Nikola Topic

[Mr. Body]

Topic only played sixteen games this year? And barely played last year?

[Wilt Chamberlain]

Ricky Rubio

[spurraider21]

He has a partially torn ACL

[Mugen]

It’s not a second injury, he tweaked the first one. Even if the MCL requires surgery, the recovery period is 3-6 months, not a year like an ACL. If he got drafted and went under the knife 1 July, he’d be ready sometime between Labor Day and NewYears,with all or most of his rookie season in front of him.

Welp so much for that :lol

[SpursFan86]

1798383319979295063

Ouch. Yeah let’s go a different route at #8 then :lol

[BatManu20]

Huge bummer for the kid and horrible timing. Looks like he rushed back too quickly to try and prove to NBA scouts that he’s ready to go. Sucks.

Someone’s going to get a steal with him if/when he falls into the teens though tbh. Just hope it’s not the fucking Lakers or teams like Miami or OKC.

1798385134942744789

[Mugen]

Was very skeptical of the reports after the latest injury tbh. Very much screamed of his agent/team trying to do some damage control. Weird since his medicals would eventually come to light. He'll be an interesting pick in the 11-20 range. Like the Lakers/Heat should def give him a look.

[rascal]

He won't do much in his rookie year

Spurs still may consider him at 8

[onechance87]

Huge bummer for the kid and horrible timing. Looks like he rushed back too quickly to try and prove to NBA scouts that he’s ready to go. Sucks.

Someone’s going to get a steal with him if/when he falls into the teens though tbh.

1798385134942744789

damnn...wonder how far he will drop cause of this.

[exstatic]

Topic only played sixteen games this year? And barely played last year?

For his age 16 and 17 years, he was on a team in the Euroleague. Teenagers don’t usually play at all for the parent club in those situations. The fact that he played 12 games for the big club over those two seasons at his age is a huge positive, not a negative.

[Maddog]

Was very skeptical of the reports after the latest injury tbh. Very much screamed of his agent/team trying to do some damage control. Weird since his medicals would eventually come to light. He'll be an interesting pick in the 11-20 range. Like the Lakers/Heat should def give him a look.

Yeah
Though both of those teams are in a win now mode.
Wonder if it would be worth trying to trade down to get him?
Like send #8 for future picks and get him in that range. Gamble on multiple levels

[exstatic]

Welp so much for that :lol

Yeah. Still don’t know about surgery yet, but there’s some rest and rehab in his future at a minimum.

I’d still take him at 8. No one in this draft is breaking out quickly imo.

[rascal]

Was very skeptical of the reports after the latest injury tbh. Very much screamed of his agent/team trying to do some damage control. Weird since his medicals would eventually come to light. He'll be an interesting pick in the 11-20 range. Like the Lakers/Heat should def give him a look.

Lakers will be after Bronny

[SpursBills]

If he has a partial acl tear with subjective instability after playing, I would be stunned if he didn’t end up undergoing acl reconstruction. After that, who knows? Return to same sport same level after acl reconstruction is about 80% in elite athletes. He’s a guy so that helps, but he’s under 20, so that hurts with regards to re-rupture. All that’s gotta be priced into his evaluation now. Feel for the guy, seems like a good kid, sucks that this happened to him.

[Ariel]

Would rather go with other options at 8, but if he falls far enough I'd explore the possibility of nabbing him by using other assets (I believe in his playmaking and the prospect of his shot improving more than others, I guess). I think he's a good candidate go land in Portland with the #14 pick.

[duncan2150]

For his age 16 and 17 years, he was on a team in the Euroleague. Teenagers don’t usually play at all for the parent club in those situations. The fact that he played 12 games for the big club over those two seasons at his age is a huge positive, not a negative.+1. The sure thing is that he is not on play for the 4th pick. His agent is doing his work : he thinks that the injury wil not affect his draft stock ( wrong imo) and that the US doctors Who evaluates the stability of the knee said that the knee is in excellent shape.

[rascal]

If I was Portland I would be putting it out there that I have interest in drafting Topic at 7. Force the Spurs to burn 4 on Topic.

Topic/ Salaun incoming for the Spurs
Playing for another tank

[Bruno]

Givony really deserves to be call out on this one.

