ESPN's John Hollinger on Nick Calathes and the Draft - An economic(!) analysis

An, -economic(!)-, analysis on why Nick Calathes is a steal at the end of the first round of the NBA Draft.

(From Henry Abbott's ESPN TrueHoop http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-41-113/Friday-Bullets.html)

'John Hollinger's Draft Rater (Insider) has Florida guard Nick Calathes as the sixth best college player in the entire draft. Calathes already has a contract to play overseas, which could make him the ideal pick for a team that wants to be good in the long run, but is holding its financial breath through this this bad economy. He's the only first-rounder who would cost nothing right now. There's a real economic analysis there, for a cash-strapped team. This draft pick would improve your bottom line by x million a year (insert guaranteed first-round salary that you'd save, depending on where he's picked), while still making you better in the long run. The guy you'd draft instead ... is he going to help you sell seats worth that same amount? Probably not.'

Spanoulis and Zisis 'spotted' in Mykonos

Vasilis Spanoulis and Nikos Zisis were spotted Saturday in Kalo Livadi beach in Mykonos, enjoying their summer holidays during this off-season.

It is a well-known fact that the two players are good friends, their friendship going back to the junior Greek national teams.

Throughout their careers they have only had the chance to play together for the Greek national team. Both will participate in the 2009 Poland Eurobasket this September.

Arguably, PAO's full roster in the guard positions makes it difficult for Zisis to move to Panathinaikos anytime soon in the future (presuming that Spanoulis, the 2009 Final4 MVP, is not going anywhere).

Zisis, who left AEK two years ago for CSKA Moscow has not played extensive minutes in Russia, although his coach there, Etore Messina always said he is one of his favourite players.

Rumours about Olympiakos's interest in acquiring Zisis from CSKA this summer are yet to be confirmed. If Zisis returns to Greece for Olympiakos the two friends will become bitter rivals on the court. For now they are enjoying each other's company on the beaches of Mykonos.