The Golden State Warriors acquired Nemanja Nedovic, a combo guard out of Serbia, late in the first-round of the 2013 NBA draft. Labeled the “European Derrick Rose”, Nedovic will be competing for minutes with guards Kent Bazemore and Toney Douglas.
At 6’3” and 191 pounds, Nedovic is able to play both point guard and shooting guard. Much like the other Warriors guards, Nedovic is extremely athletic. He is best known for playing above the rim - he has an explosive first step, but his ball handling skills need work. Last season in Europe, Nedovic had a negative assist-to-turnover ratio.
Nedovic is a developing player, and has a lot to work on. Last season, he shot 43.8 percent from the field and 27.5 percent from beyond the arc (the three point line in Europe is closer than it is in the NBA). If he can’t improve on these percentages, it’s likely that Nedovic will spend a large part of the season in Santa Cruz with the Warriors’ D-League affiliate.
Kent Bazemore will be Nedovic’s main competition for the fifth guard position. With the way that Bazemore carried the team to the summer league championship, Nedovic’s chances for significant playing time look slim, but that doesn’t mean he’s headed back to Europe. Warriors GM Bob Myers recently made it clear that if Nedovic didn’t make the Warriors roster, they would send him down to Santa Cruz until a spot opened up.
To be successful with the Warriors, Nedovic must improve on his shooting percentages and work on his ball-handling skills. He’ll have to take advantage of his speed without making careless mistakes – his quickness allows him to push the ball and create plays for his fellow teammates.
Nedovic wasn’t able to play with the Warriors’ summer league team due to an ankle sprain, but as training camp progresses they will get a better feel for how he fits into the rotation. While he won’t be ready for a major role just yet, Nedovic’s athleticism and potential make him worth keeping an eye on as the season progresses.
Do you want to "get to know" more of the new Warriors? Follow the links below:
Get to know your Warriors: Andre Iguodala
Get to know your Warriors: Seth Curry
Get to know your Warriors: Toney Douglas
Get to know your Warriors: Jermaine O'Neal
Get to know your Warriors: Marreese Speights
Get to know your Warriors: Ognjen Kuzmic
Get to know your Warriors: Dewayne Dedmon
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