Koponen to Stay in Europe Next Year?

by grigs on Jul 8, 2008 7:12 AM PDT

I was a bit surprised by this tidbit in Jason Quick's article this morning about Bayless:

"In Las Vegas, McMillan said the Blazers will begin games with point guard Petteri Koponen -- a first-round pick in 2007 who will remain overseas next season -- and Bayless at shooting guard, but that Bayless will eventually get large chunks of playing time at the point."

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1215483969201330.xml&coll=7

I had expected Koponen to have a decent shot at making the roster based on summer league play and the fact that all reports are that he is looking much better than he was in previous years.

This new strategy of drafting players and stashing them overseas is something I need to become more familiar with. Does anyone know how long San Antonio usually lets their players season overseas before bringing them over?

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Kop

I’m not surprised. He needs to play at a higher level than the FInnish League before he’s ready for the NBA. Hopefully, he can find a role with a team in Spain or Italy.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jul 8, 2008 7:18 AM PDT reply actions

I'm not surprised either

I predicted he’d be ready in one more year. However, I don’t know that I see him fitting in assuming Bayless is all that and a bowl of ice cream.

Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624

by ratbastird on Jul 8, 2008 7:35 AM PDT up reply actions

I remember reading something

That Pet said if he doesn’t sign with an NBA team, then he’s going to sign a long term contract in Europe. We might not see him again for years.

"Man I want to rec it again." - pualo talking about jscot's long comment

by tominhawaii on Jul 8, 2008 7:51 AM PDT up reply actions

I hope that's not the case. Please say sarcastic font

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on Jul 8, 2008 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions

I honestly don't think it matters

Finland will most likely be part of a trade unless Bayless bombs, and from what I’m hearing that is HIGHLY unlikely to happen.

Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624

by ratbastird on Jul 8, 2008 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions

I was serious

I think it was his radio interview with MB. I know I heard it or read it.

"Man I want to rec it again." - pualo talking about jscot's long comment

by tominhawaii on Jul 9, 2008 4:27 AM PDT up reply actions

Just don't Freeland him...

My only hope is that if he does go to the Spanish League or one of the other premier leagues in Europe for only a season that his isn’t Freelanded. I would hate to see our Fin riding the pine.

by PtownJake on Jul 8, 2008 7:57 AM PDT up reply actions

Likewise.

I just don’t quite see how he could be ready for the NBA just yet. Besides, we don’t have room for him at the point with Blake, Sergio and Bayless on board …. not to mention sometimes playing Roy at that position.

by TwoDeep on Jul 8, 2008 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions

Interesting that Nate mentioned predicted starters too...

Blake, Roy, Webster, LMA and Oden.

Didn’t Quickdawg mention in some previous article that Travis was the likely starter at SF? I do think that he fits better in the second unit, as he will definitely get more looks. Rudy and Travis could be dominate in White this year.

by PtownJake on Jul 8, 2008 8:00 AM PDT reply actions

Nate indicated SF starting spot was open for competition...

............................. but that Travis would be better suited to play with the 2nd unit, where he would get more scoring touches.

"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Jul 8, 2008 8:05 AM PDT up reply actions

A lot of people thought that when Nate said he'd be exclusively a SF

that would mean he starts. There were quite a few people saying that Nate said Travis would start because of that comment, but as far as I know he never said he would start.

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on Jul 8, 2008 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions

I think Joel might take exception

He’s been very vocal about Oden needing to earn the starting spot from him (which makes me like Joel even more – no going gently onto that bench).

by DonkeyShins on Jul 8, 2008 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions

agree

Oden should have to beat out Joel in order to start on opening day. No free handouts.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jul 8, 2008 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions

agreed, but

given Joel’s skillset, I don’t think it’s out of the question that Greg could do so as soon as opening night. They’re both great help defenders who are foul-prone (Greg presumably moreso than Joel, who seemed to wise up a little bit last year), but Joel’s offense is basically non-existent. So if Oden’s D translates well enough that he’s near Joel’s level, his advantages in athleticism and offense give him the edge right away.

by abdelnaby on Jul 8, 2008 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions

agreed

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jul 8, 2008 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Eh...

I could have given you that lineup. Nate sets his rotation based on two things:

1) Competition and
2) Mancrushes

Jarrett “The Mancrush” Jack is gone, and Nate is anticipating that Blake and Oden will win the position battles. No big deal. We’ll see what happens in training camp, but I would be pretty surprised if this isn’t indeed the opening night lineup.

"I think it’s going to be very beautiful game next year."
-Batuuuuuuuum!

by rockingharder on Jul 8, 2008 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions

He's already hugged Bayless

Poor Sergio.

"Man I want to rec it again." - pualo talking about jscot's long comment

by tominhawaii on Jul 9, 2008 4:30 AM PDT up reply actions

Sounds a little bit like the opinion of Quick and not a statement by Nate

But before he came over I totally expected Koponen (and Freeland) to be send back to Europe in order to sign with a better team in a better league and gain more experience there. He is far from a finished product – no pun intended – and competition in a top European league (Spain, Italy, Germany, ...) will be better for his development than in the D-League. Unfortunately they would probably want to lock him up for three years. Sorry for the Koponen fan club.

Coach, I promise I wasn't running hard ...

by Norsktroll on Jul 8, 2008 8:10 AM PDT reply actions

They will probably work a deal with a Euro team for an inexpensive buyout

the third year. That gives us time to evaluate Bayless, plus will prevent having 4 PGs on the roster and having salary issues.

I still stand by my sig…

Koponen - PG of the future. Book it.

by Blazerholic on Jul 8, 2008 8:14 AM PDT reply actions

I think you can relax

You didn’t say whose PG he would be ….

"Shoot, I don't even have anything to put in my own sig"

These are the modest words of pualo, posted on June 20, 2008.
Yes, pualo, an extraordinarily discerning BEdger with a knack for subtle expression.

by CatMan2 on Jul 8, 2008 8:22 AM PDT up reply actions

LMAO! Good one...

Koponen - PG of the future. Book it.

by Blazerholic on Jul 8, 2008 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions

We have learnt something about contracts.

If he develops in Europe when we comes he will be more mature, better player, able to earn PT, cheaper, he´ll stay when we need that piece instead of become a RFA, etc…

The Midnight Rambler

by amlmart1 on Jul 8, 2008 9:26 AM PDT reply actions