Codrut-Alexander Dinu, Romania | Scoutology Podcast Ep. 3

Codrut-Alexander Dinu

Point Guard, 6’2 (187cm)

CS Municipal Ploiesti

Romania U16 National Team

February 26, 2007 (16)

FIBA U16 European Division B Championship Stats

19.1 points (Tournament leader)

6.1 rebounds

4.7 assists

2.4 steals (Top-10 in tournament (10))

3x3 | Pro’s vs Progression Points

Pro’s

Ball Handling

Dinu put on a ball handling showcase during the European Division B Championship that was so impressive I often asked myself ‘How is he this skilled already?’ He faced many defensive coverages throughout the Championship that sought to reduce his impact with the ball in his hands and make him uncomfortable — those attempts were unsuccessful. Game after game opposing teams ramped up their efforts, blitzing him in pick-and-roll, hard hedging, and trying anything to force him into making mistakes, but Dinu consistently responded with efficient and timely counters that I expect from professional-level point guards, not 16-year-olds. He moves at his own pace. He commands the offense. He’s never rushed. And he forces defenses to abandon integrity because he’s often beating his defender off the dribble and penetrating the lane, where he’s able to score or facilitate in an instant. There’s a swag to his handle — a cockiness actually — that brings showmanship and productivity to the lead guard slot. He played 253 minutes (36.1 mpg) and only turned the ball over 27 times as the main ball-handler for Romania — he also finished 10th in the Championship in efficiency (116.0) but only one of the nine players ahead of him played more than 30 mpg (Avtandil Bakhtadze (GEO)). With this level of proficiency at 16, I can only imagine how he’ll look a couple of years from now.

Passing

Dinu’s vision and passing chops are apparent from the moment you put his tape on. At one point during my evaluation I was keeping track of all the dimes (“wow” level passes) he dropped…but I eventually stopped counting because they aren’t anomalies for him. He makes precise, high-level passes on a consistent basis. Don’t let the 4.7 assists fool you, he legitimately could’ve averaged 8+ assists if his teammates capitalized on the positions Dinu was putting them in — from close-range attempts to long balls. Dinu can make the simple passes, but also pass guys open. He does a good job of using his eyes and head to manipulate defenses on his way to getting what he wants for himself and others. I keep the term “floor general” close to the vest when evaluating point guards because that title is so much more than making good passes. That title is all-encompassing. That title signifies leadership and understanding of the game, alongside the skill required to be the primary ball-handler. Dinu is a floor general. Oftentimes he’s directing traffic in order to expose mismatches on the floor, encouraging his bigs to put a small in the basket on the low block, or rotating to a guard to expose a big around the perimeter. Those are winning plays and oftentimes hockey assists. They don’t show up on the stat sheet but they positively impact games.

Offensive game (Finishing, Scoring, Jump Shot)

Dinu led the European Division B Championship in scoring (19.1) and shot 25.4 percent from behind the arc…Dinu is not a 25.4 percent three-point shooter. I think he just had a tough outing. He also attempted nine three-pointers per game. His jump shot mechanics are clean and consistent — even on 30-foot jump shots. Yes, 30-footers, check the tape. It was a tad difficult for me to find the flaw in his jumpers during the tournament but I did note a few times he was releasing the ball a tick late, rather than on the way up. He’s displayed a deep bag of off-the-dribble shot creation techniques with ease and in rhythm — various stepbacks (traditional, punch, etc.) as well as side steps. At 6-2, he’s shown the ability to create space and get his jumper off. He rarely has issues with shot contests one through five. One of my favorite plays from him came on a lane dribble through which started on the left wing. He got to the mid-block and drained a pull-up jumper over Georgia’s 6-8 center Avtandil Bakhtadze. What was most impressive about that play was Dinu’s recognition of Bakhtadze’s insane wingspan and ability to adjust his shot arc, getting the ball over him and through the net. It was wonderful. Dinu is comfortable in the in-between range, utilizing mid-range jumpers and floaters after defeating the first line of defense. He’s an amazing finisher with the left hand (seemingly his preferred although a right-hand shooter) and a very good finisher with his right. He has no issues facing larger defenders — he’s shown the ability to manipulate shot contests by using his body to initiate contact, displacing the defender, and then finishing from a number of impressive backboard angles. The kid can put the ball in the hoop. Period.

Progression Points

Defense

Dinu’s biggest issue on defense is his lack of lateral quickness and flat-footedness. On a number of occasions, I’ve seen his matchups get past him with ease due to his foot speed or tendency to guess rather than reading the ball-handlers keys and responding appropriately. Dinu’s defensive stance is also too top-heavy — he’s oftentimes leaning his chest too far over his knees. A wider base, elevated chest, and active feet would go a long way for his defensive progression. Dinu did however finish top-10 in the European Division B Championship in steals (2.4) which was impressive given his shortcomings. He has a knack for timing the ball-handler’s release and a quickness to poke the ball away. With his ability to pick guys clean, I believe his defensive potential is quenched by a lack of want-to or offensive energy conservation.

Size

Dinu’s your prototypical 6-1, 6-2 lead guard with a plus wingspan. If he grows a few more inches we will have to immediately reevaluate his ceiling because that would be dangerously promising.

Athleticism

Dinu’s athleticism is about average for his position and size. He’s not going to jump over you or go the full length of the floor in three dribbles, but he has the pace, handle, and IQ to get wherever he wants to go. His first step is deceiving. He has a solid frame capable of taking the beatings that come from aggressive defenders, and he also has the strength to initiate contact with positive results (displacement).