Small Petteri Update

by Dave on Mar 28, 2008 12:53 PM PDT in News

From our Finnish sportswriter:

This was published late Friday evening (Finnish time) in the webpage of Finnish tabloid magazine Ilta-Sanomat:

Petteri Koponen and Honka Playboys head coach Mihailo Pavicevic will both arrive to Portland in May. Reportedly the duo will arrive early just to make sure Koponen is ready to go when the summer league tips off.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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Question is

If Petteri sets the world on fire in summer league, what will it mean for him and the franchise?

I think it's a stretch to think he will actually make the roster and break into the rotation.

So does anyone think he will actually leapfrog Sergio into the scrub PG spot on our bench?

I think it's possible but unless we unload one of our current PG's I don't see how we will develop this kid even if he is a great prospect.

"Life is a meaningless sequence of events in between Blazer championships"

by broggerboy19 on Mar 28, 2008 2:10 PM PDT reply actions

I'm not sure

if Petteri makes the big squad this year. But if he does I foresee some real headaches public-relations-wise for Nate and the crew. I'm just praying that Rudy comes mostly NBA-ready or at least is able to earn some floor time while he makes his mistakes. Petteri probably will not be able to earn much time if he does make the team. Who knows what Sergio will do? I'm looking at THREE European prospects that might or might not acclimate to the league. Look what's happened with just one guy like that this year.

--Dave

by Dave on Mar 28, 2008 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions

The Real Question is...

When Freeland sets the world on fire in Summer league, what will it mean for him and the franchise?

Can he make the roster and break into the rotation?

If he does, does it make Channing expendable and resolve our need for a physical, rebounding PF.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EcyfDBbM2xE&feature=related
(Rudy and Freeland playing against each other this year)

Seriously, Petteri is getting mega attention on this site, but I think Freeland showed more promise at Summer league, but I've been wrong before.

Rudy strengthening a perimeter already very powerful, the goal of the Blazers is to pursue everything.

by hightide on Mar 28, 2008 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't think Freeland is ready for the NBA

If he is still just a scrub in Europe, what chance does he have of getting significant playing time in the NBA? He started playing basketball late so he will probably improve a lot in the next few years, but I doubt he will be able to make the Blazer's roster next year.

by trk on Mar 28, 2008 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Not a Scrub

Joel isn't really a scrub, he just can't get playing time because the coaches don't like that he will try and bolt for the NBA when the time comes. Freeland said last year at Summer League that he was better than the players in front of him (of course that was coming from him). But, the fact that a physical stud like him couldn't even get playing time in blow out loses indicates that it was more of the coaches and less his ability.

Rudy strengthening a perimeter already very powerful, the goal of the Blazers is to pursue everything.

by hightide on Mar 28, 2008 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions

It will be tough to make the squad

Given the current roster/situation.

However, you have got to love P Ko's attitude and determination. On this point alone he seems to posses the revamped Blazer moxie that's building.

The draft, then summer league? Can't wait.

The Oden Era, Day 282

by Heymoe on Mar 28, 2008 2:49 PM PDT reply actions

Given his age . . .

. . . I'd say this visit is less an attempt to make the 08-09 squad,
and more showing where his development is at right now,
and giving the Blazers a reference point for his future progress.

Did you really put stuff on top of the eggs? Like, for real? He put . . . HE PUT THE LIGHT BULBS ON THE BOTTOM!

by QualityPie on Mar 28, 2008 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions

It can only help the Blazers

to have that kind of competition. May the best PG win.

With that said, I think Blake is solidifying his position with his great play lately. I have real hope that he can be the long-term solution at point.

by jamon51 on Mar 28, 2008 3:01 PM PDT reply actions

If he comes over this year

he'll live in Idaho.

D League would be a step up for him (as far as competition/development) from Finland.

This kid IS really, really good.

I'm frequently right, but always certain

by jscot on Mar 29, 2008 12:07 AM PDT reply actions

Koponen is having a great year

Some people in blazers forums tend to write P. Ko off, because he's had quite a few turnovers this season and a bad summer league last year. But, I'd like to point out that his numbers are quite similar to many of the top guard prospects in this upcoming draft. He is younger (20 in April) than OJ Mayo and Pritchard has called him an elite guard prospect. He matched up well against Mayo and Rose (at the nike hoop summit last year) and his numbers have shown progressive improvement since last years finnish league stats. He didn't fair well in last years summer league and he said he was very frustrated about that.
But, the real reason why I wanted to post on this subject...is that I wanted to post some stats on Petteri comparing him to many players people are saying we should try to draft this summer (I don't know if something like this has been posted somewhere else):

P. Kaponen's stats comparison between this year and last:

Year Min PTS FG% 3PT% AST TURN REB ST

06/7 32 12.5 46 39 3.7 3 2.4 1.7

07/8 36 19 50 42 3.9 3 3.4 1.8

P. Koponen sats this year vs 07/08 stats of potential draftees (figures rounded from stats obtained via draft express):

2007/2008

Player Min Pts FG% 3PT% AST TURN Reb ST

Petteri 36 19 50% 42% 3.9 3 3.4 1.8
Rose 28 14 47% 35% 4.5 2.7 4.3 1.2
Mayo 36 21 44% 41% 3.3 3.5 4.5 1.5
Gordon 35 21 43% 34% 2.4 3.6 3.3 1.3
Bayless 36 20 46% 41% 4 3 2.7 1
Westbr 34 12 47% 32% 4.4 2.8 3.8 1.6
Colliso 35 15 49% 52% 3.8 2 2.6 1.9
Augusti 37 19 44% 38% 5.8 2.8 2.9 1.2

