Spurs Select F Luka Samanic in the 2019 NBA Draft (19th Overall)

[buujness]

I fail to see how the people who are against PATFO's decision to draft Luka use the fact that he's in the G-League as proof that they're right. Isn't the decision to bring Luka up to the NBA PATFO's to make? Why do you not trust them to draft him, but trust them to know what's right for his development? They're either stupid or they're not.

It's pretty obvious that the Spurs have a unique methodology when it comes to developing talent among the other NBA teams. Given the level of success that they've had drafting NBA-quality players outside of the lottery (George Hill, Kawhi, Kyle Anderson, Murray, White and Walker), maybe we should learn to be more patient, even if it's highly annoying to watch.

As for Luka himself, the kid has made some strides in recent games. His finishing and stamina have clearly improved. Hopefully, that's due to him getting better and more accustomed to the American game, rather than just being a function of Keldon, Chimezie and Drew spending more time in San Antonio. If it's because he's truly getting much better, then that would be pretty indicative of a strong work ethic. Combine a good work ethic with his tools, and he very well may be that gem we're hoping for.

[DPG21920]

Ok are sure Mmemphis is going to hold on to that 8th seed because they can easily lose the first 5 games after the All Star break. Furthermore what is this Brandon Clarke shit this dude is closer to 30 then is to becoming a star. I'm rooting for Luka to be great because y'all overhype Clarke so much when truth be told he's not even better than Eric Paschall.

This is beyond stupid, no offense. Yeah, Clarke isn’t perfect but trying to dishonestly knock him to prop up others when he is by all accounts having an INCREDIBLE rookie season is strange.

He’s overcome any critique he had and proven them wrong so far. Yeah, he was always supposed to be NBA ready compared to others, but he’s making a legitimate impact.

[Collins21]

This is beyond stupid, no offense. Yeah, Clarke isn’t perfect but trying to dishonestly knock him to prop up others when he is by all accounts having an INCREDIBLE rookie season is strange.

He’s overcome any critique he had and proven them wrong so far. Yeah, he was always supposed to be NBA ready compared to others, but he’s making a legitimate impact.

You have this weird hard on for Clarke where you defend any critique of him but yet you critique players all the time. Yes I believe Eric Paschall will be better than him and I also believe the same about Keldon Johnson and Kevin Porter Jr. You like to point out DeMar's flaws but god forbid someone points out the truth about Brandon Clarke and you have a fit.

[Dejounte]

Clarke is the second coming of Jordan in DPG's eyes

[Collins21]

Clarke is the second coming of Jordan in DPG's eyes

That dude is a fanboy it's ok to appreciate a players talent but to defend him the way he does is quite strange. All this dude does is bash DeRozan but he says "Oh he's a good dude just the wrong fit" but when you criticize Clarke he comes in here with is cape saying "stop tearing him down"

[DPG21920]

You have this weird hard on for Clarke where you defend any critique of him but yet you critique players all the time. Yes I believe Eric Paschall will be better than him and I also believe the same about Keldon Johnson and Kevin Porter Jr. You like to point out DeMar's flaws but god forbid someone points out the truth about Brandon Clarke and you have a fit.

You can critique players all you want; as do I. But be realistic about it. Clarke’s metics are great for a rookie (albeit what should be a more nba ready rookie). That doesn’t mean he’s perfect; but yeah, critiquing rookies that grade out as very favorable is a weird thing.

Nitpicking some players where they have questionable impact and a losing record makes more sense * shrug *

[DPG21920]

Clarke is the second coming of Jordan in DPG's eyes

:lol No. I wanted Clarke and argued in his favor (and so far, he’s been better than advertised, especially his shooting splits), but I was also fine with Luka. Not hard to look up.

[DPG21920]

That dude is a fanboy it's ok to appreciate a players talent but to defend him the way he does is quite strange. All this dude does is bash DeRozan but he says "Oh he's a good dude just the wrong fit" but when you criticize Clarke he comes in here with is cape saying "stop tearing him down"

Bruh, DeRozan is paid nearly 30M and he’s the leader of a team with a losing record. I’ve said he’s played well for him. I’ve said he’s not to “blame” and that it’s more that his style of play and what it takes to be successful isn’t working with this Spurs build and realistically wont (on the heels of having to pay him more money).

There is a thing called context.

[Collins21]

Bruh, DeRozan is paid nearly 30M and he’s the leader of a team with a losing record. I’ve said he’s played well for him. I’ve said he’s not to “blame” and that it’s more that his style of play and what it takes to be successful isn’t working with this Spurs build and realistically wont (on the heels of having to pay him more money).

There is a thing called context.

Yeah you won't address the fact that there were players taken after Clarke who are going to be better than he will be. Hell next year Paschall will be playing meaningful minutes on a contending team. Keldon Johnson if given the Opportunity could do what Clarke is doing now he's nothing special and in 5 years when he's 30 this will all be laughable.

[DPG21920]

Yeah you won't address the fact that there were players taken after Clarke who are going to be better than he will be. Hell next year Paschall will be playing meaningful minutes on a contending team. Keldon Johnson if given the Opportunity could do what Clarke is doing now he's nothing special and in 5 years when he's 30 this will all be laughable.

:lol What? You keep making stuff up. I”m not victory lapping Clarke and sh*tting on others. But with what we’ve seen now? Yeah, safe to say Clarke would have been a fine pick and his impact is better than some detractors thought it would be.

So your issue with me is that I am fine with not picking him but was right about him having solid tools to help win now with still decent upside because I believed there were reasons his shot would improve?

Ok, you win.

[SayTown]

The Spurs were in win now mode with an aging Aldridge and DeRozan so what's the point of drafting projects instead of low ceiling ready to play players. In fact the Spurs should of been the ones trading picks to Toronto in order to get a better deal instead of taking on picks they would turn into projects.

[K...]

It really does get me, that someone who advocates bottoming out, wants a "win now player"

One of the debates to come is can the Spurs build around Murray... If so, a low ceiling role player is great. But if not, the team needs max talent and the odds are good Luka will be fine at 24. Now it sucks having to burn cost controlled contact years in the g league... But just wait until one and done is over to complain about young players slowly developing. It's going to get worse,

[Drom John]

Clarke is the second coming of Jordan in DPG's eyes

More like the second coming of Brogden.

[cd98]

The Spurs were in win now mode with an aging Aldridge and DeRozan so what's the point of drafting projects instead of low ceiling ready to play players. In fact the Spurs should of been the ones trading picks to Toronto in order to get a better deal instead of taking on picks they would turn into projects.

Shhh. The Spurs were never in win-now mode. They were in barely make the playoffs mode. And that's where they are right now. They knew this team was never good enough to win. Luka was a pick for the future because they are trying to be decent now with an eye to the future.

And for the record, Demarr is the best player on this team by a mile. He's a good player. Only like 5-6 guys in this league can take a team like the Spurs and make them a playoff team. No shame on him that he can't do it by himself. He's actually been better than advertised, especially once LMA decided to shoot threes.

[TimDunkem]

^ If the Spurs aren't trying to win, then they failed to tell all the try hards on the roster.

[DPG21920]

Shhh. The Spurs were never in win-now mode. They were in barely make the playoffs mode. And that's where they are right now. They knew this team was never good enough to win. Luka was a pick for the future because they are trying to be decent now with an eye to the future.

And for the record, Demarr is the best player on this team by a mile. He's a good player. Only like 5-6 guys in this league can take a team like the Spurs and make them a playoff team. No shame on him that he can't do it by himself. He's actually been better than advertised, especially once LMA decided to shoot threes.

Then why bring in a vet like Carroll for that price? Re-sign Rudy at that price? Keep Beli/Mills and others at their prices? They are definitely trying to win (even if they know a title isn’t in the cards)

[Prime BEEF]

Yeah you won't address the fact that there were players taken after Clarke who are going to be better than he will be. Hell next year Paschall will be playing meaningful minutes on a contending team. Keldon Johnson if given the Opportunity could do what Clarke is doing now he's nothing special and in 5 years when he's 30 this will all be laughable.
Paschall and KJ are not and will not be better than Clarke. That was easy to see pre-draft and is easy to see now. You are way too high KJ. He’ll be lucky to make the spurs roster...and the spurs are not going to be a good team anytime soon.

[Prime BEEF]

Then why bring in a vet like Carroll for that price? Re-sign Rudy at that price? Keep Beli/Mills and others at their prices? They are definitely trying to win (even if they know a title isn’t in the cards)
They are 100% trying to win now. They just suck at it

[poopbox]

I don't understand all the fuss over luka...he is a big with a pretty good shooting form already and isn't afraid to put the ball on the floor and plays with some flair...you take a chance on that guy 10 out of 10 times because if he pans out he can significantly change the dynamic of your team...

As far as Clarke...who cares what he is doing in memphis...he would never be doing that here...he would be in the g league...cause you know, that is what the spurs do with rookies...

Comparing the spurs and memphis is silly because they are two completely different basketball situations...

[TimDunkem]

Paschall and KJ are not and will not be better than Clarke. That was easy to see pre-draft and is easy to see now. You are way too high KJ. He’ll be lucky to make the spurs roster...and the spurs are not going to be a good team anytime soon.

Some here still think Ryan Richards and Adam Hanga will make the team. In those guy's eyes, the FO has never whiffed a pick. Not one.

[Collins21]

Paschall and KJ are not and will not be better than Clarke. That was easy to see pre-draft and is easy to see now. You are way too high KJ. He’ll be lucky to make the spurs roster...and the spurs are not going to be a good team anytime soon.

Uh yeah Keldon Johnson was better last as a freshman than Brandon Clarke was. If you think Keldon Johnson won't make the Spurs roster then that proves my point about your basketball knowledge. Like I said Keldon Johnson and Eric Paschall will all be better pro's than Clarke but hey you have a man crush on the guy I get it I think it's strange but hey it's your life.

[Collins21]

Some here still think Ryan Richards and Adam Hanga will make the team. In those guy's eyes, the FO has never whiffed a pick. Not one.

I don't even know who those dudes are but to make seem like Keldon Johnson who some had going in the lottery can't make an NBA team is idiotic. I understand most of y'all want to have Brandon Clarke's kids but to me it's an unhealthy infatuation that y'all have with that dude.

[Ocotillo]

At least Luka is in the G-League and not over in Europe still like so many of earlier Euro draft picks...….

[jjktkk]

Some here still think Ryan Richards and Adam Hanga will make the team. In those guy's eyes, the FO has never whiffed a pick. Not one.

And in some posters eyes, PATFO never does anything right? I wonder which is it? Also, I'm curious who still thinks Richards and Hanga would this team?

[cd98]

Then why bring in a vet like Carroll for that price? Re-sign Rudy at that price? Keep Beli/Mills and others at their prices? They are definitely trying to win (even if they know a title isn’t in the cards)

To be competitive enough to make the 7 or 8 seed. No one thought they were legit title contenders. Rudy was a no brainer on the money and probably a little bit little bit loyalty for choosing to come to the Spurs when he was a FA. Some of those contracts predate Kawhi trade. But also I’m sure they tried to trade Beli to no avail.

[DPG21920]

To be competitive enough to make the 7 or 8 seed. No one thought they were legit title contenders. Rudy was a no brainer on the money and probably a little bit little bit loyalty for choosing to come to the Spurs when he was a FA. Some of those contracts predate Kawhi trade. But also I’m sure they tried to trade Beli to no avail.

They were already competitive last year for the 8th seed, no need to sign multi year old dudes and keep other old sorry dudes if the goal is to eek into the 8th spot

[venitian navigator]

Regardless of how much your post makes valid points, you have never coached an NBA team. Therefore, all of your points are immediately and completely disregarded as laughable and a waste of time. Why are you even here?

