2009 Celticsblog Draft: Voting Analysis : Team of the Future

[Evantime34]

K I guess your right smith is a prett lousy to have off the bench:

my biggest problem with smith is that he's too slow to defend faster players (almost all PF's), and too short to defend much taller players (all C's). On top of that he only rebound at a rate of 9.3 boards per 48 mins, which to put it in context, which to put in context is .1 better than Darius Miles and .2 worse than Mark Blount.

He weighs 30lbs less than big baby and big baby doesnt have those problems so explain that now??

Big baby is stronger IMO, but he's an AWFUL rebounder. Just terrible.

Wait Craig Smith is an awful rebounder? or Big Baby is?
Craig Smith is a good back up in the league, anyone who thinks differently PM me, I watched him for four years at Boston College and I know his game real well.

They're both bad rebounders.
[/quote]
You're a bad rebounder.
No but seriously from watching both play I think they have the tools to be good rebounders, strength and understanding of boxing out. However, on offense both shoot a lot of free throw distance jumpers and if they aren't shooting those they are hanging out around that distance away. That makes it difficult to get an offensive rebound. On defense due to the fact that they are undersized teams will iso and run plays at them. When you are worrying about contesting a shot then getting a rebound is left to someone else.
I think they both box out well so they help their teams in the rebounding department, but they don't go and get the ball themselves. I think that makes them good rebounders not bad ones.

[riah32]

K I'm out for a while I'm going to watch some golf....I'll check back in later to see if I got any hope of squeeking into the playoffs.

[KCattheStripe]

K I guess your right smith is a prett lousy to have off the bench:

my biggest problem with smith is that he's too slow to defend faster players (almost all PF's), and too short to defend much taller players (all C's). On top of that he only rebound at a rate of 9.3 boards per 48 mins, which to put it in context, which to put in context is .1 better than Darius Miles and .2 worse than Mark Blount.

He weighs 30lbs less than big baby and big baby doesnt have those problems so explain that now??

Big baby is stronger IMO, but he's an AWFUL rebounder. Just terrible.

Wait Craig Smith is an awful rebounder? or Big Baby is?
Craig Smith is a good back up in the league, anyone who thinks differently PM me, I watched him for four years at Boston College and I know his game real well.

They're both bad rebounders.

You're a bad rebounder.
No but seriously from watching both play I think they have the tools to be good rebounders, strength and understanding of boxing out. However, on offense both shoot a lot of free throw distance jumpers and if they aren't shooting those they are hanging out around that distance away. That makes it difficult to get an offensive rebound. On defense due to the fact that they are undersized teams will iso and run plays at them. When you are worrying about contesting a shot then getting a rebound is left to someone else.
I think they both box out well so they help their teams in the rebounding department, but they don't go and get the ball themselves. I think that makes them good rebounders not bad ones.
[/quote]

Says the man with Mehmo.  

[indeedproceed]

This is Serge Ibaka's draft profile.

Strengths: A tremendous athlete blessed with insane length and leaping ability Conjures up memories of Shawn Kemp. Ibaka reportedly had a higher vertical than any of the players drafted in the 2007 draft. Which is extremely unusual for a taller player Despite his immense physical gifts, Ibaka hustles at all times and works hard on his game showing a lot of improvement in a short time He's currently playing in Spain for L'Hospitalet Has solid footwork in the post, and an improving turn around jumper He can even extend out to the 3 pt line and knock down shots on occaision Has the tools to become a first round pick in the next year, as he is not far from having an NBA ready body, and plays hard He's relentless on the boards and his length and athleticism makes him a formidable shot blocker Has good touch on his shot, and solid mechanics, he just needs to become more comfortable with his offensive game so it becomes second nature

Weaknesses: Coming from the Congo, his age may come into question He appears to be young and at least close to his listed age so it likely won't be to big a deterrant, but teams are normally wary of the age of young African players who seem "too good to be true". But unlike some other recent African draft picks who did not play NCAA ball (DeSagana Diop, Malick Badiane, Saer Sene) Ibaka is already showing offensive abilities Ibaka also needs to work hard on his skills, while he shows nice potential with his ball skills and post moves, they are far from refined Learning a few moves that he can consistently go to in the post will greatly improve his offesnive abilities Needs to add some muscle to his frame. Right now, he's too lean and will get pushed around under the basket But he's still very young, and appears to be able to put weight on without any problems At the adidas Global camp in New Orleans, Ibaka suffered with cramps, so staying hydrated and improving on his stamina are important

despite all that I wouldn't even dream of putting him in my rotation until he's earned it, and I don't thikn my teams' success hinges on him at all.

