Spurs International Farm Team

[Peter]

It's time for a review.


http://bc.lrytas.lt/img/pics/15-javtokas.jpg
Robertas Javtokas - PF,C/6'10" 205 lbs/26 years old
56th overall pick, 2nd round, 2001 NBA Draft
Lithuanian
Whereabouts: BC Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania)


http://www.euroleague.net/fotos/jugadores/E05/AJG.jpg
Luis Scola - PF/6'9" 230 lbs/25 years old
56th overall pick, 2nd round, 2002 NBA Draft
Argentinian
Whereabouts: Tau Ceramica (Spain)


http://www.nbadraft.net/profiles/headshots/viktor-sanikidze-hd.jpg
Viktor Sanikidze - SF/6'9" 200 lbs/19 years old
43rd overall pick, 2nd round, 2004 NBA Draft
Georgian
Whereabouts: unknown ;)


http://www.wudang.cis.com.pl/obrazy/29/1/dolph.jpg
Sergei Karaulov - C/7'0" 231 lbs/23(?) years old
58th overall pick, 2nd round, 2004 NBA Draft
Uzbekistanian/Russian
Whereabouts: BC Khimky Moscow (Russian)


http://www.nbadraft.net/profiles/headshots/ian-mahinmi-hd.jpg
Ian Mahinmi - PF/6'9" 230 lbs/19 years old
28th overall pick, 1st round, 2005 NBA Draft
French
Whereabouts: STB Le Havre (France)

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

Sanikidze plays for Dijon in France.

Karaulov plays for Khimky in the Russian League.

[ducks]

the question is how many will be on the team next year

[Peter]

Sanikidize played for Dijon in France.

In regards to Karaulov, so noted.

[Guru of Nothing]

6'9" seems short for Mahinmi.

Anyone else got something to the contrary?

Funny Uzbekistanian shit!

[sanman53]

Thanks guys for posting this. I have a difficult time keeping up with these draft picks.

[exstatic]

6'9" seems short for Mahinmi.

Anyone else got something to the contrary?

Funny Uzbekistanian shit!
It's been stated that he's 6'10" without shoes.

[T Park]

Sanikidze i believe is in san antonio....

Hes been sittin in the GM's box all year long.

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

Karaulov is a complete mystery. There is very few information of him on the www, maybe he is the next Tim Duncan? :lol

CIA Pop at his best.

[kolko]

Karaulov is a complete mystery. There is very few information of him on the www, maybe he is the next Tim Duncan? :lol

CIA Pop at his best.

He is playing with Ruben Wolkowyski.

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

He is playing with Ruben Wolkowyski.

That is known for us Argentinians, but can you find a picture or his stats? :lol

I bet Pop has some ex-KGB friends over there giving him data.

[T Park]

Ive gotta a feeling we will never see ol Sergei over here.

[Kori Ellis]

Sanikidze plays for Dijon in France.


No, he doesn't. He lives in San Antonio; he's been here since November or so.

[Kori Ellis]

I bet Pop has some ex-KGB friends over there giving him data.

:lmao

[Spurologist]

It's time for a review.


http://www.wudang.cis.com.pl/obrazy/29/1/dolph.jpg
Sergei Karaulov - C/7'0" 231 lbs/23(?) years old
58th overall pick, 2nd round, 2004 NBA Draft
Uzbekistanian/Russian
Whereabouts: BC Khimky Moscow (Russian)



Time to give this guy a look

[Kori Ellis]

Sergei Karaulov played on the Spurs summer league team this past summer and sucked, right?

[T Park]

I thought he was schedualed to, but never showed up.

[Kori Ellis]

He played. Here's the final stats from RMR.

http://www.nba.com/media/jazz/teamstats_05_final.pdf

[picnroll]

Today against CSKA, a tough Euro team, Javtokas had 15 boards and 3 blocks, only 5 points, in 35:45 minutes in a loss.

[Solid D]

I saw Sergei Karaulov play in a Summer League game on NBAtv. Poor performance.

Karaulov is REALLY the guy PJ Carlesimo is talking about in the EAS commercial.

[TDMVPDPOY]

lets hope one of those euro picks end up playin like ak47, so all our problems will be solved at th e3 spot

[Solid D]

lets hope one of those euro picks end up playin like ak47, so all our problems will be solved at th e3 spot

Only one of these picks plays on the wing. Sanikidze. The others are post players.

