Minnesota Sports Forum

I'm really frustrated here. I haven't had much time to keep up with these tournaments, so I find myself wanting to contribute but I really can't add anything. But you guys are doing a great job detailing what's been happening. Thanks for the reports and insight.

longstrangetrip wrote:

monsterpile wrote:LST you left out the other Wolves big from the Montenegrian team
Bojan Dubljevi? who would likely be a good player for them if they had qualified to play.

Good point. monster...I forgot about him. I just read up on him...didn't realize he had such a good season for Valencia. Not much of a rebounder for a guy his size, but a terrific shooter and scorer. Valencia likes his so much they locked him up though 2018 with no buyout option. Who knows, maybe he'll be the next Bjelica...a guy who develops his body and game in Europe until about age 27-8, and then comes over as a "rookie" to help us out.

If we had a spot for him and he wasn't under contract I think he could help us right now.

I just watched some little clips of him from the last year and his body looks more lean and he looks more the part of a PF than he did in the past. Don't let the low rebounding and 3pt shooting fool you he loves contact and he has good touch around the rim and has post game. He will never be an explosive athlete and may struggle some with athletism and length but he has a lot of game and he looks really good now. Cam have you seen him recently?

Serbia cruised to victory again, beating a good Italy team by about 20 (didn't watch the end after Bjelica came out). Nemanja picked up 2 quick fouls and spent much of the first half on the bench, but was efficiently productive whenever he was on the court. I think he only missed 2 shots on his way to 19 points. He played his point forward position very effectively again, and had several assists and hockey assists. The guy just knows how to play basketball. I'm more and more convinced every day that he is really going to contribute this season...he's not going to be the typical NBA rookie.

BTB ROYs, baby!

Bjelica's line from today's win against a strong Italy squad with NBA'ers Bargnani and Gallinari playing:

23 minutes
19 points
80 FG%
8 rebounds
4 assists
0 turnovers
+/- of +25

I mean, he and Teodosic (who had an even better game) just destroyed Italy. And he barely played more than half the game.

Q12543 wrote:Bjelica's line from today's win against a strong Italy squad with NBA'ers Bargnani and Gallinari playing:

23 minutes
19 points
80 FG%
8 rebounds
4 assists
0 turnovers
+/- of +25

I mean, he and Teodosic (who had an even better game) just destroyed Italy. And he barely played more than half the game.

Here are the highlights for those that missed it. https://www.youtube.com/embed/U6LWS56H-eM

Q12543 wrote:Bjelica's line from today's win against a strong Italy squad with NBA'ers Bargnani and Gallinari playing:

23 minutes
19 points
80 FG%
8 rebounds
4 assists
0 turnovers
+/- of +25

I mean, he and Teodosic (who had an even better game) just destroyed Italy. And he barely played more than half the game.

This is starting to get me really excited. He will be a rookie in the NBA, but he will bring a lot of hard court experience. I just see a very solid player who will make others around him better.

Camden wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Bjelica's line from today's win against a strong Italy squad with NBA'ers Bargnani and Gallinari playing:

23 minutes
19 points
80 FG%
8 rebounds
4 assists
0 turnovers
+/- of +25

I mean, he and Teodosic (who had an even better game) just destroyed Italy. And he barely played more than half the game.

Here are the highlights for those that missed it. https://www.youtube.com/embed/U6LWS56H-eM

Man, that was quick! Someone was actually able to take all of his rebounds, assists, and scores and put it into one compilation and post it within hours after the game. Pretty cool.

Let's count the ways he scored: Catch and shoot 3 pointer; fast break dunk; offensive rebound put back; basket cut to the hoop; as the roll man to the hoop; an "and-one" post up bucket; driving to the hoop off the dribble. He's pretty damn versatile.

How to pronounce Bjelica? b-YEH-leet-sah

TeamRicky wrote:How to pronounce Bjelica? b-YEH-leet-sah

That's not how I pronounce it. Try this instead: S-T-U-D

Love it!!!!

It might be time to start a prediction thread for him.

I think his floor is going to be Nikola Mirotic's stats next season.
http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/6459/nikola-mirotic