Transformation. British bulldog, Russian Iverson and Mr. Highlight Reel

The VTB United League and Sport-Express present the second edition of this summer’s Transformation series, focused on players and coaches that will have an outsized impact on the league next season. The coaches were in the spotlight last week, now it’s time to talk about three big free agent signings. After three years in the NBA, Joel Freeland has signed with CSKA, Khimki inked the Russian Iverson and UNICS made a deal with the ACB’s most exciting player, Latavious Williams.

Joel Freeland, CSKA

Position: power forward/center
Country: Great Britain
Age: 28
Former Clubs: Gran Canaria, Spain (2006-2009), Unicaja, Spain (2009-2012), Portland, NBA (2012-2015)
2014-15 Stats: 3.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.5 blocks in 12.5 minutes per game

After winning the VTB United League championship, CSKA center Alexander Kaun, one of Europe’s most dominant centers, announced that he would only continue his career in the NBA. Not surprisingly, the Army Men got to work at once looking for a replacement. It didn’t take long as CSKA reached an agreement with Joel Freeland, who had spent the last three seasons in the NBA.
Freeland is possibly the most versatile center to ever play in the VTB United League. Victor Claver is the only one that comes to mind that could match his wide arsenal and athleticism. Freeland can shoot and play with his back to the basket, handle the ball, keep up on defense and protect the rim. Coincidentally, Claver joined Khimki last season from Portland, in part because he couldn’t get enough playing time with the Blazers.

But Freeland is more physical and bruising than Claver. The Frenchman wasn’t always successful in the VTB United League, struggling to fight through contact and match the physicality. Freeland, on the other hand, was the heart and soul of the British team at the Summer Olympics, making his nation proud with his gutsy effort. He’s nicknamed the British Bulldog for a reason: in addition to his athletic talent, Freeland loves to scrap and leave everything on the floor.

Freeland spent three seasons in the NBA where he had to prove himself against intimidating competition and take his game to another level. But when you’re in the same frontcourt as LaMarcus Aldridge, Robin Lopez and Chris Kaman, it’s hard to get much playing time. Joel will likely have a lot more freedom at CSKA and the Moscow fans hope that with his experience he’ll be able to make a huge impact in the league.

Alexey Shved, Khimki

Position: point guard/shooting guard
Country: Russia
Age: 26
Former Clubs: CSKA, Russia (2005-2012), Khimki, Russia (2006-2007), Dynamo Moscow, Russia (2009-2010), Minnesota, NBA (2012-2014), Philadelphia, NBA (2014), Houston, NBA (2014-2015), New York, NBA (2015)
2014-15 Stats: 10.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.7 steals in 18.3 minutes per game
Shved spent an eventful three seasons in the NBA, but this summer he only received minimum offers from NBA clubs. Perhaps Russia’s most exciting and talented player at the moment simply decided to return home.
The info on his contract is contradictory. According to some, he’ll be the highest-paid player in Europe. Others say that his contract “will fit in the budget, which hasn’t changed at all from last season.” One has to hope that Shved’s decision to leave the NBA and sign a contract in Russia wasn’t motivated by the paycheck, but rather by a desire to take his career to another level. Minimum contracts in the USA generally mean little playing time. Shved definitely doesn’t want to spend a lot of time on the bench right now. The 26 year old guard needs to have some stability and get used to being a leader.

Shved has one example to follow. Sergey Monia also returned from the NBA with a lot of motivation and has long been the leader at Khimki and an important member of the national team. Moscow Region is a nearly ideal location for Shved. The team is well run with experienced players and one of the league’s most respected coaches. That should give Shved confidence and help him fully realize his potential.
Shved’s strengths are well known: he can break down almost any defender, use screens and get the ball to open teammates...though it’s true he loves creating his own opportunities most. When he’s at his best, Shved is aggressive and efficient and poses a huge problem for the defense.
The upcoming season may answer the question that has been bothering Russian fans for a long time: can Shved reach the next level in his career? He’s capable of being a star and taking Khimki to new heights. But it’s possible he’ll continue to struggle with consistency and attract a lot of criticism due to his big contract. How will Shved’s return to Russia turn out? That’s one of the big questions entering the 2015-16 season.

Latavious Williams, UNICS

Position: Power forward
Country: USA
Age: 26
Former Clubs: Tulsa, D-League (2009-2011), Joventud, Spain (2011-2012), Bamberg, Germany (2012), Cajasol, Spain (2012-2014), Bilbao, Spain (2014-2015).
2014-15 Stats: 7.3 points, 5.7 rebounds in 18.4 minutes per game
Kazan dreams of returning to contender status in the VTB United League and has enjoyed a productive offseason. UNICS stopped signing players based on reputation and star power and has done a better job of inking players with specific skill sets, looking to build a versatile, deep roster. Multi-talented center Artsiom Parakhouski, dangerous sniper Arturas Milaknis and trusty point guard Quino Colom have each joined the club. The most recent player to sign with UNICS is Latavious Williams.
UNICS hasn’t just filled the hole left by James White, but also given the fans something to look forward to: the 26-year-old forward is a highlight reel waiting to happen, dunking over opponents and soaring for huge alley-oops. He was named the most exciting player in the Spanish league in 2015 for a reason.
Williams is also very strong on the glass, physical and great on fast breaks. On the downside, he’s not a great dribbler, can’t shoot very well outside of the paint and doesn’t have excellent court vision. But Kazan is putting together a talented roster and he won’t have to do everything. Colom, for one, knows Williams well from playing together last season at Bilbao. When Latavious is throwing down dunks, igniting the crowd and demoralizing opponents, no one will care much about his deficiencies.