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It looks like Ersan Ilyasova has until July 15th to make a decision regarding coming back to the Bucks.

I'm thinking at this point it would probably be wise to have him on our roster considering our lack of depth at the PF position. It depends on how we view Ersan and how much he views himself. Not sure he could be counted on for more than the backup PF position, and it already sounds like Joe will be playing there a bit.


This is a crude translation, if anyone can do better have at it

http://www.sport.es/default.asp?idpubli ... _PK=803&h=

To the expectation with Ilyasova and without decision on Basile Next the 15 of July, at the most, Ersan Ilyasova must decide if it returns to the NBA or it follows in Europe. In this last case, the Barça would execute the clause of automatic renovation by one season with option to another one more. If the Turkish wing-pívot, however, decides to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, Joan Creus would have to reframe the configuration of the inner game of the Barça. Another subject on which yes the blaugrana club must decide and on the same date, is the continuity or not of Gianluca Basile. In spite of the 33 years of the escort, the club values its contribution and would be inclined to renew to him but, that yes, with numbers enough inferiors to initially agreed in the renovation option. If an agreement in this sense were obtained, Basile would follow; if no, its future will be in the Stupid Fortitudo

I don't think Ilyasova particularly helps our depth at PF. Hammond has said a couple times now, "you are what you can guard," and Ilyasova can't guard Duncan, Amare, Boozer, Jefferson, etc. We've already got a few pretend PFs on the roster.

I just don't see him as a PF unless he's really beefed up. Hammond didn't sound very enthusiastic about him last month. I wouldn't mind having him as an end of the bench guy but we have to get rid of Desmond first.

adamcz wrote:I don't think Ilyasova particularly helps our depth at PF. Hammond has said a couple times now, "you are what you can guard," and Ilyasova can't guard Duncan, Amare, Boozer, Jefferson, etc. We've already got a few pretend PFs on the roster.

Under that criteria then Joe Alexander should certainly not be considered a PF.

Besides CV, currently as I see it we have zero PF's on our roster (unless you are comfortable penciling in Alexander right now at the PF rotation and I am not).

Ersan could provide minutes at the backup position and would not have to be primarily responsible for guarding players of Duncan, Amare, Boozer's caliber.

With the imminent trade of CV, I think it would be only positive to have Ersan available on our roster.

We really don't have the money for him unless he'll accept a $1.5mm a year deal. All depends on future moves and where they set the luxury tax at.

I'd let him play in Europa another year.

I doubt he'll be back next season... he just won't be getting the role that he wants. He would be getting more playing time in Europe and adding to his experience. I agree with MD that Ersan would have trouble at PF even when we play smallball, unless he really pumps iron this summer.

That being said, he's a talented ball player and wouldn't mind him being on the squad.

I say Ilyasova should stay overseas and bank the rest of the euros owed to him as long as he's in a situation where he plays close to 30 mpg. Barcelona really wants him back, but they have already added David Anderson and Juan Carlos Navaro, meaning Ilyasova would be the third option (at best). Navvaro will be jacking up his fair share or shots and Anderson is going to want his touches. A couple times last year Ilyasova was neglected on on offense, so f he stays in Barca hopefully that won't happen again.

Ersan has a lot of interest from other teams in Europe as well, so it might be beneficial for him to sign with with a team where he could be one of the main options offensively. His former club in Istanbul might be a nice fit, although the Turkish league isn't as nearly strong as the league in Spain.

Oh and from what I saw of Ilysova he was mostly guarding opposing 4's and bigger 3's, usually taking on the other team's most athletic big. He did a really nice job on Marcus Haislip, who's expected to be in back in the NBA next year (Charlotte and Indiana both have interest).

Hey Chuck, based on what you have seen, how do you think he would do against the bigger PF's in the NBA? Do you see him successfully playing teh SF or PF positions?

I am more comfortable with Ersan at PF than I am Alexander. Both however imo are more of a SF/PF than a true PF.

I would be quite happy bringing him back. Beats the likes of Ruffin and Storey.

Chapter29 wrote:I am more comfortable with Ersan at PF than I am Alexander. Both however imo are more of a SF/PF than a true PF.

I would be quite happy bringing him back. Beats the likes of Ruffin and Storey.

