2011 Draft Prospect: Nikola Vucevic

[Bruno]

http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/75/750523.jpg
Height: 6-10
Weight: 240 lbs
Birthday: 10/24/1990
College: USC

DraftExpress (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Nikola-Vucevic-5828/)
nbadraft (http://www.nbadraft.net/players/nikola-vucevic)

[admiralsnackbar]

His stock seems too low at a (currently) projected #8 Rd 2. If he managed to be around by the time our 1st rounder comes up, he sounds like a more-immediately ready-for-prime-time player than, say, Ryan Richards (at least based on what little I've seen/read of RR).

Of course, with the glut of odd-job bigs in this draft, there's no telling who will be taken when.

[yavozerb]

I am very curious to see how this kid does during pre-draft..Every single stat line got better each year of college in a major conference and he is a very big body.

[Spurtacus]

Hoopsworld May 20th mock has the Spurs taking him...

[jesterbobman]

Latest DX mock has him at 21 to Portland. I don't see the fit there as much, but that seems the right in terms of value, and moving up with his size at the combine, and role as an NBA Centre.

[JonNOKC]

rather take a chance on Jeremy Tyler

[Master splitter]

Project spurs says that S.a is very interested in him after seeing him in Chicago, also they're looking at Leo Lyons from toros. Glad to see the spurs making some kind of progress trying to get bigger. No more of this undersized crap.

[Bruno]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/05/usc-basketball-catching-up-with-nikola-vucevic-whose-nba-draft-stock-has-risen-to-first-round-territ.html


From Houston, Vucevic will head to San Antonio, where he'll work out Friday with the Spurs, who have the 29th pick in the first round.

The Spurs had scouts present at several of USC's home games this season and are reportedly very interetsed in the 20-year-old Vucevic, as are Phildelphia, Charlotte, New York and New Jersey.

[Bruno]

Project spurs says that S.a is very interested in him after seeing him in Chicago, also they're looking at Leo Lyons from toros. Glad to see the spurs making some kind of progress trying to get bigger. No more of this undersized crap.

Don't read too much into it because it means quite nothing.

Every year, Spurs work out players for every spot. Between draft prospect, D-League players and Overseas players, Spurs should work out something like an hundred of guys. Among all these people some are undersized, some aren't.

[Bruno]

While Spurs certainly can't nitpick at #29, Vucevic lack of athleticism is a concern given that Spurs have arguably the least athletic frontcourt in the league.

[yavozerb]

While Spurs certainly can't nitpick at #29, Vucevic lack of athleticism is a concern given that Spurs have arguably the least athletic frontcourt in the league.

Gasol and Randolph....Are they considered athletic by your standards?

[Spurs da champs]

Gasol and Randolph....Are they considered athletic by your definition?

What makes you think this guy is either of those?

And BTW the Athleticism overwhelmed Randolph & Gasol in the 7 game series.

[yavozerb]

What makes you think this guy is either of those?

And BTW the Athleticism overwhelmed Randolph & Gasol in the 7 game series.

I never said he was better, I simply feel athletecism at the 4/5 position is not required as much as the1-3 positions since they can play much closer to the basket...Oh by the way, do you really think the Grizz. lost that series because of Randolph and Gasol? Check what Durant and Westbrook did to there counter parts...

[Spurs da champs]

I never said he was better, I simply feel athletecism at the 4/5 position is not required as much as the1-3 positions since they can play much closer to the basket...Oh by the way, do you really think the Grizz. lost that series because of Randolph and Gasol? Check what Durant and Westbrook did to there counter parts...

I agree with you but, but the league is getting quicker with these new quick/athletic power forwards, tho this kid is bigger then I thought from what I read on DX. His wingspan and reach is crazy! Interesting to see if he can adjust to the quickness on the NBA level.

[elemento]

It looks like the pre-draft measurements really helped him.

By now, he is out of our range i guess

[yavozerb]

It looks like the pre-draft measurements really helped him.

