Knicks · Panathinaikos interested in Thanasis (page 1)

[quoteGreek powerhouse Panathinaikos is interested in Thanasis Antetokounmpo for the next season, a source told Sportando. Antetokounmpo played most of the season in D-League with Westchester Knicks and is one of the main targets for Panathinaikos.

The talks are not in advanced stage so far, the source added, but the interest is real and the Greens hope to convince the player to return in Europe.]

I like Thanasis. I think he would be a great High Energy guy for this team. Especially if JH does go with an uptempo style. He'll be great on the break, driving to the hoop and taking 3's. His defense will also be welcome. The Knicks will certainly have enough money to bring him in. With the possible change in style this could be the right time to add a kid like Thansis. I think Early would benefit from a change as well. Heck the Knicks supposedly interviewed Cheick Diallo who is the kind of big you'd want in a small ball style where he can defend, run and PnR. The signs could be pointing to Thanasis making the team.

Thanasis should be resigned by the Knicks. Kid is going to flourish in a fast pace system. Besides that bankrupt country may not even pay him.

I think the Knicks will sign him. The Knicks haven't let any of the guys that Phil drafted get away so far.

CrushAlot wrote:I think the Knicks will sign him. The Knicks haven't let any of the guys that Phil drafted get away so far.

Contrary to what some people think, the Knicks under Phil are still very committed to player development. Just cuz guys haven't been brought up to the big team doesn't mean they're not still in the plans. These guys got to play a LOT in the D League and that is good for them. Thanasis has gotten to play and put up shots and learn. I think it's the right way to do this. Hopefully they sign him for the team this year. I think he'll be a much better option than another year of old guys like Amundson.

I think now is the time for the kid to take his spot on the team. I hope he's still working hard and positive. The Knicks could have a spot for him. We need a wild card off the bench. He's that guy.

I wanna add Cleananthony Early to this too. Both guys got drafted together. It's time to make it happen

I've got my heart set on picking up a couple of offensive-minded PGs (I'd love 2 of Jerryd Bayless or Seth Curry in FA at a good price, then either Cat Barber, Demetrius Jackson, Yogi Ferrell, Kay Felder or Marcus Paige in the draft). If we succeeded here, Thanasis would fit nicely as a real good complementary 2G with his size, athleticism and D. I've always thought his offensive game wasn't that far off too.

Dude reminds me so much of Gerald Wilkins every time I watch him play. I LOVED Gerald, man. Always one of my favorite players. I think TA has a chance to be a better player than Gerald if he ever gets a shot.

There are a whole lot of other wings that are better than Thanasis. Now if you guarantee me Giannis will become a knick then I am all for him being Chris Smith 2.0

yellowboy90 wrote:There are a whole lot of other wings that are better than Thanasis. Now if you guarantee me Giannis will become a knick then I am all for him being Chris Smith 2.0

You can give him more credit than that. He's gotten alot better and he wasn't that bad to begin with. We need our guys to start producing for the big show now.

A dream would be for Thanasis to find a spot on the team and actually find minutes in the rotation.

yellowboy90 wrote:There are a whole lot of other wings that are better than Thanasis. Now if you guarantee me Giannis will become a knick then I am all for him being Chris Smith 2.0

+1. I've never seen the potential in him (or Early for the matter). I think that Thansis is what he is at this point, which is an athlete with the right name because of his brother's exploits. Beyond that, I don't really see an actual basketball player. I still can't forget him picking up 10 fouls in one summer league game, lol.

He was a nice project and he no doubt tried hard. Its not like other teams called him up either. We rooted for him and hoped for the best.
If he can get paid nice, he should move on and be happy and play.

Gotta be able to shoot in the NBA.

if he could hit that jumper consistently he would be a good NBA player. He hasn't been able too and thus the dleague. Its pretty much that simple.

yellowboy90 wrote:There are a whole lot of other wings that are better than Thanasis. Now if you guarantee me Giannis will become a knick then I am all for him being Chris Smith 2.0

his shot actually has looked much better (form). If he can hit threes then he can be pretty solid. I know, big IF.

The knicks would have to know something or see something in practice that gives them a feeling that he can be a decent 3 point shooter. If not then he is not worth much. Defensive specialist are not worth what they used to be worth.

If Andre Iguodala can make it in the NBA as a starter, this guy at least should be a rotational player.

I'd like to see the Knicks bring him up. We've carried some pretty useless guys at the end of the bench. Thanasis may never be a great 3pt shooter, but he can bring energy and hustle off the bench. Sometimes that's just what the doctor ordered.

yellowboy90 wrote:There are a whole lot of other wings that are better than Thanasis. Now if you guarantee me Giannis will become a knick then I am all for him being Chris Smith 2.0

Giannis on the Knicks. I can dream. Damn. When he switched to PG last season it was a thing of beauty. Him and Porzingis together would be sick.

blkexec wrote:If Andre Iguodala can make it in the NBA as a starter, this guy at least should be a rotational player.

that's a bit of a loose correlation, no?

nixluva wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:I think the Knicks will sign him. The Knicks haven't let any of the guys that Phil drafted get away so far.

Contrary to what some people think, the Knicks under Phil are still very committed to player development. Just cuz guys haven't been brought up to the big team doesn't mean they're not still in the plans. These guys got to play a LOT in the D League and that is good for them. Thanasis has gotten to play and put up shots and learn. I think it's the right way to do this. Hopefully they sign him for the team this year. I think he'll be a much better option than another year of old guys like Amundson.

Also, part of the reason the coaching switch to Mike Miller happened was because the Knick organization felt that the staff at Westchester didn't help Thanasis develop as a player his first year there. He definitely improved this past season. I think he is good enough to hold down a roster spot and would minimally be a great practice player.

Hmm thinking about it, I wonder if Early going into his 3rd yr can find his game under JH style of play.

Was thinking how much better is Roberson than Thanasis? One is getting a shot the other isn't.

TA may not be a great playmaker now and may never be at the NBA level. But he's got the prototypical size, length, and athleticism/quickness for a wing player. If he can rebound, play pesky D, and finish... And hit 35%+ on 3's... Well that's a serious rotation player, especially on a team with a dominant all-around wing like Carmelo.

You can see some things he can do well based on the highlight clips.