(Note: I wrote this article for the Greek newspaper Prasini published by Xristos Barounis. Follow Xristos on twitter @CBarounis. For an original link to the article in Greek, click here).
Nick Calathes, who spent the last two seasons
in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies, has signed a three-year, $7M deal with
Panathinaikos. This is not the first time the Greek-American has played for
Panathinaikos. Before joining the Memphis Grizzlies, he played for
Panathinaikos from 2009-2012 and helped lead them to a Euroleague title in
2011.
The purpose of this article is for me to
explain what Nick Calathes will bring to Panathinaikos after his two years with
the Grizzlies. I have been asked to write this article because I cover the
Memphis Grizzlies for BealeStreetBears.com and have followed Calathes’ game
closely during his time in Memphis. I have a good sense of what he can bring to
the table and why he is a great addition to Panathinaikos.
Probably the number one thing that
Calathes will bring Panathinaikos is great play on both ends of the floor. Per
36 minutes, Calathes averaged 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.7
steals per game with the Grizzlies last season. His shooting percentages
weren’t very good, but he was able to contribute in other areas besides scoring
the basketball. He did a good job at creating plays for others while also
playing good defense.
The second thing he brings to
Panathinaikos is an upgrade at the point guard position. Outside of Dimitris
Diamantidis, Panathinaikos didn’t really have a point guard who could
consistently create offense for others last season. Diamantidis averaged a
solid 8.0 points and 5.9 assists per game last season in Euroleague play, but
nobody else on the team was able to average more than 3 assists per game. With
Nick Calathes now on the roster, Panathinaikos will have two really good
playmakers on the floor, which should make the offense flow much more smoothly
than it did last season.
The third thing that Nick Calathes brings
to Panathinaikos is playoff experience. During his time with the Memphis
Grizzlies, Nick Calathes played in some really important NBA playoff games. He
got to play point guard behind Mike Conley, who is one of the best point guards
in the NBA and one of the best performers in the playoffs. Panathinaikos
certainly could have used Calathes’ playoff toughness in their Euroleague
playoff series against CSKA Moscow last season, a series that CSKA Moscow would
win in four games.
In conclusion, Nick Calathes is a great
addition to Panathinaikos because he plays well on both ends of the floor,
provides an upgrade at the point guard position, and he also brings playoff
experience from the NBA. I certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see him lead
Panathinaikos to a Euroleague title in 2016.
---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA and Euroleague news
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