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A lot of people think the Spurs are going to draft him. This is the one the guy that they are looking at that I don't want. Too soft.
Full Name: Petteri Johannes Koponen
Position: Guard
Height/Weight: 6-4 / 195
Birthdate: April 13, 1988 (Helsinki, Finland)
High School: Mäkelänrinne Senior HS (Helsinki, Finland)
Team: Honka Espoo Playboys (Finland)
Country: Finland
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A lot of people think the Spurs are going to draft him. This is the one the guy that they are looking at that I don't want. Too soft.
per Draftexpress:
Comparisons:
Best Case: Beno Udrih
Worst Case: Teemu Rannikko
Beno is his best case!!!
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Exploring European Draft-Day Storylines
June 17, 2007
Continuing a distinct trend that has followed him to every workout he’s attended so far, Petteri Koponen had himself another outstanding showing in front of multiple NBA teams, this time at a workout organized by his agent Marc Cornstein in New York City.
Eight Pinnacle Management clients worked out for at least ten NBA teams in separate workouts this past weekend on Saturday and Sunday. Teams that were in New York on Saturday/Sunday included Denver, Memphis, Boston (Danny Ainge), Houston, Utah, Portland (Kevin Pritchard), Toronto, Golden State, Seattle, Charlotte, Phoenix, Dallas, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Miami, the LA Lakers, and the New York Knicks.
According to an NBA executive that was present, the workout was well run and featured a good mix of shooting drills, and compe ive one on one or two on two matchups. The players that were in attendance for the first session were Stanko Barac, Vladimir Golobuvic, Marko Lekic, and Milovan Rakovic—a group of big “bangers” who did a good job beating up on each other and neutralizing each other for the most part—even if Milovan Rakovic did well to separate himself from the pack.
The second session—featuring Petteri Koponen, Casey Hughes (Yale), Zoran Erceg and Artem Zabelin—was reportedly more informative. Erceg did a terrific job shooting the ball, although his flaws (rebounding, shot-creating ability, athleticism) were evident. Zabelin looks to be “oozing with potential,” although he still has a “very long way to go” as his body looks years away from filling out.
According to two separate NBA people who were in the building, it was Koponen that stole the show once again, showing good ball-handling skills, an ability to change directions quickly on the fly, excellent leadership skills, great poise, a high intelligence level, terrific intangibles, and a real winning at ude that made him standout in everything he did. The same “plays like an American guard” compliment that we heard from a different scout who saw him in Orlando conducting another multi-team workout was again repeated here—meaning he doesn’t suffer from the same athletic short-comings that other international guards do. His shooting mechanics were critiqued, but apparently his jumper went in at a good rate, particularly on pick and pop plays.
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Koponen Shines
April 8, 2007
Coming into the 2007 Nike Hoop Summit, point guard Petteri Koponen had a large task at hand. A 6’5” point guard out of Finland, he was faced with the task of grabbing the attention of the various NBA scouts in attendance, while proving he could play against more athletic compe ion. Koponen succeeded at both tasks, displaying the ability to run a team and making his way past more athletic players throughout the game.
Born in 1988, Koponen plays for a team called Honka Espoo. Honka currently ranks 2nd in the Korisliiga, the top league in Finland. While many players in his age group struggle to gain minutes, this hasn’t been a problem for Koponen. The Korisliiga ranks as one of the weaker leagues in Europe, and can probably compared to the leagues in Sweden and the Czech Republic in terms of compe ion level. While the league isn’t the strongest, it is probably safe to say that Koponen would likely receive at least some minutes in most of the stronger leagues in Europe.
Koponen reportedly plays 30-35 minutes per game with Honka as their started point guard, and has enjoyed recent success in Korisliiga playoffs. In a recent game, the young lead guard lead his team to a victory while scoring 27 points and shooting 7 of 9 from behind the three point line.
What makes Koponen impressive isn’t his scoring, but rather his command of an offense at such a young age. He perfectly fits the mod of the new age point guard with ability to see the court and break down the defense, in combination with his height and the way he moves on the court. During the Hoop Summit, his ability to see the floor and work the ball around the perimeter led to 6 assists and only 1 turnover in the final box score.
