Overseas Scouting Report: Nikola Pekovic

[Saltine]

Very interesting look at Pekovic over here;
http://nbaplaybook.com/2010/07/26/overs ... a-pekovic/

Lot's of video clips.

Conclusion

In my opinion, I think Nikola Pekovic is going to have a very strong rookie season. To me, his weaknesses seem to be correctable, (staying more focused on defense, roll the correct when when setting screen, and holding box outs longer) and watching him work so hard during games, I don’t think working hard to correct his flaws will be a problem.

I also like Pekovic’s versatility and it should (and I say should because who knows what is going on with the Timberwolves right now) get enough minutes to be an impact. He is mobile enough to play the four alongside Darko and he is big and strong enough to play the five with Kevin Love. I personally believe that the Timberwolves would be smart to play him at center alongside Love. Pekovic doesn’t have much of an outside shot beyond the top of the key, and he is much more comfortable in the post whereas Love can work the outside. Also, if you put a strong pass first point guard, he will be that PG’s dream. If Ricky Rubio ever ends up in a Timberwolves’ jersey, this will be a fun combo to watch.

[ansoncarter]

what's his defence like?

I like everything I read about him on here but rarely hear anything about his d

[moss_is_1]

I really hope Pekovic can come over and at least be as good as Scola was. Everything I hear is that he's a better player then Scola. It'd be nice to showcase him and let him play 24 minutes a night at center with Darko. I'm sure Darko can play with him as well.
Wes(30-24 at sf and 6 at sg)
Love(32) Beasley(32-24 at sf and 8 at pf)
Darko(24) Pekovic (32ish-24 at center and 8 at pf)

[Breakdown777]

what's his defence like?

I like everything I read about him on here but rarely hear anything about his d

All I've heard about his D is that he is very physical and strong, meaning he's going to be in foul trouble often. I don't see him doing much in his rookie campaign (maybe 7 and 4), but I hope that Rambis and Kahn are smart enough to realize that it takes some time to translate to the NBA game before they ship him and a 2nd rounder off for cap space.

[Saltine]

I think he's going to work out well here. He does need to work on his defense but his offensive game is very nice already. He is also quite intelligent from what I've read, I would be surprised if it takes him long at all to pick up the Wolves offense. It took Darko 2 days, and Jonny 2 months, I figure Pek gets it in 2 weeks

[Devilzsidewalk]

sooooo is he signed or not, feel like there's been about a dozen "Wolves finsta sign Pekovic in the next couple days!!!" stories in the last month and a half

[Dewey]

Big. Strong. Hard Worker. His defense is not fluid, but he will put in the effort to improve.

[revprodeji]

Seems like a great 3rd big man banger. He will be change of pace and Toby Gerhart the paint.

He seems to have good positioning, good hands and finishes strong. Let him go full speed and get tired and fouls. Then throw love back in and let him do the same. Hustle big guys!!!

I still have no official word he has been signed and that worries me.

[Esohny]

http://www.canishoopus.com/2010/7/27/15 ... ekovic-and


This poster on Canis Hoopus claims that he went to one of the Wolves fan breakfasts and Chris Wright said that

1) The team hasn't conclusively determined Flynn will need surgery for his hip pointer yet. Team doctors want to spend a week exploring if physical therapy can straighten Flynn out without needing to go under the knife.

2) The delay with Pekovic's signing is due to FIBA regulations over his current contract, and what compensations his Greek team will receive for releasing him. Wright said the team fully expects Pekovic to sign by the time training camp starts.

He also called Pek "one of the strongest human being you'd ever want to meet", and added that Rambis doesn't think many NBA players can match him in terms of brute force.

3) The team is planning to have Bjelica here this season, with the intent of him starting off in the DLeague, then perhaps calling him up later in the season depending on his development. His upper body strength is a concern, so it sounds like this is as much about his workouts as it is his play

[revprodeji]

The Belly comment is a shock.

[touchedbyPek]

Thanks for posting this. Its a good read. But yeah I saw that Bjelica info too and while it would be sweet to get a look at him this season, it may be better for him to continue to develop overseas for another year, where he is comfortable and will likely receive more playing time than over here. And in the D-League, he wont face top competition either... Hopefully he is working on getting stronger tho. He does seem like he'd like to be here soon tho and thats cool.

[Saltine]

I thought Belly planned on playing in Greece for a couple seasons then coming over...

http://www.examiner.com/x-52130-NBA-Dra ... Olympiakos

During the 2010 NBA Draft, the Timberwolves and Wizards brokered a deal that sent the 23rd selection, Trevor Booker, and the 56th overall selection, Hamady N'Diaye, to Washington, with Minnesota receiving the 30th overall selection, Lazar Hayward and the 35th pick, which was used on Serbian forward, Nemanja Bjelica.

Despite his 6-foot-10, 235-pound frame, Bjelica's game is more characteristic of a wing player than his size would indicate. He exhibits a unique skill set on the basketball court that led DraftExpress to describe him as, “essentially a point guard trapped in a power forward’s body.”

