Bilal Coulibaly

[DCZards]

They both write for sports illustrated.

...

Slightly off-topic but Sports Illustrated is just a content-aggregator now. Its a sad story: https://www.deseret.com/sports/2024/1/22/24045267/sports-illustrated-is-dying-here-is-why/

Sold to private equity, which gutted it and turned it into a click-farm. Nothing you see there is from a reputable writer.

I was wondering what was going on with Sports Illustrated. Their online articles and writers do seem rather pedestrian and out-of-touch.

That’s too bad because SI was the sport’s Bible with the top sports writers when I was growing up. Of course that was decades ago.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I have seen 2 different nba analysts write that Jamir Watkins (a second round draft pick on a two way deal, who has only played a few summer league games) has made Bilal Coulibaly expendable. Seems like an indictment of the prospects for this front office’s first first round pick.

Which "analysts"?

I honestly don't understand this recent flurry of pessimism surrounding Coulibaly. Coulibaly has one real weakness as a player - his 3-point shooting. If that never comes around, then, yeah, he is merely a rotation player and situational defender. But if he gets up to 36%, he's a rich man's Herb Jones with some Jaylen Brown potential. That's a really good player and maybe an All-Star.

Given that he is already a 75% FT shooter at age 20, I'm fairly optimistic that his 3-ball will be okay.

They both write for sports illustrated.

Bilal’s 3p% got worse last year.

He is a below average shooter inside the arc.

I am not in front of my computer currently so I may be wrong about the following (but I don’t think so):

He is below average from all areas inside the arc (ie, 0 to 3; 3 to 10; 10 to 16; and 16 to 3 point line).

He also has an awful shot selection (ie, shooting way too often from low percentage areas).

Bilal also posts horrible on/off stats FWIW.

His skill is his in ball defense.

Otherwise, BC is a really bad offensive player.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

How could Watkins make Bilal expendable, Watkins is literally old enough to be Bilals father

Great point. He's 24 and Coulibaly is 20.

[GoneShammGone]

They both write for sports illustrated.

...

Slightly off-topic but Sports Illustrated is just a content-aggregator now. Its a sad story: https://www.deseret.com/sports/2024/1/22/24045267/sports-illustrated-is-dying-here-is-why/

Sold to private equity, which gutted it and turned it into a click-farm. Nothing you see there is from a reputable writer.

I was wondering what was going on with Sports Illustrated. Their online articles and writers do seem rather pedestrian and out-of-touch.

That’s too bad because SI was the sport’s Bible with the top sports writers when I was growing up. Of course that was decades ago.

Yeah its really sad. I was gifted a subscription by my parents for Xmas in 1982. First issue cover: John Riggins from Superbowl 17. (!!!)Three weeks or so later: Kathy Ireland's first Swimsuit cover. (!!!!). Never really got better than that!

[nate33]

Bilal also posts horrible on/off stats FWIW.

His skill is his in ball defense.

Otherwise, BC is a really bad offensive player.

On/off numbers have to be put in context. Our starters play against the opposition's starters while our second string is playing against the opposition's second string and often against their third string in garbage time. As a result, our starters all post negative on/off numbers and our bench typically post positive on/off numbers.

If you started our bench and played our starters against the opposition's second unit, I guarantee that our starters would post really good on/off numbers and our bench would post bad numbers.

The fact is, Coulibaly has the best on/off numbers of anyone in our starting lineup. If you assume that our coaches are smart enough to start our best 5 players and play our next-best 5 players in the second unit, then the on/off numbers actually indicate that Coulibaly is our best player.

[dckingsfan]

Bilal also posts horrible on/off stats FWIW.

His skill is his in ball defense.

Otherwise, BC is a really bad offensive player.

On/off numbers have to be put in context. Our starters play against the opposition's starters while our second string is playing against the opposition's second string and often against their third string in garbage time. As a result, our starters all post negative on/off numbers and our bench typically post positive on/off numbers.

If you started our bench and played our starters against the opposition's second unit, I guarantee that our starters would post really good on/off numbers and our bench would post bad numbers.

The fact is, Coulibaly has the best on/off numbers of anyone in our starting lineup. If you assume that our coaches are smart enough to start our best 5 players and play our next-best 5 players in the second unit, then the on/off numbers actually indicate that Coulibaly is our best player.

Yep, a better way would be to look at OBPM or ORtg.

[leswizards]

Bilal also posts horrible on/off stats FWIW.

His skill is his in ball defense.

Otherwise, BC is a really bad offensive player.

On/off numbers have to be put in context. Our starters play against the opposition's starters while our second string is playing against the opposition's second string and often against their third string in garbage time. As a result, our starters all post negative on/off numbers and our bench typically post positive on/off numbers.

If you started our bench and played our starters against the opposition's second unit, I guarantee that our starters would post really good on/off numbers and our bench would post bad numbers.

