Official Thread: Thabo Sefolosha

[admin]

Thabo Sefolosha, SG/SF
21 years old 6'6" 181 lbs.
Angelico Biella, International

Check out the complete profile at: Full Profile (http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=280)

[Jonathan]

completed.

[Manumismo]

Really good write up, interesting call on the player comparisons, Hassell and Howard, Trenton Hassell isn't too bad as a worst case scenario.

[Qman]

Hmm, if he drops all the way to the one of the Jazz's 2nd rounders they will snatch him up.

[J_Ray]

Hmm, if he drops all the way to the one of the Jazz's 2nd rounders they will snatch him up.

Well lets hope :) Utah needs a swingman that can shoot. I hope we can get Brandon Roy though, crossing my fingers he'll slip somehow....

[KristianH]

Sefolosha isn`t exactly a shooter, he is more like guard version of Kirilenko.

[Genjuro]

Sefolosha isn`t exactly a shooter, he is more like guard version of Kirilenko.
Yep, but I bet coach Sloan would like him.

[KristianH]

...if he will be there next year...He would be best served to retire, since he is making some dumb calls last years.

[Lord]

I don't think Shefolosha is a decent player for nba.... is first quality is the great agility, and in the nba there are a lot of player more quick and physically strong than him........ he isn't a great player in italian's lega, so how he can be a great player in the nba? I don't know......... :confused:

[CV3bandwagon]

I think if he falls to the secound round which might happen, he'd be a great fit for Toronto at 35. Another versatile player who can give us defensive toughness out on the perimter, something that needs serious improvement. I'd draft him just for that but what add's some what of a bonus is that he has a great handle and vision perhaps being abel to play a little point forward for us like Boris Diaw? I like his game and the fatc he's a good perimter defender and not an offensive liability unlike many other perimter stoppers and understands and accepts his role as part of the whole team concept (definatly a Sam Mitchell Player) makes him a great fit for us.

[scott0331]

If Shawne Williams is gone at 26 and Thabo is still available, he's who I hope the Lakers draft. He sounds VERY promising.

[coachjon]

Thabo I have him going as high as 16 to chicago i heard they like him. they would also have the luxury with nociono and deng to keep him over seas to develop some more or bring him over because they do need depth at the wing and he can play SG which right now is basically filled by combo guards in chicago. he compliments the scoring gorden very well being a defensive minded player. i think the lakers will get another very good euro player though in rudy fernandez who adds great athleticism and shooting off the bench for the lakers at the wing which they desperatly need. he compliments luke walton very well and could legitamatley be a 6th man of a year candidate for the lakers for years to come.

[Force]

If Shawne Williams is gone at 26 and Thabo is still available, he's who I hope the Lakers draft. He sounds VERY promising.
Agree.

But I prefer Lowry if both hare avalible at 26.

[coachjon]

i have williams gone to phoenix at 21 and lowry going to knicks at 29 i rather have rodriguez if i was the lakers than lowry. rodriguez manu ginobili type player lowry marcus banks type player.

[Force]

Sergio isn't much of a defender.

I prefer a team with players that can both defend and play some offense. Sergio is a better scorer, flashier player. Lowry is a solid penetrator and disher. Difference is that Lowry can at least neutrilize point guards.

[coachjon]

but is lowry much of an upgrade over smush???? i dont think he is that much more so their bigger need is depth at the wing. i agree i like two way players more also but lakers do need some scoring punch off their bench

[ja809]

Sefolosha's team just lost a game by 50 points in the Italian Playoffs, so how good is he?

If I'm really a good player, my team never loses a game by 50 points.

[gilles]

Sefolosha's team just lost a game by 50 points in the Italian Playoffs, so how good is he?
If I'm really a good player, my team never loses a game by 50 points.
He's not a star and will never be. He's an excellent role player, glue guy, he improves his team but he cannot make a weak team strong.

[Sed]

That's exactly why I can see the Nets pick him with one of their first round picks.

He's certainly a player thet can develop into a very allround athlete.
He would fit in nicely next to Vince or Jefferson as the first sub of the bench for the 2 and 3 position.

+ I know for a fact that the scouting staff is very high on him!

I just can see him go past the NETS..

[11player]

Is Tabo coming to Orlando for mesurements? What about workouts?

[scott0331]

I think he's going to be of a similar mold to J. Howard (as the profile says) or a very poor man's Marion. One of those players who can cover 3...4 positions (4, if he's on the Suns), they can do a little of everything and guard basically whoever the coach asks him to cover.