Most of these young point guards turn the ball over like it's a hot potato. And, while I know many of these prospects are young, hense prospect, I think it is important for young guys to shoot the ball better than 40 their first year in order to get any playing time. Going against bigger, faster players, many of these soon to be rookies lose 5+% on their FG% their first few years in the league (especially if they're short).
I don't know how the Finnish league (FBA) stacks up to NCAA ball, but Pettri is taller than any prospect not named Mayo (6'5" in shoes). 3 point lines are different distances , I'm sure the game is played at a different speed, and from what I've heard euroleagues don't credit assists as frequently. But, I wouldn't doubt the average FBA teams stacks up pretty well against the average NCAA team

In the FBA, Petteri Koponen (at 19) ranks quite well amongst his counterparts:

10th in scoring
4th in 3 pt FG%
9th in FT atempted
7th in FT made
6th in assists
11th in steals
9th in A/T ratio
3rd in minutes

Now, the FBA isn't that huge of a league...but I'm wondering what effect these statistics and his development will have when it comes time for the Blazers to draft this year.

If P. Ko really does stack up well against these other young prospects, I'm sure the Blazers would be less inclined to target another young point guard and instead just target the BPA on their draft board.

Anyway, food for thought (I hope). Sorry iff some of the numbers didn't line up (it's a bit hard to read. Oh, this is my first post here...hope ya'll liked it.)

by neilan on Mar 29, 2008 12:37 AM PDT reply actions

I enjoyed it very much

Keep posting!

--Dave

by Dave on Mar 29, 2008 12:38 AM PDT up reply actions

Good stuff

I'm very high on Petteri. I suspect the Finnish League isn't as good as the tougher NCAA conferences (like the PAC 10), but I don't know whether it is any weaker than the players Rose has been playing against.

I think we should also recognize that Petteri has not been on a particularly good team, which hurts both assists and turnovers. A lot of turnovers are judgment calls as to which teammate gets them, so being on a bad team is going to cost you some turnovers, because you'll get charged with some that should have gone to teammates. And if you are the go-to guy, and everyone knows it, the defense focuses on you and you can get more turnovers that way, too.

If your teammate misses the easy shot, you don't get an assist. If you have a dominant team, assists come a lot easier.

I'm frequently right, but always certain

by jscot on Mar 29, 2008 4:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Someone somewhere also said

That they don't tally assists as liberally as we do over here in the NBA, so that'll definitely affect his potentially gaudy assist stats...

He didn't have a great summer league, but I liked how he looked and moved-- I can see him being a good player. I think everyone will be more comfortable with him as a Blazer or in the D-League if we didn't have so many good young players taking up the roster (let alone good young PGs), and if we had any idea how good the competition is in Finland. All we hear is that it isn't great, but I doubt any of us can name one other player in Finland aside from Kopponen, or have any clue exactly how good/bad it is.

All I knows is, I wants to sees him against more "known" decent playerses, to better judge his talent and progress. Summer League is so short, so the D-League if we can spare the roster spot (maybe we can?) or on a better European team. Aside from being able to gauge how good he is against better players, he'll have a better chance to improve because he'll be forced to get better to compete. Having it too easy doesn't usually make someone a better player...

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Mar 29, 2008 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm Sold

Thanks neilan.

Now I can say we don't have to draft a point guard or move up in the draft, and toot my Hansbrough horn all the way until the draft. I'm going to bookmark this and reference it every time someone says we need to draft Mayo.

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by tominhawaii on Mar 29, 2008 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh Yeah

I'm meant to add that the Finish league can't be much worse than the West Coast Conference that Gonzaga plays in.

Blazer's Edge #1 Trusted Relationship Site, Move Beyond "Traditional" Online Dating and Blogging

by tominhawaii on Mar 29, 2008 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions

They gots...

..."D" league scrubs playin' for 'em

So there!

"The Team with Caricature!"

by Lizzy Lowblow on Mar 29, 2008 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions

last year's summer league...

Kopponen was forced to play more shooting guard than he was accustomed to as well, that couldn't have helped.

by The Graduate on Mar 29, 2008 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions

petsku

Korisliiga is the name of FBA´s league, where Petsku (as we know him) plays. I´m sure the best teams in Korisliiga (like Honka) can play even games with average teams in German Bundesliga - or the worst teams in Spanish ACB-league.

Problem with the level is that rosters in Korisliiga lacks depht. Starting five is usually competitive, but when you go down to 7th or 8th player, they are usually quite poor or very young.

Koponen (as his surname is written) has done well this season. He´s progressed a lot and gathered confidence. In semifinals (starting wednesday) we´ll see, if he´s able to stand the pressure when Honka meets LrNMKY (YMCA) or Torpan Pojat.

Sorry, if my english is not perfect!

by platini on Apr 3, 2008 12:12 PM PDT reply actions