Austin Ainge: Ante Zizic 'punishes grown men physically'

[slightly biased bias fan]

“He just turned 20 in January, and he punishes grown men physically,” said Celtics director of player personnel Austin Ainge. “He hits hard and he’s a physical presence out there. As much as I loved Ante and believed in him, I was surprised how much success he had this early in Euroleague.”

Zizic has noticed that the Celtics’ greatest weakness is rebounding. That is difficult for him to see, because he knows that is one of his greatest strengths. He knows he could be giving his future teammates a boost right now.

“I go on every rebound, so I think I can help on that, for sure I can,” Zizic said. “I can grab some bonus rebounds. I have a great work ethic and always will give my maximum.”

[Csfan1984]

His power is maximum 

[mr. dee]

Zizic and Yabu will give Celtics a much need physicality in frontcourt.

[Quetzalcoatl]

Zizic + Fultz or Jackson means we will be the team with the best rookies next year.  My expectations for Zizic even months before the draft were sky high and now that we've seen what he can do he looks like a total beast.

We're also only one game behind the Cavs 

[Csfan1984]

Zizic and Yabu will give Celtics a much need physicality in frontcourt.

I agree. I expect they replace Jerebko and Zeller so C's won't ask a lot from them early on.

[dreamgreen]

Zizic and Yabu will give Celtics a much need physicality in frontcourt.

I agree. I expect they replace Jerebko and Zeller so C's won't ask a lot from them early on.

They could be replacing KO also. But I'm excited for this kid to come in here and be a beast!

[saltlover]

Zizic and Yabu will give Celtics a much need physicality in frontcourt.

I agree. I expect they replace Jerebko and Zeller so C's won't ask a lot from them early on.

I don't expect Yab until 2018.

[The One]

His power is maximum 

All your rebounds are belong to...Zizic!!!

[boscel33]

Zizic + Fultz or Jackson means we will be the team with the best rookies next year.  My expectations for Zizic even months before the draft were sky high and now that we've seen what he can do he looks like a total beast.

We're also only one game behind the Cavs 

I agree, my eyes were on him and thought/hoped we'd take him at 16. Seeing him slide to the twenties was a bonus, but I was worried for sure.

[A Future of Stevens]

I just want him to keep adding strength and working on his mobility on switches. He projects to do both, so I hope he keeps it up. Also I think he should be working on stretching the floor a bit so he can fit into Brad's offense from the get go. The good news is that his FT% is good, and his form looks great.

Can't wait for this kid to gobble up rebounds for us.

[hwangjini_1]

Zizic and Yabu will give Celtics a much need physicality in frontcourt.

I agree. I expect they replace Jerebko and Zeller so C's won't ask a lot from them early on.

I don't expect Yab until 2018.

and why would that be? (i.e. you raise an interesting and unexpected point. would you please expand upon it. thanks in advance.) 

[footey]

Zizic and Yabu will give Celtics a much need physicality in frontcourt.

I agree. I expect they replace Jerebko and Zeller so C's won't ask a lot from them early on.

I don't expect Yab until 2018.

I disagree. We took Yabs at 16 for a reason.

[IDreamCeltics]

“He just turned 20 in January, and he punishes grown men physically,” said Celtics director of player personnel Austin Ainge. “He hits hard and he’s a physical presence out there. As much as I loved Ante and believed in him, I was surprised how much success he had this early in Euroleague.”

Zizic has noticed that the Celtics’ greatest weakness is rebounding. That is difficult for him to see, because he knows that is one of his greatest strengths. He knows he could be giving his future teammates a boost right now.

“I go on every rebound, so I think I can help on that, for sure I can,” Zizic said. “I can grab some bonus rebounds. I have a great work ethic and always will give my maximum.”

What!?... It's not MMA Austin Ainge. 

I'd be more excited if the coaches were praising actual basketball skills. 

[Evantime34]

This article made me all kinds of excited for Zizic.

He's going to bring a level of physicality that we haven't had at the center position in a long time. The most effective screens deliver a blow to the player being screened. A physical center can really bother opponents.

My favorite part of this article was when David Blatt said that Zizic reminds him of Steven Adams. A player with Adams' skill set is exactly what this team needs.

[RockinRyA]

Zizic was who I wanted the Cs to draft at 16. Good size, skill and esp has a very high Motor.