? Do you even know what you are talking about? Oh sorry forgot, you are Carl Herrera and you never know what you are talking about. Quite bigoted and small minded of you Sir! ROCKET!!!
Canaan should replace Lin. I like Canaan, but he probably won't be considered an improvement regarding turnovers.
Does anybody have advanced stats for Papanikoleau? Just estimating/guessing, it seems that he might end up with some pretty strange results by plugging him into the John Hollinger Euro league conversion formula.
Well he never seems to force things and molds his game around his teammates. So he's going to be very difficult to project, but I expect good things if he doesn't change his approach.
Not sure if these are accurate, but try DraftExpress: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Kostas-Papanikolaou-6147/stats/
I'm having difficulty believing draft express has accurate standing reach, one step vertical, and max vertical measurements on Kostas. If he is really that unathletic he won't be anything but a spot-up shooter in the NBA. Those numbers have to be off.
Canaan is just a scorer, he is a poor creator and provides nothing on D. He can replace Lin's offense but he would be a ball stop and more turnover prone if asked to distribute.
Have you watched him play? He isn't anything special. He was a good but not great player in Europe. He is slow, a mediocre NBA athlete and not a great one in one player. He plays hard, has improved his fundamentals and has a strong head for the game. If anyone expects more than a role player/set shooter, they WILL be disapointed. The Rockets almost dealt his rights last year and offered him very little earlier this off season. The Rockets only upped their offer when there was no one they liked willing to sign for the MLE. Hell, they almost gave it to Charlie V. The signing of Pappy was as much for his 2nd year TO being dealable as it was for signing Pappy being a contributor.
I can't find any details on where those numbers came from with a little Googling, but he's always been advertised as a below-average athlete at the NBA level who should play adequate defense by being clever (think Draymond Green I guess).
And honestly, at this point in the offseason, there's not a whole lot else we could do. We get what might be a decent bench contributor at the wings, with a very favorable contract for trades. I wouldn't be surprised if he's gone by the deadline.
I think you guys are underrating this signing. He can be a really important piece to our team this year.
If it makes anyone feel better, Giannis Antetokounmpo came from the SECOND DIVISION Greek league and is doing just fine in the NBA. Yea he is a freakish athlete with size who plays for a terrible team, but Papa has out performed in national games.
Lol those are about my vertical measurements, 24 inch one step, 28 max vert, and I'm just a YMCA hooper.
he's a backup 3/stretch 4, he won't be a starter, but he's being signed on to see how he can do at shooting the ball, boxing out and fitting into defensive schemes for 10-20 minutes per game, which is really all he is anyway.
Parsons is more athletic than him, and Ariza too, but he is quicker than Battier and Scola. I think he will play within his limitations and won't quit on the team. He is not devoid of talent.
Re: Kostas playing PF. He played SF for 89.1% of his minutes in 2012-13 and 98.5% in 2013-14. Kostas may see some minutes as small ball PF, but Euroleague players transferring to the NBA usually down-size a position, not the other way around. No idea if the numbers are accurate, but IMO you're expecting too much if you're hoping for more than a spot-up shooter, cutter and ball-mover that plays hard. People like throwing the 3&D term around and Kostas does play hard, but just know that he's got (fat) Jared Dudley type athleticism.
Battier is/was better than Kostas, but Paps can move faster than him. That is not too bad, when combined with his intelligence and good effort. Making the transition to the NBA isn't going to be easy, but he can be a useful role player off the bench for us.
