Mika is Elite

[BroncoBot]

I could see Mika being much like tyler Hansbrough from NC. journeyman nba player with a great college career.

nothing to sneeze at.

[Qman]

. But defensively he can't guard 5's without more strength. He won't be much of a rim protector at the NBA--he is simply too small.

Here's how Mika measures size-wise against 6 of the top-10 starting NBA centers when they were drafted:

Erik Mika = 6'10", 230#

DeAndre Jordan = 6'11", 250#
Karl-Anthony Towns = 7', 248#
Al Horford = 6'10", 246#
Hassan Whiteside = 6'11", 226#
Rudy Gobert = 7'2", 238#
Dwight Howard = 6'10", 240#

I don't think his size is going to be giving any teams reason to hesitate for one second, especially after you give him time to work out in pre-draft mode and put on some additional weight there.

It isn't about how high your head can reach. It is about how freakishly long the arms and above average athletic ability each of the players you listed.

Based solely on my eyeballs, Mika's wingspan is roughly average for players to his height. So he standing reach will be subpar for the center position.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-dra ... s&year=All

Per DX measurement history the average 6'10" player entering the draft has a standing reach of 9'0.3" and a wingspan of 7'1.8".

Also your measurement for Whiteside is from 2010 when he was a rookie. His offical measurements per NBA.com is 7'0" 265 lbs. For reference his standing reach was 9'5".

Same thing for DeAndre Jordan 6'11" 265 lbs with a standing reach 9'5.5"

And Gobert has increased his weight to 245 lbs with a standing reach of 9'7"

Dwight Howard is listed at 265 as well and he was measured with a standing reach of 9'3.5".

I hope Mika can overcome this size disadvantage, but it is something he will have to overcome.

[BlueK]

He plays for us so he can't be that good.

That's my best attempt at imitating a BYU fan suffering from classic chronic fanbase low self esteem syndrome.

ESPN had him rated as the #3 center in the country in his recruiting class though. He's probably not tall enough for the 5 in the NBA and has to work on some things to prepare to become a solid 4. I don't think he leaves after this year, but then again, the draft isn't really about taking players who are NBA ready. Dante Exum sure wasn't.

[hawkwing]

I can't help but think that it's this year or never for the NBA for Mika. The NBA isn't interested in older players with well polished games, they are looking for young kids with talent that they can mold. His age is a definite disadvantage and that disadvantage will get exponentially worse with each year.

[snoscythe]

. But defensively he can't guard 5's without more strength. He won't be much of a rim protector at the NBA--he is simply too small.

Here's how Mika measures size-wise against 6 of the top-10 starting NBA centers when they were drafted:

Based solely on my eyeballs, Mika's wingspan is roughly average for players to his height. So he standing reach will be subpar for the center position.

....based solely on your eyeballs--since we don't have the numbers for Mika on wingspan/reach. Gotcha.

Also your measurement for Whiteside is from 2010 when he was a rookie.

See the underlined above---all measurements were their pre-draft numbers. We are talking about the draft, right? So doesn't it make sense to look at other guys when they were drafted?

[BroncoBot]

He plays for us so he can't be that good.

There could be a nugget of truth to this...

Most truly great basketball players aren't going to be attracted to the BYU basketball program. Some may come here for the "experience" but it's not going to be a lot.

[BlueK]

He plays for us so he can't be that good.

There could be a nugget of truth to this...

Most truly great basketball players aren't going to be attracted to the BYU basketball program. Some may come here for the "experience" but it's not going to be a lot.

Mika was the #3 rated center in his class. And there is nothing in his play so far that should make anyone think he didn't deserve that. Playing at the NBA level is a different thing, and recruiting ratings are based on how they are projected to do at the college level, where he has already excelled. But the fact Mika is here isn't good enough evidence on its own that he can't be an NBA player.

[BroncoBot]

Agreed. And there has to less appeal to play for other WCC teams outside of Gonzaga. BYU should be dominating the SCUs and USDs of the WCC with the #3 center in the country. There is a disconnect somewhere.

[BlueK]

Agreed. And there has to less appeal to play for other WCC teams outside of Gonzaga. BYU should be dominating the SCUs and USDs of the WCC with the #3 center in the country. There is a disconnect somewhere.

When you beat a team by 30 and then lose the second time, yes, it seems like a disconnect. It's starting to remind me a little of the Steve Cleveland years where even his best teams could beat anyone at home but lose to anyone on the road.

[BroncoBot]

Agreed. And there has to less appeal to play for other WCC teams outside of Gonzaga. BYU should be dominating the SCUs and USDs of the WCC with the #3 center in the country. There is a disconnect somewhere.

When you beat a team by 30 and then lose the second time, yes, it seems like a disconnect. It's starting to remind me a little of the Steve Cleveland years where even his best teams could beat anyone at home but lose to anyone on the road.

MWC was a conference known for road losses, even the best teams lost on the road occasionally.

WCC has 2 tiers. Those who win on the road and those who don't.