Should have kept Samanic, anyone disagree?

[SayTown]

1468374034752622596

Pop always has kind words to say about players to the media, he's even defended Kawhi and told fans not to boo him but who knows what he really thinks. The type of player Pop is describing in this quote doesn't sound like the type of player you cut, it makes no sense.

[exstatic]

Pop always has kind words to say about players to the media, he's even defended Kawhi and told fans not to boo him but who knows what he really thinks. The type of player Pop is describing in this quote doesn't sound like the type of player you cut, it makes no sense.

Pop never throws anyone under the bus, even if they deserve it.

[ChumpDumper]

Pop always has kind words to say about players to the media, he's even defended Kawhi and told fans not to boo him but who knows what he really thinks. The type of player Pop is describing in this quote doesn't sound like the type of player you cut, it makes no sense.
Nothing Pop said wasn't true. Sammich has to do these things to make it in the NBA.

[offset formation]

Just like you get dick shoved down your throat for years to cum. Fucking faggit.

sick retort. literally. seek help for your homophobia.

better yet, why don't you come out of the closet already to your friends and family. Will lighten that burden you're carrying that's making you so angry.

[offset formation]

You need to find a new team if you get excited by gleague post dunk flexes.

ok, arbiter of my spursfandom. I want pop to face the consequences of misplaying the kid.

explain how someone gets the following thing (without actually looking it up) said about them: "he's coming along. he's playing good defense and making good defensive rotations and earning some more minutes for himself."

To then quite literally not touching the court for about 1 month afterwards, and then only for total garbage minutes...think I recall the first time being like 39 seconds.

You dick around with a young kid's confidence, then I'm gonna root for that kid to make you look like an egotistical fool. I'm sick of pop's shit on multiple fronts.

[widowmaker]

sick retort. literally. seek help for your homophobia.

better yet, why don't you come out of the closet already to your friends and family. Will lighten that burden you're carrying that's making you so angry.


Lol

[Chinook]

I really wish people would stop overrating the d-league. Any player on the Spurs roster would be a d-league star. Sam isn't a rookie. He has NBA talent and two years of NBA training. He damned sure dominate. But people should get used to seeing guys like him that have talent get cut or dumped only to show some potential elsewhere. The Spurs are pretty loaded with prospects already and have at least three picks in this next draft (more if they move Young for another 22 pick). Guys are going to get cut, and everyone on the roster has shown SOMETHING at this point except maybe Wieskamp who still looks like a decent prospect. The Spurs don't have shit picks anymore. They don't have to gamble on upside nearly as much as they used to, and potential isn't going to be a stopping factor for them going forward.

[rjv]

yeah, i've said the same about luka's performances as of late; he is doing what he should be doing given his experience in that league. but i've lost count of the number of players, on various g-league teams, that have looked great in that league only to never, ever see those players have any degree of success in the NBA. so saying that luka is 'dominating' the g-league is not saying anything more than that.

[exstatic]

ok, arbiter of my spursfandom. I want pop to face the consequences of misplaying the kid.

explain how someone gets the following thing (without actually looking it up) said about them: "he's coming along. he's playing good defense and making good defensive rotations and earning some more minutes for himself."

To then quite literally not touching the court for about 1 month afterwards, and then only for total garbage minutes...think I recall the first time being like 39 seconds.

You dick around with a young kid's confidence, then I'm gonna root for that kid to make you look like an egotistical fool. I'm sick of pop's shit on multiple fronts.

Pop never throws anyone under the bus, even if they deserve it. How long have you even been following SA that you don’t know this? I can’t ever remember him saying negative stuff about specific players. We see who’s underperforming, but Pop will just say something like the effort wasn’t there, or the defense wasn’t very good, or WE didn’t compete. He learned that lesson about 25 years ago, when the players went to him asking him to fire Bob Hill, because he did the opposite, constantly calling out players in the media for losses, but taking credit for wins.

Here’s one thing I can guarantee you: Pop never failed to tell Luka where he was coming up short, and exactly what he needed to do to earn playing time. He didn’t tell HIM everything was fine, and he was doing well. I’m guessing there was some yelling and shouting in his office on multiple occasions, to the point where he just realized Luka was never going to get it.

[talkspurs]

I could be wrong, but probably not. A #19 overall pick from 2 years ago hit the FA market last summer, and only one team had any interest, and that was a 2Way. In addition to Pop and myself, are those other 28 GMs wrong, too? Are you smarter than them, too? Is the NY FO and coaching staff wrong? I mean, he’s tearing up the gleague, and Wieskamp, one of our 2ways, has spent more time on our roster and on an NBA court than Sammich has is NY, which is zero.

When he was released most teams already had their rosters so there probably not much left except for 2 ways. they would have had to cut someone else. NY has some good bigs unlike us. It would be like saying why is primo not getting playing time. (yes I realize he has played more then luka). There also have been many players that have been dropped by teams/ undrafted and then had good careers. Danny gree, Jackson, Whiteside to name a few.

