Spurs' future draft picks

[Pugglekicker_21]

1.) Dal 62 12
2.) Pho 56 18
3.) San 53 21
4.) Uta 48 26
5.) Det 48 27
6.) Hou 47 28
7.) Cle 45 30
8.) Chi 45 31
9.) Tor 42 33
10.) Mia 40 34
11.) Was 39 35
12.) LAL 39 36

judge by this.

If Im correct, Alando Tucker is a SF, something tells me the Spurs will upgrade either this or something else, and that they may want to use Scola to move up for their guy. Either that or they finally bring him over to establish trade value and to see what they got on their hands. And I take it that Tucker will not turn out to be what he was in college.

[ThomasGranger]

Chicago is no. 8 right now. Are we gonna get their pick? What do you all think

A win over Toronto tonight would increase their chances of staying within the top 9, especially since the Raptors are only two spots behind them. LeBron's free throw shooting this afternoon helped, too. The Bulls have a fairly easy schedule from here on out, so I'd say the odds are pretty good that the Spurs will get that pick from them after all (probably the 53rd).

[Pugglekicker_21]

Nevermind. That record sheet is old. My bad.

[Mr. Body]

I'd bet San Antonio gets the Bulls' pick. Looks good at this point.

Alando Tucker with the #28 is a good pick. He's a smart player and could turn into a heady bench guy, but his size isn't great. Thaddeus Young with that pick would be extremely good, but unlikely.

[mardigan]

Im just not a fan of Tucker, I love his heart and will, but his size his a huge knock against him. He has no gueard skills, and will be way to short to play as a forward at the next level. I guess he could always pan out though

[exstatic]

Im just not a fan of Tucker, I love his heart and will, but his size his a huge knock against him. He has no gueard skills, and will be way to short to play as a forward at the next level. I guess he could always pan out though
Probably not. Players too small for their position rarely pan out in the NBA.

[El_Mago]

Young's performance in the tournament could of dropped his stock a bit.

He has good length, a 7-1 wingspan, has huge upside (18yrs old), and has a sweet stroke.

Hoping Young is there at the Spurs pick looks unlikely, but you never know.

There are still workouts that need to occur and that can raise or drop his stock.

However, a great system, a great coach, and great players around him....Young can turn out being a huge steal in the 1st.

If the Spurs can move up to the late teens...18 or 19...or....early 20's....he can be there for sure....unless he has amazing workouts.

[ThomasGranger]

Young's performance in the tournament could of dropped his stock a bit.

He has good length, a 7-1 wingspan, has huge upside (18yrs old), and has a sweet stroke.

Hoping Young is there at the Spurs pick looks unlikely, but you never know.

There are still workouts that need to occur and that can raise or drop his stock.

However, a great system, a great coach, and great players around him....Young can turn out being a huge steal in the 1st.

If the Spurs can move up to the late teens...18 or 19...or....early 20's....he can be there for sure....unless he has amazing workouts.

Young would be a fantastic pick-up for the Spurs, but I just don't see how they could move up the 10 or so spots it would probably take to land him.

[exstatic]

Well, this is all a bit premature until the field is set. After the early declaration deadline, we'll have a better idea of who's available under 22, especially Euros.

[Mr. Body]

There are intimations now Julian Wright might enter the draft after all, thereby making this draft even crazier deep, pushing another good SF down closer to the Spurs' range, and making it even more likely someone very good could be there with the Milwaukee pick. Though some might not like Alando Tucker with the first rounder, I think everyone would agree he'd be a steal with the Milwaukee pick.

[T Park]

This draft could restock the spurs, if they play the cards right.

[aaronstampler]

If we can get one guy in Europe, one draft pick and White to all be a part of next year's rotation, that'd be a miracle. This team needs some young blood.

[Mr. Body]

One guy from Europe - like Mahinmi or Scola you mean? All that is do-able. If the Spurs manage to trade up into even the early 20s, they'll get a lottery-type talent. If they stay at #28 it's a bit more iffy.

[T Park]

Doubtfull they will move up.

Teams usually don't want to help them do that.

[Mr. Body]

We'll see. No one will help them for the fun of it, but the Spurs have some assets.

[Big P]

Doubtfull they will move up.

Teams usually don't want to help them do that.

While that is true about most situations, teams like Atlanta & Boston have an abundance of young players & at some point they are going to have to start getting some veterans & other assets. Thats where the Spurs come in. We can give up expiring contracts, up to 4 draft picks this year, or future picks, Euro talent and or a couple of young players on reasonable contracts like Beno & Butler, who happen to play positions that those teams need to address.

[El_Mago]

Doubtfull they will move up.

Teams usually don't want to help them do that.

Actually, this year might be the year the Spurs actually do move up.

They have known since last year this draft was going to be deep and they have multiple picks, expiring contracts, and foreign rights (good ones at that) to easily move up.

Teams know this draft is deep and would love multiple picks. At the same time, the Spurs do no harm to themselves by keeping the picks too.

However, if they truly want a talented player....and need to move up to nab him....it might not be as difficult as they have found it to be in previous years.

[Mr. Body]

^^^
yes, exactly. this may be the easiest year to move up they've had.

[T Park]

anyone think its possible to move into the top 15?

[Mr. Body]

anyone think its possible to move into the top 15?

I don't think so (sadly). There is an outside chance their first, Scola, the Milwaukee pick and possibly one other thing (future first) could move them to 13 or 14, I guess. It'd be so much easier if they were 24 or so instead of 28.

If Hawes, Julian Wright, Batum are all in the draft, I could see a guy like Jeff Green tumble to the late teens.

DX has the Bulls getting the Knicks' pick at #11 and picking Tiago Splitter (ignore that they have Spencer Hawes picked later, who is a better fit). Wouldn't Chicago at least consider the Spurs trading up with Splitter's more offensively capable teammate Scola, plus some other incentives? I doubt the #28 and #33 would be enough there, but a package at that point might be more attractive than simply Splitter.

[T Park]

One of these days someones gotta list all the SF available in this draft, ranked from best to worst, their plusses and minuses, and then we do like a poll on who they should get.

Obviously we wont get totally into it till June, but, its something to pass the time till the playoffs :lol

[THE SIXTH MAN]

What would be better for the Spurs, getting a long 3 through the draft, or through free agency?

[Mr. Body]

Passing time is exactly it. In rough order (IMO):

Kevin Durant
Julian Wright
Corey Brewer
Jeff Green
Nicholas Batum
Al Thornton
Thaddeus Young
Dominic McGuire
Alando Tucker
Derrick Byars
Jared Dudley

... all project as straight up SFs. I left off SG/SFs like Nick Young, Marcus Williams, and Brandon Rush, although I think Rush could be a SF and I like him very much. This draft is utterly insane.

Looking at this list, I'd mark the 'sure fire' cut off after Thaddeus Young. Not to say all those guys will be great pros, but I see a gap there. Not sure if I include Young - who is raw but who I like - and I don't know enough about McGuire to include him. I guess I'd say the first seven guys are lottery-level talents.

[Bruno]

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=1990

It looks like Batum will enter in the draft after his good game at the nike hoop summit.
He is very talented and should be a lottery pick if he stays in the draft but he likely won't be a productive rookie given that he will be the youngest player in this draft.

[AFBlue]

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=1990

It looks like Batum will enter in the draft after his good game at the nike hoop summit.
He is very talented and should be a lottery pick if he stays in the draft but he likely won't be a productive rookie given that he will be the youngest player in this draft.

That's great, as is the note about Julian Wright possibly re-thinking his status in this draft. The more prospects the better. Love it!

[JPB]

I didn't think Batum would enter this year. Thought he would wait one or two more years.
His euroleague experience sure has helped him to shine in the Nike hoop summit where some other players never really play at a high level.

But I've never hidden that I was high on Nicolas. Great athlet, very good BBIQ, definitly NBA material.

Too bad Spurs won't probably have a shot at him.

[AFBlue]

Passing time is exactly it. In rough order (IMO):

Kevin Durant - All-around package is an incredible athlete, great rebounder, solid defender, unbelievable shot....but he's a bit thin (215lb) and prefers to play outside

Julian Wright - Good Passer, excellent post player, decent shooter out to 15ft, incredible athlete, great defender....no 3pt range and plays 4 in college but will need to transition to the SF

Corey Brewer - Tenacious Defender (best of group), great athlete, smooth player, great length....perimeter game is streaky and production doesn't always match talent

Jeff Green - Good passer, good inside/outside offensive game, good size/athleticism, good defender....as you can tell he does alot "good" but not anything "great", almost too unselfish

Nicholas Batum - Good passer, good athlete, good defender, smooth player, great length, high IQ...perimeter shot still developing, can disappear for stretches
Al Thornton - Great athlete, intense player, great defender, good size....streaky perimiter game, good in transition but bad in halfcourt, plays 4 but will have to transition to 3

Thaddeus Young - Supreme athlete, great length, good in transition, good passer...needs to add lb's, too perimeter oriented w/o consistent outside game

Dominic McGuire - Great athlete, good length, good ball-handler, great rebounder....no real perimeter game to speak of, needs to add weight

Alando Tucker - Aggressive inside player and finisher around the basket, good athlete, decent mid-range jumper....has SG size (6'5, 210) and no range from 3pt

Derrick Byars - Good strength, good shooter, good defender, floor leader....just "okay" athlete, struggles to shoot off dribble

Jared Dudley - Intense player/defender, good length, excellent scorer, good rebounder....terribly unathletic which hurts defense and creating shot

... all project as straight up SFs. I left off SG/SFs like Nick Young, Marcus Williams, and Brandon Rush, although I think Rush could be a SF and I like him very much. This draft is utterly insane.



I've listed the supposed strengths and weaknesses of each player listed above.

I'll disagree with his last comments though....not all of them project as straight up SFs. In fact, all of them have the versatility to play at least two positions at the NBA level....mostly 3/4. Durant and Brewer could probably play three different positions in spots (2, 3, and 4). So, I'll include the others.

Nick Young - Good all-around scorer, good defender, good athleticism, great length...has all tools, but seems to lack motivation at times, needs to add strength

Brandon Rush - Good athlete, good shooter, good length...can disappear at times, good potential defender but also inconsistent in that area

Marcus Williams - Good shooter, good length, great defender....could add some muscle, disappears at times

[AFBlue]

I didn't think Batum would enter this year. Thought he would wait one or two more years.
His euroleague experience sure has helped him to shine in the Nike hoop summit where some other players never really play at a high level.

But I've never hidden that I was high on Nicolas. Great athlet, very good BBIQ, definitly NBA material.

Too bad Spurs won't probably have a shot at him.

They may or may not have a shot at him, but him entering the draft increases the chances that the Spurs will grab a legit SF prospect, or prospect in general.

With all this talent, someone good will fall....

[Mr. Body]

I've listed the supposed strengths and weaknesses of each player listed above.

I'll disagree with his last comments though....not all of them project as straight up SFs. In fact, all of them have the versatility to play at least two positions at the NBA level....mostly 3/4. Durant and Brewer could probably play three different positions in spots (2, 3, and 4). So, it's rediculous not to include the others.

Nick Young - Good all-around scorer, good defender, good athleticism, great length...has all tools, but seems to lack motivation at times, needs to add strength

Brandon Rush - Good athlete, good shooter, good length...can disappear at times, good potential defender but also inconsistent in that area

Marcus Williams - Good shooter, good length, great defender....could add some muscle, disappears at times

"Rediculous"? Come on, that's stating it a little harsh, don't you think? All three of those guys I see as more SGs than SFs, but anyway... In the list, most of the guys do swing between positions - the SF is a swing position, after all - but most go SG/SF since they are perimeter-oriented players. The only guy who definitely skews more SF/PF is Jeff Green, who has a post up game. I still think he'd be the most interesting guy to put next to Duncan, and could run small ball sets perfectly.

[AFBlue]

"Rediculous"? Come on, that's stating it a little harsh, don't you think? All three of those guys I see as more SGs than SFs, but anyway... In the list, most of the guys do swing between positions - the SF is a swing position, after all - but most go SG/SF since they are perimeter-oriented players. The only guy who definitely skews more SF/PF is Jeff Green, who has a post up game. I still think he'd be the most interesting guy to put next to Duncan, and could run small ball sets perfectly.

Yeah...didn't mean to come off harsh. My bad.

All of those three are considered SG, but could play the majority of their minutes at SF depending on their team's needs.

Agree with you that Green would be a great fit. But, I also think that those others mentioned could play the PF role in small-ball sets for alot of teams....most of them played PF in college.

[Mr. Body]

I agree overall. Unfortunately, even including Williams, Rush, and Young, it looks like the only guy on that list who obviously drops to the Spurs is Dominic McGuire, with Rush still projected to drop (though I don't know why).

[Bandwagon Bill]

Ridiculous???

[wildbill2u]

judge by this.

If Im correct, Alando Tucker is a SF, something tells me the Spurs will upgrade either this or something else, and that they may want to use Scola to move up for their guy. Either that or they finally bring him over to establish trade value and to see what they got on their hands. And I take it that Tucker will not turn out to be what he was in college.
Great pics. I had no idea he played the guitar. A real dual threat. Maybe if he doesn't work out the first year he can play the Star Spangled Banner before the game and perform at halftime.

[wildbill2u]

Young's performance in the tournament could of dropped his stock a bit.

He has good length, a 7-1 wingspan, has huge upside (18yrs old), and has a sweet stroke.

However, a great system, a great coach, and great players around him....Young can turn out being a huge steal in the 1st.

