Tomic is good, but he won't start. Even though he is older, and heralded in europe, I don't think he is ready to play starter's minutes for a full 82. Last year, he only averaged 22mins a game on a schedule where they play like once a week, right? Now you want him to jump into 82 games w/ 30 something minutes a night? Not happening. I think we'd see him off the bench, w/ the occasional start depending on matchup. Favors & Tomic, and Kanter & Gobert, & Kanter & Favors. Those three frontcourt lineups offer some serious potential.
Agreed about Tomic regarding the starting job because I'm one of those that believe Tomic wouldn't be as good in the NBA as he is in Europe.
But reading the thread again, I just realized and wanted to correct another common misconception about Euro Basketball. (Most)European players wouldn't have much problems with adjusting to the NBA's 82 game-schedule for number of reasons. First, unlike NBA fans think generally, the games aren't that sporadic in Europe. Because most of the Euro teams, especially the top teams play a lot of games.
For instance, in 2013-14 season, Barcelona have played 77 games, Real Madrid have played 79 games, Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, Pana, Maccabi, Siena etc have played around 70 games. Actually as far as I know, there aren't many teams who play 60- games. Only those that are at the bottom of their domestic leagues so they can't advance for any Euro-competitions. Other than those, most teams play 65+ games and top teams play 70+ games. The top Spanish teams can go over 80+ games easily depending on their series.
Second, yep, games are 40 mins in Europe but they are much more valuable and intense games than the NBA regular season games, because they are not cumulatively for one competition. Most teams play for three separate competitions(Domestic League, Domestic Cup, and the Euro Competition -Euroleague, EuroCup or EuroChallenge-) so almost the all games actually have more weight as per game comparing the NBA games.
Third, Euro teams practice a LOT. Most European teams practice twice a day and some do at least daily. They do that because, they have time for it(no huge travel distances like in the NBA) and the coaches are generally psychopaths.
On top of all this, Euro teams have usually longer season camps and more preparation games. And in those games, main players actually play unlike the NBA. And finally, most of good players have also NT duties every summer.
So anyway, the NBA teams still play more games but the real challenge for foreign players would be the insane amount of plane travels in the NBA. I have heard that complaining from Euro NBA'ers more than the 82 game-schedule. Actually most of the Euro players become very glad that they get rid of the excessive practicing when they go to the NBA.
