Kostas

[tower912]

If his defense is ahead of his defense, does that mean his offense offends?

[rocket surgeon]

The best defense is a good defensive offense-ayn'a

[Dawson Rental]

Wonder if Giannis/his agent pulled some strings with Nike on this one. Either way, it will be a great experience for him going against some big time competition.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2016-Nike-Hoop-Summit-International-Roster-Breakdown-5402


Kostas Antetokounmpo is the younger brother of Giannis and Thanasis, following them to the United States after Giannis was drafted by the Bucks, and currently residing in Milwaukee. Kostas will be Portland, though, barring an injury or late roster withdrawal, it is unclear at the moment if he will ultimately participate in the Hoop Summit game itself, as he is designated as the 13th player on the roster. A senior at Dominican in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, Antetokounmpo is considering a number of high major offers.

Not all that unlike Giannis at the same stage, he is a late bloomer physically who sprouted up a few inches late in his high school career, and whose defense is currently ahead of his defense. The 6'10 small forward will participate in the practice sessions, giving him a chance to test his length and budding skill set alongside a loaded roster, in a very competitive setting. Considering the amount of NBA teams who will be present in the practice sessions, Kostas can help himself tremendously with a strong showing in the practices.

Even if he gets embarrassed? 

I don't see how this happens without some strings being pulled and probably someone footing the bill for Nike.  The fact that he's an extra on the roster speaks volumes.  I believe that any positive move by Kostas for his future will involve patience rather than forcing himself into a move up in class.  I hope that that is what ultimately happens.  I do expect him to be a very good player someday, I just think that he will be more likely to get there and get there sooner, by allowing himself sufficient time to develop.

[forgetful]

But in defense of his defense, his defense has been improving.

I agree, in the past he couldn't even defend his defense, not it is clearly defensible. 

[martyconlonontherun]

Even if he gets embarrassed? 

I don't see how this happens without some strings being pulled and probably someone footing the bill for Nike.  The fact that he's an extra on the roster speaks volumes.  I believe that any positive move by Kostas for his future will involve patience rather than forcing himself into a move up in class.  I hope that that is what ultimately happens.  I do expect him to be a very good player someday, I just think that he will be more likely to get there and get there sooner, by allowing himself sufficient time to develop.

Embarrassed? How would he get embarrassed? He won't play much in the televised games and when he does it is a glorified pick up game where he probably will look better than he is due to athleticism. The rest of the time is spent doing drills and training with the best players his age and some of the best coaches around. Plus it would just be a cool experience for any 18 year old.

[Herman Cain]

In my view we should be all over this prospect. Tall Athletic and Good family history in the sport. He has nothing but upside from here.

[rocket surgeon]

In my view we should be all over this prospect. Tall Athletic and Good family history in the sport. He has nothing but upside from here.

I agree-I think this guy could grown to be a little special.  Hard working dude who wants to emulate his brother.  Just think of all the off season pick up games...going one on one with John Henson or Jabari Parker

[jsglow]

If Wojo doesn't have that 13th spot filled by early May I'd take Kostas in a heartbeat.  I think he and his family would truly love it if Marquette became a real option and you simply can't teach height.  And really aren't any comparisons to Mbao foolish?  This kid could someday be a pro.

[bilsu]

It frustrates me a little when coaches ignore recruits they have an excellant chance of getting. Buzz was not interested in Lachance. Wojo does not seem to have much interest in Kostas. It almost seems like the coaches are so zeroed in on the type of player they want that they cannot see the value of a different type of player. Buzz was all into switchables and did not seem to be interested in shooters that could not fit that profile. Wojo is zeroed in on shooters and it seems does not see the value of a 6'10' small forward that cannot shoot from the outside.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

I don't know - I am more in the win now camp rather than reloading with a LT project.  I think the points to get this kid are very valid, but not sure yet that it worthy of hand-wringing.

[jsglow]

Unless 2-3 years from now he's at St John's and absolutely abusing Heldt.  THEN I'd be pissed.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Unless 2-3 years from now he's at St John's and absolutely abusing Heldt.  THEN I'd be pissed.

You can only have so many projects....if that happens I would personally be more angry with Wojo in taking Heldt than missing Kostas. 

[jsglow]

You can only have so many projects....if that happens I would personally be more angry with Wojo in taking Heldt than missing Kostas.

They're separated by 2 years.  And Wojo absolutely NEEDS a #4 NOW.  This second as a matter of fact assuming HE is 95% out the door. More than any position on the court including PG.  Now there might be several recruits waiting on Henry's final decision but if they all go elsewhere we are up crap creek next year almost guaranteed.  What, Luke will stay out of foul trouble, Matt will play 20 quality minutes and JjJ will be at the #4 and some think we'll win?  Yeah, I've got some swampland in Horicon for you to buy.

I'm not saying Wojo formally offers the kid this second.  But he could probably have Kostas for the asking, even before Henry makes a decision.  Wojo better be pretty damn sure he has a quality big in the pipeline because even a Frosh Kostas could give us everything that Matt gave this year and tons more than Sacar.

Look, I hope this all works out and I'm not saying for a moment that he's the solution to all our problems.  But as was said above, if the 13th scholly goes to Cam Marotta next year at Christmas then Wojo will have failed to maximize this team's potential for '16-'17.  And there's zero excuse for that.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

They're separated by 2 years.  And Wojo absolutely NEEDS a #4 NOW.

