Hollinger Looks At International Prospects

[timvp]

Within an article talking about Bargnani, here's an interesting look at Scola and Javtokas.

While we're on the topic of European players, here's how a few others who were either drafted Wednesday or are rumored to be signing with NBA teams look statistically, based on their 2005-2006 Euroleague campaigns. Note that Thabo Sefolosha, Oleksiy Pecherov and Sergio Rodriguez didn't play in the Euroleage last year, so we don't have translated stats for them:

Yotam Halperin, SG (drafted by SuperSonics)
9.0 pts/40, 5.3 ast/40, 40.7 FG percent, 11.28 PER

Halperin kind of reminds me of Carlos Delfino statistically  he can do everything except score. He'll do it a little better than Delfino, though, if the European numbers are any guide.

Damir Markota, PF (drafted by Spurs, then traded to Bucks)
11.7 pts/40, 12.1 reb/40, 40.7 FG percent, 9.38 PER

Markota will work the boards but the rest of the Croatian's game falls well short of NBA standards. Fortunately, he's only 20.

Kosta Perovic, C (drafted by Warriors)
11.6 pts/40, 7.7 reb/40, 44.5 FG percent, 10.90 PER

7.7 rebounds per 40 minutes? Shouldn't somebody tell this guy he's 7-2? The other numbers aren't exactly scintillating either.

Luis Scola, PF (rights owned by Spurs)
15.2pts/40, 10.8 reb/40, 47.2 FG percent, 15.17 PER

Long regarded as one of the best European-based players, the Argentinean has backed up with his numbers over the past few years. The only thing standing between him and the NBA is a bad buyout clause.

Sofoklis Schortsanitis, PF (rights owned by Clippers)
16.2 pts/40, 11.6 reb/40, 54.4 FG percent, 15.64 PER

A second-round pick two years ago, Schortsanitis completely blew up this year and is likely making the trip across the pond to be Elton Brand's understudy.

Vasilis Spanoulis, PG (rights owned by Rockets)
15.6 pts/40, 5.9 ast/40, 47.0 FG percent, 13.77 PER

Another Greek player who was drafted two years ago and blossomed this past season, Spanoulis could be the answer to Houston's backcourt problems.

Jorge Garbajosa, PF (expected to sign with Raptors)
12.9 pts/40, 9.4 reb/40, 36.1 FG percent, 12.24 PER

A Spanish League mainstay, Garbajosa is regarded as one of the toughest players in Europe. The 36.1 percent might surprise some folks, but he has shot poorly the past couple of seasons.

Robertas Javtokas, C (rights owned by Spurs)
9.8 pts/40, 13.1 reb/40, 45.9 FG percent, 11.46 PER

Javtokas shapes up as a prototypical backup center  he'll rebound a ton but won't do much else. The Spurs are just fine with that, which explains why Rasho Nesterovic has a new address.

Mickael Gelabale, SF (rights owned by Sonics)
10.7 pts/40, 7.5 reb/40, 41.1 FG percent, 9.70 PER

Gelabale has a reputation as a good defender, and he'll need to be because he won't provide much offense. The board work is impressive, though.

[Mr. Body]

Man, Garbajosa's shooting percentage is total crap. How does a big guy shoot like that?

I'm curious about Gelabale. Last year he was one in the endless sea of potential small forward projects/Bowen replacements.

[Burly_Man]

Sofoklis Schortsanitis, PF (rights owned by Clippers)
16.2 pts/40, 11.6 reb/40, 54.4 FG percent, 15.64 PER

Looks like the Clippers hit some second round gold. He has a higher PER than Scola. He also played well in Euroleague.

I remember him being Baby Shaq, then a Bust. Looks like he can give them a physical presence inside.

[Kori Ellis]

I'm curious about Gelabale. Last year he was one in the endless sea of potential small forward projects/Bowen replacements.

He still hasn't negotiated his buyout but Sonics fans seem to be confident it will get done.

[stewart]

:p i don't know if hollinger watch some euro games of france last summer, but gelabale can shoot even from long range. he won't take thousands shoot per game, he will be just like the rest of the french team : working for the team.