Keith Smith: There is significant interest in Ante Zizic around the league.

[hpantazo]

Sources: There has been significant interest in Celtics draftee Ante Zizic. Zizic has looked good in both Croatia and Turkey this season.

Keith Smith
https://mobile.twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/818241951770279936

Not familiar with Keith Smith or his alleged sources but also not surprised that teams might be interested in the big fella.

Frankly I'm guessing most of these teams had their chance to draft him last year and it was Danny's foresight that let him fall into our laps 23. Unless the rights to Ante Zizic are the final straw that broke the camel's back in a blockbuster trade I say let's keep him, see if we have, and hope that we found our next starting center.

I'm not even sure he was meant to drop so far down, the actual draft took an absolute deviation from how the public perceived the new players.

Let's not forget that Ainge passed on him once as well. He took Yabusele over him earlier in the draft with our second 1st rounder. Zizic could have easily been gone by the time our 3rd first round pick came around.

You also have to think that part of the reason for the Celtics helping to get him transferred to a tougher league under David Blatt recently was to get enough games in against much better competition to showcase him for a trade before the trade deadline.

[oldtype]

Sources: There has been significant interest in Celtics draftee Ante Zizic. Zizic has looked good in both Croatia and Turkey this season.

Keith Smith
https://mobile.twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/818241951770279936

Not familiar with Keith Smith or his alleged sources but also not surprised that teams might be interested in the big fella.

Frankly I'm guessing most of these teams had their chance to draft him last year and it was Danny's foresight that let him fall into our laps 23. Unless the rights to Ante Zizic are the final straw that broke the camel's back in a blockbuster trade I say let's keep him, see if we have, and hope that we found our next starting center.

I'm not even sure he was meant to drop so far down, the actual draft took an absolute deviation from how the public perceived the new players.

Let's not forget that Ainge passed on him once as well. He took Yabusele over him earlier in the draft with our second 1st rounder. Zizic could have easily been gone by the time our 3rd first round pick came around.

You also have to think that part of the reason for the Celtics helping to get him transferred to a tougher league under David Blatt recently was to get enough games in against much better competition to showcase him for a trade before the trade deadline.

I'm sure the Celtics were happy he moved to a better team but they don't actually have any say in this matter.  If it were up to them I'm sure they would have preferred that Yabusele not go to China, for example.

[GreenShooter]

now I want to see him in Celtics green asap! Actually bring on Yabu too, let's clear some space on our roster like sending away Zeller and Jerebko at least to make some room

I'd love to see Zizic in Boston now, but I can't imagine Danny doing that since we would lose a year of control over him.

I think you nailed it as I was thinking the same thing. We are not title contenders this year so why waste a year of control for him (and or even Yabu....though I'm not crazy about him). The season is almost half done and they are both still teenagers (Zizic just turned 20) so unless we know for a fact (and Danny would if anyone) he can help big time I don't think it's a good idea to bring him in now. It could also lessen his trade value if he flops or doesn't get any playing time.

[saltlover]

Sources: There has been significant interest in Celtics draftee Ante Zizic. Zizic has looked good in both Croatia and Turkey this season.

Keith Smith
https://mobile.twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/818241951770279936

Not familiar with Keith Smith or his alleged sources but also not surprised that teams might be interested in the big fella.

Frankly I'm guessing most of these teams had their chance to draft him last year and it was Danny's foresight that let him fall into our laps 23. Unless the rights to Ante Zizic are the final straw that broke the camel's back in a blockbuster trade I say let's keep him, see if we have, and hope that we found our next starting center.

I'm not even sure he was meant to drop so far down, the actual draft took an absolute deviation from how the public perceived the new players.

Let's not forget that Ainge passed on him once as well. He took Yabusele over him earlier in the draft with our second 1st rounder. Zizic could have easily been gone by the time our 3rd first round pick came around.

You also have to think that part of the reason for the Celtics helping to get him transferred to a tougher league under David Blatt recently was to get enough games in against much better competition to showcase him for a trade before the trade deadline.

I'm sure the Celtics were happy he moved to a better team but they don't actually have any say in this matter.  If it were up to them I'm sure they would have preferred that Yabusele not go to China, for example.