By now, he is out of our range i guess

I have no problem with that...With him moving up due to measurements somebody else must drop who had better game but didnt wow in the measurements..

[elemento]

I have no problem with that...With him moving up due to measurements somebody else must drop who had better game but didnt wow in the measurements..

me neither. He had WOW measurements, but he was bad in the athletic tests.

Just not sure if we have to take a helper now (Jajuan Johnson type) or a young prospect (Lucas Nogueira type).

[Thomas82]

Was anybody able to find out how his workout with the Spurs went yesterday?

[Spurs Brazil]

Draft prospect: Nikola Vucevic

The 20-year-old measured in at just under 7-feet, with a wingspan of more than 7-4, and displayed good touch from the field. His standing reach of 9-foot-4 1/2 compares with that of former No. 1 pick Greg Oden. As a junior at USC last season, Vucevic — who hails from Montenegro — averaged 17.1 points, 10.3 rebounds (which led the Pac-10) and 1.4 blocks. He also shot 50.5 percent from the field and 75.5 percent from the foul line.

Keep reading - http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/05/30/draft-prospect-nikola-vucevic/

[k_nguyen93]

Will the Spurs pick another under the radar prospect and stash him away for a few years or try to get someone who can play now to add to their bench depth? They need some young talent.

Chad Ford (1:51 PM)
They like USC's Nikola Vucevic a lot ... and he's a NOW player. But I don't think he'll be there at 29. Vucevic is really rising on draft boards. I have them taking Jeremy Tyler right now in my mock. Great value and the Spurs know how to develop talent.

[SenorSpur]

If the spurs want him go trade up and get him, if hes your Man. Tyler is not gonna help next year but Vucevic could. Down the Road Tyler could be a better player but he has bust potential as well.

I would like to see the spurs grab either another late first say maybe Min 20th or a early second pick and grab BEbe for the future.

While I would worry some about what it would cost to make such a move, I like that thinking. Especially considering the fact that Bebe probably needs about 2-3 years of continued development.

Still, having 2 late first rounders would be sweet because it would enable the Spurs to draft one big, who could contribute next year and and then draft another one to get into the pipeline.

[Tyrone Jenkins]

If the Spurs trade up, they should trade ALL the way up...

When was the last time a BIG man (read that as PF or C) was drafted beyond the 20th pick that ended up scoring more than 15 pts and grabbing more the 8 boards a game? Carlos Boozer was actually a 35th overall and is an exception. Mehmet Okur is good but don't think he was ever a 15/8 guy (38th pick).

TD was a 1st overall pick. So was Dwight Howard, Andrew Bogut, Shaq, Chris Weber, Larry Johnson, Danny Manning, Pervis Ellison, Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, Elton Brand, Derrick Coleman, Kenyon Martin and Yao Ming. About 95% of all the centers and power forwards that ended up being halfway decent were all drafted w/in the 1st 15 picks. Guards (both point and shooting) drafted later have a far higher probability of success than big men drafted later.

Good big men are just harder to fine. The Spurs lucked up w/ Blair but even as good as he is, his length (or lack thereof) prevents him from seeing the floor during the playoffs in Popovich's scheme.

If the Spurs are serious about drafting a quality big man, their best course of action is to either wait til next year (when the draft will hopefully be stronger) or trade up into the lottery area. The possibility exists (I think) to trade w/ the Cavs to their 4th pick or even w/ Minnesota for their 2nd. Perhaps we can trade TP and Blair and/or Splitter to Toronto @ 5, Milwaukee @ 10 (rumored to want to get rid of Jennings) or Houston @ 14.

