[Day 2] Post Practice Interviews

I think you are putting words into people's mouths by being overly contrarian. People are excited at what he can bring to the table in a concentrated bench role and wing depth/defense was the biggest weakness in the team last year. I don't believe anyone is clamoring any kind of huge projections for the guy, so I don't understand why the necessity of negativity exists. He fills a need, and seems like a really great guy.

He might never develop into a starting caliber 3 in the NBA. But that's ok because I don't see anyone, anywhere claiming that he will be.

 

5 mill already is saying something from management. That was awful god of money for just a concentrated bench role player. We pass up on alot of good role players but the ones with this euro potential we seem to get. Unproven.

 

But go ahead. Keep getting excited and living that fantasy dream. I feel like this team is being run like I run a game app (army of darkness, clash of the clans)More defense soldiers. More offense attack players. Don't need a coach cause I tell them what to do.

 

That's for two years and there's a lot worse role players out there making more money, which is criminal. If we can get a Delfino-type production out of him, we're getting a bargain.

 

Paps is getting $5M/yr

While the real Delfino's only getting $3M/yr :grin:

 

Umm yeah, that's way it works. You've got to get them unproven and see what they got. Even Scola was unproven.

 

You mean the likes of Marion, Sessions, Boozer? No thanks.

If you mean Bledsoe, Dragic, Rondo, either their team still holds their rights or asking price was too high, it would set us back.

The reason interest is high in Pap is human nature. He's the unknown in a team of knowns. He's the complication in the plotline. It will be on of the storylines this year that we will watch. Will he become a star like Parsons did or will he remain a struggling role player like DMo?

The fact that he's humble, well-spoken, comes with a championship pedigree makes him easy to root for.

 

Delfino getting 3Mill in wheelchair tho, and Paps would earn it

 

paps may not even get off the bench. jones & dmo impressed during summer/preaseason their first years too and then went straight into the doghouse. casspi was raved about in training camp last season and we all saw how that turned out. hopefully paps is another story though..

 

Overly optimistic fan, this sounds so wrong for a team that all it needs is 2 pieces and a coach from winning a chip but yet so far.

 

Casspi was raved about in preseason games. Not just camp. He carried that over and was balling the first month of the season..then he forgot how to shoot.

Papanikolau's contract is great for us. It's only guanreteed one year. So if he performs great that helps us on the court and, if necessary, could be a great trade asset. If he performs poorly he's still a great trade asset as filler/cap relief/potential.

Who exactly were we going to get with the MLE anyways? Marion? Please..

 

It's true that people hype players up players here after 1 good showing in pre-season or one good game.

KPap has shown nothing yet. He showed nothing in FIBA and until he does it in the NBA, all this hype is meaningless.

I remember posters here hyping Jordan Hamilton after his first few games and I kept telling them that this guy is just a scrub. Look how that turned out.

Let his play do the talking.

 

yep. same with tony douglas. that's why i'm reluctant to believe the early hype-up (or pretty much anything during this team's season ticket package selling period). the odds of a foreign rookie being able to produce throughout the season without hitting the rookie wall much less be in the rotation during the playoffs when things really matter -- are extremely slim nonetheless. let's hope he's in the bob horry mold.

i'm not sure anyone available was worth $5M either. but personally, i would have rather seen us shore up a largely barren bench with 2 or 3 young nba vets who we know for sure can actually contribute something. jason smith, cartier martin, aaron grey, greg stiemsma, e'twaun moore, evan turner, wayne ellington were all still available. none of these guys are great, but still we need bench production when the starters come out or get injured. i believe dante cunningham is still out there -- wouldn't mind him..

 

Kostas is a bench player. He has an important role to play, but he is not expected to be at Ariza's level. His positive attitude is heartening to see. Hard work and determination can help him through difficulties.

 

I don't expect kostas to hit the rookie wall. As young as he is, his game is already pretty defined. Hustle, defensive rotations, off-ball movement, spot up threes, rebounding and running the fast break. Mchale seems to be interested in him focusing on rebounding and hitting the corner three. No sweat.

The people thinking that he'll have a parsons-like jump will be disappointed. He knows what he is, the team knows what he is, we should accept it as well.

 

Papa's game is a perfect compliment to this team. Can't wait to watch his off the ball movement, that's something that's been missing with this team and it's hard to teach. Very instinctive skill

 

I'm encouraged by what Harden had to say about both Kostas and Daniels.

When a crafty, smart offensive player like Harden describes another lefty as a smart, crafty player (Kostas), that's a really good sign. I can imagine Kostas taking over Parson's off-the ball, smart shooter or driver role.

And, thinking about Daniels understanding the offense and getting open looks in the half-court setting in addition to his transition looks just gives me a big ol' boner.

 

I know this team still has some holes - but I am at least excited that it sounds like we have probably upgraded at small forward. Parsons was great - but we had nobody behind him. I have hopes that Ariza will actually be a better fit for our team and if Kostas comes out strong off the bench that would be fantastic. I also like that Ariza can guard elite 2 guards if need be. Because Harden sure can't.

 

I like Kostas as a backup wing. He's getting paid a fair chunk but he's also got a lot of upside. He's a good shooter (hard to know how good - 3 point shooting anywhere from 36-51% in Euroleague), and a tough, smart defender. He might be a bit slow on the wing for a 3, but he will make up for it with effort. He can also play 4 in small ball lineups. His FT% is oddly low for someone who is a competent 3 point shooter. I think the pace of the game will be a shock for him but I bet he will start to contribute by ASB. He should fit nicely behind Ariza and his ceiling is probably a bit lower than Parsons in terms of overall impact if he continues to develop. He is a bright spot in an otherwise dull offseason.