zizic

[rollie mass]

is a 6month rental to turkish team cibonna retains rights,zizic wants to get to nba and celtics ASAP,his buyout from cibonna manageable for celts--info on boston celtics reddit site

[Surferdad]

So Zizic could come over during this season?  If so, then decide who to cut.  Young or Mickey seem most likely.

[Alleyoopster]

So Zizic could come over during this season?  If so, then decide who to cut.  Young or Mickey seem most likely.

If he came in at the end of the NBA season, then one must ask how effective could he possibly be without any prior preseason practices, knowledge of the playbook, etc. ?

[hpantazo]

So Zizic could come over during this season?  If so, then decide who to cut.  Young or Mickey seem most likely.

If he came in at the end of the NBA season, then one must ask how effective could he possibly be without any prior preseason practices, knowledge of the playbook, etc. ?

More effective than any of our current centers at rebounding I imagine.

[clover]

So Zizic could come over during this season?  If so, then decide who to cut.  Young or Mickey seem most likely.

If he came in at the end of the NBA season, then one must ask how effective could he possibly be without any prior preseason practices, knowledge of the playbook, etc. ?

More effective than any of our current centers at rebounding I imagine.

And his training this summer would be the more valuable if he had the benefit of some NBA experience this spring.

[RockinRyA]

So Zizic could come over during this season?  If so, then decide who to cut.  Young or Mickey seem most likely.

If he came in at the end of the NBA season, then one must ask how effective could he possibly be without any prior preseason practices, knowledge of the playbook, etc. ?

More effective than any of our current centers at rebounding I imagine.

So you would sacrifice offense, defense for rebounding? Sorry but its not that simple for a 19/20 year old to come into a team in the middle of a season and produce. Chemistry is a thing too you know. I wouldnt sacrifice wins, his contract, flexibility just for rebounding, which may or may not translate right away.

[Vermont Green]

As you may have heard, Ante Zizic is leaving Cibona and he will play for David Blatt's Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul. They play in strong BSL (Turkish League) and Euroleague (probably the strongest basketball competition outside of NBA) so this is definitely a good move for Zizic. What's more, I think he may immidiately help Darussafaka and play big role just because they lack some size and Zizic will definitely fill that void. They have our old pal Semih Erden and ex-76er Furkan Aldemir playing the center position (and Luke Harangody on the wing!) but there's no much deep as their best rebounder in the Euroleague pulls down 5.5 boards per game (and it's neither Erden nor Aldemir).
Still, they are 8-6 in this year's competition and are fighting for the playoff spot so I really do think Zizic can play a lot since the day one there. And don't forget they have a really good coach - you may remember this Boston-born David Blatt who coached Cavaliers just last season. And it seems that David Blatt really values Zizic and his approach to the game.
Now, why the heck is Zizic leaving Cibona? They are having financial difficulties and they had to do something. Zizic is their best player and Cibona knows he'll leave soon anyway (well, he wanted to go to the NBA this year) so they decided to "rent" him to the Darussafaka who needs just someone like Zizic. David Pick reported that Zizic's brother told him that Cibona will actually retain rights to Zizic this offseason who will sign just 6-month deal with Darussafaka. Pick is also reporting that Ante wants to be in the NBA as soon as possible and has "managable NBA out" so this move doesn't really impact the Celtics in terms of bringing Zizic this next offseason (but to be clear, they will be negotiating a buy-out with Cibona and not Darussafaka).
So, to sum it up:
Zizic will be playing for David Blatt and against much more tougher competition than thus far so it's good for him and his development.
Cibona made this move because of financial problems.
Darussafaka made this move because... well, because they can afford it and they think Zizic can help them right away, even if it's just for six months (this speaks highly on Ante's perception in Europe, he's not only one of the best prospects here, he's already one of the best centers!).
Six-month deal and Cibona retaining his rights are two things that make me think that Zizic will sign with Boston this very next offseason.
This move means also that #ZizicWatch can get a little bit harder for me to do. I can't find any games from Turkish League online and I can't afford to buy Euroleague pass so I don't really know what to do and I can't think of good solution. If any of you knows where to get BSL and/or Euroleague games, please share it with me.

