Official Marco Belinelli Thread

<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I hope this thread attracts some Italian nationals who follow this kid. I wanna hear it from the guys who watch him a lot. It's like how chuck.be (Belgium) and dutchwarriorfan (Netherlands) drop by from time to time to give us the scoop on some euroleaguers.</div>

I know many Euroleague players and have been in Europe a lot over the last few years now studying and reporting professionally on the system. Take it from me, this kid is going to fit in well and can contribute with just a little time to adjust. He's a major offensive threat and can just light it up at any given moment.

 

From the videos, Marco reminds me of a lean Drazen Petrovic (RIP). I know Drazen was built like a soldier a few years into his career, but his rookie year he has the same style and look in Portland.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Clif25 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">This guy has a certain attitude of almost complete arrogance and cockiness.</div>

LOL and I thought I was the only one who thought this. I just hope it doesn't cause any problems. I can definitely see Baron setting him straight

 

...I drop by to see what you guys think of Belinelli

I like him. Yes, it remains a gamble, but lets be straight: he is already a star in the Euroleague. He is not your typical Euro player who happens to be 2m10, averaging 2.7 ppg but potentially doing something good. I would not like any of these projects at the moment. Belinelli will soon be a fan favorite in Warriorland.

What is also important to adjust to the NBA is that he wil have no problems with the game speed. Personally I think that the trio of Rodriguez, Belinelli and Fernandez will have a nice NBA future and increase the status of Euro guards, which will make Ricky Rubio the first overall choice in 2009.

When we're talking huge Euro gambles, we are talking Petri Koponen. The way from the Finish league to the NBA is very long.

 

<div class="quote_poster">AnimeFANatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">LOL and I thought I was the only one who thought this. I just hope it doesn't cause any problems. I can definitely see Baron setting him straight </div>

No -- I think it's a great thing. This is a kid who has star potential, and he believes he's going to win. We want that. He dropped 25 pts on LeBron and Team USA in the Olympics. He's got charisma and leadership, and personally I like that. To be great in the league you must possess confidence, and Bellineli has it. I think he's going to be an exciting Ginobli-type player with a better stroke. I agree with above post that he's going to become a fan favorite.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Clif25 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">This guy has a certain attitude of almost complete arrogance and cockiness. I don't think it will be a problem for the Warriors but I think it could turn other teams sour, hah. I still haven't seen enough clips of him passing (perhaps only two). He does look like Reggie Miller wih the catch and shoot or dribble and J's from the perimeter. I haven't seen much on his decision making though. It seems like he relies on the same few things. However give this guy a screen on the perimeter and he'll be deadly. Pick and rolls between AB(and perhaps Wright) with Marco could be a lethal play for this team.</div>

I dont think I saw arrogance. I think I saw a calm quiet demeanor from him. He would hit big shot after big shot and what was the result? No fist pounds on the head, no raising his arms up to recieve praise, not even a crack of a smile. Just a calm sense about him. At least you know he wont get frustrated when he misses a few shots. I like that about the kid. The one time I saw him jawing at someone, it looked like the other guy initiated it and he was just fed up and started rubbing it in his face...

 

How about the 360 dunk? It's at the 3:40 mark. Am I gaining some supporters here or what?

 

<div class="quote_poster">M Two One Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I know many Euroleague players and have been in Europe a lot over the last few years now studying and reporting professionally on the system. Take it from me, this kid is going to fit in well and can contribute with just a little time to adjust. He's a major offensive threat and can just light it up at any given moment.</div>

Wow, that's good to hear! He looks really nice in those highlight videos, but I kind of want to see him in the context of an actual game. He's really got some nice moves to gain separation on the perimeter shots, but I don't really see him use the crossover that much or try to go inside. I heard he can play some point, which is also nice to have, but he is not a great ballhandler.

I keep thinking if it weren't for Foyle and Mully's lousy decision-making in '04, we could have kept Jrich and Bellenelli together. That is unless Mully wanted Brandan Wright that badly. A lot of people think it was primarily done for money reasons. So if we think about it, Foyle is the most efficient expense that is ruining this franchise. He wasn't worth that kind of money before and he didn't have any upside after that injury or when he turned 29. Bad, bad, bad move. Jrich was totally backstabbed and I feel bad for him. He's got every right to be upset at Mullin.

