Draftees 2016 – Brown, Yabusele, Žižić, Jackson, Nader

[ConstableGeneva]

Watch on YouTube

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[Parliament10]

Yabs had a monster game yesterday in China.

http://www.eurobasket.com/boxScores/China/2016/1221_1950_1947.asp

4 rebounds in 35 minutes sort of stands out the other way though. Look, if Yabu can basically replace KO, warts and all, this was a good pick.

Right. Replacing Olynyk's rotation slot off the bench, with a controllable rookie saves the team a lot of money, and would be a win for the Cs.

That said, I'm not convinced he's nearly as skilled as Olynyk. A lot of these highlights include him overpowering people in ways he won't in the NBA. Especially with his first step. I'll give him one thing over Kelly - he certainly isn't gun shy.

I thinks it's more of a combo deal with these Rookies.

Žižić, surpasses Olynyk in many areas. Whereas Yabusele can come in and clean up some other areas.
They're all flexible and have distinct pros and cons. Nader included.

Žižić, Yabusele, Nader, Bkn 2017 = In.
Johnson, Zeller, Young, Green = Out.
Jerebko, Mickey = Depends.

[Gomes3PC]

Yabusele isn't going to replace Olynyk's defense, no rookie is.

Edit- to clarify, I actually really like Yabusele and I think he has a shot to be a really solid contributor in the NBA. I just get annoyed when everyone talks about how Player X will replace Olynyk's scoring, ignoring that Olynyk's biggest contribution to the team is his defense. His 3s are nice, but his defense is the hardest thing to replace.

I have a sense nobody is going to replace KO and they will find a way to retain him. He's infuriating to watch at times, but guys of his size who can defend in Stevens' system, shoot the 3 and pass as well as KO are so rare. You're talking the likes of Myles Turner, Marc Gasol, our own boy Horford, KAT, Jokic, Kristaps, Frye, the list isn't much longer. Clearly, many of those guys are more complete than Olynyk, but skill+shooting+defense is a tough combo to replace at the center spot.

[Elrod is Back]

You are probably right. But, jeez, it would be so nice if Olynyk could grow a pair.

[ConstableGeneva]

Read on Twitter

[Dave_From_NB]

You are probably right. But, jeez, it would be so nice if Olynyk could grow a pair.

The guy has been right in the mix of things all week, taken at least 3 bashes to the face and keeps coming back for more. Does a pump fake and 15 posts hit the game thread, makes a great pass and it's cricket time. Odd how a board can polarize on a role player.

[Elrod is Back]

I like KO's game but just wish he was more aggressive offensively. If he were he could be truly dangerous. He has a helluva lot more talent than his productivity would indicate. Bradley has improved his game markedly in his mid-20s; there may be hope for KO. But please hurry up.

[Parliament10]

I like KO's game but just wish he was more aggressive offensively. If he were he could be truly dangerous. He has a helluva lot more talent than his productivity would indicate. Bradley has improved his game markedly in his mid-20s; there may be hope for KO. But please hurry up.

Olynyk is a perpetual 6th-Man, at best.
That said, if he want's to get paid, he's gone.

I'd give him about $8M or so, as a 2nd Unit player.

[Gomes3PC]

I like KO's game but just wish he was more aggressive offensively. If he were he could be truly dangerous. He has a helluva lot more talent than his productivity would indicate. Bradley has improved his game markedly in his mid-20s; there may be hope for KO. But please hurry up.

Olynyk is a perpetual 6th-Man, at best.
That said, if he want's to get paid, he's gone.

I'd give him about $8M or so, as a 2nd Unit player.

I assume you mean in old cap dollars? He's going to probably get close to double that. When guys like Zeller make $8M, even a solid bench guy is gonna make $12M+ at KOs age, especially considering he has upside and plays a scarce & sought-after role.

[Murta]

There is a report in Bosnian media that Žižić will immediately move to Turkish EuroLeague team Darussafaka coached by his professed fan David Blatt.
http://www.bhbasket.ba/ekskluzivno-ante-zizic-otisao-iz-cibone-u-tursku/

[ConstableGeneva]

There is a report in Bosnian media that Žižić will immediately move to Turkish EuroLeague team Darussafaka coached by his professed fan David Blatt.
http://www.bhbasket.ba/ekskluzivno-ante-zizic-otisao-iz-cibone-u-tursku/

Does this affect the possibility of him coming over next season? What's his contract/buyout situation?

[klemen4]

Looks like this news is real, but imo it's great being able to play in Euro league and strong Turkish league.

