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Zoran Planinic

Drafted #22 in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Nets
Height: 6'7" (201 cm)
Weight: 195 lbs (88 kg)
Position: G
Hometown: Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Current Team:

Articles

Euroleague Final Four: Player Watch

Luis Fernández
Luis Fernández
May 14, 2007, 03:13 am
Zoran Planinic couldn’t emerge as that consistent offensive leader Tau needed to break Panathinaikos’ defense in the semifinal. Still not that surprising, as Diamantidis was a perfect defender for him and was absolutely unbeatable. Indeed Planinic tried to take advantage whenever the Greek went to the bench or switch on defense, attacking his match-up with mixed results. Planinic, born in 1982, is still a young player who needs to gain consistency and experience (warming the bench in the NBA hasn’t helped him that much), improve his shooting stroke and take better decisions, but certainly a keeper for Tau in their long-term plans.

Euroleague: Who's Hot

Kristian Hohnjec
Kristian Hohnjec
Dec 21, 2006, 07:08 am
Planinic, who is currently out with an ankle injury, is playing above expectations after getting little playing time with the New Jersey Nets in the past three seasons. He has proven to be a major mismatch at the European level thanks to his combination of size and ball-handling ability. Along with Luis Scola, Planinic is a clutch performer in Tau Ceramica’s title aspirations.

Planinic is starting at the Point for Tau Ceramica, but has been getting playing time at all the perimeter spots. In the NBA he was turnover prone and a poor defender, but in Tau Ceramica’s system he is displaying very satisfying defensive effort by using his size to alter shots and collect steals.

On the offensive end, he showed his usual talent by making crisp passes and by taking the ball to the hole. His shooting is still inconsistent, due to his problematic shooting mechanics, but he has been able to keep his turnovers down.

The former first round pick made a good decision by returning to the Euroleague, given that his game is obviously better suited for European competition, where his size and technique has better use. Still, if he continues to play at a similar level, Planinic might get a chance to return to the NBA. The question is if he really wants it after a frustrating experience with the Nets.