Spurs may draft a PG but that means that there is a high probablity they haven't addressed their backup PG situation next year unless it's Vaughn for another year or money spent to get the guy who can play the backup position. Any PG they draft at 28 is likley a project.
Spurs have to figure out about finding roster spots because there are, I believe, 12 players under contract for next year-- many of whom will be on the last year of their contracts. Will the Spurs hold fast mostly and go for cap space in 2008 like they did in 2003 or will they take on any contracts for these expiring ones? If you consider guys like Scola and Ian- and add in a possible guaranteed contract from a first round draft pick- there is no room at the inn. And what about Bonner?
So, basically any team that is a realistic possibility to make it to the Finals is a "good fit" for him. Who is this guy and why is everyone (not just this board, others too) so interested in what he says?
Perenial winner over in Europe. Multiple league MVP. 6'7 playmaking PG with amazing vision and solid defense. Clutch. Also an aging PG (30 I believe) that wants to make a run at a le instead of helping a team develop. He has earned that right with his play in Europe and will go where he wants.
Did I say I 'decided' they were going to draft a PG?
Roster issues are clearly the name of the game this year. But the team will likely be able to make enough room:
Brent Barry and Beno Udrih will be traded. Maybe they are sent for draft picks but hopefully it's in a sign and trade for Andres Nocioni instead.
Fabricio Oberto could opt out of his contract and return to Europe.
James White has a team option and could be let go (if not easily traded for a future 2nd round pick) if the team does not feel he is right for the team.
Jackie Butler could be moved, maybe in a larger trade to include Barry and Beno as well.
Scola's rights are definitely on the block.
Ian Mahinmi does not have to, by any means, come over this season and could spend another year across the pond.
Two of the draft picks will probably be spent on draft and stash players while only one of the three is most likely to play next season.
Matt Bonner won't be resigned unless other plans backfire.
Jacque Vaughn does not have to be brought back either.
The roster spots are there...it's just a matter of "how do you want to get them?"
who is this guy?
link? stats? pics?
It's a bad sign for your quickness when they have to put your highlight reel in fast motion.
This guy will either be the point guard version of Toni Kukoc or the second coming of Antoine Rigaudeau.
Looking for an unusual player? What about a 6-7 point guard? What about a Euroleague MVP that comes off the bench? What about a guy who almost always displays his best level in important and meaningful games? That’s Theodoros Papaloukas, arguably the reigning best player in Europe, the direct heir of guys such as Dejan Bodiroga and Sarunas Jasikevicius, a fierce and insatiable compe or, a winner, a perennial hero for his team. Papaloukas was coming back to Athens, his hometown, to try and win back-to-back Euroleague les for CSKA Moscow. It just happened that he couldn’t get it done this time despite putting one of the best shows of his life in the final against Panathinaikos.
Right after the semifinal win over Tau Vitoria, CSKA coach Ettore Messina showed his concern about Papaloukas taking too much responsibility for this event in his homeland (he joked about Theo organizing travel, tickets, practice, the hotel…), but it was what actually happened in the final, as a huge amount of his team’s offensive load went through his hands, either with points directly scored by him, creating spaces for his teammates with his aggressive playing style or passing the ball to an open man.
Papaloukas is a difficult player to contest. He’s tall and quite strong for a guard, enjoying very good ball-handling skills to protect the ball despite his size, and displays decent quickness. Theo can drive and dribble in traffic, even with contact, which helps him overpower his match-ups. He perfectly uses his size to post up his defender, even beating guys as tall as him (like Siskauskas in the final). And then, it’s a matter of his great ability to finish near the basket (partially thanks to his size), magnificent court vision and an impressive mind to take decisions. The guy always knows when to push the ball and run (either because of a certain play situation or what the game demands), when to stop and play a more drawn out sequence, and when to resolve with a pick and roll play or an individual effort.
Actually we’re talking about a master of the pick and roll, a playmaker that perfectly feeds the teammate setting the pick and rolling towards the basket, often with high passes where he takes advantage of his size. If the defense doesn’t stay honest, he will either go all the way to the basket to score himself or shoot the ball off the dribble. Here we find his main weakness in terms of offensive game though: he’s not much of a shooter, although he will punish you if he’s left wide open. His passing game is not only about two-on-two situations, but he finds his teammates on the weak side extremely easily, he’s very dangerous distributing the ball from the low post (especially because he usually attracts defensive helps), and generally speaking, if there’s any defensive mistake, chances are he will make pay by sending the ball instantaneously to the appropriate place. It’s also interesting to note how he often passes while in the air, a high risk proposition, but he rarely turns the ball over, as his mind offers him quick solutions.
