U20 European championship

[brassviews]

Which Greek players stood out?

[AdamTheGreek]

Papanikolaou got MVP.

[KWSN-Men]

Which Greek players stood out?

I think Papanikolau, Pappas, Bogris, Sloukas, Kaselakis - right now all of them are definitely among the top players in Europe at their age group, without any doubt. We will see how they develop. Right now though Papanikolau and Pappas are among the elite players in Europe of their age group.

Of course just back 6 or 7 years ago Greek players Zisis and Spanoulis were both considered top 5 European players or better in their age group, more like top 3 even along with Parker. Now Parker is a top point guard in the NBA, Spanoulis is an elite Euroleague player, but Zisis has not done anything the last 4 years or so.

So who knows what happens with these players.

[AdamTheGreek]

Zisis hasn't been he same since he got whacked by Varejao.

[AdamTheGreek]

SIKOSETO TO GAMIMENO DEN MPORO DEN MPORO NA PERIMENO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esl8GFhYwXg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY_k4UwJfb8
SE 2 MINES, STIN POLONIA, FERTE MAS FERTE MAS TIN ROSIA!!!

[Apollo64]

Which Greek players stood out?

There were 7 players in double digits in scoring, so it was a typical Greek-style team effort. The key one imo in this game was Giannopoulos in the second half, who managed to contain Edwin Jackson and hit some critical threes for the comeback.

Jackson btw is a beast and was obviously the best player of the tournament, he projects to be a Ben Gordon+ type of player at least. Doubt that he shouldn't go Top 10 in the draft.

[KWSN-Men]

Zisis hasn't been he same since he got whacked by Varejao.

That's not his problem. It's become the reason (an excuse) everyone gives. But I was in Italy that one year after that when he was on Benetton and Zisis was the best player in the Italian League I thought that year along with McIntyre.

When I say he has not done anything in the last 4 years I mean he hasn't used his talent properly. But in that last year with Benetton he was fantastic. Very few players in Europe can play in a league like Italy and be a top 2 player. And that was after the elbow.

The problem with Zisis is two fold.

1. Complete lack of confidence

2. Giannakis

#2 is actually responsible for #1. Giannakis slowly over time destroyed his confidence. He has also over time sabotaged Spanoulis' development by forcing him to play out of position at SG.

Spanoulis and Zisis are natural, pure, pass first point guards and for about 4-5 years Giannakis forced them to play as off the ball, scoring shooting guards. Meanwhile, he used Diamantidis, who is on offense a post player/spot up 3 point shooter as a primary ball handler.

I actually think this thing where Giannakis got fired, Kazklauskas comes in and then Diamantidis and Papaloukas quit the team is the best thing that could have happened long term. Because now finally, Spanoulis and Zisis, who were the biggest Greek talents ever probably as youths, will finally get developed properly after years of delay.

[Joana]

Greece's defense was extremely impressive. I only watched the semis and the final, but they seemed clearly the better team. Papanikolau is an amazing player, he lends a special flair to the game. I was impressed by Sarikopoulos.

From the other teams, Aguillar (although he looks softer every time I see him playing, he's developing some kind of allergy to the paint) and Seraphin are good prospects. I hope Jackson can still grow a few centimeters.

[Greek]

Greece's defense was extremely impressive. I only watched the semis and the final, but they seemed clearly the better team. Papanikolau is an amazing player, he lends a special flair to the game. I was impressed by Sarikopoulos.

From the other teams, Aguillar (although he looks softer every time I see him playing, he's developing some kind of allergy to the paint) and Seraphin are good prospects. I hope Jackson can still grow a few centimeters.

What exactly do u liked from Sari? he had only 1 good game on the semis. He is talented player for sure but he couldnt show it due his injury.

[Apollo64]

Greece's defense was extremely impressive. I only watched the semis and the final, but they seemed clearly the better team. Papanikolau is an amazing player, he lends a special flair to the game. I was impressed by Sarikopoulos.

From the other teams, Aguillar (although he looks softer every time I see him playing, he's developing some kind of allergy to the paint) and Seraphin are good prospects. I hope Jackson can still grow a few centimeters.

What exactly do u liked from Sari? he had only 1 good game on the semis. He is talented player for sure but he couldnt show it due his injury.

I wouldn't call him particularly talented, he is still raw, but he has size and shows effort in the games.

Papanikolau plays for the team (Aris) i support, i really hope we won't lose him to Panathinaikos or Olympiacos and give him some playing time this season.

[Joana]

Greece's defense was extremely impressive. I only watched the semis and the final, but they seemed clearly the better team. Papanikolau is an amazing player, he lends a special flair to the game. I was impressed by Sarikopoulos.

From the other teams, Aguillar (although he looks softer every time I see him playing, he's developing some kind of allergy to the paint) and Seraphin are good prospects. I hope Jackson can still grow a few centimeters.

What exactly do u liked from Sari? he had only 1 good game on the semis. He is talented player for sure but he couldnt show it due his injury.

Well, that 1 game was exactly half of my sample, as I said. I liked his fluidity, his decision making and his touch. He didn't play much time, but I think every time he touched the ball on offense something good happened for Greece.

[suspect]

Kostas Papanikolaou against Croatia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYTFxSg09jQ


He still needs a lot of work, but the NBA draft nowadays is about potential (and Papanikolaou has enormous potential), so it's really surprising that he isn't on the mock drafts