I reckon he will be after these world champs and is a certainty to make the all star 5.

because a lot of NBA selections are based on players speed and lateral movement in drills ect, and not how well they play in a game situations.
Kirk deserves a spot on an NBA team and would be an asset to most teams. I like how you can directly compare players on the FIBA website. Kirks stats so far make most of the NBA guys playing look average.

Kirk lacks the ball handling and foot speed necessary at that level. He is not really a shooter off the dribble so finds it hard to create his own shot.
As a spot up shooter in the mould of Steve Kerr perhaps?
In some ways it is easier for someone who has the licence and is expected to score and teamate's set you up (Tall Blacks as an example) rather than when you don't have the licence and are a bit player getting less opportunities.

He could play in the NBA it would take a GM and coach to take a chance on him.
NY, NJ, GSW or Spurs could use him

Brett Brown may mention him to Popovich.

I am hoping Brett keeps hassling Pop to give Mills, Maric and Ingles a chance :)

If Jason Kapono can earn big bucks, sure Penny is worth a minimum contract?

Maric no, Ingles maybe as a point guard.

A bit like Gaze probably lacks the athleticism, but will dominate WC's and olympic tournaments

Easily could play nba, everybody knows that, its just opportunity and timing. Had some bad back injuries too, he has kicked ass in summer league nba also.

Jonno- very good comparison with a.gaze.

they both had similar plus and minuses in their skill sets and also similar physical setbacks.

on the other hand,they have also shared the label of being two of the best shooters outside the nba.

Fred Hoiberg can play in the NBA

U know Kirk can

Infact when he was in the NBA they did conditioning drill son all the rookies and Kirk was far and away the man

With someone like Penny who has been in the NBA before,
they tend to judge that player on what he did when he was in the league then,
rather than what is doing now.

There is no doubt he has the offensive game to play in the NBA.
Everyone is saying defence is his weakness, and in some regards I understand that.
However, I think its something that he has really worked on, and I saw that this morning when he really locked down Batum into 5 points (2/8 FG), 6 rebounds and 4 turnovers.

He doesnt lack speed, in fact he is very quick, and his handles have miproved dramatically. His defence is much better for FIBA style, ie chasing over screens, sliding etc, but in the NBA he wpuld need the right matchups, but there are plenty of them.

He would need to play for a team that moves the ball though or else his IQ would be wasted - he isnt really a spot up shooter, there is much more to his game.

First off Jason Kapono is 6'8 where Kirk is lucky to be pushing 6'4'. Kirk looks great when everyone is trying to get him the ball and he is the main guy. He doesn't do anything special besides shoot. Can he handle the ball? Not really.Can he play D? Has yet to be seen. He's 30-31 this year. He had his chance at the NBA. NBA teams don't want a 30 year old shooting all the shots. He could be a great player making tons of money in Europe though.

Penney has done Europe already.

I think you are talking about his game when he was in college Kiwi Bob - time for a re-scout.

And he is about 6'5. I dont think his game is best suited to the NBA though, he is best in motion whereas he would prob be used as a spot up shooter again in the NBA, and that isnt his game.

It could be said that Kirk scores a lot of the Tall Blacks and Breakers points because the offenses are designed to run through them, however he has shown that this is not the only reason in his D-League outings. For a 6-5 30 year old to drop 40 in one of the few games he played in America this year is a feat not to be laughed at. Being a Kiwi, I am torn between wanting him to return back to our Breakers (however that win over Perth without him gives hope...), and doubling the number of New Zealanders in the NBA!