It's a good comparison, regarding to styles as I don't know if he's such a great player as those two(who knows, he might turn up to be better even) I'd say he's got Marculonis' elements as well(though Marculonis wasn't that different than Manu, maybe different on defense). Jasikevicius, prolly not, Jas was a bit faster at his best and a bit more static, with prolly better assist capability(in numbers) and seemingly better at 3-pointers. The most crucial element that usual tells me a player has that something to be succesful in the NBA coming from europe is ther FT's. Since he has everything else and is huge in that area, one can bet he'll be a valuable piece in the Rox chessboard, since this means he's got the winner psych.(we consider FT's an issue of mentality mostly). Plus it means he also practices a lot in his shots, so he has good chances to improve in long range -- if needed.
I found it. http://www.euroleague.net/plantillas/jugador.jsp?id=AHX&temporada=E01 76.7% 2001-2002 Doesn't look like a good indicator of performance in the NBA.
^Hm.. can't say as I didn't think he'd actually make it. There are certain player styles I prefer to others.
Doesn't mean someone with not good abilities can't achive the goal. But it's an extra reason they might. Details like good passing, something Divac had for instance.
And I think Rodman excluding his horrible scoring abilities wasn't good from the lane too, after Pistons, but made up for it with the elements the Bulls needed. I like guys that are good from the line, for me it says they're disciplined and cold to a point and that sort of player can kill you in a ball game or if instances call for it. Maybe I'm wrong.
I desperately wanted V-Span in camp last year, and I heard the interview with CD in which he sounded devasted that KillBill signed that big contract and he wasn't an option. That being said, I firmly believe (as I did then) that his growing pains are going to drive us and JVG crazy. So what? Watching the game today, Spanoulis showed such a different style of playing that I "channeled" Dale Brown's LSU 4 corners approach when playing Phi Slamma Jama in '83 at the Midwest Regionals in the Summit. Coogs were up by 8 at the time. I've seen V-Span play four or five other times, and I'd say that this game was an aberration for him. But it was a very heady performance. As for the Cassell comparison, well I thought it during the game. Mainly because he probably will have to be benched often for awhile, and he does look completely fearless in an unusual way. The Stockton analogy, well speed-wise and being deceptive and making sharp passes, ok I can see that, and both he and KillBill share the same "he can't shoot" label going into the NBA. It took Stockton 4 or 5 years at least to dispel that and it may be the same for Spanoulis. I hate Stockton (dirtiest player I've seen in 35 years of hoopdom) but the inital scouting reports probably won't be that dissimilar. But the Rockets aren't the Greek national team. No one we've had in four years has gotten Yao the ball to my satisfaction and Rafer IMO has been the best we've had feeding the post. It's all about Yao now, no matter how healthy T-Mac is (he can get the rock anytime he wants to), but we desperately need a slasher and a good passer more than we need a 3 pt. shooting pg. Spanoulis will need time here, and there are a lot of guys that have a lot of crow to swallow if he even contributes to this team. You know who you are. Props to OMR for looking damned right.
man this pisses me off. I was watching ESPNEWS just now and they were showing highlights of the Greece USA game. In the end the reporter said something like USA lost a shocker to Greece who currently have no one on any NBA teams. They need to get their sh** straight!
He does remind me of a couple of other notable hungry "foreign" players we've had. Dream was indomitable, but Yao still came up with the best line and attitude after he first bested Shaq: "It was like a great feast." V-Span, welcome to Houston. And beat Spain so that USA basketball looks less sad.
So does he speak english at all... that could really hinder him his first year here... i saw him and battier sorta walking off the court together i replayed it a few times on dvr to see this ... also dont know if this has been posted Houston Rockets forward Shane Battier had this viewpoint: “They play good basketball. They played like a champion plays. “They had guys, like my future teammate, (Vasilis) Spanoulis, that did a great job of controlling the tempo and we knew exactly what they were going to do. We knew they would pass the ball around to try to break us down at the end of the shot clock. “A lot has to do with the Greek execution.” http://www.nba.com/usabasketball/webloggin_060926.html
Yeah actually he does, I heard him yesterday for the first time as he was interviewed in English by Al-Jazeera, he speaks adequate English. I don't think he'll have any problems with communication.
I'm feeling better about V-Span, but I think some of you are expecting too much out of the guy after how he's been playing in the tournament and after the game vs. the U.S. Jasikevicius also burned the U.S., but has not been nearly as successful in the NBA. I think V-Span will be a good NBA player, but I'm still not expecting him to be great or a miracle worker for us.
