NEMANJA "SERBIAN DRAYMOND" BJELICA

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He was a Restricted Free Agent -- was there any word on why the TWolves didn't try to match? I was busy hiking when almost all of Free Agency happened so I missed all the play by plays.

EDIT: Nevermind. Found it. here.
 
He's playing phenomenal right now, but I do expect him to hit back to reality as he won't average 60% FG and 57% 3pt for the season. However, I initially though the signing was meh, and even considered an overpay with his mediocre performance in Minnesota. I thought he'd be a stop gap PF just to provide floor spacing... boy, I was wrong.

Even if he doesn't continue to shoot it lights out for the rest of the season, he still has high IQ and good passing ability. I'm surprised by how good of a defender he's been so far. He's been a good mentor and veteran to our young players as well. I'm extremely happy to have him on board.
 
206Fan said:
He's playing phenomenal right now, but I do expect him to hit back to reality as he won't average 60% FG and 57% 3pt for the season. However, I initially though the signing was meh, and even considered an overpay with his mediocre performance in Minnesota. I thought he'd be a stop gap PF just to provide floor spacing... boy, I was wrong.

Even if he doesn't continue to shoot it lights out for the rest of the season, he still has high IQ and good passing ability. I'm surprised by how good of a defender he's been so far. He's been a good mentor and veteran to our young players as well. I'm extremely happy to have him on board.
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Yeah. The thing that makes me optimistic about him is that so many of the things he brings aren’t dependent on hot streaks or whatever. Even if he’s not having a great shooting night, he’s such a good rebounder, passer, help defender that he’s going to probably be a net positive anyways.
 
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gunks said:
Straight up FA diamond in the rough.

Awesome find by Vlade!
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While Bjelica has been a great signing, I am not sure he was a “find” for Vlade and Peja. Bjelica has been one of the most complete players in Europe for a while. In NBA term he is a “jack of all trades, master of none”! He was always going to be a pretty solid role player for an NBA team that would utilize all his skills and not limit him as a spot up stretch 4. Vlade knew that this team needed a stretch 4 that can also handle, create for others and is a pretty solid rebounder. His D has been a surprise though. Does help that he has WCS and/or Bagley back there to rotate and cover his back
 
I just want to quote myself from 11th of May :cool::D

Houdini said:
There is a player nobody mentions in free agency, but I would not be surprised if Vlade tries to get him. He is called Nemanja Bjelica from Timberwolves.

He came to NBA as an MVP of a Euroleague, but since then he really struggled with injuries and his character that he is not too aggressive. He is a team first player, stretch four or a three, when he was younger he played even as a point guard. Really unselfish player who makes shots in high percentage, does not take bad shots, good rebounder and good passer. He would give Kings a lot of those small things that can be game changer, really an X factor type of player.

His value was really low, but since Jimmy Butler got injured, he took a starting small forward spot and plays really good, even scored 30 against Boston.

His age is a small concern, as he is 30 this year, and that does not go with Kings young core, but again he is such a valuable team player, that I wouldn't be surprised if Vlade tries to sign him.
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I was surprised that 76ers reached agreement with him and not Kings at first, but later everything fall into piece.. it is a shame that he was with a coach that did not allow him to show what he knows.. but now he has that chance and he is showing what he can do, he is awesome glue guy, and what is best with him he is total team player.. he knew he is worth more than what he was getting at TWolwes, but he did not complain, he just worked hard and was there when needed.. so if tomorrow he gets 10 minutes because of Gilles for example, he will give 100% in that 10 minutes..

just an awesome person, and very good basketball player..
 
It is proving to be a fantastic signing for both Bjelica and the Kings. For Nemanja it has been a chance to finally show his full set of skills at the NBA level and to have a key role rather than being used primarily as a spot up shooter.

For the Kings part they've gotten a big who can shoot but also rebound, playmake and who has been very capable on defense with his IQ and anticipation making up for his lack of quickness.

But I think Bjeli's true value to this young Kings team has been to help forge an identity so far this season. He's a team first player who is always looks to make the right play. Because WCS is a good passer for a big, Fox is an improving distributor as the starting PG a d Buddy has also worked on his playmaking, adding in a veteran that is a good and willing passer as the starting PF results in a team that plays uptempo and shares the ball.

Just think how different it would be if ZBo were starting in place of Bjeli. If this young Kings team grows and develops into a winner I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that Bjelica will have had a hand in molding them.
 
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