Panathinaikos 2010/11

[CG]

Shaq is definetely NOT coming to europe with such money in such days
so bro forget it.

[Trifilli]

After having been away for a while I feel it's time for some analysis, at least on my behalf.

Imho PAO had a good summer (I say "had" as it seems that the roster is complete, although you never know) on the transfer market. Not spectacular, but good. A lot of last years weaknesses have been adressed - defense, rebounds, hustle play, while Pekovic leaves a gap behind in terms of low post scoring. It remains to be seen if PAO can bounce back finding other ways of using it's frontcourt, I'm quite positive about that though.

Pekovic - despite looking lazy and untrained for quite some time throughout the last season - was an important member of the team, his departure was certainly not the best thing that could happen to PAO.
Alex Maric doesn't even possess a Quarter of Pekovics scoring ability in the post, but he has other positive sides: while it's true that the majority of his points come either after an assist or an offensive rebound, he works a lot for both. I really liked the way he set screens and how he rolled towards the basket, creating and using space, while he played for Partizan. And the pick & roll is always a very important component in PAOs game. And Maric can finish easily with both hands, he has a good touch with his left hand as well, while Pekovic clearly preferred the right one.
Maric also is a better individual rebounder than Pekovic, on both ends of the floor, boxing out well and going hard for the offensive board.
On the defensive end he has faster feet than Pekovic, although he also struggles when he has to switch or rotate out to the perimeter.
But of course he's not the lowpost weapon Pekovic was, he won't create many points on his own and I won't expect more than mediocre scoring from him.

Vougioukas is a decent addition as third C, replaces Shermadini and offers much more depth on the bench. I'm happy about his signing as he's a good addition to Maric, whose skills alone wouldn't have been enough for PAOs frontcourt imho. But Vougioukas has the lowpost game, has moves, can create baskets playing with the back to the basket, and even though he's not a high class Center I think that he can help against any team for limited minutes, which might also mean that the aging Batiste won't have to play as many minutes as before in less important games.

It was of big importance that the A1 MVP extended his contract for two more years though, as he's still offering a lot to PAO on both ends of the floor, but also because it means that the core of the team stayed together for one more year and automatisms will be easier to be developed.

Fotsis and Tsartsaris stayed as well (contract), but additionally Kaimakoglou was signed, most likely to make sure that the so important PF position won't break down because of injuries again. Kaimakoglou may not be the most talented player around, but I like that he always hustles, plays 100% and never gives up. And he can play the SF position for limited minutes as well, especially in a big sized lineup which PAO might use this season at times. A good role player...

On SF there's also still Perperoglou, who's a good role player as well, but luckily won't stand alone any more. Sato was the signing of the summer for PAO imho, as he can finally offer solutions on the "3", doesn't need the ball in his hands all the time to be effective (PAO just had too many of these players last year) on the offensive end - and most important he offers a lot on the defensive end and in rebounding. Together with DD and a third player he'll form a formidable defensive backcourt.

This also means that the Milenko Tepic SF project is over - it was a failure anyways. Tepic is no SF and won't ever be, he needs the ball in his hands in order to be effective, he's a creative player, a guy who can organize the teams game. And I'd love to see Tepic in a defensive lineup with DD and Sato...
But of course it remains to be see if he'll be able to reach his potential, it might be a risk not to add another PG and leave Tepic and Calathes as DDs only backups, especially since Calathes is not exactly a lock for top appearances either. It's possible that he'll be much improved in his second year, gaining more playtime and also finding back his long distance shot (which he completely "lost" last season)... but it's also well possible that it won't happen. So maybe adding another PG should be an option...

Drew Nicholas is another important extension, as he's the teams only real shooter (note: shooter, there are a lot of players on the team who shoot well from the arc, but who're not shooters like Nicholas), and with the threepoint line going to 6.75 his new contract is of even bigger importance, as shooters of his class are difficult to find on the market.

