Instant Reaction: Spurs Get a Potential Steal with Malaki Branham at 20

[timvp]

https://www.spurstalk.com/malaki-branham-san-antonio-spurs-2022-nba-draft-reaction/

The reaction would have been even more instant if the Slovenian hamster that powers the servers didn't keel over, tbh :lol

[DPG21920]

Love it. With no other caveats about team direction etc, from a value perspective it’s great.

[benefactor]

From a value standpoint, he's almost as good of pick as Sochan. I'm a fan.

[benefactor]

Love it. With no other caveats about team direction etc, from a value perspective it’s great.
What's up man? Glad to see you still slum here with us from time to time. Maybe you have been here and I haven't caught you but it's good to see you regardless

[timvp]

Branham was in my second tier with Sochan. To get him at 20 is amazing. I'm so glad the Spurs didn't overthink that pick.

In the last mock draft I did, I actually initially had Branham going 20 but I changed it at the last second because I thought it was too unrealistic :lol :cry :lol

[slick'81]

Fck it im sold!

[Chinook]

Often, I'll only superficially look at the pre-draft stuff, pick a few guys who seem worth watching a YouTube vid or two on, and then wait for the actual selections to look into them. That's the case with Branham. I do like what I've see. He and even Wesley seem to fill a need for offensive dynamism. I hope he spends this transition year working on his defense. Both Primo and Anderson came into the league thought of as poor defenders before becoming defense-first in their development. Hell, you can argue the same for Murray. Branham has offensive things to refine too, but that part of his game is already good enough to get him on the floor, if the defense is there.

What I fear is that he'll get the usual d-league treatment of going down to Austin to play PG and get tons of minutes before coming up to the big club and having to learn how to actually be an NBA player. I'd rather he just skip that part. We already know he can score as a high-option, and his play-making will result from the leverage his scoring creates. He shouldn't be another wing they try to turn into a point-guard. That's been almost every pick since 2016. Just let a guy be a good SG and learn how to be a rotation-worthy one before trying to make them some all-around player. Player can pick up major skills as they grow. They don't need to have that training right away.

[benefactor]

Branham was in my second tier with Sochan. To get him at 20 is amazing. I'm so glad the Spurs didn't overthink that pick.

In the last mock draft I did, I actually initially had Branham going 20 but I changed it at the last second because I thought it was too unrealistic :lol :cry :lol
I figured he'd go higher too tbh. When I saw he was still on the board I was like ohh shit. They delivered and in the end that's all that matters.

[DPG21920]

What's up man? Glad to see you still slum here with us from time to time. Maybe you have been here and I haven't caught you but it's good to see you regardless

Haha- I definitely post less on here, but I love ST. I just shifted to Twitter a bit more since its my only Social Media and Timvp never responds to my DMs lmao

Good to see you too my man

[DPG21920]

I’ve been beating this logical drum: SA has a TON of dead weight on the roster. Drafting 3 rookies makes plenty of sense especially ones with solid upside. There are 3 guys EASY I can see being cut/waived/let go and SA would be better today and future with all 3 of the guys drafted.

FA/Trades definitely need to bring the team forward though. This was great value but no where near “enough”

[offset formation]

Yes. Great pick. Wish we would have kept it going beyond 20. But I'm elated up to Branham.

[benefactor]

Haha- I definitely post less on here, but I love ST. I just shifted to Twitter a bit more since its my only Social Media and Timvp never responds to my DMs lmao

Good to see you too my man
:lol

Yeah I dont think any of us old heads will all the way quit this place. I cut my teeth here as far as really understanding basketball goes. Plus everyone loves a shitshow:lol

[T Park]

Branham is good enough to slide into Lonnie’s rotation spot immediately. Unreal he fell this far. He was a lock to places like Atlanta or Houston.

[AFBlue]

When the comp is Khris Middleton, you know you done good. Love the floor, and the ceiling is still unknown.

[T Park]

I see Caris LaVert in this kid big time. His ability to just score naturally, and his shooting form, thats enough he should’ve been drafted in the teens as it is.

[John B]

Jay Bilas actually predicted Brahman at 20 and should’ve been a lottery pick.

Anyways this interview at the Combined looks like he’s a very personable young guy, high spirited an scholar of the game. He’s somebody who can create and shoots well. I’m hoping his 6’10” wingspan translates to great defense as this is one thing the Spurs are lacking at the guard position, the ability to lockdown on shifty guards.


https://youtu.be/fFNN4irA76k

[wildbill2u]

After watching some tape on Branham, he gets into the paint and scores, but it seem his move isn't so much quick as done with some patience and guile, using the other players as blockers. Shades of Slo Mo but with a better outside shot???

[DAF86]

Offensive numbers look great but the tapes don't buy me. He seems kind slow, which hurt him on defense, and on offense I saw him making all kinds of difficult shots over people. Didn't really show a consistent ability to get by folks. Will he translate his tough shots making ability over NBA athletes or will he Jimmy Fredette it? I have more faith on Wesley.

