From a needs standpoint on the Rockets, it's hard to get better than that. From a draft standpoint as well as a league-wide standpoint, the SF position is much deeper and can be addressed after the need for a defensive presence at C. My priority list for players at 14 (or higher? I would trade 14 and 23 to get a pick in the 8-10 range) would be: 1. Biyombo (Valanciunas if 8) 2. Singleton 3. Motiejunas This team has GOT to get better talent on the defensive side of the ball. Usually that means athleticism. I know Motiejunas is not known for defense but I also think he's been overscrutinized and may be underrated for our pick at 14.
Sounds like he is trying to be the next Hakeem Olajuwon. I was just about to post it but I was to late anyway...
He does backup that talk with all the energy he brings on the court. Real hustle player, definitely Rocket material.. I can see him being an affective shot-blocker and rebounder. 6-8pgg - 11 rbpg - 3 bpg
Biyombo has a better feel for the game and the ball than Big Ben or Joel Anthony. Don't expect offensive contribution from him in his first year, but with time, he could be able to do dome things.
<!-- http://twitter.com/#!/DraftExpress/status/80899545713745920 --> <style type='text/css'>.bbpBox80899545713745920 {background:url(http://a1.twimg.com/images/themes/theme14/bg.gif) #131516;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}</style> <div class='bbpBox80899545713745920'><p class='bbpTweet'>Not sure I've met a more interesting draft prospect than Bismack Biyombo in terms of the sheer depth of his thoughts. Incredibly cognitive.<span class='timestamp'><a title='Wed Jun 15 07:28:49 +0000 2011' href='http://twitter.com/#!/DraftExpress/status/80899545713745920'>less than a minute ago</a> via <a href="http://seesmic.com/seesmic_desktop/sd2" rel="nofollow">Seesmic Desktop</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/favorite?tweet_id=80899545713745920'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/favorite.png' /> Favorite</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/retweet?tweet_id=80899545713745920'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/retweet.png' /> Retweet</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?in_reply_to=80899545713745920'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/reply.png' /> Reply</a></span><span class='metadata'><span class='author'><a href='http://twitter.com/DraftExpress'><img src='http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/1230078621/254099576_normal.jpg' /></a><strong><a href='http://twitter.com/DraftExpress'>Jonathan Givony</a></strong><br/>DraftExpress</span></span></p></div> <!-- end of tweet --> <!-- http://twitter.com/#!/DraftExpress/status/80899981963304960 --> <style type='text/css'>.bbpBox80899981963304960 {background:url(http://a1.twimg.com/images/themes/theme14/bg.gif) #131516;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}</style> <div class='bbpBox80899981963304960'><p class='bbpTweet'>That's precisely why you can throw out all the comparisons to African prospects who have come before Bismack Biyombo. Completely different.<span class='timestamp'><a title='Wed Jun 15 07:30:33 +0000 2011' href='http://twitter.com/#!/DraftExpress/status/80899981963304960'>less than a minute ago</a> via <a href="http://seesmic.com/seesmic_desktop/sd2" rel="nofollow">Seesmic Desktop</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/favorite?tweet_id=80899981963304960'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/favorite.png' /> Favorite</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/retweet?tweet_id=80899981963304960'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/retweet.png' /> Retweet</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?in_reply_to=80899981963304960'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/reply.png' /> Reply</a></span><span class='metadata'><span class='author'><a href='http://twitter.com/DraftExpress'><img src='http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/1230078621/254099576_normal.jpg' /></a><strong><a href='http://twitter.com/DraftExpress'>Jonathan Givony</a></strong><br/>DraftExpress</span></span></p></div> <!-- end of tweet --> <!-- http://twitter.com/#!/DraftExpress/status/80900630008446976 --> <style type='text/css'>.bbpBox80900630008446976 {background:url(http://a1.twimg.com/images/themes/theme14/bg.gif) #131516;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}</style> <div class='bbpBox80900630008446976'><p class='bbpTweet'>Biyombo's combination of length, athleticism, intensity, aggressiveness and smarts is simply unheard of. Pass on him at your own peril.<span class='timestamp'><a title='Wed Jun 15 07:33:07 +0000 2011' href='http://twitter.com/#!