108 replies to this topic

[bboley24]

Also, is Kostas Potapenko a Parsons 2.0?

[thejohnnygold]

I think I would agree with most of that with one revision.

I predict Nick Johnson will make the Rockets final 15-man roster although I too expect to see him with the RGV D-League team for part of the season, if not most.

Just sending Nick Johnson to RGV D-League without making him part of the Rockets final 15-man roster means that any NBA team can pick him up during the season. I just don't see Morey and the Rockets doing that.

 

I forget how this all works.  I know that NJ, Capela, Covington, Canaan, and Black are all under contract, but we can assign them to RGV without relinquishing their rights and it does open the roster spot.  Correct me if I'm wrong here.  

 

I think we get 3 players that are untouchable in the D-League.  They are under contract to us--not RGV--and no other teams can swoop in and take them.

[thejohnnygold]

@BBoley24

 

Tarik Black is a PF/C tweener.  He doesn't have the body Greg Smith does (few do), but he is very athletic for his size and could potentially get close to a DeAndre Jordan level with hard work and good coaching.  Here is a short video that shows a dunk from his senior year in college.  I couldn't seem to track down any Summer league footage of him.  From what I saw there, he was great on the glass, worked hard and hustled, but was mistake prone and the speed of the game seemed to affect him.

 

 

Kostas Papanikoloau is going to come in and definitely be Parsons 2.0--possibly better.  He can shoot the outside shot, is 6' 9"/230 lbs, runs the floor well, makes great cuts, can finish at the rim, and gives his all on defense to pretty good effect.  He has been winning championships and MVP's everywhere he has played in Europe.  He will be good.  Enjoy a video: (He is #16)

 

 

The first 2:40 or so is almost entirely him knocking down 3's.  I don't know why so many highlight videos do this....I get it, he can shoot the three...I don't need to see that 20 times to believe it.  I can look at his solid 3p% for that.  After that, they start showing his cuts, drives, blocks, etc....and more 3's    Also, you get to see him work with Joey Dorsey some....glimpse into the future?

 

Actually, don't watch that video.....watch this one.  (NSFW music track)  This is what we're getting!!!!

 

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=RtjqHAs9Roc

 

(for some reason this video won't embed....but do click it...worth 3 minutes of your life.)

[timetodienow1234567]

Deandre Jordan? Maybe rookie Jordan. Jordan has been looking better every year. I wouldn't be surprised if he wins DPOY this year.

[thejohnnygold]

Deandre Jordan? Maybe rookie Jordan. Jordan has been looking better every year. I wouldn't be surprised if he wins DPOY this year.

 

Yes.  Re-read my post.  "...with hard work and good coaching...".  Implying that, in time, Black "could" become that type of player: shot-blocking, rebounding receiver of alley-oops and put back dunks who plays solid defense.  Obviously, if he was currently as good as Jordan currently is he would not be going to the D-league.....nor would he have gone undrafted.....

 

Was just using Jordan as an example of his skill set.  Rookie Jordan was really, really raw as well (technically, he still is--they have just figured out how to maximize his strengths and avoid his weaknesses).  Go read his draft express scouting reports.  He was an iffy pick and fell to the 2nd round.  Guys like this are in every draft and most don't make it.  Guess what?  Clint Capella is the same.  Morey is simply rolling the dice that one of these guys turns into a defensive difference maker.  Very few do, but if you get enough of the "archetype" guys who have the physical traits eventually one of them will take to the coaching and, voila, the next Serge Ibaka, Ben Wallace, DeAndre Jordan, etc.

 

Lastly, if you don't like my answer to bboley24's question feel free to contribute something better.  Why come here to essentially say, "You're wrong.  That is all."?  I know that Jordan has, in his 6 years, developed into a very good defensive center.  I am not saying Black will become him--just that he can develop into that kind of player.  Odds are that he won't, but to find a place in this league he will have to focus on those things.

[bernardo]

Regarding Kostas, my only concern is the 3PT line in the NBA being further away from the basket. Hoping for a quick and smooth transition. Because the overall skill set is clearly there. I think we'll probably see a 9-man rotation (i would use 10 guys but McHale almost never goes that far).

