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http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=3460365&type=blogEntry

"My numbers from 2008 suggest he could start for most NBA teams tomorrow -- 18.3 points and 12.0 boards per 40 minutes, with 51.4 percent shooting and a 17.09 PER. I take this with a bit of a grain of salt, because his numbers from 2007 were terrible, but only a bit -- if it weren't for contracts I'd have him rated third on my board. Yes, third.

Unfortunately, you won't be hearing his name until much later. Pekovic signed a big-money deal with Panathinaikos in Athens -- reportedly for 4.5 million euros, which at the current exchange rate is about 300 billion dollars -- making it all but impossible for an NBA team to sign him under the rookie salary scale. As a result, he seems pegged for the early part of the second round. Nonetheless, if I'm the Timberwolves I take this guy at No. 31 before Adam Silver gets to the podium."

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/arti.asp?newsid=28748

"Pekovic shine as Panathinaikos cruise past Zalgiris"

"Nikola Pekovic, the former Montenegro center who joined from Partizan Belgrade in the summer, played more than 14 minutes and had 14 points on four of seven shooting from the floor. He was a perfect six of six at the line."

He is great talent. And has alot of potential at the NBA level IM SO PUMPED!

I am excited about him too. Many people had him as a mid-late lotto pick. if he can stay healthy for the next year or so he could make a nice transition to the pro game. He has a mean streak that is uncommon for most euros.

Pekovic signed a big-money deal with Panathinaikos in Athens -- reportedly for 4.5 million euros, which at the current exchange rate is about 300 billion dollars -- making it all but impossible for an NBA team to sign him under the rookie salary scale.


This made me laugh out loud but I finally went and checked. With the European markets getting hit by the worldwide bailouts, 4.5 million euros is about $5.8 million dollars.

Im excited for this player! And i have no problem with a mean streak >:) plus he has alot of potential to be a 15ppg 10 rebound player. Hopefully he comes over soon.

revprodeji wrote:He has a mean streak that is uncommon for most Timberwolves.

Fixed.

The US dollar is actually strengthening through this global economic meltdown. So basically pray for the markets and housing to go completely to **** and we could probably sign him for minimum wage and a pack of bubble gum.

This should be stickied. I think that the Wolves have this guy pegged as a major part of our core.

Great to hear. Big Al will hopefully have some big help on the way.

Hey, cpfsf I'm a little disappointed. Where are the spyglass smileys at? This topic doesn't seem like an official cpfsf investigatory post.

I see Pekovic as a trading chip. His strength is his offense in the low block. We actually need someone more like Thabeet or Dalembert, to help offset Big Al's shortcomings on defense.

Calinks3 wrote:Great to hear. Big Al will hopefully have some big help on the way.

Hey, cpfsf I'm a little disappointed. Where are the spyglass smileys at? This topic doesn't seem like an official cpfsf investigatory post.

Sorry to disappoint

I haven't this site in a long time and forgot, but I am stopping the Mark Madsen facts (I have a bad habit of saying Chuck Norris instead for some reason)

IcemanMN wrote:I see Pekovic as a trading chip. His strength is his offense in the low block. We actually need someone more like Thabeet or Dalembert, to help offset Big Al's shortcomings on defense.

We need a center, and he's a good center. Yes, I realize that he's an offensive center and is good on the low block, but we CAN'T trade a good center for any other position and no one is going to give up a top flight defensive center for him. Plus I still have doubts about Thabeet. He's still got time to prove himself and that's an entirely different discussion, though.

Pekovic will be a good player, but he can be in the rotation--we do not need to move him.

Panathinaikos lost to Barcelona last night in the Euroleague, score 66-90.

14 PEKOVIC, NIKOLA 18:19 15points, 4/10 2FG, 7/8 FT, 2 reb, 2TO, 1 blk, 5PF (fouled out)

I was waiting for you to give an update here.

Regardless of the "type" of center Pekovic is, he is a skilled center and that is always a positive. Imagine having a skilled offensive center as your first big off the bench. Teams think they get a rest and *boom* once Al sits Pekovic comes out. Thing of beauty.

I agree with rev here. We would have our big man rotation filled out. Between the PF & C positions that is 32min apiece for Jefferson, Love, and Pekovic. Start Jefferson and Love at C & PF and sub in Pekovic at C and move Jefferson to PF. We would have a very young and very solid three man rotation.

That should be a good 3 man rotation, but if Pekovic is close to as advertised I probably start him at C with Al at PF then move Al to C when Love comes off the bench. Either way it should be a good problem to have.

Even if he is as good as advertised, Love should still start.

revprodeji wrote:I was waiting for you to give an update here.

I was watching that game by accident and then I saw this thread here

I'd love to see Pekovic with Jefferson and Love but I have this feeling it won't happen too often. Maybe he's "scared" of the competition and chooses to play in Europe or maybe the Wolves don't want another big and will try to address other needs .. I don't know but I have this feeling it's not gonna happen.

If Pekovic comes to Minnesota, do you all think he should start and what position would he play (when Love or Jefferson are on the court).