He can be there for sure....unless he has amazing workouts.
The last guy the Spurs drafted with a 7' wingspan that people thought could overcome his height disadvantage was Romain Sato. He now probably works as a bank clerk in Altoona, Pa.

A California condor also has a 7' wingspan, but you don't see them suited up in the NBA because they can shoot, can't defend, and can't rebound either.

[El_Mago]

Actually, the one guy I've always wanted the Spurs to nab is Serbian Nemanja Aleksandrov.

I've attempted to connect with some people to see if he would declare or what his whereabouts even are, but I've gotten nothing so far.

Last that I know.....he missed the entire season in 2005-2006 because of injury, but I don't know if thats still from his ACL injury.

Anyone here know whats up with Aleksandrov?

[Mr. Body]

El Mago, read up on Draft Express, the World Hoop Summit thing on the front page tells how Aleksandrov is doing. Here are links: http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=37&page=links

He looks like a second round prospect, probably not athletic or fast enough for the NBA.

[El_Mago]

Wow, if Nemanja is second round material now....the Spurs better grab him.

Nemanja a couple of years back was the sure-fire number 1 pick.

However, he and his agent always would back out at the last minute and pull out.

Eventually, that caught up to him and he suffered the ACL injury.

However, the kid is extremely talented. The kid has it all.....he is extremely lengthy and has one of the sweetest strokes I've ever seen.

Yet, one thing that has plagued him is his intensity. He seems to know how good he really is, but just seems to "turn it on and turn it off" whenever he pleases.

[wildbill2u]

I wonder how many of these 6-7 to 6-10 guys listed as 'power forwards' in college will change to SF in the NBA because of thin body-size and athleticism. It seems like a lot of them could make the change-over.

Any ideas on who might make it as a long or big SF?

[Mr. Body]

I think Nemanja stays out of the draft this year. He's only 20 and can build himself up into the first round again. He did well in the Hoop Summit but struggled with the speed.

[Bruno]

The last guy the Spurs drafted with a 7' wingspan that people thought could overcome his height disadvantage was Romain Sato. He now probably works as a bank clerk in Altoona, Pa.


Sato is having a good year in europe.
He is playing in Italia and his team is the leader of the regular season. He is averaging 13 points and 6.5 rbds in 28 min.

[Bruno]

BTW, a question for people who watch the ncaa.

Do you know a player called Stephane Lasme ?
He played with U Mass in a quite weak conference but has averaged 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks :) in 31 minutes this year.

Is he worth a late second round pick if he agrees to spend one or two years in europe before signing with Spurs?

[Mr. Body]

Lasme - DX's take on him at Portsmouth: http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=1079

Comparing him to Justin Williams of the D-League this year. Could be something down the road, not sure if the Spurs can draft him late and suggest he play overseas. More likely he'd be a training camp cut.

[Spursdaone]

I don't trust the Spurs front office with late first or 2nd round picks anymore. We've blown our opportunity to get better the past 3 or 4 years.

[AFBlue]

The last guy the Spurs drafted with a 7' wingspan that people thought could overcome his height disadvantage was Romain Sato. He now probably works as a bank clerk in Altoona, Pa.

A California condor also has a 7' wingspan, but you don't see them suited up in the NBA because they can shoot, can't defend, and can't rebound either.

The only "Romain Sato" mentioned is Alando Tucker. The other prospects with above-average wingspans are at least 6'7...Sato was maybe 6'5.

Thaddeus Young, however, has the body of a SF and should be able to gain enough mass to play the PF as well.

[mardigan]

That's great, as is the note about Julian Wright possibly re-thinking his status in this draft. The more prospects the better. Love it!
He is only 17, dont you have to be older to enter the draft?

[AFBlue]

I wonder how many of these 6-7 to 6-10 guys listed as 'power forwards' in college will change to SF in the NBA because of thin body-size and athleticism. It seems like a lot of them could make the change-over.

Any ideas on who might make it as a long or big SF?

Most of the Guys mentioned in Mr. Body's post that I duplicated with Strengths/Weaknesses were PF in college.

Jeff Green, Al Thornton, Julian Wright, Dominic McGuire, Jared Dudley....all played most of their minutes at PF and all have games suited to play PF in college (with the exception of Green who has a developed outside game), and all of them will see the majority of their time at SF on the NBA level....though I think some could see significant time at PF depending on the system they're in.

[Mr. Body]

Wright was born 5/22/87, so is nearing the ripe old age of 20.

[AFBlue]

He is only 17, dont you have to be older to enter the draft?

Wright or Batum?

Wright is a college sophomore and is 20 I believe

I'm pretty sure Batum will be 19 by draft day, which I think is the requirement...

[El_Mago]

Thaddeus Young is who I want the Spurs to nab.

The kid has a 7-1 wingspan, has a nice jumper, untapped potential, versatile, still very young, good handles, and is just an athlete.

He has the tools to become something special.

Also, under a great coach, system, and being surronded great players can only make him better and not put too much pressure on him at an early age.

If the Spurs can move up to the late teens or early 20's he might still be around.

[Bruno]

I'm pretty sure Batum will be 19 by draft day, which I think is the requirement...

The requirement for internationational player is to be at least 19 during the draft year. Batum will be 19 in december.

[Bruno]

Lasme - DX's take on him at Portsmouth: http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=1079
Comparing him to Justin Williams of the D-League this year.


Thanks but it's because of what I've read on dx about him that I ask the question. :)
I was hoping that someone has seen him played with U Mass this year.



Could be something down the road, not sure if the Spurs can draft him late and suggest he play overseas. More likely he'd be a training camp cut.

Spurs won't likely have a roster spot next year for him, I don't see the point to draft someone to cut him three months later. Given that he wasn't playing in a top conference, maybe he should spend a year in europe before coming back in nba like Matt Bonner did. Off course, Spurs should ask him before the draft if he agrees to spend a year in europe.

[El_Mago]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rkIBw-jTl4

Video of Thad Young....number 22....you can see how his 7-1 wingspan makes a difference.

[Mr. Body]

Thanks but it's because of what I've read on dx about him that I ask the question. :)
I was hoping that someone has seen him played with U Mass this year.

Ah. :spin I did watch him a little in the NIT. He had game-changing skills at that level, but a lot of work to do. I could see him develop into a heady, hard-working NBA player down the line, but it's hard to project that. He looked competitive and a fighter. As you say, it's hard to know what the Spurs would do with two late 2nd round picks, as they may have this year. Trade them away to teams that would have them.

[Mr. Body]

Video of Thad Young....number 22....you can see how his 7-1 wingspan makes a difference.

I like him a lot, too, and have defended him on DX boards while their leadership has been down on him. There was this thread where people were calling Chase Budinger a better prospect than him - I don't think so. Young has a great attitude and a very nice skill set. He'd be a project, but Bowen can easily hold down the starting SF spot for another year. If I recall correctly, he's not officially in the draft this year, but if he were and all those other SFs are in the draft, Young definitely drops to the 20s. I think the Spurs have to trade up to get him, but moving up 6-8 spots may not be too difficult.

[El_Mago]

As far as I know, Young is in the draft.

You're right. Young is rare in the sense that he has all these amazing abilities, but it a bright young man with a good head on his shoulders. In my opinion, he's Spurs material.

[Mr. Body]

The last guy the Spurs drafted with a 7' wingspan that people thought could overcome his height disadvantage was Romain Sato. He now probably works as a bank clerk in Altoona, Pa.

A California condor also has a 7' wingspan, but you don't see them suited up in the NBA because they can shoot, can't defend, and can't rebound either.

Sato also wasn't Big Ten player of the year, like Tucker. I'd say Alando Tucker is a significantly better player.

[El_Mago]

My bad, you're right...so far he's a 50/50 shot.

[mardigan]

Well you guys all know who I want, but with how deep this draft is going to be, it looks like the only way we get him is in the second

[El_Mago]

who?

[mardigan]

who?
The guy in the upper part of my sig, Derrick Byars from Vandy, I really cant say enough about the guy, he is awesome. If you look back pages there are links to vids and articles on him. He will be there when the Spurs pick

[AFBlue]

Well you guys all know who I want, but with how deep this draft is going to be, it looks like the only way we get him is in the second

Early second round would be perfect for this guy. That way the Spurs don't have to sign him to a long-term deal before figuring out if he or James White should be with the team next year (I doubt the Spurs would/could carry both).

[AFBlue]

I also think it wouldn't be disasterous if the Spurs took the Best Player Available at 28. International guys with buyout concerns (Splitter, Fernandez, Belinelli) could fall. So could guys who are "tweeners" that will have to be taught one primary position (Thornton, McRoberts, Stuckey, Pruitt, T. Young). One final category is the junior/senior who's game has been heavily critiqued because of the time under the spotlight by scouts (Law, Hansborough, M. Williams, Tucker, Byars, Dudley). I think any number of these prospects could fall on draft day and the Spurs would be lucky to pick up one of them with their first two picks.

My personal hope is that Fernandez/Belinelli drop because of buyout concerns, and that the Spurs pick up a SF prospect (be it a developmental prospect like McGuire or a proven guy like Byars) with the early second rounder.

I also think it's possible the Spurs grab a rangy PF to hedge against the Horry retirement possibility and being outbid for Bonner...McRoberts, Fazekas, and Jason Smith come to mind.

[AFBlue]

http://www.draftexpress.com/headlines.php#2612

Third story from top...


Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut — Hasn't announced but is expected to. It's early — since he can't play — but he's 7-3. Coach Jim Calhoun says the decision is not about basketball but the family's hardship.

All, it looks like another young, high-potential prospect may be throwing his name into the draft. Thabeet would probably go in the mid-late first round if he declares.

He's incredibly raw offensively, but he has great athleticism for a player his size, is a great shotblocker, and has the potential to be a monster rebounder. Mahmoud Saer Sene went #10 last year, and though this draft is deeper, he probably doesn't slip out of the first round...

[wildbill2u]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rkIBw-jTl4

Video of Thad Young....number 22....you can see how his 7-1 wingspan makes a difference.
Wasn't that a highschool age tournament or something? I think he was taller than most of the other players if it was the vid I remember.

[AFBlue]

Quoted from various sources below, though it should come as no suprise...Durant is going Pro. No direct effect on Spurs (except in our dreams!), but adding another prospect to this deepening draft doesn't hurt.


Apr 10 - At a scheduled 4 p.m. news conference today, Kevin Durant is expected to announce that he will leave school for the challenge of the NBA, according to sources close to the program.
Coach Rick Barnes said Durant has not told him whether he will leave for the NBA. Barnes said it was important that Durant spent time with his parents the last two weekends, when he received national player of the year awards in Atlanta and Los Angeles. The Pratts have been in Austin since Sunday.

"I always tell him to follow his heart," Barnes said. "I'd like to think something will be done quickly." -- Austin American-Statesman


Kevin Durant has decided to turn pro after becoming the first freshman to win all six of the major national player of the year awards, including the Naismith and Wooden awards, according to two sources close to the Texas program. -- Dallas Morning News

Texas coach Rick Barnes said Monday night he's hoping All-American Kevin Durant decides quickly whether he plans to return for his sophomore season or declare for the NBA draft.
"I'd like to think we'll get something done quickly," Barnes said after the annual Texas basketball banquet at the Erwin Center. "I hope he makes it as quick as he can."

It is widely speculated that Durant is leaning toward declaring for the NBA draft. A decision could come as early as today, a UT spokesman said. -- Houston Chronicle

[AFBlue]

Another draft entry to report...Davon Hardin. He's a great athlete and a powerful post player, but he'll probably slip to the second round because he hasn't played the game in a while (injury). Still, he's an intriguing prospect.


Hardin Enters Draft
Apr 10 - Cal junior center DeVon Hardin, who missed the final 22 games this past season after breaking his foot, has declared for the NBA draft, but he does not plan to not hire an agent, giving him the option of returning to college next season.
"I'm looking to get an evaluation of my game and find out where I am physically," the said in a statement. "The only way to get better is to compete against the best. I want to see where I stand, and my decision will depend on how I do against those guys.

"I don't see anything to lose. I'm still going to classes. I want to get feedback from NBA scouts and let them tell me where I stand and what I need to work on." -- Contra Costa Times

[Mr. Body]

Hardin is a guy who probably pulls out. He's doing the right thing - hiring no agent, trying to get invited to the pre-draft camps, get some exposure, but ultimately waiting until next year unless for some reason he blows up in the camp scrimmages.

[wildbill2u]

Sato also wasn't Big Ten player of the year, like Tucker. I'd say Alando Tucker is a significantly better player.
My problem is with the 7' wingspan mantra as though it makes up for size. Lots of really good college players don't make it because they're 'tweeners' and can't make up the difference. I'm just saying don't fall in love with a draftee and make excuses for him--unless he's from your school and then you go for it.

The race is not always to the swift, nor the blocks, rebounds, and shots to the taller athlete, but that's the way it usually works out and that's the way I'd bet.

[Mr. Body]

I'm not jocking Alando Tucker. He could fall off the map just as fast as P.J. Tucker. He is a smart ball player and pretty athletic and tough, but his size is not good, as you say. If the Spurs don't trade up at all, that's the player they will be looking at, however.

[mountainballer]

You have been bashed because you speak about a subject you obviously don't know.

You speak about a team and you don't know the names of the player. It's Vaty, not Vathy. Will I be credible if I speak about Spurs and Brice Bowan ?

You speak about a team and you don't know at what post players are. Mahinmi and Wright are C with pau, not PF. Will I be credible if I called Horry a SF ?

