Is Nikola Topic a #1 Pick Contender? | First Look
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ธ.ค. 2023
- Nikola Topic is off to a dominant and somewhat unprecedented start for Mega Basket of the ABA and it's only continued to raise his draft stock. He's a big guard at a listed 6'7 and also happens to be tied as the youngest player in the class as a dynamic playmaking guard and though questions about him as a shooter and on defense exist, he's put himself in contention to be one of the very first names called.
All Stats via Synergy & RealGM
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#NBA #NBADraft #NikolaTopic - กีฬา
A player like Topic is exactly what the Spurs really need. Topic and Wemby could be the next great duo in the future. Will root for the kid!
hell yeah
Bruh, Popovich is a mastermind
Or the Pistons 🤷♂️
@@GoodlyRoguePistons DON'T need another guard😂😂 is this the GMs burner account? 😂😂😂
there are 4 players that make sense with the spurs... they could try the twin towers with sarr or another french duo with Zachary risacher, then you have the pgs like topic and then have buzelis as a High upside wing. i personally don't think there are clear stars or players meant to become superstars in the League but this draftclass seems ti have lot of Nba ready and lot of complementary pieces for any team
Nikola Topic is what the spurs need aggressive offensive weapon with Pick N roll genius.
Perfect for Wemby
You beat me to it. As much as it pains me to see the Spurs struggling this season, having a chance to get Topic is making it worth it. I feel Tre Jones should be starting and would do great with Wemby, but Pop won't do it. So, if we end up in the top 3 in the draft, I feel good about being able to get Topic.
its a dream for spurs. tank tank tank!
The Spurs are no good, they’re NO GOOD.
@@RainbowDemon069 They're no good on purpose. It's obvious they are tanking. They are a much better team than they appear. Spurs are consolidating draft picks to prepare for a playoff run in the near future. By the 2025-26 season I think they will be a playoff contender.
The way the kid play is like a combination of manu and parker.. you know what i mean dude. His fast like parker and his peneration drive is a mix of them.
Really would love him on the spurs
very much so
Either him or Sarr
Hell nah 😂 just another player who can’t shoot for shit
Keep in mind that topic is playing as a 18 yr old vs grown men and he is the one standing out. Once he gets to the nba he will have a lot more room to drive and facilitate. Situation is everythin, if he ends up in detroit he will be out of the league in 5 years, if he gets drafted by the spurs he will be a hall of famer.
He is, but so did Scoot.
@@ogvampscoot played in the g league ignite. No one ever became good outa there😊
@ogvamp The G-League is nowhere near the level of competition when compared with the ABA and Euroleague.
Luka and Ricky Rubio are better comparisons as young players that stood out in Europe against grown men.
Also, Scoot seems to be finding his feet, for what it's worth.
@@brodiestephens419Ignite is bad for a player’s development whatsoever 😅
I get it it’s tempting to get paid early,but college basketball has much more to provide as a learning curve.
I feel like the players drafted from Ignite are just underdeveloped,but still tons of talent to dig if own by the right team.
Thompson twins and Scoot still got a lot of potential,but they looked more raw than most players in the same class.
@@kokushibo6823 cap
He reminds me of Manu, the downhill plays, the control of tempo and the passing ability. He's not there yet as a shooter, but that doesn't matter at his age. Spurs must be all-in on this guy
and he is a 85% FT shooter, normaly those good FT shooters end doing good from three at the end.
Manu was an ELITE shooter though. Huge thing
@@blicleak1101 Manu became elite a few years into his career with the Spurs. He struggled a bit during his first two seasons.
Same thing I thought , a spurs dynasty is Will be born again
@@idlp1679 If the Spurs can draft him and then Cooper Flagg in 2025, they will be a playoff contender by 2026.
we need a team full of nikolas in the nba
PG - Topic
SG - Jovic
SF - Mirotic
PF - Vucevic
C - Jokic
We can't stop anybody
@@AB-sw4kb its literally the pacers, all offense no defense
@@AB-sw4kbbring back Pekovic to be your backup center and enforcer
Nashville Nikolas.
