monsterpile wrote:Rudez has barely played for Croatia but that roster is pretty good.
Yeah, Croatia looks pretty good, but I also think Rudez probably is not. Croatia was a fashionable pick to win it coming in, but they just lost to Greece. France looks really good to me. Fun tournament to follow, especially with Bjelica breaking out.
LST, You know as well as anyone that you can't throw out average rebound numbers without the context of minutes played. Unlike the NBA, playing time in Europe is dramatically affected by 40-minute games and talent that is less differentiated, therefore even the best players rarely average more than 30 MPG. The other thing to keep in mind with Bjelica is the fact that his body has changed over the years. He was very skinny in his early 20s and now he's a fully filled out man.
Here are his per 36 minute rebound numbers in Euroleague over the past three years:
2012-13 - 7.5
2013-14 - 8.7
2014-15 - 11.1
Thad Young's career average per 36 minutes is 6.5, so that is not a valid comparison, especially since advanced analytics have shown that typically European players that come to the NBA increase their rebound rate (look at Mirotic's per minute rebounding in Europe vs. with the Bulls last year as an example of this phenomena. I think it's probably due to the faster pace of play in the NBA).
While I agree that 2014-15 may have been an anomaly, my guess is that Bjelica probably averges around 8-10 rebounds per 36 minutes this season, which is very solid.
As for over-hyping Bjelica, I agree that cautious optimism is probably the way to look at things. He will undoubtedly struggle at first getting adjusted to the speed of the NBA and his new team mates. My excitement is due to the fact that he seems like a player that knows how to play the game intelligently and with very few weaknesses. In other words, he won't hurt you with boneheaded plays, dumb shots, and mental errors. Add to that the fact he can put the ball on the floor and make plays as a 4 and it gives us a different look to throw at teams. But he's a part of the solution, not THE solution.
Q12543 wrote:LST, You know as well as anyone that you can't throw out average rebound numbers without the context of minutes played. Unlike the NBA, playing time in Europe is dramatically affected by 40-minute games and talent that is less differentiated, therefore even the best players rarely average more than 30 MPG. The other thing to keep in mind with Bjelica is the fact that his body has changed over the years. He was very skinny in his early 20s and now he's a fully filled out man.
Here are his per 36 minute rebound numbers in Euroleague over the past three years:
2012-13 - 7.5
2013-14 - 8.7
2014-15 - 11.1
Thad Young's career average per 36 minutes is 6.5, so that is not a valid comparison, especially since advanced analytics have shown that typically European players that come to the NBA increase their rebound rate (look at Mirotic's per minute rebounding in Europe vs. with the Bulls last year as an example of this phenomena. I think it's probably due to the faster pace of play in the NBA).
While I agree that 2014-15 may have been an anomaly, my guess is that Bjelica probably averges around 8-10 rebounds per 36 minutes this season, which is very solid.
Terrific response, q...thx for that. I would be delighted with 8-10 rebounds per 36, especially if he handles the ball like he did against Spain and Russia. I like the argument that he has developed his body, and that is a major reason for his rebounding resurgence last season (and in the Spain game). I'm going to attribute his poor rebounding game against Russia to fatigue. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do in tomorrow morning's game.
Yes, he only had 3 boards against Germany, but Serbia won the overall rebound battle and held Germany to only 6 offensive rebounds, even though Germany shot less than 40% (therefore they had a lot of opportunities to get offensive rebounds). I didn't watch that game, but perhaps he did a really good job sealing his man off and others just happened to carom the rebounds. EIther way, his individual rebounding didn't hurt overall team rebounding.
Q12543 wrote:As for over-hyping Bjelica, I agree that cautious optimism is probably the way to look at things. He will undoubtedly struggle at first getting adjusted to the speed of the NBA and his new team mates. My excitement is due to the fact that he seems like a player that knows how to play the game intelligently and with very few weaknesses. In other words, he won't hurt you with boneheaded plays, dumb shots, and mental errors. Add to that the fact he can put the ball on the floor and make plays as a 4 and it gives us a different look to throw at teams. But he's a part of the solution, not THE solution.
Now you're talking, Q! Competence and basketball IQ are something to be excited about at the PF position. KG and Bejlica getting the majority the PF minutes will be a nice change from last year.
Q12543 wrote:As for over-hyping Bjelica, I agree that cautious optimism is probably the way to look at things. He will undoubtedly struggle at first getting adjusted to the speed of the NBA and his new team mates. My excitement is due to the fact that he seems like a player that knows how to play the game intelligently and with very few weaknesses. In other words, he won't hurt you with boneheaded plays, dumb shots, and mental errors. Add to that the fact he can put the ball on the floor and make plays as a 4 and it gives us a different look to throw at teams. But he's a part of the solution, not THE solution.
Now you're talking, Q! Competence and basketball IQ are something to be excited about at the PF position. KG and Bejlica getting the majority the PF minutes will be a nice change from last year.
Tim, I really like the potential of Bjelica and Shabazz off the bench. Shabazz is elite at making timely basket cuts, something that fits perfectly with Bjelica's drive and dish game.
Canada with another easy win over Uruguay. Here are Wiggins' updated numbers through 9 games of international play this summer. These are all on a per 36 minute basis:
Other than the turnovers, those are impressive numbers. Then again, he's going up against not very impressive opponents, so it's tough to take too much away from these games. I have now watched his last couple of outings, and honestly, other than looking a bit taller, I don't see anything that has fundamentally changed.
Q12543 wrote:Canada with another easy win over Uruguay. Here are Wiggins' updated numbers through 9 games of international play this summer. These are all on a per 36 minute basis:
Other than the turnovers, those are impressive numbers. Then again, he's going up against not very impressive opponents, so it's tough to take too much away from these games. I have now watched his last couple of outings, and honestly, other than looking a bit taller, I don't see anything that has fundamentally changed.
Q12543 wrote:As for over-hyping Bjelica, I agree that cautious optimism is probably the way to look at things. He will undoubtedly struggle at first getting adjusted to the speed of the NBA and his new team mates. My excitement is due to the fact that he seems like a player that knows how to play the game intelligently and with very few weaknesses. In other words, he won't hurt you with boneheaded plays, dumb shots, and mental errors. Add to that the fact he can put the ball on the floor and make plays as a 4 and it gives us a different look to throw at teams. But he's a part of the solution, not THE solution.
Now you're talking, Q! Competence and basketball IQ are something to be excited about at the PF position. KG and Bejlica getting the majority the PF minutes will be a nice change from last year.
Tim, I really like the potential of Bjelica and Shabazz off the bench. Shabazz is elite at making timely basket cuts, something that fits perfectly with Bjelica's drive and dish game.
Q as much as you like smart high IQ players I don't know why you aren't a little more happy with having Miller on the team considering what he can bring with players that fit with him offensively. Bjelica seems to fit well to he looks to find good spots to be both inside the paint and behind the 3 point line.