You speak about a team and you don't know what happened with this team. Mahinmi never sign to be a starter with Pau, he signed as backup C behind Hiram Fuller. After they failed to sign Fuller and after Mahinmi good summer league, they decided to give the starting spot to Mahinmi but he failed and then they signed Wright. Will I be credible if I say that Spurs have signed Vaughn as starting PG ?


eastern vacation and I almost miss the best.

dear Bruno, last time you suddenly jumped at me I was really surprised and couldn't understand why you freak out, this time I see your problem, but unfortunatly I do have to react, because you went overboard.

I see that you spend so much energy on positioning yourself as the mastermind of this board, the man with the inside knowledge, that you just can't stand, when someone doubts or even contradicts your little stories or "analyses" about our european players.
now I see why you almost panic, when someone like me just tries to display another (more accurate) picture.
the problem is, that you try to do it the cheap way, by trying to discredit me, instead of using arguments and facts.

I once admitted that you do know a lot, but the problem is, you don't know much about European basketball and your try to show this "inside" knowledge by telling stories some on this board (or youself) like to hear.

like your stupid (just using your words) story about Pau and that they don't play Mahinmi because they develope Vaty.

and all you can answer is, that I have added an "h" in his name and that's the prove that people shouldn't listen to me.
well, let people decide if the misspelling of the name of a young French player is equal to the misspelling of the a long time starter on our team, as you assume, or if this is just the desperate try of someone to discredit someone who has another view.
(btw. I would have bet my right hand, that it is Vathy, not Vaty, when I hear the sports commentators call his name. I bet most French people would also add this "h" in his name and in my language it is also common to add the "h" after the "t". anyhow. I don't think you ever had this problem, because I don't think you ever watched a single Euroleague or French league game)

if I go into each detail about this claim:

You speak about a team and you don't know at what post players are. Mahinmi and Wright are C with pau, not PF. Will I be credible if I called Horry a SF ?

just a few words out of your vocabulary: pathetic. nonsense. stupid.
maybe you have ever heard, that nowadays the positions of C and PF are very often no longer clearly possible to classify (maybe you have even heard about such a player on the Spurs roster), but in this special case it is even more stupid.
just because you probably have seen some lists, where Ian is categorized center, this doesn't mean that he in fact only plays center. same with Wright.
they are both typical power forwards and they play this position and the fact, that Pau doesn't have a single (so -called) typical center on their roster (I don't count Ajinca) has them play mostly 2 PFs in their line up.
if it helps you to call one of them "center", because you learned that a team has to have a center, go ahead.
but don't act like if it was THE difference that proves that someone doesn't know what he talkes about, because he calls Ian what he in fact is. a PF. if you want to call him a center, because you called him center for quite some time, also go ahead. it doesn't change anything.
but please stop trying to use this difference in this pseudo-scientific way, just to try to discredit someone else's oppinion.
just better stop inventing this "insider" stories and watch some games.
(or do you want to go into detail about your also ridiculous statement, why Sanikidze struggles in Spain?)

[mardigan]

Another one is entering



Wright declares for draft; no agent hired yetAssociated Press


LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Julian Wright, the versatile but inconsistent power forward who helped Kansas win two straight Big 12 titles, is skipping his last two years to enter the NBA draft.

The 6-foot-8 Chicago player said at a news conference Monday that money wasn't the deciding issue.

"Money has never been my motivation," he said. "It's not my family's [motivation]. Mostly, just playing and feeling like I'm able to advance my game to the next level. It's not about the money. I'm just happy and grateful to have the opportunity."

Often inconsistent but at times spectacular with his long wing span, Wright averaged 12.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in helping the Jayhawks win their second straight Big 12 tournament title. In the regular season, he averaged 12 points and 8.1 rebounds.

His best scoring game was a 33-point night at Missouri. But, showing his bad side one night at home, he went up for a spectacular, uncontested dunk but lost control of the ball and his body and landed in an embarrassed heap beneath the basket. Coach Bill Self was so disgusted, he pulled him out of the game.

"Julian is a versatile, fabulous athlete who can do a lot of things very, very well," said Self, who joined his star player at the news conference.

"He'd be the first to agree that there are some things he needs to get better at. But I don't know how many 19-year-olds or 20-year-olds don't have to get better at something. He'll work hard to do that.

"But you can't teach a lot of things that Julian does very, very well. And you can't coach a lot of things he does very, very well. And I think that was intriguing for a lot of folks."

Wright, who lacks a 3-point shot, said he expects to go somewhere between No. 10 and No. 16 in the first round.

"I feel like I'm in a position now where I can develop," he said. "I'm not saying I'm going to be the next LeBron James or an impact player right away. I know it's a long work in process."

By declaring for the draft, Wright becomes eligible to participate in the NBA Pre-Draft camp and try out for NBA teams. If he does not hire an agent, Wright can withdraw from the June 28 draft and return to school provided he does so by June 18.

He becomes the first Jayhawk to declare for this year's draft, although 6-foot-6 sophomore guard Brandon Rush is widely thought to be leaning toward turning pro. Kansas had no seniors last season and would otherwise return the entire lineup that reached the round of eight in the NCAA tournament.

"I know it's going to be a lot of ups and downs, especially in the first year, or the second, or maybe the third," Wright said. "I'm ready for that. I'm not ready for actual playing right now. Obviously, I have a lot of work to do."

Self, admitting Wright's loss will weaken his team, said he could not fault the decision.

"Being very candid, if I was Julian and I was in this situation, I'm not sure I wouldn't make this same decision," he said.

Self also said he did not expect a decision from Rush, his leading scorer, for 10 days to two weeks.

"Not a happy day, not a sad day," Self said. "Just a day, I think if you coach at a place like Kansas you're going to have to deal with from time to time."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[AFBlue]

Another one is entering



Wright declares for draft; no agent hired yetAssociated Press


LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Julian Wright, the versatile but inconsistent power forward who helped Kansas win two straight Big 12 titles, is skipping his last two years to enter the NBA draft.

The 6-foot-8 Chicago player said at a news conference Monday that money wasn't the deciding issue.

"Money has never been my motivation," he said. "It's not my family's [motivation]. Mostly, just playing and feeling like I'm able to advance my game to the next level. It's not about the money. I'm just happy and grateful to have the opportunity."

Often inconsistent but at times spectacular with his long wing span, Wright averaged 12.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in helping the Jayhawks win their second straight Big 12 tournament title. In the regular season, he averaged 12 points and 8.1 rebounds.

His best scoring game was a 33-point night at Missouri. But, showing his bad side one night at home, he went up for a spectacular, uncontested dunk but lost control of the ball and his body and landed in an embarrassed heap beneath the basket. Coach Bill Self was so disgusted, he pulled him out of the game.

"Julian is a versatile, fabulous athlete who can do a lot of things very, very well," said Self, who joined his star player at the news conference.

"He'd be the first to agree that there are some things he needs to get better at. But I don't know how many 19-year-olds or 20-year-olds don't have to get better at something. He'll work hard to do that.

"But you can't teach a lot of things that Julian does very, very well. And you can't coach a lot of things he does very, very well. And I think that was intriguing for a lot of folks."

Wright, who lacks a 3-point shot, said he expects to go somewhere between No. 10 and No. 16 in the first round.

"I feel like I'm in a position now where I can develop," he said. "I'm not saying I'm going to be the next LeBron James or an impact player right away. I know it's a long work in process."

By declaring for the draft, Wright becomes eligible to participate in the NBA Pre-Draft camp and try out for NBA teams. If he does not hire an agent, Wright can withdraw from the June 28 draft and return to school provided he does so by June 18.

He becomes the first Jayhawk to declare for this year's draft, although 6-foot-6 sophomore guard Brandon Rush is widely thought to be leaning toward turning pro. Kansas had no seniors last season and would otherwise return the entire lineup that reached the round of eight in the NCAA tournament.

"I know it's going to be a lot of ups and downs, especially in the first year, or the second, or maybe the third," Wright said. "I'm ready for that. I'm not ready for actual playing right now. Obviously, I have a lot of work to do."

Self, admitting Wright's loss will weaken his team, said he could not fault the decision.

"Being very candid, if I was Julian and I was in this situation, I'm not sure I wouldn't make this same decision," he said.

Self also said he did not expect a decision from Rush, his leading scorer, for 10 days to two weeks.

"Not a happy day, not a sad day," Self said. "Just a day, I think if you coach at a place like Kansas you're going to have to deal with from time to time."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

You're wicked late on this one guy....stick to NFL updates. Just kidding ;)

I want to see if Rush and even Darrell Arthur muddy the waters even further by submitting their names...

[mardigan]

You're wicked late on this one guy....stick to NFL updates. Just kidding ;)

I want to see if Rush and even Darrell Arthur muddy the waters even further by submitting their names...
Damn, it was only posted on ESPN yesterday :depressed

[AFBlue]

Damn, it was only posted on ESPN yesterday :depressed

Mardy, Mardy, Mardy....24 hours is an eternity for this forum. Did you happen to catch that Durant officially declared via statement and is schedule to hold a press conference in less than half an hour?

[mardigan]

Mardy, Mardy, Mardy....24 hours is an eternity for this forum. Did you happen to catch that Durant officially declared via statement and is schedule to hold a press conference in less than half an hour?
:lol , who is this Durant you speak of?
All I know is NFL and Derrick Byars Tony, you should know that by now :lol

[AFBlue]

:lol , who is this Durant you speak of?
All I know is NFL and Derrick Byars Tony, you should know that by now :lol

:lol

[Mr. Body]

I want to see if Rush and even Darrell Arthur muddy the waters even further by submitting their names...

I'd bet my life Rush will be in. Old for his class and a good showing in the tournament. My thinking is Arthur stays another year.

[AFBlue]

I'd bet my life Rush will be in. Old for his class and a good showing in the tournament. My thinking is Arthur stays another year.

I'll go in with you on Rush, and given Arthur's cooldown as the season wore on conventional wisdom would have him returning....

BUT, this is a kid that even had his parents fooled when he chose Kansas over Baylor (much to my dismay as a Baylor Alum), and seems to have NBA on the brain as I think he would've declared out of high school had it not been for the 1yr rule. I'm not saying you're wrong, but he's changed his mind in the past....and he'd go in the first round even as raw as he is.

[Mr. Body]

More the better if Arthur comes in.

[AFBlue]

More the better if Arthur comes in.

Totally agree...the more the merrier. He'd be another intriguing 3/4 combo guy for sure....

[yavozerb]

1987 = DROB
1997= TD
2007= hopefully another superstar

[John Patrick]

i have a slight clue about who Scola is. I like what he has as a player, but since it seems he'll never come here, i'd like to see us draft either a Bowen replacement, or a guy like Nick Fazekas or another person like that to replace horry. then again, it'd be good to have some prospects overseas and in the d league. Tim is not getting younger, but we have some years left before we can afford to worry about that.

[Pugglekicker_21]

whoa whoa whao man, i agreed with you until the part about duncan. I like Fazekas, but no need for a first round pick to prepare for horry's retirement. why draft nick if he'd be behind duncan for maybe the first three or 4 years od his career?

[AFBlue]

1987 = DROB
1997= TD
2007= hopefully another superstar

That's a hell of a list to live up to...

You may want to aim a little lower...say all-star or even future solid starter.

Still, it would be nice..... :cooldevil

[Pugglekicker_21]

Great pics. I had no idea he played the guitar. A real dual threat. Maybe if he doesn't work out the first year he can play the Star Spangled Banner before the game and perform at halftime.


err, idk if you're joking, but the guitar dude is Tom Morello. :lol

but who knows, maybe Scola does jam a bit. as soon as i saved the sig i thought....damn, that confuses a bit..

im changing it..

[AFBlue]

whoa whoa whao man, i agreed with you until the part about duncan. I like Fazekas, but no need for a first round pick to prepare for horry's retirement. why draft nick if he'd be behind duncan for maybe the first three or 4 years od his career?

The Spurs could probably pick up Fazekas in the early to middle second round....so no need to expend a first for him. The Spurs would then be able to hedge against paying too much to re-sign Bonner and/or letting Horry go/retire.

[Mr. Body]

Robert Horry is the last player we need to bother replacing. Bonner's already here, anyway, and Fazekas or any other tall, basically immobile player should not be drafted with the first round pick. He may very well be available with the Milwaukee pick. Fine. Even then I'd suggest pulling a back-up point, but wouldn't sniff at Nick.

[mardigan]

Aaron Afflalo is going to come out

[AFBlue]

ESPN.com has a story that Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, and Tyler Hansbrough are all coming back to the Tarheels next season. Brendan Wright has yet to make a decision, but I assume he'll be coming out. Still, it sucks that three possible first-rounders won't be coming out and deepening the draft even futher...first bit of bad news in a while.

[wildbill2u]

err, idk if you're joking, but the guitar dude is Tom Morello. :lol

but who knows, maybe Scola does jam a bit. as soon as i saved the sig i thought....damn, that confuses a bit..

im changing it..
Just pulling your leg a little bro. Shoulda put on a :rolleyes or:spin so you'd know.

[El_Mago]

Afflalo is definitely in.

He declared last year and pulled out, so that its for him.

He has to be in now because he pulled out last year.

Draft only becomes deeper and deeper.

[AFBlue]

Looks like a decision could be made early next week by the three Ohio State players....if they declare, Oden and Conley are likely to be lottery picks and Cook should go in the late first to early second.


Decision By Next Week
Apr 11 - Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook will meet Sunday to begin weighing their options. Their decisions could come as soon as next week, said the father of one of them.
"That's just me talking," Mike Conley Sr., father of point guard Mike Conley Jr. and the players' prospective agent, said yesterday, "but in my estimation, I think (they will decide) sometime next week.