@@AB-sw4kbBelić, Tesla oh no that is GTA and some scientist :)
Update: From the end of December 2023, he is back to Red Star (Crvena zvezda) Belgrade, where he will play in the European champions league. So fewer minutes for him, tougher competition, meaning a risk for the draft. However, he underlined that he is aware of the challenge. The good side is that he will plat beside Miloš Teodosić, probably one of the best playmakers from Europe in history, a pure magician with a ball - a lot to learn from him...
Great insight! In your opinion how has he fared since returning from injury?
@@naka5803 Unfortunately he renewed the injury last week - it is again the same knee, against the same opponent - Partizan, as the last time. After examinations, it is decided that the surgery won't be necessary, which is the only positive sign at the moment.
Love the mainly voice overs, gives me the ability to just lesson, or watch
Learn English lmao
Leads the Adriatic League in Assists.
Popovich: YES!
A backcourt of Topic and Vassell would be nice to watch
Neither play defense. Might be a high powered offense but I'm not sure Spurs even like that back court.
They tryna get Sarr
@@R-no5qs Vassell is a decent defender. in fact he was drafted by the spurs because he is a 3 and D guy. He's just not at his best this season but that's because he is being asked to do more on the other side of the floor.
Why would spurs take a pg that can’t shoot a Middy ?
a) he's likely actually 6'5" even with that giraffe neck of his b) he's right up there with Doncic as the best passing prospect we've seen in decades. He's a passing prodigy
Im not sure, he’s a better passing prospect than Sharife Cooper, Lamelo, or Giddey, let alone Luka
You’re either delusional or watch very little basketball if you think doncic is one the best passing prospects we have see in decades. Harden , Trae young and haliburtion are all better passers and that’s just off the top my head.😂
@@mrawesome7175I doubt you seriously mean what you’re saying. 🤦♂️
I dont think he’s at all a luka level passer but time will tell
@@mrawesome7175ill give u haliburton. But when ur as lethal a scorer as luka he doesnt need to pass as often.
He got back to Red Star at mid season (yesterday as of writing this comment) and he'll play with European legend Milos Teodosic (I'm sure many of you have heard about him when he was playing in LA Clippers), so that can only be beneficial to him, as he's going to have arguably the best mentor in this game for his position. As for draft position, if he wins trophies with Red Star this season (Radivoj Korac Cup, ABA League and Serbian League), I'm sure he's going to be in top 5, but top 10 is guaranteed for him
Idk about those measurements tho. He doesnt look 6'7 nor does he look like he has a 7' wingspan. Usually dudes with his build (long neck, sloped shoulders) dont have great length. Doesnt mean I dont like him as a prospect, just skeptical of those measurements. The way he attacks in straight lines and finishes reminds me of tony parker.
He’s 6.5
Well thats exactly what I thought man. but the Thing is this Serbian League is filled with tall guys.
as per Nick Smitch of DraftExpress
The Average Serbian Height is 6’3”
imagine Basketball Players its mostly probably 6’6 plus
Being similar to Tony Parker is hardly a bad thing. Parker was one of the greatest point guards to ever play, and he was able to hold his own against the likes of Allen Iverson, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul and Stephen Curry.
2:24 ... "navigating tight spaces through the paint is absolutely a tremendous-skill. Dribble penetration is something not every player has, but if He cannot pull-up on a dime and 💦 ... it is a Tough-Life in the paint when opposition sees that's all you got. You will get banged-up pretty good, and those "tight-spaces" ... get TIGHTER. The Big-Guard-penetrators ... there is always somebody bigger down there. Dude has to be Pull-Up-Threat or he's going to be limited.
Good breakdown thanks
He might as well start discussing sponsorship with HEB and learn about breakfast tacos. That's a future Spurs great 😅
He is fast and developt basics to prrfection. He will be great in NBA.
Spurs are absolutely tanking for this guy. Him, Wemby, Vassell, and Sochan all growing up together could be a dynasty.
Spurs would be the perfect destination for him. With their combination of player development, desperate need for a point guard, and the potential facilitator role this guy could play for Wemby, it’s a match made in heaven.
And he would play for a coach who is of Serbian descent as well, Greg Popovich.