I don't think this changes things much.  Still likely to NBA this off season at the earliest is my read.  Glad he will be seeing better competition.  That can't hurt.  So is this the equivalent of going from Double AA to Triple AAA?

[Surferdad]

So Zizic could come over during this season?  If so, then decide who to cut.  Young or Mickey seem most likely.

If he came in at the end of the NBA season, then one must ask how effective could he possibly be without any prior preseason practices, knowledge of the playbook, etc. ?

More effective than any of our current centers at rebounding I imagine.

So you would sacrifice offense, defense for rebounding? Sorry but its not that simple for a 19/20 year old to come into a team in the middle of a season and produce. Chemistry is a thing too you know. I wouldnt sacrifice wins, his contract, flexibility just for rebounding, which may or may not translate right away.

Perhaps but I think you worry too much.  How much offense and rebounding has Mickey really provided?  Is he effective when he's been on the floor?  The answer of course is not always.  Look, this is not a huge decision. Swapping in Zizic for Mickey is not much of a risk.

[TrueFan]

So Zizic could come over during this season?  If so, then decide who to cut.  Young or Mickey seem most likely.

I like Young. He's always positive on the bench and the team seems to genuinely like him. He could have easily gone the other route and became disgruntled with lack of an opportunity. I think he also does have some skills that may translate over one day.

I'm either cutting Zeller or Mickey.

[TrueFan]

I'm all for bringing Zizic over now. I think getting to practice with the team would help him out for next year.

[PAOBoston]

I'm all for bringing Zizic over now. I think getting to practice with the team would help him out for next year.

I don't see how that benefits Zizic. He needs to play, not sit at the end of time bench. The entire point of having these guys stashed overseas is to have them play and develop since they are 19 years old.

[nickagneta]

Zeller isnt going to be cut for Zizac. His contract is too big to eat and he is still just outside the rotation. If Zizac comes over, he wont play a bit, Young or Mickey will be cut and the Celtics may as well have just 14 players on their roster because Zizac will be useless. Young and Mickey may not be playing but they at least have been through a one and a half to 2 and a half seasons of games, a 2 or 3 full preseasons, and full training camps. They know what they have to do. Zizac as a mid season replacement will be lost. Just leave Zizac where he is for this season. He will come over next year.

[vjcsmoke]

Zizic isn't coming over this year.  He will probably be here next summer if all goes well though.

Rebounding translates at every level.  Just look at good NCAA rebounders coming over to the NBA.  It usually works out.  College scorers though can drop of when they have to face NBA level athletes contesting their shots.  That's a different story.

In any case, be patient for Zizic.  We need to wait and do what's right for his development.  This year is roster logjam city.  Witness the excruciating whittling down to the 15th spot for James Young vs RJ Hunter.  Next year will probably be a lot better.

[billysan]

I know some folks here will be disappointed,  but I will say now that it's  very likely Zeller is with the team for next season if we dont land another rotation big in FA.  Mickey, Jackson  and Young are filling space that will be used for 3 of Zizic,  Yabusele,  our number one draft pick and a FA.

Very likely Zeller  stays also because we will likely not re-sign one of Olynyk,  Jerebko,  or Amir.

As to coming over, is Zizic better off against his current level of competition or getting reps in the D league? Not to mention the occasional practice with Amir or Horford to play against?  He needs reps against quality if he is to learn obviously.

All depends on who we can land for our big rotation.

[IDreamCeltics]

So Zizic could come over during this season?  If so, then decide who to cut.  Young or Mickey seem most likely.

If he came in at the end of the NBA season, then one must ask how effective could he possibly be without any prior preseason practices, knowledge of the playbook, etc. ?

More effective than any of our current centers at rebounding I imagine.

So you would sacrifice offense, defense for rebounding? Sorry but its not that simple for a 19/20 year old to come into a team in the middle of a season and produce.

The only thing Mickey is defending is his seat on the end of the bench.

Hope ya rentin' Mickey!!  So long!!