Miscommunication? Let's look at where Span was in Greece - playing in a great team and a comfortable atmosphere with excellect fan support. He as an idol, and for what he did at the WC, he was a beloved hero. CD must have really done a job to make him come here, and from what I'm hearing from V-Span, that seems to be the case.
trust me, REALLY done a job.... To further fill this out let me describe the situation: Span had played 1 year for Panathinaikos. He could easily play one more year. The Panathinaikos board offered him EVERYTHING to stay one more year cause this year they would have the most complete roster in the euroleague. Check the euroleague stats this year. they are by FAR the strongest team in it and considered an absolute favourite for the title. That would mean he had a MASSIVE chance of getting euroleague gold first and THEN coming to the NBA. Might I add that the Euroleague Final Four this year is in Athens Greece? He would ve been a hero... It wouldve taken a LOT of convincing to get him to go to the NBA then. Also, the biggest percentage of european players do NOT want to play in the NBA. In the US it might be seen as like the only thing to strive for but a lot of european players are perfectly happy where they are especially with european basketball starting to reach the level of the NBA.
i think that's only true for players who are superstars in europe and would be bench players in the nba. almost every european talent that has a chance to become one of the nba's stars will see the nba as his true challenge. and that will be the same for years to come.
Which is more important? V-Span's development and ability to contribute in the future but sooner in the future, or The Rockets continuing to win and making a run for the championship. There is no doubt that V-Span's would develop quicker if he got more quality minutes. However, he has also shown that the team will do better letting people in the game who do a better job of protecting the ball, and not turning it over so much. It is just a matter of where the importance is to be placed.
if i recall correctly spanoulis stated the rockets offfered him money his greek club could not match.
I agree... But that was my point, that Span was at the level where he didnt have to begin a career "again" in a sense... Especially after Lakovic had left panathinaikos he wouldve been the absolute core of the team along with Diamantidis. (I'm mentioning names cause due to your nick i assume youre familiar with euro ball) I was using it to point out that they DID have to convince him somehow.
Not true... Panathinaikos president offered him a pretty much a blank contract. I have the quote from his manager somewhere stating that Panathinaikos said: if there's any chance you'll stay just mention the price. Span denied it and replied with :"this might be the chance of a lifetime"
It kind of sounds to me like the blame should be placed on Morey/CD (not sure who brokered the deal) for blowing smoke up his ass if the head coach wasn't on board. I don't think V-Span is ready to contribute when it counts yet. I think he has potential. I also think that JVG should give him some more garbage time.
Also, this part of his original interview seems to not have been mentioned at all but its important. The journalist asks him whether his lack of PT will be bad for the Greek NT. His reply: "I've never had this much time to improve my game before. I spend endless hours on the court practicing. Don't worry about the NT, I'll be even better. I've been working on areas i needed improvement in and I really want to play ball."
Why are the two mutually exclusive? Couldn't the Rockets win AND develop V-Span? That is what I have been saying all along...play him some....and when he screws up yank him...but put him in the rotation as the backup PG. DD
What i dont understand is that VG made some VERY positive comments about V-span earlier on in the season when span played a decent amount of mins and was getting into a "groove" of sorts but after that...nothing... Youd think that if he thought that well of him we would give him some more PT... I just dont get it
Maybe the coaching staff just felt he is not ready. High TO, high number of fouls, low shooting percentage.
It's still amazing to me how many casual bball fans we have on this forum. Come on...ppl..learn some bball... as bad as Alston's shots have been, he is still a way way way better player than VSpan
Rookies must still earn playing time. Just because V-Span is on the roster doesn't mean he must automatically play. Until he proves that he can be a consistent contributor for this team, he belongs on the bench.
Sometimes rookies get into a good situation...ala Tony Parker in San Antonio where they really had very little competition for him at PG. Here in Houston..V-Span entered a tough slot...as Rafer was entrenched, and JL3 is providing a lift off the bench. And now he is whining, which will only hurt his chances to get in the rotation. DD
I agree, but that's also why he must continue to work hard. Whining and complaining will serve only to alienate the coaching staff, which is never a wise move. As I said an another post, it's not uncommon for rookies to spend a lot of time sitting and watching during their inaugural campaign. Jermaine O'Neal did it. Kobe Bryant did it. Tracy McGrady, whom V-Span seems to be comparing himself to, also did it. I don't know. I just don't have much patience for players who march to the beat of their own drum. The Rockets need everyone to be on the same page if they want to win a championship, but one player has- for reasons that may never be completely clear to us- chosen to step out of line. When and how this situation will be resolved is beyond my ability to explain, but based on how similar situations concluded in the past, this probably won't end well.
ok... did you ever think about how much experience rafer has in nba compare to vspan, I dont think so! yes rafer is not doing well offensively but I rather have him on the court over vspan and JLIII so no he's not a hypocrite and I think vspan should get some minutes every game so all of us including the organization can examine his potential but some minutes not whole alot! and JVG along with nba coaches don't just base all his decsision rookies time on the court during game, practices plays a big role too and maybe vspan is not doing well in practices either but there's one thing I do know he will play the players who prove themselves and players that could win games and I know a lot of coach don't do that but this is JVG we are talking about!!
LOL. 25 pages of posts for a Greek article. Now 10 pages already for a copycat article from Blindbury. Billy needs to get rid of his superstar mentality. You are a rookie here, dude, and learn to behave like one. That said, the most annoying thing about JVG on this issue is playing Spanoulis at the 2 spot. 1. We have plenty of good SGs. We have NO good PG. 2. Anyone can see that Billy is NOT a 2. I somewhat disagree with those who say you have to be able to shoot spot up to play with McGrady and Yao. Yes, you do. But there are exceptions in JVG's mind. What about Hayes? What about Bowen a couple of years ago. These guys can't shoot a lick but they do other things well enough (in JVG's mind) to get PT. I also disagree with those who say spotting him up would minimize his turnover. I say if you spot him up, you might as well sit him down. What good is asking a poor spot up shooter to shoot spot up shots? You are basically playing 4 on 5 on offense. If you play Spanoulis at all, you've got to let him create. That's what his value is. Yes, he would turn it over. But think about this: What is more likely to happen if you give him PT? Becoming a better shooter, or cutting down turnovers? Shooting touch is a natural talent that can marginally improved. Turnover, however, is mostly a mental thing that can be corrected with more game experience and yes with more familiarity with the teammates. That's why playing him at 2 spotting up makes absolutely no sense. If he is not ready, don't play him. If you play him, let him learn to handle the ball and use his strength.