Wanna see more? I got more.

From summer league:

MAITLAND, Fla. — Through two days at the Orlando Pro Summer League, Congo native Serge Ibaka has gained a lot of admirers.

Serge Ibaka, center, has made 12 of 15 shot attempts in his first two summer league games with the Thunder.

Whisperers are circulating about how Oklahoma City managed to pick up on a unique 6-foot-10, 19-year-old lottery-level talent under everybody’s nose, especially given the enviable stockpile of young skill players the Thunder have managed to draft over the past few years.

Ibaka may not have the immediate impact of a Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook or even a James Harden, but the No. 24 pick of the 2008 NBA Draft is clearly a keeper. He followed up a 6-for-8 shooting performance in his summer league debut with a 6-for-7 effort in Tuesday night’s 91-88 loss to Indiana, impressing even Roy Hibbert, who started 42 games as a rookie last season.

"He’s good, really aggressive and very quick,” said Hibbert, who led the Pacers with 24 points and eight rebounds. "I kept trying to use my size and weight on him since he’s more of a four, but he did a nice job staying active and using his speed.”

Despite his obvious physical gifts, Ibaka remains a work in progress for the simple fact that he grew up in a far different environment than the typical American prep star or even the average European who participates in an academy-like setting. For the greater part of his upbringing in the Congo, Ibaka lived in a house with no electricity or running water.

His basketball experience consisted solely of playing outdoors, wearing cardboard inserts inside his sneakers to cover the holes in his soles.

Now, he’ll have all the shoes he can handle, especially if this early success is any indication.

Between Hibbert, Tyler Hansbrough and Josh McRoberts, three key cogs in the Pacers’ frontcourt, Ibaka got a full array of what it’s going to be like in his new league, which he says is dramatically different from the challenges he faced in Spain’s ACB League, where he played the last few seasons.

"I’m delighted with how I’m playing, but I’m just trying to work hard on improving every day and learning whatever I can,” Ibaka said through teammate Moses Ehambe, who is also serving as his unofficial interpreter. "It’s been a great experience to play against players of this caliber.”

The Thunder wanted to utilize this summer league opportunity to see where Ibaka stood in his development and give him an idea of what he needs to work on, but may have to concentrate on tempering expectations given how impressive he’s looked.

"He’s a unique type of big man, very different in how wonderfully he runs the floor and excels in transition,” said Thunder assistant coach Mark Bryant, who works primarily with the team’s big men. "His wingspan is terrific, he’s real aggressive and he’s extremely coachable.”

That last part, especially since Ibaka speaks limited English, is what truly has Oklahoma City excited. Ehambe is lightening the burden on him as unofficial translator, but Ibaka, who speaks native language Lingala and French, is working as hard on minimizing the language barrier as he is on his game.

Ibaka drew a pair of offensive fouls on Hibbert down the stretch to give the Thunder an opportunity at a comeback win, but was most impressive with his mid-range touch, excelling on the pick-and-pop with Westbrook.

Ibaka was discovered at the 2007 adidas Nations camp, introducing himself as a player with an NBA-type body and a rare level of athleticism at 17 years of age against the likes of a number of players drafted this past June, including the Thunder’s B.J. Mullens.

Oklahoma City scouts loved his glaring athleticism and were impressed enough to declare him their best option to stash overseas in the hopes he’d turn into something.

I'd say he's more ready than Thabeet adn I wouldn't dream of giving him significant PT.

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

They're both bad rebounders.

You're a bad rebounder.

Outstanding. This has been the most entertaining activity, seriously.

[nickagneta]

15.Memphis

I cannot fathom how I'm last. Same goes for Maestro.

I didn't even see that.

THat is ridiculous.

Is it so? More than one time has Memphis last.

Memphis, and I have said this in this thread and others, will get out rebounded on a nightly basis because they have one decent rebounder on the whole team. For that reason, they will not be a good team.

Thats ridiculous to qualify it by that metric alone. The 2006 Dallas Mavericks were not a good rebounding team, they made the finals. neither were any of the Phoenix teams.

And if your team had half the overall talent those teams had, you might be good. But it doesn't.

