bismack biyombo.. nice read

[MadBOBCATfanUK]

BIZ BATTLES TO MAKE IT IN NBA
Bismack Biyombo’s road to the NBA didn’t get off to the easiest start. After recording the first triple-double in the history of the Nike Hoop Summit on April 9, 2011 while playing for the World Select team, tallying 12 points, 11 rebounds and a Hoop Summit-record 10 blocked shots, the 19-year-old Biyombo put the NBA on notice. He impressed the Bobcats brass so much that Charlotte swung a three-team, draft-day trade with Sacramento and Milwaukee to land Biz with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, thanks to the NBA lockout and an extended contract dispute with his overseas team, Biyombo would not officially sign with the Bobcats until December 19, 2011 – the day of the Charlotte’s first preseason game following the lockout – and became the youngest player in the NBA last season. "It’s been a long time I’ve been waiting for this,” Biyombo told me the day he signed his contract. “Thank God for this, and thanks to a lot of guys who helped put this together to get this thing done… I really appreciate that we finally got it done. I’m really excited and ready to get to work."
http://www.nba.com/bobcats/release_biyombo_111219.html (http://www.nba.com/bobcats/release_biyombo_111219.html)
http://www.nba.com/bobcats/video/2011/12/19/biyombointerview111219-1939844/index.html
http://www.nba.com/bobcats/video/2011/12/19/biyombocontractsigning111219-1939843/index.html
INTO THE FIRE
Biyombo wouldn’t get much practice time on the court with his new teammates before being thrown into the fire in an NBA preseason game just three days after signing his new deal. A little over 36 hours later he suited up on December 22 in Atlanta and finished with one point, two rebounds and two blocks in 16 minutes against the Hawks – not a bad start for a guy learning on the fly. It would be a theme that continued throughout Biyombo’s rookie season, with practice time limited and little chance to grow his knowledge of the game outside of game action in the league’s compressed schedule.
Biyombo was anxious to get on the court early for the Cats, but was held to an average of 10.3 minutes in December while putting up 1.3 points and hauling down 2.7 rebounds in three games heading into the New Year. But in back-to-back games at Miami on New Year’s Day (six points, six rebounds, three blocks) and at Cleveland on January 3 (eight points, five rebounds, four blocks), Biyombo showed flashes of his potential with averages of 7.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks in 21.5 minutes off the bench.
http://www.nba.com/bobcats/bobcats_breakdown_1112.html
MAGICAL BREAKOUT
Biyombo broke out against Dwight Howard - arguably the league’s best big man -with the first double-double of his career on January 17, 2012 in a 96-89 loss in Orlando. Biyombo connected on all five of his shots for 11 points to go with 10 rebounds and four blocked shots against the perennial all-star.
http://www.nba.com/bobcats/recap_magic_120117.html
DEFINING MOMENT
Biyombo’s most memorable performance of his rookie season came in the final moments of the Cats 73-71 victory in New Orleans on March 12. Biz finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and four blocks in the win – with none as memorable as his swat on Trevor Ariza down the right baseline in the final moments that secured Charlotte’s win.
"That was awesome," former Head Coach Paul Silas said after the game. "For a kid 19 years old and really has not played the game this much, he retained exactly what we talked about and came up with the big block."
http://www.nba.com/bobcats/recap_hornets_120312.html
RISING ROOKIE
Biyombo finished his rookie campaign averaging 5.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 63 games, but upped those averages to 6.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 41 starts, showing that he belonged in the Bobcats starting lineup. Take a look at Biz’s April numbers and the improvement is evident - 7.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.0 blocks in 16 games to boost all of his averages in the final month of the season.
He finished the season ranked No. 9 in the NBA in blocks per game (1.83) and total blocks (115), blew away all rookies in blocks, recording 30 more than Boston’s Greg Stiemsma and was third in rebounding behind Denver’s Kenneth Faried (7.7) and Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson (6.5).
http://www.nba.com/bobcats/stats/2011
GETTING OFFENSIVE IN 2012-13
Bobcats fans should be looking for more from Biyombo on the offensive end in 2012-13. He had 10 double-digit scoring performances in 2011-12, including a career-best 14 points in a 95-90 loss to the Bucks on April 6 in Milwaukee. Still, Biyombo was unable to string together back-to-back double-digit scoring games last season – something that should change in his second year.
If his results in the 2012 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas are any indicator, Biyombo could be primed for an impact season in Charlotte in 2012-13. He averaged 8.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.80 blocks and shot 55.6 percent from the field in 21.0 minutes in five summer league games, helping lead the Bobcats to a 4-1 record under new Head Coach Mike Dunlap.
"I'm excited because he’s a hard worker who is always in the gym," Biyombo said of his new coach. "He's done some pretty good things for us. I think we’re in a good position with him, and he’s bringing a lot to the table… I think we’re young and can run the floor – that’s what he wants us to do."
Biyombo is also looking forward to spending some time bonding with fellow draft pick Kemba Walker both in practice and off the court this season – something they weren’t able to do much of last year.
"Honestly, this is going to help us a lot because we're really going to get to know each other and spend a lot of time together," said Biyombo. "We didn’t get a chance to do that last season at all."
http://www.nba.com/bobcats/2012-bobcats-summer-league-central

