Nikola Cvetinovic - His own thread

[RootforRoo44]

In the past, I've been critical of Nik for heaving up three-pointers...even when open. But upon looking at his stats and witnessing a few big shots in recent weeks, I'm beginning to think twice about my disdain for him shooting from outside.

He's shooting 11-for-30 now on the year (36.7%)...not too shabby. Any thoughts?

Oh, and I have a poll up at ASN if you want to vote:

When Nikola Cvetinovic Lines up for an Open 3-Pointer, What Goes Through Your Head?

[akronzips71]

In the past, I've been critical of Nik for heaving up three-pointers...even when open. But upon looking at his stats and witnessing a few big shots in recent weeks, I'm beginning to think twice about my disdain for him shooting from outside.

He's shooting 11-for-30 now on the year (36.7%)...not too shabby. Any thoughts?

Oh, and I have a poll up at ASN if you want to vote:

When Nikola Cvetinovic Lines up for an Open 3-Pointer, What Goes Through Your Head?

If they leave him wide open and he does not have to jump (at his height wide open makes it a set shot) why not. Obviously he can hit better than one out of three. More importantly, it helps open up the offense if someone has to come out and guard him outside the arc since normally they would just ignore him at that distance.

[Dave in Green]

It's simple statistical math:

For every 2-point shot the Serb takes, he scores 0.944 points.

For every 3-point shot the Serb takes, he scores 1.101 points.

He's doing just fine on his balance of 2s and 3s.

[skip-zip]

If they leave him wide open and he does not have to jump (at his height wide open makes it a set shot) why not. Obviously he can hit better than one out of three. More importantly, it helps open up the offense if someone has to come out and guard him outside the arc since normally they would just ignore him at that distance.

I was thiking the same thing. If you noticed, there were several times later in the game when he was able to drive after he got people to leave their feet out near the 3-point line with a pump fake. When you have people thinking you can hit shots out there, it does indeed help your ability to get into the lane.

[Dr Z]

IMO his low post play has regressed this year. For the good of the team I wish he would work harder down low. I wonder if the success he has found outside of the arc has effected that?

[RootforRoo44]

IMO his low post play has regressed this year. For the good of the team I wish he would work harder down low. I wonder if the success he has found outside of the arc has effected that?

That was my concern early on...but over the last few weeks he's really stepped up his game. Maybe he can find a balance and become even more of a threat than he was before.

[Dr Z]

That was my concern early on...but over the last few weeks he's really stepped up his game.

Last night's five turn overs were a good example of why I think Nic needs to concentrate on his game AROUND the rim. That is where he is going to help this team in March.

[Zip Watcher]

His turnovers were in the paint or near to it in most cases last night. Not as cut and dry as that. We need him to be dual threat, as it really helps open the paint up.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Last night's five turn overs were a good example of why I think Nic needs to concentrate on his game AROUND the rim. That is where he is going to help this team in March.

+1

Nik was horrific last night. A turnover machine. And he got away with a couple travels too.

Wish he could reliably convert the 2-foot bank shot.

[RootforRoo44]

Can we really blame taking 3-point shots (or looking to take them) on his performance last night? Sometimes i think he just isn't there mentally. I wonder where his focus went?

[ZachTheZip]

Can we really blame taking 3-point shots (or looking to take them) on his performance last night? Sometimes i think he just isn't there mentally. I wonder where his focus went?

To Serbia and his fiancée?

[Hilltopper]

To Serbia and his fiancée?

I believe the fiancée is living here now.

[Blue & Gold]

His turnovers were in the paint or near to it in most cases last night. Not as cut and dry as that. We need him to be dual threat, as it really helps open the paint up.

Given our plethora of wings and our lack of depth @ 4/5, I'd prefer to see him live in the paint.

[zippy5]

Given our plethora of wings and our lack of depth @ 4/5, I'd prefer to see him live in the paint.

Meh, I think his improved shot has led to defenders taking him more seriously around the arc, and leading to chances to drive past them. He's had a good amount of opportunities to take it to the rack, and missed a lot of what should be easy lay-ups. If he could put home those chances he's created, I doubt many people would be feeling the way they do right now.

[Blue & Gold]

Meh, I think his improved shot has led to defenders taking him more seriously around the arc, and leading to chances to drive past them. He's had a good amount of opportunities to take it to the rack, and missed a lot of what should be easy lay-ups. If he could put home those chances he's created, I doubt many people would be feeling the way they do right now.

If he'd conistently drive without turning the ball over and finish at the rim, of course I'd feel differently about him hanging out around the arc. But sine he doesn't, I wish he'd leave that to our true wings & plant his arse down low where we need him most.

As it is, Tree is our only post with a mean streak. I love Zeke, but (just being honest) he is kinda soft. We need Nic's 6'8" & 240lbs. to be banging down low.

[Derrt]

I'm actually starting to believe in Nikola's 3 point shot.

[RootforRoo44]

Well, one thing that I think has been affected by him living on the perimeter is his offensive rebounds per game....

Last year he averaged 2.25 offensive boards per game. This year he's down to 1.95. Sure, it's not a huge difference, but it really hurts when he's one of only maybe two players on the entire team that rebounds properly (the other being Tree, who's not consistently in at the same time as the Serb) and he's not in position a lot of the time.

[Dave in Green]

The Serb's offensive rebounds per game are down about 12%. But his minutes per game are down about 6% on this season's deeper team, which accounts for about half of the reduction.

On the other hand, his effective field goal percentage is up from 45.2% last season to 51.2% this season. Effective field goal percentage takes into account the extra points scored on 3-point shots vs. 2-point shots.

Some of the Serb's offensive stats are down while others are up. Most importantly, his offensive rating, which includes all offensive stats, is up from 99.3 last season to 102.8 this season.

Overall, he's playing a little less and playing a little differently. But his better offensive rating suggests he's playing a little more effectively.

[Dr Z]

Missed both three pointers last night and had SIX turnovers. Like I said before, I wish he would refocus his game around the rim. This is where he will help the Zips win big games. I think the Zips are in for a tough practice before Saturday's game.

[Blue & Gold]

Missed both three pointers last night and had SIX turnovers. Like I said before, I wish he would refocus his game around the rim. This is where he will help the Zips win big games. I think the Zips are in for a tough practice before Saturday's game.

It's to the point where I hold my breath every time he tries to dribble the ball.

[Dave in Green]

The Serb is not a steady player. He's streaky. His off games will be followed by on games. Everyone has known that he's an emotional player since the first game he played at UA, and emotional players tend not to be steady players.

[K92]

Judging from last night, I would rather see Nik attempt a 3 than attempt a dunk.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Judging from last night, I would rather see Nik attempt a 3 than attempt a dunk.

Not the three's he attempted last night.

[tpsjugglerdude]

Missed both three pointers last night and had SIX turnovers. Like I said before, I wish he would refocus his game around the rim. This is where he will help the Zips win big games. I think the Zips are in for a tough practice before Saturday's game.

The majority of those TOs were when he was in the paint around the rim.

[Captain Kangaroo]

The majority of those TOs were when he was in the paint around the rim.

Hence why he needs to focus on that aspect of his game.

His mortal flaw is predetermining what he's going to do offensively once he passes mid-court. He doesn't take what the defense gives him, he does what he wants to do.

I like Nik, and he's a 5th year senior that's not gonna change. But if he could cut down on those 1-on-1 drives to the lane that always end up as a travel, charge or turnover, it would rule.