Fwd: [Celtics' Stuff Fwd: Teenagers first two picks next year?

[JB <jimmetz@xxxxxxx>]

I thought Joe's scouting reports were worth forwarding to
"CelticsStuff" and got some feedback form our Italian poster, Fabio,
which I think will be of some interest here.
	JB
**************************************
Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Fabio" <legend33@libero.it>
> Date: Sat Dec 7, 2002  6:26:03  PM US/Eastern
> To: <Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: Re: [Celtics' Stuff Fwd: Teenagers first two picks next year?
> Reply-To: Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com
>
> Fabio; any comments or additions to this list? (JB)
>  
> No, JB, I think the most important Euro youngsters were all in the
> list. Still, a lot of them is very raw, not ready for prime time. For
> the Celtics I'd see Zoran Planinic as a good fit. He is an unselfish
> player, and although not very muscular, he is a human dynamo. Good
> outside shot, although he's only 20 years old he has lots of
> experience since he's been running Cibona's offense for two years in a
> row. Delfino is good, but we are talking about people who can make it
> at a starting five level, not some bench fodder. Darko Milicic has a
> great potential, he can become a Pau Gasol clone if he keeps
> improving. I don't like Nikagbatse too much, because in a guard I hate
> seeing too many turnovers. The love of the jam makes him miss some
> easy baskets. Not a terrific shooter, Nikagbatse has an NBA body, no
> question about it. Slokar had some nasty injuries in the past: he is a
> skilled player but his body doesn't seem to be able to sustain NBA's
> daily beating right now. Koljevic is a good shooter.... too bad a lot
> of times he throws the ball away. Varejao is a very athletic brasilian
> player. Not endowed with a great defensive awareness, he is able to
> stun you with terrific dunks or breathtaking blocks. He has to learn
> how to dribble and to develop a couple of pet shots. Beno Udrih,
> Valentin Pastal and Drago Pasalic are three good young prospects. I
> particularly like Pasalic, because he is a very skilled forward who
> can shoot from outside and at the same time play tight defense. Still
> a couple of years away from an NBA contract, in my opinion.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: JB
> To: Celtics' Stuff
> Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 4:10 PM
> Subject: [Celtics' Stuff Fwd: Teenagers first two picks next year?
>
> Thanks to Joe Hironaka.
>
> Fabio; any comments or additions to this list?
>
> JB
> ********************************************
>
> Subject : Teenagers first two picks next year?
>
> NBA players likely to get younger
> BY RON THOMAS
> Of The Examiner Staff
> "They're 17 and one of them played on the Yugoslavian
>
> national team and there's a strong possibility that if he
> gets declared
>
> eligible, he may be the No. 2 pick behind LeBron James."
>
> James is a high school phenom in Ohio and the
>
> Yugoslavian prospect is Darko Milicic, a 7-foot, multi-
> dimensional center-forward out of the
>
> Kevin Garnett mold.
>
> *************************************
>
>
>
>
>
> My initial assumption was that the Euro draft pool must
> have thinned out considerably after last year's run on
> World Championship roster players and Euro teens.
>
> But judging by Web scouting reports like the one pasted
> below, you get the impression that there is an unlimited
> supply of high intensity 6-11 kids that have played
> professionally in Europe since they were around 15, and
> have talent that Kevin Garnett or Nowitzki might envy.
> And these kids probably don't even smoke filterless
> cigarettes or dress like Rambo, circa 1980s.
>
> That, and the relatively high number of college freshmen
> who didn't declare for the past NBA draft, suggest maybe
> there could be a future NBA player or two there with
> Boston's first round draft picks (both in the mid-20s at
> present). The prep class, even with LeBron James, is
> rated as below average by Lindy's.
>
> At worst, the Boston and Philly picks may have some sort
> of trade value to a rebuilding team (it would help if
> Philly starts losing). We've already read that Leo Papile
> has been scouting Carmelo Anthony, whose prep coach
> believes has more longterm potential than Jerry
> Stackhouse.
>
> JoeH
>
> ********************************
> Anderson Varejco 6-10 230 PF F.C. Barcelona (Brazil)
> 1982 - Plays with great enthusiasm. A high intensity
> player with great motivation. A good athlete with
> excellent size, agility. Improved dramatically in the
> past year and months even. His jump shot has really
> developed lately and has many very excited about his
> potential. Very creative offensive player, with soft
> touch. Solid shot blocker, rebounder.
>
> Zarko Cabarkapa 6-11 230 SF/PF Buducnost (Yugoslavia)
> 1981 -- A versatile Power Forward with sensational
> fundamentals. Has really gained confidence in the last
> year and developed into a strong offensive player. Has a
> wingspan of a 7'1" man. Has gained a bunch of experience
> that has resulted in maturity and given birth to
> leadership skills. Has tremendous ball-handling skills
> combined with quickness, great reflexes and court sense.
> Creates his own shots using his point-guard-like ball-
> handling skills, has a nice, hard to block jump-shot with
> a quick release. Penetrates smoothly into the paint from
> both sides either finishing with a lay-up or finding the
> open man with an assist, even when faced with a double
> team. Great agility that causes problems against bigger
> bodies. He outruns his opponents. Very impressive in the
> open court, goes with great energy to the basket.
>
> Malick Badiane 6-11 220 PF/C TV Langen (Senegal) 1984 --
> The next great player out of Senegal. More athletic than
> all those who have been pros from Senegal before. Has
> long arms, wide shoulders, a great body and terrific
> upside. Has soft touch around the perimeter and can hit
> the open 15ft jumper. Good shot blocker, and outstanding
> rebounder. He wont box out but will move his feet to
> wherever the ball is. Only problem The mind. Has to get
> tougher mentally in order to make it at the next level.
> He will never go to a US college as he signed with a club
> team in Germany last month. Very intriguing athlete who
> lacks polish but has considerable potential. Size,
> agility and instincts. A very good dunker and a great
> shot blocker. He is very tall with extremely long arms.
> In terms of upside, he has more than anyone on this list.
> It's a matter of raising his skill level to truly become
> a great player.
>
> Carlos Delfino 6-7 201 SG/SF Fortitudo Bologna
> (Argentina) 1982 -- Good offensive talent but even better
> defensively. Argentinean playing in Italy. An explosive
> scorer who is really beginning to light up the
> competition with big scoring outbursts on a regular
> basis. Has good quickness and very good athleticism.
> Frequently compared to fellow Argentinean Emanual
> Ginobili although some feel he will be even better. Very
> good upside.
>
> Edu Hernandez 7-0 235 C Real Madrid (Spain) 1983 --
> Spanish center with a lot of potential. Still developing
> offensively but has soft touch around the basket and
> shows a great willingness to improve. Yep this Hernandez
> kid is for real, 740 and a huge wingspan. Should get a
> little stronger as is the case with most European
> centers, but he is a great shot blocker, a good
> rebounder, especially on the defensive end and has some
> post moves developed, most notably a hook shot. He is
> still very raw on the offense end but he is still young
> and has time. He is pretty athletic and has nice
> footwork, so he has all the elements to succeed. Compared
> to Loncar, Hernandez is more of a banger inside.
>
> Kresimir Loncar 6-11 245 PF/C Benneton Treviso (Croatia)
> 1983 -- Excellent mobility and quickness for player his
> size. Equipped with a very good frame. Has a great
> shooting touch and is a high percentage shooter from the
> floor and FT line. Uses his quickness to go by opponents
> big men, has some nice developed post moves and hits the
> midrange jumper with regularity. He must improve his
> defense and strength, but has time to develop. At times
> he settles for outside shots instead of crashing the
> glass and fighting for points and rebounds. Intensity
> level and aggressiveness must improve.
>
> Serhiy Lishchuk 6-11 PF (Ukraine) 1982 -- Tough forward
> with the ability to step out on the paint and hit
> jumpshots. A good rebounder. Probably doesn't have the
> athleticism for the small forward position. Has a good
> frame, but must develop more strength. Was a leading
> scorer at the U-20 Championships, and also played well at
> the Global Games in Houston, Texas.
>
> Blagota Sekulic 6-10 PF Partizan (Yugoslavia) 1982 --
> Grew 2 inches in the past year and has transformed from a
> SG into a PF. One of the purest talents of Yugoslavian
> basketball. Can play many positions (SG, SF, or PF if he
> gains weight). Great ballhandler for his size. Good
> fundamental skills. Already has good maturity in his game
> due to the professional experience of 3 years at the top
> level and his participation in the European Cadet's
> championships. He has very smooth moves and great
> wingspan. He is quick, has good leaping ability and
> timing. A good decision maker in games. He shoots in high
> percentages and his shots are very difficult block, he
> has good shot release. He has 3 point range but prefers
> to take the ball to the basket.
>
> Vladimir Boisa 6-10 SF/PF Union Olimpija (Slovenia) 1981 -
> - Has shown great confidence and improvement this year.
> This guy is like the energy bunny, the kids who sweep the
> floor when players go down hate him, cause he gives them
> work every minute. A true hustle guy and now his shot is
> failing from everywhere. What used to be a real weakness
> for him, his offensive game, is now really getting
> strong. He's hiting 2-4 threes a game and finds his way
> underneath the basket.