/DraftExpress/status/80900630008446976'>less than a minute ago</a> via <a href="http://seesmic.com/seesmic_desktop/sd2" rel="nofollow">Seesmic Desktop</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/favorite?tweet_id=80900630008446976'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/favorite.png' /> Favorite</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/retweet?tweet_id=80900630008446976'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/retweet.png' /> Retweet</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?in_reply_to=80900630008446976'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/reply.png' /> Reply</a></span><span class='metadata'><span class='author'><a href='http://twitter.com/DraftExpress'><img src='http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/1230078621/254099576_normal.jpg' /></a><strong><a href='http://twitter.com/DraftExpress'>Jonathan Givony</a></strong><br/>DraftExpress</span></span></p></div> <!-- end of tweet -->
Givony is really trying hard to sell Biyombo, I think because he was one of the first (if not the first) guys to bring him into the online spotlight. If Biyombo gets drafted high and becomes successful it gives DraftExpress and Givony a ton of credibility and respect for his scouting abilities and site (read: more web clicks, advertising money, and possibly NBA money for scouting services) It remains to be seen if DX is over hyping him for some of these reasons perhaps, or if he really is that good. I like him, but I can't ignore the fact that there are some question marks about him and there is a chance he could be a really embarrassing bust for some team that picks him (especially if it's a high pick that could be considered a reach). We'll see draft night if he gets picked earlier or drops substantially.
Yes, he does have some question marks. I'm not so concerned about his poor FG shooting; he'll be doing his damage close to the basket, and can be taught to suck less. But teams will break his arms to send him to the free throw line: CLANK! THUD! CRASH! (background woman's scream: "My eye!") WHOOSH! (Sound of nothing but air as ball misses rim completely.) Still, Ben Wallace had a good career rebounding and blocking shots. And I think Biyombo will improve with the right coaching.
Biyombo can be scoreless for whatever I care, as long as he gives me a couple "GET THAT ***** OUTTA HERE!" per game and he continues rebounding like his life depends on it.
I'm too young to have seen an 18 year old Olajuwon play for the Cougars, so I am curious what people who did can tell us about his offense during his freshman year. Looking at the stats and the few seconds of clips I have seen, the impression i get was that his game was very similar to the 18 year old Biyombo's in the Spanish league this last season -- very raw offensively, active, impactful defensively, etc. He keeps getting compared to Ben Wallace, but I think he is a longer, quicker Ben Wallace with much better intangibles. If you watch his videos, his reflexes and ability to jump a 2nd time, they compare more to a young Olajuwon than to a young Ben Wallace. And even though he looked terrible in his workouts, I think he has the physical tools and dedication to become a very good post player (which is why i want to talk to the people who saw 18 y/o Dream on the Cougs - my thinking being that Dream was just as raw at this age). I definitely agree the guy is a project and that he will never be the offensive player Olajuwon was -- but having him grow up under Chuck Hayes and learning the post game from Dawson and McHale, the guy could be more Dwight Howard (or better) than Ben Wallace.
Biyombo is a PF not a center. Motiejunas has a bad attitude, bad work ethic, and he is soft. Very talented though.
Givony claimed Rubio was the next Nash and the next Maravich. He claimed Rudy was the next Manu. If you actually watch European basketball and read his write ups and rankings they are a complete joke of epic proportions. The guy is a total outright fraud. That does not mean that Biyombo is not talented and does not have potential. But as far as Givony himself goes, the guy is a complete hack.
Givony's site, draftexpress.com, keeps things they post on each player for many years: For example, here's the Rudy Fernandez page http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Rudy-Fernandez-22/ and here's the Ricky Rubio page http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ricky-Rubio-1155/ Each of these two pages have articles/writeups posted from as far back as 2005. I do not see where he says Rubio is the next Nash or Maravich or Rudy is the next Manu. Can you point out where he made such comparisions?
I don't know if y'all have seen this already. But... Wow: <iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lUxKzucNsTo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
