Is Nikola Pekovic For Real?

Yilun · Post #1 » by **Yilun** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 1:08 am

I live in the bay area but am a huge fan of Kevin Love and the Wolves this year. I watch some of their games and I love the way they play some gritty basketball.

The emergence of Pekovic has been really surprising for me. But when I watch him play, I can fully appreciate why he's putting up such good numbers lately. He's rugged, he's hard-nosed, and he plays very sound, fundamental basketball in the post. He has a very quick jumping ability which allows him to fight for those offensive tip-ins and create havoc on the glass (I watched him body and manhandle D12 vs Orlando).

But my main question is, is he a one-year wonder or is he the real deal? Does Minny have him in their long-term plans or are they treating him like a one-year wonder and simply riding him out for the year?

Consequently, I also own Pekovic in one of my fantasy basketball keeper leagues and he's played so well and I'm such a huge fan of his that I'm even considering keeping him. But I'm not sure if his success this year is a trend or mirage?

Piecake · Post #2 » by **Piecake** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 1:12 am

Yilun wrote:I live in the bay area but am a huge fan of Kevin Love and the Wolves this year. I watch some of their games and I love the way they play some gritty basketball.

The emergence of Pekovic has been really surprising for me. But when I watch him play, I can fully appreciate why he's putting up such good numbers lately. He's rugged, he's hard-nosed, and he plays very sound, fundamental basketball in the post. He has a very quick jumping ability which allows him to fight for those offensive tip-ins and create havoc on the glass (I watched him body and manhandle D12 vs Orlando).

But my main question is, is he a one-year wonder or is he the real deal? Does Minny have him in their long-term plans or are they treating him like a one-year wonder and simply riding him out for the year?

Consequently, I also own Pekovic in one of my fantasy basketball keeper leagues and he's played so well and I'm such a huge fan of his that I'm even considering keeping him. But I'm not sure if his success this year is a trend or mirage?

Id say its a trend. He dominated in Europe playing the exact same game, and the game he plays is so simple that he should be able to continue it (no one has really stopped him from playing his simple game yet, and due to his ridiculous strength, I doubt anyone will)

southern wolf · Post #3 » by **southern wolf** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 1:14 am

He's the real deal, he's got a hell of a post game and he would be one the strongest, if not the strongest, centres in the league. Even if he drops off a bit to end the season, he'll still definitely be in the team's long-term plans.

Esohny · Post #4 » by **Esohny** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 1:23 am

Salvador Dali.

[RCG] · Post #5 » by **[RCG]** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 1:53 am

Its not like he is shooting outrageous, unsustainable %s. His game is get deep into the post and put the ball in the basket. He doesn't rely on athletic ability as much as size and strength so his game shouldn't be prone as much to ups and downs and he should age better than a DeAndre Jordan-type post player.

Chocobanana · Post #6 » by **Chocobanana** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 1:58 am

[RCG] wrote:He doesn't rely on athletic ability as much as size and strength so his game shouldn't be prone as much to ups and downs and he should age better than a DeAndre Jordan-type post player.

i agree with this. as long as he stays in shape and takes care of his body/doesnt get injured much he will be pretty good.

LordBaldric · Post #7 » by **LordBaldric** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 1:59 am

If Pek sees this he's gonna add your head to his shoulder tatoo.

GopherIt · Post #8 » by **GopherIt** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 2:55 am

ballboy wrote:But my main question is, is he a one-year wonder or is he the real deal? Does Minny have him in their long-term plans or are they treating him like a one-year wonder and simply riding him out for the year?

Consequently, I also own Pekovic in one of my fantasy basketball keeper leagues and he's played so well and I'm such a huge fan of his that I'm even considering keeping him. But I'm not sure if his success this year is a trend or mirage?

Did he touch you?

Peezo · Post #9 » by **Peezo** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 3:06 am

Is it possible that we still haven't seen the best of Pek?

He has had multiple games where he records 2 or 3 blocks or steals. I honestly see him continuing to get better. If he even reduces his foul rate a little bit more (which he has done drastically in one year) and continues to improve his conditioning he may play more minutes per game. I think this would allow for him to at the very least keep up these numbers.

Best point made so far: his style of play is not something he will lose. His game is simply strength and touch around the hoop. Imagine if he becomes a better passer as well.

Mr Dew · Post #10 » by **Mr Dew** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 3:13 am

I would say a majority of Wolves fans feel he is the real deal and consider him our 3rd best player behind Love-Rubio and that he should be our starting Center for the next several years. With that said, however, he's been playing great for only a month now, so what he does the second half of this season should give us a very good look at whether he'll be able to sustain his level of play over the long run.

