The Bismack Biyombo Thread

[Kilo Graham]

Biyombo is most likely going to be a Tyson Chandler like 5 year project, I'm cool with that though.

I think Bobcats fans would be thrilled if Biyombo was producing the same stats (ppg, rpg, bpg, etc.) that Chandler was producing in his second year. But he is not.

Biyombo has the worst +/- of any Bobcats except for Reggie Williams and Matt Carroll (while he was on the team). Diop produces better results than Biyombo.

Let me put it in starker terms for you. So far this season, Biyombo has played 39% of the team's minutes. During those minutes the Bobcats have been OUTSCORED by 24.8 pts per 48 minutes. During the 61% of the minutes when Biyombo has not been on the court the Bobcats have OUTSCORED OPPONENTS by 3.9 pts per 48 minutes.

You also have to realize that who he is on the floor matters as well.

[Nanogeek]

Here are Biyombo's most frequent 5 man combinations. Its not like he's out their playing with scrubs.

1 Sessions-Gordon-Kidd-Gilchrist-Thomas-Biyombo
2 Sessions-Gordon-Williams-Thomas-Biyombo
3 Walker-Gordon-Kidd-Gilchrist-Mullens-Biyombo
4 Walker-Taylor-Kidd-Gilchrist-Mullens-Biyombo
5 Walker-Sessions-Gordon-Mullens-Biyombo
6 Sessions-Gordon-Williams-Mullens-Biyombo
7 Walker-Taylor-Kidd-Gilchrist-Thomas-Biyombo
8 Walker-Sessions-Kidd-Gilchrist-Mullens-Biyombo

[HornetJail]

I would like to see him on the floor with Haywood for any stretch of time. At any given time, Bismack's usually playing center but the power forward next to him (whether it's Thomas, Mullens, or even Warrick) is usually crap defensively and I think that hurts him some. Let's see how he plays at the 4 with a defensive 5 next to him.

[Kembastockton]

I think Bobcats fans would be thrilled if Biyombo was producing the same stats (ppg, rpg, bpg, etc.) that Chandler was producing in his second year. But he is not

Chandler has been coached since he was seven. Biz started getting coached six years ago. Throw in the fact that last season was a condensed season with no training camp this should still be considered Biz's rookie year. He is a smart kid (speaks 4 languages at 20), and a hard worker. He will be fine. There are absolutely no red flags that say that this kid will not develop into at least an average to good player. He has at least another seven years before nba players usually start to plateau. There is no reason to be sounding the alarm this soon.

[Nanogeek]

I think Bobcats fans would be thrilled if Biyombo was producing the same stats (ppg, rpg, bpg, etc.) that Chandler was producing in his second year. But he is not

Chandler has been coached since he was seven. Biz started getting coached six years ago. Throw in the fact that last season was a condensed season with no training camp this should still be considered Biz's rookie year. He is a smart kid (speaks 4 languages at 20), and a hard worker. He will be fine. There are absolutely no red flags that say that this kid will not develop into at least an average to good player. He has at least another seven years before nba players usually start to plateau. There is no reason to be sounding the alarm this soon.

How do you explain the Bobcats' horrific performance when he is on the court and their ability to beat teams when he is off the court? He is struggling out there - even moreso than last season. Whether its a "red flag" I don't know... but its definitely a caution flag. I'm sure everyone here wants him to succeed and develop. But I don't want to be here a couple of years from now with lists of excuses why he's still developing.

[e4Nf6]

Biz's numbers don't mean much at the moment IMO because it's still a small sample size. Personally I'm optimistic about him because he seems like a hard worker and he's still so young but you never know which young players will develop and which won't.

[Elden Payton]

Do people understand what a project is?

LOL, 74 NBA GAMES!!!!

Give him 400 before we make these judgements.

[DY_nasty]

How do you explain the Bobcats' horrific performance when he is on the court and their ability to beat teams when he is off the court? He is struggling out there - even moreso than last season. Whether its a "red flag" I don't know... but its definitely a caution flag. I'm sure everyone here wants him to succeed and develop. But I don't want to be here a couple of years from now with lists of excuses why he's still developing.

I don't think Biz has ever played in a zone for starters.

Its hard to pick up for experienced players - let alone guys who have basically just started playing high level organized ball...

[KembaWalker]

Nano, Bismack WILL still be developing in 2 years. This is something everyone was aware of when we picked him. Its just some of us have forgotten that because he had some good games last year. Last year a played the most basic of basic basketball, Biz was allowed to go out there and play man-to-man defense and play instinct basketball and he succeeded but you don't win in the NBA on basic basketball. Now he's learning NBA basketball. it aint easy...

[James Gatz]

I believe it was Silas who said it wouldn't be until he's 3rd or 4th year in the league that we would see what he had the chance to become.

I think we need accept he isn't going to be anything more than an energy big off the bench who will play hard, make mistakes, and block some shots.

[toddlincoln]

I like Biyombo but stats don't lie. He should not be playing anything except garbage minutes. I think he is exactly what the d-league is for -- a guy who needs minutes for development but is so bad that he is a detriment to the team right now.

