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Greek NT for WC 2019

  • Thread starter Thread starter christodoulou762
  • Start date Start date
Now the true level of "strength" of the greek team gets visible.
 
Mantzaris is back. You can't get rid of him that easily!

Assuming Sloukas sits out the first round matches, the team will look something like this in first round

Calathes, Koniaris
Papanikolaou, Larentzakis
Papapetrou, T. Antetokounmpo, Vasilopoulos
G. Antetokounmpo, Printezis
Bourousis, Papagiannis

Given that Mitoglou didn't play at all today, I assume he will be cut before the team leaves for China.
Mantzaris will play in remaining friendlies and if Sloukas is able to play in WC, he will be cut again.
 
I get a feel that Koniaris will be cut and not Mantzaris. Koniaris is not ready for this level. Mantzaris has the experience.
 
When Serbia employed a 3 and 2 zone when Giannis had the ball we didn't have a clue what to do (esp. when Nick was on the bench). Hail Mary 3's by Thanasis (he'll never do 5/8 again). Most nights we would lose by 20 points.

Skourtopoulos should have taken someone like Vasileiadis who can punish zonal defence.

Serbia did a great job shutting down out transition which was a key feature vs Italy and Turkey.

To say the truth I don't expect anything different from an average coach like Skourtopoulos. Giannis, Nick and Bourousis are going to have to play out of their skins if we are to reach the semi's.
 
EverGreen said:
To say the truth I don't expect anything different from an average coach like Skourtopoulos.
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Exactly my thougths! You give the NBA MVP to a coach which has only A1 to A2 relegations as credentials and I think I also understand the reasoning behind. Someone wants to prove that it is not the coach but the federation's lead which is the reason for success.
 
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Koniaris has broken his two front teeth during the "friendly" with Serbia.

065846.jpg
 
Not broken. Chipped.

That's why some play with mouth guards.

When Fernando Romai's elbow met Bane Prelevic's teeth.

bane_spasmena_dontia.jpg
 
fasoulaki said:
Exactly my thougths! You give the NBA MVP to a coach which has only A1 to A2 relegations as credentials and I think I also understand the reasoning behind. Someone wants to prove that it is not the coach but the federation's lead which is the reason for success.
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He did try to get Itoudis at one point. That would have been reasonable for this team.
 
Very boring game against Jordan. Lets see what the game against the Dominican Republic will be like. If I remember correctly they are an athletic and fast team.
EDIT: Seems Greece cant defend efficiently against fast teams.
EDIT: But very entertainng game at least. 1st quarter the used Antetokoumpos 1on1 abilities very efficiently. In the 2nd quarter they made use of their long center. But still very clumsy defense and Larentzakis were lacking maturity in some scences.
EDIT: Very elaborated decisions and very stabilizing influence from Mantzaris. It was a bad decision to send him home. Good that he is back. Hope he stays.
 
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fasoulaki said:
EDIT: Very elaborated decisions and very stabilizing influence from Mantzaris. It was a bad decision to send him home. Good that he is back. Hope he stays.
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Koniaris was going to be cut for Athineou. I don't think Koniaris was the true 3rd pg option. He only cut Mantzaris because of his seniority.
 
So then the final squad will look like the following if Sloukas comes back healthy:

Calathes, Sloukas
Mantzaris, Larentzakis
Papanikolaou, Papapetrou, Vasilopoulos
G. Antetokounmpo, T. Antetokounmpo, Printezis
Bourousis, Papagiannis

And Koniaris is out. However I would prefer to kick Vasilopoulos out and include Koniaris as the 5th guard. Especially because Giannis is also forseen to play 3. However considering Vasilopoulos contribution during the qualification I think this is very unlikely to happen. The best option would have been if Athinaiou and Mantzaris would be in and Vasilopoulos and Koniaris out I think.
 
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I think Vasilopoulos inclusion has to do more with his leadership and that he's an inspiration to the team. He was out for 3 years. There were fears he might have trouble walking again. 2 spinal surgeries and a knee- reconstruction. Restarted playing local league (ESKANA - 4th division) basketball and worked his way up to top level basketball again. I salute him and I'm joyed he's in the squad.

Calathes and Sloukas will mostly play 28-30 mins. The rest of the time will be shared by Larentzakis and Mantzaris. I'm sure Larentzakis can play 15 mins at a good level.
 
EverGreen said:
I think Vasilopoulos inclusion has to do more with his leadership and that he's an inspiration to the team. He was out for 3 years. There were fears he might have trouble walking again. 2 spinal surgeries and a knee- reconstruction. Restarted playing local league (ESKANA - 4th division) basketball and worked his way up to top level basketball again. I salute him and I'm joyed he's in the squad.

Calathes and Sloukas will mostly play 28-30 mins. The rest of the time will be shared by Larentzakis and Mantzaris. I'm sure Larentzakis can play 15 mins at a good level.
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His return is a big accomplishment, I agree. Having Vasilopoulos in the roster can be justified on psychological and emotional level and indeed having a good team chemistry and a healthy locker room atmosphere is very important. However on pure competition level I would have chosen Athinaiou as 5th guard instead of Vasilopoulis as 6th forward. Since due to Athinaiou's injury this is no option any more you have to decide if you want to invest into the future by taking a young but inexperienced guard or if you would like to honor a "veteran" forward for his accomplishments. I have seen Vasilopoulos scoring crucial 3ths in national team games in 2007 or 2008 but I have also seen a guard getting injured by a Brasilian moron. Very likely Vasilopoulos will see more minutes than Koniaris if he joins the team.

Larentzakis reminds me a little bit of Zissis. However Zissis played much more mature than Larentzakis in his age.

EDIT: Giannis is not playing against Venezuela due pain in the knee
 
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Mantzaris playing well. any chance he gets final spot over vasilopoulos?
 
christodoulou76 said:
Yeah, Koniaris is a very nice player. he overdribbles sometimes, but I like his game.
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I guess Vasilopoulos will be chosen for his locker room presence. I give Vasilopoulos 60%, Koniaris 35%, Mantzaris 5% chance of final spot.
 
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