Drafting Bismack Biyombo?

[earthmansurfer]

Hey guys, word is there are concerns about his age. We may have a guy who is older than his listed age. This has happened before. If he is only 18... lotto.
[url]
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... e_Concerns[/url]

Bismack Biyombo's triple-double in the Nike Hoop Summit increased his already growing momentum heading into the 2011 NBA Draft.

"He runs the floor, he defends and he's cat-quick,'' said an NBA scout of Biyombo. "His offensive skills need to be developed, but his athleticism screams out.''

"He's Ben Wallace, basically,'' said another NBA executive.

A half-dozen NBA scouts and executives told Sports Illustrated that they had concerns if he was older than his listed age of 18. Biyombo is physically more mature and also exhibited leadership skills to suggest he is older than his age.

He began his professional career in Yemen in 2009, and then moved to the Spanish fourth division in 2009-10. He quickly worked his way up to Spain's ACB, the top national league in Europe, where he is currently averaging 6.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 14 games with the club Fuenlabrada.

"The way I play here, I play everywhere,'' he said following the Hoop Summit. "In the ACB I play with a lot of smart guys, I play with a lot of strong guys, and when I step on the court I just want to kill them.''

His favorite players are Kevin Garnett and Kevin Love.

"Kevin Garnett is intense player -- every time he's not on the floor, his team is missing him,'' said Biyombo. "I want to (play) defense as a team. I want to help everybody on my team and I want to win the game ... That's what I heard from my first coach, that the good offense is defense. If I block a lot of shots then it's good offense. If I get a lot of rebounds, then it's good offense.''

[Manhattan Project]

I don't think it really matters, at the end of the day it did nothing to Yi's stock at all.

[NBA Fan 1234]

So scouts are concerned that his age is wrong because he is stronger than everyone else and because he showed better leadership skills? lol...

[earthmansurfer]

I don't think it really matters, at the end of the day it did nothing to Yi's stock at all.

It may not do nothing to his stock.

But, where is Yi now?

[Manhattan Project]

It may not do nothing to his stock.

But, where is Yi now?

Starting forward just a few games ago for the Wizards sadly. Either way it don't compare, one guy has a game that will translate easily where Yi was more the illusion. He wasn't physical, didn't care to improve and needed the ball to be effective. Not one of those things can be said to Biyombo.

[ManiaX]

I don't think it really matters, at the end of the day it did nothing to Yi's stock at all.

Yeah, his age doesn't really matter. As long as it is nothing absurd like him actually being like 25 years old. Even if he turned out to be 20 or something, he would still be great prospect.

[j4remi]

Let's pray the age disputes stick so he doesn't play himself into the lottery because everyone that sees him seems to absolutely gush. I don't care how old he is, the scouts quotes are making him seem like a no brainer as a fit for our needs.

[DocZaius]

We need girth not length

This team needs a 7 ft beast who can defend the post and get rebounds

[Knicksfan20]

We need girth not length

This team needs a 7 ft beast who can defend the post and get rebounds

How doesn't a player with a 7'7 wingspan not solve our length issues?

edit: unless you edited your posted right before i quoted you, then i must have misread what you said.

[NBA Fan 1234]

We need girth not length

This team needs a 7 ft beast who can defend the post and get rebounds

Ben Wallace is 6'9, is strong as hell, and has a ridiculous wingspan. Tell me, would you take a prime Ben Wallace on our team instead of, let's say, Sammy Dalembert? I sure as hell would.

Just because he's not 6'10 doesn't mean he's not going to be a good defender. He is a rugged defender, blocks shots, goes after ever rebound, and has an insane motor. Not to mention he's only 18...he could still grow. He fits every need...height isn't everything. Biyombo is an animal...

[truth serum]

Being that we seem to be only a few pieces away from reaching legit contender status, I'm gaining a real interest in this draft. We could find something really valuable this year knowing we have 2 stars and only need to target quality role players like Fields. Being able to pick somewhere around 17 is not too shabby either. That said, this guy looks like a great pick for this team but unfortunately, I don't think he'll be there for the Knicks to take based on all the chatter about him. Maybe if Donnie likes him enough, he can make a move to jump a few spots and nab him.

2010....you seem to have some insight. In the Justin Harper thread, you said you've heard the Knicks are focused on getting a big man through trade/FA and will just target the BPA in the draft? How valid is that? Would you guys consider Biyombo a BPA type? Or are there are more talented guys like Harper (especially as far as offense/D'Antoni-ball is concerned) that will have some buzz going into the draft that will be within our reach?

[truth serum]

We need girth not length

This team needs a 7 ft beast who can defend the post and get rebounds

Ben Wallace is 6'9, is strong as hell, and has a ridiculous wingspan. Tell me, would you take a prime Ben Wallace on our team instead of, let's say, Sammy Dalembert? I sure as hell would.

Just because he's not 6'10 doesn't mean he's not going to be a good defender. He is a rugged defender, blocks shots, goes after ever rebound, and has an insane motor. Not to mention he's only 18...he could still grow. He fits every need...height isn't everything. Biyombo is an animal...

Agreed. If this guy has a Ben Wallace type game, that is more than OK by me to play him at center for this team. Ben Wallace obviously got the job done. This kid sounds like he's exactly what we need. Don't get me wrong, especially for the next couple of years...all things considered, a seasoned vet like Tyson Chandler who is also a legit 7 feet would be more ideal....but that's easier said than done and you can't argue against picking up some young fresh talent like this in the draft...talking about a guy who draws comparisons to Ben Wallace when we desperately need defense in the paint.

[moocow007]

Funny thing. I mentioned right after the game that he looked a bit older than 18. Hopefully the concern that hes older will scare some teams away and allow him to drop to us.

[2010]

2010....you seem to have some insight. In the Justin Harper thread, you said you've heard the Knicks are focused on getting a big man through trade/FA and will just target the BPA in the draft? How valid is that? Would you guys consider Biyombo a BPA type? Or are there are more talented guys like Harper (especially as far as offense/D'Antoni-ball is concerned) that will have some buzz going into the draft that will be within our reach?

Very valid. BPA is absolutely the mindset in the scouting department. You have to remember, unless it's a top-5 bigman, most will take years to have an impact. Years we're currently not afforded the luxury of having to develop a raw big (cuz that's what we'd be looking at if we stand pat without trading up, at our #17 slot). If we had a top-5 pick that's when you cherry-pick and choose your player according to team needs. But outside of the top-5 (especially considering big men) you go BPA. Our roster after the Melo trade is thin as it is so we can use help across the board.

The thinking is that you get a ready-for-war bigman via free agency or trade. They are proven and ready to contribute immediately as a defender/rebounder, which is our biggest need.

Biyombo will not last until the 17th pick. There is even a fear that Harper may not because once teams work him out and see what a versatile scorer he is, great shot and fluid in his movements he will jump up teams boards. There is a feeling the only way to keep him available to us is to issue a promise.

[Paeds]

Ibaka was drafted like 19th right?

[MaseInYourFace]

"The way I play here, I play everywhere,'' he said following the Hoop Summit. "In the ACB I play with a lot of smart guys, I play with a lot of strong guys, and when I step on the court I just want to kill them.''


Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... z1JE31MtUc

Okay I'm sold on this guy. Let's get him!!!!!!!

[stuporman]

He's already got a name that has cache.....

That shot BiSMACK'D!