[coachjon]

he has a workout with the timberwolves scheduled for the week before the draft but that is the only one so far scheduled and he hasnt went to any yet. he is not playing or getting measured in orlando pre draft

[point god]

If Williams is available at 26, the Lakers will snag him. Though it isn't likely he will get past the Suns at 21. Thabo has intrigued many teams, so there is no way he will fall into the second round as mentioned. Even if that manes P-town takes him at 30. I wouldn't mind seeing either Lowry or Sergio in LA. Though it's too bad Rondo's stock didn't stay at the end of the 1st round. Not a Kentucky fan, but Rondo would work well with Bryant. And yes I know that statement is VERY arguable.

[Force]

but is lowry much of an upgrade over smush???? i dont think he is that much more so their bigger need is depth at the wing. i agree i like two way players more also but lakers do need some scoring punch off their bench
Disagreee.

Lowry is a better on defensive intensity and consistency in energy level as a whole. Besides, better penetrator and kickout guy. Defensive stud. Smush is average on defense.

Depth at wing? Nah.

Laron Profit is coming back from injury and is a two way player, so he adds some depth. Guys like Bobby Jones is avalibe in second round, as is Allan Ray or Taquan Dean. But then again, I'm not to worried about the depth at the wing position given that Kobe, Walton, Smush, Sasha, and Odom are all under contract next year. I prefer to add more defensive skills at the point which killed the Lakers or swatting with maybe Sene.

Thabo has intrigued many teams, so there is no way he will fall into the second round as mentioned.
Personally, I don't think Thabo falls past 20. Getting some hype now.

Not a Kentucky fan, but Rondo would work well with Bryant. And yes I know that statement is VERY arguable.
Agree.

Defensive stud that can create? Versitle enough to fit the triangle.

[coachjon]

thabo had a workout at IMG and showed a good midrange jumper, athleticism, defensive potential, nice wingspan, good intensity. he needs to work on his 3pt shooting but he has a very nice all around game already and now has scheduled workouts with phoenix, chicago, cleveland, and utah. working with IMG and Joe will benefit him I was able to go to a series of workouts this week that featured 10 players with Joe's company Impact basketball in California and they are doing great things with and for these players.

[Juicemanoh]

So what's the difference between this guy and James White?

[Qman]

It appears health and consistent defensive intensity.

[nigunu]

Are you saying White's not healthy?

[DigDeez]

Thabo I have him going as high as 16 to chicago i heard they like him. they would also have the luxury with nociono and deng to keep him over seas to develop some more or bring him over because they do need depth at the wing and he can play SG which right now is basically filled by combo guards in chicago. he compliments the scoring gorden very well being a defensive minded player. i think the lakers will get another very good euro player though in rudy fernandez who adds great athleticism and shooting off the bench for the lakers at the wing which they desperatly need. he compliments luke walton very well and could legitamatley be a 6th man of a year candidate for the lakers for years to come.


There's a long hated debate amongst Bulls fans about the potential & skills regarding Luol Deng! I simply don't like him as a player and small forward. Some folk see things in Deng that some can't even understand. And, the Deng backers always talk about being only 21, going into only his 3rd year, rehabbed all last summer due to a wrist injury, and being a great defender with very good athleticism! Deng was once a good defender but he seemed to lose a step or something when he grew that extra inch last summer. He's too fragile and timid to play pf, and too slow footed, no dribbles, and has to solely rely on teammates to get shots to play sf. Nocioni is better than Deng, and I don't see anything Deng can get better at except his jumpshot. Yeah, he rebounds but who else is going to rebound for the small Bulls team!

If we draft Thabo, Deng, as rumored, should be trade bait this offseason. I would see if he could warrant a 1st round pick next year from a team that we think will be in or close to a lottery pick in '07. That draft along with that '07 free agent class will be trully historic for the NBA, and I would want all the weapons to do something next summer as much as possible!!!

[DigDeez]

So what's the difference between this guy and James White?

I like James White as a player and athlete as well. I'd be happy with White or Thabo with the Bulls 16th pick! White does have some inconsistencies, but Thabo seem to be a better dribbler and more professional than White! Thabo may be more aggressive and less afraid of contact than White. I was high on White all year as a draft pick until Thabo came into the picture. I like both because of their potential defensive abilities more than anything else! That's a must in the Eastern Conference because of all the elite sg's on that side!