If this guy can improve his outside shooting...😮😮😮Superb...
Wemby & Topic will be the Future Spurs duo for Coach Pop👍
good video
It should be emphasized that Nikola was born in 2005, that is, he is only 18 years old. The aggravating circumstance, which can be seen on most of these video clips, is that he played half the season with a mask on his face and a broken nose.
Also, a big bonus in his basketball upbringing is the pedigree he has, which refers to his father Milenko Topić, a famous Serbian basketball player, and now a coach, who has won many famous trophies in his career, both on a team and personal level.
Homie tuff💪🏾
Nikola Topic to the rockets 🚀
below the rim , can he score all theee levels ?
Like his game. Just want to see him improve his jump shoot.
As a rockets fan I never thought the Nets pick would land in the top 3 but here we are. Now I and a lot of rockets fans are going to have to do a lot of research on these players if we stand pact 😅
I'm not sure Topic is the best fit, Spurs barely have any spacing as is, adding a 30% shooter won't help that especially with Sochan going forward. Vassell, who they locked in is also a poor defender, Topic+DV would be a turnstyle defensively & get ran thru. I'd prefer Sarr or Risacher, I think Risacher in particular would be AMAZING. I think Ris would be the best fit with Wemby, if you double off him he's feeding a 6'9 sniper who at that height is basically getting WIDE open shots. You have to defend a guy that tall very closely or else. And being that tall, Spurs could play small ball, even move Sochan to the bench or play them all together.
He looks like Jim Carrey! Excited for you my man!!!
I thought he looked like white Michael porter jr
💯
Body type and plays like Rod Strickland who was a great penetrator and passer. Topic has nice shooting form which is backed up by his ft%. But, he has bad habit of tilting head back at the peak of his jumper. Wemby has this habit too. You wanna keep head still throughout jumpshot to keep depth perception accurate from beginning of jump-shot to end. Think if he fixes this issue and gets stronger thighs and glutes, he would have a more stable and improved jumper from three. Also, stronger legs will help keep pressure off knees and joints which he has had problems with. He can drive and finish left and right, has good quickness, height and weight to finish in NBA. Hope he falls to my Bulls at 11 with the recent partial ACL tear news. He can be somethin with his height as an ever rarer true point guard.
The lack of nba athletes is a concern but they also have no 3 second rule which makes that impressive as well
what u mean?
@@markgold4660 the European leagues have no 3 second violation so bigs and other defenders can sit in the paint as long as they want without getting a technical foul
Competition is still much better than college, and Topic is dominating. He is easily number 1 pick for me.
@@myrdin9216 I agree I don’t think I said I was in favor of the college competition
Yes, that and the floor is smaller makes difference. He will be better at NBA level.
Topic is perfect to play with Wemby - Vassel and Sochan ^^
Aaiiii.... The good old days
Offensively he's the clear #1 prospect. Controls the game, incredible handle at that size, massive first step, PnR skill, etc. He comes from a basketball family and is super young too. The defense is weak and his shooting has a way to go. Maybe your gamble is that Sarr can learn any offense other than finishing and put him higher but people are bending over backwards to find fault in Topic in ways they don't do for Sarr (as an example).
He will need a deffensive monster to lead the team on deffense or his team will strugle like Luka Dondic or James Harden teams.
@@Boy2Slicc2It's impossible to draft both at this point in time as both are projected top 5 picks. Spurs currently are getting top 5 pick and an 8th pick along with 2 2nd rounders
As a Serbian who watched my favorite team play both against 18 years old Topić and against 18 years old Luka I have to say that the difference between the two at that age is enormous. Luka was simply way, way better at 18 years old.
@@student99bg Obviously. I'd say Topic is more Manu-like than Luka
Mayme someone like Wemby
I actually like Topic ..he’s under control and controls the ball but he is slow but it may not matter. I’m a Spurs fan so I do think he is a Spurs type of player
*Leonardo pointing at the tv*
Tony Parker 2.0😮
If he can be a true point guard and effectively facilitate pop's offense, he would be a great pick having a 6'6" frame. All he needs is a strong handle and high IQ, which he seems to possess both. The shooting and defense will improve with time
Yup,dude is not scared.
