I think having the energy guy off the bench is underrated in the NBA. Mark Madsen has been huge for the Wolves off the bench this season. I've seen him personally change the momentumn of a game with offensive rebounds and hustle plays (I can't believe I just said that but if you watched the kings and lakers series you know it's true). Honestly, I think the biggest reason for Dallas's collapse this year was the lose of Nick Van Excel, who while he only gets going in half of the games last year in the playoffs, they almost always win in the games that he does get going off the bench. In a seven game series, those 2 or 3 great game from him of the bench can amount to winning or losing a series. That's why I think Rockets need an instant energy guy. Mo's instant offense, but you can just see that he doesn't hustle enough. Hopefully Malick can be the guy that does that for us.
Hmm, so far his energetic athleticism and hustle stand out when you talk abou tthis guy. I wonder if, if he made the team, we could join him up with boki and make an instant energy dynamic duo when our team starts dragging down? Personally, I'd love to have Boki start next season. Against the lakers in the post season, Boki just showed so much undying determination and smart play, i mean everything he hustled at gave positive results. And that flying dunk and "sit down" block on Malone, just showed the guy has no fear. The plus is, this guy isn't just a hustling eric williams or jerome williams. He has an offensive game too, knows how to slash through a defense, just needs to work on his jumpshot and perimeter game. I think Boki really deserves some starting time next season. We can't just waste the possibilities behind that smart determination and desire .
even though off topic...for boki to start he has to show the ability to stay in the game. he disappears far too often. i have been one of boki's biggest critics but i like how he played when he got the chance in the playoffs. second, boki must find a way to translate his shooting ability into the game. he is probably the best HORSE player on the team but he simply hasn't shown he can shoot reliably in game. finally, if boki were to play a decent amount of minutes he would have to learn how to not foul a disgusting amount of times on defense.
Remember the tactics and psychology at play for the short minutes player, as per Boki. He is sent in to create havoc, disrupt the other team's offense and generally play like there is no tomorrow. A starter, on the other hand, knows he must control his fouls and therefore plays a more controlled game. Also, IMO Boki "disappeared" in games because he was trying to be the good teammate, i.e. passing to the open man, getting the ball to Yao Ming, etc. He wasn't trying to dominate -- he was trying to blend. Maybe this year he will find a decent balance. BTW, when the Bad Man plays, I'll bet he is just as much a foul machine when he is sent in for his "disrupter" minutes.
If the Rockets sign him, I hope they follow Milwaukee(?)'s example and sign him and all other second-rounders to two years with a team option on the third, so that in the small chance he or they turn out to be keepers, the Rockets will have bird rights.
Whenever I see all the hopeful threads about this guy I'm reminded of a great line from Star Wars delivered by Han Solo. To paraphrase: "Being good against drones is one thing. Being good against the living is entirely something else...". Forgive my pessimism, but to me, this guy is a bigger longshot than Zak Tabak was and I'm being generous here. It doesn't matter how hard he works or how much he hustles, if he can't play at the level required to compete in the NBA's Western Conference, then he's of no use to the Rockets.
I have a feeling that Malick is undercoached as a defensive big man. Get him in the states and train him with the Rocket's personel for three months might do him a lot of good.
Watching Badiane last summer I was really impressed. He is very raw, but I honestly believe with superior coaching he could be a poor mans dennis rodman, without the circus. Also this guy was 6'11 at 19 I'm curious to no if he could grow another inch. He hit a couple of turnaround jumpers and a couple of 15-18 footers with ease. Several mock drafts had this guy going in the first round, I really feel like he is another second round steal as Cuttino was.
NBA.com listed him as being born on January 1, 1984. How convenient. I hope it's true and he's not 35. I'll overlook the fact that it says the Mavs are his favorite team... I like the fact that KG is his favorite player.
Dont know if he is skilled or not, but he cant be worst then mark madsen. Sounds like they are the same type of player and I wouldnt mind having madsen on the rox to play 15 minutes a night
Come on now. Give me some credit. I was referring to the fact so many players from Africa seem to have fictitious birthdates. Like the rumors Dikembe is probably much older than his birthdate claims. Hopefully Malick isn't some 35 year old being paraded as a 20 year old.
He's actually 18, but it will be 25 years before he reaches age 28. They use a different time clock over there.
