The Guys We're NOT Talking About

[bleedspeed]

LST - I think Bjelica will be solid. I expect him to be 2nd best PF on the team. (considering Towns a center)

[60WinTim]

LST - I think Bjelica will be solid. I expect him to be 2nd best PF on the team. (considering Towns a center)

I think most posters here have slotted Bjelica in as our 2nd best PF behind Garnett, with one caveat: what happens if Pek is healthy and able to play?

With Pek in the lineup, we have both Dieng and Towns looking for minutes, with some of those minutes possibly coming at PF. Since neither Towns or Bjelica have played a minute in the NBA, it seems we need an entire preseason, and even some NBA games, to see just who plays which positions and what the PEKing order is...

[Coolbreeze44]

No one noticed the return of one Camden?

[bleedspeed]

I have more hope for Pek being healthy then AB or Payne being productive. It would be a good problem to have if Pek is healthy. This team is just so different when Rubio and Pek are healthy. I hope they both surprise us this year. I look at both Dieng and Bjelica as solid reserves.

[Monster]

LST JJ went to college in the US and is a legit NBA bench player. He isn't a cautionary tale of an overseas player IMO. Dude was undrafted and made himself worthwhile.

Good point bringing up Bjelica Cam. I think a big reason we haven't talked much about Bjelica is there hasn't been as much news about him except that sweet stat line he put up a few weeks ago in a warm up game. Dieng and Bennett have played in 2 different events to talk about in the last few weeks. Bjelica is a guy I think everyone is cautiously and realistically optimistic about. I think he may end up being a guy that becomes a solid contributor more the 2nd half of the season after some introductory period. I won't be surprised though if he contributes much more quickly though. I won't panic if he doesn't show much this year either but my guess is he doesn't struggle that bad.

[bleedspeed]

No one noticed the return of one Camden?

I am still ignoring him.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Skimmed through this thread and didn't see much talk about Nemanja Bjelica, who right now is our best power forward option behind Kevin Garnett even without playing a single NBA minute. It's interesting that there's so much Anthony Bennett discussion, however, when he could be dealt for nothing any day now.

Maybe I'm higher on NB than most here, but I really wouldn't know from how little talk there is about him. I'm not sure there many 6'10 forwards with his skill set and the basketball smartness to actually use those skills in a productive manner. Skills and talent are great, but if you're a bumbling idiot on the court, it doesn't matter. You're just another Anthony Randolph, Michael Beasley, Derrick Williams or forgive me, Anthony Bennett.

I actually see Bjelica getting a good amount of starts this year when Garnett needs a night off. Also, does anyone else see hints of Lamar Odom in his game? The versatility is outstanding. I'm anxious to see what problems a Bjelica/Towns lineup would cause for opponent's later in the season. That can't be fun for any duo of bigs to defend.

I agree that we are probably not talking about Bjelica enough here, but I think I know why...we just don't know how his game is going to translate to the NBA. More than any other fans, Wolves fans have to be wary of players who have been successful in international play, because we know more than just about anyone that international success doesn't necessarily translate to NBA success. Darko, Shved, Barea and now Bennett have all looked dominant at times in international play, but all have been disappointing with the Wolves. You can't blame us for thinking Nemanja might be the next Euro-bust. I look at video of him, and I see a guy who looks like he can contribute in the NBA...versatile offensive skills, solid rebounding and the ability to defend against the PnR. But I need to see him replicate his Euro play in the NBA before I jump on this bandwagon.

On the other hand, we've seen guys like Pekovic and Rubio, both of whom had tremendous success in Europe, come over here and play well for the Wolves.

Like Cam, I see some Lamar Odom and I'll add Hedo Turkoglu in his game. However, he will be a rookie and there will still be that dreaded "adjustment" period. That's why I'm sort of discounting his contribution this season. I think he will need 30 or so games to get his sea legs.

[Monster]

"I think he will need 30 or so games to get his sea legs."

Don't you mean "lake legs" or maybe "land locked legs"?

[TAFKASP]

Regarding Bjelica, its hard to get to excited about a guy until I can pronounce his name and I've just barely learned to spell it.

[bleedspeed]

I also think we are not talking enough about Shabazz. All he needs to do is stay healthy. (story of the Wolves) He has proven himself in burts and behind Wiggins, Towns, and LaVine he has the most upside in my eyes.