"I'm not going to sign any of the boys with the exception of Greg, if he has his mind made up," Conley Sr. said. "If they choose (to enter the draft), they will put their name in ... then make another decision whether they want to stay in."

Two weeks ago, Conley Sr. told The Dispatch that his son was "not thinking about going pro." But he acknowledged then that the situation would be re-evaluated "if a shoe company came and offered Mike $80 million to turn pro." -- The Columbus Dispatch

[Mr. Body]

Afflalo is a second rounder this year, maybe first if he works out well.

[mountainballer]

deep as the draft looks, even late 2nd rounders get some value.
in other words: are the 3 2nd rounders enough to get a late 1st rounder from a team with multiple 1st rounders? (Suns, Sixers) those teams might think about the option of using serveral 2nd rounders on internationals and play the waiting game instead of adding another 1st rounder.
there are some interesting players, who are far from NBA level right now, but might break out in some years (Andric, Gomes, Fesenko).

[AFBlue]

deep as the draft looks, even late 2nd rounders get some value.
in other words: are the 3 2nd rounders enough to get a late 1st rounder from a team with multiple 1st rounders? (Suns, Sixers) those teams might think about the option of using serveral 2nd rounders on internationals and play the waiting game instead of adding another 1st rounder.
there are some interesting players, who are far from NBA level right now, but might break out in some years (Andric, Gomes, Fesenko).

Suns will be hard up against the luxury tax, so them trading out of the first round is a distinct possibility. I could see the Spurs using one or two of their second round picks, but more than likely they would have to include a future first as compensation this time around....as would any other team. So Suns give up #29 pick for Spurs' future first and a late second rounder this year....that kind of deal.

[Mr. Body]

Alas, I don't see Phoenix dealing with San Antonio to make them stronger. I only wish some middling team had surplus 1sts.

The bad side to a good reputation overall is teams are wary of looking like fools for dealing with you.

[Bandwagon Bill]

Alas, I don't see Phoenix dealing with San Antonio to make them stronger. I only wish some middling team had surplus 1sts.

The bad side to a good reputation overall is teams are wary of looking like fools for dealing with you.

we gave them Barbosa, they should return the favor. :spin

[AFBlue]

Alas, I don't see Phoenix dealing with San Antonio to make them stronger. I only wish some middling team had surplus 1sts.

The bad side to a good reputation overall is teams are wary of looking like fools for dealing with you.

I'm sure the Suns will find a team that thinks it's on the verge of winning to give up a future first and the Suns will cash out with another lottery pick in 2008.

[wildbill2u]

Julius Wright Might be Wrong!

"...showing his bad side one night at home, he went up for a spectacular, uncontested dunk but lost control of the ball and his body and landed in an embarrassed heap beneath the basket. Coach Bill Self was so disgusted, he pulled him out of the game.

"Julian is a versatile, fabulous athlete who can do a lot of things very, very well," said Self, who joined his star player at the news conference. "He'd be the first to agree that there are some things he needs to get better at.

Like walking and chewing gum at the same time? :bang

[AFBlue]

Julius Wright Might be Wrong!

"...showing his bad side one night at home, he went up for a spectacular, uncontested dunk but lost control of the ball and his body and landed in an embarrassed heap beneath the basket. Coach Bill Self was so disgusted, he pulled him out of the game.

"Julian is a versatile, fabulous athlete who can do a lot of things very, very well," said Self, who joined his star player at the news conference. "He'd be the first to agree that there are some things he needs to get better at.

Like walking and chewing gum at the same time? :bang

:lol

Funnier still is that he'll go top 10...even with his incomplete game.

[Mr. Body]

Anybody know anything about Morris Almond? Most mocks have him hovering around the end of the first round.

[Rynospursfan]

He has nice size at 6'6" and can shoot the lights out looks like a good combination to me. He had some impressive scoring numbers against less than the best competition in NCAA. Apparently a nice pump fake but doesn't have much intensity on D.

[JPB]

About nicolas Batum :
Word is he wants to play another year with his current team in France and euroleague with a more important role.

Maybe he'll enter and withdraw.

Or maybe he wants to be drafted this year, while not being a too high pick, not to end up with a bottom lottery team, then come in the NBA the next year, if he doesn't care too much for the money for now.

[mountainballer]

About nicolas Batum :
Word is he wants to play another year with his current team in France and euroleague with a more important role.

Maybe he'll enter and withdraw.

Or maybe he wants to be drafted this year, while not being a too high pick, not to end up with a bottom lottery team, then come in the NBA the next year, if he doesn't care too much for the money for now.

I'm sure he will withdraw.
to enter the draft and see what happens could also be seen as part of the development process for young Euro players, just that they will be better prepared in later years.
Batum would be very bad adviced, if he stays in this year. next year, or 2009 he will have much better chances to be a top 10 pick or likely even higher.
and I'm sure he also thinks about the money. it's quite a difference if you get the (guess) no.5 rookie contract instead of a no. 15 contract. (in numbers: around 3 million in guarranteed money and another 3+ million in the options).

[Bruno]

About nicolas Batum :
Word is he wants to play another year with his current team in France and euroleague with a more important role.

Maybe he'll enter and withdraw.

Or maybe he wants to be drafted this year, while not being a too high pick, not to end up with a bottom lottery team, then come in the NBA the next year, if he doesn't care too much for the money for now.

Batum was on Parker radio show last monday.
He has said that his first intention was to play another year in europe but that he will maybe stay in the draft if he receives some insurance to be picked high. His choice isn't made for the moment and he will wait to have some feedbacks from nba teams. His agent seems to be really confident about Batum ability to be picked high : he said that he should be the 2nd SF picked behind Durant but before Brewer.

[AFBlue]

Batum was on Parker radio show last monday.
He has said that his first intention was to play another year in europe but that he will maybe stay in the draft if he receives some insurance to be picked high. His choice isn't made for the moment and he will wait to have some feedbacks from nba teams. His agent seems to be really confident about Batum ability to be picked high : he said that he should be the 2nd SF picked behind Durant but before Brewer.

GMs seem to have an affinity for young, unproven talent. He certainly is young, as he will not turn 19 until the very end of this calendar year (making him the youngest draft eligible player), and while he's showed some potential in the Nike Hoops Summit and playing for his Euroleague team...he's certainly inexperienced. Tough to argue him going ahead of Brewer, who has two national championships in two years at college, but I guess it all depends on what GM likes which player....he will go in the lottery, and before all is said and done he may be a top 10 pick.

[mathbzh]

I would like him to wait one more year. But Batum is #10 for NBADraft.net and #12 for DX. If he has some insurance to be draft there I don't know why he would withdraw.

For the Brewer comparison... I think some GM could prefer Batum because he has more upside. Of course Brewer has more experience but he still has to prove he can play at the NBA level. With his skinny body, I am not sure he can.

Unfortunately any of these two guy will be a SA pick.

[JPB]

GMs seem to have an affinity for young, unproven talent. He certainly is young, as he will not turn 19 until the very end of this calendar year (making him the youngest draft eligible player), and while he's showed some potential in the Nike Hoops Summit and playing for his Euroleague team...he's certainly inexperienced. Tough to argue him going ahead of Brewer, who has two national championships in two years at college, but I guess it all depends on what GM likes which player....he will go in the lottery, and before all is said and done he may be a top 10 pick.

Euroleague experience (pro ball) >> NCAA experience.
I agree Batum is unexperienced cos he has only one year playing pro behind him. But Brewer 2 NCAA years dosen't make him that much more ready to play in NBA, IMO.

But I think he should wait at least another year.

[Mr. Body]

Isn't Julian Wright a SF, too? Batum before Wright and Brewer both?

[AFBlue]

Isn't Julian Wright a SF, too? Batum before Wright and Brewer both?

Last Monday, when the comment was made, I think Wright was still school-bound....therefore not in the discussion.

Then again, I could be wrong and the agent could be pumping his player up, talking out of his ass....which agents do alot around draft time.

[AFBlue]

Euroleague experience (pro ball) >> NCAA experience.
I agree Batum is unexperienced cos he has only one year playing pro behind him. But Brewer 2 NCAA years dosen't make him that much more ready to play in NBA, IMO.

But I think he should wait at least another year.

Brewer played in a MAJOR conference, against top NCAA competition, and came out a winner...twice. While Batum certainly isn't in the lower leagues, he's not playing for a top Euroleague team and competing for the Euroleague championships. Not all NCAA conferences are the same, and not all European leagues are the same. In this case

I'd take Brewer's experience over Batum's, but would gladly take either in the silver & black!

[mathbzh]

I really don't know if Batum should be picked before both. I think it is to early to know.

In a few years we will start thread to bash the GM who chosed Batum over Brewer... or Brewer over Batum... or both over Wright... we will see

But I agree with JPB regarding experience. Batum needs more time to be NBA ready but PRO experience (Euroleague and French league) >> NCAA experience.

[mathbzh]

To complete my post:
I still take Brewer's experience over Batum's because Brewer was a starter and Batum wasn't.

[Mr. Body]

I place Batum behind Durant, Wright, and Brewer. Probably after Green, too.

[AFBlue]

I place Batum behind Durant, Wright, and Brewer. Probably after Green, too.

How could we forget about Green...probably the most well-rounded SF of them all? Damn this draft is deep...I'm giddy again. :elephant

Good post Body :toast

[AFBlue]

Amazingly enough, I STILL think he gets picked in the lottery. And I'm not sure where I rank Batum with all those others, but I doubt GMs will be in agreement either, because each has their strengths and each GM has different needs.

[Mr. Body]

Green is a tough case because some teams may see him as more of a PF for their liking and may like Batum more. I feel Batum needs to stay in the lottery or at least in the top 20 in order not to pull from the draft. I'm not sure that will happen.

News from DX has Wilson Chandler from DePaul in the draft this year. Upsize up the wazzoo and last year he probably goes at the end of the lottery, but this year may go in the second round. I'd expect him available (if he stays) with the Milwaukee pick. The problem gets to roster space at this point.

[Mr. Body]

How could we forget about Green...probably the most well-rounded SF of them all? Damn this draft is deep...I'm giddy again. :elephant

Don't forget Al Thornton. I'm not a fan of his, to be honest, but he projects as a SF too. My gut says Batum will withdraw.

[AFBlue]

Don't forget Al Thornton. I'm not a fan of his, to be honest, but he projects as a SF too. My gut says Batum will withdraw.

All it takes is one GM to fall in love with Batum and he'll stay in. Young, international player with a good all-around game and a ton of upside....yeah, I think the possibility of a team falling in love with him is not beyond the realm of possibility. Actually the guys who tend to slide on draft day are the ones like Green who lack the "wow" factor and upside of others...

[Mr. Body]

I could see Batum slipping in front of Green for the reasons you say. Upside, upside. GMs may see Green as a guy who's already panned out and is as good as he'll ever be (I don't agree). One thing that could hurt Batum is if it's clear he wants to stay one more year in Europe.

[Mr. Body]

My amended quickie SF list

Kevin Durant
Julian Wright
Corey Brewer
Nicholas Batum
Jeff Green
Al Thornton
Thaddeus Young
Jared Dudley
Dominic McGuire
Derrick Byars
Wilson Chandler
etc.

Again I leave out Nick Young, Marcus Williams, Brandon Rush... due to my thinking of them as primarily SGs. And again, I'd absolutely love to have Brandon Rush.

[mountainballer]

And again, I'd absolutely love to have Brandon Rush.

agree. (both, about him being more of a SG and that he would be a great addition)
get's me back to my hope that with some luck we can pick a tandem of players like Dominic McGuire + Brandon Rush.
(Derrick Byars + Jared Dudley?)
considering we have to repleace 5-7 spots on the roster from 2 to 4 in the next two years makes it very useful to draft a swingman and a comboforward this year. they will have one year to get integrated and learn the system and will take the roles of Bowen and Finley the year after.

[AFBlue]

My amended quickie SF list

Kevin Durant
Julian Wright
Corey Brewer
Nicholas Batum
Jeff Green
Al Thornton
Thaddeus Young
Jared Dudley
Dominic McGuire
Derrick Byars
Wilson Chandler
etc.

Again I leave out Nick Young, Marcus Williams, Brandon Rush... due to my thinking of them as primarily SGs. And again, I'd absolutely love to have Brandon Rush.

Not including G/Fs....Rediculous Body, Rediculous....j/k :lol

[Mr. Body]

Not including G/Fs....Rediculous Body, Rediculous....j/k :lol

It's like a mental disease.

[Mr. Body]

It looks like Oden, Conley, and Cook are all in.

Cook gets this: :wtf

Maybe he won't hire and agent and see he might not even get drafted at all. The other two affect the Spurs not at all, except pushing that mass of other players closer to the #28 pick, as expected. Also, as an Indiana Hoosiers fan and alumn, it's good to see the obstruction removed.

[mardigan]

Oregon State forward Marcel Jones will enter the draft but wont hire an agent

[AFBlue]

It looks like Oden, Conley, and Cook are all in.

Cook gets this: :wtf

Maybe he won't hire and agent and see he might not even get drafted at all. The other two affect the Spurs not at all, except pushing that mass of other players closer to the #28 pick, as expected. Also, as an Indiana Hoosiers fan and alumn, it's good to see the obstruction removed.

Do you have a source that shows any indication? I just did a google search and couldn't come up with anything difinitive.

[Mr. Body]

Do you have a source that shows any indication? I just did a google search and couldn't come up with anything difinitive.

