Spurs' future draft picks

[AFBlue]

Stuckey To Enter Draft
Apr 19 - Former Kentwood High and Eastern Washington standout Rodney Stuckey is expected to file paperwork Friday to enter his name in the June draft. Stuckey is projected as a mid-first round pick.

This from ESPN Rumor Central. Stuckey seems like a sleeper in this year's draft. He's a combo guard (a la Dywane Wade and Randy Foye) with good production out of a small college. As the article says he'll likely be a mid-first rounder. Another prospect to add to the list....

[AFBlue]

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

Or even Amare Stoudamire....

According to a Chad Ford chat there are rumblings that the relationship between Stoudamire and the Suns organization is souring, and that he has a great deal of trade value.

The conventional wisdom has Shawn Marion checking out of AZ, but I thought this to be an interesting twist....

[Darkwaters]

There had been discussion of drafting Jonas Maciulis with our late second round pick. Has anybody heard anything about him recently?

[AFBlue]

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

I know it's very early, so the fact that Kevin Garnett hasn't requested a trade and McHale still has his job may change....but McHale came out with some comments saying he'd hold on to KG and overhaul the roster.

Again, not saying it won't change, but I would expect almost every other T-Wolves player to be on the block before KG. Too bad their only tradeable piece is Ricky Davis...or if they're willing to give up Foye for an immediate contributor.

[AFBlue]

There had been discussion of drafting Jonas Maciulis with our late second round pick. Has anybody heard anything about him recently?

Nothing lately, but I'm thinking the Spurs will almost certainly use their late round picks on European players (Maciulis a possiblity) that have no chance of joining a full roster next year....either that, or they'll trade the picks.

Other possibles are the Mirzas (Teletovic and Begic), Koponen, and Zabelin.

[Mr. Body]

Here's hoping McHale is dumb enough to hang on to Garnett. First, it'd mean Chicago needs to make smaller moves. Second, I'm still convinced Garnett will opt out after next season and sign with the Spurs for $6-8 million/year under the 2008 Plan. :spin :toast

[AFBlue]

Second, I'm still convinced Garnett will opt out after next season and sign with the Spurs for $6-8 million/year under the 2008 Plan. :spin :toast

Wouldn't that be nice....a longshot, but a nice one.

[Darkwaters]

Nothing lately, but I'm thinking the Spurs will almost certainly use their late round picks on European players (Maciulis a possiblity) that have no chance of joining a full roster next year....either that, or they'll trade the picks.

Other possibles are the Mirzas (Teletovic and Begic), Koponen, and Zabelin.

I'd love to get Kaponen. But I figured he'd go higher than 58.

[Mr. Body]

We'd either have to nab Kaponen with 33 or trade up somehow to get higher in the 2nd round. That's the true problem with losing the Chicago pick - we could have doubled up to jump 10-12 spots.

[Darkwaters]

Here's hoping McHale is dumb enough to hang on to Garnett. First, it'd mean Chicago needs to make smaller moves. Second, I'm still convinced Garnett will opt out after next season and sign with the Spurs for $6-8 million/year under the 2008 Plan. :spin :toast


McHale Says Plan Is To Keep KG
19th April, 2007 - 2:09 pm
Star Tribune -
On Thursday, Kevin McHale said that Randy Wittman will remain head coach of the Timberwolves and that he doesn't plan on trading Kevin Garnett.

Minnesota finished the season 32-50 and missed out on the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

"We're going to try to make some trades," he said.

"It was a bad season," McHale added. "There's no other way you can say it. It starts with me."

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/45716/20070419/mchale_says_plan_is_to_keep_kg/

[Mr. Body]

McHale just milking the money at this point. He's one of the worst GMs I've ever seen (curiously, Bird looks pretty lousy right now, too). That team needs to trade Garnett out and get something for him, or else he's gone forever and for good in the 2008 summer. They have their top 10 pick this year, I think, but that won't be enough to change things.

[mardigan]

I dont know how McHale can keep his job. Does anyone know when individual workouts start?

[wildbill2u]

I know it's very early, so the fact that Kevin Garnett hasn't requested a trade and McHale still has his job may change....but McHale came out with some comments saying he'd hold on to KG and overhaul the roster.