A Young Manu in the making...
welcome to toronto
You could watch him in highest level in next 6 months becouse he's back in Red Star Belgrade ,Euroleague.
Damn good prospect for sure, and he's a lefty, so he's a little harder to guard. Wonder if he can finish with his right?
Only issue is that he again injured the same knee yesterday without contact that could be the neck breaker to be picked to even top 10. 2 serious injuries with 18 on the same knee looks like a Micheal porter junior Denver story. So sad for such a talented prospect
If spurs get high pick draft, they should take this player or other any player like this. Wemby need a decent pg fr. And from that, an awakened dynasty can be started again
Only thing i am concerned about is his Injuries. Can he stay fit?
Jokic played for same club.
What"s the topic of the video?
Hoop Intellect: Topic
Yea, that what I just asked you. What is it?
looks like bigger ricky rubio with less steals.
i can’t imagine him driving by nba defenders who are as big as him and sagging off the whole game. pnr should be cool tho.
SPURS SPURS SPUUUURSSSS
Im worried about the footwork defensively… he seemed to be groggy and unaware, possibly something he could improve on in the future but for now I’m not as high on him as other like Cody Williams. I would just prefer a lankier wing. Unless your the spurs who need guard play…
Well, if opponents blow by him 5 times per game, Wemby will probably erase two shots at the rim and scare away two more.
Maybe the comparison is Tony parker good fit this guy in SPURS
Hold on bro, what you know bout Vince Staples?
Does he have a three ball?
He reminds me of a young tony parker
If no one can stay in front of him, blowing by would make getting to mid range much easier as well, not just the rim. Almost gives no excuse as to why he’d be uncomfortable at that part in the half court.
I could see the Spurs picking this kid.
Damn he’s projected to us to, good chit.
He plays like a all star pg from 1976
His ability to change speeds and directions on a dime, plus his ability to finish below the rim, make some of his drives reminiscent of James Harden, imo.
or the player Harden molded from, manu Ginobilli
Harden or Kyrie
if he sharpen his shooting ability he's gonna be a top 10 point guard in 5 years...
if he end up in spurs its gonna be tony parker 2.0
6'7 with nice dribbling skills, change of pace, good court vision, finish good at the rim, passing ability, high ball iq.
he's going to average about 2 carries per game on those drives
@@Boy2Slicc2 for a rookie? Yes they arr going to call it
SAN ANTONIO SPURS!!!!
Miami Heat's next Goran Dragic
So is he like a 6’7” Ricky Rubio ? I do belive his game is more developed than RR’s was at this age as far as being able to create your own shot which is much more of a necessity for nba play compared to euro league. The talent is tantalizing honestly he’s only got 2 issues imo. Will he be able to shoot off the dribble and from 3 consistently against NBA Defenses and 2 the players who were like him who have been drafted before…. Poku, Leandro BolMaro, Killian Hayes, Hernangomez, Deni Advidja (who I really like) Mario Hezonja and early Ricky Rubio, etc were all guys who couldn’t really shoot which made it hard for spacing, that would cut their playing time. Now I think it would be foolish to put on this kid years of bad scouting/drafting but I do think that does come into their minds. A guy who his game is similar too (and failed at first sadly but has come back and been huge for a playoff team) is Dante Exum. I do really like him for the spurs, Atlanta, Bulls, Portland if they trade away a guard or 2 and he would be a reallllllly fun partner for Scotty Barnes. He’s definitely in my Top 3 for the draft with Dillingham and either Jakobe Walter or Cody Williams. But I think this draft more than any I can remember is each team will have a totally different big board. There’s players who would fit awesome with some and will barely play for others and while that happens for a lot of normal drafts usually lottery guys arnt that way.