Sincerely,

Sniffers

I don't understand if you write by sarcasm, because otherwise what you say does not make any sense...
Just for the sake of the argument, this forum is not only for coaches...and coaches are not necessarly always right in how they think and behave.
The point in being part of the forum is express ideas, reacting with sharing joy when when all is good and frustration when something doesn't go in the right way...trying to find out, and sharing for understanding if all others are of the same opinion, reasons and solutions.

[jjktkk]

They were already competitive last year for the 8th seed, no need to sign multi year old dudes and keep other old sorry dudes if the goal is to eek into the 8th spot

Now, and actually for awhile, I have agreed with you. But back in preseason I would have disagreed with you. Before the season started I assumed that the continued growth and improvement of White and Murray would at the very least, propel this Spurs team to contend for a 4th or 5th seed in the playoffs. Not a championship contender, but a significantly better overall team than the year before. Obviously I was wrong.

[exstatic]

Paschall and KJ are not and will not be better than Clarke. That was easy to see pre-draft and is easy to see now. You are way too high KJ. He’ll be lucky to make the spurs roster...and the spurs are not going to be a good team anytime soon.

You do realize that as a first rounder, he has a guaranteed contract, and one of the 15 NBA roster spots, right? He’s already made the Spurs.

[Prime BEEF]

Uh yeah Keldon Johnson was better last as a freshman than Brandon Clarke was. If you think Keldon Johnson won't make the Spurs roster then that proves my point about your basketball knowledge. Like I said Keldon Johnson and Eric Paschall will all be better pro's than Clarke but hey you have a man crush on the guy I get it I think it's strange but hey it's your life.
I agree that you clearly have a man crush on KJ. The objective evidence (not emotional evidence) shows that others in that draft class (yes including Clarke) were/are better than KJ. KJ didn’t have great numbers at UK.

[Prime BEEF]

You do realize that as a first rounder, he has a guaranteed contract, and one of the 15 NBA roster spots, right? He’s already made the Spurs.
He’s made the Austin spurs and isn’t on the SA spurs actual in game roster. Yes I understand he has a paid contract from the SA spurs organization.

[Prime BEEF]

I stand corrected. KJ has played a total of 12mins this year for the SA spurs. I was wrong. Clearly he is the second coming of MJ

[DPG21920]

Now, and actually for awhile, I have agreed with you. But back in preseason I would have disagreed with you. Before the season started I assumed that the continued growth and improvement of White and Murray would at the very least, propel this Spurs team to contend for a 4th or 5th seed in the playoffs. Not a championship contender, but a significantly better overall team than the year before. Obviously I was wrong.

Me too. I thought SA was better. It became obvious though that SA needed much more improvement as the West improved around them. Part of that was a lot of us thought Lonnie/White/Murray (higher ceiling players, even if lower floor exist) would be given leash to improve this team. That didn’t happen.

If you weren’t going to heavily invest in the youth playing to bank on improvement, then you should have gone way harder in FA and trades. But they did neither and here we are.

[exstatic]

He’s made the Austin spurs and isn’t on the SA spurs actual in game roster. Yes I understand he has a paid contract from the SA spurs organization.

Keldon Johnson is on the San Antonio Spurs 15 man NBA roster. He has a guaranteed, first round NBA contract. Every San Antonio game where he doesn't play because he's in Austin, he's listed in the box score as a DNP. He's tracked and counted as an NBA player, usually on an assigned status to Austin.

[dbestpro]

Carroll wishes he had as many minutes as KJ.

[SpurPadre]

https://i.imgur.com/8ZSZEii.jpg


Not back in, Clips and Mute Sperg are taking it to them Griz. Prison style

Looks like all the Donks fave Brandon Clarke will get his usual garbage minutes so yall can keep pumping up this Bryn Forbes of Power Forwards

That will be a common score after the first quarter in all 4 of our playoff games should we make it this year, tbh. I'd rather that happen to them and not us, especially against that faggot.

[Collins21]

https://i.imgur.com/8ZSZEii.jpg


Not back in, Clips and Mute Sperg are taking it to them Griz. Prison style

Looks like all the Donks fave Brandon Clarke will get his usual garbage minutes so yall can keep pumping up this Bryn Forbes of Power Forwards

The dude DPG is rational about it he doesn't hate on the Spurs draft picks to prop up Clarke. However the other people who talk up Clarke to shit on Luka are trolls who have hards on for players they think the Spurs should have drafted.

[Manong Ginobili]

I thought there was some Luka news

[Truth4sale$]

Why are people arguing about other players who the Spurs did not select, the reality is about who they have NOW! Luca might not be ready this year and may not play even in year 2---like Lonnie Walker and Keldon Johnson wont play regular minutes until his 3pt shot is better than Forbes, which wont be until the off season at best.
The reality is Luca is not a power forward, he is likely a combo forward, but still has huge upside, Keldon will be interchangeable with Lonnie Walker, but will also huge upside when he hits that 3pt shot.
How Brandon Clarke does or does not do- does NOT matter.

[TimDunkem]

Why are people arguing about other players who the Spurs did not select, the reality is about who they have NOW! Luca might not be ready this year and may not play even in year 2---like Lonnie Walker and Keldon Johnson wont play regular minutes until his 3pt shot is better than Forbes, which wont be until the off season at best.
The reality is Luca is not a power forward, he is likely a combo forward, but still has huge upside, Keldon will be interchangeable with Lonnie Walker, but will also huge upside when he hits that 3pt shot.
How Brandon Clarke does or does not do- does NOT matter.

We won't know for at least another three years. Hopefully Puka will finally be ready to lead us to 11th place by then.

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/spurs/status/1232350529298292737

[Gorepopovich]

Luka vs Luka? lol

[spurraider21]

:lol drew show on a crusade to shit on brandon clarke at all costs... he's even developing a 3 point shot

[exstatic]

:lol drew show on a crusade to shit on brandon clarke at all costs... he's even developing a 3 point shot

He'll likely never be a great shooter. What you're seeing is low volume unguarded shots.

[TimDunkem]

A role player consistently hitting the few shots he does get. Imagine that.

[spurraider21]

He'll likely never be a great shooter. What you're seeing is low volume unguarded shots.
i mean he's not davis bertans. but being able to hit an occasional unguarded shot is actually not a bad trait for a PF to have, believe it or not

[DPG21920]

i mean he's not davis bertans. but being able to hit an occasional unguarded shot is actually not a bad trait for a PF to have, believe it or not

Exactly - that type of even low volume 3PT shooting was all he needed to be “good”. If he was able to shoot that % on a high volume you are talking all star.

[ace3g]

Might as well start Luka now that LA is going to miss tomorrow's game with shoulder soreness.

[slick'81]

Might as well start Luka now that LA is going to miss tomorrow's game with shoulder soreness.


Hell to the no! Its poodle power time

[Chinook]

Glad they don't seem to be trying to bring Chim to the game. Talk about DOO DOO doo poo poo poo

[TimDunkem]

Lol Diving into the urine soaked basement to bang out a video, and editing out an entire game to single out a play or two from an above average rookie to suit your narrative. And I thought tholdren was the biggest loser on this forum. :lol

[TimDunkem]

One thing is certain, Clarke or Thybulle can get at least a single minute when the guys ahead of them are injured. :lol

[absoloot66]

One thing is certain, Clarke or Thybulle can get at least a single minute when the guys ahead of them are injured. :lol

Probably not on a Pop-coached team, though:depressed

[lmbebo]

Wonder if we will see him in a Spurs uniform at all this year

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

people on pounding the rock think Luka might get some run versus Orlando tonight


https://www.poundingtherock.com/2020/2/29/21159185/luka-samanic-could-make-his-nba-debut-tonight

[PICK-N-ROLL]

All in all, PATFO suck at drafting. Other than the big 3, #2 and maybe George Hill, who else have they drafted? Granted, they only needed role players for 18 years but they have not developed any players.

[EasyMoney]

All in all, PATFO suck at drafting. Other than the big 3, #2 and maybe George Hill, who else have they drafted? Granted, they only needed role players for 18 years but they have not developed any players.


Yep. I have officially stopped listening to anything any of you say from here on out

[Dverde]

All in all, PATFO suck at drafting. Other than the big 3, #2 and maybe George Hill, who else have they drafted? Granted, they only needed role players for 18 years but they have not developed any players.

I think they are generally good at finding NBA level players at the end of the draft. The talk of Murray, White, Walker being like #2 was ridiculous. I think all three got a chance to be solid contributors to a championship team.

[r0drig0lac]

I think they are generally good at finding NBA level players at the end of the draft. The talk of Murray, White, Walker being like #2 was ridiculous. I think all three got a chance to be solid contributors to a championship team.

well, some people on spurstalk believe it was san antonio's development system, and not his work ethic, qi and physical talent that made Kawhi one of the greatest players in the game's history, for these people, I would say that this conversation is not so ridiculous.

[Prime BEEF]

well, some people on spurstalk believe it was san antonio's development system, and not his work ethic, qi and physical talent that made Kawhi one of the greatest players in the game's history, for these people, I would say that this conversation is not so ridiculous.
Yup

[J_Paco]

well, some people on spurstalk believe it was san antonio's development system, and not his work ethic, qi and physical talent that made Kawhi one of the greatest players in the game's history, for these people, I would say that this conversation is not so ridiculous.

It was the combination of both, buddy. Clearly, players like Leonard, Antetokounmpo & Bryant (all drafted around the same spot) have a work ethic few can match. The organizations, teammates & coaching staffs all three were surrounded by helped them all reach their untapped (and unseen) potential.

It isn't mutually exclusive, but you Leonard circle jerk idiots don't get that.

Also, no one has ever claimed that White, Murray or Walker has HOF or top 5 player (in the NBA) potential. Again, you idiots skew things stated to suit your fandom or narrative.

[J_Paco]

I think they are generally good at finding NBA level players at the end of the draft. The talk of Murray, White, Walker being like #2 was ridiculous. I think all three got a chance to be solid contributors to a championship team.

They haven't drafted in the lottery for 20+ years but have drafted or acquired 4 HOF level talents. Two (Parker & Leonard) that no one would have ever foreseen as elite level talents. Yet, somehow they suck drafting yadda, yadda, yadda.

The sheer stupidity spewed by some members of this board speaks to the entitled, arrogant & spoiled attitudes they have. Not the success (or "luck") the team has earned since 1999.

Also, the current situation is a clear & obvious byproduct of drafting late for so long. The jury will be out to see if the current GM & Pop's successor can reach even 0.01% of their success.

[r0drig0lac]

It was the combination of both, buddy. Clearly, players like Leonard, Antetokounmpo & Bryant (all drafted around the same spot) have a work ethic few can match. The organizations, teammates & coaching staffs all three were surrounded by helped them all reach their untapped (and unseen) potential.

It isn't mutually exclusive, but you Leonard circle jerk idiots don't get that.

Also, no one has ever claimed that White, Murray or Walker has HOF or top 5 player (in the NBA) potential. Again, you idiots skew things stated to suit your fandom or narrative.
you got it wrong (well I hope it's not intentional), nobody said that Kawhi would be Kawhi before he was Kawhi, but many people believe here that he became Kawhi because he was recruited in SA (which is currently clearly not the best development program in the league).
Based on the clear 2-way potential of the three young players, yes, they can have an above average impact (I believe that, especially with Walker, not because of the system, but because he has not yet had a chance to make mistakes the court as a young players in other franchises, even franchises in better condition)

[J_Paco]

you got it wrong (well I hope it's not intentional), nobody said that Kawhi would be Kawhi before he was Kawhi, but many people believe here that he became Kawhi because he was recruited in SA (which is currently clearly not the best development program in the league).
Based on the clear 2-way potential of the three young players, yes, they can have an above average impact (I believe that, especially with Walker, not because of the system, but because he has not yet had a chance to make mistakes the court as a young players in other franchises, even franchises in better condition)

Again, Leonard became great partly because he ended up in the right situation (managment, coaches, teammates & development program) to exceed expectations.