[Mr. Body]

After watching some tape on Branham, he gets into the paint and scores, but it seem his move isn't so much quick as done with some patience and guile, using the other players as blockers. Shades of Slo Mo but with a better outside shot???

I've said elsewhere, he reminds me of another OSU product, Michael Redd, who wasn't explosive at all but managed to get his shot off in many ways.

[emanueldavidginobili]

I've said elsewhere, he reminds me of another OSU product, Michael Redd, who wasn't explosive at all but managed to get his shot off in many ways.
Redd was a killer, too bad injuries slowed down his career. If Branham is anything like Redd I will be happy as hell.

[rjv]

needless to say, i was really excited when i heard his name called.

[rjv]

I've said elsewhere, he reminds me of another OSU product, Michael Redd, who wasn't explosive at all but managed to get his shot off in many ways.

nice comp. redd was a very, very nice player.

[John B]

Middleton and LaVert

[emanueldavidginobili]

https://youtu.be/NqsmmATrPpk

4:08 is the start. Bilas says you might look back and say how was he taken at number 20 when he should have been taken in the top 10.

[RC_Drunkford]

Branham is a super hard worker. The type of being in the gym at 5AM right after he won an award. If it wouldn‘t take 10 minutes and multiple edits to post Tweets on spurstalk I‘d do it. Also his wingspan allows him to shoot over people. He will be a very good player

[Ice009]

Redd was a killer, too bad injuries slowed down his career. If Branham is anything like Redd I will be happy as hell.

I was a fan of Michael Redd. I respected his game. It seems Milwaukee also had our number during the Spurs' championship years. I think they had the best winning record against us compared to every other team? Not sure if we were still about .500 against them, but yeah, seemed like they always played hard against us, and Redd was hard to guard even with an elite defender like Bruce Bowen. I would be extremely happy if he's anything like Michael Redd. Shout out to Michael Redd, too. He was a great player IMO.

[DAF86]

Offensive numbers look great but the tapes don't buy me. He seems kind slow, which hurt him on defense, and on offense I saw him making all kinds of difficult shots over people. Didn't really show a consistent ability to get by folks. Will he translate his tough shots making ability over NBA athletes or will he Jimmy Fredette it? I have more faith on Wesley.

Waaay too early, but this is spot on so far. And it isn't even vs NBA competition.

[Kurik]

I think Branham needs more plays called for him, he missed a couple good kick outs from Wesley but I’m not too worried. He seems like the type of player who works better with a system and just needs some time.

[RC_Drunkford]

I'm not worried about Branham. They basically didn't give him any midrange isos so far, which is his bread and butter. He also made some nice passes to the open man. His 3-point shot ain't looking too good right now though.

[Ariel]

When you can shoot, you can shoot. He's got the size, he's got the skills, he's got the character. He'll put in the work. Not the greatest athlete, but neither were Rip Hamilton or Michael Redd. He just needs to adjust to a new environment like he did in College and work on his range and he'll be fine.

[rascal]

The problem with Branham is he lacks athleticism so if his shot isn't falling he isn't going to get you many points going to the basket.

Spurs overall have a team full of players who lack athleticism. Probably the least athletic team in the league. This is a huge problem with the team.

[DAF86]

When you can shoot, you can shoot. He's got the size, he's got the skills, he's got the character. He'll put in the work. Not the greatest athlete, but neither were Rip Hamilton or Michael Redd. He just needs to adjust to a new environment like he did in College and work on his range and he'll be fine.

Fredette could shoot, tbh. Better than Brahnam. If you don't belong, you don't belong. Hopefully that isn't the case with Malakai.

[Ariel]

Fredette could shoot, tbh. Better than Brahnam. If you don't belong, you don't belong. Hopefully that isn't the case with Malakai.
I'm not saying shooting alone guarantees success, I'm saying given what we know he can do, he's got ample room to acquire what he's missing. Fredette was an undersized (6'1") senior (22 y.o.) one trick pony, whereas Malaki is much taller (6'5") and younger (19 y.o) who's shown fast and steady improvement in his lone year in College. There's absolutely no reason to believe his second summer league game is the end of his progression.

[Atl Spur]

I’m sure all of you were just as good in year one at your job as you are now……. If so, raise your hand:) CLOWNS. Go paint your face

[Atl Spur]

I'm not saying shooting alone guarantees success, I'm saying given what we know he can do, he's got ample room to acquire what he's missing. Fredette was an undersized (6'1") senior (22 y.o.) one trick pony, whereas Malaki is much taller (6'5") and younger (19 y.o) who's shown fast and steady improvement in his lone year in College. There's absolutely no reason to believe his second summer league game is the end of his progression.

You sir, should stop with the hypocrisy! Go to bed

[rascal]

You sir, should stop with the hypocrisy! Go to bed

What makes you think Primo is going to be great? Give me something other than his age.

There are other players his age who look much better. Even Wesley is looking better.

[tbdog]

What makes you think Primo is going to be great? Give me something other than his age.

There are other players his age who look much better. Even Wesley is looking better.

He seems to have good offensive instincts. The game looks slower for him. I think at worse he'll be a Kyle Anderson sg. I think he'll likely be a Marcus Smart with worse D but better shooting. And ceiling will be like sophomore bradon Roy.

