This topic contains 11 replies, has 4 voices, and was last updated by 
Hitster 1 year, 3 months ago.
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- Posted on: Sun, 12/17/2023 - 7:24pm #1262199
zolaParticipantWhy is Nikola Topić so low on this site? This boy has serious production against grown men. He is youngest prospect in this class. He’s Josh Giddey at worst, but has a lot of similarities with Luka Dončić. I think it will be easier for him in NBA with much more space.
1+ - Posted on: Sun, 12/17/2023 - 9:49pm #1262200
NorrinRaddParticipantI don’t think he’s exactly Giddey – not the defender. He has the offensive game with probably better shooting though it seems, and yeah I totally agree, he can be higher. It’s early and a crapshoot this year though. No clear stand outs yet to me…
0 - Posted on: Tue, 12/26/2023 - 1:57pm #1262277
zolaParticipantTopić returns to Red Star for the rest of the season. He will play in Euroleague. He would be the youngest, yet the most experienced prospect in draft.
1+ - Posted on: Wed, 12/27/2023 - 2:49am #1262292
BothTeamsPlayedHard-ParticipantIt is huge news for him. Given how well he played last summer, the status of being invited to Serbia’s WC preliminary roster, and how he has thrived in the first third of the season with Mega, Red Star bringing him back in off loan really closes the circle. The only question I had about him was why is a guy who was killing it in the Adriatic League viewed as someone who would not have been able to get into Red Star’s rotation. Yago dos Santos isn’t that good, and certainly on the small side. Shabazz Napier never quite fit, and is now back to Milan. They aren’t going to play Milos Teodosic 30-40 minutes per game. I don’t think he Topic will be positioned to star in the same way he was, but should be able to have a decent role at this point.
2+ - Posted on: Wed, 12/27/2023 - 1:57pm #1262295
zolaParticipantGood knowledge of Euroleague basketball. Glad to see that.
I think Red Star is affraid of giving a chance to young players. Topic has his flaws, mostly defensively, but he has the vision, skills and body to play on the highest level. For me, this move also shows his character and leadership, that he is not afraid to take risks. It would be better for his draft stocks if he stayed in Mega. In Euroleague he will be exposed in many ways, but in a long run, it will help him to grow as a player.1+ - Posted on: Wed, 12/27/2023 - 9:08pm #1262299
BothTeamsPlayedHard-ParticipantI think the perception of him will be elevated if he does reasonably well in Euroleague games. He obviously won’t be 18-7-4 with Red Star, but the quality of play there is really high. Also, it will show how versatile he is, because he won’t be in the same featured role that he was with Mega. I am curious to see how it plays out. It might simply be a case where it is a step too far too soon for him, and he puts off entering the draft. It isn’t the worst thing in the world should that happen. After all, he is 18 and in his first year of real pro games. That said, I think he might be able to handle it. His performances against Red Star, Partizan, and the teams in European competitions certainly leads one to believe he could.
It is also worth noting that this isn’t the strongest draft. In the past, when the scouts don’t love the domestic class, it really elevates the international one. Factoring in their size-athleticism-style, I think Klintman and Sarr are faring well enough in Australia that they would be intriguing regardless of the quality of the domestic class. Zaccharie Risacher, Tidjane Salaun, and Melvin Ajinca are profile players for what teams want for non-stars. They are long, athletic, switchable, and at the moment are all shooting the three at a high level (though with 18-19 year olds they tend to run hot and cold so that changes quite often). In the past few drafts, those profile guys go earlier than mock drafts would have you believe. Topic is quick, crafty, and creative. That said, even with the success of Luka, I think there is still a level of doubt around European point guards translating to how the NBA plays. The combination of that perception, fair or unfair, and that he was competing in the Adriatic League where the consistency of high level opposition varies quite a bit would have limited how early a team would consider him. I don’t imagine he will play much today as new arrivals always seem to be brought on slowly there, but once he gets some practices and the Euroleague has that double week session where they face ASVEL and Milan, he might be able to turn a few heads. Like I said, I don’t think they are playing 36 year old Milos Teodosic 30-40 minute per. The door will be open for him.
1+ - Posted on: Sat, 12/30/2023 - 8:52pm #1262340
BothTeamsPlayedHard-ParticipantTopic got to debut yesterday in an ABA game for Red Star. It is still the same level, but I did wonder how quickly they would incorporate the 18 year old. It wasn’t his best shooting night, but it was one game.
https://youtu.be/JnpVR8dUpRI?si=pLsirzOy2SVFq33I
1+ - Posted on: Mon, 01/01/2024 - 11:49pm #1262367
BothTeamsPlayedHard-ParticipantTopic started today against Fenerbahce. This has escalated more quickly than I thought.
1+- Posted on: Tue, 01/02/2024 - 1:24am #1262368
NorrinRaddParticipantWow, yeah no kidding… he could be in line as the Topic’ pick in the draft.
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- Posted on: Tue, 01/02/2024 - 3:28am #1262370
HitsterParticipantHe is certainly putting himself in the mix to go in the top 3 IMO.
1+ - Posted on: Thu, 01/04/2024 - 9:43pm #1262393
BothTeamsPlayedHard-ParticipantThis is unfortunate. He is going to miss 4-6 weeks.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 01/05/2024 - 2:08am #1262437
HitsterParticipantIf the injury is nothing serious then his draft stock can only fall if others do better in his absence.
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