Current Spur: Kyle Anderson

[Chinook]

http://content.draftexpress.com/gallery/KyleAnderson/1380811097.jpg

Height:6-8
Weight: 230lbs
Date of Birth: 09/20/1993
Prior to NBA: UCLA
Years Pro: R

DX Profile (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Kyle-Anderson-6177/)

[Chinook]

Surprisingly, I couldn't find a draft thread for Anderson. I decided to make one, since it's popular for people to bump these from time to time.

[jesterbobman]

He was discussed enough, though usually in a "he'd be great, but he'll definitely be gone by the Spurs pick" way. I don't think any of the think tank regulars are too disappointed.

[timtonymanu]

I get more and more excited as the night goes on. I am looking forward to seeing him in SL.

[DrunkTXLabrat]

i thought for sure he was gonna be the suns pick, that turned out to be Bogdan. But i'm happy to see the league copycat draft and stash so hard, that the spurs just took the American layup.

[TheGoldStandard]

Shares my birthday

[bluebellmaniac]

Just read this from mysanantonio.com (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2014/06/26/live-updates-2014-nba-draft/):
Anderson had been generally expected to go in the high teens/low 20s before slipping to the Spurs with the final pick of the first round. Indeed, Anderson had declined to work out for the Spurs because he thought he’d be off the board by the time they picked. Multiple observers have compared him to Boris Diaw, which obviously would suit them just fine. Like Diaw, Anderson has the potential to play multiple positions.

LOL, almost another Deshaun Thomas.... I'm glad he gave the Spurs his number at least.... :rollin

[TheGoldStandard]

Just read this from mysanantonio.com:
Anderson had been generally expected to go in the high teens/low 20s before slipping to the Spurs with the final pick of the first round. Indeed, Anderson had declined to work out for the Spurs because he thought he’d be off the board by the time they picked. Multiple observers have compared him to Boris Diaw, which obviously would suit them just fine. Like Diaw, Anderson has the potential to play multiple positions.

LOL, almost another Deshaun Thomas.... I'm glad he gave the Spurs his number at least.... :rollin

Summer League should be fun this time around

[Nathan89]

Greivis Vasques with a bigger body imho. I'll take it.

[DesignatedT]

He might not have worked out for the Spurs but he did interview with them.

[Mr. Body]

Just read this from mysanantonio.com (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2014/06/26/live-updates-2014-nba-draft/):
Anderson had been generally expected to go in the high teens/low 20s before slipping to the Spurs with the final pick of the first round. Indeed, Anderson had declined to work out for the Spurs because he thought he’d be off the board by the time they picked. Multiple observers have compared him to Boris Diaw, which obviously would suit them just fine. Like Diaw, Anderson has the potential to play multiple positions.

LOL, almost another Deshaun Thomas.... I'm glad he gave the Spurs his number at least.... :rollin

I don't blame him in that regard. Flying all over the country has to be tiring for players, so you want to reduce your visits to teams that are likely to get you.

[AFBlue]

He was discussed enough, though usually in a "he'd be great, but he'll definitely be gone by the Spurs pick" way. I don't think any of the think tank regulars are too disappointed.

Put me specifically in that camp. I love the versatility and intelligence he brings; thought for sure another team would value his all-around skills above the athleticism concern and take him ahead of the Spurs. Awesome to have this kid on the team.

[Prime Time]

After Diaw's impact in this year's finals, I thought for sure at least one team would value savy passing over the typical athletic-jock. Oh well, more for us.

[jesterbobman]

I can understand the weaknesses, but I think a lot are made worse by the fact that UCLA doesn't train people athletically at the same level as Arizona or equivalent (Adams, Shabazz, Anderson all a bit fat, suggests it's not just lazy players.) I don't think he'll ever be elite athletically, but players don't have to be James White level athletes to be effective. If he gets in better shape he should be able to get to a average defender with his great SF / good PF length.

Like all players projected higher, I don't have a problem with them not meeting with the Spurs. Just following advice from agents on their range, and they only have so many days to see people. Have to be selective over where they go.

