http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/oly/2767587 Olympic days have Greek guard eyeing future years in NBA Spanoulis to spend year with club team, then join Rockets Basketball By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle ATHENS, GREECE - Vasileios Spanoulis didn't share the same Olympic experience as most of the NBA point guards who he hopes will soon become his peers. For Spanoulis, the rookie on Greece's national team, there was pride in a fifth-place finish and the positive image his nation spread around the world over the past 16 days. His comments about Greece's performance as the Olympic host could have easily come from a podium at the Closing Ceremony rather than on his way off the Indoor Hall court after Greece's 85-75 win over Puerto Rico on Saturday. "I'm very glad everything was very good," he said. "The preparations were perfect. Everything was ready in time. We kept very good results in the games. I'm very glad for Greece and very proud for our country." But that said, he became a typical point guard — or more specifically, a Rockets point guard. With Rockets center Yao Ming in Athens, Spanoulis had to sneak a look. More than that, Spanoulis — whose rights the Rockets acquired in a second-round deal in June — watched Yao post up and run the floor and imagined himself sending those passes inside. "He's a very good teammate, very good because you have a very big body to enter passes, very good, especially for a point guard," Spanoulis said of Yao. "I watched some games. He's a great player. It's very good for Houston to have this player. I think if we played together, we could make some good things (happen) together." That will not happen next season. Spanoulis, 22, will remain on his Greek club team, Marousi, in the Athens suburbs for at least another season. He had a breakthrough season with Marousi and was selected for the national team ahead of schedule. But his time with the national club teams is considered an ideal training period. Both are coached by Panagiotis Giannakis, who is not only the most popular Greek player and a former point guard but a player whose style and strengths were similar to Spanoulis'. In what is considered a rarity in Greece, Spanoulis is a collector of floor burns, a passionate defender and determined worker, just as Giannakis was when he became so celebrated as the captain of the Greek national team. "I've heard that my whole career," Spanoulis said. "Many guys have said that. I don't understand that because I was too young when he played. I didn't see it so much. "It's a big thing for me to have this coach. I learn a lot of basketball from him — little things that make the difference." Although Spanoulis averaged just 11 minutes, 3.8 points and one assist per game during the Olympic tournament, he showed the qualities that drew the Rockets to him — quickness with a eye toward playmaking — in that limited time. And by the time he returns to the Olympics or the 2006 World Championships, Spanoulis might have begun a NBA career. "I must improve a lot of my game," Spanoulis said. "I'll go when I am 100 percent ready." "Next year, next summer, I will go to Houston to speak with the group there. Maybe the next season I'll play. We'll see."
Good article. Didn't get to see him play in the Olympics, but 3.8ppg in 11mpg isn't to shabby. Hopefully he'll get some serious minutes next season in Greece and come help us out, could be a real sleeper.
we need shooters on the team, especially from the pg position. Defender? That's a huge plus, considering he's european. and if you're european, that means you can shoot, unless your name is something along the lines of "boki". just kidding boki's my hero he can shoot too. and he's only 22 years old! Old enough to have some maturity but young enough to grow with t-mac and yao. and boki. hmmm wishful thinking again...
was looking for a picture of him, instead got some info i didn't know. He's freaking 6'5. and on this page it saids he's quick and a lethal 3 point shooter. that's good.
Man, I hope they didn't exaggerate his work ethic. Because with our PG situation, he'll certainly get a shot at the rotation if he can improve. Then we won't have to worry about our PG situation next year when Ward/Lue leaves.
Here is what I don't understand. They took a risk of drafting this young unknown guy instead of going after better quality international players such as Sarunas Jasikevicius, G of Lithuania. Explain that to me.
Well Jasikevicius is a FA, so drafting Span doesn't preclude going after Sarunas. And a low second round pick isn't much of a risk. If your want to know why the Rox didn't go after Jasikevicius, then that's another question all together.
That is excellent. This guy understands. Exactly the mentality we need on this team. People that understand they are in DEBT to Yao for being in there drawing two defenders.
A project is a project is a project any way you look at it. If the Greek national team doesn't have major minutes for him, the Rockets won't either. Lets hope he works his @$$ off and see where it gets him in a year.
Hmm...this kind of reminds me of another 6'5-6'6 guard... (I don't know why I did that considering I don't even like Michael Jordan).
That was one of MJ's strengths. Big hands that allowed him to palm the ball pretty easily. In fact that's one of the physical things that separates Kobe and MJ. Not sure if it's THAT big a deal, but I suppose it would provide a little edge to MJ.
OK since you asked: Becauseus Theyius Dontus Knowius Whatus The F-us Theyius Areus Doingus. Always glad to help a brotha out!