Judging the Spurs development program or coaching staff based on not finding "another Leonard" is silly because 1) Leonard was a rare breed of player that was able to learn and developed faster than most other prospects & 2) members of the development staff that developed him have either been promoted or moved on to other organizations.

Lastly, many players (Justise Winslow, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Mikal Bridges, Miles Bridges, Stanley Johnson, OG Anunoby, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, etc.) with a similar profile to Leonard (in college) have landed in other team's lap & none have even reached an all-star level of play. Quite a few, if not all, were drafted higher than Leonard with a "higher ceiling" or thought to have more potential than him too.

That says a lot about Leonard's greatness, dogged determination and the Spurs' great development plan for him.

Again, the likelihood of finding another player like Leonard is extremely unlikely. Just like the Lakers will be hard pressed to find a Bryant type again at the 16th pick (straight out of high school) or the Bucks with Antetokounmpo.

All the young players currently on the team, minus Poeltl, were drafted or acquired outside of the lottery so any of them reaching all-star level is a huge, huge plus. Hopefully, the team can find one or two high-level players through the draft that can be complimented well by our current group (of young guys). Or they can find a reclamation project (Bridges in Charlotte possibly?) that can find another gear.....

[spurraider21]

leonard became good because he was strapped to the bench or otherwise cast off into the g-league for 2 years... oh wait nevermind he was immediately in the rotation and they traded the starter midseason to give him an even bigger role

[Texas_Ranger]

whoever scouted him and told the Spurs that they should draft him this high is a giant retard.

[J_Paco]

leonard became good because he was strapped to the bench or otherwise cast off into the g-league for 2 years... oh wait nevermind he was immediately in the rotation and they traded the starter midseason to give him an even bigger role

Other than Derrick White, none of the players recently drafted by the Spurs was even remotely ready right out of the gate like Leonard.

Even with his limited role or skillset offensively his first two seasons, Leonard was by far a better, more polished prospect.


whoever scouted him and told the Spurs that they should draft him this high is a giant retard.

Yes, cause it makes sense to give up on a guy after just his first season. Now, he could be a "bust" or flame out quickly (ala Jerome Robinson on the Clippers) but I think it'd be wise to give him a season or more to show whether he can become something.

Also, drafting outside of the lottery is a bigger gamble than in the lottery. Thankfully, the lower drafted players aren't as crippling to a organization's long-term plans or future (Clippers easily salary dumped Robinson to Washington).

[exstatic]

whoever scouted him and told the Spurs that they should draft him this high is a giant retard.

At 19, it's acceptable to draft a high ceiling, low floor player. It's just not much of a risk. If he busts, so what? Most of the players around him will, too.

[Texas_Ranger]

At 19, it's acceptable to draft a high ceiling, low floor player. It's just not much of a risk. If he busts, so what? Most of the players around him will, too.

I just want to see him play a game. Hes a mid first round pick and he should have played in at least a game.
I also dont know where the fuck are people seeing high potential in this guy. I watched him play all games in europe and there is no way he is a first round pick. But ok lets wait, we got time, cause everyone on the team suck, so why not draft a shit player.

[exstatic]

I just want to see him play a game. Hes a mid first round pick and he should have played in at least a game.
I also dont know where the fuck are people seeing high potential in this guy. I watched him play all games in europe and there is no way he is a first round pick. But ok lets wait, we got time, cause everyone on the team suck, so why not draft a shit player.
He’s a 6’10” guy who can dribble/pass/shoot and has a 38” vert. That’ll get you into the first round. If you watch his Austin highlights, you can see what the Spurs saw when the ball is in his hands. Unfortunately, he tends to drift when the ball isn’t in his hands, and he positively zones out on defense. He’s a lazy ass on that end. The latter two are the reason he hasn’t gotten minutes with the big club. If he busts out, it will be from lack of effort, not lack of talent.

[ceperez]

He’s a 6’10” guy who can dribble/pass/shoot and has a 38” vert. That’ll get you into the first round. If you watch his Austin highlights, you can see what the Spurs saw when the ball is in his hands. Unfortunately, he tends to drift when the ball isn’t in his hands, and he positively zones out on defense. He’s a lazy ass on that end. The latter two are the reason he hasn’t gotten minutes with the big club. If he busts out, it will be from lack of effort, not lack of talent.

It's good that Keldon is given playing time. Tells Samanic that he's got to work as hard as Keldon to make it to the next level.

[Harry Callahan]

If Keldon Johnson was the 19th pick and Saminic was the 30th, would that make everyone happy? Let's pretend that happened.

Seriously, Johnson and Saminic both have some good qualities. Johnson was a more polished player and had the benefit of being in a pro like environment at Kentucky. He looks to be just about ready to go at the NBA level when his chance comes.

The Spurs have to be productive and hit on a player (regardless of position) in this year's draft. This season is just the start of a rebuild which is probably a 2-3 year process.

[Texas_Ranger]

He’s a 6’10” guy who can dribble/pass/shoot and has a 38” vert. That’ll get you into the first round. If you watch his Austin highlights, you can see what the Spurs saw when the ball is in his hands. Unfortunately, he tends to drift when the ball isn’t in his hands, and he positively zones out on defense. He’s a lazy ass on that end. The latter two are the reason he hasn’t gotten minutes with the big club. If he busts out, it will be from lack of effort, not lack of talent.

He is lazy and he has attitude problems. Thats why i am most surprised the Spurs even drafted him.

i hope he proves me wrong and he becomes a beast or at least as good as this years Bertans.

[exstatic]

He is lazy and he has attitude problems. Thats why i am most surprised the Spurs even drafted him.

i hope he proves me wrong and he becomes a beast or at least as good as this years Bertans.

If he didn't have those issues, he would have been a top ten pick. He dropped to 19 because of them and the low level league he played in. You almost HAVE to take a flyer on talent like that, though. If he does work out, it's a huge win. If not, oh well, just another late teens bust. I consider it basically a coin flip at this point as to whether he sticks or not.

[objective]

He’s a 6’10” guy who can dribble/pass/shoot and has a 38” vert. That’ll get you into the first round. If you watch his Austin highlights, you can see what the Spurs saw when the ball is in his hands. Unfortunately, he tends to drift when the ball isn’t in his hands, and he positively zones out on defense. He’s a lazy ass on that end. The latter two are the reason he hasn’t gotten minutes with the big club. If he busts out, it will be from lack of effort, not lack of talent.

Is it a given that he can shoot?

He's never shot 3-pointers particularly well before. 32% in the g-league, 20.8% in the ABA, 33.8% collectively in 18-19, 28.2% in 17-18 collectively, 33.3% in 16-17. I suppose he shot well in the 18-19 Slovenian domestic league at 40.5%, but at the higher level ABA not so great.

He's shooting 33% in the g-league since January 1.

Obviously while he wasn't drafted to be a 3-point specialist, his form still doesn't inspire confidence in me like seeing Bertans overseas. Bertans had that quick high release with the high arc and was just untouchable. Samanic in comparison is low arcing release and he barely jumps compared to Bertans.

[rascal]

Again, Leonard became great partly because he ended up in the right situation (managment, coaches, teammates & development program) to exceed expectations.

Judging the Spurs development program or coaching staff based on not finding "another Leonard" is silly because 1) Leonard was a rare breed of player that was able to learn and developed faster than most other prospects & 2) members of the development staff that developed him have either been promoted or moved on to other organizations.

Lastly, many players (Justise Winslow, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Mikal Bridges, Miles Bridges, Stanley Johnson, OG Anunoby, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, etc.) with a similar profile to Leonard (in college) have landed in other team's lap & none have even reached an all-star level of play. Quite a few, if not all, were drafted higher than Leonard with a "higher ceiling" or thought to have more potential than him too.

That says a lot about Leonard's greatness, dogged determination and the Spurs' great development plan for him.

Again, the likelihood of finding another player like Leonard is extremely unlikely. Just like the Lakers will be hard pressed to find a Bryant type again at the 16th pick (straight out of high school) or the Bucks with Antetokounmpo.

All the young players currently on the team, minus Poeltl, were drafted or acquired outside of the lottery so any of them reaching all-star level is a huge, huge plus. Hopefully, the team can find one or two high-level players through the draft that can be complimented well by our current group (of young guys). Or they can find a reclamation project (Bridges in Charlotte possibly?) that can find another gear.....

No he didn't. Leonard would have reached his potential quicker on another team. He was held back a bit in San Antonio and reached his potential after Duncan left.

[XDT76]

Alot of ppl forget that the year that leonard was drafted, there was a lock-out all the way till Dec. Chip Englland quickly work with Leonard before the lockout kicks in and Leonard spends the lock-out period improving his shots mechanic. Also Chad Forcier was the main player development coach back then and he worked with Leonard every summer on things to improve during the offseason. The dedication of Leonard and the coaching staff of the Spurs were at a different level back then. Spurs player development takes a big dip when Chad left.

[Sugus]

No he didn't. Leonard would have reached his potential quicker on another team. He was held back a bit in San Antonio and reached his potential after Duncan left.

I'm sure he would have reached even higher skies growing up in Phoenix's winning culture and development programs. Or Sacramento's. Or Minnesota's. They sure have eyes for talent and so many young players for Nephew to grow up with!

[phxspurfan]

I never realized just how pastey white this dude is. He’s one more game from the Jazz calling begging for a trade

[TimDunkem]

Best cade scenario: Ersan Ilyasova

Meh

[palangi]

Best cade scenario: Ersan Ilyasova

Meh

Oh man drew let you off the head board?

[palangi]

Youre on Fire with the One Liners tonight sir.

Just keeping it simple for you two

[DPG21920]

https://twitter.com/twoshotspodcast/status/1236122463454494720

That was terrible :lol. His handle looked awful this game. Not judging anything yet, but even this play was lucky.

[duncan2k5]

I'm sure he would have reached even higher skies growing up in Phoenix's winning culture and development programs. Or Sacramento's. Or Minnesota's. They sure have eyes for talent and so many young players for Nephew to grow up with!

Why single out those teams, but leave out the successful ones? (But it's not like Devin Booker isn't a beast...his team just sucks)

[Truth4sale$]

Finally got his NBA debut and he looked like the broomstick challenge out there. Geez. He is clearly 2 years away from even being a project.

[wildbill2u]

Something over 80% of the players drafted at his spot in the league are busts and out within a couple of years because of various flaws. Attitude and defense are probably the worst problems for new players. He looked exactly like a rookie in his first game at the big show last night. Hesitant at shooting and kinda lost at times. We didn't have a lot of spacing so his inclination to take the ball into the lane was quickly blocked by two or more players dropping off. I'm sure he was amazed by the speed and quickness of the veteran players.

Who knows if his talent and physcial attributes will win out over his flaws.???The only way to know is to give him some minutes-- anywhere, but preferably on the big team-- to see if he can play in this league. Look at all the young Euros we've drafted that didn't make it after years of hope on our end. Scola went elsewhere, the Big Latvian got injured, the Georgian stayed home for starters. In a league that virtually punished teams financially if they drafted a US player, the Spurs often went to the Euro well.

[Sugus]

Why single out those teams, but leave out the successful ones? (But it's not like Devin Booker isn't a beast...his team just sucks)

Because the Spurs ARE the successful one. That's my point - read the quote again. Implying Nephew would've reached "higher ceiling quicker" on another team and saying the Spurs held him back is just retarded, and my examples are teams that repeatedly have gotten players with outstanding talents and promise, yet have failed to develop them into anything useful. Trying to dismiss the Spurs' role into making Nephew who he is, is a very narrow/shallow/stupid view of how players grow and learn in the NBA. If #2 fell on any of the teams I listed, he'd have been out of the league by year 3.

[SpurPadre]

Finally got his NBA debut and he looked like the broomstick challenge out there. Geez. He is clearly 2 years away from even being a project.

