Radmanovic profile...

["Jaims" <jaims@info.com.ph>]

Vladimir Radmanovic Draft Capsule

Vladimir Radmanovic, 6-10, 227, Yugoslavia
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OVERVIEW: A member of the Yugloslavia Under-22 National Team, Radmanovic
played for the gold medal-winning team at the 1998 European Championship.
Also participated in the 1999 Nike Hoop Summit and helped team win the 1997
Yugoslav Junior Championship. In Saporta Cup play averaged 13.1 points and
9.9 rebounds for FMP Zeleznik. In first season of extended playing time in
1999-2000, averaged 7.2 points and 5.5 rebounds in 25.7 minutes. Currently
playing in the Yugoslavian YUBA League.

LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Picks 10-19. Due to contractual circumstances,
Radmanovic missed much of the European season, playing only nine games in
2000-01, so few NBA scouts ever got to see him play. In an open workout in
June set up by his agent, Radmanovic wowed front office staffs with his
size, athleticism and shooting ability. Since then, his stock has gone
through the roof. Boston Celtics director of player personnel Leo Papile
compared his arrival in the United States to that of the Beatles in 1964.
Once considered a late first-early second-round pick, many now are
projecting Radmanovic as a possible lottery selection. Teams said to be
interested are but not limited to Boston (10,11), Seattle (12), Houston
(13), Charlotte (16), Toronto (17), Houston (18), and Portland (19).

RIVALED BY: Kedrick Brown
COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Peja Stojakovic
COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Scott Padgett
ROLE PROJECTION: Reserve. Future starter.

POSITIVES: What impresses clubs first and foremost about Radmanovic is his
athleticism. He's not your traditional stiff European prospect who can't
create his own shot. Radmanovic is able to penetrate some and certainly is
capable of opening up the jumper for himself from mid-range. He slides well
through traffic considering his size and is a solid finisher. Furthermore,
and most importantly, Ramanovic is reputed to be an excellent 3-point
shooter.
SHORTCOMINGS: Granted, Radmanovic joined his squad late in the season and
never had a chance to get into rhythm, but for a guy being drafted largely
for his shooting capabilities, 25 percent from the arc over the past year is
rather disconcerting. To make matters worse, that was the second consecutive
year he shot at that percentage. It's possible Radmanovic may be one of
those workout warriors -- a guy who hits shots like crazy in an open gym but
has difficulty once he gets into game situations. That's a scary thought,
because clubs are almost exclusively basing their assessments on him on such
displays.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "He's knows how to play the game, has great court
presence. I think people are a little bit too optimistic because of the
success of Predrag Stojakovic, but he does have potential, so you have to
give him a break." - New York Knicks director of European scouting Tim
O'Shea