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Position: forward Height: 6-10 Weight: 234 College: None (Yugoslavia) Born: November 19, 1980, Trebinje Republica Srpska-Bih, Bosnia-Herzegovina Opening day (2002) age: 21 Drafted: 2001, first round, pick 12, Seattle NBA exerience: One year (one with Sonics) Hand: Right Acquired: via draft Nicknames: The Special One, Rad, Radman, Vlade Contract status: Signed through 2003-04 with team option for 2004-05 season |
2001-02 in Review: Entering his rookie season, Vladimir Radmanovic projected as the Seattle SuperSonics’ backup forward, filling a similar role to recently-departed Ruben Patterson. 20 years old and with limited experience at even the highest level of basketball in his native Yugoslavia, Radmanovic struggled to make the transition to the NBA early on. After a 12 point, 7 rebound performance against the Miami Heat on November 6, Radmanovic saw spotty and irregular minutes the remainder of the month and saw three DNP-CDs. Radmanovic began to turn around his season on December 2 against Milwaukee. Though his numbers -- three points and five rebounds -- were extremely modest, Radmanovic displayed more patience on offense and much improved defense. That and an injury to Desmond Mason gave Radmanovic regular minutes, and he responded with double-digit scoring in three straight games early in the month. On December 22, Radmanovic started at power forward in place of an injured Vin Baker and scored a career-high 18 points on six of nine shooting before injuring himself in a horrific fall as his momentum carried him off the rim on a dunk and he landed on his neck. After a slow month of January, injuries to Baker gave Radmanovic a chance to start regularly in February. He responded with new career-bests of 19 points and nine rebounds on the 9th and was in the starting lineup for the Sonics’ best stretch of the year as they went 11-2 after Baker went on the injured list. Early in March, Radmanovic appeared headed for a hot streak after he showed a national TV audience his skills, scoring 21 on 9 of 12 from the field and grabbing nine rebounds against Minnesota. Two days later, he crashed into a chair while diving to save a loose ball late in the Sonics’ overtime victory over Charlotte. Radmanovic ended up with a sprained toe which sidelined him for over a month. He returned in mid-April and got the chance to play himself back into shape after the Sonics clinched a playoff spot. With the toe still bothering him, Radmanovic saw limited action in the Sonics’ first three games, scoring just eight points. But after Rashard Lewis went down with a separated shoulder, Radmanovic stepped into his starting role and again shined on the national stage, setting a new career-high with 23 points and making five of seven three-point attempts as the Sonics sent the series back to San Antonio for a deciding game five. Though Radmanovic’s final averages of 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game don’t leap off the page, it was a productive rookie season as he displayed the raw potential that made him a lottery pick. He was named All-Rookie second team.
Shooting/Scoring: Radmanovic vaulted up the Draft thanks mostly to his deadly accuracy from three-point range. In two consecutive workouts, he reportedly made 21 of 25 shots from beyond the arc. In this regard, he did not disappoint whatsoever, ranking amongst the NBA’s league leaders in three-point percentage most of 2001 and finishing the season at 42%. More of a concern was Radmanovic’s 40.6% shooting from two-point range. His midrange game could stand to improve; it seems to have been neglected for the sake of the three. Additionally, Radmanovic must improve his ability to finish in the lane. That was one regard in which he seemed to particularly struggle playing against more talented opponents. Radmanovic can get in the lane, however. His 68.1% free-throw shooting was disappointing and must improve.
Grade: B+
Floor Game: A naturally talented ballhandler, Radmanovic has the potential to be one of the best passing power forwards in the league if he plays at the position next season. As a starter, Radmanovic averaged 2.5 assists per game -- almost twice Baker’s average in similar minutes. Naturally, he did struggle with turnovers last season and will have to shore up this area of the game. Radmanovic spaces the floor well, though he did have the occasional problem with being in the wrong place, most notably in a close loss to Sacramento where he missed two late threes and was the scapegoat. Radmanovic is effective in the pick-and-roll.
Grade: B-
Rebounding: As a small forward, Radmanovic is already a fine rebounder at 9.0 boards per 48 minutes. This mark remains well below average for a power forward, and he will have to do better if playing that position next season. Unsurprisingly, Radmanovic is a far better defensive rebounder because he spends so much time on offense on the perimeter. His defensive rebound rate tied with Jerome James for best on the Sonics.
Grade: B-
Defense: The most pleasant surprise from Radmanovic last season was his defensive ability. Scouts indicated he was not the liability European players stereotypically are, but this observation was not confirmed early in the season. Radmanovic proved a quick study, and by early December he was holding his own against Miami’s Alonzo Mourning when injuries and foul trouble struck the Seattle frontcourt. Though at 6-10, 234 Radmanovic does not have the size one looks for in a power forward, he does a good job defending the post. His harassing work particularly bothered Memphis Rookie of the Year Pau Gasol, who Radmanovic held to five points on 0 of 6 shooting in early March. Playing power forward, Radmanovic did a fabulous job of playing the passing lanes, averaging 1.6 steals per game as a starter. He did a good job on the perimeter against small forwards as well.
Grade: B+
Intangibles: Radmanovic had little trouble adjusting to a new country, with his transition eased by the presence of countryman Peja Drobnjak. There were no apparent language problems. After being injured several times, Radmanovic will have to display his durability next season.
Grade: B+
Overall: As the first Sonic lottery pick since Gary Payton, the pressure was on Radmanovic last season and he responded well. He was improving throughout the season and might have put up much bigger numbers were it not for the untimely toe injury which interrupted his development. Still, after one season he is further along in his development than any Sonic rookie since -- well, again Payton. Radmanovic doesn’t look capable of replacing Payton just yet, but he will likely join Payton in the starting lineup next season after Baker was traded to Boston. He could yet start at either of the forward positions depending on how Rashard Lewis’ free agency ends. If Lewis leaves, Radmanovic could slide back to small forward, which most people still consider his natural position. With health and minutes, Radmanovic should be one of the NBA’s most improved players next season. His main obstacle is inconsistency; Radmanovic must be able to bring his game every night as a starter. Developing an offense that is less reliant on the three will go a long ways towards making this a reality. Radmanovic’s ability to get to the hole off the dribble, make the 15-18 foot jumper, and score down low on occasion will be critical to his development. Long term, if he can continue that development, Radmanovic could become one of the league’s most versatile forwards.
Grade: B-
Initially, Vladimir Radmanovic’s selection was unpopular with Sonics fans, who had barely heard of the foreigner. A group of my friends was shown booing the selection on the local news, and I too was dismayed -- though only because I couldn’t believe the Sonics would take a small forward when they already had Lewis (and Patterson, for that matter). Now, we all know a lot better. Radmanovic can play either forward position capably, and he has become a favorite of Sonics fans. His popularity has yet to ascend near that of the Payton/Barry/Mason trio, but he has an extremely strong following -- at least here.