[offset formation]

yeah, i've said the same about luka's performances as of late; he is doing what he should be doing given his experience in that league. but i've lost count of the number of players, on various g-league teams, that have looked great in that league only to never, ever see those players have any degree of success in the NBA. so saying that luka is 'dominating' the g-league is not saying anything more than that.

right, but it's all you can do though. I mean it's certainly advantageous to not dominating, right)?

[offset formation]

Pop never throws anyone under the bus, even if they deserve it. How long have you even been following SA that you don’t know this? I can’t ever remember him saying negative stuff about specific players. We see who’s underperforming, but Pop will just say something like the effort wasn’t there, or the defense wasn’t very good, or WE didn’t compete. He learned that lesson about 25 years ago, when the players went to him asking him to fire Bob Hill, because he did the opposite, constantly calling out players in the media for losses, but taking credit for wins.

Here’s one thing I can guarantee you: Pop never failed to tell Luka where he was coming up short, and exactly what he needed to do to earn playing time. He didn’t tell HIM everything was fine, and he was doing well. I’m guessing there was some yelling and shouting in his office on multiple occasions, to the point where he just realized Luka was never going to get it.

The cool thing is I could go back and tell you the exact day and time I became a Spurs fan were I so inclined to go look it up.

It was after the Spurs drafted DRob. My aunt wanted to go down to the Riverwalk and see all the Christmas lights, so we all did one night, and it just so happens they had DRob in one of the boats. I think it was around the Texas Sesquicentenial in 1986 or therabouts. Think maybe he had yet to start his military obligations with the Navy or something and he was set to go away for a few years and you could sense the excitementin the crowd for this legend in waiting to suit them up for the local fans. I was like 10 or so probably. I didn't even know I was a Spurs fan until that night and I saw how big he was, and he waved back at me. You could say THAT was the precise moment. So to answer your question, about 36 or 37 yrs. And pop not throwing a kid under a bus has zero corollary to heaping praise on him for his recent play, at that time, last season. Then forgetting he even existed for a month. That shit is wrong and is bound to make a young international kid become schizophrenic.

[exstatic]

The cool thing is I could go back and tell you the exact day and time I became a Spurs fan were I so inclined to go look it up.

It was after the Spurs drafted DRob. My aunt wanted to go down to the Riverwalk and see all the Christmas lights, so we all did one night, and it just so happens they had DRob in one of the boats. I think it was around the Texas Sesquicentenial in 1986 or therabouts. Think maybe he had yet to start his military obligations with the Navy or something and he was set to go away for a few years and you could sense the excitementin the crowd for this legend in waiting to suit them up for the local fans. I was like 10 or so probably. I didn't even know I was a Spurs fan until that night and I saw how big he was, and he waved back at me. You could say THAT was the precise moment. So to answer your question, about 36 or 37 yrs. And pop not throwing a kid under a bus has zero corollary to heaping praise on him for his recent play, at that time, last season. Then forgetting he even existed for a month. That shit is wrong and is bound to make a young international kid become schizophrenic.

He just heaped praise on him to the NY media. Do you think he meant it, any more than he did last year? Nope. Even being noncommittal would be something he wouldn’t do. That could be taken as shade, throwing him under the bus.

Why hasn’t he gotten a call up? Jerricho Simms, their other 2Way, has played in 8 games, about 7 minutes per contest. He’s not spent one minute with the Westchester affiliate. He’s only averaging like 1p and 2r, but their coaching staff prefers him to Samanic, who’s currently destroying the gleague. Is NY misusing him, too?

[rjv]

dude can't catch a break. he finally would have had an opportunity to see what he can offer the knicks with real minutes, due to all the players out because of COVID protocol. but he's out with a "sore foot".

[Leetonidas]

Has he done anything of note in an actual NBA game yet? No? :sleep

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

On the other hand one could assume by default the knicks franchise is doing the exact wrong thing with all of their players including luka jr

[exstatic]

On the other hand one could assume by default the knicks franchise is doing the exact wrong thing with all of their players including luka jr

Or, maybe all of the NBA franchises who come in contact with him AREN’T wrong, and a bunch of interweb jockeys ARE.

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

Or, maybe all of the NBA franchises who come in contact with him AREN’T wrong, and a bunch of interweb jockeys ARE.

It could be both

[CGD]

I get the impression he was one of those tall kids growing up and he got pushed into bball even though he didnt want it. We’ve seen many 6’10 and over players like that: tall, decent talent, but no heart.

[exstatic]

It could be both

Not likely, since the internet jockeys seem to think he’s being held down, and the teams don’t seem interested in giving him much time for reasons. I doubt THEY think they’re holding him down, more like he hasn’t earned it. Opposites. Not both true.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I sat behind him at a Spurs game his rookie year and he was wearing $1K shoes and no socks. They were literally blue suede shoes. I laughed a little and thought of Elvis. Then I ordered a beer and watched the rest of the game. We lost. I think I had a burger later that night, and went to bed after watching the late news.

Yep. That happened. True story.

[offset formation]

I sat behind him at a Spurs game his rookie year and he was wearing $1K shoes and no socks. They were literally blue suede shoes. I laughed a little and thought of Elvis. Then I ordered a beer and watched the rest of the game. We lost. I think I had a burger later that night, and went to bed after watching the late news.