  But as was said above, if the 13th scholly goes to Cam Marotta next year at Christmas then Wojo will have failed to maximize this team's potential for '16-'17.  And there's zero excuse for that.

These two things we violently agree on. I just hope we get someone who can actually contribute real mins next year.

If it's Kostas fine. I just hope we can do better (for next year).

[jsglow]

These two things we violently agree on. I just hope we get someone who can actually contribute real mins next year.

If it's Kostas fine. I just hope we can do better (for next year).

Total agreement.  I'm off the Kostas bandwagon the instant a quality player commits for that slot.  Now if Wojo were a true superstar, he'd get the kid to prep for a year and turn down Mullin.

[brewcity77]

If we miss on Fernando and Young, Kostas would be worth a flyer, but can't see pushing for him until then. We need a 4 that can play now in the Big East. Not sure he's ready for that.

[jsglow]

If we miss on Fernando and Young, Kostas would be worth a flyer, but can't see pushing for him until then. We need a 4 that can play now in the Big East. Not sure he's ready for that.

So I'll try to have a positive outlook and say that Wojo knows way more than we do.  About Henry, about Fernando and Young, about some grad transfer.  It'll work out.   

[Dawson Rental]

Embarrassed? How would he get embarrassed? He won't play much in the televised games and when he does it is a glorified pick up game where he probably will look better than he is due to athleticism. The rest of the time is spent doing drills and training with the best players his age and some of the best coaches around. Plus it would just be a cool experience for any 18 year old.

The cameras don't have to be on for him to get embarrassed.  You have a kid who as a junior was playing behind shorter less athletic guys in HS going up against the best in his age group.  Think Roseboro playing in pickup games in Milwaukee prior to his freshman year that made him realize that he wasn't ready for the Big East.

As I said, I expect Kostas to develop into a very good player.  I just believe that its magical thinking to expect that from him next year.

[MuMark]

It frustrates me a little when coaches ignore recruits they have an excellant chance of getting. Buzz was not interested in Lachance. Wojo does not seem to have much interest in Kostas. It almost seems like the coaches are so zeroed in on the type of player they want that they cannot see the value of a different type of player. Buzz was all into switchables and did not seem to be interested in shooters that could not fit that profile. Wojo is zeroed in on shooters and it seems does not see the value of a 6'10' small forward that cannot shoot from the outside.

La Chance averaged 6.9 points and shot 35% from the floor. He isn't a good defender and can't create his own shot.

Buzz(and Bo) knew what they were doing in not offering him.

Duane is in the same class, plays the same position and is a better player.

[martyconlonontherun]

The cameras don't have to be on for him to get embarrassed.  You have a kid who as a junior was playing behind shorter less athletic guys in HS going up against the best in his age group.  Think Roseboro playing in pickup games in Milwaukee prior to his freshman year that made him realize that he wasn't ready for the Big East.

As I said, I expect Kostas to develop into a very good player.  I just believe that its magical thinking to expect that from him next year.

I just don't have the understanding of why he would get embarrassed. It's a few weeks of drills and training. So what if he is the worst player among the best young players in the world. This isn't a situation where he is going in expecting to dominate and everyone wondering why he sucks. Everyone knows he is a project and no one is going to be watching him as intently as the other guys in the gym. I don't see the downside of going to this camp. Worst case scenario is he realizes he needs another year and will go prep. He's been around some great players (Stone, Giannis, and I'm sure some friends). I think he recognizes he isn't in their league.

[Jay Bee]

La Chance averaged 6.9 points and shot 35% from the floor. He isn't a good defender and can't create his own shot.

What is the relevance of FG%?

None.

Remember, LaChance shot better from 3 than from 2.. and he shot MORE from 3 than from 2.

Nonetheless, a bad year for him.. as a frosh, though, he had an ORtg of 116 w/a 19% usage, 23% shots and an eFG% of 53.4%.. not to mention a turnover rate of just 13.6%.

I had zero issue with us passing on Riley... but his (or anyone's) FG% isn't relevant and the fact is he had a great freshman year.

[MuMark]

.449 efg%......,Duane's was .515

[rocket surgeon]

If we miss on Fernando and Young, Kostas would be worth a flyer, but can't see pushing for him until then. We need a 4 that can play now in the Big East. Not sure he's ready for that.

Good points.  All wojo has to do is wink at the dude and he would jump at the chance and I believe he would work his arse off and walk across hot coals with a gas can in each hand to play in Milwaukee. His family is everything to him and I mean that in a good way.  He has lots of pretty good tutors at his disposal

[Shark]

Good points.  All wojo has to do is wink at the dude and he would jump at the chance and I believe he would work his arse off and walk across hot coals with a gas can in each hand to play in Milwaukee. His family is everything to him and I mean that in a good way.  He has lots of pretty good tutors at his disposal

I'm all in on Kostas. I don't even think you need a traditional 4 and 5 to play together in the modern NCAA. Just look at the games tonight. Auguste is ND's only real big. Wisconsin has one true big in Happ and he's pretty soft and a freshmen. Kostas would probably have minimal impact his freshmen year but he is clearly developing a ton and has the size and athleticism to be a great player.

[Herman Cain]

I don't know - I am more in the win now camp rather than reloading with a LT project.  I think the points to get this kid are very valid, but not sure yet that it worthy of hand-wringing.

He is not a project. We need a guy like this. He can be effective for us .