There was a Serbian article, that presented all the details of his injury and said that a surgery was highly likely. Givony decided to ignore it and just posted all the BS coming from his agent. And he is doing it again in his latest article while he now knows he has been lied to by Topic's agent.

This injury really hurt Topic's draft stock and he might even withdrew from this draft before the June 16 deadline.

At some point Givony had to start working like a journalist, by using multiple sources, and stop being agents' mouthpiece.

[spurraider21]

Givony really deserves to be call out on this one.

There was a Serbian article, that presented all the details of his injury and said that a surgery was highly likely. Givony decided to ignore it and just posted all the BS coming from his agent. And he is doing it again in his latest article while he now knows he has been lied to by Topic's agent.

This injury really hurt Topic's draft stock and he might even withdrew from this draft before the June 16 deadline.

At some point Givony had to start working like a journalist, by using multiple sources, and stop being agents' mouthpiece.
unfortunately this is the issue that has come up across sports as internet/social media/24 hour news cycle has led to big national names dominating coverage. the days of local beat writers getting better intel than national reporters are already all but gone.

instead, if you want to get scoops, you have to be a mouthpiece. woj is often a mouthpiece for the old guard. GMs, exects. meanwhile Shams is a mouthpiece for players/agents. and they dominate the NBA stories.

schefter/rappaport do this for NFL reporting too

its just the way the game is played right now, and yes, it sucks

[R. DeMurre]

The Spurs aren't challenging for a championship in '25 or '26, so if they liked Topic pre-injury I don't see why this would affect drafting him at #8. Considering the Spurs are taking the long view as a 22 win team, I don't think this changes the outlook for the 2026 roster looking a certain way, dependent of course on the medicals...

[JuneJive]

With #8, would be great.

You bank on his high feel and bbiq.

[itzsoweezee]

Wasting a lottery pick on a point guard that can’t shoot or defend and has a torn ACL is not something I imagine even the most incompetent front office would

[Russ]

If he's there at 8, you gotta take him.

With the roster crowding, it could be a blessing in disguise -- could allow them to make good use of those second round picks.


This injury really hurt Topic's draft stock and he might even withdrew from this draft before the June 16 deadline.

Maybe, but it's hard to see him jumping into next year's talent-rich draft after being out of sight out of mind for an even longer time.

[baseline bum]

Givony really deserves to be call out on this one.

There was a Serbian article, that presented all the details of his injury and said that a surgery was highly likely. Givony decided to ignore it and just posted all the BS coming from his agent. And he is doing it again in his latest article while he now knows he has been lied to by Topic's agent.

This injury really hurt Topic's draft stock and he might even withdrew from this draft before the June 16 deadline.

At some point Givony had to start working like a journalist, by using multiple sources, and stop being agents' mouthpiece.

Think that would be a huge mistake for him to withdraw. He'll still go first round and still get a guaranteed two years and almost certainly another two after that.

[exstatic]

Think that would be a huge mistake for him to withdraw. He'll still go first round and still get a guaranteed two years and almost certainly another two after that.

He’d go higher in this draft, injured, than next year, recovered.

[baseline bum]

He’d go higher in this draft, injured, than next year, recovered.

Even worse on an ACL tear he won't be recovered until the 2026 draft.

[R. DeMurre]

I think the analysis that Topic can't shoot is simply inaccurate. I've watched everything available on him and his form looks good, and most importantly, he's never intimidated or passive about shooting. His 3 pt totals from '22-'23 were 48/130 for .369, and his '23-'24 totals were 26/85 for .306.

If you combine those two, it's 74/215, or .344. His FT%s for those two years were .889 and .878, which is elite in any context. I think the "can't shoot" label got applied early and picked up steam to the point where people started to repeat it as gospel. The 3pt shooting totals from this year are a very small sample size, and if he'd made, say, three more shots that % would've been 34%-- and 34% is his overall average for the past two seasons and 200+ attempts... ( Strictly for comparison's sake, note that Doncic's career 3pt% is 34.7%). His TS% for the past two years is well over 60%, which is outstanding. I don't see any fear or tentativeness in him with regards to 3pt or midrange shooting, but rather a preference for going to his strengths of penetrating and either scoring or kicking out-- things he did with supreme efficiency. Lots of the criticisms of his game have understandable relevance, but people confidently stating that he simply can't shoot just doesn't ring true to me. He's been the aggressive offensive engine of U18 and Serbian teams, and thrives as a floor general who so far makes great decisions with regards to shot selection and distribution. For me, pigeonholing him as a guy who's unable or unwilling to take and make outside shots doesn't capture his actual essence as a player.

