PF/C Kosta Koufos (CSKA Moscow)

[Buckskin86]

Greek NBA star rising

24-year-old Greek American Kosta Koufos plays both in the NBA and internationally representing Greece

The seven foot Koufos has some natural advantages in his game.
26 Feb 2013
Nick Metallinos

The NBA, for all its teamwork and camaraderie, can still be a surprisingly solitary existence. Kosta Koufos, currently Greece's sole representative in the world's best league, can attest to that. Although he is currently navigating his own personal basketball journey, he would dearly like to see some of his fellow Hellenes make the transition over to America to join him in the NBA.

When you consider the rich basketball history of the country, it's a shame that there is only a single representative.

The seven-foot Koufos, now in his second season with the Denver Nuggets, is recording career-high numbers in 2012-13, ensuring that he's not only caught the attention of Denver coach George Karl, but he's also giving Greek basketball the exposure it has been lacking in recent years.

Koufos, drafted by Utah in 2008, played a couple of seasons with the Jazz before a brief stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2010-11, but it's with the Nuggets, however, that the 24-year-old Greek American has really emerged as a valuable role player. A strong pre-season showing last September forced Karl to insert Koufos into his starting lineup and the centre has not disappointed since. Koufos credits both his coach, and a full pre-season with his teammates (he was not afforded that luxury during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 campaign) as being instrumental in his growth.

"Yeah, definitely ," says Koufos about his pre-season, "I try to keep an even keel, don't get too high, don't get too low, stay confident at all times and just play hard whatever minutes you get. I'm very fortunate, very blessed, to get all these minutes."
Koufos' numbers may seem moderate this season (8.0 points per game and 6.6 rebounds), but he does what's required of him by his coach. It's been his effectiveness on both ends of the floor that has helped make the upstart Nuggets a dark horse in the loaded Western Conference - capable of giving any team trouble in the playoffs.

cont...

http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/Greek-NBA-star-rising

 

[Buckskin86]

KOUFOS? DUNK

In case you missed it the other night, Koufos had a wicked dunk for Denver in its win over the Clippers. Koufos got the ball in the low post, made a quick move to his right and jammed the ball home with one hand over a late-arriving Blake Griffin.

Koufos has started every game for Denver this season. He is averaging 8.1 points in about 23 minutes a night. He is playing stellar defense for the Nuggets, and Koufos is quickly becoming a favorite of head coach George Karl.

http://www.cantonrep.com/highschool...-was-right-in-leaving-Ohio-State-early?zc_p=1

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP-_Pn_lwvw"]Kosta Koufos powerful dunk - YouTube[/ame]

 

[MONTbigBuck]

KK with the first 13 points for Denver tonight for the Nuggs. If he gets the minutes he could challenge his career high tonight against a small Suns front line.




Kosta finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds in 26 minutes for Denver. I believe that is a career high. Like the rest of the Team, KK has really played well of late, with Denver winning its ninth in a row.

 

[Buckskin86]

Kosta Koufos was terrific in the paint against the Grizzlies on Friday, shooting 7-of-9 from the field for 18 points with 16 boards and three blocks in 31 minutes.
All seven of his makes came from within four feet of the hoop and he did a great job on the offensive glass with seven boards on that end.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nba/1501/kosta-koufos

 

[Buckskin86]

Namely, it's been Kosta Koufos delivering as post man for Nuggets
Posted: 03/18/2013
By Benjamin Hochman
The Denver Post

His fans don't know how to spell his name.

Nor do some opponents.

But word is getting around about Kosta Koufos.Kosta Koufos has recorded two of his six double-doubles over the three past games, a stretch that includes his season highs in points (22) and rebounds (16). (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

A benchwarmer much of last season, Koufos has blossomed as the Nuggets' starting center. He is coming off his best week of the season with dominating performances against the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies, which led to numerous fans texting on that postgame scroll on Altitude. Fans praised his game but often misspelled his name. There was a "Koufas" a couple of times and a "Koufus."

And even Wednesday, on the pregame dry-erase board in the Knicks' locker room, a New York coach had written "Koufas."

But the trickiest Nuggets name since Arron Afflalo has been making quite a name for himself. Consider that at Phoenix last Monday, Koufos scored a career-high 22 points (10-of-11 shooting) and grabbed 10 rebounds. Friday against the Grizzlies, Koufos had a career-high 16 rebounds (seven offensive) and scored 18 points.

"The biggest thing is just playing within the system," said the 7-footer, who is praised by Denver's coaching staff for his fundamental play. "And just like everybody else, I feed off our guards. They do such a great job, pushing the ball, driving and dishing off to the big guys. That's the biggest thing."

cont...

