If a guy steps up in the German BBL and that means he gets 10 pts, 4 rebs in 25 min...that would translate to about 0 pts, 1 reb, 3 fouls and 2 turnovers in an NBA game, if he was ever to get enough minutes to even do that. Just for comparison, Dirk was the top scorer in his only year (I believe) in the German BBL and even after that, it took him about two years to become a legitimate NBA player.
Yeah, but you can't compare their situations. Dirk was "the man" on a weak german team, that came out of the second division. Also the BBL didn't have the level of competition it now has. Dirk and Malick are absolutely different types of players. You shouldn't look at the numbers too much. Since the Skyliners never use him on offense, his points all come from putbacks and offensive rebounds. He also is just the backup center/forward of his team. Robert Maras (ok, he is injured...) and Mario Kasun are solid players with NBA-potential. My point is that there are only few here who actually have seen him play. But you have to see him play to judge him and his talents. For sure he won't be our savior, but he definetely has the talent to make our team. If we trade Cato and don't get back a solid pf/center, I'm sure he will get his chance. At least he can bring the same things to this team that Boki did in his first two seasons. That wouldn't be much, but it could be something.
Don't know if you know that I am also from Germany. I haven't really followed the BBL playoffs much at all, but I have seen Malick on TV a few times, as well as Maras (more often) and Kasun - I'd have to disagree that they have NBA potential...maybe as backup scrubs for 5 min. a game, but then again, you could give those minutes to a lot of people and it would not really make a difference. Just think there is a reason that he is only a backup and not used on offense...the reason is presumably that he is simply not that good. Perhaps he will improve, I'd be happy for him, but I just don't see him making the Rockets' team.
No, I didn't know. But this post wasn't only directed at you. A lot of people here judge him. Most of them have actually never seen him play. But you have to see him play to judge him, because he is the kind of player, where the numbers just don't tell you the whole story. What Maras and Kasun concerns, they are more experienced and developed than Malick. Maras is center of our national team. He's not talented enough to make it to the nba as a starter. But he could be a backup somewhere. He tried to make the Mavs' roster, but failed because he got injured I think. Kasun got drafted by Orlando a couple of years ago. He definetely has potential. He has a big body and a good jumper. He also has the post-game to make it in the NBA. He has a lot of foul-problems because he is overaggressive and might need more experience, but if he develops he can be even a starter for a weaker NBA-team one day. And of course there are reasons why he is just a backup and doesn't get used on offense. You're right. One reason is that he isn't good enough to be a real weapon on offense. But his offensive game is better than his role might tell you. I think another reason is that the Skyliners know that Malick wants to play in the NBA and that he'll maybe get his chance sooner or later. But on defense he is a real factor. He hustles and is athletic. And that's what we need. It should be known that he won't bring in any offense. But so does Cato. I really don't see too many things that are different in comparison to Cato's game besides that Cato has an NBA-body and a lot more experience. But Malick is quicker and hasn't the contract Cato has. If we deal Cato for another pf/center it should be obvious that because of his contract we won't get equal quality or talent in return. The same with Mo. We will be lucky if we can deal one of them. But assume we trade Cato in a package (maybe with Stevie? I don't hope so, but you never know...) and don't get back a quality big men. Why shouldn't we give Malick a chance? I mean we have no first round draft picks and the chances of getting another quality player through the free agent market are slim. I think we should let him get his experiences in the BBL-playoffs, then let him come over to Houston to play in the summer leagues to evaluate his progress. Then we should keep him even if that means he has to go to the injured list. But let him practice with Yao, Cato and Mo. I mean I'm a Rockets-fan and no Malick-maniac, but I don't see to many other options for us to get better at the four and five this year (If you face reality you have to admit that we won't get Okur or Sheed this offseason.). Summary: Malick is a talented big man, who could fill in nicely for us. If we can't get another quality big man we have to at least give him a chance. He might be not good enough right now, but we have to figure that out.
most international teams dont give players that have been picked in the draft much time since they dont want to develop him and then see him leave.
