For Slovenian Fans: Beno and Lakovic

[Nikos]

Beno has been a solid backup thus far this season for the Spurs, at least better than Anthony Harper.

I was watching a little bit of Panathanaikos and noticed they have an excellent PG in Jaka Lakovic. He seems to be able to do most things: Penetrate, Draw Fouls, Pass, and is able to make the pull up jumper. Seems like a good set shooter even.

Is this guy better than Beno as a player? I know he might not come to the NBA, but I was just curious which Slovenian was the better player/PG?

[Slomo]

Is this guy better than Beno as a player? I know he might not come to the NBA, but I was just curious which Slovenian was the better player/PG?
Tough call, I personally don't remember any games where they went against each other (other posters might). But to me the biggest SLO talent outside the NBA right now is Erazem Lorbek.

[Kamnik_SLO]

Hm.... i cant remember them playing against each other but imo Beno is much better because he has not reached his full potential yet... Jaka is almost there.(he is a few years older)

But Lakoviè is NBA material but i doubt he will ever decide to go there.

Oh, i remember them playing against France in Celje(slovene town). Beno played much better than Jaka there but that was just one game.

[Slomo]

Thanks for the reminder Kamnik! Yes in that game against France Beno was better. I have a question though: Why do you think that Jaka wouldn't come to the NBA? (he has the talent for it )

[ata]

Lakoviè is more TP type of player, very quick, good shooter, solid passer with similar physical predispositon (186cm 6'1") . He could have a chance.
E. Lorbek plays really well last few months, but there is plenty PFs with 6'9", so for him will be even harder.
There is also Denver's 1st round pick from 2004 - Sani Beèiroviè. Can play PG or SG, but lost some speed after two years of knie problems. Now is fit and healthy. He played thogether with Beno in Euroleague as they were considerd as the most talented guard pair of the generation. At that time, Beèiroviè was considered as more talented.

[Kamnik_SLO]

Thanks for the reminder Kamnik! Yes in that game against France Beno was better. I have a question though: Why do you think that Jaka wouldn't come to the NBA? (he has the talent for it )

Jaka is 27 years old... he is having a great season in Greece and is earning good money! Before he could prove himself in the NBA and sign a non-rookie contract he would be "old"

I doubt he would be drafted in the first round so his salary would be very low... he is a team leader and in starting 5 in greece, everything leans toward staying in Europe

Too bad though he didn't decide to come here much earlier but who knows if he would even get a chance (just look at Brezec)

[exstatic]

I doubt he would be drafted in the first round so his salary would be very low...

Once past 22, if his rights aren't already held via the draft, he can sign with whomever he wants as a FA.

[Kamnik_SLO]

Once past 22, if his rights aren't already held via the draft, he can sign with whomever he wants as a FA.

thanks ofr letting me know, my knowledge about the draft and the free agency is not the best

[exstatic]

...at least better than Anthony Harper

You've been reading too many of Ghostwriter's posts. He purposely spells player's names incorrectly or uses the wrong name. The scrub in question was named Anthony Carter.

[Nikos]

You've been reading too many of Ghostwriter's posts. He purposely spells player's names incorrectly or uses the wrong name. The scrub in question was named Anthony Carter.

I know, it was a joke :hat

[Nikos]

To me it seems Lakovic has the better jumper than TP, but less speed.

Lakovic seems like he could be a decent backup if he came a few years ago. I noticed 2 years ago he played for the Detroit Pistons summer league team and did pretty well.

[Slo spurs fan]

I think you saw just a so-so (not so good) game from Jaka that night. He is very good player, he was named player of the month in Euroleague and is in good shape to get another award.

PS: He is my (ex)neighbour and his mother's dog and our dog are "married" and have a lot of "childrens"! :lol

[Dario]

Lakoviè is better than beno, he is more established as a player and has lots more balls when it comes down to hard decisions on court.
And i agree with slomo, erazem lorbek will be best slovenian basketball player ever if he continues to develop like this.
BTW: lakoviè got i think third best rating index in euroleage ever, its like 55 and it was against at that time very strong team real madrid.

[Nikos]

Slo Spurs Fan I saw him vs Tau (a game that occured in February I beleive).

He had an excellent game. This is the game they beat Tau I beleive, it was on NBATV a few days ago.

Jaka seems that he is a better penetrator and ball handler under pressure. His shot might not be as smooth from a stand still position, but I bet he has a better shot off the dribble.

[fonzy16]

jaka is a much better shoter then beno IMO.

[cmurek]

Jaka is a better player right now! In the future who knows?

[slayermin]

I wonder if RC is reading this thread. It wouldn't surprise me if he does.