Again, not saying it won't change, but I would expect almost every other T-Wolves player to be on the block before KG. Too bad their only tradeable piece is Ricky Davis...or if they're willing to give up Foye for an immediate contributor.
Another overhaul of the roster around KG. How many times has that failed? What makes anyone think that McHale can do it?

[AFBlue]

I dont know how McHale can keep his job. Does anyone know when individual workouts start?

I think the rule on this actually changed. The NBA isn't allowing any team to work out a prospect before the Orlando Pre-Draft Camp in order to encourage participation by top prospects in the event....usually they just do the measurement stuff and wait for personal workouts.

Apparently this will give prospects less evaluation time in front of scouts before they have to make their declaration for the draft official as well...

[wildbill2u]

Nothing lately, but I'm thinking the Spurs will almost certainly use their late round picks on European players (Maciulis a possiblity) that have no chance of joining a full roster next year....either that, or they'll trade the picks.

Other possibles are the Mirzas (Teletovic and Begic), Koponen, and Zabelin.
The Spurs have a historic first that they could attempt in this draft: They could draft BOTH guys named Mirza. Think of the possibilities for marketing.

Theme song (to the tune of Mairsy Oats from the 40s) Mirza One and Mirza Two and little lambsie divie, other Euro guys, wouldn't do.

[Bruno]

There had been discussion of drafting Jonas Maciulis with our late second round pick. Has anybody heard anything about him recently?

He is playing in the Lithuanian league. it's not a very interestign league because there are only 2 good team (Rytas and Kaunas). Nba teams will mainly judge him on what he has done in euroleague.

[Bruno]

Other possibles are the Mirzas (Teletovic and Begic), Koponen, and Zabelin.

Mirza teletovic is to me not a good prospect. He is a very average euro PF with a good jumpshoot as only quality. I don't think he will play one day in nba.


BTW, some news about Mahinmi : Britton Johnsen is out for the season with a shoulder injury. This injury gives for the moment more playtime for Mahinmi : he played 20 minutes in his last game with a 7 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks game. Pau has the possibility to sign a player as Johnsen remplacement : I wouldn't be surprised to see a D-league player (like Jamar Smith) signing with them soon.

[mardigan]

Ramon Sessions and Marcellus Kemp from Nevada will enter the draft. Kemp is a baller, I wonder if he could be there when we pick in the second?

[mardigan]

Its official, Oden is coming out, as are Conley Jr and Cook

[Darkwaters]

Ramon Sessions and Marcellus Kemp from Nevada will enter the draft. Kemp is a baller, I wonder if he could be there when we pick in the second?

I'm curious if they're testing the waters or if they actually intend to go pro this season?

[Bruno]

Salary protections for the 07 year are now available on espn :

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2654216

Bruce Bowen :
$2,000,000 salary protection if waived before 7/1/07, thereafter full

Robert Horry :
$2,000,000 salary protection if waived before 7/1/07, thereafter full

James White :
no salary protection if waived before 8/1/07, thereafter $100,000 and will increase to $200,000 if not waived before 10/1/07 and to $300,000 if on opening day roster


If the player agrees, protection deadline can be postponed. I say that because if Horry decides to retire, he can give more time to Spurs for working on a trade using his "better than expiring" contract. Two years ago, Vlade Divac has done that but Lakers finally waived him.

For James White, Spurs will be able to see for free what he can do in summer league, it will cost them $200K to see what he can do in training camp, $300K so see what he can do up to january 10th and his full salary (around $700K) if they keep him after january 10th.

[Mr. Body]

Why is Horry a 'better than expiring' contract?

Bruno, you European! In this case 10/1/07 is October 1st, not January 10th.

Good job!

[mountainballer]

There had been discussion of drafting Jonas Maciulis with our late second round pick. Has anybody heard anything about him recently?

Jonas once stated, that he isn't interested in the NBA.
so there would be something to clarify, before thinking of using even a late 2nd rounder on him.
(I can see a lot of reasons, why he would prefer to play euro-ball)
but if he has changed his mind, he is an interesting option.
one thing for sure: fans will love him. he is a Berserker.

