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A "high school foreign kid" who competed at a high level vs a far greater level of competition than anyone else in the draft... Never though of it like thatThere's something special about Zinger just like there was something special about every player that I listed. Foreign players are used to a different game. It can work out but the chances are very slim. We're basically drafting a foreign high school kid. That doesn't sound like a good move at all and that's why I think Phil is blowing smoke, trying to get 1-3 to pick him.
Teams in Spain's League A would spank Kentucky and Duke.
I also think that talk about Zinger not being "NBA ready" are completely overblown. The argument that people use is that he is too frail to compete in the NBA right now, but I think that entire argument is overblown.
Zinger's weight scares me less than any other weakness about any other prospect in the NBA Draft this year. It's nitpicking for the sake of doing so. The NBA has become a finesse league. Nobody bangs down low any more. The responsibility of the big man is far less about banging down low with 300 pound centers than it is about protecting the rim from slashing 6 foot guards. Zinger is already an established shot blocker and he is an athletic 7+ footer with a 7'6 wingspan. I think he can develop into a rim protecting center, in addition to his ridiculous offensive all around potential.
I am more concerned about Zinger being a rim protector than I am about him adding some pounds. Because I think that is where his true potential lies. For me, this is my greatest concern about Zinger. But like I said, dude averaged a block a game getting 20 minutes a night off the bench in spain and is an athletic 7'2 big man with a 7'6 wing span. I think he can develop into a rim protector.
I have far more confidence in Zinger being an NBA center than Okafor because of this. Sure the dude can definitely hit the weight room some, I wont argue that, but to put it this way, if you gave me the option of Zinger weighing 260 but not being a rim protector or weighing 230 and developing into a guy who can get you 2 blocks a night. I choose the latter any day. If Zinger can average 2 blocks per game, then game over. Sure some added muscle would be a bonus, but keeping his athleticism and developing into a legit shot blocker is more important for him to succeed IMO.
Besides his weight, I think everything else about his game is NBA ready. Scouts have said this about him nonstop. He put up better #s than most of these Kentucky kids did in similar minutes against better competition. And like them, he has only improved since. I think Zinger could be one of the most productive rookies in the league if he is given minutes.
Also I think a major problem with foreign busts is that they often dont grow up with dreams of playing in the NBA. They fail to assimilate to the culture and become alienated from their teams because of such and use Europe as a fall back.
I dont see Zinger doing this, I just dont. He has made it clear that being an NBA star is his dream from day 1. He has a fun personality, is all about that hip-hop lifestyle and basically tries to act black, and speaks great English because of the NBA dreams he has had growing up. He wants nothing more than to change the European bust stereotype that is following him into the NBA.
I cant see him alienating teammates or using a European career as a fall back, like many of these other guys do. He wants it. I honestly think he is the full package. If I am wrong then so be it, but I believe in the Zing and I am almost NEVER one to get caught up in European draft hype. I usually hate Euros as much as yall do
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