durden_tyler wrote:UcanUwill wrote:durden_tyler wrote:Almost feels like what Luka went through with Slovenia. They really want to represent their flag (despite recent injuries) and that’s impressive. But at some point, they are going to feel like it’s useless playing for the NT when it’s always the same scrubs as teammates and you have to do everything yourself. LOL
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I mean, this is far from the best Greek teams, but the biggest problem is fit. Some of these players are good, they are much better at their clubs, but they all are terrible fit together, because most of these guys are non scorers who collaborate with shooters, scorers. Walkup is pretty good when he has to play with Cannan and Peters and Vazenkov. But him and Calathes, then add Giannis too, the fit is ridiculously hilarious. SPanoulis probably should have experimented more, he went a bit too safe, too predictable, bringing the most notable names and playing them together in most important times. He probably needed more Toliopolous and more guys like that, guys who not from Euroleague, but who can at least shoot.
IDK, overall, Greece did not underachieve, they were third most talented team in that group and they finished third I believe. They got to top 8 which was their ceiling IMO, so not like this team was terrible, but yeah, they weren't very inspiring, very safe and unchallenging play, just get best EL players and put them together despite the fit.
Overall, these Greek players, individually are much stronger than most SLovenian players, but full strength Slovenia is a bit more inspiring, because fit is better around Luka. Lukas teammates aren't even Euroleague level, but they are all spot up shooters and thats most of what you need. Greek guys are more advanced, but you can not play 3 non shooters in 2024, thats what it was almost.
My point is that they have a superstar then just a bunch or role players— at any level.
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Walkup is a weird guy to naturalize. I get that Greece didn't want to naturalize complete random guy, Lorenzo style, but Walkup is still naturalized guy, he still is that. If they naturalized someone like Nunn, team would look better. True, all they have are role players, but sometimes that is enough, they just have to make sense.
