WHAT WE EXPECT: Dzanan Musa, young but experienced

Let’s start with Charles Maniego’s Draft Card for Dzazan Musa ... and add his nickname, Nani.

For the third year in a row, the Nets select someone who’s a bit of a mystery in NBA circles.

Musa is a 6’9, 195-pound swingman who turned 19 on May 8. While he looks like a Euro-stash, the plan is for Musa to make his way to the NBA.

DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony says the newest Net would’ve gone higher had he agreed to remain overseas for a year or two. (Such a move would save teams the cost of a first round contract in a tight cap year.)

The “Bosnian scoring machine” averaged 12.3 points and 3.5 rebounds in 23.1 minutes per game while playing for KK Cedevita of the Crotian League. Musa shot 47% from the floor and over 31% from international three.

Here’s a look at his game …

• Instantly you can see Musa’s ability to handle the ball at 6’9, which fits into the Nets’ love of versatility. He’s able to create offense and shoot off screens, a match for Kenny Atkinson, who loves to run pick-and-rolls/pick-and-pops.
• At various points, primarily 0:55, you get a sense of the offensive freedom – and confidence – Musa brings with him to Brooklyn.
• Musa also appears comfortable with getting buckets in transition, as seen back-to-back beginning at the 1:00 mark, and pull-ups from three as seen at 4:08.

Here’s a more detailed summary of what NBAdraft.net had to say regarding Musa.

“Strengths: He is a leader and has a strong personality ... Not afraid of the big stage, since he is dealing with high expectations since he was 15 years old ... He plays with passion ... Has good size for a wing ... Versatile player who can play from point guard to small forward ... Better athlete than everyone thinks ... Has a good first step that helps him blow by opponents ... Has High basketball I.Q ... Natural scorer... He can create his own shot at a great level... Has a quick release that makes it difficult for opponents to block his shot.. Can score from anywhere on the floor... He can score off the dribble with ease ... Very good at scoring on straight line drives... Although he is a right hander he excels driving and finishing with his left hand ... He can catch fire at any time and score in bunches ... His Mid-range game has improved through the years ... He has added some floaters to his game, that have helped him evolve as a scorer ... His range has expanded and has gone all the way to up the 3-point line ... He has been used on Catch and Shot situations with mixed results, but potential is there... Good ball handler with a great change of pace dribble ... Knows how to use a screen set for him on and off the ball... Very good on Pick and Roll situations as the ball handler, can either find the rolling big or look for his own shot ... He can do the occasional coast to coast thanks to his ability to do a little be of everything ... Good passer... Has a good court vision and can find the open man when he is concentrated ... Probably the best player of his generation in Europe at creating contact and drawing fouls ... Has improved as a free throw shooter... Good rebounder for his position, especially on the defensive block ... Knows how to read the game and make steals... Has active hands on defense ... He can be a solid defender when he is locked in...

Weaknesses: Playing with passion isn’t always a good thing, since he occasionally gets carried away by his emotions ... He has an inconsistent motor, with a lot of ups and downs even in the same game ... He is a better athlete than most think, but he is still just an average athlete by NBA standards ... He must bulk up considerably ... Has a peculiar body structure with a slight hunch back with small chest and waist, so it’s not certain how he can really bulk ip ... Lacks elite explosiveness ... He doesn’t really have bounce off one foot when driving to the basket ... He has a short wingspan (measured at 6-9) ... He is mostly a streaky shooter for now.. He needs to improve in Catch and Shot and Spot Up situations... His off the ball game needs work... He must learn to be effective when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands... Has problems against athletic wings on both ends of the floor... Can’t really finish through contact because his upper body isn’t strong enough... Has problems finishing against length because of his athletic limitations... He really likes going to his left and has problems when he is forced driving to his right... His mid-range game still needs improvement... Should add some Post moves to his arsenal to explore miss-matches... Must learn to let game come to him when his shot isn’t falling and not force things.... He could improve his on the move passes... Can be turnover prone at times... His short wingspan limits him on defense... His lateral quickness is average... He is not always focused on defense, mainly because he is used to be “The Guy” at smaller level and didn’t want to spend energy on that end of the floor... Struggles on defense against explosive wings... His low stance on defense needs work... Needs to improve his off the ball defense... Gambles and goes for the steal, which adds pressure to his team...

Overall: Dzanan Musa is one of the best scorers of his generation in Europe if not the best. His ability to score is uncanny and he has already proved it’s his most translatable skill at the next level, along with his ability to play multiple positions. For him to play at the next level though he has to bulk up his body considerably, learn how to control his emotions and improve his motor on defense.”

Best Quote from Friday’s press conference: When asked when he first fell in love with baskeball...

“As soon as I got a ball. I was like, ‘I’m going to marry you one day.’ Now, I’m here.”