![]() Quick when moving in a straight line but limited when forced to flip his hips and change direction, Vukcevic will need to work on his dexterity and positioning in order to be a viable team defender at the next level. Hopefully, some time working with NBA-level coaches and trainers will ensure Vukcevic improves his strength and footwork, so he can make use of his shooting ability and finishing around the rim.ĭefensively, Vukcevic still appears to be quite raw, which is likely why he struggled for playing time under Obradovic this season. The downside is that Vukcevic is still quite slender and lacks the lower body and core strength to not only secure his position but also to move his defender as he looks to back them down. Encouragingly, Vukcevic has also shown some aptitude for a post-up game, with 11.4% of his offense coming from the post this year. ![]() ![]() However, given how his shooting mechanics indicate potential as a shooter, we could see Vukcevic operate as a pick-and-pop big at the NBA level, where his ability to drive close-outs forces defenders into tough decisions. Impressively, Vukcevic isn’t afraid to put the ball on the floor, especially when attacking close-outs, which he did 17.1% of the time this past season.ĭue to his 6’11’’ frame, Vukcevic projects to be more of a forward than a true center in the NBA and is listed as such on Partizan’s website. Perhaps that’s why Partizan utilized him as a catch-and-shoot threat 22% of the time he was on the court. Yet, despite his poor perimeter shooting this past season, Vukcevic boasts smooth shooting mechanics with a decently-quick release. However, the young big man didn’t enjoy the best of seasons, averaging just 6 minutes of playing time per game, producing modest averages on 1.2 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per contest on 36.4% shooting from the field and 22.2% shooting from deep. Vukcevic, 20, spent this past season playing on the same team as Yam Madar for Partizan Belgrade under one of Europe’s most respected coaches of all time, Zeljko Obradovic. Tristan Vukcevic Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images As such, here are four realistic targets Stevens could have his eye on once the Celtics are on the clock. That shouldn’t stop us from gauging potential draft picks, though. With so many options available, the Celtics will certainly have a difficult decision to make on draft night. Or, Stevens could look to stash his pick by selecting a European talent that is willing to continue their development overseas before potentially heading to the NBA in the future. However, there appear to be plenty of potential role players to choose from, so much so that there is potential for a contributor to slide into the second round - especially if you’re looking for a high-floor, low-ceiling candidate. Unfortunately, this year's draft class doesn’t project to be a deep one in terms of elite upside talent. The likelihood is that Brad Stevens will be looking at someone who can come in and fill a position of need, either as a big man or wing. Heading into June 22, the Boston Celtics have the 35th pick in the draft. Green was a better college player than Kuzma, and he still fell to the second round because of some of the same types of flaws in pre-draft analysis that led to Kuzma’s tumble.With the new Collective Bargaining Agreement due to take effect in the summer of 2024, the notion of adding some cost-controlled talent will become enticing for contending teams. Green can also probably relate to Kuzma on some level, even outside of their Michigan roots. When you want to be great, you work and you get yourself a chance at it. So it’s been great to watch and how seriously he’s taking it. “Even then on nights off, he’s been in the gym. ![]() Being in LA, you call him and he’s in the gym all day,” Green said. “What’s been a pleasure for me to watch is how much he was in the gym this summer. Green’s candor will probably come off as criticism to some, but it belies a genuine joy at how Kuzma has turned things around in the NBA: But even you looked at it, you can’t be like ‘Oh man, this kid is a top-10 pick.’ Sometimes this kid didn’t look interested.” “A lot of people are beating themselves up in the head now. “When you looked at Kuz even before in college you’d see stretches where it’s like ‘Oh man, this kid is good, he’s skilled and he’s talented.’ Then you’d see some stretches where it looked like he wasn’t interested at all, which is why he was the 27th pick and not a top-10 pick,” Green said following morning shootaround on Friday. Green told Mark Medina of the Mercury News that the reason Kuzma was not a high draft pick was because of a perceived lackadaisical approach at times:
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |