SLOVENIAN 8
05-15-2006, 03:02 PM
http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/question.html
How Is Lorbek Performing In Europe?
Monday, May 15, 2006 If you'd like to pose a Question of the Day to Conrad Brunner, submit it along with your full name and hometown to Bruno'[email protected]. Brunner’s opinions are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pacers players, coaches or management.
QUESTION
OF THE DAY
Conrad Brunner
Q. We don't have a real good idea of what the team as a whole will look like next year, but we do know that we will add Erazem Lorbek to our roster. What type of player is Erazem? Is he able to hit perimeter shots and spread the floor like a lot of European big men are capable of doing (see Andrei Kirilenko, Dirk Nowitzki, Mehmet Okur, Darko Milicic, etc.)? Is his inside game formidable? Does he rebound well? Is he a role player in the mold of Jeff Foster or is he only going to be happy if he puts up 10 shots or more a night? (From Brendan in Bloomington, Ind.)
A. Though Lorbek had another solid season in Europe, Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird said last week the franchise's plan is for the 6-10, 240-pound forward to spend one more season overseas before making his NBA debut. Lorbek is 22 and has been described by the FIBA website as "the best European player of his age." He is considered an excellent perimeter shooter and high-post passer who needs development playing with his back to the basket, as well as on individual defense.
Playing for Climamio Bologna (Italy) in EuroLeague competition, Lorbek averaged 23 minutes, 9.6 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 55 percent from the field, 47 percent from the 3-point line and 53 percent from the free-throw line. In higher level competition against the EuroLeague Top 16, he averaged 10.8 points and 4.3 rebounds, shooting 66 percent from the field, 50 percent from the arc and 67 percent from the line. As an aside, one of his teammates in Bologna is former Indiana State guard Nate Green.
He also played a key role in helping his native Slovenia's national team qualify for its first-ever appearance in the World Basketball Championship, which will be played later this year (Aug. 19 through Sept. 3) in Japan. Coming off a strong 2004-05 season in which he captured the EuroLeague Rising Star trophy, which goes to the league's best player under the age of 22, Lorbek is continuing to develop into a true NBA prospect.
How Is Lorbek Performing In Europe?
Monday, May 15, 2006 If you'd like to pose a Question of the Day to Conrad Brunner, submit it along with your full name and hometown to Bruno'[email protected]. Brunner’s opinions are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pacers players, coaches or management.
QUESTION
OF THE DAY
Conrad Brunner
Q. We don't have a real good idea of what the team as a whole will look like next year, but we do know that we will add Erazem Lorbek to our roster. What type of player is Erazem? Is he able to hit perimeter shots and spread the floor like a lot of European big men are capable of doing (see Andrei Kirilenko, Dirk Nowitzki, Mehmet Okur, Darko Milicic, etc.)? Is his inside game formidable? Does he rebound well? Is he a role player in the mold of Jeff Foster or is he only going to be happy if he puts up 10 shots or more a night? (From Brendan in Bloomington, Ind.)
A. Though Lorbek had another solid season in Europe, Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird said last week the franchise's plan is for the 6-10, 240-pound forward to spend one more season overseas before making his NBA debut. Lorbek is 22 and has been described by the FIBA website as "the best European player of his age." He is considered an excellent perimeter shooter and high-post passer who needs development playing with his back to the basket, as well as on individual defense.
Playing for Climamio Bologna (Italy) in EuroLeague competition, Lorbek averaged 23 minutes, 9.6 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 55 percent from the field, 47 percent from the 3-point line and 53 percent from the free-throw line. In higher level competition against the EuroLeague Top 16, he averaged 10.8 points and 4.3 rebounds, shooting 66 percent from the field, 50 percent from the arc and 67 percent from the line. As an aside, one of his teammates in Bologna is former Indiana State guard Nate Green.
He also played a key role in helping his native Slovenia's national team qualify for its first-ever appearance in the World Basketball Championship, which will be played later this year (Aug. 19 through Sept. 3) in Japan. Coming off a strong 2004-05 season in which he captured the EuroLeague Rising Star trophy, which goes to the league's best player under the age of 22, Lorbek is continuing to develop into a true NBA prospect.