The Rocco Zikarsky Thread

KGdaBom · Post #81 » by **KGdaBom** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:01 pm

Yoan is a really bad interview. He's not comfortable with English and it's obvious he's just trying to say all the right things. He needs to learn to relax and I'm sure it will get better after he starts playing.

Post #82 » by **Klomp** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:04 pm

Zikarsky isn’t just tall. He’s 7-foot-3, so tall that he now lives in a shipping container.

It turns out he was outgrowing the family home, literally, hitting his head on a low-lying beam at one point when running down the stairs.

That prompted his mother Kylie to buy land in the Sunshine Coast hinterland along with containers for herself and all four of her children.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/nbl/nbl-hoops-fest-2024-inside-brisbane-bullets-next-star-rocco-zikarskys-rise-2025-nba-draft-prospects-height/news-story/84d5e5801ad6e23ffff9f5852da441eb

KGdaBom · Post #83 » by **KGdaBom** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:08 pm

Klomp wrote:
KGdaBom wrote:You're Dutch? This will sound funny I've always pictured you as being Black.

Definitely not.

How Dutch are you? Born there? Live there? Or was it your grandparents or further back?

KGdaBom · Post #84 » by **KGdaBom** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:11 pm

Klomp wrote:
KGdaBom wrote:
Klomp wrote:I don't really like that this is happening, but I'm personally getting more drawn to the upside of Zikarsky that my excitement for his potential is overshadowing my excitement for Joan Beringer. Rocco's size and skill set just gives him a baseline that feels much safer to project than the complete unknown of Beringer at this point.

I've noticed a few people talking preference for Zikarsky and my belief is that's going to look really foolish. That said I just started seeing a bit of Rik Smits in Zikarsky.

It might be the hair, because I've definitely seen the glimpses of my fellow Dutchman as well.

Similar shooting style and height. If he can develop the same touch that would be awesome.

Rik Smits, nicknamed[b] "The Dunking Dutchman" is a Dutch former professional basketball player who spent his entire career with the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association. The 7-foot-4-inch center was drafted by the Pacers out of Marist College with the second overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft. [/b]

Rik Smits was The Dunking Dutchman. Rocco has to be The Donk of Dunk. It's perfect.

Why did Rik Smits retire?
Rik Smits - Wikipedia
Foot problems hobbled Smits for the majority of his career, and he retired at the conclusion of the Pacers' 1999–2000 season, after Indiana was defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals 4 games to 2.

Big guys and foot problems. He had a nice career, but if not for the foot problems maybe he could have had a hall of fame career. Hopefully Rocco can be like him without the foot problems.

Post #85 » by **Klomp** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:15 pm

KGdaBom wrote:
Klomp wrote:
KGdaBom wrote:You're Dutch? This will sound funny I've always pictured you as being Black.

Definitely not.

How Dutch are you? Born there? Live there? Or was it your grandparents or further back?

A ways back. We're talking like the late 1800s since my family was based there.

BlacJacMac · Post #86 » by **BlacJacMac** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:28 pm

KGdaBom wrote:Yoan is a really bad interview. He's not comfortable with English and it's obvious he's just trying to say all the right things. He needs to learn to relax and I'm sure it will get better after he starts playing.

Most 18 year-olds are terrible interviews. Add in new to English and it'll be a while before he gets better at it.

We were spoiled by Ant's otherworldly charisma.

KGdaBom · Post #87 » by **KGdaBom** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:33 pm

Man I loved watching Indiana back in the Reggie Miller/Rik Smits days. Mark Jackson, Reggie Miller, Detlef Schrempf, Antonio and Dale Davis called the Davis brothers even though they weren't related and Rik Smits. That was a fun team to watch.

The two "Davis" players who played for the Indiana Pacers alongside Reggie Miller were Dale Davis and Antonio Davis. They were known for their physical, tough play and were often referred to as the "Davis brothers" (though they are not actually brothers).

Antonio and Dale Davis were two players that every team would have loved to have.
Those Pacers teams were an incredible blend of skills and brawn. Offense and defense.

KGdaBom · Post #88 » by **KGdaBom** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:35 pm

BlacJacMac wrote:
KGdaBom wrote:Yoan is a really bad interview. He's not comfortable with English and it's obvious he's just trying to say all the right things. He needs to learn to relax and I'm sure it will get better after he starts playing.

Most 18 year-olds are terrible interviews. Add in new to English and it'll be a while before he gets better at it.

We were spoiled by Ant's otherworldly charisma.

It's 100% understandable. I'm sure he's a good guy. Seems incredibly hard working and I'm predicting there is never an off court problem with him.