You are what you can guard. Illasova cant guard a stationary rock.

Diggr14 wrote:

Chapter29 wrote:I am more comfortable with Ersan at PF than I am Alexander. Both however imo are more of a SF/PF than a true PF.

I would be quite happy bringing him back. Beats the likes of Ruffin and Storey.

You are what you can guard. Illasova cant guard a stationary rock.

Context. First off, I disagree that he cannot defend. Secondly I said I prefer him on the bench to Ruffin and Storey.

adamcz wrote:Hammond has said a couple times now, "you are what you can guard,"

So you're saying that Villanueva is NOT my 83 year old grandmother?

and the Bucks are a Walgreens?

carmelbrownqueen wrote:Hey Chuck, based on what you have seen, how do you think he would do against the bigger PF's in the NBA? Do you see him successfully playing teh SF or PF positions?

I think he might be more useful guarding 4's than 3's. From what I saw of Ilyasova he really seemed to dig in and hold his ground down low. He's good at blocking shots without having to jump, using his length to disrupt the guy he's guarding.

It's become cliché to say "well anyone will struggle against Carlos Boozer and Tim Duncan", but I actually think Ilyasova will have a tougher time with a guy like Paul Pierce than he would against Carlos Boozer. Of course there are no low post scorers anywhere near the caliber of Carlos Boozer in the Euroleague, so that has to be taken into consideration.

His length is also a positive on the perimeter and he's good about challenging shots, but I'm not sure how his lateral quickness will be defending NBA swingmen. If I remember correctly from a couple years ago Ilyasova was yanked pretty badly by Richard Hamilton but was fairly effective on Joe Johnson. He had a problem getting caught behind screens in the NBA, but I didn't notice him doing that in the Euroleague.

I think he'll be fine at guarding any backup 3 or 4. He has the quickness to be able to rotate on perimeter oriented power forwards and contest their shots. He could give a guy like Udonis Haslem a really hard time.

I think that's a good way to think about it, Chuck.

I saw about a game and a half of his Barcelona playoffs and that was pretty much my impression too. He got switched a couple times against Splitter and he's clearly not big enough to guard a 7-footer, but Ersan's a battler and plays a little bigger than he is. He was fine against Euro 4's but it's tough to say how exactly that translates to the NBA game.

Offensively he was on the perimeter a lot and then he would look to crash the boards or get out in transition. It's not like he was getting ISOs called for him, and he's not the kind of guy who is going to make a living taking defenders off the dribble. So I think his best use is probably as a perimeter-oriented 4 who spaces the floor. Bogut would still have to guard opponents' primary post scorers in most cases, just like last year with CV/Yi. Ersan's not going to lock down all-star SFs or PFs, but that's how it is.

In his only NBA season he had a very good rebound rate for a SF and a below-average RR for a PF, but he was also younger and smaller at that point. He had some pretty insane rebounding games for Barcelona toward the end of the season and I think that's a reflection of how scrappy he is. He just has a nose for the ball. So while he probably wouldn't be a terrific rebounder at the PF spot I think he could be passable in spite of his size.

Thanks fam & Chuck for the input!

How would you guys compare Ersan with CV? In the event that CV gets traded, Ersan might step in and fill the role as our designated 'four that can spread the floor'. I concur that Ersan is scrappy, but can he duplicate CV's rebounding production? It seems to me that perimeter shooting may be a wash, but I'd give the edge to CV in terms of post scoring and ball-handling/court vision. Ersan seems to have the better motor and will give more effort on the defensive end. Which do you see as being the better fit with the team as currently constructed?

Food for thought. Ersan's pre-draft measurements (when he was 19):

No shoes->6' 7¾" With shoes->6' 9" Weight->208.8 Wingspan->7' 1¼" Standing Reach->9' 1½"

To put his standing reach into perspective, Bogut's was 9' 2½". Ersan definitely has the length and speed to cover NBA 4s. His bulk may be the only problem as of now, but it isn't a big problem.

Think we find out in the next few coming days whether or not Ersan will be back with the Bucks this season??? I'd imagine he'll be leaving Milwaukee shortly so he can train with the Turkish National Team for their game in China vs. the USA team at the end of July