[Bruno]

Think that would be a huge mistake for him to withdraw. He'll still go first round and still get a guaranteed two years and almost certainly another two after that.

He has reportedly a quite big buyout with his Serbian team. He might end up in a scenario where being drafted around pick #20 isn't that interesting for him financially wise.

I'm not saying he will withdraw, I'm just not ruling it out.

[Maddog]

He has reportedly a quite big buyout with his Serbian team. He might end up in a scenario where being drafted around pick #20 isn't that interesting for him financially wise.

I'm not saying he will withdraw, I'm just not ruling it out.

Is the buyout the same next year?
That may not be readily available information but all this could factor in

[Bruno]

Is the buyout the same next year?
That may not be readily available information but all this could factor in

I don't have specific about his buyout. I just remember an interview of Red Star owner saying it was big which is logical given that he signed a 4 years contract last summer. Usually buyouts gets lower the closer the player is to the end of his contract. There are also buyouts that depend on what pick the player is drafted.

[CGD]

Looking at the teams after 8, he could really drop. That said, I STILL think the Spurs take him if he’s there at 8 (honestly I think he was their choice at 4 before this).

I now wonder how that changes the thinking on 4. Do they really go Matas to get their wing?

[sfernald]

Looking at the teams after 8, he could really drop. That said, I STILL think the Spurs take him if he’s there at 8 (honestly I think he was their choice at 4 before this).

I now wonder how that changes the thinking on 4. Do they really go Matas to get their wing?

This would be a perfect opportunity to trade back a bit and still get their guy lower (topic) and pick up an asset. Especially if Clingan drops to #8 I think some team tries to snag him before Memphis.

[rascal]

I think the analysis that Topic can't shoot is simply inaccurate. I've watched everything available on him and his form looks good, and most importantly, he's never intimidated or passive about shooting. His 3 pt totals from '22-'23 were 48/130 for .369, and his '23-'24 totals were 26/85 for .306.

If you combine those two, it's 74/215, or .344. His FT%s for those two years were .889 and .878, which is elite in any context. I think the "can't shoot" label got applied early and picked up steam to the point where people started to repeat it as gospel. The 3pt shooting totals from this year are a very small sample size, and if he'd made, say, three more shots that % would've been 34%-- and 34% is his overall average for the past two seasons and 200+ attempts... ( Strictly for comparison's sake, note that Doncic's career 3pt% is 34.7%). His TS% for the past two years is well over 60%, which is outstanding. I don't see any fear or tentativeness in him with regards to 3pt or midrange shooting, but rather a preference for going to his strengths of penetrating and either scoring or kicking out-- things he did with supreme efficiency. Lots of the criticisms of his game have understandable relevance, but people confidently stating that he simply can't shoot just doesn't ring true to me. He's been the aggressive offensive engine of U18 and Serbian teams, and thrives as a floor general who so far makes great decisions with regards to shot selection and distribution. For me, pigeonholing him as a guy who's unable or unwilling to take and make outside shots doesn't capture his actual essence as a player.

I'm seeing .250 for 3 pt % for 22-23
.247 across 3 seasons

[R. DeMurre]

I'm seeing .250 for 3 pt % for 22-23
.247 across 3 seasons


That's the basketball reference page, which is incomplete. The realgm
page is more comprehensive: https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Nikola-Topic/Summary/179307

[exstatic]

I'm seeing .250 for 3 pt % for 22-23
.247 across 3 seasons

Those are just the senior team stats, a few games. He also played on youth squads most of his 16 and 17 year old seasons, sort of the JV team for those teams.

https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Nikola-Topic/Summary/179307

[objective]

I still would be okay taking him 8 or trading down to get him.