[John B]

He needs plays to be drawn to him, because he is not as agressive as Wesley is. That was my concern if he got outplayed by Wesley at the workout, and now being outplayed again at the SL. I’m sure with better players around him, the ball will find him and should be able to knock them down. But even before that, I like to see Malaki more assertive, start demanding the ball.

[tbdog]

He needs plays to be drawn to him, because he is not as agressive as Wesley is. That was my concern if he got outplayed by Wesley at the workout, and now being outplayed again at the SL. I’m sure with better players around him, the ball will find him and should be able to knock them down. But even before that, I like to see Malaki more assertive, start demanding the ball.

Wasn't it a timvp article, where it said that Wesley and Branham are on different development times. That Wesley is a year or 2 away, whereas Branham is probably only a quarter of a season. Interesting that Wesley looks more ready?

[Mnky]

Wasn't it a timvp article, where it said that Wesley and Branham are on different development times. That Wesley is a year or 2 away, whereas Branham is probably only a quarter of a season. Interesting that Wesley looks more ready?

He also noted that it doesn't look like there's any offensive system for the spurs summer league. People are just playing street ball. Branham was in a system that he controlled. His midrange is clogged as well because the spurs don't really have a big that can punish the other team down low or that consistently stretches the court. So the mid range is cramped with defenders. Makes a wings life extremely tough when they're all just waiting for a turn to drive into a clutter.

That being said, it does seem that defense is more of the focus for summer league per par the spurs.

[widowmaker]

Wasn't it a timvp (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=8) article, where it said that Wesley and Branham are on different development times. That Wesley is a year or 2 away, whereas Branham is probably only a quarter of a season. Interesting that Wesley looks more ready?


Yeah i remember reading that on here. I was about to point that out, Wesley seems to be more ready now than Branham.

[John B]

He also noted that it doesn't look like there's any offensive system for the spurs summer league. People are just playing street ball. Branham was in a system that he controlled. His midrange is clogged as well because the spurs don't really have a big that can punish the other team down low or that consistently stretches the court. So the mid range is cramped with defenders. Makes a wings life extremely tough when they're all just waiting for a turn to drive into a clutter.

That being said, it does seem that defense is more of the focus for summer league per par the spurs.

True. Likewise in All-Star games, those who normally take over are the point guards and forwards who controll the tempo and who gets the ball. Shooting guards and Centers have to wait a set play for them. Branham is the same. Still the coach needs to get him more involved to get him going I think

[mo7888]

Time will tell but I think most here are underestimating Malaki Branham's athleticism. He's smooth and that tends to make it not jump off the page compared to guys like Ivey or Wesley but it's there. The difference is he doesn't call on it for every play like those guys. I have no worries with him..

[Ariel]

Time will tell but I think most here are underestimating Malaki Branham's athleticism. He's smooth and that tends to make it not jump off the page compared to guys like Ivey or Wesley but it's there. The difference is he doesn't call on it for every play like those guys. I have no worries with him..
Yup. If he hadn't screwed that dunk we'd be talking about it today. He's not an off the charts athlete, but it's being blown out of proportion.

[mo7888]

Yup. If he hadn't screwed that dunk we'd be talking about it today. He's not an off the charts athlete, but it's being blown out of proportion.

Exactly

[rjv]

I think Branham needs more plays called for him, he missed a couple good kick outs from Wesley but I’m not too worried. He seems like the type of player who works better with a system and just needs some time.

i agree. i think malaki was the odd man out yesterday because the ball wasn't in his hands much last night. there were way too many possessions where the PG was ball dominant and there was no movement. malaki just looked lost out there. but he needs to learn how to get involved in whatever way that he can. but we are seeing the reason why he will spend a good amount of time in the g-league this season. he clearly has a lot to learn.

[Atl Spur]

What makes you think Primo is going to be great? Give me something other than his age.

There are other players his age who look much better. Even Wesley is looking better.

Bro, I’ve outlined my position in various threads:) We can agree to disagree homie; time will tell.

[Mnky]

True. Likewise in All-Star games, those who normally take over are the point guards and forwards who controll the tempo and who gets the ball. Shooting guards and Centers have to wait a set play for them. Branham is the same. Still the coach needs to get him more involved to get him going I think

Yea, I don't want to bash on the coaching too much because I know he's had like a few days with a bunch of, let's be real, Kids who haven't played together or very long career wise and all had different systems.

But like you said, the coaches have to get him going or involved somehow. Not just sporadic touches.

[Mnky]

Time will tell but I think most here are underestimating Malaki Branham's athleticism. He's smooth and that tends to make it not jump off the page compared to guys like Ivey or Wesley but it's there. The difference is he doesn't call on it for every play like those guys. I have no worries with him..

Yea, and it's probably has to do with they only see him on defense, where he is very poor at positioning and moving. Makes him look even slower.

The coaches need to help get him involved and slow the pace for him. The PGs have been very ball dominant and have strong tunnel vision. It's obvious who they want to pass to, if they are going to pass. Sets the other guys up for bad possessions.