Due to the impressive play of Petteri Koponen, Memphis Grizzlies GM Jerry West made the trip to Finland this year with the sole intent of watching Honka play.
Both before and after the Hoop Summit, Koponen stated he’d potentially look into testing the waters in 2007 by placing his name on the early entry list. The fact that he reportedly has no agent makes the situation all the more interesting. He clearly stated after the game on Saturday that he’d move to a higher level of compe ion next season, citing the NBA as a preference, but mentioning a higher league in Europe as another potential destination.
Though Koponen plays a polished game for an 18 year old, he could clearly boost his draft stock with a good season against better compe ion in Europe. He will still be a relative unknown should he decide to declare this year, and it would be wise of him to pull his name out unless he receives a promise in the late first or early second round.
No matter what Petteri Koponen decides to do, he has clearly established himself as a player for NBA draft enthusiasts to follow. His combination of size, decision making, and shooting ability will give the soon to be 19 year old a chance to succeed in the NBA, whether he decides to make the jump this year or in the future.
Nike Hoop Summit Practices-- World Team (Day 4)
April 7, 2007
Petteri Koponen continued to show great maturity running the offense and knocking down jump shots from behind the three point line. Though he struggles to finish near the basket against bigger players, the young point guard can usually make something happened when able to penetrate past the free throw line. Tomorrow will be a big game for Koponen, where he will get the chance to prove he has the physical tools to compete against American players.
[Read Full Article]
Nike Hoop Summit Practices-- World Team (Day 3)
April 6, 2007
Petteri Koponen continued to stand out in the practices today, particularly on the offensive end of the floor. He displayed the ability to break down the defense in the halfcout and pass with good success. He understands the right time to attack, and generally will cycle through the various options of the offensive set before trying to create a play himself. On the perimeter he continued to sink the three point jump-shot with great consistency, showing a quick release despite the lack of lift. The most enjoyable part of Koponen’s game came when the ball wasn’t in his hands, but instead when he’d end up in the paint setting a screen in the offense. He isn’t afraid to lay a hard hit on bigger players and gave out many John Stockton type of hits in the paint to anybody who crossed his path. Even if Koponen doesn’t have the quickness to play the point in the NBA, he probably has the size to play the 2.
[Read Full Article]
Nike Hoop Summit Practices-- World Team (Day 2)
April 5, 2007
Petteri Koponen was one of the more intriguing prospects of the day. He possesses great size for a point guard at around 6’5” and has the quickness to penetrate past the other international players. What really stands out is how physical he plays the point guard position. In the paint, he really excels when setting screens, and isn’t afraid from contact from any player on the floor. As the day progressed, it was easy to appreciate how well he can run a team. Koponen controls the game well, can find the open man off the dribble, and is very crafty with the ball in his hands. Also, his shooting stroke has great consistency - he can make it both while set and off the dribble. The interesting thing for Koponen will be to see how he stacks up athletically against the American players. He may not have the quickness for the NBA level, but if he does he could be a really interesting prospect to watch.
[Read Full Article]
I agree....much too soft.
But you do have to dig the name of the team he played for:
Team: Honka Espoo Playboys
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NBA Comparison: Kirk Hinrich
Strengths: Has crept from under the radar to become one of the most hyped players in Nordic countries ever ... Great court vision, able to find the open guy no matter how narrow the passing agle is ... ”Houdini” in the open court ... A classic “pass first, pass second, shoot third” point guard when is fully adapted to team’s system ... Defensively he is excellent covering the passing lanes and defending off-the ball movement because of the combination of wits and wingspan...Also a solid team defender, big enough to defend shooting guards ... Tougher than seems, can take a lot of contact without complaining in both offensive and defensive sides ... Able to slash to the basket and draw the defense to him ... Excellent mental toughness, not even the toughest trash talker is able to get inside his head ... Quick, stable jump shot release with a high arch ... Great at ude, an extremely sportsmanlike player ... Picks up his coach’s advice quickly ... Willing to learn and be one of the best one day, works hard to correct the weak spots in his game ... A true talent with potential ...
