http://www.sportando.net/eng/usa/nb...is_considering_to_play_for_the_clippers_.html Sofoklis Schortsanitis, considering to play for the Clippers Redazione Sportando - M. Marasca - 04/04/2010, The 24-year-old center was drafted 34th in the 2003 by Los Angeles Clippers, which still own his NBA rights. Sofoklis Schortsanitis, who is at the end of his contract with the Greek team Olympiakos, is considering to move to the United States to play in the NBA. The 24-year-old center was drafted 34th in the 2003 by Los Angeles Clippers, which still own his NBA rights. Schortsanitis is open to practice with the Clippers this summer to evaluate his incorporation to the Californian franchise. Highlights of his game: <object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zrs4rGBMlbw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zrs4rGBMlbw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object> Tag: NBA | Sofoklis Schortsanitis | Los Angeles Clippers | Olympiacos Pireo
Unless he's improved a lot, this guy isn't close to being ready for the NBA. He probably won't even make the Clippers.
Here's what Kevin Arnovitz had to say about Sofo: http://clipperblog.com/2010/03/22/two-players-to-watch-in-the-euroleague-playoffs/ Sofo Schortsanitis We’ve been hearing about Sofo for so long, it’s incredible he’s only 24 years old. The dominant theme of his pro career — and a primary barometer of his success — has been his conditioning. Right now, Sofo looks terrific. He’s still a robust dude who will never be described as agile even when he’s in great shape, but his mobility is far better than anything we’ve seen of late. Ball in Europe wrote up this report last week: Look out, upcoming Olympiacos opponents: Big Sofo is just starting to heat up. After a marginal season in Euroleague play up in the early going (BiE is blaming it on that H1N1 the big man contracted in the autumn), Sofoklis Schortsanitis turned in his peak Euroleague performance of 2009-10 a week and a half ago, going for 19 points in just 18 minutes of playing time (read: “time spent dominating the paint”) against helpless Baskonia. This weekend, the Red chased up his humdrum 2-of-6 showing in the BC Khimki game by taking the ESAKE All-Star Game MVP award with statistics insane even for such an exhibition: Would you believe 42 points of 19-of-21 shooting, including 3-of-5 on threes and a perfect 16-of-16 from within the arc? I took the opportunity to watch Sofo in that game against Baskonia, and he absolutely brutalized defenders on the block. When delivered the ball down low, Sofo sealed his defender away from the baseline to give himself plenty of space for an easy layup. On one possession, Sofo did just that but encountered defenders filling from the weak side. How did Sofo respond? He switched hands and kissed the ball off the glass. The Clippers will have only five players under contract at the end of the season. Although three of those are bigs (Chris Kaman, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan), the Clips will still need additional bodies for their frontcourt rotation. Could 2010-11 be the season we finally see Sofo in Clippers’ gear? He could fit a need as the Clippers don't need a starting PF or C. They need a guy who can come off the bench and score points in the low post with the second unit. That is exactly what Sofo is doing in Greece and hopefully he can do that in the NBA.
They have some weird rotations and minutes in the Euroleague. He only plays 12 minutes a game. http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=JXX Shooting 65%. Only 2.4 rebounds within those 12 minutes. Though rebounding and assists are lower in the Euroleague. I'd dont see him being a key rotation player, maybe an inactive list travel player. Worth it for him to try out. He can be a situational niche player. I dont see anyone stopping him in the low blocks. Plus Clippers are bold enough to go with a "fan attraction".
24 isn't too bad. I know he isn't comparable to Scola, but Scola was what, 26/27 when he came to play for the Rockets? If SS could develop into a Kendrick Perkins type player, that would a good fit on many NBA teams.
At first I thought he was some kind of skinny unathletic white Greek (no racial), but he looks really like a smaller Shaq with quicker feet. In the Video link that the OP posted, there was a play in the first 2 minutes where he was defending a PG... that was simply amazing. He followed the guard close and blocked the jumper. I say that he'll get a chance in the NBA.
Maybe if Joey Dorsey changed his name to Josephicles Dorsenitis he could get a job too. I don't think Soffy could beat Yao in a footrace. Today's Yao.
He's definitely very quick and athletic, looking his abnormal weight. But he's really a 6-9 center (not 6-10). Could have a place in the NBA as backup center, he replaces height for weight and has huge size at his own way. But I have doubts about his durability in a 82-game season.
if he's similar to big baby who is pretty serviceable although not an outstanding player but still could play in most rotations.
