Nemanja Bjelica

[Takingbaconback]

I would still prefer him coming off the bench and be our Lamar Odom.

Lamar Odom and Boris Diaw. Two players with strange skillsets and quirks that give them advantages. "Tweeners" who aren't labeled as such because they have been successful. Both are relatively big for their roles, can handle and shoot the ball, cause mismatches, can act as glue guys, and most importantly work well moving without the ball. I would be ecstatic if Bjelica can fill such a role, Rubio gets another all around crafty weapon in his arsenal

[NewWolvesOrder]

Rubio
Lavine
Wiggins
Bjelica
Towns

In a few years that could be a pretty amazing starting 5.

I think having a PF like Bjelica makes Bazz a better option on the floor than Zach. Normally I would say that Wiggins/Bazz makes us short in playmaking, ballhandling and shooting department. But a playmaking perimeter PF solves a lot of those issues. Bazz and Wiggins can thrive next to a PF that doesn't occupy low post and is a very good passer. Plus Bjelica should see more time on the ball with 2 wings that lack handles.

[Sugarless]

Ah, the ever so touchy Timberwolves board.

Of course Bjelica is a very fluid player, he's got excellent footwork and ball-handling for a guy his height, and he's always been a crafty player. That's all gonna help him in the NBA just like it's made him one of the best players in Europe. But the fact that he moves well doesn't mean he moves fast related to the NBA game, or that he doesn't have limitations that will be more notable when transitioning to the NBA and will have a part in what his ceiling is in this league.

Yeah, people are maybe hyping him too much right now, but what he surely can be is a well above average back-up or maybe even a solid starter if the system with Rubio ends up working for him. I'd compare him to Boris Diaw, and we all know Diaw is twice the player he'd normally be just because he's on the Spurs team.

I've made the same comparison with Diaw before so I couldn't agree more. Not exactly the same type of players, but they share many similarities being guys who can do a little bit of everything playing the 4 (and Diaw even the 5 now). Nemanja's NBA career will also depend quite a bit on his team's playing style and how he's utilized, but under the right circumstances I believe he can be a solid rotation guy. Let's hope Bjelica adapts quickly to the league and that Flip learns how to best use him just as fast.

[wolves_89]

I've watched Bjelica in a few games recently and at this point I don't see much cause for concern in regards to his defense. He may not be a truly elite athlete but he is probably above average for a PF. I've watched him guard Mirotic and Nowitzki pretty well, so I'm not worried about him guarding NBA caliber PFs. I'm not sure if you want him trying to guard quicker wings, but I don't see him playing a lot of SF so that shouldn't be a problem.

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

Another blowout, against Turkey. 53:35 at halftime. Bjelica 6 point and 1 assist in 12 minutes.
Teodosic has 10 assists

[Tirion]

http://hoopshabit.com/2015/09/07/minnesota-timberwolves-aboard-nemanja-bjelica-hype-train/

Some nice analysis of his game, sorry if it has been posted already.

[dunkonu21]

Thing I like about Bjelica is that he is clearly a PF, but his skillset will allow him to play SF in a pinch, this flexibility is something Flip seems to cherish.

His shot blocking is what really has me excited as he seems to be a pretty smart defender in this sense, with good timing and the fire to want to physically dominate his opponent.

I'm very excited for another ball handler on the court, Wiggins isn't ready for the roll of ball handler, he is special making a one or two dribble move so why make him do more? It will only make him less efficient.

Rubio, Bjelica and Towns will be the playmakers w/ Wiggins, Bazz and LaVine being the cut throat scorer types. This is our future folks...and it is bright. On defense, I don't see a lot of negative defenders here. Even LaVine seems to have the foot speed, size and effort to become at least average.

[LedeniZZZ]

Bjelica with 19/8 vs Italy 8/9 for 2pt

[Popovich]

Hi, I'm new here. I followed Timberwolves since Pekovic arrived , my favourite players were Love and Brewer, sadly both gone now.
Seems that much has been already said about Bjelica but I will add only that he is not a player who would hurt any team. He posses winning mentality and will to compete, has confidence and have always been member of winning teams, hope that Minnesota will became a winner team finally with help of Bjelica. Of course some period of adjustments to the NBA will be needed, and I'm concern about his athletics for NBA level.

Today he played just fine;

Serbia won over Italy 101 - 82 ,Bjelica collected 19 points 8 rebounds, 4 assist , without making turnover in 23 minutes, index rating 25. He was not the best on the court because Teodosic had index rating 31.

[Sugarless]

Welcome Popovich, nice first message!

[No-Man]

He isn't a athletic player but it's the first time I hear that Bjelica is slow. Who has said that? Also he has a great coordination for a 6 10 player. His physical weakness would be his lack of weight in comparison with others PF ... if he plays at PF.

his offensive game is only fluid as a PF, he is not even a tweener, he is purely a 4

[No-Man]

Diaw is 2 inches shorter than Bjelica

Diaw is much longer, stronger and a crazy specimen of an athlete, at least he was, those 2 inches mean 0

[Dcebucks11]

Guy is a stud, why wasn't he in the NBA before

[Popovich]

Welcome Popovich, nice first message!

Thank you.
For this season i will finally have cable TV which will provide several NBA games in a week, so no more low quality internet streams for me. I guess TV company will choose to broadcast Timbervolves as much as possible because viewers interest here.
We did not had officially Serb player in NBA for a while if I don't count Nedovic and Kuzmic cups of coffee in GS Warriors.
PS
Kuzmic got ring with Warriors because he was actually listed in roster, he won title in NBA D league too

[Takingbaconback]

Diaw is 2 inches shorter than Bjelica

Diaw is much longer, stronger and a crazy specimen of an athlete, at least he was, those 2 inches mean 0

Thats makes absolutely 0 sense, pretty much expect it from a guy who was claiming how okafor moves faster and quicker than Towns.

If Diaw were 2 inches taller, u are saying there would be no more of a difference in the gap between bjelica and diaw. Because 2 inches mean 0, what nonsense. Of course the 2 inches matter

[Klomp]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6LWS56H-eM[/youtube]

That 4/5 screen game is deadly, and something that could definitely work with Bjelica and Towns. Roll to the basket or stay out on the perimeter, both options will be tough for a lot of NBA centers to guard.

[packforfreedom]

Is there a bigman rotation in the nba with better passing skills than Towns, KG, Dieng and Bjelica?

[Sugarless]

Gasol - Noah - Mirotic is probably the best on that regard and the Bulls' under Thibs relied heavily on the first two moving the ball in most plays, much more than Minnesota will do having a PG like Rubio, but the Wolves certainly have some great passers at the PF and C spots so let's hope they take advantage of it during the season.

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

19 points and 14 rebounds against Finland

[Popovich]

19 points and 14 rebounds against Finland

Yes, nice "double-double" and he keeps good % for the 2pt shots. Currently second in field goal percentage with 61.9%, below Gallinari but in front of Mirotic.
PS
Teodosic once more best in Serbian team on index rating besides his only 8 points.