The fact is, Coulibaly has the best on/off numbers of anyone in our starting lineup. If you assume that our coaches are smart enough to start our best 5 players and play our next-best 5 players in the second unit, then the on/off numbers actually indicate that Coulibaly is our best player.

I like you and I respect you. You are clearly very intelligent, and much can be learned from the things you post.

You are probably going to disagree but I think an honest assessment of our disagreement would be characterized as there is evidence that all of this front offices draft picks have been not very good, but you are willing to look past that because you have taken a leap of faith that these players will get better while I don’t think they will.

[nate33]

Bilal also posts horrible on/off stats FWIW.

His skill is his in ball defense.

Otherwise, BC is a really bad offensive player.

On/off numbers have to be put in context. Our starters play against the opposition's starters while our second string is playing against the opposition's second string and often against their third string in garbage time. As a result, our starters all post negative on/off numbers and our bench typically post positive on/off numbers.

If you started our bench and played our starters against the opposition's second unit, I guarantee that our starters would post really good on/off numbers and our bench would post bad numbers.

The fact is, Coulibaly has the best on/off numbers of anyone in our starting lineup. If you assume that our coaches are smart enough to start our best 5 players and play our next-best 5 players in the second unit, then the on/off numbers actually indicate that Coulibaly is our best player.

I like you and I respect you. You are clearly very intelligent, and much can be learned from the things you post.

You are probably going to disagree but I think an honest assessment of our disagreement would be characterized as there is evidence that all of this front offices draft picks have been not very good, but you are willing to look past that because you have taken a leap of faith that these players will get better while I don’t think they will.

It really boils down to age. You appear to assign minimal impact to age and instead only consider years of experience in the NBA. I go the other way. I compare Bilal to last year's rookies because he is the same age as them. And I consider Bub comparable to this year's rookie class because he is the same age as most of them.

And when you look at those comps, Bilal is just fine. He is roughly as good as Stephon Castle, who won ROTY.

[DCZards]

I think it’s almost inevitable that 19, 20 and 21 yr NBA players will get better with experience, physical growth/strength, and the team’s focus on their development.

The real question, imo, is how much better will they get and in what areas of their game will they improve most.

[thomas1897]

Bilal Coulibaly is a player with many natural abilities on the basketball court. Refining these skills will require time but the development process is necessary to implement this training program immediately. The player he could be similar to is Bob Dandridge. His weaknesses are on both sides of the ball but can be corrected with the right type of instruction/ Kris Middleton. Offensive weaknesses are ball handling in traffic using both hands and finishing with either hand, jump shot, mid-range, three ball/ Kris Middleton. Passing finding the open man and court awareness knowing where your team-mates are. Defensive skills are good but need some refinement. Such as positioning, strengthening upper body to defended against stronger post players, anticipation and instinctive skills to communicate a switch to teammates. Enhancement of Bilal's basketball IQ, focus, vision, court awareness, and reading both offense and defense schemes is imperative. The desire to become a very good player is the final step. Is Bilal Coulibaly that type of player?

[payitforward]

I think it’s almost inevitable that 19, 20 and 21 yr NBA players will get better with experience, physical growth/strength, and the team’s focus on their development.

The real question, imo, is how much better will they get and in what areas of their game will they improve most.

Absolutely!

& we'll get to see it all work itself out before our eyes!

Great time to be a Wizards' fan!

[doclinkin]

For what it’s worth according to analysis by Kevin Broom/the secret weapon, at the same age of development Coulibaly is producing equivalent to Ron Artest/metta world peace.

And based on that progression, if he continues to develop as he has, his upside projects to an all NBA player.

https://www.bulletsforever.com/2025/7/25/24473972/what-does-world-peace-have-to-do-with-bilal-coulibaly

Using Coulibaly’s rookie season 49 PPA forecasts a year two PPA of 54. Then a 78 in year three, and finally cracking average (102) in his fourth season. Assuming a “normal” career progression, we’d expect 9-10 average or better seasons with a career peak around 130. That’s a good player — long-time starter and contributor.

But Coulibaly last season posted a 75 PPA — catapulting “normal” improvement by 21 points in my PPA rating and reaching a level in year two of his career that he’d have been expected not to reach until year three. And he’s entering his third year, which is a time when players tend to improve significantly.

In fact, according to my career forecaster, players tend to make their biggest improvements at ages 21, 22, and 23 (in order).

What does last season’s 75 PPA mean? If Coulibaly follows a “normal” improvement pattern, he should crack average next season (a year ahead of schedule) and continue improving until about age 26 where he’ll peak in the 170s or 180s. That’s typically a score good enough to make an All-NBA team.

[Kanyewest]

Happy birthday.

[AFM]

Happy birfday lil bro

[TheBlackCzar]

WOW.... Bilal has the same birthday as my grandfather (RIP).....

Happy Birthday to both ya'll fellaz, and grandpa tell grandma I said hi....