Saras and Spanoulis departure will cost the team individual class in scoring , and - in Saras case - one of the two best PGs of the team, but it also means that PAO will have two players less who need the ball in their hands all the time. Especially Spanoulis just dribbled way too long on literally every offense when he was the primary ballhandler, destroying countless offenses. Of course he also scored a lot of buckets (despite his - in general - very mediocre season) with his 1.vs.1 skills and his fast first dribble. But his game too often harmed the teams efficiency and slowed down the tempo of the game just too much.
As for Saras: I really like this guy and I think that he has still things to give, he has a great bball IQ and the most fantastic court vision in Europe... but his body is a problem, last seasons surgery was a serious one and he's getting slower and slower, which is especially a problem on the defensive end. It's hard to say this, but it's better for the good of the team that he leaves imho.

In general PAO lost some individual talent on the offensive end that hasn't been replaced on the same level, but got rid of its 3 worst defenders last season at the same time (well, Spanoulis is not a terrible defender, he just failed to try way too often, especially when he had lost his man and needed to rotate), while adding a top (Sato) and several decent defenders. I'm sure that PAO will be a better defensive, more aggressive team next season.

PAO also adressed rebounding with the additions (Sato and DD will do just fine on the perimeter - which is of an even bigger importance with the spaces on the court getting bigger this year, while Maric will be a help as well), while the roster is full of players who can run the court well. Logic says that PAO will run the break much more with these guys, as controlling the rebound is the basic requirement for a good transition offense.

And with 3 pass-first-Guards on the PG position (if nothing more changes), with more players who can play off the ball and with a new Center who's not a lowpost threat but a really good pick & roll player who needs a fluent offense around him, I also expect a much better ball movement for PAO than last year.

At the same time three point shooting has been adressed as well, Nicholas can hit the three from all distances, while the backcourt also has DD, Sato and Perperoglou as efficient shooters. And on the PF spot all three players are able to hit the three with at least decent percentages.

Another important part of the offense should be the creation of mismatches. There are 4 players in the backcourt (DD, Sato, Tepic, Perperoglou), who can post up their opponent in the low post (5 if you count Kaimakoglou as a SF), and I'm quite sure that Obradovic will make sure that his players regularly create these kind of situations where they can exploit mismatches or initiate an offense from the low post.

Overall I pretty much like this team and I can't wait for finally watching it. But for sure this team will need time, as its offense will be more dependant on teamplay in comparison to last years (which failed relying on individual class too much though, and only recovered when the ball movement got much better in the end of the season - of course injuries also played a role in that though before), and will need the automatisms to work well.
On the defensive end I'm not worried at all though... and this is what makes me feel good about the upcoming season...

So atm this should be the team (+/- Verginis, Bogris, Shermadini, who should be loaned):

PG Diamantidis - PG Calathes
SG Nicholas - SG/PG Tepic
SF/SG Sato - SF Perperoglou
PF Fotsis - PF/C Tsartsaris - PF/SF Kaimakoglou
PF/C Batiste - C Maric - C Vougioukas

12 possible rotation players, a deeper bench than last year. If Nr. 13 comes it should be a PG/SG only - no Sofo please, there's simply no room for him on this team, this could quickly be a risk for team chemistry (besides of what one thinks about the player)...

[CG]

you said it all
but i think Saras case hasnt closed yet
i think in my mind
but i share the same thoughts with you
i am looking forward to see PAO on defence
i mean this year team would be a defensive monster most probably
lets hope injuries wont be an issue again this year

[Alvertis4]

Diamantidis, Nicholas, Tepic, Calathes... enough for the guard spots?

We are probably anxious for this as we have mostly played with 3 guards in the last 4-5 years.

In 2002 I remember having 2 guards(Bodiroga + another), 2 forwards(Kutluay + Alvertis mostly) and 1 center(Middleton or Lazaros)
Besides 2007 with Siskauskas(someone classy at the "3" spot) we have used 3 guards. And Siskauskas is sort of a point forward so that might not count either.

I'm also a firm believer that a guard should arrive, or at least keep Jasikevicius (who I adore). I feel that Obradovic will use a "heavier" front line this season, with the rule changes and all and everyone of our big guys at "4" can shoot(Tsartsaris, Fotsis, Kaimakoglou)

We can also use Batiste + Maric with one of the above at the 3 spot to create mismatch.