 

Beverley/Cannan

Harden/Daniels

Ariza/Kostas Papanikolau

Jones/D-Mo

Howard/Jeff Adrien

 

I would employ this rotation. But ultimately I think one of the guys mentioned won't see the floor much other than garbage time. That's a solid rotation, the most important thing here is the 2nd unit. I believe they will be just fine, but that's 3 unproven NBA guys (Daniels had a very small sample size of games to be qualified has an NBA rotation player).

[thejohnnygold]

Regarding Kostas, my only concern is the 3PT line in the NBA being further away from the basket. Hoping for a quick and smooth transition. Because the overall skill set is clearly there. I think we'll probably see a 9-man rotation (i would use 10 guys but McHale almost never goes that far).

 

Beverley/Cannan

Harden/Daniels

Ariza/Kostas Papanikolau

Jones/D-Mo

Howard/Jeff Adrien

 

I would employ this rotation. But ultimately I think one of the guys mentioned won't see the floor much other than garbage time. That's a solid rotation, the most important thing here is the 2nd unit. I believe they will be just fine, but that's 3 unproven NBA guys (Daniels had a very small sample size of games to be qualified has an NBA rotation player).

 

Agreed about the 3 pt. line, but I know he is already working on it (saw some interview he talked about that).  I am not worried there.

 

Jeff Adrien is 6' 7" and is technically listed as a SF.  I think back up C might be a tall order. 

 

I'm 100% sold on Daniels.  He may not be a do it all guy, but we don't necessarily need that.  James Anderson was a do it all 2 guard--the problem was he was a jack of all trades, master of none kind of guy.  Daniels has shown me 2 things: he can knock down the three and he doesn't shrink from pressure.  As long as he can play decent defense he is going to be awesome for us.

 

If our second unit is Canaan, Daniels, Papa, Donuts, and Dorsey then I think we will be in great shape.  Papa and Dorsey ran a 2-man pick-n-roll game in Europe.  D-Mo can post up.  Canaan and Daniels can shoot the three.  Plus, Papa and Dorsey are supposed to be plus defenders.  If Donuts, Canaan, and Daniels can hold their own against the other 2nd stringers of the world this bench unit should be a net positive for us.

[timetodienow1234567]

Wouldn't DMo man the backup C? So we'd do a three big rotation.

[bernardo]

Wouldn't DMo man the backup C? So we'd do a three big rotation.

 

This. Forgot to search if Adrien could be a C, which clearly he can't. I think the other 4 guys stay, the competition will be between Dorsey and Adrien for the 4 spot, which may not even receive minutes since D-Mo plays the 4 and the 5. But ultimately we'll have a 3 big man rotation like you said. I'm just hoping that McHale doesn't use those 8-man stupid rotations that wear down the players too much.

Edited by bernardo, 26 September 2014 - 12:02 AM.

[bernardo]

@thejohnnygold

I also think that Daniels will be a solid player off the bench for us. I don't know about solid defense with him, but I'm hoping he can be average at least. Because he's definetely a shooter and Howard and Harden will provide those open 3's for him.

[Steven]

@JG
No one is untouchable in the D-League, except players assigned to the 15 man NBA Roster. Three players who are cut from the roster are then placed on the D-league squad, but can be signed by any team. The Rockets have 17 guys on guaranted contracts, without Black. I honestly don't see him making the team.

Beverly, Harden, Ariza, Howard, Jones are locks to make the team.

Adrien, Dorsey, Smith, Canaan, Daniels, Covington, Johnson, Capula, Kostas, Garcia, D-Mo, Terry all are guaranteed their money, and all are on the bubble to make the team.

[rocketrick]

Steven is absolutely correct about non-roster players in RGV being available to ANY team. I'm pretty certain we have this question come up at the beginning of each season but I understand why due to this typically only coming up this time of the year.

The Rockets for the past couple of years (at least) if not longer have had more guaranteed contracts than roster spots available. In my opinion this allows the Rockets better quality depth to start the season and just additional proof (as if any is ever required) that Leslie Alexander is willing to sign the checks for this franchise and in my mind is never looking for an excuse to not make the right moves for the right reasons.

Which is why I continue to be a loyal Rockets fan!

Of the guaranteed contracts, my opinion is Ish Smith and Tarik Black have their work cut out for them. Just like last season with Reggie Williams, it will almost certainly come down to whether one of the other players has injury issues during the pre-season or severely underperforms expectations.

Doesn't Covington have a guaranteed contract also? Unless he really impresses in pre-season, I don't see a spot for him either.