I had been hoping for more for combinations of players lately rather than just single pick focused, e.g. Risacher & Topic or Sheppard & Holland.

[rjv]

Looking at the teams after 8, he could really drop. That said, I STILL think the Spurs take him if he’s there at 8 (honestly I think he was their choice at 4 before this).

I now wonder how that changes the thinking on 4. Do they really go Matas to get their wing?

if it's matas and topic, i can see a big meltdown in here but, in context, i don't really think such a meltdown would be justified, especially if either shepard or castle were already gone by the 4th pick. no one is going to be ideal. they're all going to have blemishes and some will check off some boxes. all i know is that there are some players i want nothing to do with and others that i really like one day and am not so sure about on another day.

[poopbox]

Injury news probably increases his chanced of the spurs drafting him. Perfect stealth tank move. If they really draft him and instantly say he out for the entire season then you already know what type of time we going to be on.

[KingKev]

Injury news probably increases his chanced of the spurs drafting him. Perfect stealth tank move. If they really draft him and instantly say he out for the entire season then you already know what type of time we going to be on.

There probably isn’t a player in this draft who will move the needle in year one. Tank or no tank. But i’m all for anither soft tank tbh.

[poopbox]

There probably isn’t a player in this draft who will move the needle in year one. Tank or no tank. But i’m all for anither soft tank tbh.

I think Dilly could. The combination of having a real point guard who can break down defenses and score at all 3 levels + not playing sochan at point guard probably has us competing for that last play in spot.

I do agree that in the long run drafting a player with an acl injury makes almost no difference. Topic is 19 and the Spurs are the youngest team in the nba. Young teams are supposed to be bad and in 3 years nobody will care or remember Topic had a turn acl in 2024

[CGD]

if it's matas and topic, i can see a big meltdown in here but, in context, i don't really think such a meltdown would be justified, especially if either shepard or castle were already gone by the 4th pick. no one is going to be ideal. they're all going to have blemishes and some will check off some boxes. all i know is that there are some players i want nothing to do with and others that i really like one day and am not so sure about on another day.

I think this is a possible outcome. I remember when we first started talking about the lideal combinations” right after the lotto drawing, the prevailing view was to take the best wing early and the best PG left at 8.

I generally think that’s still right, but many of us also assumed ZR would be there at 4. And then there is the whole Castle thing: is he a PG or not, and if not is he the right wing to prioritize at 4?

And that leave Matas, who honestly we haven’t scrutinized closely here (nor has TIMVP done a write up in him yet). Is he the next best wing?

[BackHome]

Yeah, I am flipping again with taking the best forward and then picking up a PG at 8

[Dex]

He has reportedly a quite big buyout with his Serbian team. He might end up in a scenario where being drafted around pick #20 isn't that interesting for him financially wise.

I'm not saying he will withdraw, I'm just not ruling it out.

SCOLA THREAD!!!

[buttsR4rebounding]

If the Spurs have interest he is not going to withdraw. Playing with Wemby will increase his marketability enough to compensate for a higher buyout over the course of the contract.

[TD 21]

And then there is the whole Castle thing: is he a PG or not, and if not is he the right wing to prioritize at 4?

It's more about role than listing. Either way, he's not coming in and initiating volume p-n-r, but he will defend POA 1-3, so he counts as a wing defender.

[JPB]

If they really had no interest, they wouldn’t have gotten the medicals.

The NBA is sending medicals to all the lottery teams.

And anyway, if they had no interest, they still would have gotten them, not to show they had no interest.

[JPB]

I don't have specific about his buyout. I just remember an interview of Red Star owner saying it was big which is logical given that he signed a 4 years contract last summer. Usually buyouts gets lower the closer the player is to the end of his contract. There are also buyouts that depend on what pick the player is drafted.

they're using buyouts to cash in their prospects, with his agent, and the player camp's, getting something on it, one way or the other. They certainly knew or assumed Topic would be drafted this year but still signed a 4 year contract last summer... But it's up to negocation, specially with Topic's injury that certainly redistributes the cards, all the more if NBA teams choose surgery, which I believe they will. Not sure Red star can be too greedy now.

