All men don't stop growing at age 18, so that really makes no sense. I myself grew until age 24. I don't know how old Biyombo is and I don't think it really matters. But that proves absolutely nothing. At age 23 my plates would have still been growing and I could have been 17-18 too then according to that kind of reasoning. Biyombo is a project one way or another, so the age does not really matter. However we should keep in mind that: Yi Jianlian is supposedly born in 1987 and yet almost everyone that has looked into it thinks he was born in 1984. Ersan Ilyasova was supposedly born in 1987 in Turkey and some speculated before he drafted that he was actually born in 1984 in Turkey. The fact is he was actually born in 1982 in the Soviet Union. This has never even really been a secret in Europe, but the passports can be altered if you are from China or Soviet Union.... Same thing typically happens with players from Africa. Mutombo, Hakeem, etc. In fact there was just a player from Africa (Alfa Fasengas) that was supposed to be just 17 and had the passport and legal documents and everything and he was registered in the national junior team of Greece and was signed to a club's youth team. He was then even signed by the big club Panathinaikos. He supposedly came to Greece to be a resident at like age 14-15 or something. Very similar situation to the story of Biyombo in Spain. As it turned out AFTER he already played for Greece's junior national tea, once FIBA checked everything, he was like 5-6 years older. The only reason they could check anything was because of some records they could find in Greece. In the case of Yi and Elyasova, Mutombo, Hakeem you can't find any records because they lived in China, Soviet Union, Africa. It does not really matter how old he is to me. That whole age thing is overrated and he is a project anyway. But, it is very, very likely that his age is complete BS. And the NBA for example has never to this day changed the ages of Yi and Elyasova and neither has FIBA, even though it is well known their ages are BS, even Elyasova was never even born in Turkey. He was born in Soviet Union in 1982 and his parents were Bosnian. And he is "officially a Turkish born 1987 player." So there is a very good reason why there is speculation about Biyombo's age. Just from Africa I can think of Hakeem, Mutombo, Fasengas, but I am sure there are many more such examples.
I really enjoy reading the scouting reports of DX over NBAdraft but mock drafts are not about scouting reports its about knowing what GM's will do come draft day. GM's frequently do not make the best pick. NBAdraft's mock draft's have been very accurate the last couple of years... at least when looking at the lottery. You can check their Mock draft history vs. how the draft actually played out. Of course there is plenty of time for them to adjust their mock draft and put Bismack into the lottery.
True, but the mock drafts on NBAdraft.net are in constant flux, they update them constantly up to like 4 or 5 minutes right before the Draft. Which explains why there so accurate. Draftexpress on the other hand list them, by the best prospects available. But yeah, I agree, I prefer the scouting from draftexpress, but the pecking order from NBADraft.net
Can someone explain to me how Bismack is better than Thabeet? Ie, can someone explain why we should take chance on an african talent with no offensive game? Thabeet was thought of as a lock top 3 pick.
Bis can run, jump, and has a great motor. Thabeet was taught to stand in the paint with his arms up, has shoes made of concrete, and seems lost more often than not.
Thabeet dominated a tough college conference. Biyombo had a good camp against some high school seniors. Not saying Biyombo is the next bust, but I think Thabeet was more "proven" than Biyombo was entering the draft. Of course, then you get into the "does their game translate" discussion.
I agree that Thabeet did dominate at Uconn, but I meant that Bismack has all the qualities you look for in a prospect as well. He definitely can run up and down the floor, if the Rockets choose to use a fast paced system next season. He has great timing, shot blocking wise. And he doesn't have the lack of weight problem that Thabeet and Jordan have. He seems to have great bball iq too, but the few videos I've seen are a small sample size.
His motor and overall agressiveness. Which can make all the difference in the world. This kid is relentless he'll attack the rim with everything he has, some scouts have gone on and said that whatever team drafts hiim we'll probably have to tone down his agressiveness a bit. From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Bismack-Biyombo-5902/#ixzz1Jzyg8x4I http://www.draftexpress.com
Bigs that can run and jump > bigs that can't run and jump Players that care about basketball > players that don't care about basketball
I would care about basketball for $million lotto contract. I rather us not gamble on an international player with no demonstrated offensive skills.
Hakeem had no offensive game? He averaged almost 21/12 his rookie year. Please don't make that comparison..
He certainly did but when he was drafted one of the knocks on him was that he offense was not polished enough for the NBA. He could not pass, could not dribble and did not have a game that extended more than about 5' from the basket and was a bit of a black hole with the ball. Watching Akeem dribble was pretty funny when he first came into the league because he actually slapped at the ball. Of course he proved he he could produce more offense than most people thought and we all know the rest of the story.
Final found time to watch the Nike Hoops Summit... things I noticed about Biyombo... he has terrible hands. The guy had 11 rebs, but could have had like 8 more if he could grab the ball. Not to mention how many horrible passes he had out of the post/in the press offense. Other than that... he has a good nba body and great instincts defensively. He's quick off his feet and shows possible ability with post moves. His shooting touch could use a lot of work, but he's a good prospect. Considering the guy has only been playing basketball for a few years (started in high school) his upside is very high. I'd consider him a late first rounder in this draft. Edit: also to answer the age question.. the kid is 18 according to the announcers on the broadcast
If Mutumbo was 5 years older than his passport age, he would have been effective till 50. Biyombo still has a good 20-25 years left in the NBA
Where is this guy going to be drafted? Honestly, if he is actually 18-20, this is the best player in the draft, but I just can't figure out where he is going to go. If they need to trade up for him, I think it is a good idea, but he might be there at 14...or 23...
He plays on a mid-level ACB club and he is an average player there. He is most certainly not the best player in this draft, at least not at the current moment.
