Scout: Nurkic is like a Demarcus Cousin type

[Tr1boy]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/2014-nba-mock-draft--lottery-edition-021401275.html

Scout's take: "He's like a DeMarcus Cousins type in size and offensive game. He plays more athletic and swift than you would expect for a guy 280"


Imo it's a pretty good comparison

The good/comparable:  Massive size at 280 pounds, wide frame, offensively skilled and pretty quick/athletic for his size

The bad: Not overly athletic/above the rim player. Complains to the ref's regarding calls. If things don't go his way, lets it affect his play

Now of course there are differences. Cousins has a 7'5 wingspan, is a very good ball handler for his size and also a better jump shooter. But Nurkic is a more skilled player from the post and a more physical player that doesn't shy away from contact as much as Cousins does. 

This being said per this scout's opinion if overall they are pretty similar,  the question is how high would Cousin's go in this years draft if he was available??  I'm seeing some mock sites, pro celts fan sites that are stating that the Celts need to draft the 2nd best center of the draft.  If anything it fills a huge hole. Nurkic has a nba ready body and advanced offensive skills regardless of his age. 

I would be worried the most about him picking up quick fouls (like any other rookies) and calming him down when things are not going his way. 

It will be considered a reach but i also think it's a pretty safe pick. We also have the 17th pick where some say it could end up being as good as the 5-10 picks anyways. For example Stauskus, Warren could end up being as good or if not a better nba player than a Julius Randle. 

thoughts?

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Im all for this kid. Not having a really good vertical is a concern, but he moves well, skilled and physically just ready and then some.

If he's the number 6 pick, I would be excited.

[Tr1boy]

Im all for this kid. Not having a really good vertical is a concern, but he moves well, skilled and physically just ready and then some.

If he's the number 6 pick, I would be excited.

yup. Fills a huge hole the team currently has. Seems to have a good iq/feel for the game so eventually will understand the politics and details of the game.   He hasn't played ft minutes still and if he did he would be scoring 20 pts and pulling down 10 rebounds imo

I really like his chippiness though it can go south if it doesn't go his way. This would be something the rest of the team and Stevens would have to help him on.   He would be a nightmare to cover in PNR situations and should get enough foul calls to finally get opposing team players in foul trouble.

potential lineup

C- Nurkic
PF - Sullinger/KO
SF - Green or 17th pick (like Early, Warren)
SG - AB/Green or 17th pick (like Stauskus, Harris, Hood , Hairston)
PG - Rondo

[pokeKingCurtis]

Trade down for Nurkic? For one we prevent the Lakers from getting a better prospect. Another thing is reaching seems like a waste, we could potentially grab a nice player or two.

It's too bad all the bad teams have zero assets we want. Maybe if they'd take Gerald Wallace.

[LarBrd33]

Weird.  Nbadraft.net has him going in the 2nd round.

[footey]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/2014-nba-mock-draft--lottery-edition-021401275.html

Scout's take: "He's like a DeMarcus Cousins type in size and offensive game. He plays more athletic and swift than you would expect for a guy 280"


Imo it's a pretty good comparison

The good/comparable:  Massive size at 280 pounds, wide frame, offensively skilled and pretty quick/athletic for his size

The bad: Not overly athletic/above the rim player. Complains to the ref's regarding calls. If things don't go his way, lets it affect his play

Now of course there are differences. Cousins has a 7'5 wingspan, is a very good ball handler for his size and also a better jump shooter. But Nurkic is a more skilled player from the post and a more physical player that doesn't shy away from contact as much as Cousins does. 

This being said per this scout's opinion if overall they are pretty similar,  the question is how high would Cousin's go in this years draft if he was available??  I'm seeing some mock sites, pro celts fan sites that are stating that the Celts need to draft the 2nd best center of the draft.  If anything it fills a huge hole. Nurkic has a nba ready body and advanced offensive skills regardless of his age. 

I would be worried the most about him picking up quick fouls (like any other rookies) and calming him down when things are not going his way. 

It will be considered a reach but i also think it's a pretty safe pick. We also have the 17th pick where some say it could end up being as good as the 5-10 picks anyways. For example Stauskus, Warren could end up being as good or if not a better nba player than a Julius Randle. 

thoughts?

Cousins seems a lot more athletic to me. 

[cometboy]

sounds like a lot of unfamiliarity with this kid. I admit I don't know much about him, but the comparison to Cousins caught my eye. I've had my eye on Cousins and Drummond for a while now. If he's in the class of Cousins, he would be worth a 6th pick.

I know Danny spent a lot of time in Europe looking at these kids. Hopefully, he has a good feel for their potential.

CB

[Tr1boy]

Lucky i found this game on youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mxgFNST8Rc

I saw most of the game and helped pick out parts for celtics fans to see of what we could expect if we draft this kid

6:05-6:38 - For his size he moves pretty darn quick. Good agility.  Good looking defense, physical
8:34 - post move basket
12:44 - nice block
13:24 - nice pass
14:17 - nice pass again. I'm impressed with his court awareness. Also fights for an offensive rebound
17:46 - nice little hook shot. He is aware of where the net is without having to look
58:40 - nice hook shot off the backboard. Really quick
1:15:10 - again too easy. Beautiful spin , off the backboard move

Nice to also see our old friends Allan Ray and Colton Iverson play.  Iverson looks quicker, as chippy as ever. But of course doesn't have much skill. Nurkic looks like he is 5 times more skilled than Iverson. Once he gets the ball he knows what to do with it. He wasn't flying around swatting shots like crazy but he usually had his hands up trying to make things difficult for other to score over. His rebounding skills is also fine.  Good at boxing out.

