I don't see the problem with those that get excited about this guy. He's young and athletic and could prove to have potential. Expectations are not high, so we can sit on this for a while. For those to just come out and say that he sucks may be a bit overboard. I don't expect him to start, but if we could rid some of these rediculous contracts and get him in then why not. It's not like he's hurting our cap. Give the guy a chance. Just don't put him at the head of the line until he proves something.
This is looking at purly potiental. Darko hasnt done anything but his potiental warranted a 2nd pick overall. Thoes arent great #'s but thats a lot better than some of these high school kids coming to the draft are putting up.
If you look closely, his arms are quite skinny. Also, his jersey is up away from his body because he's jumping and I think that makes him look thicker. He actually looks pretty damn skinny to me.
He was pretty skinny a couple of years ago when I watched him play. Lanky is a better description. I don't know if he's bulked up since then. Back then he didn't look to be too much over 230-235 lbs. from what I recall.
Like some have said - 'Badiane is only 19... jezuz." Not only does he look like Carl Herrara, if he can contribute like Carl Herrara did for the Rockets at one time he's going to be worth something. so what it seems is that he's been hurt all year but come back in time for the playoffs and is helping his team at the young age of 19. I think thats great! So lets give him another year to grow and improve and lets re-evaluate him then. But we can't say a 19 year old kid with the physique and atheletic ability of Badiane will never help us, now, or in the future, unless we're not thinking right. Lets be reasonable here and understand that though he looks like a man on the court he is still a kid at just 19 and have some patience for chrissakes.
Is it just me, or is it a real memory of 'just European' teams beating Team USA in the Olympics last year. These Euroleagues aren't as weak as you'd like to make out - and they are a totally different style of game to the NBA - shorter 3 point line means more set shooting, and controlled offense means athleticism isn't exploited as well as it could be! If there is a 19 year old kid who can jump out of the gym, who starts on a team that wins 'just a Euroleague', and who has a strong desire to play NBA, then I'm more than willing to give him a shot! Fact is, we haven't really got that 'long' and 'hard-working' power forward at the moment, and if Badiane shows anything in the Summer Leagues, then he may well be worth bringing on board! I'm not saying that his stats are good - but nor am I willing to say they mean he is no chance! We'll see!
The thing I can't figure out is how they are playing him, as a 5 or a 4. Playing with Yao and Deke would give him a completely different kind of experience than where he is now. Fact is he is long enough to play 5 and hopefully quick enough to play 4. When Yao gets into foul trouble 'Bad Man' could switch from b/u 4 to b/u 5. We do not have enough big men to go against big teams and haven't for a couple of years.
There has been too many positive posts about MB in a row. It is time for some Ill will! Are you really done saying the 19 year old sucks?
Malick plays a lot of Center. Last year he played a lot of PF*, though. I think he is capable of playing the 4 in the NBA. But he will have problems with smaller and quicker opponents. I think with Cato next to Yao we were in a similar situation last year. There are a lot of matchups where it works, but there are some where it doesn't. * He played PF next to Mario Kasun, who got drafted by the Magic. Kasun is a way better offensive player, but he is a worse defender. He played just 8 mpg for the Magic this season, but per 48 minutes he leads the NBA in rebounding. In the BBL his stats were not too impressive, too. But his game was even better suited for the european style of basketball than Malick's.
Hey. THANKS! for the info. Matchups are always problematic because there are so many kinds of PF's in the NBA. The West has some big power forwards like Duncan and Garnet and some run and gun PF's like Nowitski who is also 7'. IMO we will have Offense to spare and need a POWER Forward who can also slide to center when playing bigger teams, like Miami or Detroit. Anyway, most of us are very anxious to get him here. I am very glad to hear that Malick's game is more suited to the NBA than Euroball. All good reasons to get him here now. I would love to see him get to play along side Deke for a year or two. There is a lot for him to learn here also.
For those who care, game 2 of the BBL playoffs' semi-finals has been played yesterday. The Skyliners lost the game at home 85:94. Malick started again at Center an played just about 13 minutes. He scored 11 points and pulled down 6 rebounds, though. Let's hope he can continue his strong play and get more experience.
