I'm doing what I can to keep up with the affairs of Olympiacos and the Greek national team now that two members of those squads are reserved by the Knicks. Well, the Greek team is currently competing in the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Venezuela, and they just had themselves a game. As I think a few of you got to see (via totally legal means, I'm sure), Greece just ruined Jordan today, winning 107-63. And hey, look at that! Our new friend Kostas Papanikolaou led the way with 19 points on 7-10 shooting, five rebounds, and three assists, and our other, fuzzier friend, Georgios Printezis, added 16 points on 7-8 shooting, seven boards, and four dimes of his own. Good job, fellows! I didn't get to see more than a few minutes of the action, but I can assure you that it was a sound thumping. If I find any highlights, I'll share them (and you're welcome to do the same).
There's more! In an encouraging development, Papanikolaou told Puerto Rican reporter Raul Alzaga today that he'll spend just one more year in Greece before joining the Knicks (to improve his game, but also because he has to), and that he'll meet with New York later this summer. That's just him talking a year before an actual decision is to be made, but it's nice to hear, no? Thanks to Alexander Chernykh for finding all that. (No word on or from Printezis, incidentally.)
Cool. Go Greece!