Worth a pick? PG Petteri Koponen

[pwee31]

Has anyone heard of this kid? Suprised no one has come across him or brought him up. He sounds like a developing project, which I'm not sure if we'll go that road, but he's projected in the early-mid 2nd round.
I like what I've read, and I definitely like the comparison.

http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/petterikoponen.html

http://nbadraft.net/hippo001.asp

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=1273

[ajbry]

Re: Worth a pick? PG Petteri Koponen

Will play against Derrick Rose and OJ Mayo in the Nike Hoop Summit 2007.

That will be a huge indication of his abilities, until then he seems to pretty par for the course in terms of international talent that falls to the second round and never really does anything in the NBA. His defense sounds as if he'll get torn apart by quick and lethal point guards as well, the Pacers certainly don't need any more of that.

[pwee31]

Re: Worth a pick? PG Petteri Koponen

That will be a huge indication of his abilities, until then he seems to pretty par for the course in terms of international talent that falls to the second round and never really does anything in the NBA. His defense sounds as if he'll get torn apart by quick and lethal point guards as well, the Pacers certainly don't need any more of that.

The Nike Summit has already happened. The recap is in the other links I've posted. Apparently he held his own.

[pwee31]

Re: Worth a pick? PG Petteri Koponen

Next year's draft will probably be stocked with young PGs like Gordon, Mayo, and Rose. Throw in a few guys who didn't declare. Collison (UCLA), Neitzel (MSU), Lawson (UNC) just to name a few.

A lot depends on our direction and what we do during the draft/offseason, but if this kid is holding his own against lottery guys for 08, and will be availible this year in the 2nd round...... I think we should at least take a flier.

[efx]

Re: Worth a pick? PG Petteri Koponen

Supposedly he can finnish well around the rim.

[Mourning]

Re: Worth a pick? PG Petteri Koponen

I don't think I would mind spending an early to middle second rounder on him. First rounder?

It's the sort of risk that could truly pay out for a team. Could also truly be a big mistake.

I think it takes guts or a team that is very deep at this moment to take him in the middle or later part of the first round.

Regards,

Mourning

[CableKC]

Re: Worth a pick? PG Petteri Koponen

Given the liklihood that we will have a better chance of getting a 2nd round pick then a 1st round pick....I wouldn't mind giving him a chance. Bird will probably draft him...let him sit in Europe for a few years to develop...and then forget that he drafted him

[pwee31]

Re: Worth a pick? PG Petteri Koponen

Given the liklihood that we will have a better chance of getting a 2nd round pick then a 1st round pick....I wouldn't mind giving him a chance. Bird will probably draft him...let him sit in Europe for a few years to develop...and then forget that he drafted him

Speaking of... Conrad's Question of the day on Pacers.com was about the development and readiness of E. Lorbeck (2nd round #46 2005 draft).

As for Koponen, it sounds like he's a lot more ready for the NBA then Lorbeck was, granted he hasn't played against the toughest competition yet, he played well at the Nike Summit and seems to have a quickly rising draft stock. He's either gonna stay in the draft as a late 1st/early 2nd round pick, or back out and declare again in 08 or 09 where his draft stock will probably be higher.

I wouldn't mind grabbing him in the 2nd round if he stays. A late 1st is iffy, but it seems like he could be worth the gamble.

[Anthem]

Re: Worth a pick? PG Petteri Koponen

Supposedly he can finnish well around the rim.

Not surprising... he's European!

Finnish? Get it?

I crack myself up.

[Cherokee]

Re: Worth a pick? PG Petteri Koponen

Not surprising... he's European!

Finnish? Get it?

I crack myself up.

Allow me ....


RIM SHOT!!!

[efx]

Re: Worth a pick? PG Petteri Koponen

Not surprising... he's European!

Finnish? Get it?

I crack myself up.

You win the prize for getting the joke. I toyed with the idea of capitalizing it as well but decided not to

[pwee31]

Re: Worth a pick? PG Petteri Koponen

Not surprising... he's European!

Finnish? Get it?

I crack myself up.

It's not the hardest thing to get. He's not only a Euro.. he's from Finland. They even use the "finnish" in one of the articles, which is why I figured efx put that in the 1st place.

But if someone didn't get it, then by all means....

[Major Cold]

Re: Worth a pick? PG Petteri Koponen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHBUoVgHKs0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6-5KvjXwrU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA2N5IWchug

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pIBPcuodTw

I really don't think he could penetrate in the NBA

[Anthem]

Re: Worth a pick? PG Petteri Koponen

I really don't think he could penetrate in the NBA

His handles look ok, except that he dribbles so amazingly high. He'd get picked all night long in the NBA.

[Mourning]

Re: Worth a pick? PG Petteri Koponen

His handles look ok, except that he dribbles so amazingly high. He'd get picked all night long in the NBA.

I agree. He's still very young though and what I read from the scouting reports and such is that he adapts quite rapidly and easily to new things he gets taught and if he plays another 2 years in Europe with one of the better teams it could very well work out.

Like I said it's a risk picking him. It could be a failure, but it could also reap high rewards. It all depends on how he develops from here on out and where the focus of new things he will learn is on.