[spectre]

Biyombo is also looking forward to spending some time bonding with fellow draft pick Kemba Walker both in practice and off the court this season

That's cuz Kemba is probably his best bet to meet new potential.

Smart man that Biz.

[Plowright]

Found out Biyombo has been working out with Marc Jackson... I dont know the guy as he was before my time but is this a good thing? Also there is a recent picture of Biz. I don't notice anything obvious (bulking up or slimming down)

Also Just found this on Hoopsworld, says Biz is one of the top 6 players to breakout this year. I am not sure if I would agree, I would say next year but still, good hes getting some love

The top six breakout candidates to watch in 2012-13 are:

6. Bismack Biyombo, Charlotte Bobcats

Bismack Biyombo arrived in the NBA as a freak athlete with limited basketball experience and he only played 12.7 minutes a game over his first two months in the NBA, but as his minutes ramped up his game started to blossom. In January, Biyombo averaged 3.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks, but in the second-half of the season, he got to play starter’s minutes and posted 6.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.0 blocks.

The Bobcats moved out big men Boris Diaw, Eduardo Najera and D.J. White and brought in Brendon Haywood, so Biyombo will be getting starter’s minutes all season and more of those minutes should come at the power forward position. Look for Biyombo’s defensive statistics, especially help-side blocks, to jump and for him to make another step in his offensive game. A 10 point, 10 rebound, and 2.5 block season should be in the works for the Bobcats sophomore as he starts to get noticed as one of the league’s better defensive big men.

[isguros]

It's hard to disagree with you after looking at the facts. But keep in mind, we are talking about someone who was drafted by the Bobcats.

[SWedd523]

I think 10 points is a bit optimistic.

I expect him to stay around that 8 point range until MKG or some other guy asserts himself as a legit first option. I'll be disappointed, though, if his rebounding doesn't hit double digits. He should also do better than 2 blocks.


Something like 8/11/2.5 should be his learning curve

[ziggy]

I'm seeing him putting up 8 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks this season. Although I'd like to see him hit double figures in rebounds, he never really showed that he was much of an animal on the boards during his rookie year. Hopefully that changes this season.

[Toocool]

Don't see him getting double digit rebounds either just yet.
I'm kind of expecting the line that Ziggy put up of 8/8/2, which would be very good for a guy who has only played that much.
Perhaps he will surprise us and go 8/10 or something, would be nice.

[SWedd523]

I think he has a good shot at double digit rebounding. If not then right there at it. While he never seemed like the guy to swallow up rebounds like some other big guys do, he was consistently in that 7-8 range.

By virtue of more minutes in a potentially much faster paced offense and outright improvement, I'd be somewhat disappointed if he couldn't add a couple more per game to that column. Hell JaVale McGee went from 7/4 his rookie year to 11/8 in his 4th, and he's borderline mentally deficient.


Looking at some guys who went from high school/freshman to the NBA shows they all add at least two rebounds:

Dwight went from 10 to 12.5
Cousins went from 8.6 to 11
Love went from 9.1 to 11
Ibaka went from 5.4 to 7.6 (surprisingly low career high)
Hickson went from 4.9 to 8.7 (second to third year)
Favors went from 5.3 to 6.5


Now of course that usually comes with a pretty good bump in playing time. But they also have had the opportunity to play a year at an NBA level and get conditioned, both mentally and physically, to the rigors of the professional ranks. Bismack was way behind the 8 ball compared to all of those guys with the lack of training camp and condensed season so he should have a jump in the higher-ish range of those guys. Especially when he's proven to be such a hard working machine

[Plowright]

Hopefully the other team will be missing more shots as well singers should be more rebounds around :D haha

[kitch0202]

I expect him to stay around that 8 point range until MKG or some other guy asserts himself as a legit first option. I'll be disappointed, though, if his rebounding doesn't hit double digits. He should also do better than 2 blocks.


Something like 8/11/2.5 should be his learning curve

I think this is spot on for a realist, bordering ever so slightly optimistic, return from Biz. IMO the lack of a rebounding 4 will all but ensure he averages double figures for the season. Would love to see him average 3 blocks, but this is admittedly more in hope than expectation.

