Panionios On Telecoms has announced power forward Michalis Paragios as its newest signing. Paragios (206, 26), the son of former Olympiacos captain Giannis Paragios, grew up with Aris Glyfada (1996-2000) and has since played for Ionikos Nikaia (2000-05) and Ilissiakos (2005-07) before joining Maroussi last season. There he made his debut in the top Greek League, where he took part in eight games and totaled 6 points and 8 rebounds. The athletic Paragios won the slam dunk contest at the HEBA All Star Game, in 2006.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Panionios adds Paragios at forward
Panionios On Telecoms has announced power forward Michalis Paragios as its newest signing. Paragios (206, 26), the son of former Olympiacos captain Giannis Paragios, grew up with Aris Glyfada (1996-2000) and has since played for Ionikos Nikaia (2000-05) and Ilissiakos (2005-07) before joining Maroussi last season. There he made his debut in the top Greek League, where he took part in eight games and totaled 6 points and 8 rebounds. The athletic Paragios won the slam dunk contest at the HEBA All Star Game, in 2006.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
EB American Tour report: Orlando Magic 94-66 CSKA Moscow
CSKA Moscow failed to find a rhythm during its Euroleague Basketball American Tour '08 debut on Friday night and, as a result suffered a convincing 94-66 loss to the host Orlando Magic. Early foul trouble and an inability to stop Orlando star Dwight Howard spelled double-digit deficits all night for the Euroleague champs. An early 13-0 first-quarter run by Orlando established big leads that CSKA did not threaten the rest of the way. Howard led the winners with 28 points and 10 rebounds on 10-for-12 two-point shooting. Hedo Turkoglu added 15 points and Rashard Lewis 13 for Orlando. Terence Morris finished as the CSKA's top scorer with 16 points, while Trajan Langdon added 12 and Zoran Planinic 8. CSKA was hurt by Euroleague MVP Ramunas Siskauskas and big man Erazem Lorbek picking up 10 fouls between them by shortly after halftime. At game's end, the Magic made 20 of 27 foul shots as compared to 5 of 7 for CSKA.
Both teams scored on their first three possessions, Orlando on foul shots and a fastbreak layup by Rashard Lewis, CSKA with baskets shared by Siskauskas and Smodis. When CSKA got called for its fifth foul in as many defenses, coach Ettore Messina took a timeout with his team down only 10-8. That was about to change, however, as CSKA couldn't get a defensive stop and the Magic went to Hedo Turkoglu and Howard to soar ahead by 21-8. Zoran Planinic then lifted CSKA with a pair of baskets, and crashed to the floor making his third, but Howard was unstoppable with a series of hooks that left the Magic in charge, 37-19 after one quarter. The game settled down in the second quarter as CSKA's defense started holding the Magic to jump shots and rebounded the misses well. Orlando had a high lead of 40-19 before Terence Morris scored twice make it 42-25, at which point the Magic went back to Howard, who restored a 20-point lead at 47-27. CSKA rookie Sasha Kaun hit a nice reverse layup at 49-29, but Turkoglu finished the half with a buzzer-beating triple from the corner for the Magic's highest lead yet, 52-29.
Turkoglu boosted the Orlando lead even higher with the first two baskets after the half. CSKA responded with the next seven points, as Lorbek and Matjas Smodis sandwiched two-pointers around a triple from Trajan Langdon. Bad luck struck the visitors from Russia right then, however, as Siskauskas and Lorbek were whistled for their fifth fouls each in the span of a few seconds. Orlando reacted again by looking to howard, who responded with seven points, including five free throws, as the Magic lead soared to 71-43 after three quarters. By the time that Orlando scored the first six points of the fourth quarter, the outcome was already sure, but players like CSKA newcomers Victor Keyru and his fellow guards, Nikos Zisis and Alexey Shved, used the extra time to show what they can do. A victory was not to be for CSKA in its first game on North American soil, but the Euroleague champs have another chance next Tuesday against the Toronto Raptors in Canada.
