2011 Mock Draft

[ALVAREZ6]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2011/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=MockDraft-110505



29. Spurs
Lucas Noguiera

Position: C
Height: 6-11
Weight: 218
Age: 18
Country: Brazil

Analysis: The Spurs have done a good job over the years of finding young international players and stashing them overseas for a few years until they are ready. Noguiera seems like a good candidate.

He's long, athletic and a terrific shot-blocker. He just needs more experience and about 30 pounds of muscle. A few years in Europe should help prepare him.


:wow


:lol



Personally I'd love to have twin Brazilian 7-foot defensive-minded towers, they could at least entertain each other speaking in their native tongue while riding the bench together all year. What are your thoughts?

[falconqb1234]

were gonna need some sort of inside presence soon so im all for it. id suggest trading up to get a better pick but there is no one good coming out this year.

[DesignatedT]

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175228&highlight=lucas

Here is the page on the kid.

[ALVAREZ6]

here's a pic I pulled off a cavs forum, standing next to Dwight:

http://s.glbimg.com/es/ge/f/original/2010/07/02/lucasbebe_dwighthoward_div_470.jpg

Must be a relatively older pic since Dwight has a bit more muscle now.

[ALVAREZ6]

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175228&highlight=lucas

Here is the page on the kid.

Damn.. 7'5.5" wingspan :wow :wow :wow

He's better suited to go to a coach that'll give him a shot or two.

[8FOR!3]

Lucas Nogueira would be legit. I wish we would trade up for Singleton. That kind of defense could really propel us up to the next level.

[Sigz]

he's a twig

[BackHome]

DraftExpress has him going number 22 to Denver which makes sense if they loose their other Brazil player Nene.

I would love to move up in the Draft by trading Tony for a player and the draft rights to Enes Kanter (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Enes-Kanter-5168/) 6"11..260pds Kentucy or Bismack Biyombo (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Bismack-Biyombo-5902/) PF...6"9..240pds..."If his bone scans are correct he is 16-18 years old"

I would then trade our draft pick and Hill or Blair or RJ or Bonner and grab Reggie Jackson (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Reggie-Jackson-6325/) PG..6"3..208

If we stay with our draft pick then you hope Tyler Honeycutt (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Tyler-Honeycutt-5247/) falls to us..SF..6"8...200pds or go with Davis Bertans or Nikola Vucevic (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Nikola-Vucevic-5828/) PF/C or gamble on Jereme Richmond (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jereme-Richmond-5208/) potential but attitude or Darius Morris (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Darius-Morris-6343/) with hopes he can be a true PG

[Ditty]

I really like Tyler Honecutt but if it's him or Lucas on the board I would take Lucas, you don't find too many big young guys, and you can always find small forwards in the league, Chris Singleton would probably be the only exception because you can't find outstanding defenders like him out there.

[The Btown Spur]

Depends if the spurs want to get someone that can help them now or if they want to stash someone. Honestly this might be a really awful draft in terms of immediate talent due to lockout concerns (look how many of the players in this mock are European), so it could be a good opportunity to take a guy like this or to trade back or into a more promising draft. Heres to hoping theres an NBA next season.

[baseline bum]

Trading Tony Parker to move up in the worst draft since 2000? :rollin :lmao

[tp2021]

I really like Tyler Honecutt but if it's him or Lucas on the board I would take Lucas, you don't find too many big young guys, and you can always find small forwards in the league, Chris Singleton would probably be the only exception because you can't find outstanding defenders like him out there.

Which is why they re-signed RJ for 4 more years last offseason.

[yavozerb]

Newsflash, the spurs are not moving up in the draft...Not sure why some of you keep posting for the spurs to draft top 5 players, its not gonna happen..

[SenorSpur]

I really like Tyler Honecutt but if it's him or Lucas on the board I would take Lucas, you don't find too many big young guys, and you can always find small forwards in the league, Chris Singleton would probably be the only exception because you can't find outstanding defenders like him out there.

^ This.

:toast

[tdunk21]

needs to put on an extra 30 lbs......

[8FOR!3]

I don't think we should move up for a top 5 player, but trading up 10 picks for Singleton with future draft picks wouldn't be a bad move.

[SenorSpur]

I don't think we should move up for a top 5 player, but trading up 10 picks for Singleton with future draft picks wouldn't be a bad move.