Looking forward to seeing if the Rockets sign 1 or 2 additional players to add even more competition for roster spots before the regular season begins.

[Willk]

@BBoley24

Tarik Black is a PF/C tweener. He doesn't have the body Greg Smith does (few do), but he is very athletic for his size and could potentially get close to a DeAndre Jordan level with hard work and good coaching. Here is a short video that shows a dunk from his senior year in college. I couldn't seem to track down any Summer league footage of him. From what I saw there, he was great on the glass, worked hard and hustled, but was mistake prone and the speed of the game seemed to affect him.



Kostas Papanikoloau is going to come in and definitely be Parsons 2.0--possibly better. He can shoot the outside shot, is 6' 9"/230 lbs, runs the floor well, makes great cuts, can finish at the rim, and gives his all on defense to pretty good effect. He has been winning championships and MVP's everywhere he has played in Europe. He will be good. Enjoy a video: (He is #16)



The first 2:40 or so is almost entirely him knocking down 3's. I don't know why so many highlight videos do this....I get it, he can shoot the three...I don't need to see that 20 times to believe it. I can look at his solid 3p% for that. After that, they start showing his cuts, drives, blocks, etc....and more 3's Also, you get to see him work with Joey Dorsey some....glimpse into the future?

Actually, don't watch that video.....watch this one. (NSFW music track) This is what we're getting!!!!

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=RtjqHAs9Roc

(for some reason this video won't embed....but do click it...worth 3 minutes of your life.)

After watching multiple packages. I noticed a couple of things. 1. It looks like he is more athletic than Parsons. 2. His shot looks better than Parsons. One thing I am concerned about is that none of the highlight packages showed Air Pap beating his man off of the dribble. I am excited about seeing him play. I will go out on a limb and say by playoff time Air Pap will be a better player than Parsons.

[Willk]

Also, is Kostas Potapenko a Parsons 2.0?

I think once he gets use to the pace of the NBA game and the travel, he will be better than Parsons. He looks more athletic and his shot looks better than Parsons

[Willk]

Regarding Kostas, my only concern is the 3PT line in the NBA being further away from the basket. Hoping for a quick and smooth transition. Because the overall skill set is clearly there. I think we'll probably see a 9-man rotation (i would use 10 guys but McHale almost never goes that far).

Beverley/Cannan
Harden/Daniels
Ariza/Kostas Papanikolau
Jones/D-Mo
Howard/Jeff Adrien

I would employ this rotation. But ultimately I think one of the guys mentioned won't see the floor much other than garbage time. That's a solid rotation, the most important thing here is the 2nd unit. I believe they will be just fine, but that's 3 unproven NBA guys (Daniels had a very small sample size of games to be qualified has an NBA rotation player).

Most teams go with a 9 man rotation. I think 10 is too many to play. I think you will see a 3 man rotation in the back court and a 6 man rotation in the front court w/Ariza playing some minutes at SG.

[thejohnnygold]

After watching multiple packages. I noticed a couple of things. 1. It looks like he is more athletic than Parsons. 2. His shot looks better than Parsons. One thing I am concerned about is that none of the highlight packages showed Air Pap beating his man off of the dribble. I am excited about seeing him play. I will go out on a limb and say by playoff time Air Pap will be a better player than Parsons.

 

Thanks everyone for the clarification--I thought it was different.

 

As for Papa not beating anyone off the dribble--that is true.  He did beat guys off of pump fakes when they were closing out on his 3 point shot--that's good enough for me.

[bboley24]

WOW!~  Kostas has a great release and fundamentals EVERYWHERE!

[Cooper]

Not sure I'm buying the hype of some random euro dude being as good or better than a guy who just got max money...

[bboley24]

By the way... why is no one mentioning Garcia?  Didn't we just throw some money at him???

[Willk]

Not sure I'm buying the hype of some random euro dude being as good or better than a guy who just got max money...

a little more than a random euro dude:

Pro career[edit]

• Greek Youth All-Star Game: MVP: (2009)
• 2x Greek League Best Young Player: (2009, 2012)
• 2x Greek Cup Champion: (2010, 2011)
• 2x Euroleague Champion: (2012, 2013)
• Greek League Champion: (2012)
• 2x Greek League Best Five Team: (2012, 2013)
• Greek League All-Star: (2013)
• Euroleague Rising Star: (2013)
• Spanish League Champion: (2014)