King Baller
All-Star
I wasn't following VTB league this year as no israeli players were playing there this time, but while this is strong league by European standards, "Triumph" is not one of best teams there (it was eliminated easily on 1/4 finals) and 7.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.3 apg is not very impressive in this case.
Also, Kulagin was very fringe player averaging only 2.7 ppg for Russian NT which was very weak in this Euro Qual. tournament (they will probably qualify after 72-68 win over Italy , but in process they even lost to Switzerland!).
As israeli I'm not neutral, but in this forum I don't see much support for signing Casspi which was leading with 19.0 ppg our team which played pretty well, so I don't see why to support such strange move as bringing player which didn't succeded even in middle tier VTB team and Russian NT.
Also, it seems that it's not about "not afraid to mix it up" but more about "having problematic character" as he was ejected in one of Euro Qual. games after punching opponent.
Don't read too much into responses to any of the threads here. Most Kings fans are very familiar with Casspi. So what he brings is understood.
Now this relatively unknown Russian with spiked up hair peaks our interest. Sometimes a player needs to be seen with NBA talent around him to appreciate how his skills will translate. There is an upside for a 6' 6" 22 yo guard who can handle the ball