Calathes is very creative and can only improve his outside shooting. His games with Greece are promising, but we must also take into account that it's still friendlies and the other 3 teams seem very inferior(unless we got really really good ourselves)

Tepic proved much more effective in 2-3 hard games as a guard than a whole season wasted at SF spot. So that seems promising as well. I remember Tepic before coming being quite a player and I was disappointed to see him underperform. Might be his year to prove us he's worth it.

Nicholas is always dangerous for the three, be it 6.25m, 6.75m or 8m. Diamantidis can also shoot threes if he needs to. I'm sure Tepic and Calathes will improve that.

It all comes down to Sato though. If he lives up to his hype and potential, we've got ourselves an amazing roster. The "3" spot is one of the most important as it's usually the difference maker, whatever quality. He's the guy that gets forgotten in double team defence, he's the guy that might grab an unexpected offensive rebound... we've seen how helpful Siskauskas has been and how even Perperoglou has nice games. We have great quality at PF/C and PG/SG that needs special treatment from opposition, which usually involves double team. If we have a class SF in Sato, we've hit the jackpot. I'm pretty sure he'll be a beast.

[chrisfiss]

well i think that the team, as trifili said, needs one more guard to replace spanoulis. I am sure calathes and tepic will be better this year but even if saras stays i dont want to think what will happen if diamantidis gets injured or sth. sato i believe will be succesful and kaimakoglou will get some quality minutes as tsartsaris is getting a year older. Overall i think the team is strong with the only uncertainty of calathes and tepic performance, although i believe they will be successful. And lets hope they wont have as many injuries as last year.

[CG]

Calathes development its outsanding as it seems
its time to get some time the kido

[Fedfan]

President said that we have finished all signings so we should forget about renewing Saras.

Also Alfa Fansengas is accused of using false documents and has de-named Greek and now is in danger of jail too.

Hope everything turns out fine for this young kid.

[massimo13]

Good decision for ''Mitsos'' Diamantidis..
I hope Tsartsa and Fotsis will follow the same road.
ONLY PANATHINAIKOS!!

[CG]

I just cant understand WHY PAO is not signing one more guard..
There is NO logic
i have a feeling in the end we will pay it

[tonia]

I just cant understand WHY PAO is not signing one more guard..
There is NO logic
i have a feeling in the end we will pay it

I totally agree with you!! I think that PAO will sign a guard around January.. I just hope it will not be too late...

[CG]

I totally agree with you!! I think that PAO will sign a guard around January.. I just hope it will not be too late...

On January there are not so many quality players-plus that they will need time to adjust-which in case of PAO it will be even harder to adapt
and if we think about how many players in the team succeeded in the past while they were being signed during winter....the answer in NONE ....

[CG]

lets hope this year will avoid injuries especially on guards as we had last year for a long period
cause playing with 3!!! or 2 guards will make the things hard..

[tonia]

On January there are not so many quality players-plus that they will need time to adjust-which in case of PAO it will be even harder to adapt
and if we think about how many players in the team succeeded in the past while they were being signed during winter....the answer in NONE ....

From an interview to Obradovic:
"There is much talk about whether you need to get a guard. You have something in mind?"

"I have no problem with people's opinions, just because I have my own way. I care more about the players I have than something that someone says. I respect, therefore, the views of everyone, but I have this group of players now. We will see if it's necessary to change something during the season. The best answer will be given to us through the games. So simple. Now I do not have anything like that in my mind.'

I definitely think that it's better to sign a player now than in winter but Obradovic tends to do that..

[KWSN-Men]

Valencia - Panathinaikos

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WNOAPXQP
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=AUZ0DJ0E

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WNOAPXQP
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=AUZ0DJ0E

[KWSN-Men]

Panathinaikos - CSKA

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MBV6GBPP
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=24QVDUPV
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MM2V40Z6
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OXV3DVVW

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MBV6GBPP
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=24QVDUPV
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MM2V40Z6
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OXV3DVVW

[magodeljuego]

Panathinaikos - CSKA

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MBV6GBPP
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=24QVDUPV
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MM2V40Z6
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OXV3DVVW

How can I get last league match of Panathinaikos? I mean the last match of ESAKE

[Robimkd]

MZT SKOPJE vs PANATHINAIKOS (Najava 29.09.2011)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgsNo...ayer_embedded#!