I'm sure I just jinxed him.

Norseman79 · Post #89 » by **Norseman79** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:57 pm

Read on Twitter

?t=UHMEd6D2ZqJemZ4SNCVcKg&s=19

KGdaBom · Post #90 » by **KGdaBom** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 4:16 pm

Norseman79 wrote:

Read on Twitter
?t=UHMEd6D2ZqJemZ4SNCVcKg&s=19

4-8. 50% in a shooting drill. He's got a decent looking shot.

TheProdigy · Post #91 » by **TheProdigy** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 4:53 pm

Klomp wrote:I don't really like that this is happening, but I'm personally getting more drawn to the upside of Zikarsky that my excitement for his potential is overshadowing my excitement for Joan Beringer. Rocco's size and skill set just gives him a baseline that feels much safer to project than the complete unknown of Beringer at this point.

I feel the same way Klomp. If Beringer can truly be a switchable big 1-5, then it makes him easier to project.

KGdaBom · Post #92 » by **KGdaBom** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 5:16 pm

TheProdigy wrote:
Klomp wrote:I don't really like that this is happening, but I'm personally getting more drawn to the upside of Zikarsky that my excitement for his potential is overshadowing my excitement for Joan Beringer. Rocco's size and skill set just gives him a baseline that feels much safer to project than the complete unknown of Beringer at this point.

I feel the same way Klomp. If Beringer can truly be a switchable big 1-5, then it makes him easier to project.

Joan will be the better player. I'm extremely confident about that. If I'm wrong hopefully it's because Zikarsky shattered all expectations and becomes the next Rik Smits.

Norseman79 · Post #93 » by **Norseman79** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 5:17 pm

I have seen on a few draft sites that Beringer is projected as 4-5....is it possible we could be hoping to develop him as a combo big and Rocco as a straight 5?

Post #94 » by **Klomp** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 5:18 pm

Norseman79 wrote:I have seen on a few draft sites that Beringer is projected as 4-5....is it possible we could be hoping to develop him as a combo big and Rocco as a straight 5?

I wouldn't rule it out, but Beringer would likely have to show offensive development.

KGdaBom · Post #95 » by **KGdaBom** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 5:19 pm

Norseman79 wrote:I have seen on a few draft sites that Beringer is projected as 4-5....is it possible we could be hoping to develop him as a combo big and Rocco as a straight 5?

It's possible. How freaking huge would we be with Ant, Jaden, Naz, Randle, Beringer, Rudy for a couple more years, and Rocco. Dilly would singlehandedly bring us down a notch.

TimberKat · Post #96 » by **TimberKat** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 5:20 pm

Klomp wrote:
Norseman79 wrote:I have seen on a few draft sites that Beringer is projected as 4-5....is it possible we could be hoping to develop him as a combo big and Rocco as a straight 5?

I wouldn't rule it out, but Beringer would likely have to show offensive development.

Yes, he could be Vanderbilt without the shooting touch.

KGdaBom · Post #97 » by **KGdaBom** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 5:20 pm

Klomp wrote:
Norseman79 wrote:I have seen on a few draft sites that Beringer is projected as 4-5....is it possible we could be hoping to develop him as a combo big and Rocco as a straight 5?

I wouldn't rule it out, but Beringer would likely have to show offensive development.

I'm quite optimistic about that possibility.

KGdaBom · Post #98 » by **KGdaBom** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 5:21 pm

TimberKat wrote:
Klomp wrote:
Norseman79 wrote:I have seen on a few draft sites that Beringer is projected as 4-5....is it possible we could be hoping to develop him as a combo big and Rocco as a straight 5?

I wouldn't rule it out, but Beringer would likely have to show offensive development.

Yes, he could be Vanderbilt without the shooting touch.

He's young. He could be a much larger Vanderbilt with shooting touch.

Norseman79 · Post #99 » by **Norseman79** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 5:24 pm

KGdaBom wrote:
Norseman79 wrote:I have seen on a few draft sites that Beringer is projected as 4-5....is it possible we could be hoping to develop him as a combo big and Rocco as a straight 5?

It's possible. How freaking huge would we be with Ant, Jaden, Naz, Randle, Beringer, Rudy for a couple more years, and Rocco. Dilly would singlehandedly bring us down a notch.

Don't forget Miller if he actually ever clicks....he was drafted as a SF, but don't think he has the quickness for it, but who knows...

Norseman79 · Post #100 » by **Norseman79** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 5:26 pm

Loyd said they were really encouraged by his shooting when they worked him out privately. If the mechanics are good and it's just a repetition thing, maybe not so far fetched.