2010/11 1st TRIMESTER UPDATE (PART FOUR)SWEDISH MO' THE LATEST CRAZE TO SWEEP EUROPE
Johan Svensson, Sweden
PF/C, 6'9", 236lbs, 19 years old
Season Stats: 14ppg, 10rpg, 2bpg
News in from Sweden is there is a kid (hard to really call him a kid because he looks like a man) who will change everybody perception on how Euro big men play the game of basketball. Let me introduce Johan Svensson, a Euro teenager that plays from the inside out, he has already stamped himself as the best defensive big man in the entire continent of Europe. Many of Europe's big guns have been circling like sharks, all looking to lock him up long term. However, Svensson has shown no interest in staying in Europe as he believes he can cut it with the big boys in the NBA, and after seeing him play, it's hard to argue with his confidence.
Svensson has recently created a cult following in Sweden after growing a mustache in support of Movember during the month of November. The mo' seems to have given him supernatural powers, because his game has gone from strength to strength since he started growing it. Word is that Svensson has no plans on shaving it off, even if it does make him look like a cross between Ron Jeremy and Chopper Read (pic).
If he can keep out of foul trouble, Svensson could probably average close to a 20-20, that's how dominant he is in the local Swedish league. At present, he's a lock to top 5 in the 2011 Draft, but given the dearth of quality big men in the NBA, he's got a great shot of going number one overall. He might not have the potential of what you'd expect out of a top 5 pick, but he will be able to step in right away and contribute.
Draft Stock: Top 5
THE NEXT MANU?
Ciro Nunez, Argentina
SG, 6'5", 209lbs, 21 years old
Season Stats: 8ppg, 2rpg, 2apg
Moving across to Spain, a 21 year old Argentinian is causing a stir with his strong play off the bench for ACB giants Real Madrid. His stats don't tell the whole story because Nunez is a very cerebral player, much like his fellow countryman Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs. It's not surprising that you have not heard of Nunez until recently, since he has been unable to crack the Argentinian National Team due to its sheer depth. He has however starred for Argentina in all the age group representative teams before getting the call-up to join Real Madrid's Youth Squad. He finally made the first team last season, but it wasn't until a recent injury to backup American guard Clay Tucker, the opportunity for meaningful backup minutes has opened up for him, and he has taken full advantage of them.
Nunez has superb court vision and always seems to make the right play. He will hit the open shot and is a great teammate. NBA scouts are now all over Nunez's game, especially considering the success of man other Argentinian players over the recent years. The only question on Nunez's game is whether he will be able to play the NBA style of game. I believe he will, he just needs to land in the right situation. He's the type of player that could turn a good team into a great team, but put him in the wrong situation and he will look like a very average NBA player. That being said, Nunez could go anywhere between the 5th and 15th pick in next June's Draft.
Draft Stock: Lottery
CHINESE MELO OR IS IT CHELO?
Jin Lam, China
SF, 6'7", 227lbs, 22 years old
Season Stats: Unknown
You have got to hand it to the Chinese. They really know how to hype a player then hide him so that scouts can only see what the Chinese officials want them to see. So let me get this right? There is an unknown Chinese player, whose game draws comparison to Carmelo Anthony. I find this one very hard to believe. From the scouting reports in hand he appears to be a smaller AK47 with slightly more polished offensive skills. But given that he comes from the CBA, it's very hard to guage how well that will translate to the NBA. What he does have going for him is he is a very good athlete. Needless to say, he's going to be better than Sun Yue, but will he be as good or any better than the previously hyped Yi? Lam is currently being projected to go around the 8 to 12 spots, but somebody might get excited and stretch on him as high as the 5th pick. As for me, I don't know if I see him as any better than a mid-1st Round gamble.
Draft Stock: Lottery
RUBIO THINKS HE READY FOR THE NBA
Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio has started the 2010/11 ACB season is strong form, averaging 12ppg, 6rpg and 8apg for FC Barcelona. Many believe that Rubio is ready to and will make the jump to the NBA in the 2011/12 off-season, either to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team that currently holds his draft rights, or to another team. Rubio's camp has been pretty quiet of late on his NBA situation and are preferring to let his ACB play do all the talking.
That concludes this trimester's update (finally). I can get back to playing Association. Hope you all liked. As always, appreciate feedback.
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