Ex-Wolves in FIBA Eurobasket (probably some future Wolves as well)

[MikkeMan]

Since there isn't currently much basketball played elsewhere, I wanted to create some thread related to FIBA Eurobasket. Another reason to do that is that all games of group A are played in Finland. After first phase, I think they will play all rest of the games in Turkey.

Since Belly is recovering from injury and Ricky was traded, this is probably first time for years when none of Wolves current squad is playing in Eurobasket competition. Only guy whose rights Wolves still own that is playing is Bojan Dubljevic, whom is playing for Montenegro. But there are plenty of ex-Wolves playing. Ricky is once again in team Spain, Shved is playing for Russia, Anthony Randolph in playing for Slovenia and couple of other guys that Wolves have drafted Motiejunas, Calathes, Markkanen and Cedi Osman are playing for their countries.

I haven't watched much games from other teams than Finland since Finnish television is broadcasting only games that Finland is playing but here some tidbits about statistics, games and highlights that I have seen.

After three games, Spain has looked to be overwhelming. They seem to have by far best roster with both Gasols and Hernangomezes, Rubio, Abrines and Rodriguez participating. They are missing only Ibaka/Mirotic and Fernandez. So far Spain haven't played against any really good teams as they have crushed Montenegro, Chechs and Romania with average margin of 39 points. Maybe Croatia can finally give some challenge to them.

From other notable teams Russia, Croatia and Slovenia haven't lost either. Both France and Lithuania were upset in their first game (France lost to Finland in OT and Lithuania had two point loss to Georgia) but have got two wins after that.

From ex-Wolves Shved has looked once again pretty good with averages 21.3 pts, 2.7 rbs and 4.7 asts in 30 minutes. He has shot three pointers and free throws pretty well but his 2P% hasn't been that good and he also has had 3.7 TOs per game. Rubio has been brilliant with 10.7 pts, 2.0 rbs, 5.0 asts, 1.7 stls averages in just 17.8 minutes. His shooting percentages have been off the charts with 71.4 2P%, 55.6 3P% and 100% FT% but I expect that his numbers will look much less impressive when Spain will finally play against better opponents.

Anthony Randolph has't looked good at all. He has averaged 8.3 pts, 6.3 rbs with woeful shooting percentages. His highlight of the games so far was when he stole ball away from Markkanen and had breakaway slam with 3 seconds time left. That steal was good defensive play but it would have been better to use the clock than giving Finns another opportunity to score as Slovenia lead only with three points after that fast break dunk.

From Wolves recent draft picks Cedi Osman and Markkanen have looked really good so far. Osman has shown nice all around game with 18 pts, 6 rbs, 4.3 asts 3 stls and 1.3 blks averages in 35.7 minutes even tough he has struggled with his shot. Markkanen has been stud in offensive end with averages of 24.3 pts, 7.7 rbs and 1 blk in 29.6 minutes. He has shot really well from everywhere with 57.1 2P%, 53.8 3P% and 92.3 FT%. Even more impressive is how well he has performed in clutch time. He has averaged 13 pts in 4th quarter and overtime (Finland has played 3 overtimes already). Before Eurobasket started, I honestly thought that Finns point guard Petteri Koponen would still be their best player but he has struggled badly with his shot because he is recovering injury of his shooting hand but Markkanen has carried team already to two impressive wins with several clutch plays.

From other Wolves picks neither Motiejunas or Calathes have been impressive. Dubljevic has been probably best player for Montenegro with efficient 11.3pts, 7 rbs and 2 asts in just 21.3 minutes. He had pretty impressive 17 pts, 11 rbs double double against Croatia in close loss.

From other notable players, Dragic, Schroder, Porzingis, Bojan Bogdanovic and every notable in team Spain have been at least as good as expected. Dragic is highest scorer so far with 26.3 pts in 29.2 minutes, with Schroder, Porzingis and Markkanen just after him. Nando De Colo and Fournier have been decent for team France, same with Belinelli and Datome for Italy, Casspi for Israel and Kuzminskas for Lithuania.

From youngsters Slovenian wonder kid Luka Doncic has shown flashes of brilliance and Sacramento rookie Bogdan Bogdanovic from Serbia has been one of the best scorers of tournament with 22 pts average. Spurs Davis Bertans has been good side kick for Porzingis. Philly rookie Furkan Korkmaz has been showing promising stuff in team Turkey. Unfortunately Dragan Bender hasn't looked any better in Eurobasket than he was last year with Phoenix.

