All Things Nikola Jovic

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by BankTeller, Jul 3, 2023.

  1. BankTeller

    BankTeller Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2021
    Messages:
    2,691
    Likes Received:
    2,539
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Okay, since it seems like Dame to Miami is inevitable, maybe this is a good time to make a thread on Jovic. If Cronin doesn’t get Jovic in a deal for Dame, he doesn’t have a spine.

    I’ve only watched a little Jovic during the pre draft process and not again until today. For those who have watched more of Jovic, how excited should I be about him? I haven’t even looked at his physical measurements yet. Is he someone who can be passable on defense?

    To me, he looks like he can possibly become a guy who can bring the ball up and initiate an offense similar to how Giannis, Jokic, Sengun do. His shot looks pure, just needs constant reps. I would want him to play 10 mins at SF and 10 mins at PF a night.

    Can I get some opinions on his upside? I’ll say, optimistically, he becomes a bigger version of Manu. He can come off the bench and bring the ball up, be a crafty scorer, initiate the offense off the bench.
     
  2. BankTeller

    BankTeller Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2021
    Messages:
    2,691
    Likes Received:
    2,539
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Jovic has a skillset where it seems like it would be very easy to build a team around him like Jokic is. Jovic plays off the ball more than on the ball, but could probably handle the ball more down the line.

    Now, whether or not he is ever good enough to become Jokic or Doncic or any of the other Euros remains to be seen. I just think Jovic and Scoot can fit each other offensively—Jovic can really shoot and is smart enough to make the right secondary play.
     
    Idog1976 likes this.
  3. perkinsfor3

    perkinsfor3 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2016
    Messages:
    486
    Likes Received:
    539
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Quite skinny, but really skilled. When he fills out, I think he could become really good. Good shooting, really nice passing, good rebounder. On defense somewhat meh, but he was rail thin playing in a really good league (Adriatic), and he's got the tools and instincts. He's very mobile for his size, and is pretty fast, so he should be able to run a bit on the wing with Sharpe and Scoot pushing the ball.
     
    Idog1976 likes this.
  4. BankTeller

    BankTeller Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2021
    Messages:
    2,691
    Likes Received:
    2,539
    Trophy Points:
    113


    Says in this video he started at around 220lb before the season started, 229lb now. Not terribly skinny for a 3/4. I have faith he could put on another 5-10lbs relatively soon. But I do think it would serve him well to be nimble enough and light enough to play some SF. I just saw he would be close to a legit 6’11 with shoes. That’s a big man for most SFs to actually guard nightly.
     
    Wizard Mentor likes this.
  5. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    44,272
    Likes Received:
    26,815
    Trophy Points:
    113
    If Miami is involved and we don’t get Jovic then I will be screaming from the rooftops to get rid of Joe
     
    lamlor, GriLtCheeZ and Wizard Mentor like this.
  6. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    44,272
    Likes Received:
    26,815
    Trophy Points:
    113


    Caron Butler is 6’8” I believe

    Jovic grew and added muscle. Real growth and real muscle, not the Mike Barrett kind
     
    TBpup likes this.
  7. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    44,272
    Likes Received:
    26,815
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Lakers vs Heat in summer league action today on ESPN 2 at 3pm Portland time if anyone wants to check out Jovic
     
  8. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2013
    Messages:
    22,577
    Likes Received:
    34,439
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Investment Management / Financial Planner
    Location:
    Lake Oswego
    Offensively, I can see a place for him with his shooting, BBIQ, passing, etc.
    Defensively, he would fit in here perfectly as well in terms of being a lot like who is already here....not good.

    So overall, at least he is taller.
     
  9. STOMP

    STOMP mere fan

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2008
    Messages:
    11,201
    Likes Received:
    3,791
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Marin
    This is the era of believe whatever you want, but back when he was drafted at age 22 he measured 6'5.25. Most likely gravity has been pulling him down since then

    STOMP
     
  10. Blazers Roy

    Blazers Roy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2015
    Messages:
    2,621
    Likes Received:
    2,909
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Jerusalem, Israel
    this is depressing
     
  11. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2008
    Messages:
    40,826
    Likes Received:
    25,045
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Ballin'
    Let's convince ourselves that table scraps are a tasty feast!
     
    Duckhook and Cugel like this.
  12. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    44,272
    Likes Received:
    26,815
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I know Jovic was measured at 6’9.5” last year, so if he grew slightly he’ll be playing at 6’11” +
     
  13. Pinwheel1

    Pinwheel1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2008
    Messages:
    22,668
    Likes Received:
    15,104
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Agree about his offense, with his passing and BBIQ teammates will enjoy playing with him. As for his D, I am hopeful. He moves well and looks to have active hands. Hoping he could get better with added strength.
     
    TBpup likes this.
  14. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2013
    Messages:
    22,577
    Likes Received:
    34,439
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Investment Management / Financial Planner
    Location:
    Lake Oswego
    The strength should get better. It's the footspeed where I see an issue. Hopefully that can improve somewhat, but rarely does a player go from slow footspeed to fast. Positionally, he will have to be very good.
     
  15. Pinwheel1

    Pinwheel1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2008
    Messages:
    22,668
    Likes Received:
    15,104
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I have read reports (when he was 19) that said he did not have great foot speed like you allude to, but others that said he had great foot speed for his height. So maybe he can be a good defender against stretch 4s, but not quick wings?
     
    TBpup likes this.
  16. STOMP

    STOMP mere fan

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2008
    Messages:
    11,201
    Likes Received:
    3,791
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Marin
    True, or 6'11 would be a w/shoes on measurement or maybe he grew massively and is now 7'2 or whatever one wants to believe I guess. Not that it matters one iota, but I'll continue to go with official measurements over speculations.

    Not being that familiar with him (dude played 204 minutes last year) I'm more concerned with the poor shooting percentages he posted then his size. 6'9.5 is big enough, can he play?

    STOMP
     
  17. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    44,272
    Likes Received:
    26,815
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Yes, he can play
     
  18. tykendo

    tykendo Don't Tread On PDX

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2018
    Messages:
    6,346
    Likes Received:
    7,216
    Trophy Points:
    113
    The Blazers are getting Nikola Jokic. Woo Hoo.
     
  19. HoopsFanAZ

    HoopsFanAZ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2022
    Messages:
    811
    Likes Received:
    929
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Arizona
    He’s not OKC skinny, and his foot speed is decent for a PF. His Euro skills in passing, handles, court awareness and shooting have to develop, but he is one of those multi-tool guys and at 6’10. I liked him before his draft, but he’s got plenty of work. In a Miami trade, he’s in.

    Jaquez? Miami is well run. Comments and eye test about a hair slow-footed or laterally on D with other praise for actual hops, old man game, physicality and defensive position. Yup. In the trade. Position and maturity.

    If the Heat send Herro to Brooklyn and could get Claxton (plus short-term filler) for the Blazers … have Miami’s owed pick owed made unprotected and fork over others to the Blazers … then this gets closer. Nurkic would be out in the trade.

    Claxton, Badji, Grant, Murray, Jovic, Walker, Little, Matisse, Jaquez, Sharpe, Ant, Scoot … don’t get me wrong — there’s work to do at C and developmental, but if I squint hard enough, it’s closer.
     
    TBpup likes this.
  20. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    44,272
    Likes Received:
    26,815
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Anyone have a chance to watch that?

    Love that guy
     

Share This Page