Yep. That happened. True story.

youve got a future in storytelling.

[tonight...you]

I sat behind him at a Spurs game his rookie year and he was wearing $1K shoes and no socks. They were literally blue suede shoes. I laughed a little and thought of Elvis. Then I ordered a beer and watched the rest of the game. We lost. I think I had a burger later that night, and went to bed after watching the late news.

Yep. That happened. True story.
But did you step on them?

[MannyIsGod]

So which NBA team will Luka be tearing it up for this year?

[Mr. Body]

So which NBA team will Luka be tearing it up for this year?

How many NBA teams are in Serbia?

[exstatic]

How many NBA teams are in Serbia?

He’s not good enough for the Serbian league. Back to the piss ant Adriatic for him.

[rjv]

luka is such a lost cause that there isn't even any kind of news about him that is less than six months old.

[Leetonidas]

:lol the posters who thought Pop was the reason he sucked

[John B]

Such a waste of physical talent and at only 22! The guy could be making millions.

[RC_Drunkford]

He’s not good enough for the Serbian league. Back to the piss ant Adriatic for him.

He never played in the Adriatic league. He ain't good enough for that league either

[KingKev]

Can we all agree PATFO dropped the ball here?

[exstatic]

Can we all agree PATFO dropped the ball here?

No. When you draft for upside, you’re going to whiff on some of them. If you’re not failing on occasion, you’re not drafting aggressively enough. It’s not a mistake to fail occasionally. It’s a mistake to never fail.

[Texas_Ranger]

I see lots of morons here. He played in the Adriatic league a seasone before he got here. He wasn't that good. Also, Serbian clubs play in the Adriatic league, but he was part of a Slovenian club Olimpija, where both Green and Baynes played. As for his future, who knows. He can play in Croatia, but he will not get any offers from top clubs in the Adriatic league, cause he's still not good enough, just as he never was. Whoever is responsible for drafting this loser should never work in basketball again.
If Spurs need a scout for the Adriatic league, you can contact me, i'll give u more useful info than your employees are giving you.

[KingKev]

No. When you draft for upside, you’re going to whiff on some of them. If you’re not failing on occasion, you’re not drafting aggressively enough. It’s not a mistake to fail occasionally. It’s a mistake to never fail.

I’m not mad at the pick and understand the strategy at the time but it was a fail.

[RC_Drunkford]

No. When you draft for upside, you’re going to whiff on some of them. If you’re not failing on occasion, you’re not drafting aggressively enough. It’s not a mistake to fail occasionally. It’s a mistake to never fail.

yes they did. There is no upside to a kid playing in the 2nd league of Slovenia. That's such low competition and he wasn't even a starter there. I have no clue how they thought he might be an NBA player. They overvalued the combine scrimmages like crazy

[Texas_Ranger]

yes they did. There is no upside to a kid playing in the 2nd league of Slovenia. That's such low competition and he wasn't even a starter there. I have no clue how they thought he might be an NBA player. They overvalued the combine scrimmages like crazy

just stop talking if you don't know what the fuck you re talking about.

[baseline bum]

Such a waste of physical talent and at only 22! The guy could be making millions.

If the guy had any motor whatsoever. I mean this is a league where Lonnie Walker is making $6.3 million this year.

[John B]

No. When you draft for upside, you’re going to whiff on some of them. If you’re not failing on occasion, you’re not drafting aggressively enough. It’s not a mistake to fail occasionally. It’s a mistake to never fail.

I don't agree. This was a character issue (or lack thereof) that PATFO was very good at evaluating in the past. I think PATFO overlooked and got fixated with Luka's freakish ability as mobile big on this case. Lately this management has focused on the prospects' workout at the Combine. Primo, Weiskamp and Barlow at the latest. While I think all 3 are good strong characters, so far.

[exstatic]

yes they did. There is no upside to a kid playing in the 2nd league of Slovenia. That's such low competition and he wasn't even a starter there. I have no clue how they thought he might be an NBA player. They overvalued the combine scrimmages like crazy

Here’s the 411. He didn’t fail for basketball reasons. He failed for attitude reasons. He thought he was a lot better than he actually was, and was lazy on defense. His skill set was pretty high level.

I’ll grant you that they didn’t do their usual thorough personal background check, if you’ll grant that it’s important to do so. So many here on ST think culture/character isn’t important, but if you don’t have it, you wind up with more Samanics.

[RC_Drunkford]

Here’s the 411. He didn’t fail for basketball reasons. He failed for attitude reasons. He thought he was a lot better than he actually was, and was lazy on defense. His skill set was pretty high level.

I’ll grant you that they didn’t do their usual thorough personal background check, if you’ll grant that it’s important to do so. So many here on ST think culture/character isn’t important, but if you don’t have it, you wind up with more Samanics.

True. He showed some nice flashes and Pop had dinner with him. They knew that about him though, they were just banking on him to change. His motor was always an issue, a main part of his scouting profile. I guess they just thought he'll work harder.

[offset formation]

Can we all agree PATFO dropped the ball here?

Kid never got a fair shot imo. He looked really good in a few games he played (and that was the concensus on this board), was praised by Pop, then summarily benched.