If there is one player in this draft, whose skills would translate immediately into what the Spurs need - it's Singleton. Historically, the Spurs have been very conservative and usually stand pat with hopes that a good player will fall to them. While they've been fortunate in some drafts, I don't see any way Singleton gets to them. Moving up would certainly be something to look into.

[admiralsnackbar]

If there is one player in this draft, whose skills would translate immediately into what the Spurs need - it's Singleton. Historically, the Spurs have been very conservative and usually stand pat with hopes that a good player will fall to them. While they've been fortunate in some drafts, I don't see any way Singleton gets to them. Moving up would certainly be something to look into.


RJ is mediocre and obscenely over-paid, but he isn't going anywhere, and the hard truth is a Bruce Bowen won't mean much when we don't even really have a Tim Duncan anymore.

In light of this, moving up in a lock-out year seems ill-advised, especially with this draft class.

Do you really want to trade assets with "corporate knowledge" away to take a chance on a 1-sided (ie, D-centric) player you won't even be able to play a full contract (provided you even get to pick him)? Especially when you'd be drafting a player entitled to a guaranteed contract at a position where we have an un-moveable contract already?

That said, this is a tall class. A lot of intriguing but unseasoned bigs to potentially draft and develop overseas until the new CBA gets hammered out/Tim retires. If we're looking at history, it's typically dominant front-lines that get rings, so I reckon we're going to pursue that direction aggressively for the next few years.

[Josepatches_]

The best young player in the 2011 draft playing in Spain will be Nikola Mirotic.Far away better than Lucas.
He's fighting with Serge Ibaka for a spot to play in the spanish national team this summer.

But Lucas can improve a lot tbh.

Mirotic will be in the second semifinal of the euroleague final four today

[cheguevara]

but does he spread the floor?

[rascal]

Any big with skills won't be around where the spurs are drafting.
Talented bigs are over drafted early.

[SenorSpur]

The best young player in the 2011 draft playing in Spain will be Nikola Mirotic.Far away better than Lucas.
He's fighting with Serge Ibaka for a spot to play in the spanish national team this summer.

But Lucas can improve a lot tbh.

Mirotic will be in the second semifinal of the euroleague final four today

Really? Tell us more about Nikola. From the early pictures I've seen, he looks kind of skinny. Is that true?

As for Lucas, it's a given that he's young, raw and needs some seasoning, but to have him in the pipeline, as part of the Spurs future, would be ideal.

[angelbelow]

Hes a few years away from being ready. He's going to be another Thabeet if we let him jump on now. 2-3 years in Europe would help him. Depending on the whether or not we want to compete again it might be better just to trade the pick and pray we sign some useful vets.

[TD 21]

here's a pic I pulled off a cavs forum, standing next to Dwight:

http://s.glbimg.com/es/ge/f/original/2010/07/02/lucasbebe_dwighthoward_div_470.jpg

Must be a relatively older pic since Dwight has a bit more muscle now.

How could he be 6-11, yet be towering over Howard, who's supposedly 6-11? Based on this picture, he looks to be 7-2 or 3.

As Phila alluded to, just based on the physical tools alone, if he's available at 29, it's a no brainer. It's not unlike Splitter in '07. They're not finding another prospect, that low and in a weak draft, with that type of upside. This team doesn't need another player who's upside is that of a ninth man. They already have ten rotation caliber players signed for next season.

[outmap]

Because D12 is only 6'9". ^^

[Spurtacus]

I honestly hope we don't draft a guy just to stash him overseas. The window is nearly closed and we need someone who can help contribute now and be a starter in the post Duncan era.

[mystargtr34]

As outmap said... Dwight measured 6'9" without shoes in the pre draft camp.. Noguiera is listed at 6'11" without shoes iirc.. take away the hair and it looks like about 2 inches.

By the way.. what the fuck is Dwight thinking wearing that condom on his head... looks ridiculous.

[HankChinaski]

Probably wearing it so to use his head the rape the kids ass.

[SenorSpur]

I honestly hope we don't draft a guy just to stash him overseas. The window is nearly closed and we need someone who can help contribute now and be a starter in the post Duncan era.

There is no such thing as a "win-now" mentality, when your championship window has slammed shut. This team and this organization are in rapid decline, precipatated by the decline of Duncan. We all knew it would happen eventually. That's just the lifecycle of sports.