[glegi]

I agree with cmurek...and that game he played against real was really f.c.i.g unbeli...ej guys who has the rigts for sani becirovic denver???
lp
g

[cmurek]

ej guys who has the rigts for sani becirovic denver???
lp
g

Klinicni center Ljubljana upam da ne vec!

[glegi]

ja res.....

[cmurek]

I think Denvers still have rights on him. But im not sure!

But that doesnt matter anymore becouse he wont play in nba!

[glegi]

But last year i know hw went on a training camp.....why not

[Kamnik_SLO]

But last year i know hw went on a training camp.....why not

Time flies and Europe is a talent pool, his health is a huge problem

[Nikos]

http://www.euroleague.net/fotos/noticias/jornada1/gra_1442_61.jpg

Seems like Jaka played against former Spur tryout Willie Solomon. Jaka had 26, getting to the line 17 times. Willie had 25pts.

I wonder if Jaka is a better NBA calibur PG than Solomon.

http://www.euroleague.net/stats/statsPartido.jsp?temporada=E04&jornada=21&partido=219

[zeleni]

Tough call, I personally don't remember any games where they went against each other (other posters might). But to me the biggest SLO talent outside the NBA right now is Erazem Lorbek.

That is BS. Jaka is our dream player for Eurobasket. Lorbek is just a center (worse then Brezec or Rasho) on a good team, so he gets lots of rational feeding. He has talent, but he is not out of space.

Jaka is on the other hand like Udrih accomplished player. Udrih was being harrased in Maccabi, when they had the most difficult season (playing also Adriatic league, which they given up after they couldn't take the pressure of being on 4 competitions on a top quality level). After that season Maccabi had a vision, that was made by Beno and his cooperation with the team. Jasikevicius then just took over a quality team and kicked ass. Our (Olimpijan players) player really kicks ass! Maccabi game is mostly on their Croatian center Nikola Vujcic (will be amazing in NBA). So Udrih played for Vujcic's stats, and not for his.

Jaka was not under pressure. His coach loved him, and so he progressed in Greece. He is a leader of his team, MVP of his team and so on. Who is better? I think Beno. Jaka is more offensive player (has 3rd best RT points score ever in Euroleague), but less a team player. Udrih does not do much about his stats, if he feels he can do better with letting others play their game. Jaka could took over a game from a hot player to cool it down. Beno is also saving his shots more.

Lorbek? Pha, he played NCAA, but again he is not much in a better form as maybe Darko.

[Slomo]

That is BS. Jaka is our dream player for Eurobasket. Lorbek is just a center (worse then Brezec or Rasho) on a good team, so he gets lots of rational feeding. He has talent, but he is not out of space.

Jaka is on the other hand like Udrih accomplished player. Udrih was being harrased in Maccabi, when they had the most difficult season (playing also Adriatic league, which they given up after they couldn't take the pressure of being on 4 competitions on a top quality level). After that season Maccabi had a vision, that was made by Beno and his cooperation with the team. Jasikevicius then just took over a quality team and kicked ass. Our (Olimpijan players) player really kicks ass! Maccabi game is mostly on their Croatian center Nikola Vujcic (will be amazing in NBA). So Udrih played for Vujcic's stats, and not for his.

Jaka was not under pressure. His coach loved him, and so he progressed in Greece. He is a leader of his team, MVP of his team and so on. Who is better? I think Beno. Jaka is more offensive player (has 3rd best RT points score ever in Euroleague), but less a team player. Udrih does not do much about his stats, if he feels he can do better with letting others play their game. Jaka could took over a game from a hot player to cool it down. Beno is also saving his shots more.

Lorbek? Pha, he played NCAA, but again he is not much in a better form as maybe Darko. I agree that Erazem is a worse centre than Rasho or Brezec, specially since he's a PF. The guy has one weakness and that's defence - which most agree is a direct results of his (lack of) body strength. But this weakness is well offset by the fact he's only 21 and still has time to hit the weights. There is no doubt about his talent or bball IQ, every scout report I ever saw about him has praised him as a great prospect. I personally would add that he's very competitive and therefore is someone who has a predisposition to improve his game in the next few years.

As for Lakovic, I've always liked him and actually asked in this thread why Kamnik_SLO thought he would not come to the NBA (something I think he could do - or better yet he is capable of doing) and if you read his answer he makes a good point - I hope he's wrong but I understand what would stop him.

Just to clarify something I think Jaka is fearless and would kick some serious ass in the NBA - if he wants to!

[SLOVENIAN 8]

PAO : Efes Pilsen 48:39 * After 1st half.

the winner of this game will play on final four of Euroleague.

Lakovic score 12 pts in first half.

http://www.euroleague.net/