subota, 31.07.2010.
CROATIAN FREE AGENT MARKET: After picking up the remainders of Cibona's roster Cedevita and BC Zagreb turn their attention to Mario Kasun and Marko Tomas
LAS VEGAS NBA SUMMER LEAGUE 2010/DONTAYE DRAPER HIGHLIGHTS
Here is a quick situational update on players acquisitions of major Croatian teams:
CEDEVITA: Signed SG Vedran Troha and SF/PF Vedran Vukusic from Cibona Zagreb. Both fit very well in Aco Petrovic's up-tempo shooting type of offence, and can provide some solid defense on their positions too. Signed PG Dontaye Draper after his solid showing in the Las Vegas Summer League. Many things about him are still pretty enigmatic, but it iscertain that he shares a personal coach with his close friend Carmelo Anthony. Yup, Idan Ravin is the name. With backcourt being crowded at the moment they have openly informed explosive PG Hrvoje Kovacevic to find his rescue destination if he wants to get regular playing time. Also the club is making an active effort to pursue attractive free agents SF Marko Tomas and C Mario Kasun. Gaining both combined could definitely raise the level of Cedevita's play and make their games in some other arena than Podsused much much more attractive. But BC Zagreb is also in the quest for those two.
CIBONA: kept swingmen Marin Rozic and very perspective youngsters Bogdanovic, Radosevic and Zubcic. They have acquired some size in the middle in Drago Pasalic and Jure Lalic, both eager to show that they can be statistically effective in the Euroleague level of play. Signed interesting PG Karlo Vragovic from Dubrava (ZG), who could be the next Goran Kalamiza, but will most probably start the season backing up PG Rok Stipcevic who is, according to sources close to CroHoops.com, "99% locked in to signing with Cibona". Cibona still owes the majority of it's player salaries for the last three seasons, with the situation currently escalating with C Dalibor Bagaric going public in Nov@ TV "IN Magazine" and claiming that Cibona owes him "9 out of 10 monthly payments, each one amounting to 25.000 Euros".
BC ZAGREB: Together with Cedevita in a very active quest for the services of SF Marko Tomas and C Mario Kasun. According to some sources their lucrative offers also include some real estate, besides cash. In order to keep the perspective of BC Zagreb cash flow it is worth mentioning that this summer 14 of BC Zagreb's major sponsor's Crobenz gas stations have become property of Russian gas company Lukoil. If Kasun and Tomas both decide to come to Trnsko everything would change, and it would be a perfect opportunity for youngsters such as PG Toni Prostran and SF Dario Saric to learn from some of the best performers of the Euroleague in the last couple of years.
BC ZADAR: With Rok Stipcevic most likely leaving for 270+km distant Zagreb, Croatian NT SF Hrvoje Peric is going to become even more of a cornerstone for BC Zadar. SG Marko Car will again have something to prove, especially to those who still do not believe he can make big plays and control himself while playing under the pressure. Youngsters SG Ivan Batur and C Miro Bilan are going to get even more of minutes this year, and along with SF Sime Olivari should provide BC Zadar with some extra defensive presence.
WORTH KNOWING: free agents SG Hrvoje Puljko and PG Aleksandar Ugrinoski have impressed various witnesses with the level of their athleticism. While explosive and sharp Puljko was able to completely dominate the competition hitting regular shots from over 25+ feet and posting a perfect 8-0 record in hard 3-on-3 scrimmage play in Zagreb neighbourhod Gajnice on Tuesday, Ugrinoski is continuing to work extremely hard according to a two-week training regime set up by conditioning specialist Slaven Hlupic.
SUMMARY: After literally buying every adaptable roster part from Cibona Zagreb, in an effort to increase their potential and decrease Cibona's potential at the same time (which was originaly a Cibona Zagreb policy which literaly destroyed numerous Croatian basketball prospects), both Cedevita and BC Zagreb have decided to expand their result and marketing horizons by chasing up big Croatian free agents such as Mario Kasun and Marko Tomas. Both players are willing to play the next season near their families and friends and to make their stats look even sharp before the final stages of their careers.
Marjan Crnogaj is editor-in-chief of Nba.blog.hr & CroHoops.com.
He can be reached at marjan.crnogaj@gmail.com
