The Rocco Zikarsky Thread

[Sealab2024]

I used to love watching Aussie Rules Football which was quite similar to Rugby. ESPN would show it late night.

I miss that ESPN so much bro.

They were more fun, but now we have ESPN 8 The Ocho.

If it's almost a sport, We've got it here.

[KGdaBom]

I miss that ESPN so much bro.

They were more fun, but now we have ESPN 8 The Ocho.

If it's almost a sport, We've got it here.

Did ESPN skip from 2 straight to 8 or is there a 3 or 4? I know about ESPN News, ESPN U.

[KGdaBom]

I miss that ESPN so much bro.

They were more fun, but now we have ESPN 8 The Ocho.

If it's almost a sport, We've got it here.

I'm wondering about any business repercussions. Did the producers of Dodge Ball have to get cleared by ESPN to do ESPN 8? Did ESPN have to get cleared by the producers of Dodge Ball to do ESPN 8?

[Sealab2024]

They were more fun, but now we have ESPN 8 The Ocho.

If it's almost a sport, We've got it here.

Did ESPN skip from 2 straight to 8 or is there a 3 or 4? I know about ESPN News, ESPN U.

ESPN classic, ESPN deportes. We're probably at 8 by now

[KGdaBom]

If it's almost a sport, We've got it here.

Did ESPN skip from 2 straight to 8 or is there a 3 or 4? I know about ESPN News, ESPN U.

ESPN classic, ESPN deportes. We're probably at 8 by now

Yes, but officially there is no 3 or 4 etc...

[Basti]

Being Australian I watched a fair bit of Rocco this season.

He's incredibly raw and likely won't see an NBA court for 1-2 seasons, but there's a lot of upside there. Great size/length and has really good touch for a 7'3 guy, showing some potential to stretch the floor and have an offensive game that goes beyond finishing lobs.

He was mocked by some as a lottery pick at the start of the season but got very little time at the Bullets. This wasn't a popular move and the (now fired) coach was heavily critisiced for it at times by fans and the media.

Also, love the picture Wolf Addict, up the Riff!

Yeah me too - He was picked up by BB Next Star for development but, in my opinion, they butchered it.

But love the way Baynes was so hard on him. Good exposure to what he'd get in the NBA.

UP THE RIFF!! FIVE IS ALIVE BABY!!!

EDIT: For those who aren't Rugby League fans, I support the Penrith Panthers who are fighting for their 5th straight premiership - Riff is a shortened version of "Penriff" (a play on the fact a lot of supporter base comes from Western Sydney which is notorious as bogan central and don't pronounce the TH)

I'm still not over the 2023 Grand Final loss against you. Bloody Nathan Clearly. We were sooooooo close.

And I was surprised to see you guys have secretly climbed up the ladder after that horrendous start of yours. Something tells me the Panthers and Broncos will meet in the finals again and I'm not ready for this.

[WolfAddict]

Being Australian I watched a fair bit of Rocco this season.

He's incredibly raw and likely won't see an NBA court for 1-2 seasons, but there's a lot of upside there. Great size/length and has really good touch for a 7'3 guy, showing some potential to stretch the floor and have an offensive game that goes beyond finishing lobs.

He was mocked by some as a lottery pick at the start of the season but got very little time at the Bullets. This wasn't a popular move and the (now fired) coach was heavily critisiced for it at times by fans and the media.

Also, love the picture Wolf Addict, up the Riff!

Yeah me too - He was picked up by BB Next Star for development but, in my opinion, they butchered it.

But love the way Baynes was so hard on him. Good exposure to what he'd get in the NBA.

UP THE RIFF!! FIVE IS ALIVE BABY!!!

EDIT: For those who aren't Rugby League fans, I support the Penrith Panthers who are fighting for their 5th straight premiership - Riff is a shortened version of "Penriff" (a play on the fact a lot of supporter base comes from Western Sydney which is notorious as bogan central and don't pronounce the TH)

I'm still not over the 2023 Grand Final loss against you. Bloody Nathan Clearly. We were sooooooo close.

And I was surprised to see you guys have secretly climbed up the ladder after that horrendous start of yours. Something tells me the Panthers and Broncos will meet in the finals again and I'm not ready for this.

Ha ha ha sorry not sorry brother!

