Mirotic vs. Bjelica

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Nikola Mirotic is an interesting benchmark for Nemanja Bjelica. Most of you know he played an important role off the bench for Chicago, mostly at PF, averaging 20 minutes per game on a pretty damn good Chicago Bulls squad. Although he fizzled out a bit in the playoffs, he put together an impressive rookie season by pretty much any measure you look at: PER of 17.9, WS/48 of .165, and an On/Off net rating of +3.8.

All indications are pointing toward a similar role for Bjelica with Minnesota at a similar contract. I thought it would be interesting to compare Mirotic's Euroleague numbers in '13-14 with Bjelica from this past season, just to get a feel for how they compare against the same level of competition.

All numbers are Pace Adjusted Per 40 minutes.
Category - Mirotic vs. Bjelica
Points - 20.3 vs. 17.5
TS% - 65% vs. 58%
Rebounds - 7.5 vs. 12.3
Assists - 2.0 vs. 2.8
Steals - 1.8 vs. 1.9
Blocks - 1.3 vs. 1.0
TOs - 1.7 vs. 2.2
PER - 24.3 vs. 22.8

Overall, they are pretty similar players in terms of production. Mirotic is definitely the better scorer, whereas Bjelica is the better rebounder and passer.

As prospects, Mirotic gets the additional edge of being 3 years younger than Bjelica, who is probably a fully formed player by now. Once he gets through the adjustment period in the NBA, what we see is what we'll get in all likelihood, whereas Mirotic may still be able to improve a bit.

I don't think we should expect the same sort of offensive pop from Bjelica as the Bulls got from Mirotic. But assuming he's spending significant minutes out there with the likes of 'Bazz and LaVine, I'm not sure we need him to be anything more than a 3rd option offensively off the bench. What I do like is all the other stuff he brings to the table.

[Coolbreeze44]

I never expected us to be in this position with Bjelica. I thought for sure he would be dealt before ever playing a game for us. I still think he is a much better value for a contending team, but at this point i'm really looking forward to having him on the team.

He's not going to be great at any one aspect, but I think he is going to be good at a lot of things. One of those things is contributing to victories. I think his presence makes us a better team right off the bat. I'm willing to bet he is going to get rotational minutes from day 1, and those minutes are going to be of high quality.

So my main point is this: he is going to make the trip to contender status shorter. So maybe this IS the best place for him after all. I'm excited about him.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I think it's nice to be bringing a 27 year old vet off the bench even if he's a rookie. The second unit right now is just stacked with young guys (Jones/Lavine/Bazz/Dieng) so NB and maybe Pek will be good vets to have with that unit.

[Monster]

Nice comp Q thanks for posting

I liked your post also Cool I am a little surprised we are getting him too. Sometimes we want every guy be a star or an all-star but that's not the case. Bjelica seems like a guy with all around skills and seem like he is just a guy that knows how to play. He is 27 but his contract may seem cheap when it's all said and done. He looks like a legit 6'10" guy with his skills which is a pretty good package. I'm happy he is gonna be here I just want to hear that contract is a done deal.

One other thing Bjelica has always wanted to be in the NBA the Wolves have either said he wasn't ready or didn't have a spot for him. It wasn't him not wanting to come here from everything I have understood from his situation.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

The thing I really don't have a clue on is his defense. He definitely has PF size, as he's filled out a lot since we first drafted him all those years ago and he's a legit 6"9 or 6"10. I'm hopeful that playing under some tough European coaches and competing on a really good squad (reached the Euroleague Final Four) this past season will have engrained some good defensive habits.

[Monster]

The thing I really don't have a clue on is his defense. He definitely has PF size, as he's filled out a lot since we first drafted him all those years ago and he's a legit 6"9 or 6"10. I'm hopeful that playing under some tough European coaches and competing on a really good squad (reached the Euroleague Final Four) this past season will have engrained some good defensive habits.

It's a real shame those highlight reels don't include a couple minutes of basic post defense right?

[Volans19]

Really good write up Q, thanks

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Great write-up Q. I think what we're all overlooking here is that Mirotic is clearly superior in one key advanced statistic--BPSI--beard per square inch.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

The thing I really don't have a clue on is his defense. He definitely has PF size, as he's filled out a lot since we first drafted him all those years ago and he's a legit 6"9 or 6"10. I'm hopeful that playing under some tough European coaches and competing on a really good squad (reached the Euroleague Final Four) this past season will have engrained some good defensive habits.

It's a real shame those highlight reels don't include a couple minutes of basic post defense right?

Ha, right. I'd love for the DX guys to give him the full treatment (their last write--up on him was from 2010, when he was still clearly filling out and finding his way).

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Great write-up Q. I think what we're all overlooking here is that Mirotic is clearly superior in one key advanced statistic--BPSI--beard per square inch.

I absolutely disdain the beard look. And I'm not talking about a standard beard, but the dumb James Harden/Mirotic/Brian Wilson version. It looks absolutely silly. I feel the same way about soccer mohawks and hockey mullets. Dumb.

But....to each his own.