[TOTAL FICTION] Rockets/Wolves working on a trade for Nikola Pekovic??

Generally the terms "raw" is reserved for players who have all the athletic ability in the world, but not the skills or discipline to take full advantage of it...yet.

But this kid appears to have exceptional agility, dribbling skills, shooting skills, passing skills, and seems to play unselfishly. He also attacks the boards with energy, and looks to have nice footwork and a solid array of moves in the his post game already.

Are you sure the term your looking for isn't "immature"? Because based on basketball skill alone, he doesn't look the least bit raw to me.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blo...spn/blog/index?name=hollinger_john&id=3460365

From John Hollinger's Euro-to-NBA stat projections

• Scoring rate decreases 25 percent
• Rebound rate increases by 18 percent (there are more missed shots in NBA play)
• Assist rate increases by 31 percent (Euro scorers are tightwads with assists)
• Shooting percentage drops by 12 percent
• Overall, PER drops by 30 percent.

In that same article from 2008, before the draft that year

So its like what the knowledgeable posters are saying. That contract issues limited his availability more than actual talent did.

 

Raw as in understanding the game, it was just what I heard when I watched the NBA predraft workouts.

He looked gangly, but good to me.....and when they talked to him, he seemed to be really bright.

Probably a guy that improves a ton once he gets his confidence down.

DD

 

Very nice find, Shroopy. Thanks!

 

Yeah, I just watched the DraftExpress interview with him and he seems much more level-headed and mature than your average 19 year old NBA prospect. I think I'm developing a man crush...

Here's the interview for those who care to see...

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I'm still not buying the fact that Morey would invest trading down and the full MLE in this guy, I know he has Euro connections and is very active in scouting, and don't get me wrong... I trust the guy's eye for talent moreso than anyone else's, It just seems like such a blatantly false assumption to make off a shaky premise.

 

Splitter. He's excellent on the defensive end, can have an impact in any place of the court, he's so versatile. Offensively he's not as dangerous as Pekovic near the basket, but he's still not bad in 1on1, and has a better mobility and surely more range. He's somehow like and improved Varejao, but again, don't expect him excelling defensively already in his first season.

About Richards, he looks very good, but keep in mind the opposition he's facing. He's playing in the Swiss league (surely not a top-10 league in Europe) in those highlights, if not against U18 kids. Plus we all know that HL can make true miracles.

 

Pekovic looks good, seems to have some moves in the post, a gritty player with size. Having said that, unless I hear something from Morey it'll be difficult to believe.

 

If this is total fiction why not lock it up?

 

Another Soft Euro who will get murder in the post trying to play D. We have enough with David Anderson. Please stop with the Foriegn PF's, and Centers. Stick with the Americans.

Yes, I realize Gasol is playing well. However, please notice that is only when he is playing next to Bynum who does all of the dirty work. Banging, rebounding, and blocking shots, alleviate this from Paul..

 

R2K explained it. Go back and check out his post.

 

In this same article, it puts David Anderson's projected stats and they look similar.

Pekovic - 18/12
Anderson - 17/12

 

Well if he's anything like the last big man from the UK to play in the NBA, you may very well have a chance...

 

:grin: :grin:

 

14th pick + David Andersen + Jermaine Taylor + 3 mil

for

Nikola Pekovic + Ramon Sessions + 23rd pick

and use the 23rd to pick up Solomon Alabi. (other big men are likely to be gone by then)

That would be a great draft day for Morey

 

I want Ryan Richards now..

 

David Andersen's numbers per 40 minutes last season:

16.5 points, 9.3 rebounds.

Andersen's raw points and rebounds numbers haven't been that bad. Mostly he struggled defensively-- had a hard time matching up against strong guys and avoiding fouls while defending. He was up and down on the offensive end, adjusting to NBA 3 point range and trying to figure out which of his post moves work at this level.

In any case, not much to complain about for a guy makeing $2.3 million.

 

I remind all my brothers & sisters that Morey does not disclose his plans!!
So any story of a potential trade or swap should be treated as no more than a rumor. Morey does not let us know if its going to be a rabbit or a goose, till he pulls it out of his bag of tricks.... go Morey the Wizard!

 

His projected numbers don't amount to too much. He can shoot and occasional post up,but he can't rebound. He can't stay on the court as you have correctly pointed,so what's the use of these projected numbers?

 

Is the rumor not true or just haven't been confirmed yet. In any case, the guy sounds like a good pickup, just not for the #14 pick. I have a feeling that we are going to move up to get the #6 with Randolph. That, IMO, would be the best move that i have seen so far. The second would be a move to get J. Johnson and the #24.