[xmas1997]

I think Slomo is facing a very positive head on collision with destiny now that Patty is injured and Cojo is the only backup PG on the roster.
If he shines in summer league, and I fully expect him to, given that he has played PG most of his basketball life, he should solve Pops worries about the position.
He could easily become the Spurs next facilitator on offense especially after Manu retires. His IQ, not just in basketball is off the charts.
They say he seems slow, but it really only "looks" that way because of the way he plays, everything seems to go in slow motion, not just for him and his team, but for the other team as well.
We will see what we will see.
This is his time, undoubtedly.

[Darkwaters]

I think Slomo is facing a very positive head on collision with destiny now that Patty is injured and Cojo is the only backup PG on the roster.
If he shines in summer league, and I fully expect him to, given that he has played PG most of his basketball life, he should solve Pops worries about the position.
He could easily become the Spurs next facilitator on offense especially after Manu retires. His IQ, not just in basketball is off the charts.
They say he seems slow, but it really only "looks" that way because of the way he plays, everything seems to go in slow motion, not just for him and his team, but for the other team as well.
We will see what we will see.
This is his time, undoubtedly.

Theres a reason this team is linked to players like Bryce Cotton. They don't view Anderson as a PG, and in light of the Patty injury they're looking for someone they'd actually play at the position. Anderson will play a facilitation role akin to Boris Diaw - not Tony Parker.

Besides, I think Anderson largely redshirts next year, regardless of role.

[xmas1997]

Theres a reason this team is linked to players like Bryce Cotton. They don't view Anderson as a PG, and in light of the Patty injury they're looking for someone they'd actually play at the position. Anderson will play a facilitation role akin to Boris Diaw - not Tony Parker.

Besides, I think Anderson largely redshirts next year, regardless of role.


You have a point.
But I think his basketball IQ and skill set will give the Pop reason to trust him and thus play him a lot sooner than the norm.
Just my opinion.

[Darkwaters]

You have a point.
But I think his basketball IQ and skill set will give the Pop reason to trust him and thus play him a lot sooner than the norm.
Just my opinion.

I'm not doubting his BBIQ or his ability to understand the system. I'm doubting his fit and position. He needs to spend time figuring out where he belongs on the floor in the NBA, and working to adjust his game to that style. That means time in Austin most likely. His shot also probably needs to be reworked to make it faster, and he'll need to gain weight through muscle. All of that takes time of course. Thats why I think he'll pretty much be a Toro for the next season. Doesn't mean he won't make appearances in the bigs from time to time. But it will be the exception not the rule. Besides, we have an insanely deep rotation already. It's not like we REALLY need him to play like some teams. We have the luxury of some time. Might as well take advantage.

[Prime Time]

Theres a reason this team is linked to players like Bryce Cotton. They don't view Anderson as a PG, and in light of the Patty injury they're looking for someone they'd actually play at the position. Anderson will play a facilitation role akin to Boris Diaw - not Tony Parker.
.
I disagree, personally. I think the Spurs don't know what they view Anderson as, and will probably experiment him in different situations throughout the first half of the season.

Historically (well, in the past 5 years or so.) Spurs never sign an unknown player unless they view him as a legit prospect.

2010, the Spurs already had Parker, Hill, Ginobili, James Anderson, AND Garrett Temple - but signed Gary Neal nonetheless.
2012, the Spurs brought De Colo over even when they already had Parker, Ginobili, Green, Neal, Mills, and Joseph.
2013, the Spurs brought Baynes over despite having Duncan, Splitter, Diaw, Blair, and Bonner. Hell, Baynes rarely even played in his first season - so it's not like the Spurs saw him as a necessity.

The few times the Spurs have actually gone for a position of need is through either A: camp invites, or B: D-League call-ups. So when Spurs sign a guy like Bryce this early in the off-season, I doubt it's just because of the position he plays.

Who knows, maybe the Spurs just genuinely like Cotton.

[xmas1997]

I'm not doubting his BBIQ or his ability to understand the system. I'm doubting his fit and position. He needs to spend time figuring out where he belongs on the floor in the NBA, and working to adjust his game to that style. That means time in Austin most likely. His shot also probably needs to be reworked to make it faster, and he'll need to gain weight through muscle. All of that takes time of course. Thats why I think he'll pretty much be a Toro for the next season. Doesn't mean he won't make appearances in the bigs from time to time. But it will be the exception not the rule. Besides, we have an insanely deep rotation already. It's not like we REALLY need him to play like some teams. We have the luxury of some time. Might as well take advantage.