The selection of Bjelica was done with the idea that he would remain overseas to continue and develop his game in international competition, but what club the young forward would be playing for next season had yet to be determined.

That answer could be soon forthcoming as The Hoops Market has indicated that Bjelica, who last played for Red Star Belgrade in the Serbia-Superleague and who recently signed a three-year contract with Benetton Treviso, is close to being dealt to Olympiakos of the Greek League.

Bjelica, who signed his deal with Benetton on the day of the draft, will likely be part of the new-look Olympiakos squad next season.

The Greek League club has undergone an extensive makeover in recent months with stars Josh Childress and Linas Kleiza both returning to the NBA and burly center, Sofoklis Schortsanitis, getting close to a deal with rival club Panathinaikos.

With Olympiakos, Bjelica will have the opportunity to develop on one of the most prominent Greek League clubs with the possibility of extended competition in the Euroleague play.

[Esohny]

I thought Belly was overseas for at least a year as well.

[slinky]

He also called Pek "one of the strongest human being you'd ever want to meet", and added that Rambis doesn't think many NBA players can match him in terms of brute force.

This is especially interesting if he like other Euros hasn't hit a weight room regularly. Pekovic could just be 'farm boy' strong right now... Imagine Pek after a season of lifting at least 3 days a week.

[Saltine]

Pek Signed
http://www.sportando.net/eng/usa/nba/11 ... olves.html

Nikola Pekovic has signed a three year deal with Minnesota Timberwolves. The center from Montenegro spent the last two years in Greece with Panathinaikos averaging 14.3ppg and 3.8rpg in the Euroleague 2009/10 and 12.2ppg and 3.7rpg in Greek league.


Pekovic has been drafted by Wolves in 2008, as the first pick in the second round (31). His contract of 12.960.000 USD and guaranteed bonuses of 550.000 USD, with total value of 13.510.000 USD is the biggest first NBA contract for any European player, drafted in the second year, in the history of NBA. Comparing with the first round picks, coming out of USA, Pekovic s contract is the second largest in history, and only Bargnani managed to get slightly bigger contract. Italian player was drafted number 1 and total value of his 3 years contract was 14.511.520 USD, comparing with Pekovic s 14.010.000 USD (the team had to pay 500.000 USD transfer-buy out fee), what makes the difference of 3,5 percents. Pekovic will join Wolves after the end of qualification for European championship with national team of Montenegro, and travel to USA, around 18th of September

[Saltine]

Also over here;
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/07/27/buyo ... berwolves/

The Serbian set is about to be unveiled in Minnesota.

Sources said the buyout from a Greek team was hammered out Tuesday on big man Nikola Pekovic, paving the way for him to join the Timberwolves on a three-year, $13 million contract. Pekovic had been drafted with Minnesota with the first pick of the second round in 2008 (No. 31 overall).

Pekovic will join 7-foot Serbian center Darko Milicic on the Timberwolves. Both had formerly had been together in the Serbia and Montenegro national program, although the nations since have split apart, with Pekovic being a Serb from Montenegro.

The 6-11 Pekovic likely would have been drafted much higher in 2008, but his contract situation with the Greek team Panathinaikos caused him to drop



Milicic signed a contract with Minnesota earlier this summer that could be worth as much as $20 million over four years. Sources, though, said the fourth year is partially guaranteed, leaving his total guaranteed amount for the deal at $16 million.

The Timberwolves paid the league-allowed $500,000 of Pekovic's buyout. The total amount of the buyout was not immediately available but Pekovic, who averaged 13.0 points while helping Panathinakios to the 2008-09 Euroleague title, was said to have handled the rest of the amount.

[eyeteeth]

This is fxckn sweet. Especially with Rambis saying he wants guys to be more nasty..! Once this thing gets going it's gonna freak some people out. Those guys are gonna bruise some people. Can you just wait to see them playing next to each other???

I can't wait for this:
Flynn
Webster
Beasley
Pek
Darko

Fast, nasty and BIG.

[MinnFanMan]

I thought Belly was overseas for at least a year as well.

I think Bjelica cleared the air about where he will be next year :
"Očekujem da se pitanje mog budućeg kluba reši za dva dana. Do kraja nedelje sasvim sigurno", rekao je Bjelica, bez spominjanja konkretne destinacije.

[MinnFanMan]

I thought Belly was overseas for at least a year as well.

I think Bjelica cleared the air about where he will be next year :
"Očekujem da se pitanje mog budućeg kluba reši za dva dana. Do kraja nedelje sasvim sigurno", rekao je Bjelica, bez spominjanja konkretne destinacije.

Oopps, I guess that should be :
Nemanja Bjelica will decide his future within two or three days. The player has a pre-agreement with Benetton Treviso but is targeted by Olympiacos and Caja Laboral with Spanish champs as frontrunner to sign him.
"I hope that in two or three days my future will be clear" said Bjelica. "I can't say where I would like to play, we have to solve some details. I hope everything will be decided soon".

[touchedbyPek]

lol I thought you were making a joke in your first post. But what day was that quote on?