Personally, I think that if TP is traded, then the Spurs are officially rebuilding and every attempt to get the BEST BIG MAN they can right now is imperative. Why now? Couple of reasons: getting someone skilled now while Tim Duncan is still playing is best opportunity for him to teach the rookie (who know what Tim will want to do after retiring); having a marquee PF or C will help attract other players that will be free agents next year (such as CP3, Dwight Howard, etc.); most important, the current structure of the West necessitates it - between Portland, LA, Memphis and Dallas, the Spurs need an athletic, shot-blocking, rebouding force to answer the likes of Aldridge, Gasol, Randolph and Dirk.

Vucevic is not athletic enough - PASS!

[SenorSpur]

Vucevic is not athletic enough - PASS!

That's what frightens me about this kid - him not being athletic enough. The kid is seemingly a smart player, with good size, skills and a high basketball IQ. Just the type of player Pop normally covets - despite his lack of athleticism. Despite needing such skills in a big man, Pop just doesn't seem to value athleticism as much as he probably should.

I'd rather see Pop take a chance on a more athletic big, with a similar skill set, too. Hopefully, the Celtics, who are also in dire straits on their frontline, will take him ahead of the Spurs.

[yavozerb]

That's what frightens me about this kid - him not being athletic enough. The kid is seemingly a smart player, with good size, skills and a high basketball IQ. Just the type of player Pop normally covets - despite his lack of athleticism. Despite needing such skills in a big man, Pop just doesn't seem to value athleticism as much as he probably should.

I'd rather see Pop take a chance on a more athletic big, with a similar skill set, too. Hopefully, the Celtics, who are also in dire straits on their frontline, will take him ahead of the Spurs.

:rolleyes, Bynum, Gasol x2, Randolph,Lopez,Kaman,Hibbert,Boozer,Scola,TD, are all current bigs who have always had little athletecism and have done pretty well over over there careers. Sorry, no Dwight Howard's at #29 this season....

[spurs777]

:rolleyes, Bynum, Gasol x2, Randolph,Lopez,Kaman,Hibbert,Boozer,Scola,TD, are all current bigs who have always had little athletecism and have done pretty well over over there careers. Sorry, no Dwight Howard's at #29 this season....
Bynum has plenty of athletisism, Kaman when healthy was athletic, Lopez is athletic too but a pussy on the boards, Boozer sucks in the playoffs, and Hibert is one of more athletic bigs in this league. Athletisism matters on the defensive end plenty this is why Boozer, Randolph, and Scola suck so much on that end.

[Pistons < Spurs]

USC big man Nikola Vucevic continues to impress NBA teams with some excellent workouts, including a standout session with the San Antonio Spurs. It sounds as if Vucevic is seriously in the picture as early at the 16th pick to Philadelphia, and he probably won't slide past the Spurs.http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog?name=nba_draft&id=6622187

[mountainballer]

I honestly think he is a tad unlikely to go to the Spurs unless Splitter is involved in a trade. If Vucvic is still on the board even. I'm not saying they're the same player, but Nikola draws comparisons in my eyes to Splitter. Not just because he is a white 7 footer, but because he isn't overly athletic, yet he is skilled and solid on both ends. Age wise however Vucevic is pretty young for a would be senior. And people have told me they liked him.

disagree. as long as teams play a 4 or 5 men rotation on 4/5 I don't see a reason why two such players can't co exist. and it's unlikely that either suddenly finds himself playing 35 MPG, so there should be a niche for both. they are almost identical in height (Vucevic has the much better wingspan and standing reach though. 9' 4.5" standing reach is a fantastic number), but their skill set is pretty different, especially when looking at their shooting ability.
however, the question might be, how does Ryan Richards fit alongside Vucevic, those two do have more in common than Splitter and Vucevic.
on the other hands, statistically you need 3 prospects to get one decent NBA player, so I didn't have a problem to have all of them, especially when looking at the upcoming rebuilding process.