>
> Vassilis Spanoulis 6-4 PG Maroussi B.C. (Greece) 1982 --
> An excellent athlete that shows rapid development in the
> last couple of years. He is speedy, tough and has very
> quick reflexes. He's got unlimited energy in his game.
> His leaping ability is impressive. His offensive game is
> aggressive. He likes to run in the open court and
> penetrate the paint. His crossover dribble is quick and
> brakes ankles. His passes are money in the bank; has
> quick decision making. He runs the offensive sets
> successfully and delivers the ball to the right person in
> the right time. He is an excellent defender in the full-
> court press. He puts great pressure on the ball when
> defending.
>
> Valentin Pastal 6-9 SF/PF Efes Pilsen (Turkey) 1984 --
> Very intriguing player. Has size, coordination,
> athleticism, basketball instincts, and shooting touch
> (must work on the shooting skills and range), leadership,
> not to mention a great attitude and coachability. He's
> raw and still a project, but wow, there is great
> potential and talent here! Has great quickness and
> athleticism. Has a bright future. Comparable in some ways
> to countryman Hedo Turkoglu. Same multifaceted game, with
> ball handling, passing, and shooting ability. Plays with
> great intensity and passion.
>
> Drago Pasalic 6-11 205 PF Plastik Split (Croatia) 1984 --
> Has already gained 3 years of professional experience,
> showed a lot of promise playing for the Champions,
> Croatia in the European U18 Championship. He has a good
> frame, runs the court like a SF, shoots like a shooting
> guard from both in and out the perimeter and always
> fights with aggressiveness for the rebounds. If this guy
> shows development of his offensive inside game, he will
> be drafted in 3 years. The kid has game and guts.
>
> Mateo Kedzo 6-10 235 PF Plastik Split (Croatia) 1984 --
> Big frame , runs gracefuly, good at fast breaks and
> positional basketball, technically sound, good footwork
> for such a young guy, but has room to improve ...
> Physically he hasn't matured yet. Very nice touch, can
> hit an ocasional 3, versatile, do everything type of
> player. Jump shot is dependable out to around 18-20 feet.
> Like with most European players defense is the area most
> in need of improvment.
>
> Amaury Fillion 6-9 SF/PF Metros (Dominican Republic)
> 1981 -- Left-hander deluxe, sports a big afro, great
> passer, great court vision, very versatile, has a bright
> future because of his intensity, desire, and versatility.
> Plays well facing the basket but can also play in the
> post. Extremely versatile, especially in zone defenses
> due to his ability to defend on or off the ball. Played
> high school basketball in California and dominated as an
> 19 year old before returning home and was subsequently
> not allowed to return to the United States.
>
> Zoran Planinic 6-6 195 PG/SG Cibona (Croatia) 1982 -- He
> can play both guard positions with ease. He handles ball
> very well and his passes always seem to be right on time.
> He is very quick and versatile and has a great all-around
> game. He needs to gain some strength as he seems skinny
> for European standards not to mention NBA. His best skill
> is his movement without the ball. He just doesn't give
> his guard a rest and constantly runs on backdoors and
> uses set screens perfectly. His movement without the ball
> reminds of Reggie Miller, but his body is too skinny. His
> shot isn't on the level of Miller, but is solid and so is
> his range. I think with hard work and dedication he is a
> diamond in the rough and this is his first season he will
> be getting extended minutes on one of top European clubs
> and deservedly so. This kids potential seems unlimited,
> but he's got to show talent isn't everything he's got.
>
> Misan Nikagbatse 6-4 PG/SG Olympiakos (Germany) 1982 --
> Very gifted athlete. Can rise high above the rim for
> dazzling dunks. Also very gifted scorer. Has enormous
> potential. Strong with the ball in his hand. One on one
> he is nearly unstoppable with his ability to drive or
> shoot. Must get more playing time to really show what he
> is capable of. Strong defender, a great talent, he's very
> active. He can distrubite the ball , but hes a scorer
> first, he has great body no fear shooting range atlethic
> skills drive he has to polish his game.
>
> Diego Brezzo 6-9 PF (Argentina) 1984 -- Power forward
> with great strength and aggressiveness. Excellent shot
> bloker. Has great timing for rebounds. long arms. Good
> athleticism, can run the court, can really jump, is a
> worker with good strength. Offensively, all his work
> takes place around the rim, tip-ins, put-backs, hooks are
> his weapons. Needs to work on his body and his offensive
> skills. Must develop a better offensive game and more
> range. Hes experienced for his age and has played for
> the top team of Atenas, as a substitute since 1999.