Peezo · Post #11 » by **Peezo** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 3:50 am

It has only been a month but I don't feel like there is that much for the league to figure out with this guy. A lot of people have started game planning for J. Lin and that is only going to increase for him. What is the game plan for Pek? Be similarly huge? Hope he misses layups or becomes a lazy rebounder? Don't get hurt when he gives hard fouls? That is why I just don't feel like the month thing holds up. Not to see you aren't dead on that a month isn't enough of a sample size, I just don't see much of a regression to the mean in his future.

Yilun · Post #12 » by **Yilun** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 6:26 am

Thanks for the input guys. I also do hope that Pek keeps it up.

It's rare to see good old fashion centers these days in the NBA. Seems like nowadays every 7 footer wants to be a SG and shoot fadeaways or try to jump out of the building. Pek's physical and rugged play is actually quite a breath of fresh air.

Anyone else who thinks for whatever reason that Pek may not be a sustainable center please also share your thoughts about any potential concerns.

P.S. For all the Lin puns out there, I actually find the Pek puns equally amusing and hysterical at times :lol:

Post #13 » by **C.lupus** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 5:30 pm

Peezo wrote:It has only been a month but I don't feel like there is that much for the league to figure out with this guy. A lot of people have started game planning for J. Lin and that is only going to increase for him. What is the game plan for Pek? Be similarly huge? Hope he misses layups or becomes a lazy rebounder? Don't get hurt when he gives hard fouls? That is why I just don't feel like the month thing holds up. Not to see you aren't dead on that a month isn't enough of a sample size, I just don't see much of a regression to the mean in his future.

Teams could start double-teaming him and force him to pass. That would probably be effective in slowing down the Godfather but it would be a dangerous strategy, too. They can't leave Love open.

funkatron101 · Post #14 » by **funkatron101** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 5:46 pm

When we drafted him, we still had Big Al. Many of us considered him a suitable replacement in the event that Al was traded.

We saw someone who appeared to be more efficient offensively. Someone who could be fed deeper in the post and takes less time converting. Less of a rebounder than Al, no mid-range shot, and about the same defensively, on what would be a much smaller contract. I think we threw out production numbers around 15/8 or so.

Last year was a big let down because he couldn't get past the 3-second violations and moving screens. I didn't think he would ever "get it" and regretted that we didn't pick DeAndre Jordan. I'm glad to be wrong as he is meeting, and exceeding, even our initial expectations.

Foye · Post #15 » by **Foye** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 5:53 pm

He is for real.

I mean he manhandled Dwight Howard with his pure strength. I don't see how he can't keep this going just because of his strength. Our PG's will give him the ball in the paint and he'll convert unless most of the leagues Centers mystically improve their body strength.

His game is simple but nearly unstoppable because he is a freakin tank.

john2jer · Post #16 » by **john2jer** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 11:08 pm

I don't know. No one that has ever encountered him has lived to tell about it. He very well could just be an urban legend.

Post #17 » by **Klomp** » Wed Feb 29, 2012 4:37 pm

Check out his season shot chart: http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... ar_id=2012

Maf · Post #18 » by **Maf** » Wed Feb 29, 2012 5:56 pm

YES! He is for real!

I saw him when he with his Partizan played Real Madrid at Eurolegue. OK. I know a lot of US fans don't think European competition could be average at least.
But I'm telling you... Real Madrid has probably strongest big men squad I saw. There is Begic, Tomic, Reyes (all of them play for their national teams- Serbia, Croatia, Spain), they're experienced and good bigs. They have Mirotic (Mark my words, he's gonna be really, REALLY good... Bulls did excellent job drafting him) and at that time they had Ibaka....

None of them could even slown down Pekovič! He had monster game...

I couldn't understand Pekovič wasn't playing at start of the season.

Let's go wolves! For me, you are the most exciting and likeable team right now!

(hey, I know my english sucks. Try to be drunk and write in Czech, then criticize 8-)

)

Post #19 » by **C.lupus** » Wed Feb 29, 2012 6:44 pm

Maf wrote:I couldn't understand Pekovič wasn't playing at start of the season.

He missed the first 6 games with a groin injury.

Maf · Post #20 » by **Maf** » Wed Feb 29, 2012 7:06 pm

C.lupus wrote:
Maf wrote:I couldn't understand Pekovič wasn't playing at start of the season.

He missed the first 6 games with a groin injury.

Thanks. I thought I saw on nba.com DNP Coach decision.