Hahaha- your hunch that Musli was a fit for the Kings is uncanny. Not only is he also a Serbian center, he is comparable in size and skills (less passing ability, better shot blocking) to...........Vlade. Will be interesting to see the way he sizes up- huge statistics, monstrous for his age, but serious questions persist about the competition he's faced and how he would play in a quick-fire system like the NBA, as opposed to the more herky-jerky stop and shoot system of Euroleague.
Here is a quick breakdown of strengths/weaknesses:
STRENGTHS:
- Size
- Incredibly aggressive, and instinctive under the rim
- Nice mid-range shot and free throw %, but mostly grabs significant points in the paint- and does it with relative ease in that league
- Incredibly raw, and has one of the major intangibles needed (size); has added body weight and is becoming less of a stick man than before. Not Valde's size, but might project to that level
- Has been the focal point of an offense, and has delivered. Clearly a big player in Europe, and seen as a "comer"
- Natural shot-blocking ability, and can fly to a shot
WEAKNESSES:
- Passing abilities okay, but can make "hurried" passes that fly away
- Quick for his size, but by no means fast
- Drifts in and out of games sometimes; looks apathetic
- Hasn't dealt with big, muscle-bound bruisers like the NBA offers, and might not have the response mechanism to adjust
- Rebounds not a problem, but consistency in getting them can be- how will he fare when he's not the biggest guy on the court anymore?
IN SHORT:
Very good prospect, but any team drafting them is getting just that- a prospect. He's a great player, with God-given size and strength, but his ability to find mid-range shots and penetrate will be lessened in the NBA with the guards and centers he faces. Still, he is full of potential, and projects in skill-set as a cross between young Vlade and an early Portland-era Sabonis. You may have to wait to see it, but the possibility is there. He's been named to the Nike Exhibition team and we'll get a chance to see more soon. Time will tell.