Theo helps in the rebounding department, usually igniting the fastbreak (also if he receives a quick outlet pass) to look for easy baskets. He’s an unspectacular, but solid defender; let’s say he fills the bill. Obviously he’s not the quickest guy around when it comes to moving laterally, which would hurt him in the NBA matching-up against point guards. Neither is he very athletic for a wing. But there aren’t many guys around with his combination of character and skills. In a world increasingly starving for true playmakers, he’s the answer. Will the NBA feel the same way? We’ll find out this summer.
http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=2047
thanks
a 6-7 PG would be awesome to have, maybe the Spurs wining the chip this year will make his decision earsier to come to SA
Spurs CAN'T rely on Beno and Vaughn in 08 as backups
after reading that, him coming to the Spurs is too good to be true
not happening
Last edited by Spurs Dynasty 21; 06-11-2007 at 06:17 PM.
Frankly, I think I'd rather have Dimitrios Diamantidis. But I don't think he has any desire whatsoever to come over to the NBA. Pity.
Papaloukas is an extremely strong offensive player. Very strong with the ball. He can drive and create on anyone, one-on-one. Some people, he overpowers...and he can finish. He's an erratic outside scorer, however. I'd love to see the Spurs get sign him and use him in screen/roll scenarios to get extra scoring punch and ball distribution.
I would like to see him here as well. I don't think he would help a borderline to above average playoff contender at all. Because he doesn't really stand out at anything, and I could see him being like Rigadeu if he went to a team that had young and solid guards and swingmen. He is not the type to beat out young talent or established talent. I think SA would be a great fit for him because he could be a backup PG that could really run the offense well, and even defend the 2-3 reasonably. He would improve the Spurs offense a little bit because of the type of the players the Spurs have and the way they play. With guys like Ginobili, Duncan, Parker -- he could run pick and rolls or find the open guards all day.
He would be an excellent addition and player to take a chance on. Not that he would be awesome or Manu like off the bench -- but he could carve his own niche and be a very useful offensive player and help defender with his steals.
Not a bad International player to take a chance on if the money and opportunity is right.
papafrita, u got me a good laugh,,
BTW, you should check how Papaloukas fared against Parker in the last 5 or 6 games Greece faced France (Greece won them all). Of particular note is the Eurobasket 2005 semi-final, when France was leading by 9 points 55'' before the end and Greece won, with a buzze beater by Diamantidis. Papaloukas showed enormous clutch in this game, scoring 6 points in the last minute by driving against Parker. No desperate three point shots, no throwing-up prayers... just calm and cool basketball decisions.
I don't know if Papaloukas is a seemless fit-in NBA-material, but given the right cir stances, he can shine and help a team win.
Reportedly, the Cavs are interested in bringing in Papaloukas as well (maybe Ferry is coming to his senses on that whole Beno udrih thing). Theodoras would likely start or at least get the lions share of the minutes in Cleveland.
dont be suprised if he doesnt come to the spurs
i have learnt over the years which ever FA opens his mouth and mentions about the spurs, is just marketing themselves and suckpunchin the other teams thinkn we are interested, usin the spurs as leverage for a payrise.
Paploukas, hmmm is that a tasty greek dish. Zorbas in austin anyone??
C'mon...
Spurs allready have Manu and Tony ... so Papaloukas is just a bench player for spurs ... this guy need to own the team ... He needs to play minutes, to get involved .... Miami or Cleveland are the team he needs ... dallas ? why not, if they get rid of Jason Terry. Phoenix ...
Papaloukas is not a defender ... PG in NBA will rules him ... he has to play SG (alongside a true PG). He's great (the best) in clutch plays in Europ but in NBA, referee and rules won't make it easy for him ...
Else, he will be the next Jasikivicius .. best player in Europ, never get a chance in NBA ... By the way, Cleveland still don't want to try him ?
Bye,
Drclic.
Bye the way, for the spurs, look after Diamantidis. Great defender, great shooter, clutch ... best way to replace Bowen and/or Ginobili in a few years ... He's way more a NBA player profile than Papaloukas.
In that vid, IMO he doesnt look like he'd be quick enough in the NBA, not to mention all those crazy passes hes throwing. I'd like to know what his assist to turnover ratio is. Maybe I was expecting too much when I heard 6'7 point guard but hey hes still better than Beno.
I would rather roll the dice with Beno developing into a quality PG then go after this guy.
Bring him over, the guy is a winner, clutch as and a solid citizen. Was Kukoc fast? Is Dirk that freak of an athlete? Beno is a slow mothasucka. For the right price definitely yes.
That will never happen with the Spurs. Pop's system works because the players the Spurs have are tough skinned and can take a straight forward, no bull coaching style. Beno has shown that he cannot play in that kind of system with this kind of coach.
As for the Greek - would be nice as a backup combo guard but would have to be hidden on defense against the opposing team's 2nd string shooters who don't drive well. At this point, the Spurs need the roster slot for Oberto and others more than they need this guy.
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