I haven’t seen a thread on this article so I thought I’d start one…….. This guy really sounds GOOD!!!!
http://www.nba.com/suns/news/tribune_040111.html
By Mike Tulumello, Tribune
East Valley Tribune
Jan. 11, 2004
In the art of comparing a basketball player with another from a previous generation — a tricky business fraught with clichés and generalizations — a few names associated with Milos Vujanic will catch fans’ attention in a hurry.
Vujanic is the player whose rights were obtained by the Suns from the New York Knicks in last week’s huge Stephon Marbury trade.
Outside of the two first-round draft picks obtained by the Suns, he might well be the best player the Suns get out of the deal.
Vujanic is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound guard from Serbia-Montenegro drafted by the Knicks in Round 2 (No. 36 overall) of the 2002 draft. He started for the Yugoslavian team that won the World Championships that same year in Indianapolis.
Simply put, he is described as a point guard who can shoot.
"His shot is quick and accurate," says David Griffin, the Suns’ assistant director of player personnel.
Beyond this, "He’s exceptional in his feel for the game," says Griffin. Here are his comparisons:
He’s a bigger version of Tony Parker, the quick, accurate shooting point guard who quickly became an impact player for the champion San Antonio Spurs.
A less frenzied version of Steve Nash, the ex-Sun and current All-Star guard of the Dallas Mavericks.
Marco Crespi, the Suns’ European scout, compares Vujanic to a player known to all Suns’ fans: Paul Westphal. Westphal, the former Suns All-Star and head coach, was a great shooter who also was a deft ball-handler.
Vujanic has been the top scorer in Europe at times, Crespi said, though since he started playing this season for a top team in Bolonga, Italy, he is adjusting his game somewhat to pass more.
He excels at the pick-and-roll, "and he can change speeds when he’s pushing the ball up the floor," Crespi says.
In addition, "he’s very smart. He understands what the team needs from him each game."
When it comes to point guards who can shoot, Suns fans — of course — will think of the departed Marbury and Leandro Barbosa, the rookie whose playing time has gone way up after the Marbury trade.
Griffin thinks Barbosa and Vujanic can share the backcourt at the same time, as Barbosa is able to defend off guards.
"We’re not looking at him to replace Barbosa," Griffin says. "We think Barbosa is a special player."
On defense, Vujanic isn’t exceptional, Crespi says. "But he’s consistent and smart."
In more personal terms, Crespi describes Vujanic as "a very quiet guy, not a vocal leader." But, "he sets an example because he puts the maximum effort into each practice."
Also, "he’s a very ambitious guy. He loves to practice."
Of course, none of this matters if the Suns can’t sign Vujanic.
Crespi speculates that Vujanic may play one more season in Italy before heading for the NBA.
At the same time, the fact that Mike D’Antoni, who is well known in Europe because of his years of playing and coaching there, is now coaching the Suns could help encourage the player to seek a buyout after the current season.
Said Suns vice president Dick Van Arsdale, "We hope to get him over here next season."
http://www.nba.com/suns/news/tribune_040111.html
By Mike Tulumello, Tribune
East Valley Tribune
Jan. 11, 2004
In the art of comparing a basketball player with another from a previous generation — a tricky business fraught with clichés and generalizations — a few names associated with Milos Vujanic will catch fans’ attention in a hurry.
Vujanic is the player whose rights were obtained by the Suns from the New York Knicks in last week’s huge Stephon Marbury trade.
Outside of the two first-round draft picks obtained by the Suns, he might well be the best player the Suns get out of the deal.
Vujanic is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound guard from Serbia-Montenegro drafted by the Knicks in Round 2 (No. 36 overall) of the 2002 draft. He started for the Yugoslavian team that won the World Championships that same year in Indianapolis.
Simply put, he is described as a point guard who can shoot.
"His shot is quick and accurate," says David Griffin, the Suns’ assistant director of player personnel.
Beyond this, "He’s exceptional in his feel for the game," says Griffin. Here are his comparisons:
He’s a bigger version of Tony Parker, the quick, accurate shooting point guard who quickly became an impact player for the champion San Antonio Spurs.
A less frenzied version of Steve Nash, the ex-Sun and current All-Star guard of the Dallas Mavericks.
Marco Crespi, the Suns’ European scout, compares Vujanic to a player known to all Suns’ fans: Paul Westphal. Westphal, the former Suns All-Star and head coach, was a great shooter who also was a deft ball-handler.
Vujanic has been the top scorer in Europe at times, Crespi said, though since he started playing this season for a top team in Bolonga, Italy, he is adjusting his game somewhat to pass more.
He excels at the pick-and-roll, "and he can change speeds when he’s pushing the ball up the floor," Crespi says.
In addition, "he’s very smart. He understands what the team needs from him each game."
When it comes to point guards who can shoot, Suns fans — of course — will think of the departed Marbury and Leandro Barbosa, the rookie whose playing time has gone way up after the Marbury trade.
Griffin thinks Barbosa and Vujanic can share the backcourt at the same time, as Barbosa is able to defend off guards.
"We’re not looking at him to replace Barbosa," Griffin says. "We think Barbosa is a special player."
On defense, Vujanic isn’t exceptional, Crespi says. "But he’s consistent and smart."
In more personal terms, Crespi describes Vujanic as "a very quiet guy, not a vocal leader." But, "he sets an example because he puts the maximum effort into each practice."
Also, "he’s a very ambitious guy. He loves to practice."
Of course, none of this matters if the Suns can’t sign Vujanic.
Crespi speculates that Vujanic may play one more season in Italy before heading for the NBA.
At the same time, the fact that Mike D’Antoni, who is well known in Europe because of his years of playing and coaching there, is now coaching the Suns could help encourage the player to seek a buyout after the current season.
Said Suns vice president Dick Van Arsdale, "We hope to get him over here next season."