[Bruno]

Why is Horry a 'better than expiring' contract?

Let's take the scenario of a team who is under the cap and want to go further under the cap to sign a big FA. They have a player paid $4.5M. They can trade him for Horry (Horry salary is $3.6M) and then waive Horry : Horry will count for $2M against the cap and the team will have $2.5M more in capspace.
Horry can be atractive too for a team who try to avoid the luxury tax or for a team who has a player paid $4M they don't like and who want to save some money.
Horry's contract is better than an expiring contract because he is a $3.6M expiring who will cost only $2M.




Bruno, you European! In this case 10/1/07 is October 1st, not January 10th.


I'm european but I know that 10/1/07 is october 1st. James White contract, like all non-guaranteed contracts, will become fully guaranteed for the 07-08 year on January 10th (1/10/08).

[Mr. Body]

My mistake. I see what you were saying. However, White makes $700K according to Hoopshype.

[Bruno]

Coin flips have been done yesterday :
http://www.nba.com/news/ties_broken_draft_070420.html

[Bruno]

BTW, some news about Mahinmi : Britton Johnsen is out for the season with a shoulder injury. This injury gives for the moment more playtime for Mahinmi : he played 20 minutes in his last game with a 7 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks game. Pau has the possibility to sign a player as Johnsen remplacement : I wouldn't be surprised to see a D-league player (like Jamar Smith) signing with them soon.

Two good news :

First : Pau has decided that they won't sign a remplacement for Johnsen. Mahinmi will have more playtime for the end of the season because he will play too some PF now.

Second : Mahinmi has had his best game of the season in french league today
22 min
21 points (8/8 FG, 5/5 FT)
7 rebounds
1 blocks
4 PF
6 fouls drawn

[picnroll]

Pau site continues to list Mahinmi at 6'9". Is that right? What kind of competition is Pau playing now?

[Bruno]

Pau site continues to list Mahinmi at 6'9". Is that right? What kind of competition is Pau playing now?

They list him at 2m08, it's closer to 6'10" than 6'9" and I don't think it's the result of a mesurement they have done themselves.

Mahinmi is playing two competitions now :
- The french league : they are still 3 regular season games left. Playoffs are up to 7 games long if Pau is qualified.
- The french cup : it's a single game elimination tournament. Pau is in quarter final.

So Mahinmi will play between 4 and 13 games with Pau this year.

[yavozerb]

The 76ers need a post-up player. They need another long-range shooter after they finished last in the NBA in 3-pointers. General manager Billy King could package a pick and a player to get an impact player. Or he could package two of the picks to move up in the draft. Or he could try to address the needs through the draft.

Wilmington News Journal

Another possible destination for Scola or barry to move up in draft

[mardigan]

UNC freshman Brandan Wright will enter NBA Draft
Posted: Monday April 23, 2007 4:23PM; Updated: Monday April 23, 2007 4:27PM


CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) -- North Carolina freshman Brandan Wright said Monday he plans to enter his name in this summer's NBA draft.

During a news conference with coach Roy Williams, the 6-foot-9 forward said he doesn't plan to sign with an agent just yet -- a move that would keep open the possibility he could return to school next year. But Williams said Wright was almost certain to remain in the draft

Wright is expected by many to be a high first-round pick thanks to his long, lean frame and soft shooting touch around the basket. He ranked second on the team at 14.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, joining All-American Tyler Hansbrough to give North Carolina a dominating tandem on the front line.

He also shot 64.6 percent, leading the Atlantic Coast Conference while setting the league's freshman record. He ended up as the ACC rookie of the year -- marking the third straight season a Tar Heel had won the award -- and was named most valuable player of the league tournament for helping the Tar Heels win their first title in nine years.

Earlier this month, Hansbrough said he would return for his junior season instead of going to the NBA, while rookies Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington also said they would return to the Tar Heels for their sophomore seasons.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[mardigan]

Updated: April 24, 2007, 1:37 PM ET
Ga. Tech's Young entering draft, not hiring agentAssociated Press


ATLANTA -- Georgia Tech forward Thaddeus Young entered his name in the NBA draft, yet could return for his sophomore season because he hasn't hired an agent.