I see what you're saying.
We will just have to wait and see how he does. He is a unique player that is very intriguing.

[Darkwaters]

The few times the Spurs have actually gone for a position of need is through either A: camp invites, or B: D-League call-ups. So when Spurs sign a guy like Bryce this early in the off-season, I doubt it's just because of the position he plays.

Who knows, maybe the Spurs just genuinely like Cotton.

I personally think it's both. They like him, and he also fills a position of need.

[Prime Time]

I personally think it's both. They like him, and he also fills a position of need.
True. Another factor I just thought about is how when Spurs take flyers on guys like Chris Quinn, Sam Young, or Jeffers - it's because the market isn't offering any better. Now that the Spurs have the whole off-season to find a short-substitution for Mills, obviously they'd have more attractive choices.

Plus an undrafted guy like Cotton wouldn't bitch about playing time once Mills comes back.

[xmas1997]

Don't forget, Kyle has played SG most of his basketball life, grade school through high through college.

[Darkwaters]

True. Another factor I just thought about is how when Spurs take flyers on guys like Chris Quinn, Sam Young, or Jeffers - it's because the market isn't offering any better. Now that the Spurs have the whole off-season to find a short-substitution for Mills, obviously they'd have more attractive choices.

Plus an undrafted guy like Cotton wouldn't bitch about playing time once Mills comes back.

What gives me the most pause with Cotton is that they had picks 58 and 60 in the draft, and still passed on him. Once he became a FA he could have gone to anybody. It was clearly a risk. If they were sincerely that high on him then (and not simply viewing him as a stop-gap) then why risk his to FA?

Also, I hear what you've said about D-League call ups and the like. But during this part of the season, a partially guaranteed (or non-guaranteed) contract is basically the same thing.

[Seventyniner]

Anderson as a PG is laughable. Positions on offense aren't PG/SG/SF/PF/C, they're shooter/distibutor/screener etc. Obviously a player can play multiple roles. A player's position is largely determined by who they guard on defense. Mills is a PG because he guards PGs; he is definitely not an initiator of the offense or a distributor.

[xmas1997]

Anderson as a PG is laughable. Positions on offense aren't PG/SG/SF/PF/C, they're shooter/distibutor/screener etc. Obviously a player can play multiple roles. A player's position is largely determined by who they guard on defense. Mills is a PG because he guards PGs; he is definitely not an initiator of the offense or a distributor.

I'll go along with that definition.
Makes sense to me.

[Chinook]

Anderson as a PG is laughable. Positions on offense aren't PG/SG/SF/PF/C, they're shooter/distibutor/screener etc. Obviously a player can play multiple roles. A player's position is largely determined by who they guard on defense. Mills is a PG because he guards PGs; he is definitely not an initiator of the offense or a distributor.

Yeah. The Spurs will miss Patty's scoring/hustle. They won't miss his running of the offense. Anderson pretty much replaces no one on offense. He'll have to carve out a new niche over the next few years.

[Baam]

Anderson as a PG is laughable. Positions on offense aren't PG/SG/SF/PF/C, they're shooter/distibutor/screener etc. Obviously a player can play multiple roles. A player's position is largely determined by who they guard on defense. Mills is a PG because he guards PGs; he is definitely not an initiator of the offense or a distributor.

He's a point (forward) obviously... Being a point has a special meaning that has nothing to do with defense...

[Baam]

Yeah. The Spurs will miss Patty's scoring/hustle. They won't miss his running of the offense. Anderson pretty much replaces no one on offense. He'll have to carve out a new niche over the next few years.

Well someone has to bring the ball up the floor, dont see why Anderson couldn't do it... Neal did it... If he can do it then you dont need a midget at the 1 and instead you can put Green or something when TP is sitting...

[Chinook]

Well someone has to bring the ball up the floor, dont see why Anderson couldn't do it... Neal did it... If he can do it then you dont need a midget at the 1 and instead you can put Green or something when TP is sitting...

Anderson can bring the ball up the floor just fine, but he's probably going to be on the opponent's worst scorer. Green can guard PGs. But he won't do so a lot during the regular season. He won't play enough minutes, and he won't play that many minutes out of position. Obviously, it's not a big deal with Joseph on the team, though.