POST-GAME COMMENTS
CSKA Moscow head coach Ettore Messina
First of all I must say that in this game, we were for sure overwhelmed physically by the Magic, in every position. We are used to being a big team in terms of size and power and kilos in the Euroleague. Here, they had taller, stronger or heavier or sometimes even faster players everywhere, so we had a physical mismatch at every position. So that was a big problem, not only to defend them, especially in the paint, where Howard was almost unstoppable, but also to find a good shot on offense, because with their quickness they were covering and taking away our advantage most of the time. In the process of the game, I found that the interesting thing was to find that my team, which is used to being on the winning side, might have quit or thought they don't care about this, and just forget it. But instead we were humble and kept playing and trying to figure out how we could compete more with them, and we did that a little in the third quarter and much more in the fourth. Obviously, the Magic were playing their second lineup by then, but we also had our young players, so overall I think it's been a very good experience because it showed us our limitations and in which direction we need to work. We were just soft at the beginning, made too many fouls and were not aggressive enough with too many of our players, and obviously at this level you pay for it. They were just much better than us, period."
CSKA Moscow guard Nikos Zisis
"It was a good experience for us anyway. I think that Orlando is one of the best teams in the East of the NBA. They have great players. In the first half, we were a little bit out of the game mentally because maybe we were, I'd say, completely out of rhythm. The second half we played a little better and we tried and gave our best until the end. And that was good for us. After this game, I think we'll be much readier for Toronto when we play them a few days from now."
CSKA Moscow guard Zoran Planinic
"Especially in first quarter, defensively we did not respond. Orlando is a very athletic team, and when they went inside, we made fouls and they got to the free throw line and hit everything. From the get-go, the game was almost a 20-point difference. But I think we managed to fight until the end, we didn't put our heads down, and that's the positive thing. We want to get better and to be a better team after this trip. So even when we were down we stayed positive and tried to play together."
Both teams scored on their first three possessions, Orlando on foul shots and a fastbreak layup by Rashard Lewis, CSKA with baskets shared by Siskauskas and Smodis. When CSKA got called for its fifth foul in as many defenses, coach Ettore Messina took a timeout with his team down only 10-8. That was about to change, however, as CSKA couldn't get a defensive stop and the Magic went to Hedo Turkoglu and Howard to soar ahead by 21-8. Zoran Planinic then lifted CSKA with a pair of baskets, and crashed to the floor making his third, but Howard was unstoppable with a series of hooks that left the Magic in charge, 37-19 after one quarter. The game settled down in the second quarter as CSKA's defense started holding the Magic to jump shots and rebounded the misses well. Orlando had a high lead of 40-19 before Terence Morris scored twice make it 42-25, at which point the Magic went back to Howard, who restored a 20-point lead at 47-27. CSKA rookie Sasha Kaun hit a nice reverse layup at 49-29, but Turkoglu finished the half with a buzzer-beating triple from the corner for the Magic's highest lead yet, 52-29.
Turkoglu boosted the Orlando lead even higher with the first two baskets after the half. CSKA responded with the next seven points, as Lorbek and Matjas Smodis sandwiched two-pointers around a triple from Trajan Langdon. Bad luck struck the visitors from Russia right then, however, as Siskauskas and Lorbek were whistled for their fifth fouls each in the span of a few seconds. Orlando reacted again by looking to howard, who responded with seven points, including five free throws, as the Magic lead soared to 71-43 after three quarters. By the time that Orlando scored the first six points of the fourth quarter, the outcome was already sure, but players like CSKA newcomers Victor Keyru and his fellow guards, Nikos Zisis and Alexey Shved, used the extra time to show what they can do. A victory was not to be for CSKA in its first game on North American soil, but the Euroleague champs have another chance next Tuesday against the Toronto Raptors in Canada.
