Talking about Euros (sponsored by IP toilet paper - as soft as Euro posts are!)
Wednesday 28 July 2004
Talking about Euros (because you know I love them!)
The two European newcomers
I have to say that Laura Macchi has surprised me this season. While still the typical Euro in some aspects (like her defence - or the lack of it), she's shown that she can contribute in the WNBA. She's more physically suited to the WNBA than most Europeans and shows no compunction in being aggressive offensively. A WNBA career is assured if she keeps up this level of play.
On the other hand Agnieszka Bibryzcka has been disappointing, considering her European Player of the Year status. She has a jumpshot... and that's it. She's slow, weak defensively, doesn't have a varied offensive and doesn't have much of a floor game except for a bit of passing. That said, I think she can have a career in the WNBA - she's big and can shoot. She'd have to play the bench shooter role though (starting just exposes her weaknesses) and getting away from Dee Brown would probably help.
Margo Dydek
While Brown befouls nearly everything he touches, a lot of Margo's problems have been brought on by herself. She doesn't seem to understand that she needs to play harder in the WNBA and that she needs to change her game to be successful in the WNBA. Earth to Margo - the WNBA isn't like Europe and no American coach is going to solely play you at the high post. Her coachability is low and when she's in the game, she forces her team to play zone (Margo is useless out of the key in defence) and is a drag on offence.
Trade ideas have been thrown about on various forums but who really wants Margo? Her contract is a disincentive and Margo will only flourish in certain situations - she probably needs to complemented by a banger PF and a team who plays a slower tempo. Charlotte could be good in this regard but they already have a solid centre in Tammy Sutton-Brown and salary-wise, it would be a VERY tight squeeze. A post friendly coach like Anne Donovan could do her some good but Seattle definitely don't need Margo and I wouldn't sacrifice Janell Burse's PT (or Burse herself) to give Margo some. New York is another possible option but with two Euro posts already, I doubt they'd want another one (but you never know with Blaze). Margo as a tradable commodity has very little value and I have a feeling that her time in the league is coming to a close.
Czech Republic - rising star of Europe
A new basketball power in Europe is rising and may overtake the mighty Russians in the next couple of years. The Czech Republic only lost by a couple to Russia in the final of the 2003 European Championships and they have a good mix of veterans and youngsters. Their youngsters in particular are impressive, having won the 2001 Junior World Championships at home (the Taurasi/Beard led US team won bronze) and the same team also won the European Junior Championships. The Czechs will be in Team USA's group for the preliminary rounds.
The Czechs have a big lineup, with the possibility that 4-6 players will be 6'3" or taller. Liek all good Euros though, their bigs can punish you inside and outside and their interior game is stronger than the typical European post game. They're also good rebounders and are well coached.
Interestingly enough Kamila Vodichkova may not end up on the Olympic team because of her participation in the WNBA. However, she may yet sneak onto the team with the leading Czech scorer Lucie Blahuskova under an injury cloud for Athens. Familiar names may be ex-Miracle point guard Romana Hamzova, Vanderbilt graduate and ex-Fever player Zuzana Klimesova and Denver graduate ex-Starzz and Mercury player, Michaela Pavlickova. All