Breaking down what Goga Bitadze brings to the Pacers
By Ben Pfeifer
Goga Bitadze looks more than capable of playing in the NBA, but he has plenty to learn as he joins in the Indiana Pacers.
With the 18th pick in the 2019 NBA draft, the Indiana Pacers selected Goga Bitadze, Georgian big from Mega Bemax. Fans met the pick with much consternation, as the Pacers already have two big men whom they’re building the franchise around.
In my opinion (and that of many others), the Pacers’ passed their draft test with flying colors in selecting Bitadze.
The ninth-ranked prospect on my board, Bitadze was fantastic value for where the Pacers selected him. The aim of the draft is to collect talent and the Pacers did just that. There is no question to whether Goga Bitdaze is talented.
The Georgian big has been on NBA radars for a while, but he took a sizable jump this season athletically and started playing in the EuroLeague, the second best league in the world.
Given Bitadze is only 19, his production overseas is wildly impressive. He split time between the EuroLeague and the weaker (but still strong) Adriatic League. Before Mega Bemax loaned Bitadze to Buducnost, he dominated the Adriatic league, posting a line of 28.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 3.6 blocks per 40 minutes on a blistering 67 true shooting percentage.
His early season dominance and late season play with Buducnost led him to win the Adriatic League MVP.
In the EuroLeague, his production didn’t decline much considering the level of competition. In 13 games with Buducnost, Bitadze averaged 20 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 3.8 blocks per 40 minutes on a 63.4 true shooting percentage.
Teenagers don’t produce as Bitadze did in the EuroLeague unless they are special (hi Luka Doncic!). The film backs up his talent on the stat sheet, so let’s dive into Bitadze’s game.