The Oklahoma City Thunder marched into the NBA Draft in November of 2020 and did one thing surprising; the franchise traded for the thirty seventh choose and chosen Vit Krejci, a participant few had heard of.
The Czech Republic hasn’t produced a ton of NBA gamers. In truth, the final time a Czech was drafted was in 2012. That was Tomas Satoransky.
Prior to being drafted, Krejci performed restricted minutes for Casademont Zaragoza within the Liga Endesa, Spain’s high skilled basketball division. While he didn’t see the ground a ton, the 6-foot-8 ahead was in a position to present that he may perform a little little bit of every little thing from flattening powerful angle threes to working pick-and-rolls. And he was doing this at 19 years outdated. Yet, you couldn’t discover his title wherever on anybody’s large boards. He was an entire unknown.
On September twenty fifth, 2020, about eight weeks earlier than the draft, it was introduced that the thriller man had torn his ACL and would require surgical procedure. The following January, Krejci signed with the Oklahoma City Blue and rehabbed his damage.
And then in September of 2021, the franchise signed him to a multi-year deal and he was in a position to go well with up for 30 video games in his rookie season the place averaged simply 6.2 factors in 23 minutes and was in a position to present his potential as a scorer and his effectiveness off-the-ball together with his chopping and capturing.
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But there’s one large gap in Vit Krejci’s sport: his protection. During his tenure in Tulsa, he simply hasn’t actually been a superb defender. He’s had his moments, however general, his hips have appeared stiff, his approach poor and his ft slightly too sluggish.
That continued to be true in July together with his Summer League play as properly. Perhaps that is because of the aforementioned damage as ACL tears can nonetheless negatively have an effect on motion post-rehab.
The pathway for the Czech ahead to earn his place within the NBA is evident, nevertheless. Teams throughout the league can by no means get sufficient wings who can reliably area the ground and on the very least not be an entire unfavorable on the defensive finish.
If Krejci can a minimum of enhance slightly bit by way of consistency capturing the ball or defending in area, he has an opportunity to stay as a task participant in the perfect basketball league on the earth.
With the roster crunch looming, if the overseas ahead prospect needs to proceed enjoying for the Oklahoma City Thunder, a crew that has traditionally positioned a excessive worth on protection, he might want to degree up his play on one, or either side of the ball.
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story by The Texas Tribune Source link