http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2016/1/30/10876644/thanasis-antetokounmpo-played-his-role-in-westchester-lived-his-dream

Most of us D-League prospect hounds fall into the trap of seeking out the big numbers: the scoring leaders, the top rebounders. That's all well and good for places like Sioux Falls, Reno and Grand Rapids, but it rarely translates to the NBA. The big clubs are looking for players to fill a very specific role, and in the case of the Knicks, they're looking for kids who will play within the Triangle offense. While Thanasis still hasn't developed a reliable jumper, he worked hard at mastering the various Triangle cuts, and improved his finishing around the basket, becoming a far more efficient player despite fewer shots and fewer minutes.

Thanasis molded himself into a fine role player, and while "D-League role player" doesn't sound great on the ol' resume, a guy who knows his role in the offense while working hard on D is more useful to the big Knicks than minor league scoring champ.

I think the bolded part is lost on many people here. I do understand you expect NBA level player to dominate at the Dleague level, so I get it... stat searching is not without merit. But all these guys can play. If you follow baseball you are aware of the large farm system all major league teams have. Often top prospects dont have mind numbing stats, and often guys with great stats dont get called up. The reason is the little things are the big things. 400 foot homers dont impress scouts nearly as much as a power hitter's ability to go to opposite way, advancing runners, situational hitting... the things that show your IQ.

I dont know if Thanasis is a high IQ player, but he's obviously a hard worker and his improvement in efficiency shows in the numbers.

Good article from P&T guys I didnt see posted...

I do hope this guy gets a little burn and we get to see what he can do.

fishmike wrote:http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2016/1/30/10876644/thanasis-antetokounmpo-played-his-role-in-westchester-lived-his-dream

Most of us D-League prospect hounds fall into the trap of seeking out the big numbers: the scoring leaders, the top rebounders. That's all well and good for places like Sioux Falls, Reno and Grand Rapids, but it rarely translates to the NBA. The big clubs are looking for players to fill a very specific role, and in the case of the Knicks, they're looking for kids who will play within the Triangle offense. While Thanasis still hasn't developed a reliable jumper, he worked hard at mastering the various Triangle cuts, and improved his finishing around the basket, becoming a far more efficient player despite fewer shots and fewer minutes.

Thanasis molded himself into a fine role player, and while "D-League role player" doesn't sound great on the ol' resume, a guy who knows his role in the offense while working hard on D is more useful to the big Knicks than minor league scoring champ.

I think the bolded part is lost on many people here. I do understand you expect NBA level player to dominate at the Dleague level, so I get it... stat searching is not without merit. But all these guys can play. If you follow baseball you are aware of the large farm system all major league teams have. Often top prospects dont have mind numbing stats, and often guys with great stats dont get called up. The reason is the little things are the big things. 400 foot homers dont impress scouts nearly as much as a power hitter's ability to go to opposite way, advancing runners, situational hitting... the things that show your IQ.

I dont know if Thanasis is a high IQ player, but he's obviously a hard worker and his improvement in efficiency shows in the numbers.

Good article from P&T guys I didnt see posted...

I do hope this guy gets a little burn and we get to see what he can do.

I posted this article in another thread a few days ago. It's a good article and talks about how it's not about the stats that these kids are putting up in the D-League it's about if you're doing the things that Phil is looking for in a player besides the stats. A lot of people on here see these kids scoring 30 points a game in the d-league and then they're starting threads about how we should give them a 10 day contract. Phil knows how he wants to build his team and i trust he'll get it right.

Knicks1969 wrote:The question is: will the coaching staff give thenasty a chance to run with four of the starters? His exposures with credible talents can help embellish his skills

I think the game dictates his minutes. If guys are in foul trouble or hurt he might get some prime time playing time. Otherwise he probably only plays at the end of blowouts.

Supposedly he's becoming a good three ball shooter. At least a lot better.