>
> Uros Slokar 6-10 SF KD Slovan (Slovenia) 1983 -- He
> rebounds well, using his long hands to snatch boards, a
> good shot blocker, some nice post moves, very agile down
> there. He sinks 20 ft jumpers, can hit a occasional 3.
> He's a little skinny for PF but is as fearless as Gasol
> so you wont see him being pushed around a lot. Fought
> through a few injuries that kept him out for 2 years and
> appears to have fully recovered.
>
> Ivan Koljevic 6-1 PG Cetinje Lovcen (Yugoslavia) 1984 --
> An incredible ball handler and an excellent three point
> shooter. Dribbles the ball very adeptly. Ambidexterous
> player, uses both hands incredibly well. Player of great
> instincts and talent. Breaks the defense down with
> excellent penetration, very creative with the dribble-
> drive. Plays with great energy. Sometimes makes bad
> decisions. Because of his great ball handling skills, he
> has a tendency to over-handle the ball.
>
> Christos Tapoutos 6-8 SF AEK Athens (Greece) 1982 -- Very
> athletic slasher with a nose for the goal. 6-8, with
> large wingspan which makes him play bigger. He's a left-
> handed "three", very quick, pretty moves around the
> basket, finger-rolls, fadeaways, stuff like that. Not
> very strong, but has a feel for the game. Not strong on
> defense yet, although he blocks shots. Average rebounder.
> Lacks experience, of course. But leadership is nothing
> new to him, as he was the star of the Greek Under-18
> national team, which he led to the European Cadet
> Championships final. has nice passing skills. Has really
> struggled in senior competitions after being heralded as
> one of the best of his age group on the junior level. His
> jumpshot has disowned him and his confidence has really
> suffered.
>
> Victor Khriapa 6-9 210 SF CSKA Moscow (Russia) 1982 --
> He's the top Russian prospect since Kirilenko and often
> gets compared to his fellow countryman. His game is
> similar, but he's not another AK-47. He's neither as
> skilled nor as athletic. He does a lot of things well,
> but lacks superstar athleticism. Can pass well, plays
> aggressive, and has very good size and versatility.
> Nicely built athletic body. Good all around game. Lacks
> great range on his shot. Mostly slashing player with good
> inside moves. Has developed post skills. Versatility.
> Imaginitive offensive player. Lacks experience against
> quality competition.
>
> Beno Udrih 6-4 185 PG/SG Maccabi Tel Aviv (Slovenia)
> 1982 -- Speedy lefty with good ball handling ability and
> fundamentals. Shoots and drives well. He's a quick left-
> hander who plays mostly the PG position but his game
> right now is better suited for the SG position, but his
> future is as a PG. He has a good offensive package, hits
> 3 point shots with regularity, is a good penetrator and
> has a sweet pull up jumper. He is a good distributor of
> the ball in the open court but in set play his
> distribution needs work. Also he's not comfortable with
> the ball in a full court press. He had some huge games
> last year, but then there were occasions when he
> disappeared, so consistency is also something that he
> really has to work on. His defense is solid but nothing
> special, he should put some work into fighting through
> picks better and must be more aggressive on defense. He's
> still relatively young and already has a lot of
> experience in European pro ball. This year he's expected
> to be the main option on his club and if he shows
> improvement like every year till now, he will do just
> fine.
>
> Roko-Leni Ukic 6-2 PG Split (Croatia) 1984 -- He's a
> quick player with great control of the ball, a good
> distributor, doesn't make a lot of mistakes. Plays very
> fundamental. Takes over games, as he did at Mannheim in
> the 2002 Junior Championships. A good rebounder for a PG,
> and never afraid to shoot when left alone, very good
> penatrator, if his shot is failing, watch out! He has a
> great future. Probably will look to play a few years at
> the top level in Europe before entering the NBA draft.
>
> Boris Diaw 6-8 201 SF Pau Orthez (France) 1982 --
> Probably the most athletic prospect from Europe right
> now, but lacks a killer instinct. Has a great feel for
> the game. Versatile player who can cover many positions.
> Shooting and aggressiveness are his weaknesses but
> otherwise he does it all. Really could care less about
> scoring, prefers to wow the crowd with his ball handling
> and passing. Very good defensive player, that's easily
> his best attribute. Has super athleticism but must
> develop intensity to fulfill his vast potential. Gets
> criticized for worrying about style over substance, but
> plays to win.
>
> Mickael Pietrus 6-6 SG/SF Pau Orthez (France) 1982 --
> Excellent athlete with good leaping ability, and can
> excel at both ends of the floor. His midrange game is
> getting better, if he improves his passing and
> ballhandling skills and adds a 3 point shot he will be
> great. A good slasher and decent shooter. Defends and
> rebounds very well.
>
>
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