It was reported that the C's helped get Yab his gig in China.

[oldtype]

Sources: There has been significant interest in Celtics draftee Ante Zizic. Zizic has looked good in both Croatia and Turkey this season.

Keith Smith
https://mobile.twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/818241951770279936

Not familiar with Keith Smith or his alleged sources but also not surprised that teams might be interested in the big fella.

Frankly I'm guessing most of these teams had their chance to draft him last year and it was Danny's foresight that let him fall into our laps 23. Unless the rights to Ante Zizic are the final straw that broke the camel's back in a blockbuster trade I say let's keep him, see if we have, and hope that we found our next starting center.

I'm not even sure he was meant to drop so far down, the actual draft took an absolute deviation from how the public perceived the new players.

Let's not forget that Ainge passed on him once as well. He took Yabusele over him earlier in the draft with our second 1st rounder. Zizic could have easily been gone by the time our 3rd first round pick came around.

You also have to think that part of the reason for the Celtics helping to get him transferred to a tougher league under David Blatt recently was to get enough games in against much better competition to showcase him for a trade before the trade deadline.

I'm sure the Celtics were happy he moved to a better team but they don't actually have any say in this matter.  If it were up to them I'm sure they would have preferred that Yabusele not go to China, for example.

It was reported that the C's helped get Yab his gig in China.

I honestly don't believe that for a minute.  If Yabu made up his mind that he wanted to go to China and asked the Celtics help in making contacts I'm sure they would have done it (if only to make sure he goes to a high-quality organization like the Sharks), but there's no way they actually preferred that he go to China over staying in Europe.

[KG Living Legend]

 The only draft pick I've ever hit the nail on the head with is Ante Zizic! I started the Forget Bender draft Zizic thread!

 Can't wait to see him here next year!

[saltlover]

Sources: There has been significant interest in Celtics draftee Ante Zizic. Zizic has looked good in both Croatia and Turkey this season.

Keith Smith
https://mobile.twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/818241951770279936

Not familiar with Keith Smith or his alleged sources but also not surprised that teams might be interested in the big fella.

Frankly I'm guessing most of these teams had their chance to draft him last year and it was Danny's foresight that let him fall into our laps 23. Unless the rights to Ante Zizic are the final straw that broke the camel's back in a blockbuster trade I say let's keep him, see if we have, and hope that we found our next starting center.

I'm not even sure he was meant to drop so far down, the actual draft took an absolute deviation from how the public perceived the new players.

Let's not forget that Ainge passed on him once as well. He took Yabusele over him earlier in the draft with our second 1st rounder. Zizic could have easily been gone by the time our 3rd first round pick came around.

You also have to think that part of the reason for the Celtics helping to get him transferred to a tougher league under David Blatt recently was to get enough games in against much better competition to showcase him for a trade before the trade deadline.

I'm sure the Celtics were happy he moved to a better team but they don't actually have any say in this matter.  If it were up to them I'm sure they would have preferred that Yabusele not go to China, for example.

It was reported that the C's helped get Yab his gig in China.

I honestly don't believe that for a minute.  If Yabu made up his mind that he wanted to go to China and asked the Celtics help in making contacts I'm sure they would have done it (if only to make sure he goes to a high-quality organization like the Sharks), but there's no way they actually preferred that he go to China over staying in Europe.

His team in France got relegated to a lower league, so he'd no longer be playing against even top French league competition (which isn't that great to begin with).  A Euro team wouldn't want to take him in for a single season since he's still developing -- there's nothing in it for them.  China, on the other hand, generally has one year contracts for foreigners, so it was a decent match.  Competition level isn't too good, but still better than lower division France.

[saltlover]

 The only draft pick I've ever hit the nail on the head with is Ante Zizic! I started the Forget Bender draft Zizic thread!

 Can't wait to see him here next year!

I think you already told us this...

[oldtype]

Sources: There has been significant interest in Celtics draftee Ante Zizic. Zizic has looked good in both Croatia and Turkey this season.

Keith Smith
https://mobile.twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/818241951770279936

Not familiar with Keith Smith or his alleged sources but also not surprised that teams might be interested in the big fella.