I doubt he would have amounted to much in the end, but he certainly never did with pop's clear inconsistent messaging. The thing about Luka is that he's a clear cut confidence player that builds on prior performance. When he played well, only to remain on the bench, it was just too much for him.

He would have benefitted from getting the same amount of minutes and pats on the butt that Primo had last year and to have been labeled the SF of the future theway PATFO has treated Primo despite putting up the 3rd worst PER in the NBA last year.

The difference in their situations couldn't be more stark.

[Leetonidas]

I think he got plenty of shots. Every time he played he was underwhelming. He had like 1 or 2 decent games and that was it :lol

NBA teams will sign a dude if he has talent regardless of his attitude. The fact that this bum is unemployed is very telling. His basketball potential that people were drooling over is all theoretical based on him being tall and a fluid athlete. Fact is he sucks and its compounded by the fact he has a shit attitude. Pop didn't ruin him, he fucked himself by being a lazy worker with a bad attitude

[scott]

I don't agree. This was a character issue (or lack thereof) that PATFO was very good at evaluating in the past. I think PATFO overlooked and got fixated with Luka's freakish ability as mobile big on this case. Lately this management has focused on the prospects' workout at the Combine. Primo, Weiskamp and Barlow at the latest. While I think all 3 are good strong characters, so far.

Conversely, this year's picks seemed to go against the combine narrative. Branham and Wesley were very productive freshman at OSU and ND. Oddly, Sochan was the least productive of the 3 in college, but its not like he was a late combine riser either. We picked him near where he was penciled to go for months.

[John B]

Conversely, this year's picks seemed to go against the combine narrative. Branham and Wesley were very productive freshman at OSU and ND. Oddly, Sochan was the least productive of the 3 in college, but its not like he was a late combine riser either. We picked him near where he was penciled to go for months.

Nah I was talking about Barlow on this year’s draft. Sochan, Brahnam, Wesley are all need basis imo with great upsides. All addressing positional need and all 19 yrs old and make most of Spurs developing them early. But Barlow scored 17 pts at the scrimmage and at 6’10 and 7’3” wingspan, it’s remarkable no other team picked him at 2nd round (I really think he deserves early 2nd round or even late 1st), great mobile stretch project at only 19!

Anyway, I think that’s what BW saw with Samanic, and modern mobile big who can stretch the floor is a high demand that Spurs didn’t have and still trying to get, and they overlooked his lack of competitive character.

[exstatic]

Conversely, this year's picks seemed to go against the combine narrative. Branham and Wesley were very productive freshman at OSU and ND. Oddly, Sochan was the least productive of the 3 in college, but its not like he was a late combine riser either. We picked him near where he was penciled to go for months.

I think it was more a “combine performance out of nowhere” narrative. Both Sammich and Primo were relative unknowns heading into the combine.

[Dex]

From what I've gathered in this thread...if Pop and the FO don't get it right every single time, they are an absolute disgrace and should retire immediately.

Don't worry about all of the talent they've dragged out of the gutter of the NBA draft and turned into good (if not great) players. That doesn't matter.

But Samanic, man....that was just a damning mistake that should haunt them for the rest of their days. I'm surprised they haven't been hung, drawn, and quartered tbh

[GAustex]

Would have helped the tank

[tonight...you]

From what I've gathered in this thread...if Pop and the FO don't get it right every single time, they are an absolute disgrace and should retire immediately.

Don't worry about all of the talent they've dragged out of the gutter of the NBA draft and turned into good (if not great) players. That doesn't matter.

But Samanic, man....that was just a damning mistake that should haunt them for the rest of their days. I'm surprised they haven't been hung, drawn, and quartered tbh
Give them the Blood Eagle, but then memorialize their accomplishments.
It's the only right thing to do.

[OldMan88]

Sadly the kid was a quitter. Never had a shot at working his way up from loser to winner because he just quit every time he made a mistake instead of trying harder.

[Uriel]

He was dominating the G-League for the Knicks before he got hurt. He's only 22. The talent is still there. I'm guessing the reason no one wants to take a chance on him is because of his character red flags.

[Atl Spur]

It happens….. move along. It’s been a TON of draft misses higher than him :)

[Maddog]

If the guy had any motor whatsoever. I mean this is a league where Lonnie Walker is making $6.3 million this year.


True. He showed some nice flashes and Pop had dinner with him. They knew that about him though, they were just banking on him to change. His motor was always an issue, a main part of his scouting profile. I guess they just thought he'll work harder.

Whether a change in strategy or just coincidence, the players chosen this year all have a very strong competitive streak. None where highly ranked coming into college (or potentially in Barlow's case).

[jjspur]

Whether a change in strategy or just coincidence, the players chosen this year all have a very strong competitive streak. None where highly ranked coming into college (or potentially in Barlow's case).

Hopefully that shows the spurs have learned something from their previous mistakes.

[MultiTroll]

Is Samanic out of basketball?

[Leetonidas]

Is Samanic out of basketball?

For now, didn't play a single game in the NBA last year and hasnt been signed to any pro team at all thus far

[wildbill2u]

Too bad. All that potential and financial opportunity gone to waste. What is he thinking> Maybe he wants to be a Serbian/English translator or a tourist guide for Americans back in his hometown.

