<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Fearing that an NBA age limit is coming, 17-year-old Serbian 7-footer Nemanja Aleksandrov has sent a letter through his agent to the NBA and David Stern declaring for the 2005 draft. Widely believed to be one of the top five prospects for the '05 NBA draft, Aleksandrov has been dominating international junior competition for two years. Despite his size, he's a small forward with a smooth 3-point stroke who, some scouts believe, could be the No. 1 pick overall, depending on who comes out. </div> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1829848
Sounds like another Dirk Nowitzki. Thanks for posting this article, It'll be interesting to see what happens with this kid.
Does kinda sound like another Dirk. Hopefully he gets the ability to go draft next year, cause, apparently he doesn't want to be where he is anymore, and, I don't think people should be forced to play somewhere that they don't want to. It might also be the best move for him to jump to the NBA next year pending what happens from now til the '05 draft.
The top 3 picks for the next two years (unless a high school phenom or college superstar emerges) will probably be: 2005 1.) Nemanja Aleksandrov - the next dirk? 2.) Martynas Andriuskevicius - the next Sabonis? 3.) Marvin Williams - Antwan Jamison part II 2006 1.) Yi Jianlian - Chinese Kevin Garnett? 2.) Greg Oden - next David Robinson? 3.) Mustafa Shakur - the next rod strickland? According to some draft sites.
Mustafa Shakur needs to work on his game a little bit before he goes top 3. Granted he did have a very good freshman year at Arizona, there are still some things he needs to work on before he is a top 3 selection I think.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">The top 3 picks for the next two years (unless a high school phenom or college superstar emerges) will probably be: 2005 1.) Nemanja Aleksandrov - the next dirk? 2.) Martynas Andriuskevicius - the next Sabonis? 3.) Marvin Williams - Antwan Jamison part II 2006 1.) Yi Jianlian - Chinese Kevin Garnett? 2.) Greg Oden - next David Robinson? 3.) Mustafa Shakur - the next rod strickland? According to some draft sites.</div> Martynas Andriuskevicius , why did he pull out this year?
The problem with Nemanja is he's too skinny. He should work out to bulk up for him to be able to compete under the NBA basket. However, only a good trainer should touch him so as not to ruin his speed and his jumpshot.
Just because the guy is 7 feet tall, that doesn't mean he's ready for the NBA. Thats what I can't stand these days, theres too many big men who aren't ready, yet the GMs draft them for their 'potential.' Height isn't everything, and this guy is not impressive. He needs to bulk up and improve his low post skills. Shawn Bradley was the second pick overall, and look at him - he's terrible.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Height isn't everything, and this guy is not impressive. He needs to bulk up and improve his low post skills.</div> I agree, I'm hoping my boy Marvin Williams nabs the top pick. He's a Carmelo clone IMO. Depends how he performs at UNC this year though.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shard:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree, I'm hoping my boy Marvin Williams nabs the top pick. He's a Carmelo clone IMO.</div> What do Marvin Williams and Carmelo Anthony have in common, besides being highly touted preps? Comparing Williams to Anthony is like comparing Abdur-Rahim to Pierce.
They're both SFs that are smart to use a year of college to up their draft status. Both use their athleticism to their advantage and are versatile. Both are able to penetrate and have solid mid-range games.
Aleksandrov dominates the euro junior calliber, he rebounds well, and have a great jumper, better than lebron james
a chinese KG? Wow btw, i think that draft prospects for 2006 are big guesses, that way to early to tell
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ice:</div><div class="quote_post">Just because the guy is 7 feet tall, that doesn't mean he's ready for the NBA. Thats what I can't stand these days, theres too many big men who aren't ready, yet the GMs draft them for their 'potential.' Height isn't everything, and this guy is not impressive. He needs to bulk up and improve his low post skills.</div>A 7 footer with 3 point range isn't impressive? It would be one thing if he was a skinny 7 footer with no range but the guy has a nice 3 point stroke and quickness. 7 footers usually lack those characteristics. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting InNETSweTrust:</div><div class="quote_post">The problem with Nemanja is he's too skinny. He should work out to bulk up for him to be able to compete under the NBA basket. However, only a good trainer should touch him so as not to ruin his speed and his jumpshot.</div>He is only 17 and has some time to mature physically. But I agree, if he wants to make an impact right out of the gate he needs to bulk up.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Peja King:</div><div class="quote_post">Aleksandrov dominates the euro junior calliber,</div> Yes. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Peja King:</div><div class="quote_post">he rebounds well,</div> Kind of. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Peja King:</div><div class="quote_post">and have a great jumper,</div> Sure. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Peja King:</div><div class="quote_post">better than lebron james</div> Hell no.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">A 7 footer with 3 point range isn't impressive? It would be one thing if he was a skinny 7 footer with no range but the guy has a nice 3 point stroke and quickness. 7 footers usually lack those characteristics. </div> Yeah don't get me wrong, his range is impressive. However, he's lacking the most important thing as a 7 footer - low post skills. If he's going to play center in the NBA he needs to work on his skills down low, rebounding, and defense rather than his shooting range. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He is only 17 and has some time to mature physically. But I agree, if he wants to make an impact right out of the gate he needs to bulk up. </div> Yup, he's not ready for the NBA yet. Give him a couple of years overseas to develop and bulk up.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ice:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah don't get me wrong, his range is impressive. However, he's lacking the most important thing as a 7 footer - low post skills. If he's going to play center in the NBA he needs to work on his skills down low, rebounding, and defense rather than his shooting range. .</div> He's more 6-11.. and he is not a Center... he's like Kevin Garnett.. b2een the 3&4.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Peja King:</div><div class="quote_post">He's more 6-11.. and he is not a Center... he's like Kevin Garnett.. b2een the 3&4.</div> My bad, power foward. NBA Profile<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It's not easy to find weak points in such a prospect, but being so young, it's impossible not to have some. Aleksandrov is a skinny player, and needs to bulk up to be more effective in the paint, basically banging in the post and rebounding. Of course, he should add weight carefully in order to keep his athleticism intact, or even improved. He could be more aggressive in the paint, as he would be more intimidating when defending. With his athleticism, height and long arms, you might expect more blocks out of him. The truth is he doesn't go up wildly for blocked shots, like many players his age, and usually won't risk his defensive position to take one. He finds it difficult to penetrate in traffic in the paint, but that's logical given that he's a power forward, and doesn't have the ability to make sudden changes of direction in motion in a confined space, like many guards can. As great as his shot is, it's a bit static. For the moment, he doesn't have a great shot off the dribble. Again, being a power forward, this isn't a decisive skill. His footwork can be improved, although it's not bad at all. Right now he mainly takes advantage of his length and soft touch to score in the post. If he worked on his post moves, improving his repertoire and the use of his body would help him a lot in the pros. Especially against the bigger, stronger and faster matchups then he has faced so far playing with people his age. </div> Give him a couple of years, then enter the NBA. Right now he's too young and needs to bulk up. I do however like his 'potential.'
But you can't blame him for trying to beat go to the draft considering that he's projected to go really early. He has to choose between declaring now or being committed overseas until he's in his early twenties.
