RealGM

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2008 6:16 pm**

A bit more intrigue for the off-season from Ivan.

Yesterday, I spoke with Marc Cornstein, the agent who represents Vladimir Veremeenko, and it appears that there is a decent chance that Veremeenko could play in summer league. Taken in the second round by the Wiz two years ago, Veremeenko is playing for Khimki in Russia (also have seen it spelled "Khimky") but could negotiate his way out of the contract all together or simply be cleared to play in summer league.

Ernie Grunfeld has indicated that he would like to see Veremeenko in summer league as well so maybe something can get done. Cornstein declined to detail Veremeenko's contract situation but it appears that it is nowhere near as restrictive as the one Juan Carlos Navarro had in Barcelona before negotiating his way to the NBA last summer. At the very least, it would be good to get Veremeenko over to Las Vegas for summer league so other teams can see him. You never know, maybe some team falls in love decides to make a move for him.

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2008 6:19 pm**

I say we use him as trade bait.

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2008 6:36 pm**

What, trade bait?? Hell no!!! The guy plays defense. **** That ****. If EFJ is going to be the coach of this team, we're going to need all the help we can get.

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2008 6:50 pm**

Try this link:

http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/draftcentral.html

Scroll down on the right side of the page, to "VIDEO LISTS", then scroll to the bottom of the list for a video of Vlad's workout with the Blazers.

I know, it's just a workout in an empty gym - but he looks fairly fluid/athletic to me. Who knows what the past 24 months have done for him (bulked up a bit? improved his jump shot? got a few more tattoos?), but there appears to be some promise there. If he gives us anything at this point, it's just gravy.

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2008 6:52 pm**

I'd like to see him in summer league but I'm not sure if he should be on the roster next season. I'd like to have him as a minimum salary option in 2009 when we're up against the luxury tax.

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2008 6:55 pm**

Ok, I had never seen him play before.

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2008 6:56 pm**

I can't comment on his defense or the strength of his competition, but his stats look pretty good. He had a few ugly games turnover-wise, and in one of those he committed 5 fouls in 13 minutes, but his season shooting percentages are impressive and his rebounding doesn't look bad. I could see him eventually taking over Songaila's role, though right now he lacks the veteran savvy that means so much to EJ.

I'd be happy to see him here or used as trade bait. Either way, he should be of some use.

http://www.euroleague.net/competition/p ... code=u2006

The first stats given are for 06-07. The current season stats appear to be lower down the page.

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2008 7:02 pm**

Yeah I guess he looked pretty good. Maybe like Songaila but more athletic and has a better jumper.

We just have a lot of younger guys. I say if we bring over Vlad, either send Stewie to the D-League or try to swing some kind of trade.

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2008 7:12 pm**

It's Khimki, you can't have a y after a k in Russian.

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2008 7:18 pm**

Severn Hoos wrote:Try this link:

http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/draftcentral.html

Scroll down on the right side of the page, to "VIDEO LISTS", then scroll to the bottom of the list for a video of Vlad's workout with the Blazers.

I know, it's just a workout in an empty gym - but he looks fairly fluid/athletic to me. Who knows what the past 24 months have done for him (bulked up a bit? improved his jump shot? got a few more tattoos?), but there appears to be some promise there. If he gives us anything at this point, it's just gravy.

Thanks Sev I've been looking all over for video. He does look pretty fluid, especially his jumper for 6'11". As if we need another jump shooting big :noway:

, but I would LOVE to at least get this guy over here and on our roster. If we're sure he's on his way that really makes me think we should go guard in the draft.

He ain't JCN, but :pray:

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2008 7:32 pm**

NbdyBeatsTheWiz wrote:-
Thanks Sev I've been looking all over for video. He does look pretty fluid, especially his jumper for 6'11". As if we need another jump shooting big , but I would LOVE to at least get this guy over here and on our roster. If we're sure he's on his way that really makes me think we should go guard in the draft.

He ain't JCN, but

At least from the stats I see on that web page, Vlad Veremeenko looks like a scrub on the Russian ULEB club... only appearing in 9 games (4 starts). Averaging 15mpg, 5.9ppg (52% shooting), 3 rebounds and 1 assist.

Sounds like he's probably still a couple years away from making it in the NBA, IF HE MAKES IT AT ALL! Can you say Peter John Ramos?

:noway:

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2008 7:33 pm**

The more options for Ernie the better. For all we know, AJ could sign with a contender to close-out his career.

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2008 8:00 pm**

mohammed10 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

At least from the stats I see on that web page, Vlad Veremeenko looks like a scrub on the Russian ULEB club... only appearing in 9 games (4 starts). Averaging 15mpg, 5.9ppg (52% shooting), 3 rebounds and 1 assist.

