Appreciation for Zoubek

[JohnGalt]

I wanted to bump this thread because it was recently brought to my attention (draftexpress) that Zoubs is now projected in the late second round.

Admittedly, I wasn't much a fan of Brian (putting it mildly) for 3.5 years, but from the Maryland game in Cameron on, he's made me a believer. Thus, I'd like to propose the following question(s):

Are there any NBA GMs that will be believers too? Do you all think he has a place in the NBA?

[Matches]

I thihk he'll at least get a cup of coffee in the League. He's 7'1", rebounds well, isn't afraid to throw his weight around. At minimum he could be a useful practice player for someone.

[Starter]

As a Knicks fan, I'll take him over this freaking guy.

In all seriousness, I really do think he's going to find a spot in the league, not as a star or anything, but still. I could see him doing well for himself as a defensive specialist backup center.

[NM Duke Fan]

He moved quite well the latter part of the season, good recovery from hedging, decent foot movement, excellent screening, agressive rebounding, good strength. He is just now hitting his stride and getting into a rhythm, finding out what he can do when healthy. I suspect he will get some looks for the second round, and if not drafted, will have a solid chance at being a free agent.

[gep]

I had to go back aways to find the Zoubs threads... but I always liked Zoubs... even during the first 3.5 years. His last 0.5 years was just fantastic. I even "imagined" with innocent wide eyes that he would lead Duke to the NC, and be the FF MOP. Well, he didn't get MOP, but it is apparently widely considered that he was that last piece that helped Duke to the NC. I'm SO happy for Zoubs... and this picture says it all...

http://www.blogcdn.com/ncaabasketbal...0600873402.jpg

(picture from this link http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2...still-a-dream/)

THANKS BRIAN!!!!

[kingboozer]

I think Zoubek would be a great fit in San Antonio, good chance to get some mentoring from Duncan for the next few seasons would be good for him in my honest opinion. Had the pleasure to meet Zoubs and he was an extremely nice guy, I hope all the best for him and his career!

[gumbomoop]

As one who posted, at beginning of both '08-'09 and '09-'10 seasons, that Z should redshirt, my thoughts re his past and future are mixed. One might argue that, in the end, things could not possibly have worked out better for him, as he showed to NBA scouts just enough of his potential in being a key component in the wonderful NC run. One might, on the other hand, argue that, had he redshirted in '08-'09, he'd still have another year of eligibility in which to really show what he can do, once gotten healthy. [Note that I delicately ignore here my recommendation, back in Aug-Sept '09, that he redshirt in '09-'10. Wow, dumb, dumber, dumbest....]

But, even if one might regret his absence in '10-'11, and claim it was in his NBA-interest to play healthy for another year, and even imagine how much better he'd make us [better than preseason #1??] in '10-'11 -- even given all that, I'm both extremely happy for his late-blooming-brilliance [a no-brainer, to be sure], and certainly not unhappy that his graduating opens up the interior for the MPs and RK to get their chance to shine now.

[mr. synellinden]

Not sure if this has been posted yet - but here is the draftexpress scouting report on Z. It suggests he might have a long career in the NBA. I hope they are right.

[greybeard]

Larry Brown gets to coach Zoubek, I like his chances to have a very fruitful and long NBA career. Think of all the Bigs whose offense improved dramatically under Brown, including the 7'4" guy in Indiana, and Big Ben at Detroit.

Larry grew up in an environment and playing with All-Americans whose style was to play around a pivot player, who was key to an offense. Larry, as a 5'8" finisher understands what it takes to play with advantage around the rim, and how to set up advantage by becoming proficient from a place, if guarded, you can get to the rim, at least as well as anyone who has played the game. He helps players of all sizes understand how to construct the game around players' getting to make catches in such places have a triple option off the catch--shooting, going left or right (with variations depending on whether facing the basket or not)--and reading defenses to take what the defense leaves open without help.

Brian knows a fair amount of this already. However, Larry is a genuis in constructing a team in which people learn to see the game in ways that take account of how the other guys on the floor see it. I think a guy with Zoubek's smarts will really appeal to him.

I hope that Brown takes Brian Zoubek, where ever Brown happens to be when the draft happens, which I hope for Brown's sake is not Charlotte. Zoubek would make a great back up center in Philly if Brown is the coach there.

Zoubek has a real chance to play 10 years in the league if he gets to play 1. The 1 will be the hard part.