POST-GAME COMMENTS
CSKA Moscow head coach Ettore Messina
First of all I must say that in this game, we were for sure overwhelmed physically by the Magic, in every position. We are used to being a big team in terms of size and power and kilos in the Euroleague. Here, they had taller, stronger or heavier or sometimes even faster players everywhere, so we had a physical mismatch at every position. So that was a big problem, not only to defend them, especially in the paint, where Howard was almost unstoppable, but also to find a good shot on offense, because with their quickness they were covering and taking away our advantage most of the time. In the process of the game, I found that the interesting thing was to find that my team, which is used to being on the winning side, might have quit or thought they don't care about this, and just forget it. But instead we were humble and kept playing and trying to figure out how we could compete more with them, and we did that a little in the third quarter and much more in the fourth. Obviously, the Magic were playing their second lineup by then, but we also had our young players, so overall I think it's been a very good experience because it showed us our limitations and in which direction we need to work. We were just soft at the beginning, made too many fouls and were not aggressive enough with too many of our players, and obviously at this level you pay for it. They were just much better than us, period."
CSKA Moscow guard Nikos Zisis
"It was a good experience for us anyway. I think that Orlando is one of the best teams in the East of the NBA. They have great players. In the first half, we were a little bit out of the game mentally because maybe we were, I'd say, completely out of rhythm. The second half we played a little better and we tried and gave our best until the end. And that was good for us. After this game, I think we'll be much readier for Toronto when we play them a few days from now."
CSKA Moscow guard Zoran Planinic
"Especially in first quarter, defensively we did not respond. Orlando is a very athletic team, and when they went inside, we made fouls and they got to the free throw line and hit everything. From the get-go, the game was almost a 20-point difference. But I think we managed to fight until the end, we didn't put our heads down, and that's the positive thing. We want to get better and to be a better team after this trip. So even when we were down we stayed positive and tried to play together."
Friday, October 10, 2008
Team Focus: Regal FC Barcelona
A former Euroleague champion is fully loaded looking to make its first trip to the Final Four since 2006. Regal FC Barcelona won its only Euroleague title in 2003 after previously losing five title games. And just like in 2003, a new era has begun with scoring machine Juan Carlos Navarro and the arrival of a multiple-time Euroleague champion. Navarro, the rising star of that team returned from a year this summer and is joined by big man David Andersen. Both are former All-Euroleague first team selections. Barcelona has also landed versatile forward Lubos Barton, physical point guard Victor Sada, talented playmaker Andre Barrett and Euroleague power Daniel Santiago to join the core of players that took the team to the Euroleague Quarterfinals Playoff and the Spanish League finals last season: Jaka Lakovic, Fran Vazquez, Jordi Trias, Gianluca Basile, Roger Grimau and Ersan Ilyasova. Head coach Xavi Pascual is on a mission to turn his collection of stars into a Euroleague title contender and as usual, Barcelona has no other mission than winning it all.Few teams, if any, have deeper backcourts than Regal FCB. Navarro returns to his boyhood club as the leader of this team. In addition to his speed and all-around scoring skills, Navarro will thrill the Palau Blaugrana crowd with his trademark "Bomba," an outstanding floating jumper. Barrett is a newcomer to European competition, but offers great court sense and passing skills, while Sada returns to Barcelona as one of the most promising young point guards in Europe. His unbelievable physical skills make him an outstanding defensive player. With Barrett and Sada around, Lakovic is set to see more time at the shooting guard spot. His unlimited shooting range and leadership make him a big-game player. Basile is expected to come off the bench, from where he is always ready to step in and pull down the trigger from downtown, while Grimau provides intensity, aggressiveness and penetration skills. His efforts make him a fan-favorite.
When Barcelona is not employing a three-guard setup, it will turn to Barton, an elite and versatile small forward who can help the team with his size, ball-handling, shooting range and toughness. Ilyasova overcame an adjustment period last season to show his best basketball as a modern power forward. His athleticism, mid-range jumper and rebounding skills turn him into a nightmare for most defenders. Andersen could become the first player to win the Euroleague with three different teams. He is deadly from downtown and in the low post, boasting a virtually unstoppable turn-around jumper. Santiago arrived as a late addition in the summer, and his paint skills will only increase Barca's deadly power in the frontcourt. Vazquez is a talented center with outstanding shot-blocking skills. He has a good chance to show his full potential this season. Trias is a great rebounder as well as one of the best defensive power forwards in Europe, while young Xavi Rey could earn some playing time due to his power and intensity.