[OM_fever]

Mahinmi is listed as 2m06, I think in France the height is without shoes. (sorry don't know exactly how to translate in feet)

[leemajors]

i think someone said ian grew an inch since the draft, he is still pretty young and probably not done growing :o

[Solid D]

206 cm is 6'9" (81 inches)

Here is a conversion tool, OM fever.. It's more accurate to convert to inches.
12 inches = 1 foot
72 inches = 6 feet

http://convert.french-property.co.uk/

[OM_fever]

thanks, it could definitly help!

But if you add shoes, he should be listed around 6'10... and I don't know from when the height has been done.

We should add that he has really long arms & he jump really high! And I do think that Spurs management could have once again made a steal with him, not only because I'm french, but surely because he has really few years of basket behind him. If he keeps on progressing that way, he will definitly be something special...

[Peter]

Karaulov seems to be the most questionable one when it comes to making it in the league. Javtokas and Scola seem to be the most ready. Mahinmi and Sanikidze both are young and from what I've seen, are regarded as having a good shot at making it. Karaulov's summerleague showing was a step back. Perhaps in a few years he'll be worth a look. Next season the Spurs might bring a few of these guys in, especially one of the bigs. Sanikidze might get his shot too.

[Maddog]

No, he doesn't. He lives in San Antonio; he's been here since November or so.

What is he doing in SA. This seems to imply the Spurs have some plans for him etcetc- maybe the development league?

[ChumpDumper]

Viktor has been rehabbing an injury here that ended his season in France. Javtokas did the same thing, so you can't really read that much into it.

[Mr. Body]

I've long felt the Karaulov pick was a throw-away. I can't shake the feeling that the Front Office wasn't totally prepared for that pick and completely stretched. Maybe everybody on their board was already tabbed and they couldn't dump a pick that late.

Sanikidze - is it legal for a player to practice with a team without being on the roster? Not suggesting that's what is happening...

Mahinmi - Everything I've seen lists him as taller than 6'9".

[Kori Ellis]

Sanikidze - is it legal for a player to practice with a team without being on the roster? Not suggesting that's what is happening...

Mahinmi - Everything I've seen lists him as taller than 6'9".

Sanikidze - No it's not legal.

Mahinmi - I thought I read one poster here say that he was measured a couple months back at 6'10.

[Mr. Body]

Mahinmi - I thought I read one poster here say that he was measured a couple months back at 6'10.

I recently re-read an article on him just after draft day saying he was measured at 6'11", suggesting he had grown. I'll try to find it.

[Mr. Body]

It's from Buck Harvey shortly after the draft. Link (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/columnists/bharvey/stories/MYSA082505.1C.COL.BKNharvey.spurs.17a42330.html).


Earlier this month, for example, Engelland worked with Ian Mahinmi, the Spurs' 2005 draft pick. Everyone understands he will need a few years, but Mahinmi showed off one number when he was in San Antonio that means more than any shooting percentage.

The teen measured at a full 6-foot-11, an inch more than before.

[ChumpDumper]

If Viktor were healthy he'd be in France right now.

I agree about the Karaulov pick; maybe it was done as a favor to an agent or something. Can't get a Manu or Scola every year though.

[Kori Ellis]

If Viktor were healthy he'd be in France right now.

I agree about the Karaulov pick; maybe it was done as a favor to an agent or something. Can't get a Manu or Scola every year though.

I think he is healthy. Reports out of France were that he had an ankle injury (break) but when he got here, there wasn't anything wrong with his ankle -- he was just reportedly getting treated for tendinitis on his knee.

[Peter]

I guess Sanikidize could do everything but practice with the team. Not sure what the CBA says on that. Still, with the swing rotation as it is, would it be that much of a stretch to see the Spurs bring him in next season for an educational season on IR?

Karaulov wouldn't be the first time a Spurs scout has erred.

[Bruno]

For Mahinmi height : he said that he is 2m08 height (6'10").
In france the height is given without shoes.
In nba, he will be listed at 6'11" (they use height with shoes, see buck harvey article) if he stop growing.

[ChumpDumper]

Hmm. You'd think they'd want Viktor playing somewhere then. I'd have to look up the clauses again, but it seems like if he did the paperwork right, he could have a fair bit of leverage to be signed by the Spurs lest they lose his draft rights next year.