That GF is the only one I was sure we were going to lose to be honest bro. After that 3rd try, I was fuming to the Mrs but got happier and happier watching Nath just work his magic.

Was not expecting to be there at the beginning of the season, but if we make the 8, we're a BIG chance

[Klomp]

Watching Rocco's scouting report from last year I noticed that he was often viewed as first round pick. I wonder what happened during his season.

King Malta wrote on this previously. It sounds like it was a situation where the coach simply chose to hardly play the raw 18-year old. I think it became a case of "out of sight, out of mind" for NBA teams and scouts. Either that or they took the Dillingham approach to scouting, which is characterized as "if he didn't play, it must mean he sucks."

[younggunsmn]

Watch on YouTube

An hour and 8 minutes of Rocco.

This channel has a lot of footage of basically every draft pick if you're interested.
https://www.youtube.com/@hardwoodhoopscentral/videos

[wolves_89]

Looking at draft combine measurements an interesting comparison is to Walker Kessler. Rocco has similar measurments (he is somewhat bigger across the board), and I think he has a bit more athleticsm than Kessler. I won't be surprised if in a couple of years Rocco has a comparable contribution profile.

Walker Kessler: height w/o shoes 7'0.25", standing reach 9'5", wingspan 7'4.25", 256 lbs
Rocco Zikarsky: height w/o shoes 7'3", standing reach 9'6.5", wingspan 7'4.75", 257 lbs

Edit: corrected wingspan error

[Norseman79]

If Rocco can turn into Walker Kessler at minimum, that's a major win for pick 46. Essentially a fringe starter at the center position as Gobert transitions to the golden years. We only need to hit on him or Beringer, both would be insane. Especially if Joan is ever able to play the 4.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Looking at draft combine measurements an interesting comparison is to Walker Kessler. Rocco has similar measurments (he is somewhat bigger across the board), and I think he has a bit more athleticsm than Kessler. I won't be surprised if in a couple of years Rocco has a comparable contribution profile.

Walker Kessler: height w/o shoes 7'0.25", standing reach 9'5", wingspan 9'4.25", 256 lbs
Rocco Zikarsky: height w/o shoes 7'3", standing reach 9'6.5", wingspan 9'4.75", 257 lbs

lmao a 9'5" wingspan would go crazy

[wolves_89]

Looking at draft combine measurements an interesting comparison is to Walker Kessler. Rocco has similar measurments (he is somewhat bigger across the board), and I think he has a bit more athleticsm than Kessler. I won't be surprised if in a couple of years Rocco has a comparable contribution profile.

Walker Kessler: height w/o shoes 7'0.25", standing reach 9'5", wingspan 9'4.25", 256 lbs
Rocco Zikarsky: height w/o shoes 7'3", standing reach 9'6.5", wingspan 9'4.75", 257 lbs

lmao a 9'5" wingspan would go crazy

That would likely result in a standing reach well over 10ft. Unfortunately, it's an error on my part not reality.

[Klomp]

Read on Twitter

[Klomp]

Read on Twitter

[Klomp]

Have we been missing an obvious comparison to Kristaps Porzingis?

BTW I saw a "Big Z" nickname thrown out, and I like it as a throwback nod to Zydrunas Ilgauskas!

[theGreatRC]

I feel like Wolves social media is promoting this guy more than our 17th pick

[minimus]

I feel like Wolves social media is promoting this guy more than our 17th pick

Mainly because Rocco speaks australian while Joan speaks french

[minimus]

Looking at draft combine measurements an interesting comparison is to Walker Kessler. Rocco has similar measurments (he is somewhat bigger across the board), and I think he has a bit more athleticsm than Kessler. I won't be surprised if in a couple of years Rocco has a comparable contribution profile.

Walker Kessler: height w/o shoes 7'0.25", standing reach 9'5", wingspan 7'4.25", 256 lbs
Rocco Zikarsky: height w/o shoes 7'3", standing reach 9'6.5", wingspan 7'4.75", 257 lbs

Edit: corrected wingspan error

I wonder how it is to practice with team that have four seven footer.

[minimus]

Drafting Zikarsky at 45 and developing him into NBA center will be such a Connelly move. I just hope he wont trade him as he did with Gobert and Kessler. It will be a Connelly move as well, lol