Comments on: After the Olympics: What’s the future of Greece? http://www.ballineurope.com/national-teams/after-the-olympics-whats-the-future-of-greece/ We speak basketball Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:14:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Sotis http://www.ballineurope.com/national-teams/after-the-olympics-whats-the-future-of-greece/#comment-6829 Sotis Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:17:49 +0000 http://www.ballineurope.com/national-teams/after-the-olympics-whats-the-future-of-greece/#comment-6829 In the qualifying tournament and Olympics it was clear that there were only 4 teams that are able to beat Greece. namely USA, Spain, Arg, Lith. With an ageing Argentina and Lithuania out of the way. I think Greece could be considered a top-3 seed until the WC 2010. Seems that they might become stronger the next two years as most players (except Papaloukas) will be in their prime. The adition of Koufos will also make them stronger in the paint. After 2010 it seems too risky to tell. The bulk of this generation will get older and there is no telling what level the youngsters will reach. In the qualifying tournament and Olympics it was clear that there were only 4 teams that are able to beat Greece. namely USA, Spain, Arg, Lith.
With an ageing Argentina and Lithuania out of the way. I think Greece could be considered a top-3 seed until the WC 2010. Seems that they might become stronger the next two years as most players (except Papaloukas) will be in their prime. The adition of Koufos will also make them stronger in the paint.
After 2010 it seems too risky to tell. The bulk of this generation will get older and there is no telling what level the youngsters will reach.

]]> By: migala72 http://www.ballineurope.com/national-teams/after-the-olympics-whats-the-future-of-greece/#comment-6634 migala72 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:52:08 +0000 http://www.ballineurope.com/national-teams/after-the-olympics-whats-the-future-of-greece/#comment-6634 I agree with Teo. I think Greece has a great future ONLY if they move their pieces in the right way. Balanced defensive and offensive approach as teams like Lithuania, Spain or Argentina already have. I agree with Teo. I think Greece has a great future ONLY if they move their pieces in the right way. Balanced defensive and offensive approach as teams like Lithuania, Spain or Argentina already have.

]]> By: Teo http://www.ballineurope.com/national-teams/after-the-olympics-whats-the-future-of-greece/#comment-6633 Teo Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:06:37 +0000 http://www.ballineurope.com/national-teams/after-the-olympics-whats-the-future-of-greece/#comment-6633 it's weird but apparently there has been some...bad chemistry between our american born youngsters and the rest. It's just rumors, but as internal fighting is the most cherished greek pastime it wouldn't surprise me if our NT took some blows in the future until the chemistry issues are resolved. Otherwise I don't see Papaloukas playing until 2012, maybe not even until 2010, he has repeatedly stated how tired he was each summer and he doesn't seem to be very inspired in his play anymore, even if he had a good olympic tourney. Hopefully the olympiacos experience and getting back home revitalize him, I'd love to see him a few more years, although I am sure that he might be a future coach for a greek NT, he already is half a coach on the floor. As for Zisis, I hope someone finally gives this guy a specific job. He so often seems lost in his role on the NT, it's just a waste of talent to have him alternate between point and 2. A waste of a sweet shot.. so a more steady and focused zisis could provide greece with the needed scoring during those horrendous droughts we've had sometimes. I wanted to see him shoot more against argentina (he seemed to have a great day) but our guards were too busy passing (fumbling..) the ball to each other. And as for Pat, pat can get some experience playing in greece now and we'll see how that goes, but a (seemingly) solid scorer from outside like him could fill gaps. I still have nightmares of those delfino/ginobili threes that our team just didn't even attempt to bring. and thanks for reminding us christophe that we all need to light a few candles for sofo, so that some higher being may inspire him to play with the ball instead of eating it, but who can depend on it....I'll make that 2 candles this sunday. And does anyone else believe that it's time for greece to start using their offensive talent more, the defensive approach has been great but the elite teams have caught up with it and are prepared, both the US and spain played very tough D as well and had more answers on offense. Anyway, this team will only get better after getting refreshed and hopefully we'll see some more magic in the future, thanks for the article, I had fun reading it. it’s weird but apparently there has been some…bad chemistry between our american born youngsters and the rest. It’s just rumors, but as internal fighting is the most cherished greek pastime it wouldn’t surprise me if our NT took some blows in the future until the chemistry issues are resolved. Otherwise I don’t see Papaloukas playing until 2012, maybe not even until 2010, he has repeatedly stated how tired he was each summer and he doesn’t seem to be very inspired in his play anymore, even if he had a good olympic tourney.
Hopefully the olympiacos experience and getting back home revitalize him, I’d love to see him a few more years, although I am sure that he might be a future coach for a greek NT, he already is half a coach on the floor.

As for Zisis, I hope someone finally gives this guy a specific job. He so often seems lost in his role on the NT, it’s just a waste of talent to have him alternate between point and 2. A waste of a sweet shot.. so a more steady and focused zisis could provide greece with the needed scoring during those horrendous droughts we’ve had sometimes. I wanted to see him shoot more against argentina (he seemed to have a great day) but our guards were too busy passing (fumbling..) the ball to each other.

And as for Pat, pat can get some experience playing in greece now and we’ll see how that goes, but a (seemingly) solid scorer from outside like him could fill gaps. I still have nightmares of those delfino/ginobili threes that our team just didn’t even attempt to bring.

and thanks for reminding us christophe that we all need to light a few candles for sofo, so that some higher being may inspire him to play with the ball instead of eating it, but who can depend on it….I’ll make that 2 candles this sunday.

And does anyone else believe that it’s time for greece to start using their offensive talent more, the defensive approach has been great but the elite teams have caught up with it and are prepared, both the US and spain played very tough D as well and had more answers on offense.

Anyway, this team will only get better after getting refreshed and hopefully we’ll see some more magic in the future, thanks for the article, I had fun reading it.

]]> By: Christophe http://www.ballineurope.com/national-teams/after-the-olympics-whats-the-future-of-greece/#comment-6608 Christophe Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:34:08 +0000 http://www.ballineurope.com/national-teams/after-the-olympics-whats-the-future-of-greece/#comment-6608 @Jonathan and Jason I must admit, I did not follow Nick's performances in the NCAA that much. I saw him at the U20 EC in Riga and during the (few) games I saw him play, he did not do anything that would make me consider him as a future Senior team member. But thanks for adding his name here, as this is open for discussion @Jonathan and Jason
I must admit, I did not follow Nick’s performances in the NCAA that much. I saw him at the U20 EC in Riga and during the (few) games I saw him play, he did not do anything that would make me consider him as a future Senior team member.

But thanks for adding his name here, as this is open for discussion

]]> By: Jonathan http://www.ballineurope.com/national-teams/after-the-olympics-whats-the-future-of-greece/#comment-6605 Jonathan Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:36:27 +0000 http://www.ballineurope.com/national-teams/after-the-olympics-whats-the-future-of-greece/#comment-6605 Exactly what I was going to say. Calathes had a much better freshman season than Koufos did. His brother Pat Calathes will surely figure into Greece's plans too. Exactly what I was going to say. Calathes had a much better freshman season than Koufos did. His brother Pat Calathes will surely figure into Greece’s plans too.

]]> By: Jason http://www.ballineurope.com/national-teams/after-the-olympics-whats-the-future-of-greece/#comment-6583 Jason Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:16:57 +0000 http://www.ballineurope.com/national-teams/after-the-olympics-whats-the-future-of-greece/#comment-6583 What about Nick Calathes? Dudes playing great for the Florida Gators in NCAA. What about Nick Calathes? Dudes playing great for the Florida Gators in NCAA.

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