I don't think he's necessarily a bust, but he is really bad when he plays even in comparison to Tyrus Thomas. We're still .500 and shouldn't be throwing in the towel yet. If it were like February and we were 15-35 or something, I'd say, screw it, play him 40 minutes a night but that we have a chance now tells me he shouldn't be getting any meaningful playing time.

[James Gatz]

I like Biyombo but stats don't lie. He should not be playing anything except garbage minutes. I think he is exactly what the d-league is for -- a guy who needs minutes for development but is so bad that he is a detriment to the team right now.

I don't think he's necessarily a bust, but he is really bad when he plays even in comparison to Tyrus Thomas. We're still .500 and shouldn't be throwing in the towel yet. If it were like February and we were 15-35 or something, I'd say, screw it, play him 40 minutes a night but that we have a chance now tells me he shouldn't be getting any meaningful playing time.

We're not trying to compete this year. We're still in our tank/rebuild process which is exactly why he should be playing now. If we sent him down to the D-league he wouldn't be getting the same quality coaching and wouldn't be apart of the growing process our young guys are going through together.

Also I don't think we have much of a chance at being as good as some people seem to think. We are much better than last year but our wins have come against teams sans their best players. All I want us to do in each game is be competitive and not get blown out by 30+ game in and out like last season.

[Kembastockton]

I like Biyombo but stats don't lie. He should not be playing anything except garbage minutes. I think he is exactly what the d-league is for -- a guy who needs minutes for development but is so bad that he is a detriment to the team right now.

I don't think he's necessarily a bust, but he is really bad when he plays even in comparison to Tyrus Thomas. We're still .500 and shouldn't be throwing in the towel yet. If it were like February and we were 15-35 or something, I'd say, screw it, play him 40 minutes a night but that we have a chance now tells me he shouldn't be getting any meaningful playing time.

We're not trying to compete this year. We're still in our tank/rebuild process which is exactly why he should be playing now. If we sent him down to the D-league he wouldn't be getting the same quality coaching and wouldn't be apart of the growing process our young guys are going through together.

Also I don't think we have much of a chance at being as good as some people seem to think. We are much better than last year but our wins have come against teams sans their best players. All I want us to do in each game is be competitive and not get blown out by 30+ game in and out like last season.

Exactly. I think some of the posters here have us in the second round of the playoffs already. It is still highly unlikely that we even make the playoffs. I still think that it would be a huge win for this team just to win 25 games.

[Nanogeek]

Just to be clear, my assessments have nothing to do with whether we are going to be a lottery team or a playoff team. My assessments are based on Biyombo's performance and progress. I think Biyombo can be an impact role player off the bench but he's yet to show any potential as a viable starter much less something more than that.

Of course, he could develop beyond what he is right now. But the question of course is what is his ceiling. I see Biyombo's ceiling as Ibaka in a best case scenario. Ibaka lived and breathed basketball given his parents were basketball players. Biyombo obviously didn't have that. So I agree Biyombo has a few more years before showing what he can do. I'd be thrilled if Biyombo developed into an Ibaka-type player but I'd bet against that happening at this point. But I'd also bet against him being Ajinca.

[catch20two]

Biyombo may be a bust based on what high expectations some have given him around here but I'm sure that he'll become a more than serviceable player and starter at C a la Tyson Chandler if we give him time. As long as we don't overpay him when his rookie contract is up for extension then I don't him as a detriment to our team. It's not like he was a top 3 pick or something.

[HornetJail]

Tyson Chandler is a top 5 center. I'll be ecstatic if Biyombo is that good. I think he'll be more like Ibaka. Really good shot-blocker very good all-around defender, at least decent elsewhere. Biyombo isn't anything special on the boards, but neither is Ibaka and I think Biz has some promise offensively. Ibaka has really improved there this year.

[catch20two]

Tyson Chandler is a top 5 center. I'll be ecstatic if Biyombo is that good. I think he'll be more like Ibaka. Really good shot-blocker very good all-around defender, at least decent elsewhere. Biyombo isn't anything special on the boards, but neither is Ibaka and I think Biz has some promise offensively. Ibaka has really improved there this year.

I would much rather Biyombo groomed into Ibaka than Chandler. Ibaka will be a top 5 frontcourt player rather than just center within another 3 years or so. It appears to be much easier for Biyombo to become Chandler-like and just rebound, block shots, and score the occasional shot in the paint.

[Elden Payton]

It would be much easier and that's why we should do it.

Biyombo is a Center, he sucks at the four, too many rotations and he's too far from the basket.

[Kembastockton]

Tyson Chandler is a top 5 center. I'll be ecstatic if Biyombo is that good. I think he'll be more like Ibaka. Really good shot-blocker very good all-around defender, at least decent elsewhere. Biyombo isn't anything special on the boards, but neither is Ibaka and I think Biz has some promise offensively. Ibaka has really improved there this year.

Top 5 center? Only if he went to the DLeague.

Right now there are 13 centers in the leage averaging at least 12 pts. and 6 rebounds. Tyson isn't one of them. Heck... Mulley is one of them.

[catch20two]

If Chandler was good enough to receive DPOY last year and earn a spot on the 2012 Olympics Gold National Team then I have to bow down and give him top 5 center in the league by default even if I might not agree with it.