Not as long, not as good of a shot blocker as Darko, hook shot needs work blah blah blah....there, out of the way.

But shockingly accurate around the basket (does he ever miss from 6 feet in when he gets position?). Consistent (the key to NBA success). Menacing physical force. Can throw down on the middle pick and roll cut play we (yes, we) run a few times a game that works about 80% of the time. His rebounding, especially offensive, has been elite these past 5 games. Could have easily bodied up Andrew Bynum had he played in the 4th (still a baffling Adelman decision) against LA.

It's obvious we wrote off Pek too soon as a collective forum this offseason. But, do we have the makings of a legit starting C on our hands, here? What is the ceiling if he can get his fouls under control? Who is a comparison for the guy? Cousins?

If Pek were allowed to play the whole game, he'd average 30 points, 30 rebounds, and 18 fouls per game...

That's why he's not "the real deal."

I guess you could just sit him the first 3 quarters so that he would only have 12 minutes to foul out in the 4th?

But yes. I do think he adds a lot to our team. Finishes around the hoop and adds the nasty streak that we just don't have.

I was listening to the game on the radio last night on my way to play ball and heard "Paul George goes up and gets hammered on a HARD foul." And I thought, wait, what? (Conditioned response based on 7+ years of soft Minnesota Timberwolves teams.) Then they say "Pekovic with the foul," and it's like "Oooooooooooh. Right."

The more he plays the less fouls he seems to be getting. Last few games he's been racking them up, but a majority of foul calls on him are chippy fouls. The foul thing is him getting adjusted to the NBA game yet. I can seriously say I want him playing 30 minutes a game. He might rack up 4 or 5 fouls in that time frame but that's what I want down low. A big physical bruiser on defense and a guy who can finish in the paint at a high rate. Pek gives both of those things.

Pek is the real deal. He is who he is. He's an enforcer. Solid rebounder and low post threat. But, if the Wolves want to be a better team, he can't be your starter. You need a defensive center to go with Love. Pek's role should be like Gary Trent back in the day with KG.

He hasn't gotten into foul trouble EVERY GAME, though, there is major improvement. Again, his post game is arguably elite level. He sort of reminds me of Nene without the sick dunks in the post. Is that a bad comparison? Both are deadly accurate from 6 feet in and aren't great defensive rebounders/shock blockers and rely on physical play. I think Pek can hit the mid range Nene jumper if he wanted to, but we don't need him for that.

What I don't like is that when he gets into foul trouble in the 1st or 3rd quarter, Adelman tends to sit him for the rest of the 1st/2nd half. Why not put him back in? His play pays good dividends at both ends of the floor.

I was always for Pek and against Darko. The biggest difference between them is that Pek is a much more inteliegent player. Darko never lived up to his potential because he is plain and simple dumb.

Sorry Darko.
Flash

Flash, random question....can you remind us what country you are posting from?

9Deuce wrote:
This is what I was trying to get at. Love Pek. Love his toughness. Could not agree more that he is an enforcer and not a full time starter. Him adjusting his style of play to stay on the court longer would diminish his ability to drastically affect the game's tenor by coming in and hurting people.

Pek SMASH. Pek grab ball. Pek finish with soft touch around the rim. Then Pek SMASH SOME MORE.

wolfenstein wrote:
And yet here he is, surprisingly soft and well spoken

WallyWorld wrote:
See, if ya'll listened to the Daddy more often we all would have been on the Pek train long ago...Nevermind the fact that love would have advocated a Love for David Lee trade...

More Pek, less anyone else who is soft. Granger punked the Wolves. Got heated and dropped probably 50 points in the fourth. Love was a b&tch and didn't respond. Beasley was vocal, jawed back and forth with Granger, but he's not as good. Ricky looked like he had malaria with his shitty energy level. The only players who seem to want to rip the opposition's face off consistently are Pek and Barea. Webster and Beasley can get angry, but it ends there. F*cking nice guys, a bunch of nice guys. Play Pek every game until he fouls out. Why not?

I think the only way to find out is to double Pek's time and play him 30+ minutes. If you were to double his time he could average 15pts and 10 rebounds minimum. He is in far better shape than Darko, shoots a much higher % from the line and field. I think the Center position can be done by committee this year but the SG situation has to be taken care of IMMEDIATELY. If RA/Kahn doesn't send Wes to the D-League and acquire a legit 2, it will be the difference of not making the playoffs or making the playoffs as a 8 seed. A third of the season has passed, its time to evaulate and make move. I am not even saying acquire an ALL-STAR at the 2, but make a move to sit Wes and play somebody agressive at the 2. Until Wes can scream obscenities, get techinals, flip people off, drive to the hoop and get fouled, I don't want anything to do with him.

WallyWorld wrote:
Sure. Bosnia and Herzegowina. Why do you ask?

WallyWorld wrote: Neptune.

I'm lovin me some Big Pecker this year (no homo.)

I think he's legit... he was a stud overseas. The NBA game is just bigger and faster, and he needs to get accustomed to it. God knows Rhombus didn't help him out with that last year.

His offense looks good, and I love his physical presence. Let him play 25+ minutes per game and hope he doesn't foul out; and I think we'll be good to go at Center for the rest of the year at least.