Linas Kleiza, NBA to Greece and Back
By: Stephen Brotherston Last Updated: 8/13/10 11:37 AM ET | 3330 times read
When All-Star Carmelo Anthony's former back-up returned from Greece this summer, he joined the team he wanted to play for when he left the Denver Nuggets at the end of his rookie contract in 2009. But at that time, the Toronto Raptors were in no position to compete with the lucrative financial offer from Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus.
There is nothing like a little financial crisis to entice former NBA players into grabbing their first opportunity at signing a new contract back on this side of the pond. Greece just doesn't look as good to players who have a choice this season.
But just like other NBA players who have sought opportunities outside of North America, this European adventure was good for Linas Kleiza.
At 6' 8" 245lbs, Kleiza has the size to play both forward positions, but it's his size that gives him a distinct advantage in the NBA at small forward as the specialty statistics at 82games.com indicate. In 2008-09, Kleiza was plus 43 points with a PER of 16.4 at small forward and minus 24 points with a PER of 14.0 at power forward for Denver. On a 48 minute basis, Kleiza dominated at small forward outscoring his opponent by 1.8 points and out rebounding them by 1.8 boards. But at power forward, the numbers are almost the reverse.
By: Stephen Brotherston Last Updated: 8/13/10 11:37 AM ET | 3330 times read
When All-Star Carmelo Anthony's former back-up returned from Greece this summer, he joined the team he wanted to play for when he left the Denver Nuggets at the end of his rookie contract in 2009. But at that time, the Toronto Raptors were in no position to compete with the lucrative financial offer from Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus.
There is nothing like a little financial crisis to entice former NBA players into grabbing their first opportunity at signing a new contract back on this side of the pond. Greece just doesn't look as good to players who have a choice this season.
But just like other NBA players who have sought opportunities outside of North America, this European adventure was good for Linas Kleiza.
At 6' 8" 245lbs, Kleiza has the size to play both forward positions, but it's his size that gives him a distinct advantage in the NBA at small forward as the specialty statistics at 82games.com indicate. In 2008-09, Kleiza was plus 43 points with a PER of 16.4 at small forward and minus 24 points with a PER of 14.0 at power forward for Denver. On a 48 minute basis, Kleiza dominated at small forward outscoring his opponent by 1.8 points and out rebounding them by 1.8 boards. But at power forward, the numbers are almost the reverse.
Time spent playing in Europe is helping a number of American trained players make their move in the NBA. But for those who believe that Kleiza is just another Euro-player who found his way into the NBA and therefore his trip back there doesn't really count, the Lithuanian played his high school ball at Montrose Christian in Rockville Maryland and played collegiately at the University of Missouri for two seasons. Kleiza was then drafted in the first round by the Portland Trailblazers and traded to Denver for Jarrett Jack (who is currently on the Raptors). Kleiza's basketball training is definitely American.
When the 2010-11 season starts, expect players like Kleiza and Childress, who have been off the North American radar because they have been playing in Europe, to return as much better players than the ones we remember.
When the 2010-11 season starts, expect players like Kleiza and Childress, who have been off the North American radar because they have been playing in Europe, to return as much better players than the ones we remember.
+10
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=17076
He may not be a superstar but add another player to the growing list of those that want to play for the Raptors.
My sense is that list will continue to grow going forward.
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