Read more: Namely, it's been Kosta Koufos delivering as post man for Nuggets - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/c...been-koufos-delivering-post-man#ixzz2NtT5SpgL

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxWzixR_RCA"]Kosta Koufos 18pts 16reb 15.3.2013 Memphis @ Denver Nuggets. - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Buckskin86]

How do Denver Nuggets fans pronounce "solid"? Kosta Koufos
Posted: 04/14/2013
By Benjamin Hochman
The Denver Post

Denver's Kosta Koufos applies hard defense against Dallas' Chris Kaman on April 4, at the Pepsi Center. (Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)

It's midnight, and the boy is lost.

He's lost in his thoughts, lost in the music in his headphones, lost because of loss. He's 9, shooting jumper after jumper at his neighbor's hoop in Ohio. This isn't because he's some hotshot prodigy, earmarked for the NBA. This is because he's lost and this is where he finds himself, where he finds his father.

"It was therapeutic," Nuggets center Kosta Koufos said. "I always loved basketball. Always, always. My father passed away when I was 9, so it was also more of an outlet for me too. That's one of the reasons I work out all the time, because that's all I know what to do."

There's cruel, and then there's a doctor who devotes himself to treating children with cancer, and himself dies of cancer at 45. Dr. Alex Koufos, an oncologist at Children's Hospital in Akron, Ohio,continued to treat cancer patients while battling cancer himself, passing away in 1998 survived by a wife and three children. Now his little boy is a big man ? literally, a Nuggets big man, a 7-foot, 265-pound starter on one of the NBA's best teams.

Koufos has made himself a successful player with a work ethic passed down from his late father. Nuggets fans see Kosta Koufos, but really, they're seeing Alex Koufos.

"My husband devoted his life to helping children, and his commitment to his profession was just overpowering. I would see him and I would go, 'Wow,' " said Kosta's mother, Katerina. "He was my hero. And I see that sense of commitment in Kosta. 'This is my goal, this is what I want to do and I'm going to put my heart, soul, everything into this commitment.' "

cont...

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_23021290/how-do-denver-nuggets-fans-pronounce-solid-kosta

 

[Buckskin86]

Kenneth Faried likely in, Kosta Koufos likely out of Nuggets' starting lineup
By Kevin Zimmerman on Apr 24 2013
USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets will likely have a new-look starting lineup for Game 3 against the Golden State Warriors.

Nuggets coach George Karl said that he'll evaluate a lineup change over the next few days, and according to the Denver Post's Chris Dempsey, Kosta Koufos could be out of the Denver Nuggets' starting lineup come Friday's game against the Golden State Warriors.

Koufos has struggled, especially in Game 2 where 14 minutes of action resulted in just two rebounds and one shot attempt, which he missed.

cont...

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/4/24/4262318/kenneth-faried-kosta-koufos-nuggets-lineup

 

[Buckskin86]

Kosta Koufos beats the shot clock for a panic three-pointer

By Ben Swanson on May 2 2013

Seven-foot Denver center Kosta Koufos had never hit a three-pointer in his NBA career. He was a solid sharpshooter in college (about 35 percent form behind the arc), but has only taken a handful as a pro.

But not anymore. With the shot clock winding down, Koufos discovered he had to put up a long ball before the shot clock expired. He didn't miss a beat and drilled it to hit his first in the NBA.

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/5/2/4295702/kosta-koufos-three-pointer-nuggets-warriors

 

[Buckskin86]

May 24, 2013
Nuggets C Kosta Koufos won?t play this summer for Greek National Team
By Benjamin Hochman
The Denver Post

After putting up career-best statistics last season, Kosta Koufos has decided to spend the summer working out with Nuggets coaches and strength staff, instead of playing for the Greek national team.

The center is an Ohio native, but due to his Greek roots, he?s previously played for that nation?s team. For Denver last season, the 24-year-old center averaged 8.0 points per game and 6.9 rebounds, starting for a squad that won 57 games.

He will spend the summer working on his game with numerous coaches, and his body with strength and conditioning coach Steve Hess. Koufos will spend time in Denver, as well as Cleveland and Canton, Ohio.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/nuggets...lay-this-summer-for-greek-national-team/8975/

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QoKsQDQWOQ"]Kosta Koufos Profile - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Buckskin86]

KOUFOS BEST YEAR YET

Koufos is coming off his best season as a pro in Denver. He spent this past season as a starter for the Nuggets, who made it to the playoffs and head coach George Karl was named the NBA?s Coach of the Year.

Koufos played in 81 games and averaged 22.4 minutes a game, seven rebounds and eight points a game. Those are well above his career averages. Because of his increased role, Koufos will not go to Greece this summer and play. Instead, he will spend most of his time in Denver working out, and in Ohio.