[RC_Drunkford]

I doubt that a Croatian wants to be a Serbian tourist guide. But of course Americans with the IQ of a flatbread would think it‘s the same thing

[offset formation]

For now, didn't play a single game in the NBA last year and hasnt been signed to any pro team at all thus far

He was with the Knicks Gleague and was amongst their top scorers in the few games he played in until he was injured. As I recall he dropped 28 or something a couple games before getting injured.

[Leetonidas]

He was with the Knicks Gleague and was amongst their top scorers in the few games he played in until he was injured. As I recall he dropped 28 or something a couple games before getting injured.

He played in 7 games after signing a two-way contract with NY. Had his sore heel issue and then was waived in March after not playing since December. Dude missed the entire season with a "sore heel" :lol doesnt sound like it required surgery or anything.

if you look at their G league stats, despite having the best looking boxscore stats he never led in any of the relevant advanced stats. the fact that he had a sore heel in december, waived in march, and hasnt been signed anywhere is telling. dropping 28 points in the Gleague isnt that impressive imo (Quindary Weatherspoon averaged 25/6/4 on 51% shooting last year in the Gleague for reference :lol )

[offset formation]

He played in 7 games after signing a two-way contract with NY. Had his sore heel issue and then was waived in March after not playing since December. Dude missed the entire season with a "sore heel" :lol doesnt sound like it required surgery or anything.

if you look at their G league stats, despite having the best looking boxscore stats he never led in any of the relevant advanced stats. the fact that he had a sore heel in december, waived in march, and hasnt been signed anywhere is telling. dropping 28 points in the Gleague isnt that impressive imo (Quindary Weatherspoon averaged 25/6/4 on 51% shooting last year in the Gleague for reference :lol )

Is Samanic a different player with minutes and Pop's confidence, like Primo is getting, despite shifting the bed?

They should have known they were drafting a kid that didn't respond well to the kind of coaching that Pop (and Thibs) employs. And they should have stayed away from him if they were not able to build him in a similar way as they are with Primo. His motor ticks differently than most. He shuts down when critiqued. But he showed enough last year before being cut to at least get the minutes that Primo got. Then reassess after giving him the chance to show what he's got playing with confidence.

As for QW, Pop drafted him and Kerr has in essence done the same. He's a marginal NBA player. And maybe Samanic would have been too, but we won't know now as he's completely trashed mentally, which is a shame for someone with his ceiling.

[Leetonidas]

Is Samanic a different player with minutes and Pop's confidence, like Primo is getting, despite shifting the bed?

They should have known they were drafting a kid that didn't respond well to the kind of coaching that Pop (and Thibs) employs. And they should have stayed away from him if they were not able to build him in a similar way as they are with Primo. His motor ticks differently than most. He shuts down when critiqued. But he showed enough last year before being cut to at least get the minutes that Primo got. Then reassess after giving him the chance to show what he's got playing with confidence.

As for QW, Pop drafted him and Kerr has in essence done the same. He's a marginal NBA player. And maybe Samanic would have been too, but we won't know now as he's completely trashed mentally, which is a shame for someone with his ceiling.

Disagree man. If his motor shuts down when hes critiqued then he was never made for professional sports and his ceiling was always gonna be low

[John B]

It must be off-season when ST posters are talking about Samanic who’s been long gone :wakeup:wakeup:deadhorse

[rjv]

It must be off-season when ST posters are talking about Samanic who’s been long gone :wakeup:wakeup:deadhorse

lol. i was about to post a similar comment. i mean, why in the hell are we wasting bandwidth on samanic?

[timtonymanu]

Not often people wear my birthday number and of course it was this loser :lol

[MultiTroll]

Will be interesting to see if he returns to pro hoop.
Surely nothing else he knows is going to pay anywhere near the NBA.
But some of those foreign bb gigs are dreamy.

[Big Empty]

I bought 10 rated prizm cards of him early on Lmao im more retarded than our front office

[dbestpro]

We are tanking so yes this would be the good time to give him 20 minutes a game.

[offset formation]

We are tanking so yes this would be the good time to give him 20 minutes a game.

We've been tanking for 4 years. He easily could have been given minutes his last year, like Primo was last season.

I'll die on this hill.

Pop praised him post game when he gave him like 10-15 minutes one game. His effort, aggression, and defensive intensity were awesome. This board reacted that we'd finally seen the coming out party for him. What happened next? He didn't play again for like 3+ weeks and it was as a last 45 second replacement sub. That shit is insulting to a player/person like Luka that thrived on building confidence. He's a confidence player. Pop for whatever reason benched his ass rather than let him play and make mistakes like Primo did in spades last year.

It's infuriating we never got to see Luka at full run for 20-25 minutes while getting pats on the back. In an alternate universe, that Luka is putting up 17ppg and playing stellar defense. In this one, he'll become the next leader of a paramilitary in Slovenia.

[exstatic]

We've been tanking for 4 years. He easily could have been given minutes his last year, like Primo was last season.

I'll die on this hill.