Future Spur
WIZARD
Hes tall he looks taller than teodosic who surprisngly become a tall g in nba
Nikola Top Pick
Nikola topic
Nikola jovic
Nikola jokic
Serbia has a genetic factory
there is also Nikola tovic not seen as nba prospect as he is turn over prone but still would be an update at pg pos for the Pistons
Coming to spurs baby
He looks shorter tho, he's at best 6'4. But this kid can ball.
i see a manu ginobili type of player
spurs need him omfg ill die
SPURS 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
can we please get him for PG on the spurs. what we got just aint working. clearly
Wow, those defensive clips looked rough, especially the screen navigation. 🤢
For some reason he reminds me of a cross between Tyreke Evans and Danny Ainge... which would kind of be a weird player. haha.
future spur
I kinda wamma see rob dillingham and wemby
Future Spur, cannot wait
Imagine if Spurs trade for Trae and get Topic in the draft.. that's a dynasty
The only thing I have to say about international guys is u really can’t touch them in there game
So there dribble moves are basic and it’s easy bcuz u have to let them go by and with no athletic rim protectors looks better then he probably is
Atm would not take him w a top pick (no pun intended).
He's blowing by his man every play and getting layups. Not seeing any floaters, push shots, post game, middies, or even euros (in the euro league!). If his threes don't come online, it's going to be rough for him.
Imagine a team sticking a Marcus Smart on him or him blowing by just to go up against Gobert. Coach would have to bench him most games :/
Topic biggest strength is his passion for basketball 🏀 You can't teach that crap
He’s coming to Detroit. 🤷🏾♂️ Spurs fans are gonna have to cope.
Bro how many guards do y’all need damm
Man ya just draft anybody, thats why ya are never Good, the organization is clueless with no strategy
Just for them to get screwed over by the lotto and pick at 5 again😂
@@user-sh4pd1le3m Cade can’t do it alone. We’re the worst team in the NBA (possibly in history). 🤦🏾♂️ We need all of the help that we can get. 😢
@@Boy2Slicc2 Spurs have one of the worst records in the NBA, just like my Pistons.
He and Bogi could turn the Hawks around
Welcome to the Wizards
Hawks needa take him with the 1st
He looks smaller than 6’6, but I like Dillingham better
He moves like he's 6'3 is he really 6'6-6'7
definitely looks 6-3
@@mysteryfollowedbylogicplayers in the Adriatic league are very big , most of the guys that play 3 have borderline center size by American standards.
This happened to me with Jovic (he used to play for this team) , I thought he was like 6'7 but in the NBA he is clearly 6'10 barefoot at least.
Yeah spurs got that
this is why, i want to fine the spurs they are aware of european talent being too good on the fundamentals and also easy to coach. they're tanking but the NBA is allowing it for some reason.
Small market teams like the Spurs have no choice but to build through the draft and pursue the best prospects. They don't have the luxury of being a free agent destination like the Lakers, Heat, Knicks, Warriors and Celtics. The Draft and trades is how the Spurs have always built their teams.
A taller goran dragic 👀👀
Wasn't Luka in the euro league? This guy is avging less on a small nation based team, seems more like a Killian Hayes possibly but I'm not sure
18.7ppg, 6.8ast 🤔
EuroLeague is international cup. Luka was playing for Real Madrid, so he played domestic ACB league and EuroLeague. Topic is loaned out to Mega and, right now, plays only Adriatic league, but it is very probably that his team Crvena Zvezda will recall him back after New Year, since they cut Shabazz Napier. Then we'll see how he'll manage EuroLeague level. He doesn't have Luka's ceiling, but should be a very good player. Plus, his father was a very intelligent player that played for Serbian NT and now acts as his advisor. There's a big chance he will advise him against going immediately to NBA, if he gets drafted this summer.
He reminds me a lot of tony parker when he gets around the rim the spurs should draft him.
Welcome to the Washington Wizards
Topic to Houston 🚀. Udoka can create Topic become an All star player 🌟 He and Jalen at the back court wil B vry impressive duo.
I like him to be a teammate with wemby and Zaccharie Risacher
3 to per game & 30% from 3 as a guard under 90% free throw. over hyped
Looks like a more athletic Luka but not the shooter Luka is. He is going to come as a very high pick maybe #1 and people are going expect him to be like Luka was as a rookie which is unfair, he will not be.
He’s not as big nor strong as Luka, doesn’t have the post game, and can’t shoot as good. Looks like a younger Ginobli.
Bust