Can't expect much from T-Rex arms, tbh.

[GAustex]

Luka needs lots of whataburger and lots of weight room.
Steroids would help probably.
He is too skinny and weak.
He lots like a scared Bertrans. If that is it he needs to run around a lot and let it fly when open and make it. Not sure he has that in him.

[BackHome]

He did OK it's good for him to get some burn against legit NBA players only way he is going to get better and understand what he has to work on individually to get at that level.

[paperboy77]

Looked like a rookie. Still, you could see some good skills and instinct. He was just blinded by the big lights. Don’t forget he came into a game in which the opponent was treating the starters like bitches. Now if he gets some run and the timidity is still there... now it’s a concern.

[itzsoweezee]

Nobody gives a shit what Brandon Clark is doing, so go tell your Brandon Clark buttbuddy club.

aw, you dumb motherfucker

[itzsoweezee]

This Brandon Clarke love reminds me of ST's obsession with Jordan Bell when Spurs drafted Derrick White instead.

Damn, you're a dumbass

[itzsoweezee]

So glad they picked Luka Sandwich over Clarke. I'm sure Sandwich will work his way up to a bench warmer in 3 years :lmao

[offset formation]

https://i.imgur.com/j8rSYPa.png

Posts like this are why I hate this board and posters like you guys.

Take a random pic and cast aspersions on a guy's motivations and loyalties because he isn't captured with sikver and black fire coming out of his ass.

Be better.

[objective]

https://i.imgur.com/j8rSYPa.png

I noticed Luka on the sideline in the scrimmages, and wasn't just noticing his body language. And not with any regards to a single screenshot, but looking at the big picture.

He has been sat next to Mills right up front and I don't think it's a coincidence. Maybe they're trying to get his energy up and teach him how to be a pro and how to be a good teammate by making Mills his big brother on the bench. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it doesn't give me any more confidence in Samanic's future that he not only is years away in skill but needs to be coached up in other areas also.

If Mills can help salvage Samanic into not making the Spurs rue the day they passed on Clarke or Thybulle then maybe he'll be worth his contract.

[BackHome]

People said White sucked his first few games same with Murray same with Walker etc. I will wait another two season before I jump on “He Sucks Bandwagon”.

[exstatic]

I think Samanic was always viewed as being two years away. He very raw, but also very enticing. At 6’10”, he can legit dribble/pass/shoot, and has that rarest of gifts for someone of that height: a 38” vert. Lonnie Walker, who’s considered to be insanely athletic, has a 40” vert, but is 5” shorter than samanic.

[dbestpro]

I find it puzzling that everyone is so upset that Samanic looks like a rookie. He is a rookie.

[boutons_deux]

Samanic is 20 years old

[Dejounte]

I agree. People absolutely blasted White, DJ during their rookie years. Lonnie, not so much, because he had "flash" so everyone was on his balls no matter what. Where Luka is in two years will be the truth. Not whats being shown now. No matter what flaws we see.

[Dejounte]

I noticed Luka on the sideline in the scrimmages, and wasn't just noticing his body language. And not with any regards to a single screenshot, but looking at the big picture.

He has been sat next to Mills right up front and I don't think it's a coincidence. Maybe they're trying to get his energy up and teach him how to be a pro and how to be a good teammate by making Mills his big brother on the bench. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it doesn't give me any more confidence in Samanic's future that he not only is years away in skill but needs to be coached up in other areas also.

If Mills can help salvage Samanic into not making the Spurs rue the day they passed on Clarke or Thybulle then maybe he'll be worth his contract.

This is an observation I had also and didn't post here. I applaud people like you who pay attention to these sorts of things. Him sitting up front is absolutely telling.

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

I noticed Luka on the sideline in the scrimmages, and wasn't just noticing his body language. And not with any regards to a single screenshot, but looking at the big picture.

He has been sat next to Mills right up front and I don't think it's a coincidence. Maybe they're trying to get his energy up and teach him how to be a pro and how to be a good teammate by making Mills his big brother on the bench. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it doesn't give me any more confidence in Samanic's future that he not only is years away in skill but needs to be coached up in other areas also.

If Mills can help salvage Samanic into not making the Spurs rue the day they passed on Clarke or Thybulle then maybe he'll be worth his contract.


funny you type that because I kinda thought the same exact thing. It’s not a coincidence they have him sitting beside Mills at all.


I’m not gonna go as far as you and say it doesn’t give me confidence though. A lot of young players need vets to show them how to be a pro. It is scary that his motor isn’t the greatest and that was a knock on him coming into the draft and hasn’t gotten all that much better though.

he is still very young and has time to get better so I’m not giving up hope on the guy just yet. His biggest thing is getting bigger, stronger, and his conditioning being better. The guy has some skills and I’ve seen them live and in person at some development league game.

[duncan2150]

As european scouts said when he was in Europe, he is lazy, he gives little effort, his motor is really questionnable.
The motor is what im worried about from the beggining, that's not something you Can teach.

People were high on him because he made a lot to impress at the combine but he stills waaays from being in the rotation.

Still he has all the tools to suceed and I agree with what David Robinson 50 fan said above.

[Texas_Ranger]

Samanic is 20 years old



another kid named Luka was the best player in Europe at 18.

Also, Spurs gets some new scouts cause every single person that watched Samanic play at Olimpija could tell you he's not worth a first round pick.
I do hope he can average 3 points when he's 21.

[cd021]

Yeah, he's definitely going to need another season before even being a rotation player. Its not like that's shocking though, he's a project-- more so than many previous 1sts. The closest comp is probably Cojo. He was widely considered to be a reach at 30, he might've not been take at 40 otherwise.

I'm assuming that the plan is that Lyles and Gay hold down the fort at the 4, next season, then after next season he'd be in line to replace Gay as the backup 4.

[offset formation]

another kid named Luka was the best player in Europe at 18.

Also, Spurs gets some new scouts cause every single person that watched Samanic play at Olimpija could tell you he's not worth a first round pick.
I do hope he can average 3 points when he's 21.

There are several takes on this thread that I think, in time, will look quite foolish. This is one of those.

Dude is 20, man. Still growing into his body. He'll average 15 within 4 years, by the age of 24. Likely 25ppg by the time he's entering his prime **8 years** from now.

[EasyMoney]

I'm giving Luka the benefit of the doubt. Not everyone can be luka doncic. Hes an 18 year old euro kid still adapting to the style of americanized basketball . I'm not going to be like some idiots here and already calling for his head because he isn't playing up to some people's standards.

[objective]

I'm giving Luka the benefit of the doubt. Not everyone can be luka doncic. Hes an 18 year old euro kid still adapting to the style of americanized basketball . I'm not going to be like some idiots here and already calling for his head because he isn't playing up to some people's standards.

He's actually not super young. He's already 20.5

[GAustex]

Time will tell-patience is called for
But he seems like he should be better and warning signs have reared up

[objective]

There are several takes on this thread that I think, in time, will look quite foolish. This is one of those.

Dude is 20, man. Still growing into his body. He'll average 15 within 4 years, by the age of 24. Likely 25ppg by the time he's entering his prime **8 years** from now.

I hope so, Spurs desperately need production from their drafted players because their trades and signings have been a disaster for close to 3+ seasons now.

But it's a long way to go for him to get the numbers you're talking about. Like a huge outlier for him to get there, the deck is stacked against him.

Basically they only PF who's done what you're talking about in the pace-space era that I can think of is Siakam, and there's dozens more who haven't/won't, like a 99% probability Samanic doesn't get there.

Even averaging 15 is very hard for a PF. There's about 13 designated PFs or PF/SF hybrids as listed on bkref as doing 15 a game. I think the list is a little flawed as it doesn't include guys like Bojan or Sabonis but does include Bam, but basically 15 PFs getting 15 a game. And half of them never averaged close to 25 a game in a single season. Good scorers like Tobias Harris, Gallo, and Marcus Morris never averaged more than 20 a game.

Trey Lyles is a very skilled player who has never even cracked 10 points a game in his seasons, though he never played starter minutes. He also hasn't hit 20 per 36 ever.

Rudy Gay has been a big time scorer his entire career, who has never scored under 14.5 per 36 in his entire career, but has never done more than 21.5 per 36 either.

It would be a miracle if he works out like you think he will. Spurs need miracles so I hope he does it.

[TD 21]

I hope so, Spurs desperately need production from their drafted players because their trades and signings have been a disaster for close to 3+ seasons now.

But it's a long way to go for him to get the numbers you're talking about. Like a huge outlier for him to get there, the deck is stacked against him.

Basically they only PF who's done what you're talking about in the pace-space era that I can think of is Siakam, and there's dozens more who haven't/won't, like a 99% probability Samanic doesn't get there.

Even averaging 15 is very hard for a PF. There's about 13 designated PFs or PF/SF hybrids as listed on bkref as doing 15 a game. I think the list is a little flawed as it doesn't include guys like Bojan or Sabonis but does include Bam, but basically 15 PFs getting 15 a game. And half of them never averaged close to 25 a game in a single season. Good scorers like Tobias Harris, Gallo, and Marcus Morris never averaged more than 20 a game.

Trey Lyles is a very skilled player who has never even cracked 10 points a game in his seasons, though he never played starter minutes. He also hasn't hit 20 per 36 ever.

Rudy Gay has been a big time scorer his entire career, who has never scored under 14.5 per 36 in his entire career, but has never done more than 21.5 per 36 either.

It would be a miracle if he works out like you think he will. Spurs need miracles so I hope he does it.

He was always going to be boom or bust. The size/athleticism/ball skills are impressive and rare enough to where I understand why they took the gamble. It's mainly going to come down to his give a shit meter and shot though. If those things develop adequately, it'll allow his aforementioned tools to shine.

PPG and counting stats in general are mostly a product of minutes/usage and therefore largely irrelevant. Spurs fans should know this as well as anyone.

Nor should it. They might all be listed as the nominal starting "PF" for their respective teams, but Bogdanovic is more of an "SF" and Sabonis and Adebayo are C's.

[Ditty]

Not impressed with Brandon Clarke. Horrible shooting form and he’s about to be 24 years old in about a month. I’ll take Luka all day.

[BackHome]

Just remember big men in this league take a lot longer to figure things out. Hopefully this off season he can gain about 10 to 15 pds of muscle. And just better understand American basketball and work on his 3 pointer and mid range shooting.

I am hoping him and Keldon will be working out this offseason together I think they were pretty tight in G League.

[Sugus]

Lol at posters here comparing Luka Samanic to Luka Doncic, as if they're both supposed to have similar trajectories or careers... Everyone acting like we drafted Samanic with the #3 pick. Ridiculous. There's literally hundreds of NBA players who were trash and non-productive their rookie seasons and second years, then figured things out and went on to have great careers. Hell, even Kobe didn't come out of the gates blazing, though I know it's just a stupid a comparison as the Doncic one.

Posters here should simply pretend we took Keldon with the 19th pick and Luka with the 29th, that should help stop getting y'alls panties in a bunch every time his name comes up. Or not - these threads are always fun to go back to after players inevitably get better. Hell, I get a chuckle every time I go back to that retard Monty's posts about Lonnie being nothing more than an athlete and would never be a rotation player in the NBA. Why is everyone so hell-bent on judging players like they're never going to improve? Doesn't make sense to me.

[Sugus]

I hope so, Spurs desperately need production from their drafted players because their trades and signings have been a disaster for close to 3+ seasons now.

But it's a long way to go for him to get the numbers you're talking about. Like a huge outlier for him to get there, the deck is stacked against him.

Basically they only PF who's done what you're talking about in the pace-space era that I can think of is Siakam, and there's dozens more who haven't/won't, like a 99% probability Samanic doesn't get there.

