revprodeji wrote:1.) How good is Pekovic?
Quite a dominating force in Europe. Highly efficient combination of huge body, great positioning down low, and simple but efficient moves close to the basket. Solid free throw shooter, 93/120 [.775] last season.
Having said that, his team plays the high-low better than anyone, which is one big reason why he can be so efficient. If there was an NBA comparison for Panathinaikos, it would be last year's Orlando Magic plus backcourt players that have more a pass-first character. In a way Pekovic's offensive game is similar to a Dwight Howard who can't jump, without all the lobs and offensive putbacks. Positioning is key for his game, he needs the ball deep, often puts up the layup or baby hook immedeately, without taking a dribble. The key aspect regarding Pekovic's NBA career is: can he establish deep position there too? After all, we know there are more big bodies in NBA than in Europe. Still, Pekovic is a tree, incredibly physical, I wouldn't rule out that it translates.
So to conclude, there are two key aspects in Pekovic's game in Europe for PAO that may not be there in the NBA.
a) His physical dominance
b) His teammates/team's style of play and how they/it play(s) to his strengths.
If one aspect isn't there he won't be nearly as dominant. At least until he improves his post skills.
2.) Is he an NBA 4 or 5?
I don't think he's a 4 anywhere. 5.
3.) What is his personality/off the court like?
I haven't heard any bad things about him. Doesn't seem to be someone who particularly enjoys the media spotlight, rather keeps his mouth shut, listens to his coaches, and works hard.
4.) What is he currently being paid?
Reportedly [there are no official numbers in Europe but depending where a number shows up you could consider it as semi-official, some newspapers/sites have inside knowledge] 4 million € net in 3 years, expires 2011. Should be pretty reliable. NBA opt outs after 08/09 and 09/10, as you know.
5.) Do you believe he wants to come to the NBA and what would it cost? The wolves have talked as if he is coming over next summer for sure.
I don't see him coming over
for sure. It will be a difficult decision for him. We must aknowledge that both Serbian basketball and Panathinaikos have great tradition, and Pekovic is playing there for a coaching legend that everyone has huge respect for. At the same time, he already led a young Partizan side to the Euroleague quarter finals, and he won the Euroleague the following year. So he has already won everything.
He's definitely not a player who will tell everyone who's not on a tree on the count of three, that he wants to be an NBA player - as opposed to Rudy and Ricky for example, or Belinelli, or Enes Kanter, a star on the European youth level. As explained, considering his background and who he currently plays for, it's safe to say that it won't be that easy to bring him over next summer.
6.) What current/former NBA player would he compare to?
Can't think of one, but I haven't been watching many NBA games last season. Dwight Howard's athletcism is a large part of his game, so nobody should put my above statement out of context. Pekovic is not a leaper.
7.) What weaknesses would he need to work on?
Passing, definitely. As written under point 1), he gets the ball in positions where he directly scores, he's rarely in a situation where he has the ball in his hands the post, and then is faced by a double team. But that might come up in the NBA.
Rebounding should improve too. More lowpost skills aren't needed the way he plays right now, but might be needed in he future. I wouldn't consider him a very good defender either. He's not a shotblocking presence, that's for sure, and his positional defense could definitely be better. Pick and Roll defense is getting better though, only normal considering that playing and defending it is like a religion here[here=European elite level]. They spend an incredible amount of time teaching how to run and defend the pick and roll.
8.) His rebounding numbers appear low. Is this a skill issue, or a style of play/team thing?
3.8 rebounds per game in 18:03 minutes last season. On a team that played more of a halfcourt game [71.3 possessions per game] than any NBA team last season. Solid offensive rebounder. Not a great defensive rebounder, that's true. He sometimes sill misses the boxout, which can happen, he's still 23 after all. But his rebounding isn't as bad as the numbers might suggest. He's no David Andersen. We shouldn't forget that he averaged 6.9 rebounds a game [in 26:55 MPG] for Partizan in 07/08, doesn't sound much for NBA fans, but considering Luis Scola had "only" 5.9 rebounds per game in his last Euroleague season for TAU [one of the faster Euroleague teams], you get the picture. The numbers don't translate.