[couchman]

I still like Topic at #8.
There was a time he was #1 on my board and injury uncertainty is the only reason I've moved others above him.
ACL injuries are rarely career threatening anymore, especially for players like Topic who rely on hesitation, deceleration, size, and length to consistently finish in the paint rather than traditional "athleticism."
Taking Topic adds a significant talent to the roster and also allows us to stealth tank into the '25 draft.
It would be very shortsighted to let Topic, who many saw as a top 3 pick just a few months ago, drop into the hands of someone like Utah, OKC, or Miami where he would undoubtedly be given time to heal and then developed into the best version of himself.
Of course there are guys I now have rated above Topic, but I doubt any of them will be available at #8.

[fafo]

I'm not the biggest fan of Topic for all the reasons listed in this thread, but I wonder if having him redshirt his first year and rehab/practice in an NBA environment would help make his debut the following year be that much smoother for him. I think of Chet Holmgren who had to sit out last year because of the broken foot and then had a very strong start this season. At least that's what I'll talk myself into if they draft him lol.

[DesignatedT]

1798784119813415260

[mo7888]

1798784119813415260

That hurts

[Mr. Body]

There was no way he had a 7' wingspan. People believe such nonsense.

[mo7888]

There was no way he had a 7' wingspan. People believe such nonsense.

True, but this is still a few inches less than should have been reasonably expected..

[duncan2150]

There was no way he had a 7' wingspan. People believe such nonsense.Agreed, i was thinking more of something like 6'9 personnaly. That's a huge blow for topic imo.

[BatManu20]

How is he such a poor shooter with a short wingspan like that tbh. Guys with short arms are usually snipers.

[SpursDynasty85]

His specialty is penetration. He is a ball handling savant for his age and height. If he focused on shooting more, it would get better.

[BatManu20]

His specialty is penetration. He is a ball handling savant for his age and height. If he focused on shooting more, it would get better.

I tend to agree. Basically comes down to how severe the ACL tear is tbh. If it’s something the Spurs think isn’t a long-term issue, I think they’ll still potentially be interested at 8 imo.

[CGD]

1798784119813415260

Finally confirmation of the T-Rex arms . . .

It'd probably be a +0 wingspan if it wasnt for that gargantuan neck of his.

[The Truth #6]

Moving on.

[Ariel]

Finally confirmation of the T-Rex arms . . .

It'd probably be a +0 wingspan if it wasnt for that gargantuan neck of his.
That story has Sarr listed at 7'1" when he measured at 6'11.75". I wouldn´t be surprised if that wingspan ends up being wrong. Also, if he has a Cam Whitmore like slide to the 20s, I'd try to snatch him there. Negative wingspan doesn't scare me and plenty of guys come off of ACL alright, plus shooting is the swing skill that opens up the whole game for him, and he seems to have good touch and great FT%, so he's a big risk in the top 10 but not so much later on.

[CGD]

That story has Sarr listed at 7'1" when he measured at 6'11.75". I wouldn´t be surprised if that wingspan ends up being wrong.

Interesting. Wingspan is tricky because its just not the arm length but the shoulders. He does seem to have broad shoulders.

[R. DeMurre]

#9 belongs to Grizzlies, and they've shown w/ Bane and Brandon Clarke that productive players w/ shorter wingspans who drop are targets...

[Ariel]

Interesting. Wingspan is tricky because its just not the arm length but the shoulders. He does seem to have broad shoulders.
He always had a weird body type, with short legs and a giraffe-like neck, but his arms didn't seem too short. I hope eventually the measurements go into the official combine page.

[Ariel]

#9 belongs to Grizzlies, and they've shown w/ Bane and Brandon Clarke that productive players w/ shorter wingspans who drop are targets...
Maybe, but they're also trying to compete right now and no. 9 is the best pick they're going to have in quite a while, I don't know that they'll use it on a project like Topic who's 2+ years away (injury being baked into that number). I could see them trading back and getting multiple shots at it though, or trading for a later pick if he slides too far.

[duncan2150]

Finally confirmation of the T-Rex arms . . .It'd probably be a +0 wingspan if it wasnt for that gargantuan neck of his.It's not the contrary ? without that long neck, he's more of a 6'4 player with a 6'7 wingspan

[SpursFan86]

I tend to agree. Basically comes down to how severe the ACL tear is tbh. If it’s something the Spurs think isn’t a long-term issue, I think they’ll still potentially be interested at 8 imo.