Even averaging 15 is very hard for a PF. There's about 13 designated PFs or PF/SF hybrids as listed on bkref as doing 15 a game. I think the list is a little flawed as it doesn't include guys like Bojan or Sabonis but does include Bam, but basically 15 PFs getting 15 a game. And half of them never averaged close to 25 a game in a single season. Good scorers like Tobias Harris, Gallo, and Marcus Morris never averaged more than 20 a game.

Trey Lyles is a very skilled player who has never even cracked 10 points a game in his seasons, though he never played starter minutes. He also hasn't hit 20 per 36 ever.

Rudy Gay has been a big time scorer his entire career, who has never scored under 14.5 per 36 in his entire career, but has never done more than 21.5 per 36 either.

It would be a miracle if he works out like you think he will. Spurs need miracles so I hope he does it.

I agree with this post, but raise the question - why should Luka develop into a pure scorer? We have a plethora of guards that are looking like they can take on a scoring load, and as you say, PFs nowadays very rarely contribute lots of points, yet they still do a lot of other things that help their teams succeed. Why are we setting an absolutely arbitrary bar that Luka has to clear to be judged as a non-bust (as if a 19th pick could ever truly be a bust), especially one as shallow as PPG? I want Luka to box out, rebound, playmake, give a shit on the defensive end, bust out a couple of slick moves with the tools that he has, and be an alley-oop finisher, which is something the Spurs sorely lack right now and Samanic could definitely contribute in given his vertical and athleticism. I don't really care whether he scores 15ppg or 10ppg or 5 as long as he's helping the team win games.

Of course, he's not helping anyone right now, he's figuring things out and learning the ropes. But setting up expectations like "Spurs need miracles" talking about offensive scoring, when Luka hasn't really been projected as a scorer, is just setting yourself up for disappointment, imo. Of course, you're arguing kind of the same thing I am, so I'm betting we'll agree here; I'm more talking about the rest of the posters ITT.

[Kurgan]

another kid named Luka was the best player in Europe at 18.

Also, Spurs gets some new scouts cause every single person that watched Samanic play at Olimpija could tell you he's not worth a first round pick.
I do hope he can average 3 points when he's 21.

Had nothing to do with our scouts. Buford's been enamored with Luka Sandwich for years. There's videos of him watching Luka play back when he was 17. No way RC was going to not draft him.

[DJR210]

Didn't Wright draft him..

[Kurgan]

Didn't Wright draft him..

Not a fan of Wright, he's been a terrible GM thus far but I gotta believe Buford made the call on Luka. He's been scouting the kid for years.

[Maddog]

Didn't Wright draft him..

Spurs have been scouting him for a year or so.
I'm still good with the pic. He's got size, skills, athleticism.
Odds are he will not pan out. That's just based on being drafted where he was

[Mugen]

Luka was always a couple of years away tbh, don't mind that they went with the high-ceiling guy. Thybulle and Brandon Clarke are nice if you have a playoff team but the Spurs aren't that with Bryn/Marco getting heavy minutes in Poop's rotation...

Regardless, looks like they hit again on Keldon tbh....

[DJR210]

Luka was always a couple of years away tbh, don't mind that they went with the high-ceiling guy. Thybulle and Brandon Clarke are nice if you have a playoff team but the Spurs aren't that with Bryn/Marco getting heavy minutes in Poop's rotation...

Regardless, looks like they hit again on Keldon tbh....

Yeah.. Keldon has been great.. and FINALLY.. a player with some size. His legs are seriously twice as thick as Murray's

[Ocotillo]

Yeah and if Luka was as ready as the other Luka in Dallas, he would have been long gone by 19. The guy is a project. Skills are there, let's see if he has the drive to make it happen.

[Kurgan]

Luka was always a couple of years away tbh, don't mind that they went with the high-ceiling guy. Thybulle and Brandon Clarke are nice if you have a playoff team but the Spurs aren't that with Bryn/Marco getting heavy minutes in Poop's rotation...

Regardless, looks like they hit again on Keldon tbh....

Yup, those two would be great pickups if we still had Kawhi. As is, we gotta swing for the fences if we're drafting outside the lottery with a a team that isn't good enough to contend but not quite bad enough to land a top 5 pick.

[tim_duncan_fan]

let's see if he has the drive to make it happen.
Now see that is where it looks like things went wrong in picking him lol

[Atl Spur]

Now see that is where it looks like things went wrong in picking him lol

To early to tell don’t you think?

[talkspurs]

we should have kept this guy. he even got an allstar vote from the players. Yes I realize it was probably from him.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/analysis-nba-star-voting-players-071310594.html

[exstatic]

we should have kept this guy. he even got an allstar vote from the players. Yes I realize it was probably from him.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/analysis-nba-star-voting-players-071310594.html

No, we shouldn’t have. KBD was a second rounder, and has shown more as an NBA player.

[talkspurs]

No, we shouldn’t have. KBD was a second rounder, and has shown more as an NBA player.

While I disagree with you on this I was mostly posting it as a joke. I do wish we would have kept him but him getting a AS vote does not change my mind for him.

[poopbox]

No, we shouldn’t have. KBD was a second rounder, and has shown more as an NBA player.

KBD is a tweener forward on a team full of tweener forwards.

Not saying Luka is the answer but neither is KBD

[exstatic]

KBD is a tweener forward on a team full of tweener forwards.

Not saying Luka is the answer but neither is KBD

Didn’t say he was the answer, just better than that Slovenian ass.

[Mr. Body]

At this point, I'd be surprised if Samanic ever sees an NBA floor again.

[KingKev]

KBD is a tweener forward on a team full of tweener forwards.

Not saying Luka is the answer but neither is KBD

He actually holds the archetype, combo forward body; 6’8, 230ish who can play as a lanky, disruptive 3/4. A poor man’s version of it, but hardly a “tweener.”

[poopbox]

He actually holds the archetype, combo forward body; 6’8, 230ish who can play as a lanky, disruptive 3/4. A poor man’s version of it, but hardly a “tweener.”

What you call a combo forward I call a tweener. KBD never makes a shot that isn't a wide open layup, dunk, or 3 point shot. The next time I see him create his own shot will be the first time.

The fact that he even has a role on this team goes to show just how bad off the spurs are.

[exstatic]

What you call a combo forward I call a tweener. KBD never makes a shot that isn't a wide open layup, dunk, or 3 point shot. The next time I see him create his own shot will be the first time.

The fact that he even has a role on this team goes to show just how bad off the spurs are.

How many NBA forwards do you think actually consistently create their own shots?

[KingKev]

What you call a combo forward I call a tweener. KBD never makes a shot that isn't a wide open layup, dunk, or 3 point shot. The next time I see him create his own shot will be the first time.

The fact that he even has a role on this team goes to show just how bad off the spurs are.

KBD isn’t very good. Sub par skills do not define you as a tweener; at least by definition (everyone’s but yours).

[donaldsonian]

Didn’t say he was the answer, just better than that Slovenian ass.

Croatian

[donaldsonian]

What you call a combo forward I call a tweener. KBD never makes a shot that isn't a wide open layup, dunk, or 3 point shot. The next time I see him create his own shot will be the first time.

The fact that he even has a role on this team goes to show just how bad off the spurs are.

KBD is actually pretty good at cutting to the basket and driving to the rim to get good looks, he just seems uncoordinated at times when it comes to finishing. But Dejounte was like that too in his first few years before eventually improving, so maybe there’s hope.

[RC_Drunkford]

KBD is almost as bad as Poeltl on offense

[buttsR4rebounding]

Fred Katz FredKatz
Knicks to receive All-Star starter votes from players:
Julius Randle 10
Derrick Rose 9
Mitchell Robinson 2
RJ Barrett 2
Taj Gibson 1
Immanuel Quickley1
Luka Samanic 1
Jericho Sims 1 – 9:49 PM

[exstatic]

Fred Katz FredKatz
Knicks to receive All-Star starter votes from players:
Julius Randle 10
Derrick Rose 9
Mitchell Robinson 2
RJ Barrett 2
Taj Gibson 1
Immanuel Quickley1
Luka Samanic 1
Jericho Sims 1 – 9:49 PM

Voted for himself. Had to be. He hasn’t played an NBA minute for any players to know who he is.

[Leetonidas]

Voted for himself. Had to be. He hasn’t played an NBA minute for any players to know who he is.

Nah, someone just saw the name "Luka" and voted for him :lol

[donaldsonian]

https://nypost.com/2022/02/16/luka-samanic-signing-has-turned-into-another-knicks-calamity/

[K...]

https://nypost.com/2022/02/16/luka-samanic-signing-has-turned-into-another-knicks-calamity/

lol knicks, nothing new, luka is injured and the knicks needed help. Sounds like they want him still but i think by now the knocks just accept they suck and evaluate him at camp.

[Ocotillo]

Well looky here.......

https://twitter.com/FredKatz/status/1504528068576256007

:D

[gambit1990]

damn, 26 points in his only game in three months. plantar fasciitis doesn't seem like fun.

[KingKev]

10 milly todo nothing. Go dominate an overseas league for a few hundy a year

[Mr. Body]

Imagine if this guy was a good soldier and played ball. He would have gotten court time and been part of the future. Instead he was a dickish asshole. I won't miss seeing him spam that stupid behind-the-back dribble maneuver the slowest guy in the league could pick apart.

[Leetonidas]

Well looky here.......

https://twitter.com/FredKatz/status/1504528068576256007

:D

:lmao

:cry we should have kept this guy. It's pops fault he wasn't good :cry

[Dverde]

At least he got those body tattoos he’s always wanted. #winning

[Mr. Body]

He can go be a surly MAGAt in Serbia or wherever he's from.

[jjspur]

Imagine if this guy was a good soldier and played ball. He would have gotten court time and been part of the future. Instead he was a dickish asshole. I won't miss seeing him spam that stupid behind-the-back dribble maneuver the slowest guy in the league could pick apart.
The guy had his chances with two teams. Whatever he showed, it wasn't enough. Maybe he'll have better luck in the Latvian leagues with his slow behind the back dribbling euro step junk moves.

[spurraider21]

he can follow ryan richards' career path

[poopbox]

RC dropping one last gooey deuce on the spurs before turning to toilet over to Bryan tbh :rollin

[John B]

What a waste of draft pick. Spurs could’ve gotten any of Poole, THT, Matisse, Clarke… all taken after this guy

[duncan2150]

What a mess

i don't understand why they took this guy, even with the possible upside. He was bad in Europe as i said a lot of times during the draft process. A really rare baaad pick by the Spurs.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

What a mess

i don't understand why they took this guy, even with the possible upside. He was bad in Europe as i said a lot of times during the draft process. A really rare baaad pick by the Spurs.

I think it's perfectly understandable why they picked him - he has great tools. They probably thought they could fix what's lacking between his ears but couldn't. Teams draft players based on tools rather than production all the time. This upcoming draft, for example, some team will draft Payton Watson in the first round ( if he stays ) even though he's objectively been beyond terrible. Last year Memphis traded up for Ziaire Williams who was historically bad in college. Some of these are hits, most are misses. Spurs missed, it's OK.

[MultiTroll]

Not suggesting he slacked on rehab -or not- but plantar F can be very debilitating.
Wherever he plays next he'll need to resolve that.

[Mr. Body]

I think it's perfectly understandable why they picked him - he has great tools. They probably thought they could fix what's lacking between his ears but couldn't. Teams draft players based on tools rather than production all the time. This upcoming draft, for example, some team will draft Payton Watson in the first round ( if he stays ) even though he's objectively been beyond terrible. Last year Memphis traded up for Ziaire Williams who was historically bad in college. Some of these are hits, most are misses. Spurs missed, it's OK.

Why Patrick Baldwin will get selected, if he comes out.

[Texas_Ranger]

Spurs FO should have asked me or any guy that watche him play for Olimpija for the opinion. Whoever was like '' ohh yea, this guy looks great'' is a giant retard.

