Blackjack
07-29-2008, 01:30 AM
Found an old write-up on DX and couldn't help but think...
Had the the Spurs known they'd lose Barry wouldn't this guy have been an ideal replacement?
Top Non Draft-Eligible Euroleague Regular Season Performers (Part One)
February 5, 2008
Like a fine wine, that continues to get better with age, Ramunas Siskauskas is having a career year in his new CSKA Moscow uniform, under the tutelage of Ettore Messina. Don’t be deceived by the extremely slow pace that CSKA plays. Siskauskas’ numbers (points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, free throw attempts, FG%) are up across the board per-40 minutes pace adjusted, while his turnovers are down. He also ranks as one of the most efficient players in the Euroleague this season.
Siskauskas is a player without a position, as you will see him at anywhere from the 1-4 on any given night, depending on what his team needs from him. He’s a terrific ball-handler, a lights out shooter, an excellent passer, and arguably the smartest player in all of European basketball. Not possessing great athleticism (to say the least) he has “figured out” how to maximize himself on the court, as he simply plays the game at his own pace. He has an old man’s game, with plenty of tricks up his sleeve (sounds like a Spur to me :lol), including excellent footwork, fluid body control, crafty finishing ability with either hand, deceptive use of shot-fakes, or even some back to the basket skills. He can also create his own shot fairly well, despite not having a great first step, and is absolutely superb running the pick and roll. An outstanding teammate, he does a great job creating shots unselfishly for others. Siskauskas’ average pull-up jumper (he doesn’t create great separation from his defender) might be the lone chink in his armor, besides the fact that he’s not a very explosive leaper.
Defensively, Siskauskas is outstanding, (probably where the Barry comparisons end :lol) which is somewhat surprising when you consider his fairly average physical tools. He makes up for his lack of lateral quickness with a phenomenal combination of timing, effort and awareness, reading his matchup extremely well, and often being one step ahead of him to contest his shot. This is how he picks up a surprising number of blocks, as well as draws a fair amount of charges.
To emphasize just how much value Siskauskas has in Europe, consider that his current team, CSKA Moscow, went out and paid 1 million Euros to buy him out of his contract with (defending Euroleague champions) Panathinaikos, and then gave him over 2 million Euros per season as his salary. Siskauskas has one more year on his contract after this, but from what we’re told, will be able to leave for the NBA for free if CSKA is able to win the Euroleague. Depending on the circumstances, he could have some interest in the NBA if the situation is right, but it probably will take a pretty good offer considering the type of money he’s making right now.
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ramunas Siskauskas-5115/ (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ramunas Siskauskas-5115/)
This guy sounds like a real championship caliber role-player. He's battle-tested, relatively young, (turns 30 this year) a hell of a shooter, and would give us another playmaker outside the "Big 3."
Unfortunately, we probably can't afford him anymore. The Spurs' only hope would be if Siskauskas would be willing to play for the LLE for a year, and maybe backload or promise a more profitable second year.
You'd think he'd want to be near the peak of his game if he were to make the transition to the N.B.A., so if he's ever going to? Now is probably the time to do it. If he's thinking like that maybe he would play for the LLE for a year despite the amount of money he can make overseas.
I doubt it, but it's something to think about.
Had the the Spurs known they'd lose Barry wouldn't this guy have been an ideal replacement?
Top Non Draft-Eligible Euroleague Regular Season Performers (Part One)
February 5, 2008
Like a fine wine, that continues to get better with age, Ramunas Siskauskas is having a career year in his new CSKA Moscow uniform, under the tutelage of Ettore Messina. Don’t be deceived by the extremely slow pace that CSKA plays. Siskauskas’ numbers (points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, free throw attempts, FG%) are up across the board per-40 minutes pace adjusted, while his turnovers are down. He also ranks as one of the most efficient players in the Euroleague this season.
Siskauskas is a player without a position, as you will see him at anywhere from the 1-4 on any given night, depending on what his team needs from him. He’s a terrific ball-handler, a lights out shooter, an excellent passer, and arguably the smartest player in all of European basketball. Not possessing great athleticism (to say the least) he has “figured out” how to maximize himself on the court, as he simply plays the game at his own pace. He has an old man’s game, with plenty of tricks up his sleeve (sounds like a Spur to me :lol), including excellent footwork, fluid body control, crafty finishing ability with either hand, deceptive use of shot-fakes, or even some back to the basket skills. He can also create his own shot fairly well, despite not having a great first step, and is absolutely superb running the pick and roll. An outstanding teammate, he does a great job creating shots unselfishly for others. Siskauskas’ average pull-up jumper (he doesn’t create great separation from his defender) might be the lone chink in his armor, besides the fact that he’s not a very explosive leaper.
Defensively, Siskauskas is outstanding, (probably where the Barry comparisons end :lol) which is somewhat surprising when you consider his fairly average physical tools. He makes up for his lack of lateral quickness with a phenomenal combination of timing, effort and awareness, reading his matchup extremely well, and often being one step ahead of him to contest his shot. This is how he picks up a surprising number of blocks, as well as draws a fair amount of charges.
To emphasize just how much value Siskauskas has in Europe, consider that his current team, CSKA Moscow, went out and paid 1 million Euros to buy him out of his contract with (defending Euroleague champions) Panathinaikos, and then gave him over 2 million Euros per season as his salary. Siskauskas has one more year on his contract after this, but from what we’re told, will be able to leave for the NBA for free if CSKA is able to win the Euroleague. Depending on the circumstances, he could have some interest in the NBA if the situation is right, but it probably will take a pretty good offer considering the type of money he’s making right now.
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ramunas Siskauskas-5115/ (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ramunas Siskauskas-5115/)
This guy sounds like a real championship caliber role-player. He's battle-tested, relatively young, (turns 30 this year) a hell of a shooter, and would give us another playmaker outside the "Big 3."
Unfortunately, we probably can't afford him anymore. The Spurs' only hope would be if Siskauskas would be willing to play for the LLE for a year, and maybe backload or promise a more profitable second year.
You'd think he'd want to be near the peak of his game if he were to make the transition to the N.B.A., so if he's ever going to? Now is probably the time to do it. If he's thinking like that maybe he would play for the LLE for a year despite the amount of money he can make overseas.
I doubt it, but it's something to think about.