DJO Update (from Russia)

[Tugg Speedman]

Did not see this February 10 story posted

http://www.bc-spartak.ru/en/news/2253

Darius Johnson-Odom in the main role

10 February 2013 22:38

In Week 14 of the regular season in VTB United league, Russian Spartak cruised past Ukrainian Azovmash at home, 74-58. The home team enjoyed an advantage from the very beginning and had no trouble holding on for victory.

Intro

Azovmash played aggressively on both ends of the floor from the start – they wanted to end their series of misfortunes as soon as possible. Manny Harris and Tadija Dragicevic fired away from long range to give their team a small lead, 8-4. The Red-Whites didn't hesitate, however, in firing right back. Mavrokefalidis and Kurbanov knocked down their own 3-pointers and shifted the momentum to the home side, 17-11. Bench player Vladimir Dragicevic made a big impact next, preventing Azovmash from cutting into the deficit: 23-16 in favor of Spartak after 10 minutes played.

In the second quarter, the Ukrainians started to pay for their mistakes on defense. Left alone on the perimeter, Fedor Dmitriev and Darius Johnson-Odom punished their opponent with three 3-pointers and upped the advantage to 16 points. Spartak paid close attention on defense, as well. The Russian team played smart and only allowed Azovmash to score seven points. As a result, they trailed 46-23 at halftime.

Turning Point

If there was a breaking point, then it came in the third quarter. The Ukrainian team needed to come up with something desperate to make up such an enormous deficit to one of the best defensive teams in the league. Mariupol did begin to play better on defense: Spartak had to shoot primarily from midrange and beyond the arc, and, for the most part, they had little success. On offense, however, Sergey Zavalin's team couldn't come up with a miracle. They came closer by only one point and the final quarter lost any suspense. Spartak win, 74-58.

Star of the Game

Loukas Mavrokefalidis. The Greek center managed his duties superbly today. He looked good on the boards and also contributed on offense. He scored 20 points (78% from the field) and garnered an efficiency rating of 21.

Stat of the Game

39-10 – The Spartak bench blew out the opposing team's reserves.

Top Performers

Spartak: Loukas Mavrokefalidis – 20 points, five rebounds; Darius Johnson-Odom – 19 points; Vladimir Dragicevic – 10 points, eight rebounds; Nikita Kurbanov – 10 points, five rebounds; Zack Wright – four points, five assists.

Azovmash: Manny Harris – 24 points, eight rebounds; Lynn Greer – 11 points, five assists; Kyrylo Natyazhko – four points, six rebounds.

[Tugg Speedman]

Here is DJO's stat line

http://www.bc-spartak.ru/en/player/177

half of it is English and the other half in Russian so I'm not sure what to make of it.  That said, it appears that he is still playing shooting guard and not point guard.  That said, he has only played 4 games so far.  Maybe someone that reads Russian can clarify.

I thought he went to Russia as they were going to let him play PG.  He could have stayed in the NBADL if they he wanted to play SG.

[Avenue Commons]

I thought he went to Russia as they were going to let him play PG.  He could have stayed in the NBADL if they he wanted to play SG.

The pay is very different.

[Tugg Speedman]

The pay is very different.

I heard Buzz talk about it with Homer on his radio show.  He said DJO was going to Russia because they were about as good as a NBADL team and they would let him play PG (whereas he would continue as a SG in the NBADL).  He was trying to recast himself as a PG to try and make it back to the league.

[warriorchick]

How is his tax situation?

[dgies9156]

How is his tax situation?

I think the bigger question is avoiding the Russian Mafia. With that kind of money, they will find him.

[RushmoreAcademy]

How about the unsung hero of the Russian League, the guy putting the names on the jerseys.  He is working overtime, and DJO isn't making his job any easier.

[Hards Alumni]

DJO, вероятно, никогда не делают это в НБА. В то время он был великим игроком колледжа, он просто не имеет размера, чтобы играть атакующего защитника. Кроме того, у него нет ручки, чтобы играть разыгрывающего. Он должен взять столько денег, сколько он может, пока он молод.

[The Lens]

I think the bigger question is avoiding the Russian Mafia. With that kind of money, they will find him.

In the late-90's I worked the road crew on a joint venture of the NBA & Nike that was similar to Hoop it Up (same production company / owners) or Gus Macker.  We set-up 5 on 5 basketball tournies in 20 cities in Europe.  Moscow got cancelled at the last minute and the 3 truck drivers who hauled our semi's all over the continent for us were thrilled.  They were convinced there was a solid chance that 1 of them would have "disappeared" on the way in or the way out.  And these guys were no rookies.  They were part of a British trucking company that hauled for the Stones, The Who, name a big act etc.

It was interesting to hear the opionion / regard that many held for the Russians. 

[Slim]

Did not see this February 10 story posted

http://www.bc-spartak.ru/en/news/2253

Darius Johnson-Odom in the main role

10 February 2013 22:38

In Week 14 of the regular season in VTB United league, Russian Spartak cruised past Ukrainian Azovmash at home, 74-58. The home team enjoyed an advantage from the very beginning and had no trouble holding on for victory.

Intro

Azovmash played aggressively on both ends of the floor from the start – they wanted to end their series of misfortunes as soon as possible. Manny Harris and Tadija Dragicevic fired away from long range to give their team a small lead, 8-4. The Red-Whites didn't hesitate, however, in firing right back. Mavrokefalidis and Kurbanov knocked down their own 3-pointers and shifted the momentum to the home side, 17-11. Bench player Vladimir Dragicevic made a big impact next, preventing Azovmash from cutting into the deficit: 23-16 in favor of Spartak after 10 minutes played.

In the second quarter, the Ukrainians started to pay for their mistakes on defense. Left alone on the perimeter, Fedor Dmitriev and Darius Johnson-Odom punished their opponent with three 3-pointers and upped the advantage to 16 points. Spartak paid close attention on defense, as well. The Russian team played smart and only allowed Azovmash to score seven points. As a result, they trailed 46-23 at halftime.

Turning Point

If there was a breaking point, then it came in the third quarter. The Ukrainian team needed to come up with something desperate to make up such an enormous deficit to one of the best defensive teams in the league. Mariupol did begin to play better on defense: Spartak had to shoot primarily from midrange and beyond the arc, and, for the most part, they had little success. On offense, however, Sergey Zavalin's team couldn't come up with a miracle. They came closer by only one point and the final quarter lost any suspense. Spartak win, 74-58.

Star of the Game

Loukas Mavrokefalidis. The Greek center managed his duties superbly today. He looked good on the boards and also contributed on offense. He scored 20 points (78% from the field) and garnered an efficiency rating of 21.

Stat of the Game

39-10 – The Spartak bench blew out the opposing team's reserves.

Top Performers

Spartak: Loukas Mavrokefalidis – 20 points, five rebounds; Darius Johnson-Odom – 19 points; Vladimir Dragicevic – 10 points, eight rebounds; Nikita Kurbanov – 10 points, five rebounds; Zack Wright – four points, five assists.

Azovmash: Manny Harris – 24 points, eight rebounds; Lynn Greer – 11 points, five assists; Kyrylo Natyazhko – four points, six rebounds.

You just don't see sport reporting like that in America anymore!

And I can't wait to get the translation.