[Monster]

Thanks for the breakdown. I've only seen comments and a few highlights on Twitter. I wonder if a few guys will get signed after looking good in this tourney. It's happened before with a mix of results.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Good stuff Mikkeman, thanks for taking the time to break all of this down.

Rubio is absolutely killing it. Spain won again today. Here are his stats on a per 36 minute basis through 4 games:

20.1 PPG
4.1 RPG
8.6 APG
4.1 SPG
+29
52% FG
50% 3PT
93% FT

Past Team Spain versions of Rubio did not score as much. Now he is their second or third option.

He is continuing the improved shooting/scoring trend we saw late last season, albeit it's a small sample size against inferior competition. He'll need to take on some scoring load with Utah since they don't have a lot of options. It should be interesting to see how he does there.

[Shumway]

Good stuff Mikkeman, thanks for taking the time to break all of this down.

Rubio is absolutely killing it. Spain won again today. Here are his stats on a per 36 minute basis through 4 games:

20.1 PPG
4.1 RPG
8.6 APG
4.1 SPG
+29
52% FG
50% 3PT
93% FT

Past Team Spain versions of Rubio did not score as much. Now he is their second or third option.

He is continuing the improved shooting/scoring trend we saw late last season, albeit it's a small sample size against inferior competition. He'll need to take on some scoring load with Utah since they don't have a lot of options. It should be interesting to see how he does there.

I have two thoughts.

Go Ricky.

And... uh ohhh!

[Papalrep]

Shumway -
Go Ricky.

And... uh ohhh!

That was a bad trade. Ricky is better than Teague. Be interesting on this board if Utah is better than us.

[Monster]

Shumway -
Go Ricky.

And... uh ohhh!

That was a bad trade. Ricky is better than Teague. Be interesting on this board if Utah is better than us.

So...what kind of otherworldly numbers would a guy like Teague be putting up in a tourney like this?

[Lipoli390]

Shumway -
Go Ricky.

And... uh ohhh!

That was a bad trade. Ricky is better than Teague. Be interesting on this board if Utah is better than us.

So...what kind of otherworldly numbers would a guy like Teague be putting up in a tourney like this?

Not sure. But there are some good NBA players in this tourney who aren't putting up numbers as good as Ricky's. I continue to believe effectively swapping Ricky for Teague and a low first round pick was a mistake. Our defense and rebounding will take a hit and I'm not sure what he net offensive impact will be when you compare the impact of Teague's better shooting with Ricky's better playmaking. If you factor in Ricky's improved shooting that we saw late last season (apparently continuing in tourney play this summer) the swap could turn out to be a big mistake for the Wolves. And I haven't even gotten to the age differential or the additional $5 million in cap room we would have had keeping Rubio over Teague. I hope I turn out to be wrong about this.

[thedoper]

I'm a dominant power forward in the under 6 foot league.

[Lipoli390]

Let's not forget that Ricky averaged 16 points, 10.5 assists and 4.6 rebounds after the all-star break last season, hitting 42% of his field goals and nearly 36% of his threes. I believe that was against NBA competition. :). Definitely better overall numbers than Teague (similar 3-point shooting numbers)

Is Ricky going to hit 50+% of his field goal attempts next season in the NBA? Of course not. But his tremendous shooting numbers against the competition he's facing this summer simply show a continuation of what we saw late last season -- i.e., improved and far more consistent shooting. If he performs next season the way he did after the allstar break last season, then I'd consider the Teague-Rubio swap a really bad deal for the Wolves -- softened only slightly by the acquisition of OKC's first round pick.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

My larger point is that the more aggressive offensive version of Rubio we saw late last year has carried over to FIBA. Keep in mind that Rubio's career average in FIBA competition is 4.6 PPG.

He will need to continue that attacking mentality at Utah, where they are starving for scorers and more of the burden will be on him to create offense. His more prominent role with Team Spain seems to be a nice prelude for what Utah will need from him.

As for how he ranks compared to Teague, I think they are in that same middle tier of NBA starting point guards. Thibs just happens to think Teague fits his system better. Time will tell.....