Jim O’Connor-US Presswire
Not often is it that an NBA rookie is over 25 years old, but in most situations, an older pick is a better pick. All Brooklyn Nets fans saw this last year with MarShon Brooks, who, drafted at 22, was already making an impact by his first game. Unlike a 19 or 20 year old rookie, a 22-30 year old rookie is not being taken over potential, but rather, for their proven skills.
This is the case for Mirza Teletovic, who will play his first NBA game for the Nets as a 27 year old. With 13 years of professional basketball experience, the Nets decided to pick up Teltovic for his proven scoring and rebounding ability. Averaging 16 points and 5.3 rebounds in his last six seasons with Vitoria, Teletovic’s old age is both a blessing and a curse to the Nets. While Teletovic will make an immediate impact for the Nets, his impact will not last long, as Teletovic is just three years away from turning 30. Furthermore, Teletovic really has no more “potential” at this point, as he’s shown what he is capable of doing for 13 years now.
Obviously, Teletovic may improve slightly, but, using Kobe Bryant as an example, there comes a point in time when, no matter how much you work, it is be impossible to improve your game significantly. Kobe Bryant has one of the greatest work ethics of any player in the league, and hasn’t made any noticeable changes in his last five seasons, showing he has hit an intangible “wall”. Teletovic will hit this wall soon enough, but for the time being, the Nets will have to enjoy his company.
As stated before, Teltovic is a high volume scorer, which was shown this summer when he was the second highest scorer in the Eurobasket Qualifying Tournament. Projected to start at power forward for the Nets, there are no worries about how Teletovic will contribute offensively. Teletovic has a variety of ways to score, like all natural scorers. Unlike last year when teams sagged off of Kris Humphries, opposing teams will have to respect Teletovic’s jump shot as far out to the three point line (shot 42% last season in Europe). And although he is not too skilled defensively or rebounding-wise, Teletovic’s offensive game overrides his weaknesses. Many NBA scouts claim it only takes one extraordinary ability to become a good player in this league, and for Teletovic, that ability is scoring.
Teletovic does nothing but add onto the great offensive team that the Nets have put together over the past few months. With a predicted starting lineup of Deron Williams (21 PPG), Joe Johnson (19 PPG), Gerald Wallace (14 PPG), Brook Lopez (20 PPG), and now Teletovic (22 PPG), the Nets’projected 2012-2013 starters averaged 96 points per game combined last year.
There is no doubt Teletovic will be good. It’s just a matter of how good he will be.