[mountainballer]

Granted, Nikola can shoot, but in the low post I believe they are similar. Still at pick 29 I find it unlikely that probably the most NBA ready 7 footer will be there. And in this draft it isn't exactly a high risk to just take an athletic 19 year old and have him develop with Richards.

right, at 29 Vucevic won't be there. question was, do the Spurs try to get a better pick and if yes, is he their target.
(as I said, I hope for Tobias Harris anyhow)

[yavozerb]

I believe a defensive 4 that can shoot would be nice.

That would be nice, maybe next year when we draft before #29....

[SenorSpur]

JaJuan Johnson, perhaps?

[yavozerb]

JaJuan Johnson, perhaps?

JJ would be nice, but the chance of him still being on the board at #29 is very low..

[SenorSpur]

JJ would be nice, but the chance of him still being on the board at #29 is very low..

This kid looks like he could be a very productive, two-way player - someone the Spurs could use. I just wonder how high they are on him?

[Ditty]

Yeah I really don't like this guy..doesn't seem to have too much upside or athletic hope someone else takes him before we pick, so I'm not worried like last year when I thought we were going to take Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Lu ck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_ Williams last year except James Anderson. I would be happy if Spurs take Jajuan Johnson or Lucas Nogueria. I wish we could have both, but I think Spurs will use Dejuan Blair as a piece to get RJ out of town, except using Blair to trade up in the draft. The same for George Hill, I don't see them trading him because of the lack of pg free agents, and none of the pg's late in the draft will be as good as Hill IMO. I don't see the Spurs keeping there 2nd round pick it would be nice if they can get a 2012 2nd rounder, or get a solid international prospect if a team is high on someone that is available at the end, and thinks the Kings will take him. I don't know, no one really worth drafting, and stashing, unless Bojan Bogdanovic keeps dropping like he has recently.

[benefactor]

The Spurs aren't picking twice in the first round.

[spursballer21]

Spurs would be wise to make a deal with the Twolves or Okl to move up and grab this guy. Then hope Johnson or Honeycutt falls to 29. Both Johnson and Big V could play with TD on the floor or splitter.

Next do what ever it takes to get JR Smith from denver. Hes a guy who has everything we need, emotion, shooting, d. slashing.....we need a heart transplant. Deal Neal, Hill, Blair to make this happen.

If the spurs play it right and spend some money, they have a shot next year. But next year is likely it for a while.


You're a scout. I'm not sure if you're a scout for the the Spurs. Can't you give them ideas?

[dbestpro]

The Spurs aren't picking twice in the first round.

This.

There is no rookie in this draft that will see significant minutes next season under Pop.

[benefactor]

You're a scout. I'm not sure if you're a scout for the the Spurs. Can't you give them ideas?
He's actually a very well conceived troll. Don't buy into much he says.

[benefactor]

Yeah...to hell with all those physicians and pharmacists who wear name tags to their jobs every day.

[benefactor]

I work for a hospital that is the only Level 1 trauma center between Dallas and Shreveport. Most of the physicians that work there wear name badges.

You seem to know just as much about this as you do basketball.

[Buddy Holly]

The clear up crew? :lol

But seriously, how can you say only the clean up crew wears name tags?

Heck, the doctors that took care of Gabrielle Gifford after she was shot in the head have their names on their clothing.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HaRb8uwch8o/TSsNgcrxTWI/AAAAAAAADmY/g6UhQ33qw4k/s1600/Rhee.jpg

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQLgnsl6rtDO8UwA1YYUx8zZFFlcPaJK NgKAXTAYaNZvA-_HzUV&t=1

[benefactor]

My wife is too. See how easy that is?

[benefactor]

lol scout
lol wife is a doctor
lol failed predictions
lol fake internet life

[ChuckD]

Now, now...

[benefactor]

-Nikola Mirotic faced the highest level of competition of any player in this draft in 56 EuroLeague and ACB games, and managed to emerge as a consistent and efficient contributor as the season wore on.

Keep reading...

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Situational-Statistics-the-2011-Big-Men-Crop-3761/#ixzz1PxhFHJLi
http://www.draftexpress.com