Updates: Viktor Sanikidze

[Solid D]

Indeed.

[Solid D]

I will add to my "indeed" that NBA teams often have to negotiate buyouts with European basketball clubs. An example would be Sergio Rodriguez, where Portland had to negotiate with Estudiantes in Madrid.

[wildbill2u]

In 8 minutes he had 4 boards, 2 points (1-3 FG, 0-1 3pt) and 2TOs, 2PFs. While his stats don't look good really at all, his intensity, defense, length and willingness to crash the boards was what supremely impressed us.

We know that White can elevate. Does he use that explosion to rebound or does he get outmanouvered? Can you compare the rebounding of White and Sanizkadsziwhatever.?

[Mr. Body]

We know that White can elevate. Does he use that explosion to rebound or does he get outmanouvered? Can you compare the rebounding of White and Sanizkadsziwhatever.?

Sanikidze looks to be a much better rebounder than White. While White has good athleticism, he's more of a gliding jumper than a stand-still jumper. He can't simply jump over guys to get rebounds, and is too weak to power through anybody to get them.

[Solid D]

Do the Spurs have a running coach? Sanikidze runs funny.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Do the Spurs have a running coach? Sanikidze runs funny.

Jackie Butler.

[Bruno]

For people who wants to follow what Sanikidze will do with the Georgian NT this summer : http://www.gbf.ge/news.php?m=news&lang=eng

[callo1]

I was really impressed with this guy in the RMR games that I went to. It was unfortunate that he got hurt.

I think this guy can play in the NBA, and do not think he is as far away as some others do in terms of development. Yes he is very light, but he plays to his strengths with hustle and quickness. He has a decent stroke from range, and can slash his way to the hoop.

I am a big believer in this guy...would love to see him get a shot.

[wildbill2u]

Does anybody think the Spurs will invite him to camp? I'd like to see him for myself.

[Kiss my asterisk]

I didn't see him on the "rooster" for the most recent games, is he still injured?

[Darkwaters]

I definitely hope they invite him to camp. If nothing else it simply gives him further experience as well as giving the Spurs staff additional time to look him over. But I could see him having a place in camp as a significant motivation for him to take it to the next level this season in preparation for next summer.

[Bruno]

I didn't see him on the "rooster" for the most recent games, is he still injured?

I don't know why he hasn't played the first games with Georgia but he is now playing with them.
Sanikidze played today in Portugal against Portugal NT and scored 10 points.

[ducks]

thanks

[timvp]

I don't know why he hasn't played the first games with Georgia but he is now playing with them.

I'd guess he was still recovering from his ankle injury in summer league. I saw a replay of the injury and it looked pretty ugly.

I guess it's a good sign he's already playing. Either that or Georgia brought in some French doctors to give him the green light.

Someone alert the Spurs.

[Bruno]

thanks

You're welcome.

Either that or Georgia brought in some French doctors to give him the green light.

Someone alert the Spurs.

Georgian NT was training in France before going in Portugal for this friendly tournament. A French doctor could be behind that.

[Bruno]

Some news :

First, Sanikidze plays well with the Georgian NT
He has played 5 games with them, his stats :
10 pts in 12 min
10 pts, 9 rbds in 29 min
3 pts, 7 rbds in 34 min
11 pts, 6rbds
11 pts, 5rbds
Even if the level of these games is quite low, it's still interesting to notice than Sanikidze is able to be solid with them.

Second, Sanikidze is under contract with Estudiantes for next year but it's unlikely that he will play with them next year.
Estudiantes don't need a deep roster next year because they will only play the Spanish league and their roster is now full at the SF and PF spots (they have just signed Florent Pietrus). I haven't too seen his name linked with another European team for the moment.
I don't think at all that Spurs will sign this summer but it's still theoretically possible. I hope for him that he will find a team where he will be able to get a lot of playtime after two season without playing a lot (injuries + doghouse).

[lotr1trekkie]

How is his last name pronounced?

[Darkwaters]

How is his last name pronounced?

San-ik-eed-zee

[timvp]

Thanks for the update, B.

There might be an outside chance that Sanikidze signs with the Spurs. They seemingly have an open roster spot and seemingly aren't in a hurry to fill it.

Could the Toros sign him without the Spurs signing him first? Doubt it but I haven't seen hard evidence against that possibility.

I liked what I saw out of him in summer league. Hopefully he gets a chance somewhere this year.


P.S.

Any links to those Georgian boxscores available?

[Darkwaters]

Thanks for the update, B.


Could the Toros sign him without the Spurs signing him first? Doubt it but I haven't seen hard evidence against that possibility.

We've been asking that same question all summer. Still no answer. But I think that would be ideal. In Austin he could play pretty well as much as he wanted and be close to our strength and conditioning coaches. At this point, I wouldn't mind just signing him to the Spurs and assigning him to the Toros. But the D-League direct route makes more sense in the big picture.

[Bruno]

Any links to those Georgian boxscores available?

I haven't found full boxscores for these games.
On Georgian BB federation website, there are some news/quick summaries in English : http://www.gbf.ge/news.php?m=news&lang=eng

Georgian NT has finished friendly games, next games will be official ones. Boxscores for these games will be available on fiba europe website :
http://www.eurobasket2007.org/en/cid...ason_2007.html

Schedule for Georgian NT :
August 21st : @Luxembourg
August 25st : Austria
August 29st : @ Iceland
September 2nd : Finland
Two "playoffs" games if they are good enough.

Games against Austria and Finland will be the more meaningful (Luxembourg and Iceland are really bad)

[velik_m]

Games against Austria and Finland will be the more meaningful (Luxembourg and Iceland are really bad)

[venitian navigator]

if players sign with the toros, the Spurs still have their rights ?
'cause, in case, having a Toros team with Sinikidze, M. Williams and Mahinmi practicing the Spurs plays waiting for their development till they're ready for the 2008 team, wouldn't be a bad idea...

[tinysands]

EuroBasket Division B

LUXEMBOURG 60-88 GEORGIA

9 Sanikidze, V. 22 2/2 100.0 0/0 0.0 0/0 0.0 1 5 6 2 4 1 2 2 4
22 mins, 2/2 FG, 4 pts, 6 rebs, 2 ass, 4 fouls, 1 to, 2 stl, 2 blk

http://www.eurobasket2007.org/en/cid...50-C-11-6.html

[SpursWillOwn]

EuroBasket Division B

LUXEMBOURG 60-88 GEORGIA

9 Sanikidze, V. 22 2/2 100.0 0/0 0.0 0/0 0.0 1 5 6 2 4 1 2 2 4
22 mins, 2/2 FG, 4 pts, 6 rebs, 2 ass, 4 fouls, 1 to, 2 stl, 2 blk

http://www.eurobasket2007.org/en/cid...50-C-11-6.html

he has 2 ass!!!!!!!!!!!