<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In an NBA draft class loaded with young centers and power forwards, the "Biggest One of Them All" worked out for the Jazz on Wednesday. Pavel Podkolzine is a 19-year-old Russian who stands 7-foot-5, weighs 300 pounds and wears a size-21 sneaker. Unfortunately, Podkolzine also has been diagnosed with acromegaly, a disorder that occurs when the pituitary gland produces excessive amounts of growth hormones. The malady was discovered just days before the 2003 draft, when he had been expected to be a lottery pick. Not knowing the exact ramifications of the diagnosis, most teams -- including the Jazz -- told Podkolzine and his agent that they could not risk taking him. Podkolzine hastily withdrew his name from the draft and returned to Italy, where he continued his basketball career while being treated with medication for his pituitary disorder. So far, surgery has been avoided. "It is very good right now, very better," Podkolzine says. </div> Full Article
He reminds me a lot of Darko - A project. He's very raw but shows flashes of greatness. Any 7-5 center deserves a double take, but would the Jazz be willing to wait for him to develop?
Here's another thought guys. Does he have the time himself to be developed? We really don't know what is going to happen with this disease and if either a surgury is not done or it can't be stopped, seven years down the road, he could be too brittle to do much and be forced to retire. However if the treatment he's on now works or they do the surgury and he's cured, then he could be something very special. 7'5" is a gift (although wasted on some cough cough Shawn Bradley) and that size alone give him a huge advantage. He will be one of only 3 or 4 players in the entire league with that advantage too (Shawn and Yao of course but Zyrundas is nearly up there too). If he could develop some real skills, then he'll be an all star in my opinion.
Well i've been anticipating Pavel Podkolzine entrance into the league since last years draft when he took himself out out of the draft because of his disease. I really think this kid is going to be special. Not only because of his heigt but because of his ablity to put the ball on the floor and shoot the three at his height. I really hope he gets his disease undercontrol and will be able to play in the L. I really would like to see him reak havoc in the L. Especially since the Leagus most dominant center is plumetting to an abysmal abiss.