Weaknesses: Although he takes good care of his body and has improved significantly during last two years, lacks the NBA athleticism ... Struggles in 1-on-1-defense against quicker, more physical point guards ... Still shows inexperience against top compe ion: Gets a fair share of bad pass turnovers against defensive-minded teams ... Makes quite a lot of rookie mistakes if opponent’s guards have “done their homework” ... Can get frustrated after a couple of easy fouls or turnovers and sometimes gets carried away in high tempo game ... Needs to get better running a 5-on-5 half court set: Has a tendency of forcing bad shots when he can’t get the offense flowing naturally ... Needs more confidence, can be overly critical towards himeslf ... Lacks vocal leadership, although has shown impressive ability to lead both veteran and junior teams ... Needs approximately two years of experience in bigger leagues before having a shot in the NBA ...
Notes: Made his debut in the Finnish top league Korisliiga as a 16-year old and has been able to learn the game from top international coaches Mihajlo Pavicevic (Montenegro) and Henrik Dettmann (Finland) ... Has been scouted by Rick Sheubrooks and Jerry West of the Memphis Grizzlies ... Finished with seven points (2-4 field goals), six assists and just one turnover against Derrick Rose and OJ Mayo in the 2007 Nike Hoop Summit ... Played his first game with Finnish National Team August 1st 2006 against Norway ... Played 15 National Team games in the summer of 2006, scoring 7,0 ppg...Played four games in Euro-Qualifications, third best scorer of Team Finland (10,3ppg) after Hanno Mottola (Zalgiris Kaunas) and starting point guard Teemu Rannikko (Olimpia Ljubljana) ... Netted 19 points and dished out 9 assists against Luxembourg September 16th 2006 ... Starting point guard in U20 Division B European Championship tournament ... U20 team finished third while Koponen scored 12,6ppg and delivered 3,4apg ... Best individual performance in U20 games: 26 points, 7 rebounds and 8 steals July 18th 2006 against Macedonia...Was the starting point guard of 2007 Finnish Champion Honka Playboys ... Season averages in 2006/2007: 12,4ppg, 2,4rpg, 3,7apg, 1,7spg, 3,0topg while draining 54,2% of two point attempts, 39,2% of three point attempts and 84,1% of free throw attempts ...
Hippo T. - 5/14/2007
hmmmm....i dont know kori, a guard with his skill and size, polished game, and basketball IQ at that age seems like a no brainer to me.
As of right now the guys that intrigue me the most are Koponen, fernandez, belini, and demitiris nichols.
we'll see, i highly doubt the spurs pick anyone i would like anyway
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Petteri Koponen: NBA Draft Profile
May 15th, 2007
International, Prospect Profiles
By Jeff Fox
NBA Draft: Petteri Koponen
Team: Espoon Honka
Birth Year: 1988
Stats: Finnish League Stats
Position: PG
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 194lbs
Accolades: Nike Hoop Summit (07).
Scouting Report: An inexperienced, yet highly talented Finnish point guard.
Strengths: A winner – helped Honka win the 2007 Finnish League Championship. Played a strong game against the top U.S. high school players at this year’s Hoop Summit. Great passer. Can beat his man off the dribble and dish to an open teammate. Good three-point shooter. Great free throw shooter. Jerry West scouted him in Finland and commented on his “very high basketball IQ” and compared him to Steve Nash.
Weaknesses: Needs to take better care of the ball – averages almost as many turnovers as assists. Very young, especially for a point guard. Very inexperienced – the Finnish League is not one of the world’s top leagues. Needs to get stronger.
Projected 2007 Draft Range: Early second round pick.
Consensus: Koponen is a very skilled and exciting NBA prospect. While he is still probably a couple of years away from contributing at the NBA level, he has a very solid package of skills and should only improve as his body and game matures.
The people who are calling this guy soft, they are out of their ing trees. Finn's don't come in "soft"...
Thats not just my opinion, look at some of the quotes that picnroll has been posting
Tougher than seems, can take a lot of contact without complaining in both offensive and defensive sidesExcellent mental toughness, not even the toughest trash talker is able to get inside his headHe isn’t afraid to lay a hard hit on bigger players and gave out many John Stockton type of hits in the paint to anybody who crossed his path.What really stands out is how physical he plays the point guard position. In the paint, he really excels when setting screens, and isn’t afraid from contact from any player on the floor.