Coach Paul Hewitt said Tuesday that Young submitted his name to learn more about his status from NBA personnel.

"I'm enjoying my experience at Georgia Tech, both with the basketball program and in school," Young said in a statement released by the school. "Right now, my focus is in finishing out this semester and then gathering more information from the NBA people."

Young tied for the team lead in scoring, averaging 14.4 points. He and freshman point guard Javaris Crittenton helped the Yellow Jackets to a 20-12 record and a berth in the NCAA tournament. They were knocked out in the first round by UNLV.

Hewitt said Young and his family did not want to elaborate on the decision because the 6-foot-8 forward is concentrating on final exams, which begin Monday. Afterward, he plans to discuss his situation.

"Many players have entered the draft as a means to gather information and then returned to school," Hewitt said. "Right now, Thaddeus is working on finishing this semester, and he intends to take classes this summer."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[mardigan]

Div. I scoring leader Williams to enter draftAssociated Press


LEXINGTON, Va. -- Division I scoring leader Reggie Williams plans to skip his senior season at Virginia Military Institute and enter the NBA draft.

Williams, a 6-foot-5 forward who averaged 28.1 points, said Tuesday he will not hire an agent. He will have until June 18 to withdraw his name if he hopes to return to the Keydets. The NBA draft is June 28 in New York.

"I felt that I had a successful season and I would like to explore my options at the next level," said Williams, adding he intends to return to VMI to get his degree.

Williams set Big South Conference and VMI records for points this season. He had four games of 40 or more points and 15 games of 30 or more points. Williams is third in VMI history with 1,861 points.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[mardigan]

Updated: April 24, 2007, 4:56 PM ET
Clemson's Mays to enter draft, will not hire agentBy Andy Katz
ESPN.com


Clemson junior forward James Mays will declare for the NBA draft but not hire an agent, a source close to Mays told ESPN.com.

Mays averaged 12.2 points, 6.4 rebounds in 36 games for the Tigers. The 6-foot-9 Mays is a key part of the Tigers' chances to make the NCAA Tournament in 2008. The Tigers return four of their top five players with the lone senior being senior guard Vernon Hamilton.

Mays played in only 11 games as a sophomore after becoming academically ineligible. The Tigers won those 11 games and then the first 17 this past season.

Mays isn't expected to be a first-round pick, so he would likely return to Clemson unless he somehow played his way higher during workouts and the pre-draft camp in Orlando if he's invited. Mays will have until June 18 deadline to withdraw from the draft.

Andy Katz is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

[mardigan]

Updated: April 25, 2007, 3:41 PM ET
Crittenton declares for draft, won't hire agentBy Andy Katz
ESPN.com

Georgia Tech freshman guard Javaris Crittenton will declare for the draft but not sign with an agent, Yellow Jackets coach Paul Hewitt said Wednesday.

Crittenton's decision follows his classmate and teammate Thaddeus Young, who made the same declaration Tuesday.

Crittenton averaged a team-high 14.4 points and 5.8 assists for the Yellow Jackets, who finished 20-12 after losing to UNLV in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Yellow Jackets finished 8-8 in the ACC.

Crittenton is considered one of the better guards available but it's unclear where he would be in the first round, so testing the waters to see if he's a lock for a high draft pick makes sense.

Underclassmen have until Sunday to declare for the draft and until June 18 to withdraw before the June 28 draft.

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.

[mountainballer]

DraftExpress has dod a very detailed (and IMO very accurate) analysis of the Spurs roster situation.
http://www.draftexpress.com/blogs.php?blogid=12

I just post the part about the possible picks this year:



The sheer depth of this years draft bodes well for the Spurs chances of adding a player who can grow into a prominent role in the future. The Spurs have three picks overall, #28, #33, and #58. San Antonio’s early second round pick was acquired shrewdly from Milwaukee, in exchange for a late 2nd round pick in last year’s much weaker draft.

San Antonio’s scouting department is known throughout the league as one of the most thorough around, and it got even deeper this past year when they decided to add former head and assistant college coach George Felton as their Director Of College Player Personnel. Felton will team up with the highly respected R.C. Buford, Dell Demps, and Sam Presti.