[Captivus]

Anderson as a PG is laughable. Positions on offense aren't PG/SG/SF/PF/C, they're shooter/distibutor/screener etc. Obviously a player can play multiple roles. A player's position is largely determined by who they guard on defense. Mills is a PG because he guards PGs; he is definitely not an initiator of the offense or a distributor.

Nice...keep going...what do you think about Anderson? What is he?

[Seventyniner]

Nice...keep going...what do you think about Anderson? What is he?

It does seem logically inconsistent to define positions on offense and defense differently. Still, it simplifies things enough to be useful.

On defense I see Anderson being either a SF or PF, mainly by process of elimination. He isn't tall or strong enough to defend centers in the post and isn't nearly quick enough to keep up with guards. He does seem to have the negative aspect of the "tweener" forward: too slow to defend SFs and too small to defend PFs.

All that said, I think he'll end up as a PF on the depth chart, similar to Diaw. 230 lbs is enough to not get pushed around by most bench PFs and 6-8, while short for the position, is not disastrously so.

[Darkwaters]

His future is probably as a stretch 4. I definitely agree with 79er here. We're going to have to do some very deliberate work in development and put him in the right lineups to hide his shortcomings.

[xmas1997]

His future is probably as a stretch 4. I definitely agree with 79er here. We're going to have to do some very deliberate work in development and put him in the right lineups to hide his shortcomings.

Maybe, maybe not, I'm not sure what his future position is.
After having read many many articles and watching videos now on this kid, I am beginning to think that his "slow" rep may not actually be due to him not being athletic, but rather because he seems to be, and causes others around him to be, moving in slow motion, thus his nickname "Slomo".
I guess we will see soon whatever the case may be.

[Kurik]

Maybe, maybe not, I'm not sure what his future position is.
After having read many many articles and watching videos now on this kid, I am beginning to think that his "slow" rep may not actually be due to him not being athletic, but rather because he seems to be, and causes others around him to be, moving in slow motion, thus his nickname "Slomo".
I guess we will see soon whatever the case may be.

It looks like slow motion because he is slow, he just makes up for it with court vision and timing.

[ceperez]

His future is probably as a stretch 4. I definitely agree with 79er here. We're going to have to do some very deliberate work in development and put him in the right lineups to hide his shortcomings.

Compared to Matt Bonner, how does he stack up at the PF position?

Actually speaking about athleticism or lack of it, is he like Zach Randolph?

[benstanfield]

I think by the time Anderson is in his prime the distinction between PF/SF/SG will be almost moot. He'll never be a fantastic defender, but if he's a creator on offense you can stick him on the weakest offensive player of those three positions.

[palangi]

I know a lot here are down on Anderson. But I think he still could be a very nice role player. A Boris Diaw type. I think he can play the 3 or the 4. I also believe he will develop his body and continue to progress. He is only 21 years old.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KKYP84YVb9U

[exstatic]

I went back and check his game logs. When he was filling in for Kawhi and actually getting regular rotation minutes, from 6 December to 31 December, he shot 50% from the field.

[batman2883]

his defense is so laughable, he has a very very slow first step

[AFBlue]

his defense is so laughable, he has a very very slow first step

His lack of footspeed is why I ultimately think he goes the Boris route and bulks up to play/guard 4s. He's still maturing into his body, but I don't ever think he'll develop the necessary quicks to be a passable defender at the 3 spot. But at the 4, it's definitely possible. Hell, the Spurs even turned Matt Bonner into a passable defender. Matt Bonner.

[batman2883]

His lack of footspeed is why I ultimately think he goes the Boris route and bulks up to play/guard 4s. He's still maturing into his body, but I don't ever think he'll develop the necessary quicks to be a passable defender at the 3 spot. But at the 4, it's definitely possible. Hell, the Spurs even turned Matt Bonner into a passable defender. Matt Bonner.

i really have high hopes for this kid, he has the handles, and a formidablle shot that can be improved of course with a couple training sessions with the shot guru Chip England.....his dream was to play for the spurs while in college, and hopefully he makes the necessary steps to keep that dream alive.

[buttsR4rebounding]

I totally believe he is going to be a 4. He would be a match up nightmare for most 4's if he puts 20 pounds of muscle on. His handles and passing ability will make him tough to guard on offense and at 250 he would be able to hold his own on the block.

[alfahdlan]

But for now he must be a manu-apprentice to help the team in 2016 and facilitate transition for the latter's retirement.