[exstatic]

Spurs FO should have asked me or any guy that watche him play for Olimpija for the opinion. Whoever was like '' ohh yea, this guy looks great'' is a giant retard.

No one thought he looked great, including the Spurs. He was a 6'10" guy who flashed some perimeter skills, our roster was loaded with guards and wings, and they thought he might grow up and develop. At #19, that really isn't even much of a reach.

[Sugus]

No one thought he looked great, including the Spurs. He was a 6'10" guy who flashed some perimeter skills, our roster was loaded with guards and wings, and they thought he might grow up and develop. At #19, that really isn't even much of a reach.

SpursTalk Pathology, Vol. II: If a given prospect fails to develop and busts, it was obvious and bound to happen from day 1; if a prospect surpasses expectations and develops greatly, they "always knew it" and believed in him from day 1.

[exstatic]

SpursTalk Pathology, Vol. II: If a given prospect fails to develop and busts, it was obvious and bound to happen from day 1; if a prospect surpasses expectations and develops greatly, they "always knew it" and believed in him from day 1.

The kid had red flags for attitude and motor, and if you weren’t aware,you weren’t paying attention. The problem is, if those flags weren’t there,he likely goes top 10. It was a reasonable gamble at 19.

You also weren’t paying attention if you didn’t see those flags manifest very early in Austin.

[SPURt]

He had the body and athleticism to be exactly what the Spurs needed. He could’ve been developed into an all star by the best development system in basketball but he squandered that opportunity. What a waste. He might be the worst self inflicted waste of drafted talent in the Pop era because they’ve valued character above any other trait when drafting. What an idiot.

[buttsR4rebounding]

The guy had his chances with two teams. Whatever he showed, it wasn't enough. Maybe he'll have better luck in the Latvian leagues with his slow behind the back dribbling euro step junk moves.

Not really. He was pretty much injured the last 3 months otherwise he surely would have gotten a call up from the Knicks. If you call what he got with the Spurs a chance I would strongly disagree. Compared to the cradling of Lonnie Walker Samanic was strapped to a post and flogged daily.

[MannyIsGod]

Not really. He was pretty much injured the last 3 months otherwise he surely would have gotten a call up from the Knicks. If you call what he got with the Spurs a chance I would strongly disagree. Compared to the cradling of Lonnie Walker Samanic was strapped to a post and flogged daily.

Luka never showed a 10th of what Lonnie has.


Not sure what any of you see in this dude. He had chances to earn playing time last year.

[offset formation]

Luka never showed a 10th of what Lonnie has.


Not sure what any of you see in this dude. He had chances to earn playing time last year.

This is probably accurate. Lonnie has grown more than Luka did. But I'd remind you it has only been the last few weeks where Lonnie has gained his confidence. The issue with Luka is that it didn't seem he was ever really given the leash to finally gain his confidence. He was praised by pop one game where he said he'd earned more PT than promptly benched again for like 22 games. That fucks with a young kid's head.

He clearly has talent upside. He dropped 26 in his debut with the Knicks G league team.

And what makes it all the more frustrating is that we desperately needed his length. Pop seems to show more patience with his guards (undersized) than his big men when we have a glut of undersized guards and a shortage of long big men. We routinely get owned in the paint and by slashing guards that have zero fear going into the paint.

If you'll recall, Luka showed the most promise and the defensive end. Pop could and should have shown more patience with Luka.

[paperboy77]

Fuck it bring his ASS back for McDermant

[paperboy77]

Luka never showed a 10th of what Lonnie has.


Not sure what any of you see in this dude. He had chances to earn playing time last year.

Lonnie JUST started to how something. We don’t eve now if the guy will continue this roll.

[John B]

He had the body and athleticism to be exactly what the Spurs needed. He could’ve been developed into an all star by the best development system in basketball but he squandered that opportunity. What a waste. He might be the worst self inflicted waste of drafted talent in the Pop era because they’ve valued character above any other trait when drafting. What an idiot.

Actually it was the opposite on this case. Luka killed it in the Combine, on his first day, with his smooth shooting and athleticism at his size. It’s worth noting it was the same with Joe Wieskamp, who did a great showing with 26pts and 10 rebounds and 42” vertical. Joe seems to be a good character. It seems that lately the Spurs seem to have been weighing players’ performance in the Combine heavily, and something odd like Luka, slipped.

[BackHome]

That is how I believe they also got Primo

[John B]

That is how I believe they also got Primo

Exactly

[duncan2150]

I think it's perfectly understandable why they picked him - he has great tools. They probably thought they could fix what's lacking between his ears but couldn't. Teams draft players based on tools rather than production all the time. This upcoming draft, for example, some team will draft Payton Watson in the first round ( if he stays ) even though he's objectively been beyond terrible. Last year Memphis traded up for Ziaire Williams who was historically bad in college. Some of these are hits, most are misses. Spurs missed, it's OK.

I still don't understand as i saw not a lot of upside in him, a lot of weaknesses like the motor. Maybe the vision was different here in Europe about him but when a lot of scouts or observers are so low on a guy, it's difficult for me to understand why we took him ( as we are good at finding talent).

About Watson or Williams, i can see some flashes that was not the case with Samanic who was bad in a weak league.

[Rito3d30]

I don't think his performance in g league can be translated to the big league
Fool's Gold

[exstatic]

I don't think his performance in g league can be translated to the big league
Fool's Gold

Kyle Anderson looked like an All Star during his gleague time.

[Chinook]

Sam wishes he could be as good as Anderson.

Sam is why the Spurs tend to value character way more than what often seems reasonable. You can have a questionable character if you're an NBA-ready player (or like in Murray's case where his actual personality isn't the issue but he has red flags in his history). If the main thing a player has to do is grow up but it's already there on the court, you can work with that. But if a player is a project with a shit attitude, it makes it hard to believe he'll put in the work needed or accept the coaching needed for him to improve. Sam didn't have that. Walker does. That's why Lonnie's made it four years despite not improving as fast or decisively as many hoped while Sam couldn't make it to his third year. Primo's attitude seems great, which is why I'm not worried about his play. Hopefully, if the Spurs are going to take projects in June, they don't pick guys like Sam again. Being tall and able to dribble is one of the most useless reasons to draft someone if they don't have the other things there.

[John B]

I still don't understand as i saw not a lot of upside in him, a lot of weaknesses like the motor. Maybe the vision was different here in Europe about him but when a lot of scouts or observers are so low on a guy, it's difficult for me to understand why we took him ( as we are good at finding talent).

About Watson or Williams, i can see some flashes that was not the case with Samanic who was bad in a weak league.

Actually Luka was a double-double machine in the Gubble. I think he was undefeated with Tre, until both were called up prematurely because players were missing. I don’t know his back story. But I rooted for Luka. It was unfortunate that he injured himself. I think he was who the Spurs envisioned in the modern PF position who has the height, physicality and outside shooting, which now obviously Keldon is too short for, worst with McD in the SL along. I think had Luka exhibited the Spurs character that PATFO always look for, that he would’ve stayed longer like Lonnie.

I don’t wish anyone bad including Luka. Something in his character did not sync with Pop and the powers that be. And it’s not just low BBall IQ either, because Lonnie obviously doesn’t have much higher. It was simply character issue. And as mentioned, he killed it at the Combine, likewise Joe and Primo. The latter two seem to be good character. Luka slipped and the decision relied heavily on the Combine without the character scrutiny that Spurs scouts were seemingly known for.

[Uriel]

Can somebody please tell me exactly what incidents occurred that reveal Samanic’s supposed bad character?

It’s not that I don’t believe the people saying it, I just genuinely don’t know what happened that made people think that way.

[BackHome]

Didn’t New York release him?

[MultiTroll]

Didn’t New York release him?
Si Senor.

The Knicks Have Released Luka Samanic - 03-18-2022 (prosportsdaily.com) (https://www.prosportsdaily.com/articles/the-knicks-have-released-luka-samanic-731639.html)

[Gagnrath]

Can somebody please tell me exactly what incidents occurred that reveal Samanic’s supposed bad character?

It’s not that I don’t believe the people saying it, I just genuinely don’t know what happened that made people think that way.

Feel less like it's bad character and more like lack of work ethic and desire.

[John B]

Feel less like it's bad character and more like lack of work ethic and desire.

I don’t buy the lack of work ethic. The guy obviously got big compare to when he was first drafted. He was hitting the gym. And he dominated Gubble with double-double. It was character that rubbed somebody the wrong way. I also don’t know the details.

[Robz4000]

Can somebody please tell me exactly what incidents occurred that reveal Samanic’s supposed bad character?

It’s not that I don’t believe the people saying it, I just genuinely don’t know what happened that made people think that way.

He straight up ghosted his team in Europe leading up to the draft. He was also known for skipping workouts regularly while in Europe according to a few posters iirc.

[Texas_Ranger]

He straight up ghosted his team in Europe leading up to the draft. He was also known for skipping workouts regularly while in Europe according to a few posters iirc.

I saw Luka partying at a club in Croatia at 5am and next day, actually the same day, he had a game at like 2pm. I also have friends working for Olimpija, which was Luka's club and everyone was not impressed by his attitude.

[JeffDuncan]

Can somebody please tell me exactly what incidents occurred that reveal Samanic’s supposed bad character? …


There weren’t any “bad character” incidents with the Spurs. That’s a fabrication by a few posters to this forum. The serious question about Samanic was whether he was highly motivated to play basketball, which it appears he is not.

[Maddog]

There weren’t any “bad character” incidents with the Spurs. That’s a fabrication by a few posters to this forum. The serious question about Samanic was whether he was highly motivated to play basketball, which it appears he is not.

It's hard to know. The Spurs don't throw people under the bus.
My impression is it was more an issue as above. He lacks a burning desire to play basketball and may be a bit of a loner. There may be a degree of "Laziness" but he's clearly worked on his body and even skills. In games he seems a bit mechanical and you don't see that competitiveness.
Despite obvious skills and athleticism he had few takers after the Spurs cut him.

[exstatic]

I don’t buy the lack of work ethic. The guy obviously got big compare to when he was first drafted. He was hitting the gym. And he dominated Gubble with double-double. It was character that rubbed somebody the wrong way. I also don’t know the details.

His motor issues manifested themselves his gleague rookie year, and never stopped, being the reason for his cut. I watched Austin clips and games, and even then, he frequently didn’t run back in transition defense.

Over the last few SA games, I’ve seen a couple of missed opponent dunks and layups, leading to Spurs possessions. The opponent had a clear advantage. Samanic would have gotten zero of those rebounds, because he would have trotted to mid court to watch, like he did on a number of occasions, like he did in his final game in a Spurs uniform.

[duncan2150]

The sadness of this situation is that everybody could see his weaknesses when he was playing in Slovenia. He was bad in Europe, no motor, he just showed up at the combine and play hard on time. He scammed a lot of people, strange that the spurs don't see that.

[exstatic]

The sadness of this situation is that everybody could see his weaknesses when he was playing in Slovenia. He was bad in Europe, no motor, he just showed up at the combine and play hard on time. He scammed a lot of people, strange that the spurs don't see that.

I think they understood the risks, but figured picking at 19 was worth taking a shot. Sometimes these issues are maturity related, and sometimes, it’s an entitled personality thing. They hoped he would grow out of it, but he didn’t. The end.

[buttsR4rebounding]

Didn’t New York release him?

New York released him because he was injured. Otherwise he surely would have been called up.

[JPB]

You have those millions ready for you just to play ball, all you gotta do is work out an be professional... but nah, I'm gonna be a lazy fuck full of myself.

[dbestpro]

He was averaging 27.6 points on 39 percent shooting from 3-point range and 54 percent overall in the G-league before he got hurt.

[NickiRasgo]

He was averaging 27.6 points on 39 percent shooting from 3-point range and 54 percent overall in the G-league before he got hurt.

Where he belongs.