Pukey little Dayton Daily News is registration required, but you can see it on the Sports page. It was linked elsewhere on sports sites:

article (http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/index/sports/)

Text of article thru DX:



The crowd chanted "One more year" Wednesday night for Greg Oden and fellow Ohio State basketball freshmen Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook.

It's more likely those Buckeyes were "one and done" in college.

Sources say all three likely will make themselves eligible for the NBA draft. Albert Powell's opinion is a "90 to 95 percent" chance the trio will ultimately decide to enter the draft.

Cook said that he is leaning toward staying in school, but he says he doesn't have all the information he wants yet.

Powell was an assistant on that group's AAU team (coached by Mike Conley Sr.), a member of Dunbar's coaching staff and close friend to all three families.

"If it's one," Powell said. "It's all of them."

Ohio State held a celebration complete with the band, the mayor, cheerleaders, a highlight video and 4,000 fans at the Schottenstein Center. Ohio State (35-4) was the Big Ten regular-season and tourney champions and NCAA runner-up to Florida.

It also may have been a farewell for three freshmen and AAU teammates who have had NBA dreams since grade school. Players can withdraw from the draft until June 18.

The players' families — including Conley Sr., now an NBA agent — plan to meet Sunday in Indianapolis. Ohio State coach Thad Matta hopes to talk with the players next week, armed with NBA information.

[mardigan]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/ian_thomsen/04/10/hoop.summit/index.html


Article about Batum and a couple other foriegn prospects

[wildbill2u]

My amended quickie SF list

Kevin Durant
Julian Wright
Corey Brewer
Nicholas Batum
Jeff Green
Al Thornton
Thaddeus Young
Jared Dudley
Dominic McGuire
Derrick Byars
Wilson Chandler
etc.

Again I leave out Nick Young, Marcus Williams, Brandon Rush... due to my thinking of them as primarily SGs. And again, I'd absolutely love to have Brandon Rush.
At one time, Mohammed Abukar, a 6'10' SF from Fresno State was slotted by DX to the Spurs. He went to Portmouth and seems to have lost some luster. Like a lot of these guys, they look terrific in college when they are playing aginst teams that may have at best, one or two premier college-level players--but when they get to a situation where ALL the players were college stars, they don't stand out so much.

I'm still seeing a lot of LONG guys listed as PF/Cs who simply don't have the weight/body structure to play those positions. They are going to have to adjust down to SF in the pros if they are going to make it. And some of them have the hops to be able to do it.

[Rynospursfan]

My amended quickie SF list

Kevin Durant
Julian Wright
Corey Brewer
Nicholas Batum
Jeff Green
Al Thornton
Thaddeus Young
Jared Dudley
Dominic McGuire
Derrick Byars
Wilson Chandler
etc.

Again I leave out Nick Young, Marcus Williams, Brandon Rush... due to my thinking of them as primarily SGs. And again, I'd absolutely love to have Brandon Rush.

I'm big on Rush too, I love his defensive play. Hard to believe how deep this draft is that a guy like this could go in the second round.

[timvp]

I think it's safe to say that the Rush DNA peaks around college years.

[K-State Spur]

Rush is a good collegiate defender, but I don't think he's quick enough to be a defensive force against NBA wings.

Plus, he's a jayhawk...

[Rynospursfan]

Well he still has two years left to develope then right?

[K-State Spur]

What's with the Julian Wright love?

His range ends at about 8 feet, he's got no handle, he's not strong enough to guard the post. He is a solid passer and can block shots.

He's a freak of an athlete, but I see him as having very little value at the '3.' He's a thin '4' without much of a post-up game.

Not to mention that he completely disappeared at times for KU this past season (including their last game).

[Rynospursfan]

Rush is a good collegiate defender, but I don't think he's quick enough to be a defensive force against NBA wings.

Plus, he's a jayhawk...

He did a nice job on Durant, anyone that can do that has at least a chance of being a good NBA defender.

And I completly agree with you about Julian Wright, overrated.

[mountainballer]

My amended quickie SF list

Kevin Durant
Julian Wright
Corey Brewer
Nicholas Batum
Jeff Green
Al Thornton
Thaddeus Young
Jared Dudley
Dominic McGuire
Derrick Byars
Wilson Chandler
etc.

Again I leave out Nick Young, Marcus Williams, Brandon Rush... due to my thinking of them as primarily SGs. And again, I'd absolutely love to have Brandon Rush.


just came across a similar list on the DX board, I think it is quite interesting, some of the guys there do a lot of thinking and even if I wouldn't agree on some points, it's a great work this guy did.
I post it, because it covers exactly the most important question for the Spurs in this draft.
(usually I wouldn't give much if someone calls Tucker a future borderline all-star, but if this guy sees it like this, I wonder if he has some reasons for that assumption. like 2003, if then someone would have called Josh Howard a future all-star, he would have got a lot of laughs.)



http://www.draftexpress.com/forums/showthread.php?t=617&page=2

Here is the order I could see the SF's going this year (some you may not consider a SF but who I consider their NBA position could be SF) with draft range and potential.
1. Kevin Durant, Top 2, franchise player
2. Corey Brewer, Top 10, borderline top bench player/roleplaying starter
3. Julian Wright, Top 10, roleplaying starter
4. Nicolaus Batum, late lottery, borderline all star
5. Jeff Green, Top 10-mid first round, complimentary starter
6. Al Thornton, mid first round, borderline starter/top bench player
7. Thaddeus Young, mid to late first round, all star
8. Derrick Byars, mid first to early second round, roleplaying starter
9. Brandon Rush, late first to early second round, complimentary starter
10. Alando Tucker, late first round, borderline all star
11. Dominic McGuire, early second round, defensive roleplaying starter
12. Jared Dudley, late first to late second round, end of the bench/better off overseas or lower American league
13. Reshawn Terry, mid second round, complimentary starter
14. Demetrius Nichols, mid to late second round, top bench player (6th, 7th, 8th man)
15. Quenton Hosley, mid second to undrafted, bench player (8th, 9th, 10th man)
16. Joa Gomes, late second round to undrafted, end of the bench/better off overseas.

[AFBlue]

Again I leave out Nick Young, Marcus Williams, Brandon Rush... due to my thinking of them as primarily SGs. And again, I'd absolutely love to have Brandon Rush.

I think I'd call Derrick Byars a G/F as well. Another couple guys to lump into the G/F group are Morris Almond and Alando Tucker.

I know I've said that the Spurs should focus on other areas with one rookie-type G/F already in the fray, but if the Spurs could get their hands on any of the above picks with one of their first two and address a need with the other pick, I couldn't be disappointed...there are some gems in that group.

[mardigan]

I know this is a day old Tony, but I didnt see any mention of it. I dont know much about this kid



Updated: April 12, 2007, 3:07 PM ET
Sophomore intends to declare for draftAssociated Press

CHICAGO -- DePaul sophomore Wilson Chandler said Thursday that he intends to declare for the NBA draft.Chandler said he studied his options with his family and coach Jerry Wainwright, and he decided that going into the NBA was the best decision.

The 6-foot-8 forward led DePaul in scoring and rebounding last season, averaging 14.6 points and 6.9 rebounds. Chandler also led the Blue Demons with 47 blocks last season.

DePaul had a 20-win season and made the quarterfinals of the NIT.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[Mr. Body]

I know this is a day old Lony, but I didnt see any mention of it. I dont know much about this kid.

mards, I brought this up in message #620, but not a big thing. We haven't talked about him really.

He could be competing with Dominic McGuire for the same spots in the early 2nd round - they're similarly off the radar but nice prospects who aren't fully developed. With good workouts these guys could definitely bust into the first round. There will be a lot of movement.

[Darkwaters]

I love a deep draft like the one this year. It makes things so much more exciting. Last years draft was such a snoozer.

[Mr. Body]

I love a deep draft like the one this year. It makes things so much more exciting. Last years draft was such a snoozer.

Last year's draft, I'm convinced, will be an all-time worst. Some potential All-Stars (Roy, Bargnani) and not much else.

This year's draft will be among the best ever. Not all these guys will be good players, but this draft could replenish the league with talent. Guys into the second round, at a good rate, will be in the league for a while.

Last year's draft? Guys like Morrison, Carney, Reddick... would these guys even get picked in the top 20 this year?

[Bruno]

I don't think Spurs should draft a SF/PF at all cost.
If they isn't one very good available, Spurs rather draft/sign a good SG/SF and a quick PF.

[mardigan]

Hoyas' Green, Hibbert to submit names for draftAssociated Press


WASHINGTON -- Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert, the juniors who led Georgetown to the school's first Final Four appearance in 22 years, will submit their names for the NBA draft.

Neither player will sign with an agent before the early withdrawal date, the Hoyas said Friday, which means they will retain NCAA eligibility should either or both decide to return to college.

"Both young men have worked extremely hard to position themselves for this opportunity," coach John Thompson III said. "They have begun a process of information gathering which is necessary for them to make educated decisions."

The early withdrawal date is June 18. The draft will be held June 28.

Both players would likely be lottery picks. Thompson said earlier this week that Green and Hibbert wanted to get an idea as to how high they would be picked before deciding whether to turn pro.

Green was the player of the year in the Big East and most outstanding player of the NCAA East Regional this season, and his versatility would make him a coveted player in the NBA. The 6-foot-9 forward led the Hoyas in scoring (14.3 points) and was second in both rebounding (6.4) and assists (3.2).

Hibbert, a 7-2 center, could become a strong post player in the NBA but still needs to polish his game. He led the Hoyas in rebounds (6.9) and averaged 12.9 points. He also blocked 90 shots.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[Mr. Body]

I don't think Spurs should draft a SF/PF at all cost.
If they isn't one very good available, Spurs rather draft/sign a good SG/SF and a quick PF.

I'll go for that. Derrick Byars/Alando Tucker, etc. What do you think of Glen Davis? He'd be interesting next to Duncan.

[pad300]

I'll go for that. Derrick Byars/Alando Tucker, etc. What do you think of Glen Davis? He'd be interesting next to Duncan.

Interesting is one word - he's got a useful skillset on offense (he's fairly perimeter oriented, which makes him quite a mismatch), but I'm not sure if he can fit on the defensive end. Ideally, we pair Duncan with a mobile guy who can go out with a perimeter PF, leaving Duncan to control the paint. I'm not sure that Davis can do that.

[AFBlue]

I'll go for that. Derrick Byars/Alando Tucker, etc. What do you think of Glen Davis? He'd be interesting next to Duncan.

From what I read, he was very dedicated before this last season of getting into shape and becoming the go-to guy for LSU, but he was unsuccessful and actually gained back alot of the weight he had lost. I think he's an intriguing prospect because he's got decent athleticism and a smooth game from the perimeter....but my guess is that the Spurs already have their hands full with talented F/C that have weight issues. Still....I think he'd be good next to Duncan if Butler doesn't work out....

BTW...what was up with Ely dressing v. the Timberwolves...talk about a waste.

[AFBlue]

I don't think Spurs should draft a SF/PF at all cost.
If they isn't one very good available, Spurs rather draft/sign a good SG/SF and a quick PF.

Agreed here, which is in fact why I'd like for the Spurs to grab Best Player Available at #27/28.....

Guys like Dominic McGuire could be found with the second pick, but guys like Travis Outlaw/James Singleton with similar skill sets should be available as well. With a draft this deep, I just hope the Spurs get two prospects worthy of future consideration....

[wildbill2u]

I just ran across the DX write up on Danilo Gallinari. They really like this 18 y.o. 6'9 or 6'10' SF. They projected him as the 9th best SF.

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=535


I don't know if he's got a long contract with his Italian league team, but he sure sounds interesting. Check him out.

[timvp]

Someone who Spurs fans shouldn't give up on falling to the Spurs is Acie Law. Point guards whose main trait in college is being "clutch" don't usually fly off the board too early. Unless he proves himself in individual workouts or tests out at Chicago as a better athlete than I imagine, he could fall toward the end of the first round.

[T Park]

I doubt Law falls far.

Hes got a pretty good rep coming off the tourny.

[exstatic]

I just ran across the DX write up on Danilo Gallinari. They really like this 18 y.o. 6'9 or 6'10' SF. They projected him as the 9th best SF.

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=535


I don't know if he's got a long contract with his Italian league team, but he sure sounds interesting. Check him out.
If he's 18, isn't he undraftable this year?

[exstatic]

I doubt Law falls far.

Hes got a pretty good rep coming off the tourny.
Every year, there are probably 35 players who get told they are lottery or near lottery picks. If you connect the dots and realize that there are only 14 lottery picks, most of them are going to fall.

[Kori Ellis]

If he's 18, isn't he undraftable?

I think that the rule is they have to be 19 years old in the calendar year of the draft. So in other words, as long as he is born 12/31/88 or before, he can be drafted in 2007.

I'm not 100% sure, but fairly sure that's the rule.

[Kori Ellis]

Yes, I'm correct.

http://www.nbpa.com/cba_articles/article-X.php#section1

[T Park]

Every year, there are probably 35 players who get told they are lottery or near lottery picks. If you connect the dots and realize that there are only 14 lottery picks, most of them are going to fall.

doutbfull he drops to the spurs though.

he would make the perfect back up point though.

Fearless, can shoot, plays defense.

Just hope he wouldn't become another Eddie House though.

[exstatic]

House was never a PG, not even in college. Acie is.

[Mr. Body]

Seriously doubt Law falls past 20, even if Conley does come out. Will probably go to Atlanta or Detroit at 12 or 15. Pruitt, Crittendon, Collison are guys we might find there, if they come out, though there's a very distant chance nearly every other team passes on him.