Sounds like he's probably still a couple years away from making it in the NBA, IF HE MAKES IT AT ALL! Can you say Peter John Ramos?

I don't see how many games he started, but from what I read on the site I linked above, I was under the impression that he had played 8 of their 10 games (so far this season?), averaging 22.5 minutes, 9.4 PPG on excellent shooting %'s (FG, 3PT & FT). At least one of us must be mis-reading the results. Or are you looking at a different site?

Actually, looking again, I think "my" site gives only 06-07 stats. The ones I quote here are regular season stats. Two crappy playoff games (except 11 boards in one) brought down his averages. But I don't see your numbers at all. Do you have a link to 07-08 stats?

Edit: Oh, here it is. Wow, that does look pretty bad. I wonder why he seems to have backslided.

http://www.euroleague.net/competition/p ... code=u2007

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2008 8:30 pm**

Joe_Wiz wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

I don't see how many games he started, but from what I read on the site I linked above, I was under the impression that he had played 8 of their 10 games (so far this season?), averaging 22.5 minutes, 9.4 PPG on excellent shooting %'s (FG, 3PT & FT). At least one of us must be mis-reading the results. Or are you looking at a different site?

Actually, looking again, I think "my" site gives only 06-07 stats. The ones I quote here are regular season stats. Two crappy playoff games (except 11 boards in one) brought down his averages. But I don't see your numbers at all. Do you have a link to 07-08 stats?

Edit: Oh, here it is. Wow, that does look pretty bad. I wonder why he seems to have backslided.

http://www.euroleague.net/competition/p ... code=u2007

Well, in the Euroleague, teams give younger players very inconsistent minutes. In Khimki, he is playing behind two veterans who have played in the NBA in Pat Burke and Maciej Lampe.

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2008 11:04 pm**

Soup's Uncle wrote:I say we use him as trade bait.

yeah, we should strike while the iron's hot. maybe we could ship him and etan to miami for the #2. two for one? naw, nevermind, we shouldn't trade in our own division.

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2008 11:16 pm**

daSwami wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

yeah, we should strike while the iron's hot. maybe we could ship him and etan to miami for the #2. two for one? naw, nevermind, we shouldn't trade in our own division.

sWami, I know you've scouted VV a lot in your travels. Do you have any updated photos of him?

Posted: **Sat May 24, 2008 1:58 am**

NbdyBeatsTheWiz wrote:Thanks Sev I've been looking all over for video. He does look pretty fluid, especially his jumper for 6'11". As if we need another jump shooting big , but I would LOVE to at least get this guy over here and on our roster. If we're sure he's on his way that really makes me think we should go guard in the draft.

He's not 6'11. He's listed at 2.08 meters, which converts to 6'8". He'd be a back-up SF if he has NBA quality skills that translate. I know he was injured for a bit with an ankle-something if I recall correct-like. He's hitting 50% from Euro-three which equates to a decent mid-range game, and his rebound rate is alright though Euro-rebounding stats don't generally translate. But still: active hands: he's averaging ~ 3 steals per 40 minutes, plus 3 dimes.

It would be interesting to have another active hustling Russian on the squad, but more than anything it'd just be fun to finally see the guy in Summer League, running with Dray's boys.

Posted: **Sat May 24, 2008 2:03 am**

Exactly. With as little video as there is of him out there, I'd simply love to watch him play with our fellas in the summer league.

Posted: **Sat May 24, 2008 2:24 am**

Severn Hoos wrote:Try this link:

http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/draftcentral.html

Scroll down on the right side of the page, to "VIDEO LISTS", then scroll to the bottom of the list for a video of Vlad's workout with the Blazers.

I know, it's just a workout in an empty gym - but he looks fairly fluid/athletic to me. Who knows what the past 24 months have done for him (bulked up a bit? improved his jump shot? got a few more tattoos?), but there appears to be some promise there. If he gives us anything at this point, it's just gravy.

Checked out the clip, all I can say is that he looks better than Pech now. I Look forward to seeing what he can do in Summer League. If he is half-decent, he'll probably be packaged in a trade.

Posted: **Sat May 24, 2008 4:47 am**

closg00 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Checked out the clip, all I can say is that he looks better than Pech now. I Look forward to seeing what he can do in Summer League. If he is half-decent, he'll probably be packaged in a trade.

I hope he drops 40 in a summer league game so he will get a lot of undeserved hype ala Bellinelli.

RealGM

Veremeenko on his way?

Veremeenko on his way?