FIBA Tournament Play

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I figured we should just consolidate everything here. Wiggins, AB, and Bjelica all are "persons of interest".

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Bjelica's Serbia team beat Spain 80-70 in the first round of Eurobasket. Keep in mind that Spain sports current and former NBA players Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic (gee, that doesn't sound too Spanish!), Rudy Fernandez, and Sergio Rodriguez.

Guess who was the best player on the floor? Bjelica baby! 24 pts, 10 rebs, 4 assts, and a +/- of +20.

I didn't watch it, but if you look at the play by play ticker and box score, he was clearly the best player in this particular game. Can't wait to see highlights.

[Coolbreeze44]

Jon Krawczynski retweeted


canishoopus ?@canishoopus · 41m41 minutes ago ? Minneapolis, MN
Bjelica w/16 and 9 through 3Qs vs. Spain; Serbia up 10. Really impressive. Playing lots of point forward.

Darren Wolfson ?@DWolfsonKSTP · 16m16 minutes ago
Text from NBA scout at Serbia-Spain: "(Bjelica) flat-out stud. Better than Mirotic. Knows how to play. Has a feel one can't teach." #twolves

Timberwolves PR ?@Twolves_PR · 15m15 minutes ago
Nmanja Bjelica just put up 24 pts, 10 rebs and 4 asts as Serbia defeated Spain 80-70 in EuroBasket play. #Twolves

HoopsHype ?@hoopshype · 16m16 minutes ago
Serbia has beaten Spain 80-70 at the Eurobasket. Wolves' Nemanja Bjelica looked mighty fine with 24 points.


Timberwolves PR retweeted


canishoopus ?@canishoopus · 18m18 minutes ago ? Cedar Rapids, IA
Bjelica finishes with 24 and 10 (4a, 4to) in 33 minutes in Serbia's win. Two monster 3s in the 4th quarter, 8-16 from floor overall.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

I'm really glad to hear that Bjelica is killing it. Dieng, Towns, Bjelica, Wiggins, Ricky could be a nice lineup for the future.

[Coolbreeze44]

He's going to really help fellas

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Thanks for the info, q...really terrific news for Wolves fans in two ways:

1) It looks like Nemanja can really play.

2) The Spanish team is lost without Rubio, even with all those other NBA players on their roster!

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

Thanks for the info, q...really terrific news for Wolves fans in two ways:

1) It looks like Nemanja can really play.

2) The Spanish team is lost without Rubio, even with all those other NBA players on their roster!

Rubio has never been good for Spain because he can't shoot. Marc is the bigger missing piece at this point. Also, it's great to hear Bjelica play well. It's looking like there's gonna be some good competition for the PF spot after KG.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

Thanks for the info, q...really terrific news for Wolves fans in two ways:

1) It looks like Nemanja can really play.

2) The Spanish team is lost without Rubio, even with all those other NBA players on their roster!

Rubio has never been good for Spain because he can't shoot. Marc is the bigger missing piece at this point. Also, it's great to hear Bjelica play well. It's looking like there's gonna be some good competition for the PF spot after KG.

Shooting is so overrated. Ricky just does everything else at a high level that he's very valuable. If he ever becomes a good shooter, he's in the Hall of Fame.

[mjs34]

I think Ricky has been a significant player for Spain, and combined with losing Marc Gasol, they aren't anywhere near the team we have watched in the past. Still great to see Belly putting up those type of stats.

While I value Ricky, his shooting isn't going to improve imo. He simply doesn't seem to have a very good work ethic. I think he loves to play the game similar to a Randy Foye, but he doesn't seem to have the discipline of guys like Kobe, KG, Love, etc.

Ricky really hasn't improved in any area of his game since coming to the NBA. We can blame it on injuries, but the truth is that he could have been working on his release and shooting form from a wheel chair. Love has suffered from the same injury curse, but somehow has managed to add to his game each off season. Ricky is too busy running around with his buddies, and posting to his facebook page.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

Thanks for the info, q...really terrific news for Wolves fans in two ways:

1) It looks like Nemanja can really play.

2) The Spanish team is lost without Rubio, even with all those other NBA players on their roster!

Rubio has never been good for Spain because he can't shoot. Marc is the bigger missing piece at this point. Also, it's great to hear Bjelica play well. It's looking like there's gonna be some good competition for the PF spot after KG.

Shooting is so overrated. Ricky just does everything else at a high level that he's very valuable. If he ever becomes a good shooter, he's in the Hall of Fame.

Shooting may be overrated, but it's the main reason Spain has always prefered Rodriguez over Rubio. Spacing is even worse in international play and Pau and Marc need all the room they can get to operate and Rubio just doesn't provide that. With spacing becoming more valued by the year, Ricky has to improve his shot or he's gonna be the next Rondo and not have much of a place in the league. Rondo just blew up one of the best offenses in the league. If Ricky doesn't figure it out at least to a respectable level, we are going to have to move on from him eventually to take the next step. Unless Lavine, Wiggins and Towns become the next Allen, Pierce, and KG, I just don't think we're going to be able to be a great team with our primary ball handler not being any kind if threat to score.