[Pugglekicker_21]

Report: Oden will leave Ohio St. and enter NBA draft

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Ohio State star Greg Oden will enter the NBA draft, his father told The Indianapolis Star in a story on its Web site Friday night.

The 7-foot center is widely considered a possible No. 1 draft pick, and Greg Oden Sr. said he was he was comfortable with his son's decision.

"He's the kind of kid that, even though he'll have a lot of money, he needs to do more than just basketball," Greg Oden Sr. said. "They had an exciting season, but why take the chance on him getting hurt?"

Oden and Buckeyes point guard Mike Conley Jr. led Lawrence North of Indianapolis to three straight Indiana high school basketball titles. As freshmen, they led Ohio State to a No. 1 ranking and the NCAA championship game.

Oden's mother, Zoe, told the Star, "Greg told me he wasn't ready to talk about it just yet."

The elder Oden said Conley and fellow Ohio State freshman Daequan Cook also were expected to put their names in the draft.

The players have until midnight on April 29 to declare whether they intend to make themselves available for the NBA draft.

Mike Conley Sr., the former director of elite athlete services for USA Track and Field, has been certified as an NBA agent and is opening a representation firm. The elder Oden said Conley Sr. would represent his son.


I know its impossible to have him here, but they say he's the best big man since Tim..

and Tim stayed all four years, I think

but he could've gone as early as his sophmore year, methinks..

[Pugglekicker_21]

^^^more depth!! :lol

Afflalo is coming out too, but I think that's been posted.

[Mr. Body]

Yes, a while ago. Afflalo is second round fodder at this point. Woe betide whatever team has no pick (Indiana); any team that comes away from the 2007 NBA Draft without getting nice and better truly screwed up.

[DNS Error]

G-Town duo to submit names in draft


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert, the juniors who led Georgetown to the school's first Final Four appearance in 22 years, will submit their names for the NBA draft.

Neither player will sign with an agent before the early withdrawal date, the Hoyas said Friday, which means they will retain NCAA eligibility should either or both decide to return to college.

"Both young men have worked extremely hard to position themselves for this opportunity," coach John Thompson III said. "They have begun a process of information gathering which is necessary for them to make educated decisions."

The early withdrawal date is June 18. The draft will be held June 28.

Both players would likely be lottery picks. Thompson said earlier this week that Green and Hibbert wanted to get an idea as to how high they would be picked before deciding whether to turn pro.

Green was the player of the year in the Big East and most outstanding player of the NCAA East Regional this season, and his versatility would make him a coveted player in the NBA. The 6-foot-9 forward led the Hoyas in scoring (14.3 points) and was second in both rebounding (6.4) and assists (3.2).

Hibbert, a 7-2 center, could become a strong post player in the NBA but still needs to polish his game. He led the Hoyas in rebounds (6.9) and averaged 12.9 points. He also blocked 90 shots.

All of Memphis will be too drunk to do anything tommorow. IDK how this can help us now that Oden and Durant are in, but I thought Roy said he was a 4 year guy..Must be why he's not getting an agent..testing the waters..

[xcoriate]

Wow I didn't realise Afflalo stock had fallen that far...

He'd be a solid pick for the Spurs methinks, sure he had a bad tournament last year but he's an experienced player and I think he really started to understand big games by the end of this years madness.

IIRC he had a couple of big games for UCLA down the stretch...

From what I've seen he looks solid on both offense and defense.

[DNS Error]

Anybody know why he fell so bad??

[Mr. Body]

He didn't perform in big games against good defenders like Brewer. That Florida game exposed him, but he does have talent. In another draft... he wouldn't be pushed down to the second round. There are too many better players in front of him.

[pad300]

Someone who Spurs fans shouldn't give up on falling to the Spurs is Acie Law. Point guards whose main trait in college is being "clutch" don't usually fly off the board too early. Unless he proves himself in individual workouts or tests out at Chicago as a better athlete than I imagine, he could fall toward the end of the first round.

I don't expect the Spurs to draft a PG. As backups, I think they have decided to go with veterans (particularly after the Beno experiment); rookie PGs have trouble being focused when they only get spot minutes up until crisis situations. Given we have Tony as a starter for the forseeable future, there's no need to draft a PG on talent alone. Veteran FA pickups (eg. Vaughn) will fill the spot. Next season I expect several good vets to be available for the min or close - Vaughn, Atkins, Hart (current Clippers), Knight (charlotte), ...)

[mardigan]

Anybody know why he fell so bad??
His inconsistent offense. Although I do think that if he keeps working on his offense and ball handling skills he could be another Raja Bell type player.

[mardigan]

Seriously doubt Law falls past 20, even if Conley does come out. Will probably go to Atlanta or Detroit at 12 or 15. Pruitt, Crittendon, Collison are guys we might find there, if they come out, though there's a very distant chance nearly every other team passes on him.
Yea, I dont think he will fall out of the lottery myself. The only way I think it might happen is if Conley and Augustin both come out, then maybe

[Mr. Body]

Gabe Pruitt looks to be declaring this week (via DX). I'd currently mark him as 3rd best point guard, after Conley and Law. I'd think he pulls out if he doesn't look to be a first round pick, but he'd be great with the Milwaukee pick. Otherwise he's just another guy pushing other guys further down.

[mountainballer]

Gabe Pruitt looks to be declaring this week (via DX). I'd currently mark him as 3rd best point guard, after Conley and Law. I'd think he pulls out if he doesn't look to be a first round pick, but he'd be great with the Milwaukee pick. Otherwise he's just another guy pushing other guys further down.

I don't think that Pruitt will be a 1st rounder. IMO teams will doubt his ability to run the point at the next level.
so they will rather see an undersized SG in him, who could occasionally play some point. Pruitt might be a quite usefull role player in this reagard (I would think Charlie Bell, if he bulks up a bit), but in this deep draft he is one of the players I would expect to drop, maybe even to mid 2nd round.

[Bruno]

Yannick Bokolo has had a good game in french league this weekend : 20 points, 5 assists and 3 steals.
I hope he will be drafted : he was projected as a late second rounder before the season but he has had a dissapointing season. Maybe he could be drafted if he ends well the season. The good news for him is that scouts will watch him a lot because he plays in the same team than Batum.
To me, he is one of the best candidate for the Spurs second round pick. Jonas Maciulis is too a good late second round pick candidate. In my mock draft, Spurs draft Maciulis with the Bulls pick and Bokolo with the Spurs pick.

[Mr. Body]

Pruitt has very nice size and athleticism for a projected point, still needs to learn the nuances. I can see him taken by Houston with 24 or wherever they are. If he's second round he pulls out, but those two things will get some attention.

Bokolo won't be drafted this year, I don't think, not with Zabian Dowdell, Bobby Brown, Mustafa Shakur, and other domestic point guards available. Maybe someone will just slap a 50s pick on him just in case. I'm interested in how the Finnish poing guard does.

[Bruno]

Bokolo won't be drafted this year, I don't think, not with Zabian Dowdell, Bobby Brown, Mustafa Shakur, and other domestic point guards available.

Bokolo won't be in competiton with domestic point guards, he will be in competition with other international players even if they aren't PGs.

Late second round picks aren't often talented enough to contribute in their rookie/sophomore year. The big edge of international players is that you can let them overseas and bring them in nba when they are ready while you had to spend money and a roster spot with a domestic player. Because of that a lot of teams draft international players with late second round pick even if some domestic players are better prospects.

I agree with you that Bokolo likely won't be drafted but ti's because some international players are better prospect than him. The main reaosn why I speak about him is because he is one of my favourite players.

[wildbill2u]

Late second round picks aren't often talented enough to contribute in their rookie/sophomore year. The big edge of international players is that you can let them overseas and bring them in nba when they are ready while you had to spend money and a roster spot with a domestic player. Because of that a lot of teams draft international players with late second round pick even if some domestic players are better prospects...
Exactly. Some people think the Spurs pick guys like Mahimi (sp?) and Javtokas because they really feel they are future NBA material.

In reality, they may simply be saving money instead of putting cash on the line for a domestic player who may be a long shot crapshoot at 58 or whereever in the second round.

Either way, a second rounder is a crapshoot, but by drafting a foreign player, they basically avoid the up-front money and play "on the come."

Some people think they're cheap. I think they may be smart.

[wildbill2u]

DX rated SF Danilo Gallinari right after Jeff Green and ahead of Rush, Tucker, McGuire, Young, Chandler and other players we've heard more about:

"Gallinari’s characteristics speak maturity any way you look at them, and he’s still a guy with great potential. He’s really long, already in the 6-10 neighborhood, enjoys a good wingspan and a notable frame. Actually, he’s a pretty strong player who holds his own against top international competition. It’s interesting to note how in both games, Gallinari shot a combined 21/22 from the free-throw line. It speaks wonders about his free-throw shooting (obviously), but particularly about his ability to force fouls. Despite being only 18 years old, he’s rather aggressive in terms of attacking his rivals, precisely taking advantage of that strength and frame. He uses his body really well while slashing, which paired with his footwork, ball-handling, ability to finish near the basket, basketball IQ and even his excellent size, helps him to easier see the court, allow him to keep perfect control of the situation and take good decisions in motion.

His incisive game might come as a surprise for anybody watching Gallinari for the first time, as the very first impression he usually leaves is a bit disappointing in terms of athleticism. But as we have stated often here in DraftExpress.com, it’s a deceiving impression, because and as soon as he gets into game situations, he showcases nice quickness and some hops. He’s surely not a top-notch athlete, but a very fluid one who is smart enough to maximize his athletic gifts. So at the end of the day, he’s going to beat his match-ups off the dribble on a regular basis, while on the other end of the floor he proves to be a very reliable defender with nice lateral mobility.

A solid shooter, even with the ability to create his own shot, a nice passer…everything is in place in Gallinari’s game. The fact that he’s such a big perimeter player, so talented and intelligent, leads us to think that he will be able to adjust to any level of basketball he’s thrown in, even in a very athletic league as the NBA.

[AFBlue]

Looks like both Green and Hibbert are testing the waters. Both should get a good indication for lottery to mid-round pick....so I expect both to stick.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2007/news/story?id=2836799


Hoyas' Green, Hibbert to submit names for draft


WASHINGTON -- Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert, the juniors who led Georgetown to the school's first Final Four appearance in 22 years, will submit their names for the NBA draft.


Neither player will sign with an agent before the early withdrawal date, the Hoyas said Friday, which means they will retain NCAA eligibility should either or both decide to return to college.


"Both young men have worked extremely hard to position themselves for this opportunity," coach John Thompson III said. "They have begun a process of information gathering which is necessary for them to make educated decisions."


The early withdrawal date is June 18. The draft will be held June 28.


Both players would likely be lottery picks. Thompson said earlier this week that Green and Hibbert wanted to get an idea as to how high they would be picked before deciding whether to turn pro.


Green was the player of the year in the Big East and most outstanding player of the NCAA East Regional this season, and his versatility would make him a coveted player in the NBA. The 6-foot-9 forward led the Hoyas in scoring (14.3 points) and was second in both rebounding (6.4) and assists (3.2).


Hibbert, a 7-2 center, could become a strong post player in the NBA but still needs to polish his game. He led the Hoyas in rebounds (6.9) and averaged 12.9 points. He also blocked 90 shots.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[mountainballer]

DX rated SF Danilo Gallinari right after Jeff Green and ahead of Rush, Tucker, McGuire, Young, Chandler and other players we've heard more about:


DX just rated all players who would be old enough to enter this years draft.
I didn't hear that Gallinari intends to do so. he will wait another year, probably even 2 years.
this young Italian players are usually well adviced, when there is the right moment to enter the draft. (Bargnani could also have entered earlier and would have been a lottery pick)
right now, in terms of maturity, Gallinari is much more developed than Batum for example, but another year in Italy (in the best case with a team that plays Euroleague next year) will be the best for him. he will be a top 10 pick for sure, with top 5 potential if he waits till 2008.

[wildbill2u]

Yeah, but I want him NOW! Oh well, we'll probably wind up with another Euro project that doesn't have any skills right now to come into the league.

[AFBlue]

It looks like USC coaching staff expects to lose Nick Young. He would be a valuable 2/3 combo to many teams, and he should go in the mid-late first round. Even if he's not the Spurs' pick, he makes this draft even deeper.

Also, there's a note about Gabe Pruitt possibly declaring as well, though it doesn't make a difinitive statement either way. He's a PG/SG prospect in the Devin Harris/Leandro Barbosa mold.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2007/news/story?id=2839924


Updated: April 16, 2007, 9:17 PM ET
Trojans' Young set to declare but may not get agent

Andy Katz
ESPN.com


The USC coaching staff expects Nick Young to announce his intention to declare for the NBA draft at a Tuesday news conference, sources told ESPN.com.

But as of late Monday night, the Trojans were holding out hope that Young wouldn't sign with an agent. One assistant coach told ESPN.com that there was a chance Young would wait to sign with an agent to see where he stood in the draft.

A 6-foot-6 swingman, Young averaged 17.5 points and 4.6 rebounds for the Trojans this season. He caught fire in the NCAA Tournament, scoring 20 points in a first-round win over Arkansas, 22 in a second-round win over Texas and 15 in a Sweet 16 loss to North Carolina.

The Trojans may get hit again with an early entrant if Gabe Pruitt decides to declare as well by the April 29 deadline. Members of the USC coaching staff told ESPN.com that they're still unsure of Pruitts' intentions and don't know if he'll sign with an agent if he does declare.

The Trojans exceeded expectations this past season by going 25-12 and finishing 11-7 in the Pac-10. The addition of O.J. Mayo and the likelihood that Taj Gibson won't declare makes USC a favorite to win the Pac-10 next season, but much of that depends on having Young and Pruitt available for their senior season.