Barcelona has only been to one Final Four since winning the Euroleague title in 2003 and the goal now is nothing but making it to the big event in Berlin. Few teams are as deep as Barcelona, which has talent at every spot and a squad that is hungry to fight for the ultimate club title. If coach Pascual is able to makae the chemistry work, keep everyone happy and the team keeps improving as it has since he arrived midway through last season, Barcelona will surely be a top contender to go all the way.
Off-court video: Andrey Vatutin
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Team Focus: Lottomatica Roma
Lottomatica Roma will mark the 25th anniversary of its only Euroleague crown by making its third consecutive appearance in the top continental competition for the first time in club history. Moreover, the club has put together a star-studded roster that will have its eyes on the prize this season. Among the major new faces are former Euroleague champ Sani Becirovic, veteran center Primoz Brezec, reliable power forward Andre Hutson and American high school sensation Brandon Jennings. Roma head coach Jasmin Repesa also will have many of the stars of last year’s squad back, including playmaker Ibby Jaaber, swingman Rodrigo De La Fuente and shooter Allan Ray to round out a deep, versatile roster. There is plenty of reason for excitement in the Italian capital this season as Lottomatica arrives with the potential, experience and talent to go deep in this 2008-09 Euroleague Basketball season.Jaaber and Becirovic look to anchor a deep backcourt that features a plethora of offensive weapons. Jaaber shined this summer with the Bulgarian national team this summer and has displayed the skills needed on both ends of the floor to become a Euroleague star. Becirovic, a young veteran at age 27, is the ideal combo-guard as he possesses the shooting and penetration abilities to score at will as well as the court vision to create for others. Ray hopes to improve on his Euroleague debut season offering excellent shooting range, explosiveness and strong on-the-ball defense. Jennings is considered one of the top prospects worldwide at point guard. He dominated high school basketball in the United States due to his athleticism, quickness and jumping skills, but the step up to the Euroleague level presents many question marks for a young, untested player. If Jennings can adjust his explosive game to play against grown-up men, he can join forces with Jaaber to form a deadly point guard combo. Jacopo Giachetti will look to show that his injury is a thing of the past by providing intensity, court sense and the occasional three-pointer when it matters.
De La Fuente returns at small forward to offer experience, defense and know-how, doing those little things that help a good team even better. Roberto Gabini is a hard-nosed, versatile forward whose fighting spirit and shooting range are always appreciated. Hutson is a blue-collar power forward, who combines great mid-range shooting with superb rebounding and post skills. Angelo Gigli is a mobile big man that can bury the outside shot, crash the defensive boards and run the break. Team captain Alessandro Tonolli enters his 15th season with Roma. He is a three-point specialist and a hard-nosed defender at power forward. Brezec is back in the Euroleague after nearly a decade ready to offer size, savvy post skills and determination. Brezec is at the prime of his career and could be one of the biggest steals of the off-season market.
Coach Repesa has always liked the up-tempo game with many three-point attempts combined with an aggressive defense and he now has the perfect team to do just that with players like Ray, Jennings and Jaaber. Repesa can also slow down the game tempo with Becirovic, trying to get Brezec and Hutson involved in the low post. Those game styles will make things tough on opposing defenses and turn Lottomatica into an unpredictable team which will aim for the Top 16 and beyond as it celebrates a quarter century since its greatest Euroleague success.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
CSKA starts tour in Orlando
The first Euroleague Basketball North American Tour has touched down in a land of make-believe - Orlando, Florida. Euroleague champions CSKA Moscow arrived in Orlando early today on the first stop of a nine-day trip to both the United States and Canada. CSKA's stay in Florida will be highlighted by an exhibition game on Friday night against the local NBA team, the Orlando Magic.