Either is good for me! Also, if the Bulls don't get a chance to draft Bargnani, then, if available, I'm hoping for Pecherov as he seems an almost Bargnani clone!

[coachjon]

so the thabo vs james white question is:
thabo has great size at the 2G spot, has an nba ready body, is good athletically, he is very physical for a guard, he is a great defender can guard 1/2/3's, rebounds well for a guard, offensively he is a slasher but he can also pass it very well, very intelligent player, good midrange shooter. He could work on hitting the 3pt shot more consistently and hitting jumpers off the dribble in the midrange game and he is a little inconsistent still. With all that said he will never be a superstar but will be a very good role player starter in the NBA for years to come like a Josh Howard. And with a foreign player you have the option to keep him overseas if you want.

now james white is also a very athletic player but he is more of a leaper than thabo, he also is quicker and has a better first step, he also is a good passer, and defender. he has good size at the 2G but his body is not nba ready yet he could use to gain about 30 lbs getting to around 220lbs. he is still a very raw player also primarily just being a slasher. his jumper needs improvement and he has shown he has a tough time adding on some weight which if he is never able to do will give him issues in the nba strength wise. he played very soft in college never really finishing or dunking in traffic and this will be even harder for him in the nba. he also isn't very consistent. with all that said he is not a foreigner so you dont have the luxury of keeping him overseas. he also at this point will be a role player in the nba but on the maurice evans level a rotation guy off the bench.

so the main thing that makes thabo a better player to draft is he has the option to stay overseas, his body is nba ready, he is tougher, and even though his shooting isn't excellent it is still farther along than white's which gives him a more versatile offensive game to go along with both of their outstanding defense.

[Juicemanoh]

Thanks. I'm a UC alum, but I haven't been able to watch them much over the last two years.

[DigDeez]

so the thabo vs james white question is:
thabo has great size at the 2G spot, has an nba ready body, is good athletically, he is very physical for a guard, he is a great defender can guard 1/2/3's, rebounds well for a guard, offensively he is a slasher but he can also pass it very well, very intelligent player, good midrange shooter. He could work on hitting the 3pt shot more consistently and hitting jumpers off the dribble in the midrange game and he is a little inconsistent still. With all that said he will never be a superstar but will be a very good role player starter in the NBA for years to come like a Josh Howard. And with a foreign player you have the option to keep him overseas if you want.

now james white is also a very athletic player but he is more of a leaper than thabo, he also is quicker and has a better first step, he also is a good passer, and defender. he has good size at the 2G but his body is not nba ready yet he could use to gain about 30 lbs getting to around 220lbs. he is still a very raw player also primarily just being a slasher. his jumper needs improvement and he has shown he has a tough time adding on some weight which if he is never able to do will give him issues in the nba strength wise. he played very soft in college never really finishing or dunking in traffic and this will be even harder for him in the nba. he also isn't very consistent. with all that said he is not a foreigner so you dont have the luxury of keeping him overseas. he also at this point will be a role player in the nba but on the maurice evans level a rotation guy off the bench.

so the main thing that makes thabo a better player to draft is he has the option to stay overseas, his body is nba ready, he is tougher, and even though his shooting isn't excellent it is still farther along than white's which gives him a more versatile offensive game to go along with both of their outstanding defense.

Yes, I know all of this! I've been a James White fan since he first stepped foot on the Cincy campus! Another thing that slights White is how on more than one occasion, that interim coach benched him during the last part of the game, due to White's inconsistencies, and lack of determination on the defensive end! The same can be said for R. Carney!

[wombat6802]

OK so, i agree with whoever said that Sloan's gotta go. He's not doing a great job spacing everyone out this year. It's a pity because his roster is as loaded as it's been in a long time.

Back to Sefolosha. He is doing GREAT things in limited minutes. He is making shots and proving that he is a good defender. He has also proven more than competent taking minutes at the point. If he works out as a big point, he could get minutes in a hurry. Basically he is one of the hardworking "Bad Boys" 2.0 on Skiles' bench. He has already proven to be a player that can make his minutes worthwhile (much like a combination of fellow Bulls Krhypha and Nocioni). The Bulls have the best bench in the NBA, bar none, and Sefolosha won't get giant minutes yet, but he is starting to prove himself in the clutch. Once he does this, he is going to get some serious consideration for the main rotation and once some trades are made, for the starting five. Sefolosha may never be a star, but he has solid and consistency written all over him.