Among the 24 there are many players who can burst-out...
Coach Ioannidis pointed out a list of 24 players suitable for 2004 Olympic Team.It consists of 12 guards, 9 forwards and 3 centers. At first sight, looks like the primary principle of choice, was to have the best players available, regardless of position.
The 2004 Olympics represent a big chance for the Greek National Team to land a precious medal, and amassing a huge amount of talent, at least in the backcourt, could be the right way to make the most out of a “domestic” situation. Among the 24 there are many players who can burst-out, placing three or four key plays to break the game.
The task does not appear so easy for Ioannidis, though, as there’s a number of emerging players, short on international experience, but who’re playing extremely well. At point-guard spot Spanoulis is an example: at 22, he’s leading Marousi to a first place in regular season, proving to be an excellent passer in traffic and an above-average outside shooter. The only question is: will he be able to bear the incredible pressure in August?
Papaloukas or Harisis are sort of veterans in NT, and are playing the Euroleague, at the highest level, and could fit better in a short and tough tournament like the Olympics. The same can be said about Diamantidis, who is showing leadership and hustling attitude, but in a good-looking, but average team like Iraklis. Maybe one or two of these players will have to be released. A fifth point guard, Papamakarios, appears to be far behind.
At shooting-guard position, the choice is not easy too.
Hatzivrettas is having a good season, hitting treys in decisive moments of games and proving to be an excellent driver. Liadelis, after Subotic left, saw the light, starting a long streak of games with 20 or more points. Hatzis is not a glamorous and flashy player, but he’s always there when the matter is about hitting a clutch shoot.
But, ahead of Diamantopoulos, who shows too many ups-and-downs in playing time, and Vasileiadis--he’s too young, his time will come--we’ve got Sigalas, a true warrior, who never steps back… how could anyone keep him out light-heartedly? Getting four off-guards in means excluding someone like Papaloukas or Harisis, or Spanoulis… Ioannidis is facing a lot of sleepless nights in the next future.
A reasonable backcourt selections seem to be: Diamantidis, Spanoulis, Liadelis, Sigalas and Hatzis.
The forward position looks less complicated, as there’s not as many quality players as for backcourt.
Ntikoudis and Alvertis can’t be dismissed; the former is a real power, maybe the real enforcer for the Greek NT; the latter is a killer that leaves no room for distractions in defence. Kakiouzis has been given little playing time at Montepaschi Siena so far (17 minuntes per game), but he’s another player who can hit the big shot. And Kommatos is having an incredible season for Aris, reaching high standards at 21.5 points per game.
Fotsis in Madrid an Rentzias in Constantinople are showing another controversial season: great potential, but problems emerge when talking about reliability--one of the two could be dismissed. Papanikolaou shows again and again too much lack of skills to be included in a high-profile team.
The two remaining, Tapoutos is still a “primitive” player, while Tsartsaris can play, but there’s other players who can do better the things he’s able to do on a basketball court.
Reasonable forward selections include Ntikoudis, Alvertis, Kakiouzis, Kommatos.
At center, the not-so-logical missing of Giannoulis has its explanation with his doping troubles… Ioannidis goes with the “clean” way, and it’s not said it’ll pay big dividends… so, given that “Big Sofo” will bloom late, Ledkov and Papadopoulos are the obvious choices. But the presence Schortsianitis will beef up a talented NT, which seems to have its only weakness in frontcourt deepness.
In the end, there’s abundance problems for the Hellenic side. A much talented and skilled team can be assembled, but then, it’s up to the coaching staff to make it into a powerful and winning team. This is the main issue, and from what we’ve seen in Stockholm proves there’s so much work still to do.
The individual characteristics show that they can be an offensive team, that can score 90+ points in a game. All we’ve seen in the last European championship, was Diamantidis dribbling and passing on the perimeter, virtually calling himself out as an offensive threat.
Maybe it’s just about a change of mentality…
...and coach Ioannidis is the one who’s called to make it happen.