[SWedd523]

I think this is spot on for a realist, bordering ever so slightly optimistic, return from Biz. IMO the lack of a rebounding 4 will all but ensure he averages double figures for the season. Would love to see him average 3 blocks, but this is admittedly more in hope than expectation.
I think his blocked shots potential is inversely related.

Could he go all Iblocka and hit the 3-4 block range? Probably. But that would take him out of position to box out and/or compete for rebounds. Ibaka seems to have normalized in that 7-8 rebound range and I feel like that has a lot to do with him constantly trying to contest shots.

If you remember last year, a lot of people criticized Bis' lack of high rebounding numbers. But I feel like a lot of that has to do with him trying to cover for his teammates by moving around the paint and not being able to focus on his area on the floor.

If Mully (or whoever Bis plays with) exhibits some defensive ability then Bis should see some more freedom to crash the boards, but if he's still playing next to a sieve then I wouldn't be surprised to see him stay around the 7-8ish level he's at right now.

[Plowright]

Mully actually showed flashes last year of being a good weak side defender and blocking shots. If he can build on that it will allow Biz to rebound a bit more

[SWedd523]

I'm speaking more to Mully's ability to play stronger man-to-man defense and not get bullied in the post or beat by the roll man in p&r situations, forcing Bismack to help over and leave his assignment

[spectre]

Good stuff.

I agree that Biz's board numbers were affected by who he's on the court with last season and the same could affect them this season as well. The lack of good switching on D (and one having to cover for the other) might force Haywood into the starting lineup in lieu of one of them.

[kitch0202]

I think his blocked shots potential is inversely related.

Could he go all Iblocka and hit the 3-4 block range? Probably. But that would take him out of position to box out and/or compete for rebounds. Ibaka seems to have normalized in that 7-8 rebound range and I feel like that has a lot to do with him constantly trying to contest shots.

If you remember last year, a lot of people criticized Bis' lack of high rebounding numbers. But I feel like a lot of that has to do with him trying to cover for his teammates by moving around the paint and not being able to focus on his area on the floor.

If Mully (or whoever Bis plays with) exhibits some defensive ability then Bis should see some more freedom to crash the boards, but if he's still playing next to a sieve then I wouldn't be surprised to see him stay around the 7-8ish level he's at right now.

VERY good point. I do feel that he is instinctively a shot blocker and this will, as you say, affect his ability to collect off the boards. Going slightly off topic here, but that is why I was quite keen on Kris Humphries (at the right price of course). I think pairing Biz with a natural defensive rebounder at the 4 (IMO MKG will collect a fair few offensive boards for us) would round us out defensively.

[Chef]

from my grainy illegal choppy streams, i noticed at least 2-3 rebounds every game that biz was the first to get hands on, but couldn't corral them in. he usually fumbled them because he just had trouble catching them or didn't time his jump correctly. hopefully, that changes with more experience. i think it will, or if it doesn't it will prove to be his ceiling.

[isguros]

I agree with kitch on this one. I felt disappointed when Humphries decided to join the Nets, he would've made a nice addition to the team. But I believe Haywood is more or less the same kind of player as he is, although, on the defensive end. The only real difference is the position they play at. Unlike some others around here, I think Bismack is more suited to play at the 4 position, maybe not in the long term, but definitely the next year. I'm certain his addition would benefit Bismack in the blockshot area, but I don't think he's going to grab more than 8 rebounds a game.

[SWedd523]

I think, between the two, Humphries is a much better fit considering he's younger, more athletic, and more versatile than Haywood. But considering the money we have invested in Haywood versus what we would've committed to Hump, I'm fine with the direction.

I think Bismack is going to excel more against true low post big men and less against the rangier guys like Bosh, Amare, etc. He's athletic for his size/age/musculature, but I don't think he's quick enough to stick with those guys. I'd prefer he stays near the painted area.

[Jennings]

I think he has a good shot at double digit rebounding. If not then right there at it. While he never seemed like the guy to swallow up rebounds like some other big guys do, he was consistently in that 7-8 range.

By virtue of more minutes in a potentially much faster paced offense and outright improvement, I'd be somewhat disappointed if he couldn't add a couple more per game to that column. Hell JaVale McGee went from 7/4 his rookie year to 11/8 in his 4th, and he's borderline mentally deficient.


