Nemanja Bjelica

jpatrick · Post #721 » by **jpatrick** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 2:44 am

From the couple games I've seen, I don't think AK is quite the right comparison. Unlike AK, Bjelica isn't a great athlete and I think will struggle defensively. Offensively he is like a point forward type of PF, who can handle, shoot, and pass. He is also a good rebounder.

I Really think defense is going to be his biggest issue, and I question whether he'll beat NBA PFs off the dribble like he does in Europe.

Swish4 · Post #722 » by **Swish4** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 2:59 am

Yeah, probably a power forward version of Tony Kukoc.

LaViggins · Post #723 » by **LaViggins** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:12 am

Flip threw out a Detlef Schrempf comparison. Dont mind that contract one bit if its true.

Post #724 » by **Worm Guts** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:17 am

Lamar Odom might be a more recent comparison.

Murphs56 · Post #725 » by **Murphs56** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:18 am

Just wonder what minutes this guy is going to get. Flip was a big Payne guy. Has that changed? When it comes to the 4 and 5, I expect the biggest minutes to go to Towns, KG and Dieng. The rest of it I guess goes to the better of Payne or Bjelica

shangrila · Post #726 » by **shangrila** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:20 am

I don't know how big of a Payne guy Flip was. He did get a lot of minutes, sure, but the cupboard was bare at the end of the season so there really wasn't much of a choice either way.

andyhop · Post #727 » by **andyhop** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:29 am

theGreatRC wrote:
Worm Guts wrote:Might be a boring rest of the offseason. There's not much left to do.

Curious to see what KG gets.

Wonder if AB, Payne, Bud get moved or we just keep em

I'd imagine they try and move Bud and Bennett if Flip can do it without paying to do it and Payne stays.

Post #728 » by **Worm Guts** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:30 am

shangrila wrote:I don't know how big of a Payne guy Flip was. He did get a lot of minutes, sure, but the cupboard was bare at the end of the season so there really wasn't much of a choice either way.

He gave up a first round pick for him.

If Gorgui and Towns split the time at C, then Bjelica and Payne can split the 30 minutes at PF behind KG. A lot is going to depend on how well they play.

Swish4 · Post #729 » by **Swish4** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:31 am

Devilzsidewalk · Post #730 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:32 am

I like the Hedo Turkoglu comparison the best. Point forward with reasonable 3 pt range and both firmly in the "weight lifting is a waste of time" camp.

shangrila · Post #731 » by **shangrila** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:36 am

Worm Guts wrote:
shangrila wrote:I don't know how big of a Payne guy Flip was. He did get a lot of minutes, sure, but the cupboard was bare at the end of the season so there really wasn't much of a choice either way.

He gave up a first round pick for him.

Sure. It doesn't mean they're going to work around him when it comes to adding other players though.

If Gorgui and Towns split the time at C, then Bjelica and Payne can split the 30 minutes at PF behind KG. A lot is going to depend on how well they play.

I wouldn't be surprised if KG got minutes at C too, or even if he got many minutes at all. I think they're more interested in what he can contribute off the court than on it next season.

Saltine · Post #732 » by **Saltine** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:44 am

Nemanja is 6'10" and 235, and was one of the best rebounders in Europe, I think he'll do all right. His numbers are better than Pek's were... He seems to have a high BBIQ, and is very mobile, that will help. He is impressive in this video; if you mute it and skip the first 36 seconds 8-)

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxOKAMy8rDM?t=36s[/youtube]

Saltine · Post #733 » by **Saltine** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:49 am

shangrila wrote:
Worm Guts wrote:
shangrila wrote:I don't know how big of a Payne guy Flip was. He did get a lot of minutes, sure, but the cupboard was bare at the end of the season so there really wasn't much of a choice either way.

He gave up a first round pick for him.

Sure. It doesn't mean they're going to work around him when it comes to adding other players though.

If Gorgui and Towns split the time at C, then Bjelica and Payne can split the 30 minutes at PF behind KG. A lot is going to depend on how well they play.

I wouldn't be surprised if KG got minutes at C too, or even if he got many minutes at all. I think they're more interested in what he can contribute off the court than on it next season.

Yep, I think KG is on the 20 minutes every other game plan, no back to backs, etc... maybe 1000 minutes at PF/C

wildvikeswolves · Post #734 » by **wildvikeswolves** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:49 am

He could be our secret weapon that no one else has. Like Draymond Green in a different way

Merc_Porto · Post #735 » by **Merc_Porto** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:57 am

Devilzsidewalk wrote:I like the Hedo Turkoglu comparison

I like the Ilyasova comparison.

But, more mobile, better handle, longer than Ilyasova.

Devilzsidewalk · Post #736 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 4:22 am

Saltine wrote:
shangrila wrote:
Worm Guts wrote:He gave up a first round pick for him.

Sure. It doesn't mean they're going to work around him when it comes to adding other players though.

If Gorgui and Towns split the time at C, then Bjelica and Payne can split the 30 minutes at PF behind KG. A lot is going to depend on how well they play.

I wouldn't be surprised if KG got minutes at C too, or even if he got many minutes at all. I think they're more interested in what he can contribute off the court than on it next season.

Yep, I think KG is on the 20 minutes every other game plan, no back to backs, etc... maybe 1000 minutes at PF/C

I hope that's not the case. Might as well sign Royce White to play only home games too. Maybe White, KG and Bjelica adds up to a good PF.

Swish4 · Post #737 » by **Swish4** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:33 pm

I think he's better than Mirotic right now. He's a tougher, plays better defense and has a much better handle. Of course he's older and more experienced.

Wolves21 · Post #738 » by **Wolves21** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:46 pm

I haven't seen much of his game but right now I would say he would get the bulk of the minutes at back PF.Having Towns and KG start at the 4 and 5 and having Bjelica and a healthy Pek coming in as their back ups.I agree with KG not playing back to backs and then giving those minutes to Dieng and Payne.Plus we all know with Peks track record he'll be hurt again so Dieng and Payne should still see a good amount of minutes.

Rubio/Jones
LaVine/Martin
Wiggins/Muhammad
KG/Bjelica/Payne
Towns/Pek/Dieng

Martin more then likely will start over LaVine but I like having a vet start(KG) and a vet coming off the bench(Martin) that can also be a go to scorer.I really feel where going to have one of the best benches in the league and one that can really score unlike a few years ago.

Peezo · Post #739 » by **Peezo** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:59 pm

I still prefer Martin in the starting lineup. So often he gets the offense going. Allowing for Lavine to play against backups is probably best as he is still becoming an NBA player.

I'm really excited about our bench too. The big question is who shows further development? If Shabazz plays like he did last year and Payne/Gorgui/Lavine show any improvement we could push for the 8.

Bjelica could be crucial as the first or second big off the bench. I hope he is ready for an NBA workload because he might get called on to start when KG sits. That makes me more comfortable than rushing in Payne or Bennett if he is still around.

Nitroglycerin · Post #740 » by **Nitroglycerin** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 4:02 pm

He's definitely our PF backup. I dont think he will accept to play here to be a 3rd stringer