Pruitt was third on the team in scoring with 12.5 points per game. Outgoing senior Lodrick Stewart averaged 13.8 points per game. That means there's a chance that USC could lose its top three scorers in Young, Stewart and Pruitt.

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.

[AFBlue]

Yeah, but I want him NOW! Oh well, we'll probably wind up with another Euro project that doesn't have any skills right now to come into the league.

There are plenty of Euros that have the potential to be avialable at the Spurs' first pick and have the skills to compete in this league right now....such as Rudy Fernandez and Marco Belinelli. I guess you're right though....I could see them gambling on a guy like Ante Tomic, who likely wouldn't come over for a couple years.

[Pugglekicker_21]

I think young will enter and stay. Now that SC has Mayo coming, he doesnt want to get overshadowed

[wildbill2u]

This is a REALLY REALLY deep draft. Check out the DX mock draft 2nd round.

Has there ever been a draft with TWO guys named Mirza before?

[exstatic]

nbadraft.net's latest has Spurs picking Dominic McGuire from Fresno at #33 with Milwaukee's pick. He's intruiging. Sort of a Josh Smith type. He's 6'8" 210, but averaged 13.5 pts, 9.8 rebs and 3.6 blks :wow, and shot 30% from downtown.

[Horry For 3!]

Don't we get Chicago's pick too? Since they did well this season.

[exstatic]

Don't we get Chicago's pick too? Since they did well this season.
Not sure if that's been decided yet. NBAdraft.net has it as top 51 protected. Right now, it's sitting at #50 (meaning we won't get it) , but Chicago is going tooth and nail with Cleveland, with #2 hanging in the balance. The loser gets the #5 seed. They'll be trying to win their last game, bigtime.

[Mr. Body]

McGuire has one god-awful ft%. Looks to be a good prospect who could be there with Mil's pick, though. I'm thinking there's a bad roster crunch with this team and the Spurs won't take on two rookies. I'd be disappointed if all they get out of this draft is McGuire.

[mardigan]

Maureece Rice from George Washington declared today too, dont really know much about him either, other than he was their leading scorer

[SPARKY]

Spurs could very well use all 3 (or 4) picks on international players this June. With that many it makes sense to use at least a couple on foreign talent, but I hope they do take a stab at a domestic player who can provide an immediate impact. No sense in waiting if the wait produces a marginally better role player two seasons from now.

[mardigan]

Spurs could very well use all 3 (or 4) picks on international players this June. With that many it makes sense to use at least a couple on foreign talent, but I hope they do take a stab at a domestic player who can provide an immediate impact. No sense in waiting if the wait produces a marginally better role player two seasons from now.
I would love for them to take a college kid, its been awhile. The only two international players I really like this year are Bellenelli and Fernandez, who both could be there when the Spurs pick. The other guy that might is Splitter, who I havent seen as much. Some scouts have him pretty high, but he just seems like a garbage guy kind of player

[Mr. Body]

I think you'd probably take Batum, too, mards. But all those guys are probably gone by 28, possible exception of Bellinelli and Fernandez.

To be honest I don't see any possible chance the Spurs don't actively look at domestic players. I'd be stunned.

[SPARKY]

Not sure if that's been decided yet. NBAdraft.net has it as top 51 protected. Right now, it's sitting at #50 (meaning we won't get it) , but Chicago is going tooth and nail with Cleveland, with #2 hanging in the balance. The loser gets the #5 seed. They'll be trying to win their last game, bigtime.

Chicago has the 7th best record in the league which should put it outside the top 51.

[Mr. Body]

Chicago has the 7th best record in the league which should put it outside the top 51.

The whole question is whether it's top 51 protected or top 54 protected.

[mardigan]

I think you'd probably take Batum, too, mards. But all those guys are probably gone by 28, possible exception of Bellinelli and Fernandez.

To be honest I don't see any possible chance the Spurs don't actively look at domestic players. I'd be stunned.
Yea, Batum is a nice player, saw him in the world game, he is real fluid and athletic, not much of a shooter but he is young and that could be developed. He will most definately not be there when the Spurs pick. Have you seen much of Gasols brother Body? I have read a bunch of stuff about him, havent seen him play. Do you know if hes any good?

[Mr. Body]

I think you mean Batum WON'T be there, right?

Don't know much about Marc Gasol beyond what I've read on DX. Apparently he's a decent prospect with, I think, good work ethic. There are a number of big men like Visser and Gasol that might be good prospects.

[Bruno]

An update on what picks SPurs will get :

Spurs picks will be the 28th and the 58th.

Bucks pick will be the 33rd or 34th. He will likely be the 33rd but it can be 34th if Bucks win their last game @ Cavs, Atlanta lose their last game against Indiana and Bucks win the coin flip.

Bulls pick can be in the 52-55 range. Spurs will get it if he is the 54th of 55th.
The situation is :
52. Toronto : 47-33; @DET, PHI
53. Cleveland : 48-32; @PHI, MIL
54. Chicago : 49-32; @NJ
55. Utah : 50-31; HOU

[venitian navigator]

An update on what picks SPurs will get :

Spurs picks will be the 28th and the 58th.

Bucks pick will be the 33rd or 34th. He will likely be the 33rd but it can be 34th if Bucks win their last game @ Cavs, Atlanta lose their last game against Indiana and Bucks win the coin flip.

Bulls pick can be in the 52-55 range. Spurs will get it if he is the 54th of 55th.
The situation is :
52. Toronto : 47-33; @DET, PHI
53. Cleveland : 48-32; @PHI, MIL
54. Chicago : 49-32; @NJ
55. Utah : 50-31; HOU



I really don'y understand...the Chicago pick is top 51 protected or top 53 protected ?

[Bruno]

I really don'y understand...the Chicago pick is top 51 protected or top 53 protected ?

top 53.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA032007.WEBSPURSMAILBAG.EN.2f3c826b.html


The Spurs traded Erick Barkley and $1 million to Chicago prior to the 2002-03 season in a move that helped them avoid paying the luxury tax. In return, the Bulls agreed to send the Spurs their 2007 second-round pick – provided it fell between Nos. 54-60.

That means the Spurs will only get the pick if the Bulls finish this season with one of the seven-best records.

[wildbill2u]

Not sure if that's been decided yet. NBAdraft.net has it as top 51 protected. Right now, it's sitting at #50 (meaning we won't get it) , but Chicago is going tooth and nail with Cleveland, with #2 hanging in the balance. The loser gets the #5 seed. They'll be trying to win their last game, bigtime.
I thought the pick from the Bucks--via the Bulls--was protected and triggered if the Bulls were in the top 8 (or nine) in the standings. I didn't think the trigger had anything to do with the place of the Bucks in the standings.

Right now DX is showing us with the 3rd pick in the 2nd round. A few weeks ago, they didn't show us with the pick. It was only after Chicago picked up in the standings that they gave it to us.

[Mr. Body]

It doesn't have anything to do with the Milwaukee pick. There's simply confusion about whether it is top 51 or top 54 protected. Different sites have different information, with the SA paper saying it is top 54. I am not absolutely sure they are correct; they can get their information from any online source as well as us.

[Darkwaters]

I think that if Rudy Fernandez is there at 28 then you HAVE to take him. He'll have to sit in Europe for at least a year because of contract buyout issues, but he could come in just in time to replace the expiring deals of Finley and Barry.

I like the idea of grabbing Acie Law with the 28th pick as well though. If Fernandez and Law both slip (doubtful) then who do you take? I suppose it really depends on what other prospects fall and who they like. If they see another PG that will be there at 33, then take Fernandez (and vice versa).

There are several decent players that could easily slip to 33 and would be great acquisitions. Alando Tucker and Nick Fazekas both could fall and would be nice additions to the Spurs with a 2nd round pick. Obviously there will be a bunch of decent SFs out there and that would be an obvious addition that the Spurs could use. Bobby Brown is a nice PG that shouldn't be a problem to get at 33 either.

[Mr. Body]

If Law and Fernandez are both there you take Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Rudy has bigger upside and as the Mini Manu, it's a no-brainer. He has a better chance of slipping, too.

[AFBlue]

If Law and Fernandez are both there you take Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Rudy has bigger upside and as the Mini Manu, it's a no-brainer. He has a better chance of slipping, too.

Agreed....Fernandez all the way. I know backup PG is the bigger short-term need, but after '07 the Spurs lose both of their SGs (Fin & Barry) and Manu will be 32 with them already monitoring his minutes. Also, the backup PG brought in would only be playing 12 - 15 MPG...probably not enough to take a first rounder on him.

Caveat: If a combo guard like Gabe Pruitt or Rodney Stuckey is available, I think the coaching staff would have to consider it...they could slot in time behind Tony next year, make Beno tradeable/releasable, and be available to play some SG in the future.

[Rynospursfan]

I am really starting to like Dominic McGuire. Is there anywhere in this thread that people speak in more detail about him?

I haven't read all 28 pages, yet.

[Mr. Body]

I am really starting to like Dominic McGuire. Is there anywhere in this thread that people speak in more detail about him?

I haven't read all 28 pages, yet.

Yes. :lol Somewhere.

Great physical tools. Played a lot of positions with a lot required of him. Rebounded the hell out of the ball (nearly 10 rpg in the WAC). Team wasn't that great. Horrible free throw shooter for position, not a great outside shooter. Possible character issue.

[AFBlue]

I am really starting to like Dominic McGuire. Is there anywhere in this thread that people speak in more detail about him?

I haven't read all 28 pages, yet.

He would be a great project as the athletic, long 3 and small-ball 4. He has great defensive potential with the quickness to guard on the perimeter and the shot-blocking to be a force inside. Offensively, he's raw. He displays good passing ability and good court vision. He's a slasher that can really get to the basket. But....like Body said, he's underdeveloped on his shot and has no range from 3pt land. I would say....

Best Case Scenario: Josh Smith

Worst Case Scenario: Travis Outlaw

He should be there at 33, and the Spurs with that hole would be hard-pressed not to go for him...

[Mr. Body]

I wouldn't say McGuire has no range on his shot, but that it's erratic. As far as I know, he can definitely develop one. This character issue thing is glancingly mentioned on a DX report from his Cal days but may be absolutely nothing. I, too, think he would be a great pickup at 33, but the roster will not have much space to put people.

[AFBlue]

I wouldn't say McGuire has no range on his shot, but that it's erratic. As far as I know, he can definitely develop one. This character issue thing is glancingly mentioned on a DX report from his Cal days but may be absolutely nothing. I, too, think he would be a great pickup at 33, but the roster will not have much space to put people.

Yeah, that's what I meant by "no shot". Remember, Josh Smith also had "no shot" when he came into the league, but he had the athleticism and shot-blocking....that's why my "Best Case" was Smith, I see the similarities.

I know the roster crunch will be a big deal in decision-making, so we'll see....but IMO he'd be a worthy investment.

[Mr. Body]

I agree. As I've said, I really hope the Spurs get two rookies out of this draft.

[mardigan]

Agreed....Fernandez all the way. I know backup PG is the bigger short-term need, but after '07 the Spurs lose both of their SGs (Fin & Barry) and Manu will be 32 with them already monitoring his minutes. Also, the backup PG brought in would only be playing 12 - 15 MPG...probably not enough to take a first rounder on him.

Caveat: If a combo guard like Gabe Pruitt or Rodney Stuckey is available, I think the coaching staff would have to consider it...they could slot in time behind Tony next year, make Beno tradeable/releasable, and be available to play some SG in the future.
I would definately rather have Bellineli than Fernandez, but thats just me. I hope one of them slides to us. Byars>Fernandez and Bellineli

[AFBlue]

Byars>Fernandez and Bellineli

In your mind and no one else's.

Forgetting the fact that they play different positions and perform different roles, I'd take a future Manu Ginobili over a future Josh Howard anyday.

[Darkwaters]

I agree. As I've said, I really hope the Spurs get two rookies out of this draft.

I think they'll have to. They're getting too old too quick.

[AFBlue]

I agree. As I've said, I really hope the Spurs get two rookies out of this draft.

Two rooks at a minimum. I hope the Spurs get an international with the last pick that can help in the future. A big PG like Koponen or Ponkrashov would be nice...

[Mr. Body]

Well, I had initially thought Butler and especially White would be gone, but White has for all intents and purposes already played himself onto next year's team. But at the very least I can see the Spurs getting a player who can contribute right away (Alando Tucker) and a good prospect almost immediately.

Those late pick(s) will be punted, traded up, or used on someone like Teletovic.

Koponen would be cool. Perfect Udrih replacement in every way.

I'll amend to say: the Spurs should add two 'rookies' this offseason, one of which could be Luis Scola.

[AFBlue]

Well, I had initially thought Butler and especially White would be gone, but White has for all intents and purposes already played himself onto next year's team. But at the very least I can see the Spurs getting a player who can contribute right away (Alando Tucker) and a good prospect almost immediately.

Those late pick(s) will be punted, traded up, or used on someone like Teletovic.

Koponen would be cool. Perfect Udrih replacement in every way.

I'll amend to say: the Spurs should add two 'rookies' this offseason, one of which could be Luis Scola.

IMO, the Spurs have to solve the long 3/small-ball 4 question this upcoming off-season. Whether it's getting Nocioni in an S&T involving Barry + Scola, or if it's drafting a guy like McGuire, or signing a guy like Outlaw....I think it should be a priority this off-season.

IMO, the direction that the Spurs go will depend on the draft.