Looking at some guys who went from high school/freshman to the NBA shows they all add at least two rebounds:

Dwight went from 10 to 12.5
Cousins went from 8.6 to 11
Love went from 9.1 to 11
Ibaka went from 5.4 to 7.6 (surprisingly low career high)
Hickson went from 4.9 to 8.7 (second to third year)
Favors went from 5.3 to 6.5


Now of course that usually comes with a pretty good bump in playing time. But they also have had the opportunity to play a year at an NBA level and get conditioned, both mentally and physically, to the rigors of the professional ranks. Bismack was way behind the 8 ball compared to all of those guys with the lack of training camp and condensed season so he should have a jump in the higher-ish range of those guys. Especially when he's proven to be such a hard working machine

Great info. One big thing, Biz has a lot better work ethic than most of those guys. It's going to be fun to watch. I still say 8/8/2.

[SJackson1]

i think he will average about 7.5 PPG next season which is a significant improvment from last season

[SWedd523]

i think he will average about 7.5 PPG next season which is a significant improvment from last season
After being named a starter, Bismack averaged 6.4/7.3/2.1

7.5 points would be a disappointment IMO

[Plowright]

if he starts or not it doesnt matter, It is all relative to the minutes played and if they increase, and if so by how much. If he averages 32 mins a game, sure 7.5 ppg is a dissapointment like Swedd said. But if TT comes back from Lala land and actually plays, Biz may start but only average 25 mpg which is only a few more than last year. Then 7.5ppg isnt soo bad. However, if we are deeper at PF and C then I would accept his blocks to go up as he doesnt have to worry about foul trouble quite so much

[SJackson1]

Biyombo should start for us with Haywood as backup at center

[QC Thundercats]

I hear what everyone is saying, and I agree that any normal player in Biz's situation, we could expect maybe a modest uptick. But I have a gut feeling that he's going to be in double double range for his average, with around 3 blocks a game.

Its hard to predict his season because he is still in his primary learning/development phase of basketball. Most players mostly get there sometime during high school or college, but Biz hasn't really been taught the details of the game until now. And because he's such a quick learner and hard worker, his gains will be much more noticeable and at a much higher rate than similarly aged and skilled players. His trajectory should be much steeper than from anyone else we've seen.

He has every opportunity to start and play a ton of minutes this year, with nobody behind him to bury him on the bench. Playing 8-10 minutes a quarter, it shouldn't be that hard to get to 10 points, even on accident. A couple offensive rebound putbacks, a transition bucket here or there, a nice feed on a pick and roll or a drive and dish, and a couple free throws are not unreasonable, and that puts him at 10 points a game already. And thats without giving him the ball in the post for any plays. He'll probably start slow, but I see him getting to the 10-12 ppg range pretty handily.


I think his blocked shots potential is inversely related.

Could he go all Iblocka and hit the 3-4 block range? Probably. But that would take him out of position to box out and/or compete for rebounds. Ibaka seems to have normalized in that 7-8 rebound range and I feel like that has a lot to do with him constantly trying to contest shots.

As for rebounding/blocking shots, I don't think he'll fall into the Ibaka territory. Ibaka is much rangier on defense, and seeks out shots to block from all over. Biz seems to stay at home more near the basket, and allows players to come to him to get his blocks. Therefore, he isn't going to be out of position to rebound as much as Ibaka is.

I think on the defensive side of the ball, even though these players aren't all exactly comparable, he'll be more in the Ben Wallace, Mutombo, Olajuwon kind of mold. These players were more rim protecters/goalies, and wouldn't be drawn out of the paint and out of position too often. They could get their 3-4 blocks per game, but still grab a dozen or more rebounds a game.

Right now, Biz has to think too much because he won't know exactly what he's doing for a couple seasons. Once he learns positioning, leverage, and angles, and once the game slows down for him, his instincts will take over, and I think he too can become a beast on the boards like the ones I mentioned above.

[SJackson1]

I think he could average a double double next season with blocking over 2.5 shots if he starts and gets the minutes becasue he has been working on his offense this post season. He will keep improving year on year and i'm excited to see how much he develops next season.

[SWedd523]

QC are you talking prime numbers, or next year numbers?

[QC Thundercats]

I think he can get to double double range next season, and around 3 or slightly under BPG. I know to expect inconsistency, especially early on, since he's still learning the basics, so that might skew his numbers at first. But I do think he'll start figuring it out sooner than later, and will round out to the higher numbers.

Prime numbers are impossible to predict right now, because nobody knows how much he can grow at this point. Could he average 15 points? That depends on if he develops a 15-18 foot jumper, and can finish around the basket with both hands. But thats a lot to ask from somebody who was thrown to the wolves. Defensively, I think he can be at the elite, all defensive team caliber for his career, which would be 10-12 RPG and 3+ BPG. I think this season will be a good gauge for his trajectory though, so we'll have to wait and see. But I'm on the optimistic side.

[SJackson1]

He his a fantastic defender and he proved that last season by going toe to toe with Howard when we played the Magic. He showed signs in the summer league that he's been working on moves in he paint and we need him toscore 10+ PPG