I'm beginning to like what i see.  What do you guys think?

[cometboy]

nice job triboy. I haven't looked at the video yet, but you deserve a TP just for finding this.

Thanks!

CB

[CM0]

Trade down for Nurkic? For one we prevent the Lakers from getting a better prospect. Another thing is reaching seems like a waste, we could potentially grab a nice player or two.

It's too bad all the bad teams have zero assets we want. Maybe if they'd take Gerald Wallace.

I think Nurkic will go in the 12-16 range. No need to take him at #6. The Celts could either trade down with the #6 or up with the #17 if they want him.

[Tr1boy]

Trade down for Nurkic? For one we prevent the Lakers from getting a better prospect. Another thing is reaching seems like a waste, we could potentially grab a nice player or two.

It's too bad all the bad teams have zero assets we want. Maybe if they'd take Gerald Wallace.

I think Nurkic will go in the 12-16 range. No need to take him at #6. The Celts could either trade down with the #6 or up with the #17 if they want him.

He is a Center that has nba size , offensive skills and mobility. Guys like this usually don't last until 12-16.   

Somebody picking within the top 10 could reach for him and i wouldn't be surprised one second if they do.

I think Danny needs to consider (if he hasn't already) Nurkic at the 6th spot

[Tr1boy]

Weird.  Nbadraft.net has him going in the 2nd round.

draftexpress has him at 11 . This makes more sense to me

[CM0]

Trade down for Nurkic? For one we prevent the Lakers from getting a better prospect. Another thing is reaching seems like a waste, we could potentially grab a nice player or two.

It's too bad all the bad teams have zero assets we want. Maybe if they'd take Gerald Wallace.

I think Nurkic will go in the 12-16 range. No need to take him at #6. The Celts could either trade down with the #6 or up with the #17 if they want him.

He is a Center that has nba size , offensive skills and mobility. Guys like this usually don't last until 12-16.   

Somebody picking within the top 10 could reach for him and i wouldn't be surprised one second if they do.

I think Danny needs to consider (if he hasn't already) Nurkic at the 6th spot

It could happen, though I would be slightly surprised if he went ahead of Saric, Vonleh, Randle, or Gordon.

[Tr1boy]

Trade down for Nurkic? For one we prevent the Lakers from getting a better prospect. Another thing is reaching seems like a waste, we could potentially grab a nice player or two.

It's too bad all the bad teams have zero assets we want. Maybe if they'd take Gerald Wallace.

I think Nurkic will go in the 12-16 range. No need to take him at #6. The Celts could either trade down with the #6 or up with the #17 if they want him.

He is a Center that has nba size , offensive skills and mobility. Guys like this usually don't last until 12-16.   

Somebody picking within the top 10 could reach for him and i wouldn't be surprised one second if they do.

I think Danny needs to consider (if he hasn't already) Nurkic at the 6th spot

It could happen, though I would be slightly surprised if he went ahead of Saric, Vonleh, Randle, or Gordon.

Me too. But Centers are hard to come by. Especially good ones. Rare commodity

Nurkic's main redflags are that he is young,  complains about some foul calls and doesn't have exceptional vertical lift (which is like a luxury really).  It's not like he is scrawny, has back problems, low iq, can't rebound or score.  His post moves are actually very advanced. Even if a longer guy is on him , Nurkic will be hard to guard because his spins/move is so quick

I like the way also he doesn't back down on the defensive end

[CM0]

Trade down for Nurkic? For one we prevent the Lakers from getting a better prospect. Another thing is reaching seems like a waste, we could potentially grab a nice player or two.

It's too bad all the bad teams have zero assets we want. Maybe if they'd take Gerald Wallace.

I think Nurkic will go in the 12-16 range. No need to take him at #6. The Celts could either trade down with the #6 or up with the #17 if they want him.

He is a Center that has nba size , offensive skills and mobility. Guys like this usually don't last until 12-16.   

Somebody picking within the top 10 could reach for him and i wouldn't be surprised one second if they do.

I think Danny needs to consider (if he hasn't already) Nurkic at the 6th spot

It could happen, though I would be slightly surprised if he went ahead of Saric, Vonleh, Randle, or Gordon.

Me too. But Centers are hard to come by. Especially good ones. Rare commodity

Nurkic's main redflags are that he is young,  complains about some foul calls and doesn't have exceptional vertical lift (which is like a luxury really).  It's not like he is scrawny, has back problems, low iq, can't rebound or can't score.  His post moves are actually very advanced. Even if a longer guy is on him , Nurkic will be hard to guard because his spins/move is so quick

I agree with all of that. I like Nurkic very much. Pretty quick on his feet for such a massive guy too. He can really get downcourt and is a threat is transition.