Whos the best Center in Europe right now?

re49gb_2gho32fp · Post #1 » by **re49gb_2gho32fp** » Sat Dec 4, 2010 5:06 pm

With Splitter and Pekovic in NBA, arguably the two best centers in europe over the past 2-3 years, who do you see emerging as the top centers in europe?

I'll take the freedom to compile a list of candidates to scan, leaving it open for commentating and revision:

Bouroussis - in the top for years, very consistent.
Barac - Most probably in top tier talks right now, if not top 3
Tomic - highly skilled and mobile while being very tall. Liability on d though.
Kaun - Obviously injured this season, showed he is a force to reckon with.
Nesterovic - Good player for euroleague level.
Freeland -
Vidmar -
D. Lavrinovich - among the best for almost a decade now, not quite premium quality.
Vazquez - Maybe the best post defender in europe. Not too impressive offensively.
Perovic - Big adequatly skilled. Suffers from limited palying time.
Raduljica - Up-and-coming center. Questionable defense.
Marjanovic - 7-4 giant. Immobile.
Batiste - Good reliable player but undersized, will never be a top 3 level center in europe.
Maric - As per statistics, outshined all euroleague palyers last year on index rating and maybe was the real EL MVP. What number dont tell you, he has offensive as well as defensive flaws to his game.
Sokolov - Gets the job done, but appears rather unimpressive on the court.
Papadopoulos - Dominates the eurocup.Was one of the best a few years ago.
Lorbek - Perhaps the most skilled big man in europe. Can play PF/C. Unathletic.

Personally, i would pin Barac as the most exciting center in europe right now and if he continues to play well, nba teams may become interested soon especially with the scarce supply of skilled centers in nba. i would juxtapose Papadopoulos and Lorbek to him. I doubt Tomic would do well in nba due to significant softness in his game on both ends.

NBA level material in various magnitude: Bouroussis, Barac, Papadopoulos, Lorbek, Kaun, Vazquez (as PF)

Rasho Brezec · Post #2 » by **Rasho Brezec** » Sat Dec 4, 2010 7:20 pm

If you count Lorbek as center, then it's him. It's not his fault he's stuck in Barcelona with a horrible coach.

brassviews · Post #3 » by **brassviews** » Sat Dec 4, 2010 8:52 pm

In my opinion, Ante Tomic is the best center. He has great footwork and post moves along with a knack for passing. He just needs to work on being more consistent and assertive on the court. Sometimes he shies away from the ball. Nonetheless, he's a pretty good prospect for Utah or whoever wants him. NBA comparison wise, he's close to someone like Pau Gasol.

Also, I like Jonas Valanciunas. With the limited minutes he's getting for Lietuvos Rytas, he's putting up impressive numbers. If he decides to stay in Europe (whether Lithuania or elsewhere), he can be a top center. I do hope he plays elsewhere besides Lithuania (no offense to Lithuanian fans).

Despot_Stefan · Post #4 » by **Despot_Stefan** » Sun Dec 5, 2010 12:15 am

Barac is definitely emerging now that Splitter is gone from Caja... We'll see if he can keep it up during the whole season.

I think I'll say Bouroussis right now, although I hate perimeter-oriented centers like him.

Greek · Post #5 » by **Greek** » Thu Dec 9, 2010 10:19 pm

Despot_Stefan wrote:
I think I'll say Bouroussis right now, although I hate perimeter-oriented centers like him.

On his recent interview said that coach Ivkovic force him to play down low, and he did some progress there. Lets see...

What about Big Sofo? he is a beast for Macabbi, and for sure deserves a mention on that list

Despot_Stefan · Post #6 » by **Despot_Stefan** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 12:59 pm

Greek wrote:
Despot_Stefan wrote:
I think I'll say Bouroussis right now, although I hate perimeter-oriented centers like him.

On his recent interview said that coach Ivkovic force him to play down low, and he did some progress there. Lets see...

What about Big Sofo? he is a beast for Macabbi, and for sure deserves a mention on that list

Well I wouldn't say he's beasting exactly, but he definitely deserves to be mentioned, especially seeing some other names in that list.

benayoun · Post #7 » by **benayoun** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 2:38 pm

Rasho Brezec wrote:If you count Lorbek as center, then it's him. It's not his fault he's stuck in Barcelona with a horrible coach.

WTF? Xavi Pascual is a great coach! The problem with Lorbek is that he plays along Navarro, Mickael, Ricky, Morris, Perovic, Vázquez, Lakovic...He is the third option.

Rasho Brezec · Post #8 » by **Rasho Brezec** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 4:46 pm

Exactly my point, a player with his skillset should not be the third option and stand around on the perimeter and shoot 3pters.

sisibilio · Post #9 » by **sisibilio** » Tue Dec 14, 2010 1:57 pm

shaolin wrote:NBA level material in various magnitude: Bouroussis, Barac, Papadopoulos, Lorbek, Kaun, Vazquez

fixed.
I'd add Freeland and maybe Radulijca.
And Valanciunas of course.