What is it that the Spurs are suffering from now? It's a lack of size and the inability to defend. This kid would provide both. If Lucas would stay out of the draft another year, it's very possible he'd be a lottery pick in 2012. This is a chance to get a potential lottery pick, a year early. I

Of course, he's not ready for primetime now, but quite honestly neither are the Spurs. There is a long rebuild effort ahead for this organization. Having a young kid like Lucas to build around, a kid who can rebound, block shots and protect the paint, would only fast-track things.

There just isn't enough big men around and the Spurs would have an opportunity to nab a legit 7-footer at the end of the round. Can't pass that up. As others have said, if he's available at #29, it's a no-brainer - even if you have to wait a year or two for him to develop.

[elemento]

you guys want a guy that can contribute now (starter LOL) with the 29th pick in this weak draft ?

We don't need role players anymore. We need a game changer. If we have to gamble in a young prospect with this pick, just do i.

[Ditty]

Which is why they re-signed RJ for 4 more years last offseason.

Well not talent wise, but size wise around 6'7 and 6'8 prospects, its not that easy to find 7'0 centers these days

I would be thrilled if lucas would be a prime tyson chandler, defintley I see majority of his points being dunks, and layups and small hook shots. I really hope spurs can see if they can use blair or hill to move up in the draft, or get another 1st round pick to get someone who can help right now, and there own pick for someone for the future.

[Spurtacus]

There is no such thing as a "win-now" mentality, when your championship window has slammed shut. This team and this organization are in rapid decline, precipatated by the decline of Duncan. We all knew it would happen eventually. That's just the lifecycle of sports.

What is it that the Spurs are suffering from now? It's a lack of size and the inability to defend. This kid would provide both. If Lucas would stay out of the draft another year, it's very possible he'd be a lottery pick in 2012. This is a chance to get a potential lottery pick, a year early. I

Of course, he's not ready for primetime now, but quite honestly neither are the Spurs. There is a long rebuild effort ahead for this organization. Having a young kid like Lucas to build around, a kid who can rebound, block shots and protect the paint, would only fast-track things.

There just isn't enough big men around and the Spurs would have an opportunity to nab a legit 7-footer at the end of the round. Can't pass that up. As others have said, if he's available at #29, it's a no-brainer - even if you have to wait a year or two for him to develop.

After 60+ wins I wouldn't call the window shut. We do have glaring needs and they can be addressed in the offseason. Heck, maybe another offseason under Splitter's belt will be the game changer. If it is then I'm all for drafting a big and stashing him overseas. We still need to acquire another big since Dice is likely retiring.

[BRs.Ganso]

Two vids of LUCAS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_-5fJFFzZc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOMWEswGYxY

He's nickname is 'Bebe' is the same of 'Nene' (of Nuggets) who means 'BABY' in portuguese...

My opinion about this brazilian guy...

He's a player to just be finished in 2014, 15... He have a great potential (2,13 and can up more), great mobility. Needs urgently to improve his body (and this requires long time), and his tecnique too... He was a great defender against SUB-20 year old guys, against the professionals is totally different, right? But... he will be drafted, can be a good choice for Spurs.

[SenorSpur]

:lobt2:
After 60+ wins I wouldn't call the window shut. We do have glaring needs and they can be addressed in the offseason. Heck, maybe another offseason under Splitter's belt will be the game changer. If it is then I'm all for drafting a big and stashing him overseas. We still need to acquire another big since Dice is likely retiring.

When your best player, and future HOF bigman is on the rapid decline, and there is no budding superstar on the horizon (a la a David Robinson or another Tim Duncan), your championship window is likely closed.

Having a decent regular season record and being just good enough to get into the playlets is for mediocre, middle-of-the-pack teams. There are only 2 ways of acquiring the type of superstar-level talent that it takes to compete for championships - either via free agency or through the draft. And the Spurs are probably not going to get such a player free agency.

That said, the opportunity to get a young, developing and talented big is rare. If this kid is available at #29, the Spurs would be foolish to pass up the chance.

[SenorSpur]

:lobt2:

When your best player, and future HOF bigman is on the rapid decline, and there is no budding superstar on the horizon (a la a David Robinson or another Tim Duncan), your championship window is likely closed.

Having a decent regular season record and being just good enough to get into the playlets is for mediocre, middle-of-the-pack teams. There are only 2 ways of acquiring the type of superstar-level talent that it takes to compete for championships - either via free agency or through the draft. And the Spurs are probably not going to get such a player free agency.