Agreed. Needless to say the ACL news + now the wingspan stuff is making him less of a no-brainer/home run pick at #8…but I still think he’s very much on the table if the Spurs’ medical staff feels good about the knee.

He’s not my first choice at 8 but I wouldn’t have a meltdown or anything if we took him.

[CGD]

It's not the contrary ? without that long neck, he's more of a 6'4 player with a 6'7 wingspan

Probably without the gargantuan neck he's 6'5 height and 6'5" wingspan (thus +0)

[spurraider21]

the 6'7 seems legit. photos of him next to teammates always indicated his listed height was legit. his effective height is definitely shorter than that because a giraffe neck doesnt help you for anything other than court vision. doesnt help you get shots off, contest defensively, finish, etc.

7 foot wingspan always seemed kind of wild. but a negative wingspan (probably about neutral if you discount for the giraffe neck)... that was supposedly part of his appeal

[itzsoweezee]

Finally confirmation of the T-Rex arms . . .

It'd probably be a +0 wingspan if it wasnt for that gargantuan neck of his.

And he can’t shoot and doesn’t play defense. All that and a torn ACL, what’s not to love?

[exstatic]

the 6'7 seems legit. photos of him next to teammates always indicated his listed height was legit. his effective height is definitely shorter than that because a giraffe neck doesnt help you for anything other than court vision. doesnt help you get shots off, contest defensively, finish, etc.

7 foot wingspan always seemed kind of wild. but a negative wingspan (probably about neutral if you discount for the giraffe neck)... that was supposedly part of his appeal

Never cared about that, other than, “oh,that interesting”. It was always about penetration, pick and roll play, and passing in general.

[Uriel]

1798784119813415260
Wouldn’t be surprised if his lying agent who lied about his injury was also the one who floated that false rumor.

[spurraider21]

Never cared about that, other than, “oh,that interesting”. It was always about penetration, pick and roll play, and passing in general.
the length is what gave people some optimism that it will be easier to hide him on defense

[BackHome]

I don’t know anyone would think he had that wingspan heck most people were bitching that he was NO way close to 6’6 many stated 6’4. So now he comes out as a legit 6’7 and for you neck people will just go with 6’6 which is still tall for a pure PG.

[scott]

lol, dude has been a fabrication of his agent/team owner (who we know stands to benefit from him being drafted high via buyout). All of this videos of him making layups against fat Serbians were probably filmed in front of a green screen in some Bratislavan human trafficking warehouse

[rjv]

we see you tube videos, read mock drafts and check out combine measurements. in other words, we see an iota of what a scout sees. we have no access to interviews, medical records or workouts. tony parker's selection was predicated on a second workout that convinced pop that RC was right about him. it sometimes just comes down to that. and sometimes, the scouts and higher ups get it flat out wrong and sometimes they land a gem. but i'm not gonna bitch about it if the spurs use their second lottery pick on topic.

[Mr. Body]

If the roster crunch is any concern, drafting Topic at 8 could let them leave him to rehabilitate - and I think he has a massive buyout - while we move aggressively into the later first round with the 35 for another target, a Dadiet type. Makes a problem next year, as we might be getting two rookies anyway, but it's a possibility.

[Extra Stout]

Topic is falling into “take a flyer” territory. I think he might fall out of the top 10.

[R. DeMurre]

lol, dude has been a fabrication of his agent/team owner (who we know stands to benefit from him being drafted high via buyout). All of this videos of him making layups against fat Serbians were probably filmed in front of a green screen in some Bratislavan human trafficking warehouse

:lol I think this is the second or third time I've seen you make a Bratislava joke. I was fortunate enough to visit Slovakia last year, and Bratislava was actually a gorgeous and modern city.

[Extra Stout]

:lol I think this is the second or third time I've seen you make a Bratislava joke. I was fortunate enough to visit Slovakia last year, and Bratislava was actually a gorgeous and modern city.
Here come the Belgrade jokes.