Phoenix had

Steve Nash MVP
Amare Stoudemire
Shawn Marion
Leandro Barbosa
Raja Bell
Boris Diaw
Joe Johnson
Eddie House
 
and Dallas had:

Dirk Nowitski MVP
Jason Terry
Josh Howard
Devin Harris
Eric Dampier
Adrian Griffin
Marquis Daniels

Also the Dallas team that went to the Finals outrebounded their opponents by over 300 rebounds that year.

[indeedproceed]

They're both bad rebounders.

You're a bad rebounder.

Your Mom's a bad rebounder.

Seriously though I dunno why some shorter stronger guys are good rebounders (Leon), and some are not (Baby)...its all a mystery. They're both bad rebeounders though.

[indeedproceed]

I'm starting to feel the hate coming off some of the teams in the southwest.

Smells like tacos.

[celticinorlando]

the west is by far the stronger of the two conf....

[nickagneta]

riah, there's a reason why your team is continually being rated between 9 and 13 in  the West. It's because it's not good.

If your team got into the playoffs, no offense I dont see how mine doesnt? I have 2 legit all stars a good but not great pg and i think a fairly decent pf in thompson and a back-up in Craig Smith thats good

Yeah, that's kinda calling my team out! No offense!

[johnnyrondo]

They're both bad rebounders.

You're a bad rebounder.

Your Mom's a bad rebounder.

Seriously though I dunno why some shorter stronger guys are good rebounders (Leon), and some are not (Baby)...its all a mystery. They're both bad rebeounders though.

Rodman and Barkley weren't tall. I think height and rebounding don't go together as much as people want them too. Of course a 7 footer will rebound better than a 6 footer, but when you're talking the difference of 6'8" vs 6'10" much more goes into who will rebound better than the height advantage.

Also some shorter guys who rebound well have long arms. No one rebounds with the top of their head.

[Rondo2287]

They're both bad rebounders.

You're a bad rebounder.

Your Mom's a bad rebounder.

Seriously though I dunno why some shorter stronger guys are good rebounders (Leon), and some are not (Baby)...its all a mystery. They're both bad rebeounders though.

Rodman and Barkley weren't tall. I think height and rebounding don't go together as much as people want them too. Of course a 7 footer will rebound better than a 6 footer, but when you're talking the difference of 6'8" vs 6'10" much more goes into who will rebound better than the height advantage.

Also some shorter guys who rebound well have long arms. No one rebounds with the top of their head.

Oh I disagree sir!!! I would take Rondo rebounding rather than blount any day

[johnnyrondo]

[ No one rebounds with the top of their head.

This maybe should have gone in the Mark Blount thread. Mods, feel free to move it.

[johnnyrondo]

They're both bad rebounders.

You're a bad rebounder.

Your Mom's a bad rebounder.

Seriously though I dunno why some shorter stronger guys are good rebounders (Leon), and some are not (Baby)...its all a mystery. They're both bad rebeounders though.

Rodman and Barkley weren't tall. I think height and rebounding don't go together as much as people want them too. Of course a 7 footer will rebound better than a 6 footer, but when you're talking the difference of 6'8" vs 6'10" much more goes into who will rebound better than the height advantage.

Also some shorter guys who rebound well have long arms. No one rebounds with the top of their head.

Oh I disagree sir!!! I would take Rondo rebounding rather than blount any day

I agree with that one. We agree! World peace is possible!

[riah32]

This is Serge Ibaka's draft profile.

Strengths: A tremendous athlete blessed with insane length and leaping ability Conjures up memories of Shawn Kemp. Ibaka reportedly had a higher vertical than any of the players drafted in the 2007 draft. Which is extremely unusual for a taller player Despite his immense physical gifts, Ibaka hustles at all times and works hard on his game showing a lot of improvement in a short time He's currently playing in Spain for L'Hospitalet Has solid footwork in the post, and an improving turn around jumper He can even extend out to the 3 pt line and knock down shots on occaision Has the tools to become a first round pick in the next year, as he is not far from having an NBA ready body, and plays hard He's relentless on the boards and his length and athleticism makes him a formidable shot blocker Has good touch on his shot, and solid mechanics, he just needs to become more comfortable with his offensive game so it becomes second nature

