Here is a thought what about a Greek PG...?

He was the undisputed #1 player in Europe for a while. Scola was #2 when he was there. It always sounded like he had no reason to leave, as he was making something like 10-15 million Euros per yea in his current contract. Why take a pay cut?

But if he really wants to try the next league out like Mighty Ducks 2, then Morey had better throw our full MLE at this guy. 6"7 and his brain STILL outweighs his brawn. We'd be the second coming of the Spurs. International superstar center, international starting point, and an Argentinian at our heart!

 

If only he were a better outside shooter. I'm doubtful that he can be much of an upgrade if he can't knock down open threes at an acceptable rate.

 

The great thing that sets the Rockets apart from the Twolves is that we already have a contending team without a potential international PG coming over to start. Think about how everyone on this board has been saying what a great back-up Rafer would be. Well, now that would happen! Papaloukas doesn't replace Rafer alone, he replaces Head, Jackson, and the parts of Rafer's minutes where he's crappy because it's obvious that Rafer's efficiency goes down steeply when his minutes pass 30.

When you think about it like that, the bar for Papaloukas or ANY starting PG is set a lot lower. Speed is an issue but not the complete picture. A 6"7 frame will go a long way towards defending well on the perimeter (Kirilenko anybody?) and the main issue all along has been running our offense, which boils down to (1) making the smart cuts and (2) making the good passes and (3) hitting the open three. I believe Papaloukas could do all these things better than any of our current players as well as any of our realistic PG targets. He's definitely worth pursuing. It should not even be a discussion.

 

This thread is certified Sam Fisher ready!

 

Jaric went to clipps and was supposed to be the next euro magic. He's savvy and can play. If u want that tall pg type, why not just trade for Jaric. I mean at least u can see what he is which is a big pg. Not only that, he's proven to be something in the nba whereas papalucs is a 31 yr unknown. I mean trajon langdon is like a big deal in that league. He couldn't even make it on a sorry cavs team.

 

could be another Dirk only with better handles. 6'7" is a big PG

 

As a PG, I'd be very skeptical. For every Tony Parker, there's at least 5 Marko Jarics out there. Don't forget how excited the NBA was to bring in Team USA killer Sarunas Jasikevicius.

Now, if he could be a Turkoglu type, I'd be more intrigued. Less concern about his ability to stay in front of NBA points, less concern about his ability to run a team.

Evan

 

Just because a player fails initially in the NBA doesn't mean they can't play in the NBA or they will never improve. I, for one, think Langdon could play in the NBA and would be a lot better over here than he was the first time and than a lot of players in the NBA right now. A lot of a player's success has to do with timing and location. It's gotta be the right time, the right team, the right system, and the right role. Some guys that fail quickly in the NBA haven't been given the right opportunity, right team, right system, etc.

That doesn't mean that I think Papaloukas would make it in the NBA or on the Rockets. I'm just saying it's an option, no different than drafting a kid at 25 and not knowing whether or not he will make it or not.

 

Jaric was just another undersized SG as was Spanoulis.

 

?????????


Jaric is 6'7", 224 lbs.

 

I meant Jasikevicus

 

This guy seems legit. I'd be pretty excited if we can get him. Although I think our biggest need at this point is for a backup Center, and if giving this guy the full MLE means lessening our chances of getting a decent center then I'd be more hesitant. Otherwise I think we could definitely use a good PG. Please no more Bobby Jackson.

 

So, what result will the KillBill effect have on his decision?

 

Not impressed. I'd have to actually see him play. A highlight mix can even make Ryan Bowen look good. But judging from the video, he looks too weak and too slow. He'll get ate up by the smaller, quicker guards and will get slaughtered trying to guard the likes of Kobe Bryant, D-Wade and other big scoring guards.

 

I'd trade for Jaric just to have his girlfriend come to the games.

 

I do understand some guys get it later like anthony parker. Those big international pg's seem to really struggle because the one asset they have, height, none are post up types. If ur a 6'7 pg, u have be able to walk a smaller pg in the post to offset his quikness. If not, the advantages that a jaric,plannic, or jasi is negated. Personally, I would just go with brooks and get a guy like jaric s a backup.

 

haha..i nearly fell out of my chair when the caption 'NBA comparison: Tracy McGrady' came up... I thought...here's the REAL Greek T-mac.

His passing is DEFINITELY very similar if not slightly better than T-mac's, but I am worried about his ability to handle the stronger and quicker guards in the NBA...I would welcome this player with open arms though, Scola turned out pretty well, don't people think?

 

but can he shoot equal to or better than T-Mac?

 

He's a PG, he's not going to compete or replace T-mac...unless you mean, is he good enough of a shooter to capitalize on the open shots T-mac and Yao can give him...I wonder what his 2FG%,3FG%, and FT% is.