How good do you guys think Hedo Turkoglu is? Do you think he has potential to be as good or better than Peja Stojakovic? How would you compare there games and there potential in this league in a few years? Does Turk have the raw abilities to be a 20-5-5 type of player in this league? I know a TURK topic is on the main board, but people went away from the topic in the thread and changed the subject....so I wanted to see what others thought... WHat do you guys think about Turks potential?
I don't think Turk could ever be as pure of a shooter as Peja, but I do think he could be better all-around. As far as progress, Peja was a little ahead at each stage, but he was also a younger than Turk has been at each stage (2 years older than Turk, 4th year in the NBA). I don't know about 20-5-5, but maybe 16-18, 5-6, and 3-4.
I don't know if Peja was really much better at the same point in their careers. Stat-wise it's a deadlock. I think Hedo could match the stat output that Peja gets. At the same age, Peja had better shooting range than Hedo does now. I think Hedo's as good of a shooter, but Peja could nail shots from 25 ft away. Hedo's range seems to top out at 21 ft away or so. He's still a decent 3 pt shooter, but not as good as Peja. Hedo is better than Peja at putting the ball on the floor. Hedo does a great job of taking the ball to the rack and finishing consistently. Peja looked uncoordinated when he drove to the hoop. Hedo and Peja are both very good SFs, and I'd imagine that eventually the Kings will have to trade one of them in the next 2-3 years.
From a Kings fan: With 35+ minutes, Hedo could average 17-18ppg, 7 rebounds, 4 assists. Hedo has really improved this season and the Kings are trying to throw his hat in for "Most Improved Player." He is a very good slasher and decent finisher, just lately he has started finishing with dunks instead of finger rolls, and gets to the line. Hedo's midrange game is really good with his high release on his jumpers, almost unblockable. His passing and court vision are above average for a 2nd year SF. His defense is very underrated. He moves his feet well and has long, long, arms that bother opposing players shots. He does tend to get over anxious at times on D by reaching and bumping, but overall he plays solid D. He hits the defensive boards as well. Right now, his biggert weakness is consistency. He either seems to get right into a game and shoots well, or he misses a few early shots and forces his game. When he started while Peja was injured this year, he played great. He definitely plays better as a starter and is more aggressive. The future is bright for Hedo, but for him to really shine in the NBA, it will have to be for another team since the Kings already have an All-Star SF with Peja. But Hedo will be a King for the next few seasons because of his rookie contract. It will be interesting to see what happens with Hedo and the Kings. BTW, the mid-first round of the 2000 draft is looking pretty good right now with Hedo, Desmond Mason, Q Richardson, and Magloire. I don't think any of those teams feel bad about their picks right now.
I wonder how easy it would be to pry Gerald Wallace from the Kings. Outstanding athete with good size, but raw and very young.
Wallace? Wait till he learns how to shoot. Right now, he's just a dunker. No reason to think he'll ever be more than that.
Hedo played the point in Europe, if I am not mistaken, so I think expecting him to get high rebound numbers is a tad unrealistic, but I would not be suprised to see him getting 6-7 assists per game at some point.
