I've been beating this drum for a while, but I see absolutely no reason why we shouldn't make an offer to Boban Marjanovic of Red Star Belgrade, who broke records in the Euroleague competition (which is the basketball equivalent of the Champions League, and pits the top teams from all across Europe against each other). He wants to come here! As you are no doubt aware, this guy is huge and slow. How huge? He's 7'2.25" in bare feet, with a 7'8" wingspan. That makes him tied for 3rd in standing reach in Draft Express's all-time measurements list with... Rudy Gobert! But he's also about 300lbs. That doesn't mean he's fat, because he isn't, it just means there's a fuck of a lot of him. Of course, that also makes him slow. But he's skillful. Check out his stats in the Euroleague. (And bear in mind, that's not his stats against other Serbian teams - that's his stats against the teams that occasionally beat NBA teams in exhibition play - the Real Madrids and Olympiakoses of this world.) He shoots 62% from the field and 78% from the FT line (which is already a concern for some in this forum). And he broke a record for rebounding. Now, it's certainly true that the NBA game is moving in the opposite direction from players like him, what with Golden State benching Bogut in the finals etc. And I wouldn't advocate building your team around him, as Red Star did. But then again, if you don't, how useful is he? I don't know. But who cares? We're going to suck. And we got rid of Robin Lopez, who had quirkiness oozing from his pores, and replaced him with a Plumlee, who belongs in a Norman Rockwell painting (right next to Meyers Leonard). We need a guy who looks like a friendly troll from a Peter Jackson movie. And did I mention he's a good passer? Giant plodding center from Europe who's a good passer? Sound like anyone? But he hasn't had multiple injuries, and he's about Batum's age. Come on Olshey, give him a chance? What've we got to lose at this point?
Rasta you sold me. He is no stiff. Looks like he watched old footage of Sabonis with a couple of those passes. He is huge and mobile. Not a bad combo.
I think he could have a similar impact to Pekovic. Again, not necessarily a vital cog on a contending team, but a solid player on a bad one, which we definitely will be, and maybe more than that. And when he dunks, he dunks with authority!
He'll turn 27 in August, so yes. I think it just took him a long time to put it all together, so he was never on anyone's radar when he was younger. He did play for the Hawks in Summer League last year, though.
That might be a red flag. No one wanted him last year with his size? There must be a reason. What is his perceived weakness?
Since we have no Center for Summer League, why not? They guy is huge and although slow, has some skills. He is a crafty passer, plays hard and you have to account for him at all times on the glass or for a lob. Can even shoot it a little big. He would also be a marketing dream.
I don't think the Blazers have much interest in scouting overseas, Rasta making cases for players is nice but I usualy don't even watch the videos, I know they wouldn't play for Portland anyway.
Has good court awareness, good hands, can finish around the rim, a big body, a bit awkward movement, a nice passer from the high-post, maybe a poor-man's Sabonis.
Dani Diez? (Who, incidentally, wouldn't be regarded as worthy of carrying Boban's luggage in Europe.)
That is even more of a reason to bring him in. Adds to the entertainment of watching the youngsters develop. Boban Marjanovic as.... Butter Margerine-ovic Bobanvic Majanovan Bobovan Majovic The outcomes are endless.
