To answer your first question? Hakeem didn't play during what should have been his freshman year (and he went by Akeem back then). He was redshirted. During his second year (his freshman year with the Coogs), he played sparingly. Guy Lewis thought he was too raw and needed seasoning (and he was right). So Olajuwon spent the summer at Fonde Recreation Center getting schooled by Hall of Famer and former Rocket Moses Malone. His sophomore year was when he exploded. Unsurprisingly, Olajuwon was an uncanny shot blocker. Just a rediculous shot blocker. And he quickly learned to block shots towards his teammates, a rare skill. His instincts were amazing, both as a shot blocker and as a rebounder. Just incredible (I'll run out of superlatives at some point! ...maybe). He was skinny when he first came over. Not skinny like I am, but skinny compared to how most remember him with the Rocks. The guy just kept filling out. Dream's instincts also ran to offense and he quickly became pretty damn good at that with Houston. It lagged his defense and rebounding, but not as much as some might think who didn't see him back then. Honestly, comparing Biyombo to the Dream does Bismark a disservice. Let Biyombo have a few years in the League and then try making some comparisons. If he's remotely similar in any way, and we have him, we will have been very, very lucky. A nice video: <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/prUUojOquW8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I just want to lay claim to bestowing the nickname of BigSmack Biyombo (unless someone already beat me to it).
chadfordinsider Chad Ford Sources say Raptors are seriously looking at Biyombo. He'll workout for them on Monday. Could take him at 5 or might move down a few spots Biyombo then goes to the Pistons on Tuesday and will visit Knicks on Wednesday. There's his range 5-17 Biyombo's workout in Detroit should be a doozy. He'll workout against Tristan Thompson, Markieff Morris, Jordan Williams, Keith Benson If Kemba Walker is off the board, that Biyombo-Tristan Thompson-Markieff Morris workout on Tues should decide who Pistons take at 8
I'd be surprised if any big fell to 14th. This is going to be another draft where we miss the guy we want by a couple of spots.
<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RX5UekunX8c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ba...t=AmMthmdmS0VvB0s4X.a4uZjPgq9_?urn=nba-wp5230 Bismack says he will lead the NBA in rebounds and blocks. He knows where his strengths will be. This is exactly why I want the Rockets to draft this guy. A post player must be fearless and have confedence.
Bismack Biyombo averaged, 6.1 Points Per Game 5.1 Rebounds Per Game 2.3 Blocks Per Game In the second best league in Europe. Just for the record.
Yeah, I agree with the other few posters who have responded to you so far -- those are really good numbers for an 18year old to get in just 17 minutes per game. Really good. I bet most of the starting centers in the NBA could not have done that.
Agreed. He certainly didn't have the offensive arsenal that he would later develop but even in '83 he already had a good turn around jumper with range out to 15 feet.
I agree with you and Biyombo. Based on what the guy did in the Spanish league, I would be surprised if he didn't eventually lead the league in rebounding and shot-blocking and become a perennial all NBA defensive player.
Those are for the most part average numbers other than the blocks. Considering the team and the league, they are less than impressive at the very least. In fact, considering his real age is said by clubs in Spain to be about 23-24....................he was a very average player in Europe other than the ability to block shots. He probably would have not logged a single minute on a good Euroleague club.
And about 16 mins a game. What is his per 36? I'll take him in a heartbeat. BTW, his age was verified by tests that are not disputable.
alanhahn Alan Hahn Regarding Biyombo speculation, sounds like stock is plummeting. One scout said of Euro workout: "He went 1-on-none and lost." ..... http://twitter.com/#!/alanhahn
At 18, supposedly, not 17. And again, all the clubs in Spain say he is 23-24. Not one Spanish club thinks he is 18. Also, "not disputable". Really? Seriously? Those are very average numbers, at best, for the level he was at, other than the shot blocking. He didn't play more than 17 minutes, because he was the second best power forward on his team. So he played less than the guy at his same position that was better than him. He was a slightly above average backup power forward in the second best league in Europe, on a mediocre team. Still, better than Rubio though.