 

<div class="quote_poster">chuck.be Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">...I drop by to see what you guys think of Belinelli

I like him. Yes, it remains a gamble, but lets be straight: he is already a star in the Euroleague. He is not your typical Euro player who happens to be 2m10, averaging 2.7 ppg but potentially doing something good. I would not like any of these projects at the moment. Belinelli will soon be a fan favorite in Warriorland.

What is also important to adjust to the NBA is that he wil have no problems with the game speed. Personally I think that the trio of Rodriguez, Belinelli and Fernandez will have a nice NBA future and increase the status of Euro guards, which will make Ricky Rubio the first overall choice in 2009.

When we're talking huge Euro gambles, we are talking Petri Koponen. The way from the Finish league to the NBA is very long.</div>

Thanks for the input, Chuck. The guy is very exciting, which is good because Jrich was probably the 2nd most exciting player on the Warriors next to Baron only because superior ball handling skills are always exciting in addition to dunks.

I like how the Italian guard tries to pattern his game off Kobe Bryant, but this guy should take it inside more like Kobe Bryant. Hopefully, he can get some more free throw attempts and knock them down at a 80% clip.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=C8ZtQDRXyLc&mode=related&search=

He showed some nice potential in this clip.

 

As requested by Run BJM:

Marco Belinelli has a big upside and in my honest opinion should've been a lottery pick. However, this isn't actually surprising since many teams these days are still scared off by many European players despite their emerging stardom in the NBA this era. Marco brings a fast paced pure offensive machine to the already offensively loaded Golden State roster. How good is he at creating his own shots? Well, there are plenty of videos out now that can show you some of that.

Getting into this deeper though I have to point out sides of this kid I never liked and I don't think he will ever really improve upon. Number one has to be his defense and I think people have either been too rough on that catagory or too soft. The thing with Marco is that while he can come up with an occassional defensive play that can start a fast break he doesn't actually guard his man well. To me it always seemed like the only thing on his mind most of the time is 'how do I get up there before anyone else to score?' He doesn't plant his feet right and I've rarely seen him take charges even by guys his own size. One time during a game I seen about a year ago he wanted to almost step out of the way as not to be knocked over by a larger player. It didn't cost his team the game, but it shows what problems he has to work on. It almost seems like he has no fears on the offensive end, but gets nervous playing man-to-man defense.

I should note that from reports I've seen on him saying he's careless with the ball, they're all wrong. He's very careful with whatever he's doing with the ball, which makes him a highly dangerous offensive threat all-around. He's mature and provides quality leadership at already a young age. He doesn't have an inflated ego and only boasts to his teammates once comfortable enough with them. His passing is top-notch for the Euros, but could use some work with thought-process coming into the NBA. This isn't a fault though because I'm very confident the Golden State staff will be able to help him understand everything before the mid-point of the season.

His shot is <u>underrated</u>. Yes, as much praise as people have given him, it is still underrated by far and away. He has one of the best shots I've ever seen in my life and creates easy opportunities for himself because he has the intelligence to get by a defender to where he can make an easy basket. He's very fast without the ball, I mean smoking fast, but with the ball, not so much. However, this can also be improved obviously. He doesn't drive aggressively enough as many of you know, but he has very high confidence and would be willing to adjust if needed and should be able to in less then a half-season timespan. Personally, if the Warriors can create a nice offensive flow while he's out there and move around the ball to get him open by just a hair, he'll be able to work his way to getting off a clean shot even if he has to adjust while jumping. This is what impresses me the most is because not since Jordan and Bryant have I seen someone be able to adjust their shot to almost unlimited capabilities. Of course, take that from the European leagues perspective, his defenders in the NBA won't be so forgiving and no I am not comparing him to Jordan or Bryant so don't go there. Again though, he is very intelligent and I'm very positive that he will adjust his game accordingly.

Any other information you need, give me a holler.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Run BJM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Do you think he'll be a star in the league in his prime or just a good role player? An offensive spark/6th man off the bench a la Mike Miller or a fixture in the starting lineup? Do you think he can handle some PG duties like some scouting reports say?</div>

I think he's a legitimate All-Star calibre player in the future. If brought up right I think he can be one in three or four years and until then he can be a solid starting player. You guys may likely see him score his first NBA 40 point game within his first season. That's how confident I am about his shooting and ability to get things done. I don't think he's a sixth man kind of player at all, though you may likely see that in the first few games of the season. He can play point guard fine because he passes very well and creates opportunities, but his defense isn't good enough to be playing point guard regularly IMO despite his maturity and leadership qualities. He needs to work hard on defensive end.

