How many points would have Nikos Galis averaged in the NBA?

Apollo64 · Post #1 » by **Apollo64** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 12:14 pm

I'd imagine most of the posters here don't really know who Nikos Galis was, since he never played in the NBA. He was an absolutely sick scorer in the eighties and early nineties and almost singlehandedly propelled Greek basketball into the international spotlight. Never saw such a dominant scoring six-footer till Iverson. Very spectacular and an All Star level player in my opinion. Finished with career average over 30ppg.

Anyway, some Youtube clips which showcase the player, credit to the uploaders. Good stuff, mainly from Eurobasket games playing against the likes of Sabonis, Petrovic etc.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94X7oyzlfeY&feature=related[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBPxuEx14xA&feature=related[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjKjvNVidNw[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93qc8EzsohM&feature=related[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZlnHGirYzE&feature=related[/youtube]

Thing is it wasn't just a few games he exploded, he was doing this EVERY game consistently for years and years.

mcfly1204 · Post #2 » by **mcfly1204** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 12:44 pm

If only there was a section for international players...

BadWolf · Post #3 » by **BadWolf** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 12:45 pm

that's random

IanJames · Post #4 » by **IanJames** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 1:15 pm

jesus in 1980-81 he averaged 44.0 ppg over 26 games in the Greek Championship

Point forward · Post #5 » by **Point forward** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 1:41 pm

IMHO Galis was a better Tony Parker, and a lite-but-hi-IQ version of Iverson. His midrange/in the paint game was $$$, and he was a great finisher despite his inability to dunk. Also, he was a true leader, was a willing passer despite his shoot first attitude and thrived on pressure. The great Sabonis was quoted: "If Galis wants to score, nothing can stop him."

In college, Galis was the 3rd best scorer in the NCAA, behind Lawrence "Who?" Butler and a guy called Larry Bird. Man, Galis as PG would have made the Celtics threepeat in the 1980s. Red Auerbach said: "Letting Nikos go was the worst mistake of my career." Do you need more praise?

http://www.interbasket.net/players/galis.htm

Edit: to answer the OP...
BEST CASE - Galis is a franchise guy like Tony Parker - 21ppg on .520, perennial All-Star
OK CASE - Galis is a sixth man like JR Smith - 14ppg on .430, 6MOY candidate
WORST CASE - Galis is a worse Eddie House - 6ppg on .400, bench rider

Johnny Firpo · Post #6 » by **Johnny Firpo** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 3:05 pm

At least 20, possibly as high as 25, but that's the max imo. But 20 would have been an almost sure thing in the 80's imo. That era was tailor made for his abilities.

Fran Vasquez · Post #7 » by **Fran Vasquez** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 6:45 pm

gallis is one of my all time favourite players, like navarro or iverson, i have a thing for undersized unconventional players

The Bandit · Post #8 » by **The Bandit** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 8:05 pm

I don't think I've ever seen more boring highlight videos.

MambaTime · Post #9 » by **MambaTime** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 9:10 pm

Point forward wrote:Edit: to answer the OP...
BEST CASE - Galis is a franchise guy like Tony Parker - 21ppg on .520, perennial All-Star
OK CASE - Galis is a sixth man like JR Smith - 14ppg on .430, 6MOY candidate
WORST CASE - Galis is a worse Eddie House - 6ppg on .400, bench rider

That's a pretty good analysis, although Tony Parker isn't a franchise guy. He is an All-Star, though.