Center competition does not look to strong in Durasufaka with Semi Erden (remember him from Boston days?), Furman Aldemir (played for Philly in 14/15) and veteran Savas.

25-30 minutes should be available imo and great test what he can show in Euroleague.

[Cibos]

There is a report in Bosnian media that Žižić will immediately move to Turkish EuroLeague team Darussafaka coached by his professed fan David Blatt.
http://www.bhbasket.ba/ekskluzivno-ante-zizic-otisao-iz-cibone-u-tursku/

Does this affect the possibility of him coming over next season? What's his contract/buyout situation?

Well I guess they wouldn't let him go next season already, so this definitely affects the situation for the Celtics.

[darrendaye]

BTW, latest game for Yabusele:

Watch on YouTube

Checks in about the 18:10 mark during free throws, but action starts about the 19:30 mark. Only watched about 10 minutes so far. Let's just say the defensive effort is disappointing. Love him on the offensive side.

[AlCelticFan]

You are probably right. But, jeez, it would be so nice if Olynyk could grow a pair.

My sentiments exactly. It's like I know we're going to regrettably be signing KO, but I wish we didn't have to...

[Parliament10]

There is a report in Bosnian media that Žižić will immediately move to Turkish EuroLeague team Darussafaka coached by his professed fan David Blatt.
http://www.bhbasket.ba/ekskluzivno-ante-zizic-otisao-iz-cibone-u-tursku/

Repost:


Ante Zizic Makes Jump To Euroleague
by Austin Kent | December 26th 2016

http://www.hoopsrumors.com/2016/12/ante-zizic-makes-jump-to-euroleague.html

Ante Zizic, Boston’s 23rd overall pick from the 2016 NBA Draft, is said to be changing teams overseas. EuroHoops.net reports via Hrvoje Sliskovic that the draft-and-stash big man is notably joining Euroleague club Darussafaka in Turkey after years with KK Cibona in Croatia.

The move will pair Zizic with former NBA coach David Blatt – a native of Boston – and will give the 19-year-old an opportunity to develop against new competition. In 24 games with KK Cibona so far this season, Zizic has averaged 18.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Zizic’s stellar play in 2016/17 comes on the heels of his being named the Adriatic League’s top prospect just last year.

The six-month contract, as reported by David Pick over Twitter, will give the Celtics an opportunity to see how their young big man holds up against Euroleague caliber talent. According to Trevor Magnotti of Fansided’s The Step Back, Zizic profiles as a high-energy role player that thrives on the glass and in the pick-and-roll.

It's a six-month contract. He's probably still coming to the Celtics next season.

[Gomes3PC]

Great move for Zizic / the Celtics. Blatt IMO will be a really good coach for him and he is ready for a step up in competition by the looks of it.

[pasfru]

Great to hear about Zizic. Hopefully we'll see more big games out of him with better competition.

Yabusele, from watching highlights and a few minutes of that game vs. Tongxi, really needs to improve his ball-handling. It's below-average, even for CBA standards. His offensive game is nice, if not a little raw, but a lot of it will be restricted if he doesn't improve his handle. He'll make Jaylen look like Kyrie.

Also, yeah, it looks like he doesn't really care on defence. He follows the ball and looks like he's there just to pad his stats. Missing assignments, standing around in the paint hunting for the block/rebound, leaving his man open in order to get the steal... maybe it's just because of the weak competition but I'd like to see him put more effort in on that end.

[Elrod is Back]

Great to hear about Zizic. Hopefully we'll see more big games out of him with better competition.

Yabusele, from watching highlights and a few minutes of that game vs. Tongxi, really needs to improve his ball-handling. It's below-average, even for CBA standards. His offensive game is nice, if not a little raw, but a lot of it will be restricted if he doesn't improve his handle. He'll make Jaylen look like Kyrie.

Also, yeah, it looks like he doesn't really care on defence. He follows the ball and looks like he's there just to pad his stats. Missing assignments, standing around in the paint hunting for the block/rebound, leaving his man open in order to get the steal... maybe it's just because of the weak competition but I'd like to see him put more effort in on that end.

These are problems that can be solved.

Yabs strikes me as a classic high ceiling prospect:

What he can do cannot be taught; what he cannot do he can learn.

That doesn't mean he will deliver, only that he has the tools to succeed if he works hard at developing his game. And we have the coaching staff to encourage his development. I am optimistic.

[Gomes3PC]

I really don't see Yabs as a high ceiling prospect. I don't have any idea how he will be better than mediocre defensively.