For example, if they draft McGuire they might keep Scola and decide against the S&T for Nocioni or to sign Outlaw...but if they draft a guy like Almond, they may feel that Barry is expendable and look to trade him for that long 3/small-ball 4 option (Nocioni).

[mardigan]

In your mind and no one else's.

Forgetting the fact that they play different positions and perform different roles, I'd take a future Manu Ginobili over a future Josh Howard anyday.
Well, thats al that matters on an opinion board. And I would take the Ginobili over howard as well, as long as the Manu option wasnt as old as the one we have when we got him. But I also think that Rudy is no Manu, not even close. Bellenili is closer to manu than Rudy

[DON VITO]

DJ White is staying in school for another year. I think he would be perfect for the Spurs. Similar to Malik Rose but better shot blocker.

[mardigan]

DJ White is staying in school for another year. I think he would be perfect for the Spurs. Similar to Malik Rose but better shot blocker.
Yea, I like White a lot, he should have come out, but I guess its the smart thing to do to wait for next years draft that wont be as deep

[AFBlue]

Well, thats al that matters on an opinion board.

:lol Point taken...


And I would take the Ginobili over howard as well, as long as the Manu option wasnt as old as the one we have when we got him.

If the Spurs take Rudy or Belinelli I think they sit overseas for a max of one year, because '08 is when the bench clears and either would have a great opportunity to come stateside. That would put Rudy at 23yrs old in the NBA and Marco at 22yrs old.


But I also think that Rudy is no Manu, not even close. Belenilli is closer to manu than Rudy

In truth, neither is a Manu-clone. Both are better shooters than Manu was when he came into the league and neither has his ability to contort the defense with his change-of-direction moves.

The reason that Rudy is compared to Manu is his slight frame, slashing/finishing ability, and his intensity. I don't see the comparison with Marco, who is a much better pure shooter, which he relies on quite a bit.

In the end, neither may match up to Manu, but both have the ability to stick in this league for a long time....I'd rather have Rudy (love the slash/shoot combination), but I would be extremely happy with either.

[Mr. Body]

Why couldn't Rudy or Marco come over this year? If Scola's not coming, there's money to buy them out.

[Darkwaters]

Why couldn't Rudy or Marco come over this year? If Scola's not coming, there's money to buy them out.

NBA teams can only contribute 500k to a player's buyout. The rest has to be paid by the player himself.

I'm not sure about Marco, but everything I've heard about Rudy says that his buyout is not reasonable this next season. But with a year in Europe he would be ripe for a modest buyout.

[Mr. Body]

I honestly don't think the team can afford to wait to bring players over. They need them next year.

[AFBlue]

I know I posted a story earlier about Nick Young, but the update is that he has officially declared, AND will hire an agent...thus officially ending his college career.

Thoughts?

[exstatic]

How many realistic roster spots will open up? I mean FAs. If we don't like our players, chances are that other GMs won't either....

[Mr. Body]

At minimum I think 2 spots open -- Ely, Horry retires.

I think Barry is traded.

I think Udrih is traded.

I think Bonner and Vaughn stay.

All told that isn't a whole lot of room for improvement.

[wildbill2u]

It doesn't have anything to do with the Milwaukee pick. There's simply confusion about whether it is top 51 or top 54 protected. Different sites have different information, with the SA paper saying it is top 54. I am not absolutely sure they are correct; they can get their information from any online source as well as us.
I picked this up off the Draft Express page on Draft Transactions:

San Antonio acquired the better of Milwaukee's two 2007 2nd round draft picks (Milwaukee's or Houston's) in exchange for trading the draft rights to Damir Markota.
• San Antonio will receive Chicago's 2007 2nd round pick, if it falls within the first 21 picks of the 2nd round. Otherwise, Chicago owes nothing to San Antonio this year or beyond.

[exstatic]

• San Antonio will receive Chicago's 2007 2nd round pick, if it falls within the first 21 picks of the 2nd round. Otherwise, Chicago owes nothing to San Antonio this year or beyond.
I think that's exactly backwards. I think it has to be beyond the first 21 picks, late in the round, for us to get it.

[Mr. Body]

DX has it backwards, then. If it falls within the first 21 picks of the 2nd round, Chicago keeps it. (Actually, it is traded to Portland via another deal.)

Realgm also has it as top 51 protected. No one is sure if it is 51 or 53.

[exstatic]

I guess we find out on draft night. :lol

[thekingrobert]

with our first pick i hope we get Marcus Williams of Arizona easily plays 3 positions

[Bruno]

No one is sure if it is 51 or 53.

Johnny Ludden is ten times more reliable than websites like realgm about Spurs things. I doubt that he is the one wrong.

[Bruno]

An update on what picks SPurs will get :

Spurs picks will be the 28th and the 58th.

Bucks pick will be the 33rd or 34th. He will likely be the 33rd but it can be 34th if Bucks win their last game @ Cavs, Atlanta lose their last game against Indiana and Bucks win the coin flip.

Bulls pick can be in the 52-55 range. Spurs will get it if he is the 54th of 55th.
The situation is :
52. Toronto : 47-33; @DET, PHI
53. Cleveland : 48-32; @PHI, MIL
54. Chicago : 49-32; @NJ
55. Utah : 50-31; HOU

Atlanta has won their last game so the Bucks pick is 33rd.

The situation for the Bulls pick is :
53-54. Cleveland : 49-32; MIL
53-54. Chicago : 49-32; @NJ
55. Utah : 50-31; HOU

[AFBlue]

Latest draft news from DX has Ponkrashov pulling out. If he gets more time on his Euroleague team next year, he could improve his draft stock....at this point he likely would've been a mid-late second rounder.

[Mr. Body]

Jeff Green says he's 70/30 going back to school, which is weird.

Thaddeus Young supposedly isn't liking what he's hearing about his draft position.

Those two guys could be out, which sucks for us.

... And Ponkrashov should pull out. Petteri Koponen has stolen what might have been his role as pasty European potential steal at point guard where it snows entirely too much.

[Bruno]

Spurs have the 28, 33rd and 58th pick.
They won't have the Bulls second round pick.
First post updated.

[Mr. Body]

Derek Collison returning to school. Which is too bad in a way: he'd be a perfect back-up for Parker and is very defensive-minded and would be found with the Milwaukee pick. Of course that's why he went back to school...

[Cry Havoc]

IMO, the Spurs have to solve the long 3/small-ball 4 question this upcoming off-season. Whether it's getting Nocioni in an S&T involving Barry + Scola, or if it's drafting a guy like McGuire, or signing a guy like Outlaw....I think it should be a priority this off-season.

IMO, the direction that the Spurs go will depend on the draft.

For example, if they draft McGuire they might keep Scola and decide against the S&T for Nocioni or to sign Outlaw...but if they draft a guy like Almond, they may feel that Barry is expendable and look to trade him for that long 3/small-ball 4 option (Nocioni).

What do the Bulls want for Nocioni? He'd be perfect in our system.... I'd probably give up a first rounder + a player for him, he's a proven player who can start for us or come off the bench. Under Bowen's tutelage, he'd be a great asset.

[Mr. Body]

What do the Bulls want for Nocioni? He'd be perfect in our system.... I'd probably give up a first rounder + a player for him, he's a proven player who can start for us or come off the bench. Under Bowen's tutelage, he'd be a great asset.

No one knows. Depends on what they get in the draft with their nice Knick pick. There has been speculation they would want Luis Scola, since they painfully lack interior scoring, but that's not the case if they draft Spencer Hawes, etc. It also depends on the market for Nocioni - won't be too large, I don't think. There's long been speculation that Barry+Scola could do it, along with a thing or two else.

[AFBlue]

Derek Collison returning to school. Which is too bad in a way: he'd be a perfect back-up for Parker and is very defensive-minded and would be found with the Milwaukee pick. Of course that's why he went back to school...

A good decision for him. He'll be coming back to a team that should be at/near the top all next season with Mbah a Moute likely coming back and Kevin Love coming in.

Sucks for the Spurs though....he's a guy that would've been reasonably attainable, fit a need, and would've been considered a "Spurs kinda guy" (Defense, Work Ethic, Unselfish).

[AFBlue]

No one knows. Depends on what they get in the draft with their nice Knick pick. There has been speculation they would want Luis Scola, since they painfully lack interior scoring, but that's not the case if they draft Spencer Hawes, etc. It also depends on the market for Nocioni - won't be too large, I don't think. There's long been speculation that Barry+Scola could do it, along with a thing or two else.

Agree that it's too early to have established his market/trade value, but it's something that has long been discussed because of their lack of interior scoring ability and Luol Deng's emergence.

One thing I'll disagree on, however, is the notion that they'd have no use for Scola if they drafted big with the Knicks pick.

Remember, the Bulls are potentially losing both PJ Brown and Michael Sweetney to Free Agency. Combine that with the fact that Tyrus Thomas still doesn't have the frame to handle playing inside, and I think the Bulls might be willing to add two post players.

Again, I still think it's too early to tell whether the Barry + Scola offer is feasible, but I think it at least makes sense for both parties.

[Darkwaters]

How much do you think Nocioni will be demanding in terms of a contract next season? Hes making around 3M this year, so he might be looking to cash in somewhat.

Honestly, I would love to have Scola on this team. I think he is going to be a very solid player for many years. But I don't know if this team can get both Nocioni and Scola. If I had to take one I'd probably pick Nocioni. The SF position is an immediate need and Nocioni is only 27. Barry is expendable at this point though and could be traded to get Nocioni. Hes a vet with an expiring contract that can shoot the 3 and play some point. His value should be reasonably high. Plus, with the emergence of James White as a viable rotation guy next year (likely the 5th wing behind Finley, Ginobili, Bowen and hopefully Nocioni) it would mean a crunch for PT anyways.

The Bulls will definitely have need of at least one other big (if not two). And definitely a low post scorer must be included there. But they have plenty of wings at this point. They traded for Khryapa last year and drafted Sefolasha. Plus Luol Deng is emerging at a nice player. They just can't justify resigning Nocioni.

[Big P]

I think most people believe he should be paid around $6-7mil per for maybe 4 or 5 years, but the thinking is that, he will probably get a full MLE contract offer from someone & if that happens, look for the Bulls to match the offer. There are not many teams with alot of money to spend & ther teams that do are stacked at SF, Atlanta,the Bobcats etc. Our best hope would be for the Spurs to convince Noc that he is our SF of the future & hopefully he could force a s&t to the Spurs, but that will cost us probably at least Scola or another asset along with someone like Barry for salary cap purposes. At this point I would rather have Nocioni over Scola, so I would be for trading Scola + whatever to get him.

[mardigan]

And the Bulls could use a guy like Scola. Wallace and Thomas cant score in the paint, and PJ is damn old. Scola would be a nice fit for them.

[yavozerb]

The thing is the bulls have I beleive top5 pick in this years draft meaning they could hold onto nocioni and possibly draft someone who is equally as talented and much younger than scola.

[2centsworth]

Jeff Green says he's 70/30 going back to school, which is weird.

Thaddeus Young supposedly isn't liking what he's hearing about his draft position.

Those two guys could be out, which sucks for us.

... And Ponkrashov should pull out. Petteri Koponen has stolen what might have been his role as pasty European potential steal at point guard where it snows entirely too much.
IMO, green is not NBA material at this point.

[Mr. Body]

IMO, green is not NBA material at this point.

I'm sorry, but that's just laughable.

[mardigan]

IMO, green is not NBA material at this point.
This was the worst post in this entire thread

[Darkwaters]

The thing is the bulls have I beleive top5 pick in this years draft meaning they could hold onto nocioni and possibly draft someone who is equally as talented and much younger than scola.

Doubtful, but possible. The Bulls have the option to switch 1st round picks with the Knicks during this draft. Obviously, they'll take it. But the Knicks aren't as low as you give them credit for. Worst teams by fewest number of wins:

Memphis: 22
Boston: 24
Milwaukee: 28
Atlanta: 30
Seattle:31
Minnesota: 32
Portland: 32
Sacramento: 33
Charlotte: 33
New York: 33

As you can see, there are 3 teams tied for the 8th spot. The Knicks draft pick could be anywhere between the 8th and the 11th pick. Also, that has said nothing of the lottery which could move these picks around or even throw a few teams that have higher picks in front of the Knicks (of course, the Knicks could win it themselves). Hence, top 5 is possible, albeit, unlikely.

[Mr. Body]

Knicks (Bulls) have about a 4% chance of landing one of the top 2 picks.

[AFBlue]

The thing is the bulls have I beleive top5 pick in this years draft meaning they could hold onto nocioni and possibly draft someone who is equally as talented and much younger than scola.

Hanging on to Nocioni doesn't solve their problem of lacking low-post scorers. Read my post above about why it's feasible the Bulls could want/need two low-post guys on their roster....especially when one lacks a ton of experience (draft guy).

A few more reasons why this deal makes sense:

1. The Bulls really like Thabo Sefolosha and with his game more suited to the SF role, he could get more time exclusively backing up Luol Deng.

2. Assuming Brent Barry is the salary equalizer, he provides them with added depth at the SG position. Whereas now they typically employ a three-guard rotation (Hinrich, Gordon, Duhon), they would be able to add a fourth guy and play Duhon more exclusively as a backup PG.

3. The primary benefit of gaining Barry would be his expiring $6M contract. The Bulls would have the luxury of letting it expire and using the cap space saved to avoid the luxury tax when Deng and Gordon get expected extension.

They would also have the flexibility to trade Barry to acquire a different long-term piece.


Bottom Line: It is a feasible scenario...

[Mr. Body]

Of course all this is semi-moot if Chicago plans on trading for Garnett or Gasol or O'Neal.