Jaskevicius would be rolling in NBA if he came in at the time he was team USA killer. He came after two years of few injuries..
Rookie Year NBA Euroleague player Overpowered by the more athletic NBA forwards Was intimidated by the expectations Played bad defense Averaged 8.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 20.4 minutes of playing time. Who was this guy? None other than our NBA Star Dirk Nowiztski.
add Hibbert and Sam's cinder block with a number painted on it, and you're talking 48 minutes of shot-clock violations. SIGN ME UP! I am ready to see us make history.
He doen'st look that slow to me. Takes it to the rack pretty well and has some slick passes but tell me how can anyone compare him to T-Mac. I didn't see a single 3 point jumper for brick anywhere in that clip.
The VIDEO editor compared him, everyone else has not compared him to Tmac at all. He is more like a quality PG who could come off the bench and get the ball hopping. DD
Lol, you probably wouldn't see that in a Tmac highlight video either. He didn't look slow but he didn't look incredibly quick either. To be considered an atheletic player in this league you have to be elite in any other league. I see him more as a SF (pointfoward) than a true PG in the NBA. Thats just usually what happens to those big point guards who come from europe. Everyone thought Sasha Vujacic and Marko Jaric were NBA PG's too.
He doesn't have to be great. If he's consistently good he'll be an upgrade to Alston, and that might be enough to kick the Rockets up to another level.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpj1eMYC8kE I know, this fluke/one-off game has been used as an argument in favour of spanoulis but check closer... There is a player with no 4 on his jersey who does some magic passing and mesmerising slashing on that video. If he made Scortzanitis(baby shaq) look like Shaq on that night there is no reason why he cannot do the same for Luis and Yao. A highlight video compiled with the best moves of a player cannot tell much about a players value but this one is different. It is about the Greek team V Team USA semis win in 2006 not a tribute to any player in particular. Just happened that Vspan and Scortzanitis took most of the credit for that win by the media for different reasons: Vspan for his 2 long 3pointers and his (risky) slashing and Schortz for his eye catching build (he did well finishing all papalukas was feeding him that night). Theo is a the best thing in Europe for the last 5-6 years and has the titles personal achievements and stats to show for that. Make no mistake comparing him to V-span (he had only one good Euroleague year and not even close to MVP). Age is a factor and because i havent seen him play much this year i cannot have an opinion about his success moving over to the NBA world. If you cannot spot Papaloukas on the video because of the average quality ..he is the guy doing most of the final passes on it and making couple of nice drives to the basket.
Cindros would provide a defensive anchor for the Rockets. Most of the opposing interior players would stub their toes on him within the first quarter.
Remind me: How long is the window of opportunity open for our star combo to win a championship? Last I checked, McGrady's prime is questionable and Yao misses about a quarter of a season every year. Lets say acquire any euro point guard for next season, he'll probably spend some time riding the pine at first, then battle Brooks for backup minutes. Maybe--this is a big maybe--he gets some starting minutes at the end of the season. Of course, being in the playoffs, we can't have a rookie point guard starting if we still have Rafer by then. So that's a year "wasted" on getting this euro guard ready. So, if my estimation's correct, we should be printing out championship t-shirts by 09-10?
I would expect his development in the NBA to be about the same as any European player who came here. More like the development of Calderon at the Pt or Navarro.
The team is changing.. Even tho Rafer was a JVG coach type of pointguard he is not the same suited in the new Alderman era. With players like Scola and Landry coming on the scene (and Yao soon in health) you need those types of players with the eyesight and BB iq of Papalukas that can maximise the pottential of strong inside finishers. Add 1-2 good outside shooters together with Tmac and there you go... oops did I mention Tmac? I doubt he can play in any system that requires efficient and timed ball movement and not anarchy style 'emotionally' charged Bball where HE can be the hero or zero according to his shooting moods. Rafer was a good partner in assisting him in this kind of game. Papalukas attitude compared with spanoulis not even close! One was a young rookie first time outside his country and the other is a seasoned player that has played many years in a foreign country, same as Scola did. The difference between Scola and Papaloukas is that Theo is a much more articulate, composed leader kind of player than Luis is, even though they are both equally passionate in their game. Check Dadakota's video you can see how he 'preaches' his teammates and the way he celabrates with them and not alone.True leader stuff...Not sure but i have not seen those qualities in Scolas highlights videos before coming to rockets.I seen the fire, i saw his fullhearted support from bench but he doesnt strike me like someone who is (yet) articulate enough to deliver his passionate speach to his teammates when needed.As for V-span....good talent but he needs to step off his rod.. Small differences make great leaders
i see sam cassell in his mouth..but his quickness will be the major factor of why he will be another spanoulis