[exstatic]

New York released him because he was injured. Otherwise he surely would have been called up.

:lol he’s the exact kind of player that Thibs would hate. He wouldn’t have gotten minutes, anyway, with Randle starting, and Toppin developing.

[couchman]

https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1447653992117547010/pu/vid/1280x720/hxri8GStuDtD0DXv.mp4?tag=12

[BatManu20]

His motor sucked. Zero heart or desire to win. At least that’s how it came off. There were rumors his work ethic was shit. I remember the last straw being this play against Orlando where he just completely quit on the play. He was cut the next day. Wasted pick but whatever. PATFO took a swing at least, even if it was a miss. Just glad we got Keldon out of that draft.



oEzmD5EeMxo

[wildbill2u]

Some people wonder why NFL players continue to run hard downfield on kickoffs when it is obvious that the ball is out of play... Because there is no loafing in football by mostly bench players who are part of the suicide kickoff team. Luka clearly wasn't going to catch the faster player going for the basket ahead of him--but you have to play like you want to try when you aren't a starter.

[exstatic]

Some people wonder why NFL players continue to run hard downfield on kickoffs when it is obvious that the ball is out of play... Because there is no loafing in football by mostly bench players who are part of the suicide kickoff team. Luka clearly wasn't going to catch the faster player going for the basket ahead of him--but you have to play like you want to try when you aren't a starter.

You have to do that ALL OF THE TIME if you’re playing for Pop or Thibs. It also wasn’t an isolated incident.

Sean related a story of an interaction with his college coach, Lute Olsen. Sean had been kind of drifting, and Lute pulled him aside and said:”when you don’t play hard, you’re not very good”. This was a home state Parade All American recruit who would go on to win the Wooden award. Lute said it because Sean needed to hear it.

[Mr. Body]

Some people wonder why NFL players continue to run hard downfield on kickoffs when it is obvious that the ball is out of play... Because there is no loafing in football by mostly bench players who are part of the suicide kickoff team. Luka clearly wasn't going to catch the faster player going for the basket ahead of him--but you have to play like you want to try when you aren't a starter.

You also never know what's going to happen. Last night one of the Spurs had a steal and blew the attempt. I think it was Keldon who was following.

[John B]

You have those millions ready for you just to play ball, all you gotta do is work out an be professional... but nah, I'm gonna be a lazy fuck full of myself.

But that’s exactly what it is for entitled players with full of athletic gifts. And Samanic was just one of the many “could have been” names IF only. Lyles was another borderline. Bigs with guard skills.

The problem with Samanic getting drafted was, that this management seemed to have been heavily relying more on the results of the Combine than ever. Primo and Weiskamp also did very well at the Combine, but who seem to be good characters. Samanic is the one who slipped.

[ZeusWillJudge]

Some people wonder why NFL players continue to run hard downfield on kickoffs when it is obvious that the ball is out of play... Because there is no loafing in football by mostly bench players who are part of the suicide kickoff team. Luka clearly wasn't going to catch the faster player going for the basket ahead of him--but you have to play like you want to try when you aren't a starter.


:pop: "We're paying you almost 3 million dollars to mostly sit and learn. At least give us 100% during the few minutes you are on the floor."


People can say what they want, but there were a lot of people here who talked about Sammich's lack of effort and attitude before that draft. I don't remember any of them questioning his talent level - just his willingness to work and compete. PATFO got this one wrong.

Somehow I don't think the Knicks dropped him because he went to clubs.

[Dex]

His motor sucked. Zero heart or desire to win. At least that’s how it came off. There were rumors his work ethic was shit. I remember the last straw being this play against Orlando where he just completely quit on the play. He was cut the next day. Wasted pick but whatever. PATFO took a swing at least, even if it was a miss. Just glad we got Keldon out of that draft.



oEzmD5EeMxo

Yeah, I don't think Luka was waived because this one play in particular, but it definitely seemed to be one of the straws that broke the camel's back. It was all just part of a pattern.

Bad attitude, bad work ethic, a seeming sense of entitlement...and the fact that nobody on the team really seemed to rally around him. This team always seems to try to build each other up, and Luka just didn't seem to fit in that fold....oh, and there is the fact that he just wasn't very good at NBA basketball.

Like I said in the other thread...if you can't even make it on the Knicks GLeague team, you probably don't have much of a future in this league.

[tim_duncan_fan]

Yeah, I don't think Luka was waived because this one play in particular, but it definitely seemed to be one of the straws that broke the camel's back. It was all just part of a pattern.

Bad attitude, bad work ethic, a seeming sense of entitlement...and the fact that nobody on the team really seemed to rally around him. This team always seems to try to build each other up, and Luka just didn't seem to fit in that fold....oh, and there is the fact that he just wasn't very good at NBA basketball.

Like I said in the other thread...if you can't even make it on the Knicks GLeague team, you probably don't have much of a future in this league.

I haven't seen any of this myself but I saw it said online once or twice that he is kinda conservative, and so this would align.

[jjspur]

Just for grins lets see where he ends up next year. Will he still be be the entitled, lazy, somewhat talented euro slacker or will he admit to himself that he messed up and try for the NBA again and hopefully get picked up by a club in need of a big man with some talent. I'm sure someone on this board will be tracking his career. Some players get lots of chances, but they usually have specific talents or have displayed real NBA level talent at some point in their career. The circumstances may not have been right and they get cut, but wasn't always for lack of talent or effort.
Lets see if the NBA gives him another chance or is he destined to go back to Europe.

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

Even in his draft profile on draft express they stated that he wouldn’t work as hard defensively if he didn’t get shots he thought he should have on offense while playing in Europe. That’s a big character flag right there and it definitely manifested itself his first g league season. Dude would visibly pout on the court when he didn’t get the ball on offense.

his second season in the G league he played a lot better and gave better effort all around but the offense was definitely geared more towards him. His basic counting stats were good but he wasn’t that efficient his second season in the g league also. I watched a lot of his g league games and I was rooting for us to actually draft him (I was hoping we would get him later in the draft though) the year we did.

I say all that to say this…… I was very disappointed with how this guy turned out but I can kinda understand why they cut him because it was kinda obvious he was some what entitled and thought he was better than he actually was. Some guys can’t accept that they aren’t the big dog anymore and that to stay in the NBA you might have to accept a role.

[RC_Drunkford]

Even in his draft profile on draft express they stated that he wouldn’t work as hard defensively if he didn’t get shots he thought he should have on offense while playing in Europe. That’s a big character flag right there and it definitely manifested itself his first g league season. Dude would visibly pout on the court when he didn’t get the ball on offense.

his second season in the G league he played a lot better and gave better effort all around but the offense was definitely geared more towards him. His basic counting stats were good but he wasn’t that efficient his second season in the g league also. I watched a lot of his g league games and I was rooting for us to actually draft him (I was hoping we would get him later in the draft though) the year we did.

I say all that to say this…… I was very disappointed with how this guy turned out but I can kinda understand why they cut him because it was kinda obvious he was some what entitled and thought he was better than he actually was. Some guys can’t accept that they aren’t the big dog anymore and that to stay in the NBA you might have to accept a role.

except Samanic was never a big dog, he was always garbage. I don't know what Pop and RC heard at that dinner they had with him to think otherwise. He flashed potential, but is clearly not an NBA player

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

except Samanic was never a big dog, he was always garbage. I don't know what Pop and RC heard at that dinner they had with him to think otherwise. He flashed potential, but is clearly not an NBA player

he won awards and such in different foreign leagues and he was one of the better players on the team he was on before being drafted by the SPURS.

So when I say big dog I’m not necessarily talking star but he was highly favored on a decent amount of the teams he played for in the past pecking order. With us he wasn’t high on the pecking order and he didn’t know how to adjust. We literally seen the scenario play out the season before in the G League. He didn’t play as hard on the team when Keldon was up in Austin with him. He has awful body language also his 1st season in Austin. His second season they ran the offense through him and he played was harder on both ends and his body language was a lot better also.

so yes, he wasn’t some star or can’t miss prospect but he was highly favored on a decent amount (especially his last team before being drafted) of the teams he played for while there.

[RC_Drunkford]

he won awards and such in different foreign leagues and he was one of the better players on the team he was on before being drafted by the SPURS.

So when I say big dog I’m not necessarily talking star but he was highly favored on a decent amount of the teams he played for in the past pecking order. With us he wasn’t high on the pecking order and he didn’t know how to adjust. We literally seen the scenario play out the season before in the G League. He didn’t play as hard on the team when Keldon was up in Austin with him. He has awful body language also his 1st season in Austin. His second season they ran the offense through him and he played was harder on both ends and his body language was a lot better also.

so yes, he wasn’t some star or can’t miss prospect but he was highly favored on a decent amount (especially his last team before being drafted) of the teams he played for while there.

he played in the 2nd league of Slovenia. Do you know how bad that is? For example Nikola Jovic plays in the merger league of all the top teams of former Yugoslavia, which is one of the best leagues in the world. Samanic's highest average in Slovenia's 2nd league was 8.6 PPG. Highschool players could average 20 there.

[Mr. Body]

Samanic had promising things about hm. He has a good frame and athleticism for that frame. He definitely had some skills - a good shooter, etc. Imagine him with even an ounce of work ethic or respect for the game. He'd be promising, really. He's just a surly malcontent who is stuck on himself.

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

he played in the 2nd league of Slovenia. Do you know how bad that is? For example Nikola Jovic plays in the merger league of all the top teams of former Yugoslavia, which is one of the best leagues in the world. Samanic's highest average in Slovenia's 2nd league was 8.6 PPG. Highschool players could average 20 there.

i think you’re totally miss understanding the premise of my posts. I thought I did a better job of explaining what I was trying to say with my initial response to you but obviously I did not.

I am basically saying that Samanic had a hard time not being one of the main players offensively because almost all of the teams he played for (no matter how good or bad the league was) in the past he was one of, if not the main guy. aka the BIG DOG…..

a lot of players have a hard time adjusting to becoming a role player and that is a huge reason why some talented players can never make or stay in the NBA for long.

[John B]

KBD playing much better than him helped Samanic packing

[exstatic]

KBD playing much better than him helped Samanic packing

I was pretty sure Sammich was in trouble when they converted KBDs second year from a 2Way to an NBA contract.

[jjspur]

KBD playing much better than him helped Samanic packing
KBD is a real pro. Even with is middling skillset, he always gives a total effort and does what Pop asks of him and then some - and doesn't complain. Pop really appreciates players who give 110% effort, that's why he is still on the team and Palooka Sandwich is probably headed back to a 2nd tier league in eastern Europe.

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

Keita Bates Diop I feel should’ve gotten more minutes than he actually did this season.

Like stated above by jjspur (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=52858), he always gives 110%. Is a solid defender, moves well off the ball on offense, and does what the coaching staff needs him to do.

[The Truth #6]

In retrospect, shouldn’t have picked him, obviously. Arguably, and paradoxically, should have played him more to try and save some semblance of value in a trade scenario, but that wasn’t happening. My point has always been that it was a shared failure and everyone wants to completely blame Luka. As Zeus suggested, his character issues weren’t a secret to NBA teams. Kind of funny that a team that prioritizes character would end up in this situation. Anyway, move on.

[RC_Drunkford]

i think you’re totally miss understanding the premise of my posts. I thought I did a better job of explaining what I was trying to say with my initial response to you but obviously I did not.

I am basically saying that Samanic had a hard time not being one of the main players offensively because almost all of the teams he played for (no matter how good or bad the league was) in the past he was one of, if not the main guy. aka the BIG DOG…..

a lot of players have a hard time adjusting to becoming a role player and that is a huge reason why some talented players can never make or stay in the NBA for long.