It's probably not the case, but I don't put anything above agents.

[Mr. Body]

Karaulov wouldn't be the first time a Spurs scout has erred.

No, which is fine. Their track record is excllent overall. I keep getting the feeling that they wanted a Sergi Karpulov or somebody like that and got the name wrong, Karaulov is so clearly not an NBA player. He essentially plays for a J.V. level Russian team, and not very well.

But then the mystery of them bringing him over for the Summer League games...

[Bruno]

If Viktor were healthy he'd be in France right now.

I think that he isn't anymore under contract with Dijon.

[Peter]

As for Mahinmi's height, I referenced nbadraft.net. Not authoritative, but I wasn't worried that much about an inch.

[Peter]

No, which is fine. Their track record is excllent overall. I keep getting the feeling that they wanted a Sergi Karpulov or somebody like that and got the name wrong, Karaulov is so clearly not an NBA player. He essentially plays for a J.V. level Russian team, and not very well.

But then the mystery of them bringing him over for the Summer League games...


Well, the other known instance had the Spurs lose out on Nocioni's rights.

[timvp]

Spurs would be doing well if one of those five players pans out. None of them are a sure thing at this point.

[Mr. Body]

Well, the other known instance had the Spurs lose out on Nocioni's rights.

I know. It's not fun to think about that one. But overall, when I look at other team's drafting records, where a good player could have pushed them to a new level (Minnesota a good example), I see a roster of terrible, terrible picks.

And as far as Mahinmi's height - It matters less what it is now but there is a sense that he's still growing. I wouldn't be surprised to find him at 7'0" by the time he gets here. With those long arms, he could be a terror.

[Bruno]

I'm very high on Javtokas.
This guy is athletic, is a good rebounder and a good defender. (He is a candidate to be DPOY in europe).
When you add that he doesn't have a buyout this summer, I hope that Spurs sign him this summer.

[Peter]

I know. It's not fun to think about that one. But overall, when I look at other team's drafting records, where a good player could have pushed them to a new level (Minnesota a good example), I see a roster of terrible, terrible picks.

Josh Howard.

Hope there aren't any sharp objects lying around.




And as far as Mahinmi's height - It matters less what it is now but there is a sense that he's still growing. I wouldn't be surprised to find him at 7'0" by the time he gets here. With those long arms, he could be a terror.

Wingspan and vertical matter most, IMO.

[Peter]

I'm very high on Javtokas.
This guy is athletic, is a good rebounder and a good defender. (He is a candidate to be DPOY in europe).
When you add that he doesn't have a buyout this summer, I hope that Spurs sign him this summer.

Yep. Also quite physical.

Most likely another offseason with Scola not brought in.

[timvp]

If the Spurs let Nazr walk, expect the hype machine to label Javtokas the Euro Dikembe Mutombo.

[T Park]

Javtokas >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oberto

[Peter]

If the Spurs let Nazr walk, expect the hype machine to label Javtokas the Euro Dikembe Mutombo.


It's only a matter of time. If they are that concerned about giving a guaranteed min contract for 1 season can you really see them give Mohammed a multi-year deal in the $30 to $35 mil range?

[Bruno]

If the Spurs let Nazr walk, expect the hype machine to label Javtokas the Euro Dikembe Mutombo.

I will label him the Euro Ben Wallace. :smokin

Maybe he won't be better than Oberto.
But he is playing great in europe and if he is cheap, he is worth a try.

[timvp]

Javtokas >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oberto


obviously pop doesn't think that.

I defer to powers that are smarter than me, IE, guys that have won 3 rings....

[ChumpDumper]

If we can pencil in Oberto as a starting center, we can do anything!

[Mr. Body]

Josh Howard.

Hope there aren't any sharp objects lying around.

I know about these. They're tough to take, especially since we need that young SF. But it could be so much worse. We already have two All-Star foreign players in our backcourt had with very low draft picks - and I've always liked Udrih.

[Peter]

Sure, it's hard to want your cake and eat it too. But they were just lying there....

[timvp]

If we can pencil in Oberto as a starting center, we can do anything!

Next year that won't be as funny when Oberto is starting.