[baseline bum]

Topic is absolute do not draft for me after this news, at least do not draft in the first. That negative wingspan goes a long ways towards explaining why he was so shit in his 1 1/2 Euroleague games. Don't care if he can score on nobodies at the rim in the ABA, stubby arms ain't getting those shots off at the rim in the NBA.

[Mr. Body]

Topic is absolute do not draft for me after this news, at least do not draft in the first. That negative wingspan goes a long ways towards explaining why he was so shit in his 1 1/2 Euroleague games. Don't care if he can score on nobodies at the rim in the ABA, stubby arms ain't getting those shots off at the rim in the NBA.

Man, if his wingspan was 7 foot, he still wouldn't have been great in those games. This is why obsession with measurements don't make no sense. He was bad in those games because he has a pretty freakin' narrow skillset that depends on blasting past poor defenders and getting into the lane and he couldn't do that against actual teams.

[baseline bum]

Man, if his wingspan was 7 foot, he still wouldn't have been great in those games. This is why obsession with measurements don't make no sense. He was bad in those games because he has a pretty freakin' narrow skillset that depends on blasting past poor defenders and getting into the lane and he couldn't do that against actual teams.

I think the short wingspan should enormously affect his draft stock since his offensive game is basically only at the rim and he only showed it could be effective in the ABA. There is no way that's translating at the NBA level, especially when it didn't at Euroleague. One of the big things that had people excited about Topic was his size, and now we see it's nothing impressive. Goes from being a high risk, high reward pick to a high risk, middish reward pick at best. I wouldn't spend a lottery pick on this guy anymore even in this draft.

[Mitch Cumsteen]

This guy is going to slide to OKC at 12 and it's going to make me sick.

[baseline bum]

This guy is going to slide to OKC at 12 and it's going to make me sick.

Why? So they can have a poor man's Giddey next to the original Giddey? What makes me sick is this draft just keeps getting worse and worse. I hope OKC does piss their pick away on him.

[Mr. Body]

Why? So they can have a poor man's Giddey next to the original Giddey? What makes me sick is this draft just keeps getting worse and worse. I hope OKC does piss their pick away on him.

Yeah it would be freaking great if they somehow went for him.

Their big needs are a secondary scorer and beef that won't kill their five out finesse philosophy. Topic doesn't do anything for them.

[rascal]

Why? So they can have a poor man's Giddey next to the original Giddey? What makes me sick is this draft just keeps getting worse and worse. I hope OKC does piss their pick away on him.

Castle will lock him up.

[spurraider21]

I think the short wingspan should enormously affect his draft stock since his offensive game is basically only at the rim and he only showed it could be effective in the ABA. There is no way that's translating at the NBA level, especially when it didn't at Euroleague. One of the big things that had people excited about Topic was his size, and now we see it's nothing impressive. Goes from being a high risk, high reward pick to a high risk, middish reward pick at best. I wouldn't spend a lottery pick on this guy anymore even in this draft.
im not drawing any conclusions from his what, 20 minutes or whatever in euroleague when re-acclimated to a different team. with that said, the lack of high level competition is why im skeptical of him.

[baseline bum]

im not drawing any conclusions from his what, 20 minutes or whatever in euroleague when re-acclimated to a different team. with that said, the lack of high level competition is why im skeptical of him.

I don't think it should be treated as an aberration like everyone wants to do. That 30 minutes is the entire sample size against high level competition and it's all we have to go on. Having a much worse wingspan than expected goes a long ways to explain why a guy whose only scoring ability comes at the basket was able to be shut down by high quality competition.

[scott]

:lol I think this is the second or third time I've seen you make a Bratislava joke. I was fortunate enough to visit Slovakia last year, and Bratislava was actually a gorgeous and modern city.

All I know of Bratislava is from the movie Eurotrip, but it seems like a cool place :lol

[Limguogolo]

People argue about whether he's more the prototype giraffe or T-Rex without ever watching one of his games, without knowing how he performs as a PG, without knowing his ability to go to the rim and finish in a NBA context. Go to a zoo and buy postcards. You are doing a film review based on a simple trailer. The certainty that some can express is fascinating.:spin

[R. DeMurre]

People argue about whether he's more the prototype giraffe or T-Rex without ever watching one of his games, without knowing how he performs as a PG, without knowing his ability to go to the rim and finish in a NBA context. Go to a zoo and buy postcards. You are doing a film review based on a simple trailer. The certainty that some can express is fascinating.:spin


Seriously.... Here's Topic's first euroleague game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnpVR8dUpRI
If you watch that, you see that he's an effective floor general with the passing skills of a savant, at 18.