CSKA spent almost 15 hours in travelling from Moscow to Orlando on Tuesday, and arrived without power forward Andrey Vorontsevich, who aggravated an old leg injury in practice right before the team left Moscow. Vorontsevich was having tests done to the injury in Moscow on Wednesday and joins another talented young big man, Artem Zabelin, on the injured list. Zabelin also stayed in Moscow to rehabilitate his injured knee.
Despite its half-century standing in the elite of European basketball clubs, Friday's game will be CSKA's first ever in North America. After Florida, CSKA will continue its trip to Canada for a game next Tuesday against the Toronto Raptors.
"For me, it's important that a team with so many new players, as we have, gets this chance to stay together for 10 days," CSKA head coach Ettore Messina said in Orlando. "Obviously, it is also a challenge. We represent the Euroleague here, Russian basketball, and of course ourselves, too, and we want to show a good image for all of those organizations. At the same time, from the experience of previous games here, we know that NBA teams take these matchups extremely seriously, and the fact that we play by their rules can make a big difference in the games."
CSKA's arrival to the United States comes two years after its first and only NBA Europe Live tournament opened with a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Moscow.
"Personally, I think that for us, we have these two games left to prepare for our season, and the season in Europe is what's most important," said all-Euroleague forward Trajan Langdon, last season's Final Four MVP. "We start the Russian League with Ural Great at home when we get back, and then we have Armani Jeans Milano at home to start the Euroleague. Coming here to North America, we just want to play well and perform well, regardless of the outcomes. We want to prepare our season, and these games are great for that, even though in the big picture they're not important. I see it as a good way to test ourselves and see where we stand right now."
The Magic have their own milestone celebration underway as the club has unveiled new uniforms to mark its 20th anniversary season.
The Euroleague Basketball North American Tour goes from Orlando to Canada, where CSKA meets the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, October 14. It continues when Regal F.C. Barcelona faces the NBA runner-up Lakers in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 18, and then either Toronto or the Los Angeles Clippers the next day. The tour concludes with Lietuvos Rytas visiting the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, California on Tuesday, October 21.
CSKA spent almost 15 hours in travelling from Moscow to Orlando on Tuesday, and arrived without power forward Andrey Vorontsevich, who aggravated an old leg injury in practice right before the team left Moscow. Vorontsevich was having tests done to the injury in Moscow on Wednesday and joins another talented young big man, Artem Zabelin, on the injured list. Zabelin also stayed in Moscow to rehabilitate his injured knee.
Despite its half-century standing in the elite of European basketball clubs, Friday's game will be CSKA's first ever in North America. After Florida, CSKA will continue its trip to Canada for a game next Tuesday against the Toronto Raptors.
"For me, it's important that a team with so many new players, as we have, gets this chance to stay together for 10 days," CSKA head coach Ettore Messina said in Orlando. "Obviously, it is also a challenge. We represent the Euroleague here, Russian basketball, and of course ourselves, too, and we want to show a good image for all of those organizations. At the same time, from the experience of previous games here, we know that NBA teams take these matchups extremely seriously, and the fact that we play by their rules can make a big difference in the games."
CSKA's arrival to the United States comes two years after its first and only NBA Europe Live tournament opened with a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Moscow.
"Personally, I think that for us, we have these two games left to prepare for our season, and the season in Europe is what's most important," said all-Euroleague forward Trajan Langdon, last season's Final Four MVP. "We start the Russian League with Ural Great at home when we get back, and then we have Armani Jeans Milano at home to start the Euroleague. Coming here to North America, we just want to play well and perform well, regardless of the outcomes. We want to prepare our season, and these games are great for that, even though in the big picture they're not important. I see it as a good way to test ourselves and see where we stand right now."
The Magic have their own milestone celebration underway as the club has unveiled new uniforms to mark its 20th anniversary season.
The Euroleague Basketball North American Tour goes from Orlando to Canada, where CSKA meets the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, October 14. It continues when Regal F.C. Barcelona faces the NBA runner-up Lakers in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 18, and then either Toronto or the Los Angeles Clippers the next day. The tour concludes with Lietuvos Rytas visiting the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, California on Tuesday, October 21.
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