Giffey's pro future

[UCHuskies08]

What do you guys think? I would give him a shot to have an NBA career because he can do three things pretty well: defend, rebound and shoot open 3's. There are places for guys who can do that in the NBA. He probably wouldn't get drafted, but would certainly have a shot in the Summer League to impress and then either make an D-league roster or more optimistically, a training camp roster.

An obvious factor for him however, is that being German, he may actually have a desire to return to Europe where he can be closer to family/friends, but I obviously have no insight into this. His career would also be more assured there, as opposed to the meat grinder that the NBA can be.

 

[jfuchs91]

He played on the German National team, I'm sure he'd have a spot over there to play if he so chose.

But Giffey is basically the perfect role player. Smart, he's a very good and versatile defender, solid athlete, and can shoot like heck. He's the kind of player you see on the end of the Spurs' bench, when you wonder how they're still performing so well with guys you've barely heard of. I think he should have a shot to make a roster in Summer League. He kind of reminds me of a less fluid/athletic, but possibly better shooting version of Nicolas Batum. He just does a little bit of everything to help his team win.

 

[socal613ws]

He's not going to the nba, pretty sure they said in the telecast he's going back to germany.

 

[Zerosumgame]

According to several reports, he is meant to sign back with his boyhood club, Alba Berlin, but cannot sign anything yet (amateur status and all of that).

 

[Kitaman]

Sorry but only a UConn fan can see him playing in the NBA.

 

[selles]

Sorry but only a UConn fan can see him playing in the NBA.

...is absolutely what I thought about Kevin Ollie in 1995.

It's a longshot and he'll probably end up happy and rich in Germany, but he does have some physical/mental attributes that make it not completely implausible that he could play in the NBA someday.

 

[Danzz]

Giffey is kind of a tweener; not quick enough to play the 3 and not strong enough to play the 4. He will have a nice career in Europe but the NBA is probably unrealistic. Then again I thought the same about Adrian so who knows.

 

[noeynox]

I don't think it's impossible to see him in the league at all. He has a very nice overall game, including his handle and above average athleticism and hops. His greatest strenght is his shooting. After a couple of years over seas I could see him as role player, three point specialist in the league.

 

[Edward Sargent]

He played meaingful minutes against some NBA talent while on the German National team including a win over Tony Parker's French team, so you never know. I suspect he'll be in Germany though

 

[Confident Carl]

What do you guys think? I would give him a shot to have an NBA career because he can do three things pretty well: defend, rebound and shoot open 3's. There are places for guys who can do that in the NBA. He probably wouldn't get drafted, but would certainly have a shot in the Summer League to impress and then either make an D-league roster or more optimistically, a training camp roster.

An obvious factor for him however, is that being German, he may actually have a desire to return to Europe where he can be closer to family/friends, but I obviously have no insight into this. His career would also be more assured there, as opposed to the meat grinder that the NBA can be.

Giffey reminds me of Detlef Schremph who played for the Seattle Supersonnics in the 90's. He had a 16 year NBA career. http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/757/detlef-schrempf

 

[aceboon]

Giffey is kind of a tweener; not quick enough to play the 3 and not strong enough to play the 4. He will have a nice career in Europe but the NBA is probably unrealistic. Then again I thought the same about Adrian so who knows.

I don't see Giffey in the NBA but this isn't accurate at all. He was guarding Nic Batum in Eurobasket just fine, and he did an excellent job on Otto Porter last year and he was a lotto pick. Giffey is a very versatile defender, I can't recall the last player we had that was able to switch b/w guarding wings and then 4 men as easily as he was. His biggest weakness as a defender was always his habit to overhelp in team defense, which he cut down on as the year went on.

 

[KhalidElAmida]

Two deficiencies that get teams in the NBA in trouble in a hurry are lack of outside shooting (ie the Celtics) and piss poor defense (ie the Knicks). I have a hard time believing that a 6'7 lights out shooter who has guarded NBA 2's, 3's, and 4's with authority won't at least get a look. His future is in Europe and almost certainly won't be drafted but IMO he could help a few NBA teams right now. For example I think he would be a perfect fit for the Celts as a bench guy... He fits the mold of a Brad Stevens player to a T (High % shooter, guards multiple positions, high IQ team first guy).

 

[dogfan96]

I don't think it's impossible to see him in the league at all. He has a very nice overall game, including his handle and above average athleticism and hops. His greatest strenght is his shooting. After a couple of years over seas I could see him as role player, three point specialist in the league.

Totally agree.. extremely underrated athleticism, tough rebounder for his size, willing to guard bigger, stronger guys, and can put the ball on the floor and make a play. I don't see him ever being a starter but I think he could be on a roster and stick in the league

 

[Edward Sargent]

I don't see Giffey in the NBA but this isn't accurate at all. He was guarding Nic Batum in Eurobasket just fine, and he did an excellent job on Otto Porter last year and he was a lotto pick. Giffey is a very versatile defender, I can't recall the last player we had that was able to switch b/w guarding wings and then 4 men as easily as he was. His biggest weakness as a defender was always his habit to overhelp in team defense, which he cut down on as the year went on.

He just defended Randle fairly well also!

 

[aceboon]

He just defended Randle fairly well also!

yes, did a great job on him giving up nearly 3" and probably 30lbs.

 

[ffg53]

Giffey reminds me of Detlef Schremph who played for the Seattle Supersonnics in the 90's. He had a 16 year NBA career. http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/757/detlef-schrempf

Then maybe Band of Horses can write a song for Niels, too.

 

[Sibeerian]

Think we'll see Niels in the Olympics some day?

 

[Jaker]

I bet Dirk gets him like a month contract with the Mavs to at least try out.

 

[joober jones]

If he's to someday make the NBA, I think his best shot would be to play a couple of seasons overseas, dominate in the D-League, and take it from there.

 

[Jerry1714]

Love Niles, but I do not think people realize how hard it is to make the NBA, he will have a long career over in Europe and there is nothing wrong with that.

 

[B1GEast]

How does he compare to Nadav?

 

[AZHuskiePop]

How does he compare to Nadav?

Nadav had the quickest pair of hands. I swear he could have made a living a a pick-pocket. Niels is a better all round athlete.

 

[CTBasketball]

Niels is definitly not a tweener. The kid shut down Randle in the last 5 minutes of the game.

 

[SubbaBub]

He reportedly held his own with NBA players over the summer and I think Ollie's pro sets work foe him. He could make a roster as an end of the bench guy or have a pretty good career in Europe. If I'm him, I take a shot before heading home.

 

[djct1999]

Giffey is a system player. In the right system, he could definitely provide quality minutes off the bench.