Weaknesses: Coming from the Congo, his age may come into question He appears to be young and at least close to his listed age so it likely won't be to big a deterrant, but teams are normally wary of the age of young African players who seem "too good to be true". But unlike some other recent African draft picks who did not play NCAA ball (DeSagana Diop, Malick Badiane, Saer Sene) Ibaka is already showing offensive abilities Ibaka also needs to work hard on his skills, while he shows nice potential with his ball skills and post moves, they are far from refined Learning a few moves that he can consistently go to in the post will greatly improve his offesnive abilities Needs to add some muscle to his frame. Right now, he's too lean and will get pushed around under the basket But he's still very young, and appears to be able to put weight on without any problems At the adidas Global camp in New Orleans, Ibaka suffered with cramps, so staying hydrated and improving on his stamina are important

despite all that I wouldn't even dream of putting him in my rotation until he's earned it, and I don't thikn my teams' success hinges on him at all.

Wanna see more? I got more.

From summer league:

MAITLAND, Fla. — Through two days at the Orlando Pro Summer League, Congo native Serge Ibaka has gained a lot of admirers.

Serge Ibaka, center, has made 12 of 15 shot attempts in his first two summer league games with the Thunder.

Whisperers are circulating about how Oklahoma City managed to pick up on a unique 6-foot-10, 19-year-old lottery-level talent under everybody’s nose, especially given the enviable stockpile of young skill players the Thunder have managed to draft over the past few years.

Ibaka may not have the immediate impact of a Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook or even a James Harden, but the No. 24 pick of the 2008 NBA Draft is clearly a keeper. He followed up a 6-for-8 shooting performance in his summer league debut with a 6-for-7 effort in Tuesday night’s 91-88 loss to Indiana, impressing even Roy Hibbert, who started 42 games as a rookie last season.

"He’s good, really aggressive and very quick,” said Hibbert, who led the Pacers with 24 points and eight rebounds. "I kept trying to use my size and weight on him since he’s more of a four, but he did a nice job staying active and using his speed.”

Despite his obvious physical gifts, Ibaka remains a work in progress for the simple fact that he grew up in a far different environment than the typical American prep star or even the average European who participates in an academy-like setting. For the greater part of his upbringing in the Congo, Ibaka lived in a house with no electricity or running water.

His basketball experience consisted solely of playing outdoors, wearing cardboard inserts inside his sneakers to cover the holes in his soles.

Now, he’ll have all the shoes he can handle, especially if this early success is any indication.

Between Hibbert, Tyler Hansbrough and Josh McRoberts, three key cogs in the Pacers’ frontcourt, Ibaka got a full array of what it’s going to be like in his new league, which he says is dramatically different from the challenges he faced in Spain’s ACB League, where he played the last few seasons.

"I’m delighted with how I’m playing, but I’m just trying to work hard on improving every day and learning whatever I can,” Ibaka said through teammate Moses Ehambe, who is also serving as his unofficial interpreter. "It’s been a great experience to play against players of this caliber.”

The Thunder wanted to utilize this summer league opportunity to see where Ibaka stood in his development and give him an idea of what he needs to work on, but may have to concentrate on tempering expectations given how impressive he’s looked.

"He’s a unique type of big man, very different in how wonderfully he runs the floor and excels in transition,” said Thunder assistant coach Mark Bryant, who works primarily with the team’s big men. "His wingspan is terrific, he’s real aggressive and he’s extremely coachable.”

That last part, especially since Ibaka speaks limited English, is what truly has Oklahoma City excited. Ehambe is lightening the burden on him as unofficial translator, but Ibaka, who speaks native language Lingala and French, is working as hard on minimizing the language barrier as he is on his game.

Ibaka drew a pair of offensive fouls on Hibbert down the stretch to give the Thunder an opportunity at a comeback win, but was most impressive with his mid-range touch, excelling on the pick-and-pop with Westbrook.

Ibaka was discovered at the 2007 adidas Nations camp, introducing himself as a player with an NBA-type body and a rare level of athleticism at 17 years of age against the likes of a number of players drafted this past June, including the Thunder’s B.J. Mullens.

Oklahoma City scouts loved his glaring athleticism and were impressed enough to declare him their best option to stash overseas in the hopes he’d turn into something.

I'd say he's more ready than Thabeet adn I wouldn't dream of giving him significant PT.

He is not more ready than thabeet there stasing him over seas.....thabeet is playing in the NBA next year and hasnt played basketbll as many years as most of these guys have and U think based on that he will be really goood after about a month ir so of playing.