Pop praised him post game when he gave him like 10-15 minutes one game. His effort, aggression, and defensive intensity were awesome. This board reacted that we'd finally seen the coming out party for him. What happened next? He didn't play again for like 3+ weeks and it was as a last 45 second replacement sub. That shit is insulting to a player/person like Luka that thrived on building confidence. He's a confidence player. Pop for whatever reason benched his ass rather than let him play and make mistakes like Primo did in spades last year.

It's infuriating we never got to see Luka at full run for 20-25 minutes while getting pats on the back. In an alternate universe, that Luka is putting up 17ppg and playing stellar defense. In this one, he'll become the next leader of a paramilitary in Slovenia.

Why should he get 25 minutes, and pats on the back? He’s a lazy ass, with a shit attitude, and he’s likely blown his NBA chance. No one claimed him off waivers. One team offered him a 2 way. You people need to start understanding that Luka is out of the league because of Luka, not Pop. You don’t reward shitty attitude and effort with 25 minutes, and pats on the head. That’s positive reenforcement of shitty behavior.

[GAustex]

Yep poop has proven he can do no wrong
when he has Duncan to ride coat tails

Since then well not so much

It is unlikely but not out of the realm of possibility that poop messed up Luka

I still think it was political differences

[offset formation]

Why should he get 25 minutes, and pats on the back? He’s a lazy ass, with a shit attitude, and he’s likely blown his NBA chance. No one claimed him off waivers. One team offered him a 2 way. You people need to start understanding that Luka is out of the league because of Luka, not Pop. You don’t reward shitty attitude and effort with 25 minutes, and pats on the head. That’s positive reenforcement of shitty behavior.

We're doing a chicken and egg thing here exstatic.

How do we know for sure what he may or may not have been? He never got the minutes Primo did. Primo played horribly, literally almost worse than every other NBA player last year. Yet he fucking started the play-in game. He also got sent back to Austin for giving two back door layups earlier in the season. You can't tell me that Luka didn't deserve more minutes when in the few games he for before the end of the season, he looked good to everyone on this board. And to Pop, if you believe his post-game comments.

Granted nobody here saw him in practice but I distinctly remember seeing comments from Patty and others that Luka was getting more and more aggressive with the ball and they liked what they were seeing from him.

So in my view one of three things happened:
1. They literally cut him for the one play where he quit on the fastbreak play and didn't get back. I've seen LeBron do that for the record.
2. There were far more times than that one time that COMPLETELY OVERRODE his play when he actually got to play -- remembering the good game, Pop praise, and subsequent benching for a month. Also remember to juxtapose this with Primo's play which sucked. Also recall both of them are young.
3. Pop just didn't like the kid or the cut of his jib and wanted him gone.

Either way, none of those make 100% sense given we never saw him get the freedom to make game mistakes over the course of a month or more as we did with Primo, and play through them.

[exstatic]

We're doing a chicken and egg thing here exstatic.

How do we know for sure what he may or may not have been? He never got the minutes Primo did. Primo played horribly, literally almost worse than every other NBA player last year. Yet he fucking started the play-in game. He also got sent back to Austin for giving two back door layups earlier in the season. You can't tell me that Luka didn't deserve more minutes when in the few games he for before the end of the season, he looked good to everyone on this board. And to Pop, if you believe his post-game comments.

Granted nobody here saw him in practice but I distinctly remember seeing comments from Patty and others that Luka was getting more and more aggressive with the ball and they liked what they were seeing from him.

So in my view one of three things happened:
1. They literally cut him for the one play where he quit on the fastbreak play and didn't get back. I've seen LeBron do that for the record.
2. There were far more times than that one time that COMPLETELY OVERRODE his play when he actually got to play -- remembering the good game, Pop praise, and subsequent benching for a month. Also remember to juxtapose this with Primo's play which sucked. Also recall both of them are young.
3. Pop just didn't like the kid or the cut of his jib and wanted him gone.

Either way, none of those make 100% sense given we never saw him get the freedom to make game mistakes over the course of a month or more as we did with Primo, and play through them.

I remember being very excited when he was drafted, but had misgivings by Jan of his rookie year. Austin film clearly already showed a lack of hustle and failure to get back on D. He was, in fact, cut because of the one final preseason failure to get back, but it was the straw that broke the camel’s back, the last of many.

I don’t pay a lot of attention to Pop quotes about players. He always takes the high road. Hell, he complemented this asshat after he cut him.

[TimDunkem]

I bought 10 rated prizm cards of him early on Lmao im more retarded than our front office

Name checks out.

[KingKev]

I bought 10 rated prizm cards of him early on Lmao im more retarded than our front office

Hopefully you didn’t also load up on Primo ones.

[ChumpDumper]

Luka Samanic was just compared to Lebron James.

Never change, ST.

[John B]

I don’t know Luka’s problem mentally and/or physically. But if he’s serious in basketball, he should be out there trying to work it out. But I can’t find any news about him at all. I would love for him to get it together because he is very skilled and still very young at 22.

[KingKev]

Luka Samanic was just compared to Lebron James.

Never change, ST.

My favourite was Jock Landale as “Baby Joker” and Primo as the next D Wade but there have been some great “he is the next Tony and Manu” comparisons also.

