/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/19318591/20121003_mjr_su5_031.0.jpg)
The first round in Eurobasket is over. Slovenia with Goran Dragic qualified for second round, but the games were unpredictable. Fluctuations were radical: from segments in game where you thought that medal is option, to parts where just nothing worked. The last game with Poland, which didn't won any game until today, was of latter type.
About Goran … we can't say nothing new. We know his potentials and weaknesses. Of course, every game was special. Today for instance, Goran was not a starter, he played 18 min., and all the time he had to chase negative difference – the plan was to give the opportunity to the others, but failed miserable. Against Croatia Goran had good game, but he really lost energy in 4. quarter and that was fatal for lost in overtime. In other games he was always one of the best man in the team.
Goran statistics so far:
|
Game | min. |
FG |
2P% |
3P% |
FT |
RBD |
AST | TOR |
PŽ |
BL |
ON | PTS | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Met |
% |
Met |
% |
Met |
% |
Met |
% |
N |
O |
Skp | |||||||||
|
29 |
3/15 |
20.0 |
3/8 |
37.5 |
0/7 |
0.0 |
2/2 |
100.0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
9 |
6 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
8 |
|
|
27 |
7/13 |
53.8 |
7/13 |
53.8 |
0/0 |
0.0 |
4/5 |
80.0 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
7 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
18 |
|
|
21 |
4/9 |
44.4 |
4/6 |
66.7 |
0/3 |
0.0 |
3/5 |
60.0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
11 |
|
|
33 |
6/19 |
31.6 |
4/13 |
30.8 |
2/6 |
33.3 |
9/10 |
90.0 |
3 |
5 |
8 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
23 |
|
|
18 |
4/10 |
40.0 |
3/6 |
50.0 |
1/4 |
25.0 |
0/2 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
9 |
|
Slovenia has rather levelled talent in the roster. Two players exceed in front, and maybe one or two lag at the end. The coach decided to make two balanced quints, one quick with Goran, and other more static around Nachbar. The problem is with second playmaker who failed to deliver. For now, coach didn't force Goran in big minutes. He played around 24 min., which is less then Parker for instance, who played 33 min. against Ukraine. But as game against Croatia showed, there is not much left in the reservoir of Dragic's energy. Up tempo, it seems, takes its toll.
I must say that Suns collection of play-makers or creative slashers doesn't seems too excessive now after this experience. The pressure in up-tempo play comes in waves – after peak there is inevitable bottom. You have to have spare reserves to maintain offensive, to become unpredictable attacking force, to continue forcing turnovers for fast breaks.
For second round it will be crucial to find again the lost energy, but also to respond efficiently to zone defense, which is now labelled as THE problem for Slovene team.
And two bonuses. I watched Kravtsov today against UK. He is (very) mobile and quick, but with raw attacking skills. He was always trying to get to the hoop, usually with the back technique. He didn't shot from half distance.
And Bartek is right, Gortat had really nice game. Here you can see his play of the game, and here some more dunks.
More from Bright Side Of The Sun:
- Former Phoenix Suns Michael Beasley Signs With The Miami Heat Coming Full Circle, But Maybe Basketball Is Not The Answer For Him...
- Phoenix Suns Podcast Episode 37: Clipper Steve Previews The Clippers As Well As Some Eric Bledsoe, Jared Dudley & Offense Winning Championships
- DragonBlade: Phoenix Suns new Dragic/Bledsoe back court tough enough to defend bigger foes
- BSOTS Roundtable: Are the Phoenix Suns really that unwatchable? Really?
- Phoenix Suns Marcin Gortat kicks off holiday with a bang while Dragic and Kravtsov move on