 

<div class="quote_poster">M Two One Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think he's a legitimate All-Star calibre player in the future. If brought up right I think he can be one in three or four years and until then he can be a solid starting player. You guys may likely see him score his first NBA 40 point game within his first season. That's how confident I am about his shooting and ability to get things done. I don't think he's a sixth man kind of player at all, though you may likely see that in the first few games of the season. He can play point guard fine because he passes very well and creates opportunities, but his defense isn't good enough to be playing point guard regularly IMO despite his maturity and leadership qualities. He needs to work hard on defensive end.</div>

I told yall! This kid has star potential. And, as far as defense, well he's with the perfect coach in Nellie who doesn't require defense anyway! Lol nah,j/k, but he'll have SJax to teach him a thing or two about tough D. I just can't wait to see him drive in and dunk on someone. The league is going to be like "Belly who?"

 

I really like Marco in his vids, especially Belinelli's shooting. They're talking about this guy in the same breath as Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Hope he can rise to the challenge. He's very quick in moving without the ball and using the screen. He seems to effortlessly get himself open for his jumper. He can hit floaters and get up and dunk the ball if need to. He looks like he can take the ball to the rack, but at this point, I'm not sure if he can do it at will like Ginobili. I think Marco can pass the ball, but he's not a great passer. I think he was picked in order to replace the outside firepower we lost with JRich.

The question marks will be how much he can help us defensively, rebounding and attacking the basket. If he can help in those areas, then I can see him playing 25 - 30 mins/game. Likely, he'll be worked in slowly, and possibly can work himself up to 20 mins/game his first year.

 

Is it just me or does 90% of the shots, mostly 3 pt'ers, seem really insane? The shots look wild and with a hand in his face. Not that it's bad since he makes them. I just hope he doesn't take many ill advised shots.

 

Well, if you looked at what the offense was last year, and in the POs, our secondary guards -- Barnes, Pietrus, Az, SJax, and at times JRich -- were often asked to sit on the perimeter and wait for the kick out. Baron driving in, kicking out for the three. I mean we must have shot more threes in the last 20 games than many teams did all season.

So, while I think Bellinelli will eventually round out into a complete starting guard, I don't think he's going to be asked to do everything right away. I think he's a big asset because he improves this team's outside shooting and gives Baron someone to find on the perimeter when needed. Add to that he is a very smart ball handler and can run the pick-n-roll all day in his sleep. He's going to get open shots and he's going to hit open shots. The defense, rebounding, and attacking will hopefully come along as he grows. Oh, and he's now one of my two favorite players

 

Wow, I don't know, it looks like he takes a ton of ill-advised shots in the video. Off balance, defender in face, full shot clock, long shots when there is room to drive, etc. So is he Kobe or is he the "bad" Derek Fisher? Some of those shots are definitely blocked in the NBA, and of course in the video they all go in. I'm skeptical. Note that even MDJ can look impressive in his highlight reel, but we know better, don't we?

On the other hand, I did enjoy the 360? in-game dunk, can't remember the last time I saw a white boy attempt that.

Oops, just noticed Anime said basically the same thing. That's what I get for not reading the whole thread first.

 

He's on fire right now in the summer league game against NO -- 9 pts in the 1st quarter, including a nice three

 

Thanks M two one for that great post about Belinelli's projected impact in the nba. I agree that I've seen very few pro players square up their shoulders to the basket while fading away or off balance shot attempt. It's truly impressive. It's like he's always squared up no matter what and the only variable in his shooting is whether or not he releases it short or long or on the way down. It's like something from Reggie Miller, Peja Stojakavic, or Ray Allen's text book. His elbow is straight, he's not pushing the ball, but flinging it with his wrist, and he's doing all the mechanics to make a quick, but accurate release. We didn't see that with the other guards we had.

Oh, and today's summer league game, it was evident he's a pro compared to the New Orleans competition. Incredibly tough to defend on the jump shot and coming off screens.