An article in a German Basketball Magazin ("Basket" February/2004) estimates Badiane's chances to make it to the NBA at 70%. (I have no idea what this estimation is based on.) In the same article Badiane is quoted: "Coach Jeff Van Gundy wants players who are able to control the boards, which is exactly what I can do." He added later that he's "no scorer", which we know anyway. Badiane's coach (Gordon Herbert) said that Badiane has "a great attitude" and that he's "getting better every day". Just FYI.
Here are Badiane's stats right now... http://statistik.basketball-bundesl...hp?team=426&pos=C&spieler_id=2135&saison=2003 if he gets minutes, he's a monster on the boards...
Didn't Boki and some other high draftees also have minimal stats from the Euro leagues? The word was playing time was more political than skill based. o3gs, what's your relationship with Malick? (just curious) Tell him most of us Rocket fans have high hopes for his development . (Send him some Dennis Rodman highlights)
If this guy can shoot i wouldnt mind him being on the team. But if he cant, we dont need another one dimensional person (ex: Cato is just D, Mo is just O)
Seniority based. Boki played ahead of Tskitishivili of Denver. Darko Milic didn't play that much either for his team. Drafting 18 year old Euros with little game experience is a fad that may soon disappear.
So I ask - would you mind having a Ben Wallace or Bo Outlaw or Eric Dampier, Dikembe, 'Junk yard dog' etc Heck even Ervin Johnson still has a team in the NBA. Even Ham (known only for his hussle and slam dunks) played in the NBA for a good while. The BadMan has the attitude to succeed in the 'Association'. He can rebound which is one skill you can hardly teach.
With his wingspan and hustle he could be a ben wallace type. Sitting on the bench in Orlando, being thrown in on a trade and now everyone wants him. A person that doesn't care about scoring but rebounds and blocks the hell out of shots.
Malick is a good friend of mine....how? Somethings I must keep a mystery....sorry Malick is a good kid, with a great attitude, from a really down-to-earth family. He is really excited about the possible opportunity of playing for the Rockets, and can not wait to return to the States once his season is over. I plan to speak with him tomorrow, and will send along your well wishes.
Please send my special greetings to him. Tell him I was wishing we (Super Eagles) were would have an opportunity to deal the Teranga Lions a dose of revenge in the Semis but they chickened out to Tunisia in the quater finals. Maybe we will settle the score later. Also o3gs, if you know El Hadji, tell him to stop diving.
