Summer Signings and Rumours Thread

[Straight forward]

Originally Posted by KeyserSoze

If Barca gets Ksystof Lavrinovic and keeps Andersen and Ilyasova, their front line will get very strong(Darius is also a good player but not as good as his brother) and they will become a serious contender for Euroleague(since for now they had limited firepower from inside and depended heavily on their guards)

This is not true, IMHO. Last two years Kšistof looked better, 'cause Darjuš had problems with injuries. If you would remember Eurobasket 2007 than Darjuš was the main Lithuanian center and he was an all Euroleague teams' memeber when he played in Žalgiris. Now, when he is at the good shape again, it's only an open question who is better- Kšistof or Darjuš. IMHO, Darjuš has wider offensive moves arsenal, he's a better blocker and a little bit faster. We'll see how it goes next season. I hope to see them both in Euroleague teams.

[goga78]

Originally Posted by rikhardur

Very good analysis G. I do agree with most of the points, but I'm not as pessimistic

I also hope for the best. The more good teams, whether clubs or NTs, the better and more interesting for us fans. But the politics in Russian basketball are flat-out wrong. The head of the federation is fantacising about the VTB league (along with Poland, Ukraine and Baltic states), while he cannot get things done in the Superleague. Bad refereeing, CSKA is dictating the rules (remember the "Papaloukas rule"?), underdogs cannot win in any series due to lots of questionable calls in important moments, not even a dozen of teams in such a huge country, almost no significant roles for Russian players. There is no real vision and that is disturbing me.

[goga78]

Originally Posted by Marble

I think CSKA should replace Zisis with Ponkrashov, Morris with some other young Russian PF (or even with noone, considering Vorontsevich could play more) and get Savrasenko back (for less than 1,9mil/year of course..).
Since the budget will be decreased, inevitably so will the team's quality.. Holden has a Russian passport, Siska is irreplaceable, Planinic is new in the team and can cover 2-3 positions with his height, Lorbek is young and valuable.. So Langdon and/or Smodis could also be released imo. Without compensation for them, but also with no buy-out asked from other interested teams which I'm sure will appear.. They're great players of course, but have already been there for 4 years, and in their 30's now, so perhaps the team should look for something more "fresh" and also save money by replacing them. I think Smodis gets 2mil Euros/year and Langdon 1,8. Anyway, just thoughts...

Well, if the budget takes a 30% cut, CSKA would still command 32-35 mio USD and that is more than enough to have an ultra competitive team. Releasing Zisis won't hut the team at all as he is barely playing. Morris did a good job in the Euroleague but didin't play in the Superleague, so he is expendable, as Smodis is expected to come back strong next season. I doubt him leaving as he has a valid 2+1 contract and is the team's captain. Plus, no one would pay him that much money after such a miserable season.
I doubt Savrasenko coming back. That would place Kaun very deep on the bench and hurt his development, while Kashirov wouldn't play at all. Vorontsevich is rather a "3" due to his slender stature. Young Russian PFs - Kurbanov and Shabalkin - cannot even make it in lesser teams. They aren't good enough. CSKA's strengths is that every player has a certain niche, where he is expected to work to perfection. It's not like in other teams, where certain players are expected to do a lot by themselves and thus hurt their team'S overall performance and variability. I really don't see adequate Russian players out there but we have to wait and see. As I said, I could expect Pashutin to give his players more freedom on court.

Originally Posted by Billy Bounce

At the end it seems CSKA will be some sort of Russian NT + 3-4 of veterans ( Siska , Smodis, Langdon ? )

That would be CSKA's death as a powerhouse The Russian NT without Kirilenko is worse than CSKA. They do have seven Russian players (incl. Holden) on the roster. I'm pretty sure that at least five foreigners will remain. It wouldn't hurt adding a Russian SG but I do not see anybody apart from Fridzon, whose game is very much alike Langdon's. That would be a minus, having two such similar players on the same position in the roster.

[KeyserSoze]

Originally Posted by Straight forward

This is not true, IMHO. Last two years Kšistof looked better, 'cause Darjuš had problems with injuries. If you would remember Eurobasket 2007 than Darjuš was the main Lithuanian center and he was an all Euroleague teams' memeber when he played in Žalgiris. Now, when he is at the good shape again, it's only an open question who is better- Kšistof or Darjuš. IMHO, Darjuš has wider offensive moves arsenal, he's a better blocker and a little bit faster. We'll see how it goes next season. I hope to see them both in Euroleague teams.

I don't see any point on comparing what a player MIGHT have become. Ksystof is stronger, shoots better, works well with his teammates in defense and has played for a prolonged period in highest level. And has delivered. So, Darious is not bad but at this point, I would pick Ksystof any given day

@goga
What's Papalouka's rule?

[KrepšinisMASTER]

The negotiations between Darjus Lavrinovic and Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv are on a high level. It is just about time for teams to get to an agreement. Currently, Maccabi doesn't want to spend more than 1m/net per year, but Lavrinovic and his agents want to have a better contract. Probably will grow each year in about 100-200k/net and will be good for both sides. Anyway, as I said, it is now just about time.

[Straight forward]

Originally Posted by KeyserSoze

I don't see any point on comparing what a player MIGHT have become. Ksystof is stronger, shoots better, works well with his teammates in defense and has played for a prolonged period in highest level. And has delivered. So, Darious is not bad but at this point, I would pick Ksystof any given day

You didn't see Darjus for a long time? Did you? Anyway, it's only conversation. The last news- Siena wants both Darjuš and Kšistof.