Frankly I'm guessing most of these teams had their chance to draft him last year and it was Danny's foresight that let him fall into our laps 23. Unless the rights to Ante Zizic are the final straw that broke the camel's back in a blockbuster trade I say let's keep him, see if we have, and hope that we found our next starting center.

I'm not even sure he was meant to drop so far down, the actual draft took an absolute deviation from how the public perceived the new players.

Let's not forget that Ainge passed on him once as well. He took Yabusele over him earlier in the draft with our second 1st rounder. Zizic could have easily been gone by the time our 3rd first round pick came around.

You also have to think that part of the reason for the Celtics helping to get him transferred to a tougher league under David Blatt recently was to get enough games in against much better competition to showcase him for a trade before the trade deadline.

I'm sure the Celtics were happy he moved to a better team but they don't actually have any say in this matter.  If it were up to them I'm sure they would have preferred that Yabusele not go to China, for example.

It was reported that the C's helped get Yab his gig in China.

I honestly don't believe that for a minute.  If Yabu made up his mind that he wanted to go to China and asked the Celtics help in making contacts I'm sure they would have done it (if only to make sure he goes to a high-quality organization like the Sharks), but there's no way they actually preferred that he go to China over staying in Europe.

His team in France got relegated to a lower league, so he'd no longer be playing against even top French league competition (which isn't that great to begin with).  A Euro team wouldn't want to take him in for a single season since he's still developing -- there's nothing in it for them.  China, on the other hand, generally has one year contracts for foreigners, so it was a decent match.  Competition level isn't too good, but still better than lower division France.

Not basing this off any actual data, but if you take away the foreign player quota, I'm pretty sure CBL is significantly worse than French Pro B.

[SHAQATTACK]

Keep their grubby little paws off our "Elite" big in storage

[saltlover]

Sources: There has been significant interest in Celtics draftee Ante Zizic. Zizic has looked good in both Croatia and Turkey this season.

Keith Smith
https://mobile.twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/818241951770279936

Not familiar with Keith Smith or his alleged sources but also not surprised that teams might be interested in the big fella.

Frankly I'm guessing most of these teams had their chance to draft him last year and it was Danny's foresight that let him fall into our laps 23. Unless the rights to Ante Zizic are the final straw that broke the camel's back in a blockbuster trade I say let's keep him, see if we have, and hope that we found our next starting center.

I'm not even sure he was meant to drop so far down, the actual draft took an absolute deviation from how the public perceived the new players.

Let's not forget that Ainge passed on him once as well. He took Yabusele over him earlier in the draft with our second 1st rounder. Zizic could have easily been gone by the time our 3rd first round pick came around.

You also have to think that part of the reason for the Celtics helping to get him transferred to a tougher league under David Blatt recently was to get enough games in against much better competition to showcase him for a trade before the trade deadline.

I'm sure the Celtics were happy he moved to a better team but they don't actually have any say in this matter.  If it were up to them I'm sure they would have preferred that Yabusele not go to China, for example.

It was reported that the C's helped get Yab his gig in China.

I honestly don't believe that for a minute.  If Yabu made up his mind that he wanted to go to China and asked the Celtics help in making contacts I'm sure they would have done it (if only to make sure he goes to a high-quality organization like the Sharks), but there's no way they actually preferred that he go to China over staying in Europe.

His team in France got relegated to a lower league, so he'd no longer be playing against even top French league competition (which isn't that great to begin with).  A Euro team wouldn't want to take him in for a single season since he's still developing -- there's nothing in it for them.  China, on the other hand, generally has one year contracts for foreigners, so it was a decent match.  Competition level isn't too good, but still better than lower division France.

Not basing this off any actual data, but if you take away the foreign player quota, I'm pretty sure CBL is significantly worse than French Pro B.

Possibly, but the foreign players exist, so China wins out.  I'm sure the DeJuan Blairs, Carlos Boozers, and JJ Hicksons in China are better than anyone Yab would see in French Pro B.

[oldtype]

Sources: There has been significant interest in Celtics draftee Ante Zizic. Zizic has looked good in both Croatia and Turkey this season.