[rastaspur]

I do not agree. F that less talented European version of Michael Beasley. Lol

[RC_Drunkford]

Samanic is not good enough for the NBA. Otherwise he would be on an NBA team. I'm curious to see if he signs to a team in Europe

[offset formation]

Luka Samanic was just compared to Lebron James.

Never change, ST.

In the mind of someone with low ability to process context, sure. In the real world what I implied was that getting back on defense when the opposing player is already in a full sprint has caused the games best to not challenge the play. Sure you'd still like to see the effort but in no world does Luka prevent that score. In fact the worst case of a and 1 is the most likely. But carry on with the misreading of someone's post to fit the group think narrative.

Never change, ST.

[Uriel]

It's infuriating we never got to see Luka at full run for 20-25 minutes while getting pats on the back. In an alternate universe, that Luka is putting up 17ppg and playing stellar defense. In this one, he'll become the next leader of a paramilitary in Slovenia.
I actually agree with you. Maybe it’s the sunk cost fallacy, but I believe he should have been given more time. Luka was showing promise before he got cut. And even when he ended up in the G-League for the Knicks, he was dominating before he got injured.

The talent is still there. He’s only 22. But now he’s probably going to end up back in Slovenia, and as you said, lead a paramilitary group or something.

[ChumpDumper]

In the mind of someone with low ability to process context, sure. In the real world what I implied was that getting back on defense when the opposing player is already in a full sprint has caused the games best to not challenge the play. Sure you'd still like to see the effort but in no world does Luka prevent that score. In fact the worst case of a and 1 is the most likely. But carry on with the misreading of someone's post to fit the group think narrative.

Never change, ST.You're the one who compared him to Lebron.

You could've used any other player who has ever played organized basketball.

You chose Lebron.

There's groupthink then there's not thinking at all.

[ChumpDumper]

Also: :lol Samanic

His failure is all his fault and no one else's. He could still actually turn it around but it's all up to him.

[offset formation]

You're the one who compared him to Lebron.

You could've used any other player who has ever played organized basketball.

You chose Lebron.

There's groupthink then there's not thinking at all.

Sigh...saying it again doesn't make it true. But have at it.

[ChumpDumper]

Sigh...saying it again doesn't make it true. But have at it.You keep saying Samanic's failure is someone else's fault.

It's not true.

[rankingtear]

Is Samanic a different player with minutes and Pop's confidence, like Primo is getting, despite shifting the bed?

They should have known they were drafting a kid that didn't respond well to the kind of coaching that Pop (and Thibs) employs. And they should have stayed away from him if they were not able to build him in a similar way as they are with Primo. His motor ticks differently than most. He shuts down when critiqued. But he showed enough last year before being cut to at least get the minutes that Primo got. Then reassess after giving him the chance to show what he's got playing with confidence.

As for QW, Pop drafted him and Kerr has in essence done the same. He's a marginal NBA player. And maybe Samanic would have been too, but we won't know now as he's completely trashed mentally, which is a shame for someone with his ceiling.

He was arguably the worst player in preseason for sure before he got cut. Definitely the worst conditioned one. He deserved to be cut. Even if it is pops fault.

[offset formation]

You keep saying Samanic's failure is someone else's fault.

It's not true.

You and comprehension. I said Pop didn't give him the same shot he did Primo which is a factual statement. I also said it was unlikely he ever amounted to much in the league given his motor is his major issue but sometimes confidence players can surprise you. Well never know. Uriel had a great reply above. Read it.

[Cabrito]

We saw Samanic do his job a couple a times. It’s not like he dominated or overachieved. We got excited because he showed glimpses of competence, not excellence.

Luka is the guy at work that employees think is pretty good because they saw him do his job once and he brought in donuts a couple of other times. Meanwhile, those in the department that work closely with Luka see him everyday for who is, which is a lazy employee who keeps doing the same mistakes over and over, a malcontent, self centered, and entitled employee. The leader in the department does not want to put Luka in front of the company because they don’t deserve to be rewarded or fear embarrassment of a serious screw up. Those in the department aren’t surprised when Luka is let go, but others outside may wonder “what happened to Luka? He showed promise and management didn’t see it. It’s so unfair.”

[KingKev]

Luka was given an opportunity and failed. Doesn’t change that this was a loss for PATFO also, especially given he was probably drafted 10-20 spots too early. They can’t all be wins but everyone involved needs to hold that L and move on.

[rastaspur]

Luka was given an opportunity and failed. Doesn’t change that this was a loss for PATFO also, especially given he was probably drafted 10-20 spots too early. They can’t all be wins but everyone involved needs to hold that L and move on.

It's an L. Not a substantial one considering it was a non lottery pick but still an L nonetheless.

At least they swung for upside. It was a better upside pick than livio jean Charles and some others.

[K...]

It's an L. Not a substantial one considering it was a non lottery pick but still an L nonetheless.

At least they swung for upside. It was a better upside pick than livio jean Charles and some others.

you acknowledge that livio got a big injury? the concensus is that he was a raw athlete who might not have panned out, bust post injury it was futile. Lots of people cite this as a bust, but it's not clear they know the history. livio also wasn't a lottery pick.