[KeyserSoze]

Originally Posted by Straight forward

You didn't see Darjus for a long time? Did you? Anyway, it's only conversation. The last news- Siena wants both Darjuš and Kšistof.

Saw him this year in Eurocup matches. Thought he'll be worse but he played pretty well, still though my money are on his brother and I still stand by my opinion that Ksystof(watched him closely cause I like his game very much) is more effective in offense and works better with his teammates in defense.
There is no point arguing, we'll most probably have a chance this year to see both of them in EL and we'll get to compare them

[Roy M]

Originally Posted by KeyserSoze

Saw him this year in Eurocup matches. Thought he'll be worse but he played pretty well, still though my money are on his brother and I still stand by my opinion that Ksystof(watched him closely cause I like his game very much) is more effective in offense and works better with his teammates in defense.
There is no point arguing, we'll most probably have a chance this year to see both of them in EL and we'll get to compare them

I hope to see him in good shape in the Euro-2009 and in Maccabi.

[goga78]

Originally Posted by KeyserSoze

@goga
What's Papalouka's rule?

When CSKA signed Zisis, they expected Papaloukas to leave but after all were able to sign him for another season. The RFB rules stated a certain number of foreigners could be signed per team but CSKA convinced them to raise the bar by one only due to Papaloukas. In Russia, it is well-known, which clubs are favoured and which have trouble with the federation.

[special-thanks-2]

Maccabi Tel Aviv and Olympiakos are very interested in Roma's SG Ibrahim Jaaber. He has contract and Roma wants him to stay.

Roma is also trying to confirm Andre Hutson, they are offering him a 2-yr deal, but several other Euroleague teams are very interested in him.

[Roy M]

Originally Posted by special-thanks-2

Maccabi Tel Aviv and Olympiakos are very interested in Roma's SG Ibrahim Jaaber. He has contract and Roma wants him to stay.

Roma is also trying to confirm Andre Hutson, they are offering him a 2-yr deal, but several other Euroleague teams are very interested in him.

Why sould Maccabi intersted in Jaaber? we have Wisi, Anderson and Eidson...

[KWSN-Men]

Originally Posted by Straight forward

You didn't see Darjus for a long time? Did you? Anyway, it's only conversation. The last news- Siena wants both Darjuš and Kšistof.

Don't get him wrong, Keyser is a Kzystof fanboy.

[KWSN-Men]

Originally Posted by Roy M

Why sould Maccabi intersted in Jaaber? we have Wisi, Anderson and Eidson...

Because Olympiakos is interested and Roma wants to make more money.

[pohani komarac]

Originally Posted by felix_r

Guys from Croatia:

There is an international junior tournament going on in Croatia. Today was the final game between Maccabi and the home team. Somebody knows the score?

Opatija-Maccabi 74-84

Opatija: A. Prostran 13, gacesa 16, Vukovic 1, L. Prostran 5, Erak 7, Zdunic 3, Roncevic 2, Bozicevic 6, Mustapic 9, Rakic 2, Tomajic, Dosen 5, Boras 5
Maccabi: Zur 2, Tishman 13, Tilzer, Ginsburg, Simshoni 8, Sztarkman 22, Levitas 9, Mor, Bouchman 9, Dekalo 18, Zasmanoviz 3, Shohan

Unicaja-Armani Jeans 56-71

Unicaja: Del Rio 6, Fafir 15, Perez 10, Ferreira 9, Dinazo, Sabonis, Malick, Svanorlik 6, Garcia 1, Leon 9
Armani Jeans: Maffezzoli 11, Morelli 14, Ravasi, Colnago 3, Cota 5, sasase 2, Arioli 14, Bossola 2, Arrisoni 20, Rossi

1. Maccami
2. Unicaja
3. Armani Jeans
4. Opatija

MVP: Carmel Bouchman
First scorer: Daniel Dekalo 59

[l'emigrante]

Sacripanti new head coach of Caserta

[elaj]

Dejan Milojević is close to returning to Partizan. They are also rumored to be interested in signing Ivan Maraš from Budućnost. source: mtsmondo.com

Vladimir Dašić from Budućnost said he is having offers from Real Madrid, Barcelona and few other European teams, there is also an option of him going to the NBA. One of the possibilities is also signing with Partizan. Nemanja Gordić from Budućnost is also rumored to be one of the possibilities for Partizan. source: b92.net

[kukulas]

http://www.eurobasket.com/Italy/bask...?NewsID=161655

Benetton offers 3-year contract extension to HC Oktay Mahmudi

[Jeopardy]

Originally Posted by elaj

Dejan Milojević is close to returning to Partizan. They are also rumored to be interested in signing Ivan Maraš from Budućnost. source: mtsmondo.com

Vladimir Dašić from Budućnost said he is having offers from Real Madrid, Barcelona and few other European teams, there is also an option of him going to the NBA. One of the possibilities is also signing with Partizan. Nemanja Gordić from Budućnost is also rumored to be one of the possibilities for Partizan. source: b92.net

Do you know anything about Milan Gurovic? I believe Galatasaray will lower its budget so Gurovic will not be staying in Turkey...

[KWSN-Men]

According to this (not so reliable blog) Siska's manager has put his client on sale. Also, Holden is leaving from CSKA and Planinic, Smodis might follow.

http://www.superbasket.gr/spy/?p=109

[elaj]

Originally Posted by Jeopardy

Do you know anything about Milan Gurovic? I believe Galatasaray will lower its budget so Gurovic will not be staying in Turkey...

There were some rumors about Gurović's possible return to Crvena Zvezda (like almost every summer), but nothing more that I'd know.