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Is he averaging 6 PPG on 40% TS%? Yes.

Was he unplayably bad before being sent down to the G-League? Yes.

Would Joel Embiid or Jokic actually kill him if they posted 200 pound Poku up? Yes.

Have I suffered through enough OKC games to see that Poku has the raw athleticism, wingspan, and most-importantly, the confidence to run pick and rolls and attempt stepback threes and isolation shots despite shooting 33%? To play point guard and attempt to make passes that most players would only dream of? While also flashing the defensive versatility to guard multiple positions? Yes.

So I want to be the first poster on this site to predict that within 10 years, Aleksej Pokusevski will win at least one NBA MVP award and will be a top three player in the league.

Feel free to bump this thread in two years when he's washed out of the NBA and is playing for Baskonia.

He's a nice young player and very unique but I'm legit worried he's going to break in half at some point.

That is a hot take but honestly I haven't even got to watch him in the pros

His shooting is very erratic. And that's a gross understatement.

Your analysis of him sounds like an Eric Bledsoe scouting report which doesn’t inspire confidence

bisme37 wrote:He's a nice young player and very unique but I'm legit worried he's going to break in half at some point.

This was Giannis in his rookie season

He has a chance to be a good player, let's start there. When he is good, and he'll still be doing those "wow" plays even when he is already consistent, THEN let's talk about the next step.

The potential is definitely there, he just need to get his body in NBA shape and stay healthy. Look at pictures of Durant, KP, Giannis when they were all rookies...

Can an OKC fan share how you guys view his work ethic?

It's not really a hot take imo. He's a clear make or break talent. Guys like him generally don't become serviceable rotation players. It's superstar or out of the league.

He needs to put on at least 20 lbs, which may affect his ability to move like a guard.

He won’t even be in the NBA in 10 years. No way this guy lasts longer than Andrea Bargnani

He is really talented and has the tools to be great. He is also pretty young and raw so we will have to wait a few years on him to grow into his body. I have high hopes for him and Bol Bol.

You can see flashes of greatness in his game. He also looks so skinny he's aerodynamic

Goose egg wrote:Your analysis of him sounds like an Eric Bledsoe scouting report which doesn’t inspire confidence

Eric Bledsoe wasn't an anorexic 7 footer with the ability to block shots and stuff.

Jadoogar wrote:

bisme37 wrote:He's a nice young player and very unique but I'm legit worried he's going to break in half at some point.

This was Giannis in his rookie season

Poku is a whole other level of fragile-looking. He's thinner and more gangly than young Giannis or even young Durant. This photo does not change my take.

Not that I'm trying say he's actually going to break in half, or that I want him to by any means. But he looks extremely fragile out there. The other night he had a scary moment with his leg after a simple dunk.

This might be a tad premature.

MotownMadness wrote:That is a hot take but honestly I haven't even got to watch him in the pros

You should watch OKC if you have a chance to. They're bad, but Lu Dort, Poku, SGA, and Moses Brown are all fun players.

He doesn't look 7ft out there, but bigs can't really cover him on the dribble and when you have that skill at that size you have the chance to be a problem. He can shoot it too. Good player, obviously he has to get bigger and not be a pylon, but he's got time. If him and Brown can play together that'd be good for both of their developments

If you've watched him, you know this is spot on.

I’ve seen crazier.

Size and skills help. Body can come late.