Keith Smith
https://mobile.twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/818241951770279936

Not familiar with Keith Smith or his alleged sources but also not surprised that teams might be interested in the big fella.

Frankly I'm guessing most of these teams had their chance to draft him last year and it was Danny's foresight that let him fall into our laps 23. Unless the rights to Ante Zizic are the final straw that broke the camel's back in a blockbuster trade I say let's keep him, see if we have, and hope that we found our next starting center.

I'm not even sure he was meant to drop so far down, the actual draft took an absolute deviation from how the public perceived the new players.

Let's not forget that Ainge passed on him once as well. He took Yabusele over him earlier in the draft with our second 1st rounder. Zizic could have easily been gone by the time our 3rd first round pick came around.

You also have to think that part of the reason for the Celtics helping to get him transferred to a tougher league under David Blatt recently was to get enough games in against much better competition to showcase him for a trade before the trade deadline.

I'm sure the Celtics were happy he moved to a better team but they don't actually have any say in this matter.  If it were up to them I'm sure they would have preferred that Yabusele not go to China, for example.

It was reported that the C's helped get Yab his gig in China.

I honestly don't believe that for a minute.  If Yabu made up his mind that he wanted to go to China and asked the Celtics help in making contacts I'm sure they would have done it (if only to make sure he goes to a high-quality organization like the Sharks), but there's no way they actually preferred that he go to China over staying in Europe.

His team in France got relegated to a lower league, so he'd no longer be playing against even top French league competition (which isn't that great to begin with).  A Euro team wouldn't want to take him in for a single season since he's still developing -- there's nothing in it for them.  China, on the other hand, generally has one year contracts for foreigners, so it was a decent match.  Competition level isn't too good, but still better than lower division France.

Not basing this off any actual data, but if you take away the foreign player quota, I'm pretty sure CBL is significantly worse than French Pro B.

Possibly, but the foreign players exist, so China wins out.  I'm sure the DeJuan Blairs, Carlos Boozers, and JJ Hicksons in China are better than anyone Yab would see in French Pro B.

Yes, it's just not normal basketball though. They're like glorified exhibition games where only one or two players on each team even matters.

[LarBrd33]

Wait... so half the league has bonafide starter-caliber NBA centers readily available and yet I'm supposed to believe that there's "significant interest" around the league for some late 1st rounder (in what has been an exceptionally weak draft so far) who is putting up decent stats in Europe? 

Is this kid legit?  I'm seriously asking.  I don't know what to make of stats I see from players overseas and the little highlight footage I watched of him made him look like a slow-footed stiff with no mid-range game who is just using his size to rebound and dunk on smaller opponents. 

[green_bballers13]

 The only draft pick I've ever hit the nail on the head with is Ante Zizic! I started the Forget Bender draft Zizic thread!

 Can't wait to see him here next year!

I think you already told us this...

Someone is an angry elf..... Given how much attention Bender got (esp after Zinger's rookie success), I think this was a pretty good call by KG. Let's see how persnickety people can become when you post....

I am more excited about Zizic than Yabu- I would think this is almost the consensus position around here. I hope Danny lets him develop into an elite international player before he brings him over to ride the pine. Hopefully this doesn't take forever.

I'm fine if Danny foregoes a major center acquisition in order to give the big Ziz enough playing time with the Celtics.

[green_bballers13]

Wait... so half the league has bonafide starter-caliber NBA centers readily available and yet I'm supposed to believe that there's "significant interest" around the league for some late 1st rounder (in what has been an exceptionally weak draft so far) who is putting up decent stats in Europe? 

Is this kid legit?  I'm seriously asking.  I don't know what to make of stats I see from players overseas and the little highlight footage I watched of him made him look like a slow-footed stiff with no mid-range game who is just using his size to rebound and dunk on smaller opponents.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3C8tA2bwlc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRzig7TrzBo

Maybe your eyes show you something different than what I see. I don't see a slow-footed stiff. I see a young guy with a pretty decent arsenal of low post moves. At the minimum, I see a guy who can collect fouls and hit free throws. He turned 20 5 days ago. I don't expect much from him for a couple of years, so unless he regresses, I'm excited about him.