I suppose my only question is, if this guys is everything they're saying he is, why the is he projected to be bottom of the first/top of the second?
Seems like he would be a high lottery pick with this many intangibles, Kori is probably right
The Vikings were soft?
Well, this alley oop pass is better than anything the Spurs put up this season:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHBUoVgHKs0
Because hes 18 and won't be ready to contribute for at least a year or two. Teams are in a "win now" mentality and can't afford to wait on a guy like Koponen.
If he had shut down workouts, I'd be convinced he's the Spurs' guy. But he worked out with the Suns today and has more workouts scheduled. It just doesn't fit the Spurs M.O. to promise a spot to a player in the first round if the player doesn't agree to shut it down.
Koponen's workout schedule appears to be that of someone with no solid promise.
Is he 6'3", 6'4", 6'5" or what?
He comes with a ready-made nickname, which is great. (Has to do with his team name.)
I would guess because other than international all-star teams he's only played in the finnish league, which is very poor compe ion.
Come on guys, leauge in Finland isn't Spanish, Italian or Greek. It's like half proffesional, all teams from 2.league in Europe are better then teams from Finland. This guy first need to show something in Europe, than he can dream about NBA. No teams from Finland played in Euroleague, maybe some in lower compe ions.....
Best Case: Beno Udrih - not even close
Worst Case: Teemu Rannikko - Teemu played for slovenian Olimpija, where Beno played, and all he can do is shot, defence zero, strenght zero....
Let them play hockey!
Notes: Made his debut in the Finnish top league Korisliiga as a 16-year old and has been able to learn the game from top international coaches????Mihajlo Pavicevic (Montenegro)???? and Henrik Dettmann (Finland)???? IS THIS A JOKE?
... Has been scouted by Rick Sheubrooks and Jerry West of the Memphis Grizzlies ... Finished with seven points (2-4 field goals), six assists and just one turnover against Derrick Rose and OJ Mayo in the 2007 Nike Hoop Summit
... Played his first game with Finnish National Team August 1st 2006 against Norway - i never heard they have a basketball team
... Played 15 National Team games in the summer of 2006, scoring 7,0 ppg...Played four games in Euro-Qualifications, third best scorer of Team Finland (10,3ppg) after Hanno Mottola (Zalgiris Kaunas) and starting point guard Teemu Rannikko (Olimpia Ljubljana) ... Netted 19 points and dished out 9 assists against Luxembourg
September 16th 2006 ... Starting point guard in U20 Division B European Championship tournament ?!... U20 team finished third while Koponen scored 12,6ppg and delivered 3,4apg ... Best individual performance in U20 games: 26 points, 7 rebounds and 8 steals July 18th 2006 against Macedonia...Was the starting point guard of 2007 Finnish Champion Honka Playboys ... Season averages in 2006/2007: 12,4ppg, 2,4rpg, 3,7apg, 1,7spg, 3,0topg while draining 54,2% of two point attempts, 39,2% of three point attempts and 84,1% of free throw attempts ...
THIS ARTICLE IS JOKE!!!
And...who exactly was Parker playing against? No one had heard anything about the French league in 2000-2001. If you weren't from the former Yugoslavia, you probably weren't an NBA prospect. Times change. This kid came over here and balled against the best young US players and held his own.
Since i'm coming from former Yugoslavia teritory i can tell you that French teams like Pao, Asvel, Limoges and others, are playing in top European leagues since i was born, maybe you heard for France in 2001, but they are playing very good basket since i know for my self.
JOKE RIGHT?? Maybe geography is realy the biggest problem in States
I don't dislike Koponen, but to me it seems as if all of these scouting reports were done or updated in the past MONTH. Doesn't it scare some of you that he wasn't even slated to get drafted before these pre-draft camps? Has anyone really seen enough of this kid to think he's worth a first round pick?
Having said that, I think it's possible that he is one of the Spurs' picks, so I hope we all warm to the idea that he can be left overseas for a year or two and be ready to contribute as the Spurs primary backup PG and play some SG as well.
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