[K...]

dupe

[rogcl1]

We saw Samanic do his job a couple a times. It’s not like he dominated or overachieved. We got excited because he showed glimpses of competence, not excellence.

Luka is the guy at work that employees think is pretty good because they saw him do his job once and he brought in donuts a couple of other times. Meanwhile, those in the department that work closely with Luka see him everyday for who is, which is a lazy employee who keeps doing the same mistakes over and over, a malcontent, self centered, and entitled employee. The leader in the department does not want to put Luka in front of the company because they don’t deserve to be rewarded or fear embarrassment of a serious screw up. Those in the department aren’t surprised when Luka is let go, but others outside may wonder “what happened to Luka? He showed promise and management didn’t see it. It’s so unfair.”

Different way of putting it but spot on imo.

[rogcl1]

Luka was given an opportunity and failed. Doesn’t change that this was a loss for PATFO also, especially given he was probably drafted 10-20 spots too early. They can’t all be wins but everyone involved needs to hold that L and move on.

Simple and to the point.

[Maddog]

If the guy had any motor whatsoever. I mean this is a league where Lonnie Walker is making $6.3 million this year.


you acknowledge that livio got a big injury? the concensus is that he was a raw athlete who might not have panned out, bust post injury it was futile. Lots of people cite this as a bust, but it's not clear they know the history. livio also wasn't a lottery pick.

Right
I think you have to take a more nuanced view when looking at Draft Picks. For example who was drafted after them
Livio was athletic, had length and was very active player.
He was also a 28th pick.
Looking at who was drafted after Livio- the player with the most minutes played was Allen Crabbe and the player with the most Win Shares was Mike Muscala

[rjv]

You and comprehension. I said Pop didn't give him the same shot he did Primo which is a factual statement. I also said it was unlikely he ever amounted to much in the league given his motor is his major issue but sometimes confidence players can surprise you. Well never know. Uriel had a great reply above. Read it.

appearance wise, pop didn't give luka the same opportunity but none of us ST posters have access to practices or off-season info. luka had two seasons before the arrival of primo and was gone before primo started the season. i'd argue that while luka's confidence could have been an issue but it may have very well been his overconfidence and not one that was impacted by pop.

great avatar, btw.

[Atl Spur]

Luka was given an opportunity and failed. Doesn’t change that this was a loss for PATFO also, especially given he was probably drafted 10-20 spots too early. They can’t all be wins but everyone involved needs to hold that L and move on.

Wow we sure do have lofty expectations for the most incompetent front office in the land; is it really an L when history supports this pick not panning out?

[Atl Spur]

appearance wise, pop didn't give luka the same opportunity but none of us ST posters have access to practices or off-season info. luka had two seasons before the arrival of primo and was gone before primo started the season. i'd argue that while luka's confidence could have been an issue but it may have very well been his overconfidence and not one that was impacted by pop.

great avatar, btw.

Luka was lazy & heartless as hell from what I saw……

[exstatic]

appearance wise, pop didn't give luka the same opportunity but none of us ST posters have access to practices or off-season info. luka had two seasons before the arrival of primo and was gone before primo started the season. i'd argue that while luka's confidence could have been an issue but it may have very well been his overconfidence and not one that was impacted by pop.

great avatar, btw.

All you need to do is go back on YouTube and watch Austin games from 19-20. He was dogging it on defense, especially transition, almost from the get go.

[rastaspur]

you acknowledge that livio got a big injury? the concensus is that he was a raw athlete who might not have panned out, bust post injury it was futile. Lots of people cite this as a bust, but it's not clear they know the history. livio also wasn't a lottery pick.

Livio could run and jump. That's was the extent of his advancement. Didn't look the part in the summer league stints, etc. Just my hot take.

Just never liked the pic even though it was late first round

[rogcl1]

The legend of the" Luka " lives on.

[Maddog]

Livio could run and jump. That's was the extent of his advancement. Didn't look the part in the summer league stints, etc. Just my hot take.

Just never liked the pic even though it was late first round

Who should they have picked instead?

[rastaspur]

Who should they have picked instead?
The players that went behind him suck. Only neto is still in the league.

I'm not arguing we missed out on some other player. I just didn't ever see this upside in him.

That was the draft that gobert went one pick ahead. Sucks. But you f if and be ts we're candy and nuts ....

[slick'81]

Who should they have picked instead?

jordan poole is pretty good

[exstatic]

jordan poole is pretty good

Wrong draft. LJC was picked in 2013.

[Proxy]

PATFO fucked up on this just like they fucked on James White, just ridiculous

[Atl Spur]

The law of averages dictate we will miss on prospects from time to time people……. Stop the crazy bitching like drafting is an exact science! Be happy your teams one of the best at it.

[exstatic]

PATFO fucked up on this just like they fucked on James White, just ridiculous

Yeah, All NBA All Star James White....

[Proxy]

Yeah, All NBA All Star James White....

and Jackie Butler. Woulda probably had 2 more rings

[rjv]

the 2010 draft of james and anderson and ryan richards (to be fair, that wasn't a very deep draft).