He could have played for the Greece national team in the FIBA EuroBasket tournament.

The previous season, Koufos started half of the 48 games he played in for Denver. This past season, he started 81 of the team?s 82 games.

?I?ve always felt confident in my game and I?ve worked hard,? Koufos said. ?This is the first season I had much of an opportunity to show what I have. I?m very fortunate to be a part of this organization and we had a successful season.?

But what changed this year? Was it Karl having more belief in Koufos? Or Koufos buying into Karl?s system?

?It?s just having a little bit more experience within the system and being patient and letting things come to you,? Koufos said.

However, playing for Karl, considered one of the best coaches in the league, is a bonus. Koufos has developed quite well the last two years.

?He?s the Coach of the Year for a reason,? Koufos said. ?He knows what he?s doing.?

PLAYOFF TECHNICAL

Koufos made national news and got quite a bit of play on ESPN in the playoff series against Golden State. At one point, Koufos was guarding Stephon Curry and played until the echo of the whistle and drew a technical foul. Golden State had complained the Nuggets were purposely playing Curry hard.

?I was surprised by the technical,? Koufos said. ?I wasn?t expecting it to be a technical. I?m not gonna stop playing no matter what. They perceived it as a technical. It went in one ear and out the other and I kept on playing. ? Our goal was to win the series. We fell short of that and we will learn from our mistakes.?

OFFSEASON

Koufos spent some off days this season taking online classes toward his MBA. He declined to say the name of the school he is taking classes at. The rest of his summer will mostly be taken up working out. He does have a basketball camp coming up at GlenOak High School June 3-6 for kids in grades first through eighth. Cost of the camp is $75 and it includes a T-shirt and basketball. For more information on that camp, contact coach Jack Greynolds Jr. at [email protected]

Koufos does not receive any money from the camp.

http://www.cantonrep.com/highschool...os-GlenOak-shouldve-won-it-all-in-2007?zc_p=2

 

[DZ83CK]

I think it's funny that KK has finally started to flourish in the NBA once he embraced the role of the big man who does the little things to help a team win like set screens and play physical defense, things that more than one observer thought was a misuse of his talents when he was at OSU. His high school coach I'm sure would not approve of the fact that KK is being used as a supporting player. But good for KK to finally find his role and embrace it.

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

I think it's funny that KK has finally started to flourish in the NBA once he embraced the role of the big man who does the little things to help a team win like set screens and play physical defense, things that more than one observer thought was a misuse of his talents when he was at OSU. His high school coach I'm sure would not approve of the fact that KK is being used as a supporting player. But good for KK to finally find his role and embrace it.

i've stated something similar elsewhere. there was plenty of acrimony from him and his camp in regards to how matta wanted to use him. kosta and co. wanted him to be a face-up 5 that roamed the perimeter and handled the ball. his attitude was poor and stuck it right in matta and our program's eye with the timing of his announcement. in my opinion, i think he deliberately harmed the program. i know i may be wrong, but i know i'm sour about his time at osu.

i'm pleased that he's being used pretty how much how matta intended to use him. heck, his intended role under matta was far more expansive than it is in the nba. i wish him success, but he's not a player i follow.

 

[Buckskin86]

The Nuggets have traded Kosta Koufos to the Grizzlies for Darrell Arthur and the No. 55 pick, according to the Denver Post.
With JaVale McGee expected to earn a larger role in Denver, and Timofey Mozgov potentially being retained as a restricted FA, it's no surprise the Nuggets jettisoned him for a young PF with a sweet mid-range jumper and an affordable salary ($3.2 million next year). Koufos will serve as Marc Gasol's backup in Memphis, a role ill-suited to reliable fantasy value. Jun 27

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nba/1501/kosta-koufos

 

[matcar]

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nba/1501/kosta-koufos

Teaming up with Conley!

 

[Buckskin86]

Grizzlies Press Conference: Kosta Koufos

New Griz Kosta Koufos glad to call FedExForum home -- 'The Grindhouse, that speaks for itself'
Embraces team's tough, hard-banging style of play
By Marlon W. Morgan
Posted July 1, 2013

Photo by Mike Brown, The Commercial Appeal // Buy this photo
July 1, 2013 ? Memphis Grizzlies Jason Levien (left) and new head coach David Joerger (right) introduce Kosta Koufos during a news conference at FedExForum. The Grizzlies trader Darrell Arthur on draft night for the center from Denver. (Mike Brown/The Commercial Appeal)

FedExForum wasn?t exactly one of Kosta Koufos? favorite places to visit while playing for the Denver Nuggets.

cont...

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/jul/01/new-griz-kosta-koufus-glad-call-fedexforum-home--/