[Limguogolo]

Smart, quick at the rim, great finisher. In this game. I guess Pop likes the type.

Thanks for the link.

[rascal]

A Castle 4 and Topic 8 draft unless Castle is gone then Topic 4 and Salaun 8 will be the Spurs picks

Does anyone not see Topic on the Spurs?

[Mr. Body]

A Castle 4 and Topic 8 draft unless Castle is gone then Topic 4 and Salaun 8 will be the Spurs picks

Does anyone not see Topic on the Spurs?

Most of us don't.

[CGD]

A Castle 4 and Topic 8 draft unless Castle is gone then Topic 4 and Salaun 8 will be the Spurs picks

Does anyone not see Topic on the Spurs?

I have a hard time seeing them pass on Topic (bc they won’t be able to help themselves). The question is whether they chance it and see if he falls to 8. There are a few dumb dumb FOs between picks 4 and 8, but the risk he’s taken there.

[baseline bum]

Seriously.... Here's Topic's first euroleague game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnpVR8dUpRI
If you watch that, you see that he's an effective floor general with the passing skills of a savant, at 18.

ROFL that's not Euroleague, that's fucking ABA. What's up with Topic stans always trying to conflate ABA and Euroleague? The title of your video literally says ABA and it's from the ABA's official channel.

This is Topic's first Euroleague game:
https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2023/154/#boxscore

[rascal]

ROFL that's not Euroleague, that's fucking ABA. What's up with Topic stans always trying to conflate ABA and Euroleague? The title of your video literally says ABA and it's from the ABA's official channel.

This is Topic's first Euroleague game:
https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2023/154/#boxscore

Those guys he was playing against looked like they were in quicksand, very slow and hardly could get off the floor to contest a shot.

[Mr. Body]

Those guys he was playing against looked like they were in quicksand, very slow and hardly could get off the floor to contest a shot.

It's hard to overstate how bad the defenders look in the ABA.

[exstatic]

It's hard to overstate how bad the defenders look in the ABA.

It’s hard to overstate the seismic difference when there is no defensive 3 second rule. The center doesn’t have to be quick or agile, stepping in and out. He just has to be THERE, and he is.

[kobyz]

He has reportedly a quite big buyout with his Serbian team. He might end up in a scenario where being drafted around pick #20 isn't that interesting for him financially wise.

I'm not saying he will withdraw, I'm just not ruling it out.

That's even more incentive to draft him, as you could stash him without the necessary to sign him

[jjspur]

Every video I see of this guy is him doing a layup or passing the ball - nothing all that impressive. He's way to slow to pass a defender and his shooting stats are mediocre even for Euro ball. He can at least make free throws. That being said I rather draft a quicker, better shooting player who can play some defense. As wonky as this draft is, I feel that there at least a few players better than him available at 4.

The spurs love drafting foreign players. If the player is generational like Wemby, I totally understand. If they are the MVP of their league I understand. I they just wow you at the combine and in personal workouts, I understand. Topic is none of those things. A number of Euro players get drafted but usually not top 10 unless they are major stars in Europe. Some even have decent NBA careers, most dont and go back to Europe. Even injured, Topic may be worth drafting on his potential, just not in the top 10. Will he be a star... probably not. Will he be a role player on some NBA team, possibly. Could he be a bust? That's also possible given his injury.

After 2 terrible seasons, the spurs should try to make the best of this draft by not drafting a player who probably won't play for a year. That considering we may possibly have 3 1st round picks next year in a draft with much better talent available, all competing for minutes on this young team.

Conclusion. Definitely pass at 4, and pass at 8. There are other players who better fit our immediate needs. If the spurs are tanking again, I can see them taking Topic. I just hope they don't tank and don't draft Topic.

[Pauleta14]

He would be a great "traditional" 28th pick fo the Spurs