I totally understood that and I'm saying to you that he wasn't. He wasn't even a starter in the slovenian league and was 7th in PPG on that team. That's not a main offensive option. The only place where he was was in Austin

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

I totally understood that and I'm saying to you that he wasn't. He wasn't even a starter in the slovenian league and was 7th in PPG on that team. That's not a main offensive option. The only place where he was was in Austin


I looked at the minutes and shot attempts per game for Union Olympia his last year and I apologize and stand corrected. You are 100% correct.

[exstatic]

In retrospect, shouldn’t have picked him, obviously. Arguably, and paradoxically, should have played him more to try and save some semblance of value in a trade scenario, but that wasn’t happening. My point has always been that it was a shared failure and everyone wants to completely blame Luka. As Zeus suggested, his character issues weren’t a secret to NBA teams. Kind of funny that a team that prioritizes character would end up in this situation. Anyway, move on.

Hindsight is 20/20, and at his age, it’s hard to tell if the issues are maturity related, or bad personality. We found out.

At 19, it’s Not a bad thing to take a swing, even if you miss.

[RC_Drunkford]

I looked at the minutes and shot attempts per game for Union Olympia his last year and I apologize and stand corrected. You are 100% correct.

that's why I'm way more confident with Nikola Jovic. He puts up 11.8 PPG in one of the best leagues in Europe. It's just that his defense is questionable

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

that's why I'm way more confident with Nikola Jovic. He puts up 11.8 PPG in one of the best leagues in Europe. It's just that his defense is questionable


i like him with one of our later 1st also.

He played well in the under 19 tournament also. His shooting splits this season started off bad but he has slowly brought them back up

he plays more like a 3 than a 4 though. I like his game but I wonder how it will translate.

[NickiRasgo]

Nikola Jovic is the one I wanted for the Raptors pick if still available but this pick (Luka Samanic), is still traumatic and there's a chance that it might be a meme again:

"We want a Luka/Nikola (pertains to Donkic and Jokic) at home"
"We already have a Luka/Nikola at home"
"The Luka/Nikola at home"

And Spurs are probably quite hesitant to draft another international players for the meantime esp. they're aren't hitting a lotto anymore. Quite surprising that the last international player they drafted who panned out is Goran Dragic and they traded him then there's Adam Hanga, Livio Jean-Charles, Nikola Milutinov and Luka Samanic.

To be fair with Nikola Jovic comparing how he plays in the videos I've watched is that he's way better and looks stud compared to Luka Samanic. He has the potential to be a great player in the NBA as long as he has the attitude and work-ethic to help himself. His weaknesses are not that bad.

[RC_Drunkford]

Nikola Jovic is the one I wanted for the Raptors pick if still available but this pick (Luka Samanic), is still traumatic and there's a chance that it might be a meme again:

"We want a Luka/Nikola (pertains to Donkic and Jokic) at home"
"We already have a Luka/Nikola at home"
"The Luka/Nikola at home"

And Spurs are probably quite hesitant to draft another international players for the meantime esp. they're aren't hitting a lotto anymore. Quite surprising that the last international player they drafted who panned out is Goran Dragic and they traded him then there's Adam Hanga, Livio Jean-Charles, Nikola Milutinov and Luka Samanic.

To be fair with Nikola Jovic comparing how he plays in the videos I've watched is that he's way better and looks stud compared to Luka Samanic. He has the potential to be a great player in the NBA as long as he has the attitude and work-ethic to help himself. His weaknesses are not that bad.


He plays in a league that's totally different from where Samanic played. Slovenia has at best the 3rd best league in the balkans and he came off the bench in the 2nd league. Jovic is a starter in a merger league with all the top teams from the balkans. That's like 3 levels above of where Luka played.

[NickiRasgo]

He plays in a league that's totally different from where Samanic played. Slovenia has at best the 3rd best league in the balkans and he came off the bench in the 2nd league. Jovic is a starter in a merger league with all the top teams from the balkans. That's like 3 levels above of where Luka played.

Thanks for sharing. I guess Spurs did a poor job scouting him - relied mostly for his tools and potential.

But I guess, Jovic will be gone by 15-18th range.

[Seventyniner]

It's a lot easier to take a big gamble at 21 when you also have the 9th and 24th picks, for example.

The Spurs had #29 in the same draft as Samanic, which imo gave them a reason to take a flier at #19. Keldon has been a fantastic fallback pick.

[ZeusWillJudge]

Just for grins lets see where he ends up next year. Will he still be be the entitled, lazy, somewhat talented euro slacker or will he admit to himself that he messed up and try for the NBA again and hopefully get picked up by a club in need of a big man with some talent. I'm sure someone on this board will be tracking his career. Some players get lots of chances, but they usually have specific talents or have displayed real NBA level talent at some point in their career. The circumstances may not have been right and they get cut, but wasn't always for lack of talent or effort.
Lets see if the NBA gives him another chance or is he destined to go back to Europe.


It's pretty unusual for a team not to exercise the 4th year of a rookie contract - especially one drafted as high as Samanic. It's really rare to see one just let go after two seasons, and the team eat the third year of his salary. Outside of some terrible injury, I can't remember seeing it happen. I'm sure it has, and someone here can probably dig one up. But it's really unusual, and you have to really want to get rid of a guy to do that.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

It's pretty unusual for a team not to exercise the 4th year of a rookie contract - especially one drafted as high as Samanic. It's really rare to see one just let go after two seasons, and the team eat the third year of his salary. Outside of some terrible injury, I can't remember seeing it happen. I'm sure it has, and someone here can probably dig one up. But it's really unusual, and you have to really want to get rid of a guy to do that.

Not that unusual, happened with Jalen Smith last season and from Samanic's draft there were Sekou Doumboya, Kabengele and Kevin Porter Jr.

[exstatic]

Not that unusual, happened with Jalen Smith last season and from Samanic's draft there were Sekou Doumboya, Kabengele and Kevin Porter Jr.

I don’t believe that any of those teams ate salary AFTER picking up an option the previous fall. Simply not picking up an option isn’t all that uncommon. The Spurs were one of the first I remember to do that with 2010 #20 pick James Anderson.

KPJ was just essentially salary dumped by Cleveland for a SRP for being a fucking psycho. He’s still progressing on his rookie deal in Houston.

[KingKev]

How is a Luka thread still at the top of Spurstalk?

somebody bump the Scola thread pls. Would be more interesting chit chat at this point.

[ZeusWillJudge]

/
I don’t believe that any of those teams ate salary AFTER picking up an option the previous fall. Simply not picking up an option isn’t all that uncommon. The Spurs were one of the first I remember to do that with 2010 #20 pick James Anderson.

KPJ was just essentially salary dumped by Cleveland for a SRP for being a fucking psycho. He’s still progressing on his rookie deal in Houston.


C'mon folks. John Salmons was let go because he had some mental issues. And I mentioned injuries - James Anderson had that really bad injury, and was never the same so they let him go.

I was pretty clearly talking about guys that had been part of a team, but then just dumped. I never said that not picking up an option doesn't happen, but it is uncommon and it shows that the team has totally lost faith in the guy. But dumping him and eating his salary for the year? That's not something you see often.

Dumping Samanic the way the Spurs did was a pretty clear statement. "We'd rather have the roster spot for pretty much anyone but you."




How is a Luka thread still at the top of Spurstalk?


It's becasue we're coming up to the draft before you know it. Samanic was sort of a notorious draft topic in SpursLand.

[Uriel]

1514265044187590664
Seeing things like this actually make me feel bad for Samanic. The guy is only 22 years old and was actually dominating the G-League for the Knicks before he got injured.

Now he’s out of the NBA and probably spiraling into depression.

[KingKev]

1514265044187590664
Seeing things like this actually make me feel bad for Samanic. The guy is only 22 years old and was actually dominating the G-League for the Knicks before he got injured.

Now he’s out of the NBA and probably spiraling into depression.

Made 10m’s. I don’t feel bad for him.

[poopbox]

RC's last final fuck you to the spurs before turning GM duties over to Brian Sometimes Wright tbh

[Mr. Body]

1514265044187590664
Seeing things like this actually make me feel bad for Samanic. The guy is only 22 years old and was actually dominating the G-League for the Knicks before he got injured.

Now he’s out of the NBA and probably spiraling into depression.

Dude would have gotten scads of playing time at PF if he only moved his ass in San Antonio. I'd rather feel bad for single mothers or the women who will have to take rapists' babies to term in fucking Oklahoma because of GOP freaks.

[Dejounte]

RC's last final fuck you to the spurs before turning GM duties over to Brian Sometimes Wright tbh

this made me spit my drink

from Wrong to Sometimes Wright. That’s a good one

[Seventyniner]

I guess Brian "Two Wrongs Make A" Wright would have been more popular last summer.

[timtonymanu]

Don’t feel sorry for him at all. Doesn’t seem like he has any self awareness either.

[Sugus]

1514265044187590664
Seeing things like this actually make me feel bad for Samanic. The guy is only 22 years old and was actually dominating the G-League for the Knicks before he got injured.

Now he’s out of the NBA and probably spiraling into depression.

Ooof, so he's that kinda person, huh..... Yuck. Embarrassing to know he donned a Spurs jersey once and we (well, some of us I guess) rooted for him. What a way to shoot your career in the foot, and on top of that, act like you're not to blame for it? Like others are the problem? Jesus.

It was a good gamble, Luka had all the tools... He just needed to grow the fuck up and use them. Looks like that still isn't the case, and who knows if it ever will be. I don't feel a tad bit sorry for him; he'll probably feel the most sorry for his own self when he's 30+ years old, and realizes the full extent of his decisions.

[8FOR!3]

I don't get it. He's depressed bc he's allergic to hard work?

[baseline bum]

Made 10m’s. I don’t feel bad for him.

Thankfully it was only $8.47 million total, actually lower probably since no way the owners didn't keep the escrow account in 2019-20 and 2020-21.

[offset formation]

Dude would have gotten scads of playing time at PF if he only moved his ass in San Antonio. I'd rather feel bad for single mothers or the women who will have to take rapists' babies to term in fucking Oklahoma because of GOP freaks.

Oklahoma? You mean texas right? We're the ones with the backass and barbaric heartbeat bill.

[rascal]

Going back and seeing how many Spur fans liked this bust of a pick.

[SAGirl]

He had some hard core fans defending him but the alarms were ringin since his second season for me. I am waiting for next year to see what Primo has.

[Mr. Body]

Oklahoma? You mean texas right? We're the ones with the backass and barbaric heartbeat bill.

Oklahoma has banned abortion, too. Florida, Idaho, other red states are making the big push, too.

[dbestpro]

Oklahoma has banned abortion, too. Florida, Idaho, other red states are making the big push, too.
One third of the black population has been eliminated due to abortion. Just something to mull over.

[jjspur]

Luca Semanic was a wasted pick. Every NBA team has done that at least once if not many times. Lets learn from our mistakes of the past and move forward instead. Forget Palooka Sammich and move on. Thank god we drafted Keldon Johnson in that same draft.

[PhantomDashCam]

https://sports.yahoo.com/report-boston-celtics-sign-luka-221345341.html

Report: Boston Celtics to sign Luka Samanic to training camp deal

[Maddog]

Luca Semanic was a wasted pick. Every NBA team has done that at least once if not many times. Lets learn from our mistakes of the past and move forward instead. Forget Palooka Sammich and move on. Thank god we drafted Keldon Johnson in that same draft.

I think the Spurs have learned from it.
The three first round picks all seem to have very competitive personalities. Unlike Luka and even Lonnie to a lesser degree.

[Mr. Body]

Celtics have cut Samanic. He's only 22 but I'd think his NBA career is over.

[John B]

Celtics have cut Samanic. He's only 22 but I'd think his NBA career is over.

I didn’t even know he got picked-up by the Celtics. Maybe they asked Derrick in giving him a shot?

He’s expected to play for Maine Celtics in the G-League. I wonder what his problem. He obviously has bball skills. But just personality issue I guess?

[stephen jackson]

He has no bball skills