:hat

[ChumpDumper]

It's only a matter of time. If they are that concerned about giving a guaranteed min contract for 1 season can you really see them give Mohammed a multi-year deal in the $30 to $35 mil range?Well, you could take a long-term look and guess that the Spurs are working to get their last tax disbursements while they can and are fully prepared to go over the threshold next season. Since they offered Nazr an extension without having rid themselves of Barry or Rasho, this could be the case.

[ChumpDumper]

Next year that won't be as funny when Oberto is starting.

:hatThey'd have to be able to move Rasho to do that, and we don't have any more picks for Zeke.

[Peter]

How much of a disbursement are they likely going to receive this season?

[leemajors]

well from what i have seen of Javtokas on NBAtv, he sets decent picks/screens and also seems to box out well. if he has no buyout, bring him ova and let the hype begin. he doesn't need to be that great, just get boards and be in the right place.

[T Park]

Javtokas is active, and I liked what I saw of him in the Olympics.

Plays good D, rebounds VERY well, blocks shots, and has a DECENT around the basket game.


I think Javtokas is the brightest of all of them right now.

[timvp]

They'd have to be able to move Rasho to do that, and we don't have any more picks for Zeke.

If the Spurs let Nazr walk and turn around and try Rasho at center again, I'm going Ghostal.

[Peter]

Until the Spurs are able to move Rasho, it's hard to see them retain Mohammed.

[ALVAREZ6]

How does Robertas Javtokas only weigh 205 lbs???


That can't be right, look at his arms. You're saying he weighs as much as Manu?

[Peter]

That weight is admittedly somewhat old.

[Mr. Body]

Javtokas, while gifted physically, is a bit robotic in his movements. He'll be a good stop-gap but not amazing.

[Peter]

Javtokas recently weighed in at 117 kg according to his Rytas profile. (http://bc.lrytas.lt/lt/disp.php/lt_club/lt_players/lt_players_11) Anyone for a conversion?

[ChumpDumper]

He's gotta be somewhere between 250-260lbs. He's alot bigger than before the accident.

[Bruno]

258 lbs to be exact.

[Peter]

117 kg = 257.9 lbs

source (http://www.onlineconversion.com/weight_common.htm)

[Peter]

If Javtokas could be a 4th big in the L he'd be a nice addition.

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

By the way, if the Spurs pass on Scola again, they could trade him for some real value. Scola is once again, playing amazing in Europe. A team that needs instant scoring in the post, and has a young, long 3 who can play and learn defense comes to mind. Atlanta? Chicago?

I would love to see Scola in a Spurs uniform, he has improved his rebounding, defense and passing out of double teams, but unless the Spurs lose Horry, Mohammed and Nesterovic, he won't be signed.

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

Of course, there's also that little detail called buyout. I don't know if Scola is eager enough to leave Europe for the NBA (at least not to be a 5th/6th man in the bigman rotation) to pay the buyout on his own.

[ALVAREZ6]

258 lbs to be exact.
I thought so.

[Mr. Body]

By the way, if the Spurs pass on Scola again, they could trade him for some real value. Scola is once again, playing amazing in Europe. A team that needs instant scoring in the post, and has a young, long 3 who can play and learn defense comes to mind. Atlanta? Chicago?

I would love to see Scola in a Spurs uniform, he has improved his rebounding, defense and passing out of double teams, but unless the Spurs lose Horry, Mohammed and Nesterovic, he won't be signed.

I, too, want to see Scola as a Spur. I've admired his game since the 2002 WBC.

But there may be something to this. Scola doesn't really fit the picture of a Spurs interior player. He doesn't seem to be much of a shot-blocker, while the team likes to play two at all times in what amounts to a two-center defensive system (Duncan + Nazr/Rasho/Horry). He's an excellent post-scorer internationally, and we can assume he'd be pretty good in the NBA. Yet that, too, goes against the Spurs' style, where there are hardly any post-ups for anyone who isn't named Duncan. The thought being that a post-scorer gets in the way of the slashing of the guards.

It's an interesting dilemma. If he comes, then the Spurs might try to use him in the Duncan role on offense with the second unit - conspicuously there is no post scoring with TD out of the game - but this may not fly.

As a fan of Scola, I hope he succeeds when he finally comes to the NBA, but at this point I see it being with an Atlanta or Chicago.