[Neville15Participant]

 In last years draft OKC went out of their way to purchase the rights to German big man Tibor Pleiss, currently playing in the Euroleague for Brose Baskets. At 7’1 Pleiss seems like a legitimate option for them to bring over in the offseason regardless of how they fare in the finals this year. There aren’t too many holes in the bench of OKC but outside of Ibaka, Perkins and Collison they don’t have a great deal inside. I like a lot of other people am still waiting to see Cole Aldrich emerge as a quality NBA player but it doesn’t seem as though he will be given the opportunity to do so.

Pleiss averaged 6.5 ppg and 5.4 rpg in 18 minutes per game in the Euroleague. These aren’t the kind of numbers that blow you away but one performance to note was his 17 point 4 rebound game against CSKA Moscow who boast a frontline of Andrei Kirlenko and Nenad Krstic just to name a few. 

The question I pose, is whether or not people on this forum believe that OKC need to fortify their frontline and if so, is Tibor Pleiss a good option? I am unsure of his buyout clause within his contract but I wonder has anyone seen extensive footage of him?

[Neville15Participant]

http://www.dailythunder.com/2012/06/tibor-pleiss-will-leave-team-in-germany-next-stop-okc/

 

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

He seems like a good role guy, but he lacks top notch athleticism. Definitely has filled out quite a bit the past couple of years, just seems like he will play almost a Omer Asik role for OKC. Unlike Asik, he appears to have some range, though I do not know if he has the body or hustle on defense/the boards.

With all of this being said, that still would make him a welcome addition to the Thunder. You need rebounding and defense to win titles, that is either what will win or lose the Thunder one this season. With either Perkins or Ibaka likely to become a casualty of the salary cap, they will need big bodies.

Helpful if they have a little offensive acumen. Pleiss at least seems to have potential here, not that he will need to score in bunches, just having someone that can stretch a defense can be incredibly helpful, especially if that same person can get an occasional offensive rebound.

Just from the stats, you can tell Pleiss may have an issue with foul trouble. I found a video of his highlights against CSKA. Not exactly mind blowing. It was a blow out and I saw very little of Pleiss doing much against either Krstic or Kirilenko. It is always exciting to get a stashed European player, one hopes they can provide a contribution and Pleiss of course will be basically the age of a college senior. Just have no real idea if he puts the Thunder over the top, guessing he at the least takes a year to play a large role.

[Nico4nicolasParticipant]

With Mohammed’s contract ending, it may be an option but the real question would be to know if Pleiss is any better than Cole Adrich. If Pleiss joins the Thunder to be the 3rd rotation at center after Perkins and Aldrich, any other player would do as well. Cole Aldrich, 3rd center, has played less than 7 minutes per game in 26 games this season. Even Eddy Curry could fill the spot!

[European BallerParticipant]

Pleiss has big size, good mobility, and good skills. But he is uber soft. But for sure he is  a hell of a lot better than Aldrich is.

[Author]

Posts