That said, the opportunity to get a young, developing and talented big is rare. If this kid is available at #29, the Spurs would be foolish to pass up the chance.
I'm certainly not suggesting that Lucas is or could be a superstar-level player. Though he is a raw, under-developed asset. Taking a chance on him by getting him before he's a finished product is a good way to go.

[jesterbobman]

Chad Ford still has Lucas to us in updated mock(Accounting for Terence Jones going back), though I doubt we'll such much movement in the drafts until the lottery happens and workouts are in effect, then Ford, Givony etc will get more discussion going with individual team scouts and sources.

[ChuckD]

Newsflash, the spurs are not moving up in the draft...Not sure why some of you keep posting for the spurs to draft top 5 players, its not gonna happen..

I'm pretty sure that the Spurs won't even stay in the draft. They're bumping the tax with only 10 players and aren't likely to want to hand out a guaranteed contract.

[TwelveGs210]

He wont be riding any benches here anytime soon, at 18 he wont even be on the roster, desperate or not.

[TwelveGs210]

I'm pretty sure that the Spurs won't even stay in the draft. They're bumping the tax with only 10 players and aren't likely to want to hand out a guaranteed contract. I doubt we go into next season with the exact same roster/contracts. Duncan more thank likely opts out to free space, and someone from the core is going to have to go..Bonner and RJ contracts ensured that..Parker is the only guy who could be traded straight up, he could bring us two quality players, or maybe one and a draft pick..im sure the Spurs FO could work wonders with an extra 1st rounder, im just not to sure on the depth of this draft..

[TD 21]

As outmap said... Dwight measured 6'9" without shoes in the pre draft camp.. Noguiera is listed at 6'11" without shoes iirc.. take away the hair and it looks like about 2 inches.

By the way.. what the fuck is Dwight thinking wearing that condom on his head... looks ridiculous.

He was only 18 at the time, so it's not as if he couldn't have grown an inch. I remember when he was drafted, he was listed at 6-10 (and as a PF). He's been listed at 6-11 for years now, though I've always thought he was closer to 6-10.

But still. Even at 6-10, Noguiera is towering over him. There's no way there's a one or even two inch difference. Based on that picture, he's got him by a good three inches easily.

[Ghazi]

He was only 18 at the time, so it's not as if he couldn't have grown an inch. I remember when he was drafted, he was listed at 6-10 (and as a PF). He's been listed at 6-11 for years now, though I've always thought he was closer to 6-10.

But still. Even at 6-10, Noguiera is towering over him. There's no way there's a one or even two inch difference. Based on that picture, he's got him by a good three inches easily.

you mad Dirk stylin?

[rascal]

How could he be 6-11, yet be towering over Howard, who's supposedly 6-11? Based on this picture, he looks to be 7-2 or 3.

As Phila alluded to, just based on the physical tools alone, if he's available at 29, it's a no brainer. It's not unlike Splitter in '07. They're not finding another prospect, that low and in a weak draft, with that type of upside. This team doesn't need another player who's upside is that of a ninth man. They already have ten rotation caliber players signed for next season.

Don't let the big hair fool you.

He could also be on a step higher than Howard.

[BackHome]

My top three choices that can make the team and should get playing time.........I would go with either PG or PF/C

PG> Reggie Jackson (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Reggie-Jackson-6325/) or Darius Morris (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Darius-Morris-6343/)

PF/C> Nikola Vucevic (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Nikola-Vucevic-5828/)

One thing that after watching Dallas bitch slap the Flakers is that almost every one of their players can dribble the ball. Our players sucks at that RJ, Hill, Blair, Bonner not one of them can dribble to save their lives.....not one can create their own shot or beat their man off the dribble. So work the draft and trade any of the above guy just do what ever you can do and get these three players.

1. Justin Harper (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Justin-Harper-6341/) -PF
2. Darius Morris (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Darius-Morris-6343/) - SG
3. Nikola Vucevic (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Nikola-Vucevic-5828/) - PF/C

[yavozerb]

I'm pretty sure that the Spurs won't even stay in the draft. They're bumping the tax with only 10 players and aren't likely to want to hand out a guaranteed contract.

I agree with your assessment...I say 50/50 between this and a euro player

[Spurtacus]

Rotoworlds mock draft 3.0 has the Spurs taking Tobia Harris from Tennessee.

6-8, 210 PF/SF

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nba/37898/47/mock-draft-version-30