IvgenyIAS · Post #10 » by **IvgenyIAS** » Thu Dec 16, 2010 10:25 am

Despot_Stefan wrote:
Greek wrote:
Despot_Stefan wrote:
I think I'll say Bouroussis right now, although I hate perimeter-oriented centers like him.

On his recent interview said that coach Ivkovic force him to play down low, and he did some progress there. Lets see...

What about Big Sofo? he is a beast for Macabbi, and for sure deserves a mention on that list

Well I wouldn't say he's beasting exactly, but he definitely deserves to be mentioned, especially seeing some other names in that list.

He isn't beasting but he changes the game tremendously when he's on the floor. He commands constant double and triple-teams and defensive adjustments and if he gets into a deep position under the basket it more often than not results in an and-one play. Maccabi's set offense revolves around him and so far he's been doing a great job most of the time.

His shortcomings are known (mainly pick-and-roll defense, fatigue and staying out of foul trouble), but for the way he influences the game, I think he should be mentioned as one of the top centers in Europe.

ManOfSteel · Post #11 » by **ManOfSteel** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:15 pm

I dont know where did u get Tomic is liability on D. He's not a great defensive player but not bad either.
Id put Macvan to that list,who was recently bought by Macabi, a very smart and skilled player.He can also play the PF spot.(mb even his primary position)Too bad he's unathletic as hell might have a solid NBA career othervise.
Hes like a young Nicola Vujcic, even David Blatt said so.

Macho · Post #12 » by **Macho** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:47 pm

I think Macvan could still play in the NBA but he is definitely more suited for the European game.

Raduljica is back from injury today, had a big game and should only get better, I'm really excited about him.

Greco21 · Post #13 » by **Greco21** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:10 am

Macho wrote:I think Macvan could still play in the NBA but he is definitely more suited for the European game.

Raduljica is back from injury today, had a big game and should only get better, I'm really excited about him.

Radulijica reminds me of Rebraca. He is very strong and much better than Perovic IMO. I believe he is going to have a great career.

On the other hand Macvan reminds me of Zoran Savic. He is going to have a great European career and is going to be a big pain for bigger (than him) guys.

Greco21 · Post #14 » by **Greco21** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 10:45 pm

Greek wrote:
Despot_Stefan wrote:
I think I'll say Bouroussis right now, although I hate perimeter-oriented centers like him.

On his recent interview said that coach Ivkovic force him to play down low, and he did some progress there. Lets see...

What about Big Sofo? he is a beast for Macabbi, and for sure deserves a mention on that list

I agree with you to the bone. Sofo is the best center in Europe. Unstopable. He lacks profesionalism. If it wasn't for that he would be for sure the top. During the summer league he struggled though. He was trying to pick on the high post to play the pick n roll but guards just attacked the rim ignoring his picks...

sergiio_88 · Post #15 » by **sergiio_88** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 5:01 pm

Bouroussis, Lorbek and Esteban Batista.

Rasho Brezec · Post #16 » by **Rasho Brezec** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 5:08 pm

Bouroussis's not even the best center on his team. And Batista is just laughable.

sergiio_88 · Post #17 » by **sergiio_88** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 7:38 pm

Rasho Brezec wrote:Bouroussis's not even the best center on his team. And Batista is just laughable.

In my opinion, Rasho is not better than Bouroussis. Five years ago yes, but nowadays no.
And Esteban Batista..He has improved a lot in the last two years. You'll see in this top 16 with Caja Laboral.

LookingAround · Post #18 » by **LookingAround** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:33 pm

Big Sofo is not even in the list?

I really like Lorbek, but it's hard to say that he is the best because he plays as a part of a long rotation an his roll is not that big.
I was really effected by attending the Eurobasket 2009, were if you ask me, he was the best player in the tournament, and if not making some stupid fouls at the semi (or Teodosic) would bring the most unlucky team with injuries during a short-period tournament ever to the final.

But the same goes to Vasques for example. He is not my type, but I don't agree that he is bad offensive player, not since he improved his mid-range shot.
I mean, look at what Trias is doing this year, and he was 12 player at Barca, that almost didn't play.

Narcist · Post #19 » by **Narcist** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 11:32 am

Tomic has the size and skills to be a top NBA center. Since he was drafted hes put on 40 pounds and probably still needs to get stronger but its a start. Hes in the right league to develop his game he just needs to play more and become a more dominate post pressence while polishing his offensive game.

LookingAround · Post #20 » by **LookingAround** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 1:10 pm

Tomic is extraordinary passer for a center and a very elegant and smart player.
Yet for some reason the player he guards tend to do basket+1 (his foul).
He still need to improve his D.