The Spurs could look to address the wing position with their first round pick by taking collegiate All-American Alando Tucker. Tucker may be an excellent replacement for Michael Finley, another Badger alum who was underrated coming out of college after finishing off his final college season with less success than anticipated.

Tucker’s jumper is still somewhat suspect, but it’s hard to question his intensity or relentless approach to the game. Coming out of a defensively oriented program like Wisconsin could help Tucker to fit right into The Spurs defensive structure.

Fresno State’s Dominic McGuire is also in this category, though his resume isn’t as long as Tucker’s. McGuire is a very intriguing talent because of his positional versatility and two-way skills. McGuire’s perimeter shooting isn’t fully developed and he may suffer from the new workout schedule which could limit his opportunities to display his range of abilities, but he’s a talent worth watching.

Brandon Rush is a player the Spurs will have to look at, as he has excellent length, athleticism, and the type of defensive and perimeter shooting ability the team will need to replace once Bruce Bowen decides to hang them up.

There are a number of other intriguing wing players who could be available to San Antonio in their draft range, including Derrick Byars, Arron Afflalo, Morris Almond and perhaps even Marcus Williams. Herbert Hill possesses a skill level in the post that’s potentially superior to any of the Spurs current frontcourt players not named Duncan, so he may be an intriguing selection in the early stages of the second round as well.

All in all, this is a good draft to be looking for a wing player in the late first round, so San Antonio should have a few intriguing options to choose from.

[mathbzh]

They list him at 2m08, it's closer to 6'10" than 6'9" and I don't think it's the result of a mesurement they have done themselves.

Mahinmi is playing two competitions now :
- The french league : they are still 3 regular season games left. Playoffs are up to 7 games long if Pau is qualified.
- The french cup : it's a single game elimination tournament. Pau is in quarter final.

So Mahinmi will play between 4 and 13 games with Pau this year.

Mahinmi had another good game against Gravelines (Pro A) in french cup with 13 pts (6/8), 6 Rbds, 4 stls, 2 blks, 1ast, 1TO, 2 PF in 20 minutes. He had the best evaluation in the game (23).

[Bruno]

BTW, for people who hasn't seen Mahinmi plays this year and who are curious : a little video of Mahinmi last saturday game :
http://www.dijonpremiere.com/flux.aspx?id=450

It's the third quarter of the game : Mahinmi has the number 14 and has a white jersey, he enters in the game at the 2:00 mark of the video. You can see Mahinmi doing some quite nice things in this video especially at the 6:30 mark.

[timvp]

BTW, for people who hasn't seen Mahinmi plays this year and who are curious : a little video of Mahinmi last saturday game :
http://www.dijonpremiere.com/flux.aspx?id=450

It's the third quarter of the game : Mahinmi has the number 14 and has a white jersey, he enters in the game at the 2:00 mark of the video. You can see Mahinmi doing some quite nice things in this video especially at the 6:30 mark.

Holy crap. That one dunk at the 6:30 mark it looks like he's dunking a tennis ball on a nine foot rim. That's a regulation basket and ball, right? :)

[picnroll]

Is there a chance it will be Mahinmi in '07? Is it too much to hope he's putting it all together?

[mathbzh]

Another win for Pau against Strasbourg (Pro A).
Ian only played 13 minutes for 5pts (1/2, 3/6 FT), 4Rbds , 3steals, 1TO, 3 PF.
Pau will play the final game against Nanterre (Pro B).

[Bruno]

Is there a chance it will be Mahinmi in '07? Is it too much to hope he's putting it all together?

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64789


Yes, Ian will likely be on the roster next season. No, he's not expected to contribute much.

[mardigan]

Italian guard available in NBA Draft
Posted: Thursday April 26, 2007 12:52PM; Updated: Thursday April 26, 2007 12:52PM


BOLOGNA, Italy (Ticker) - Climamio Bologna guard Marco Belinelli has declared himself available for the NBA Draft.

Almost a year after Andrea Bargnani decided to leave Benetton Treviso, the 21-year-old Belinelli has decided it's to join him. Bargnani was picked first overall by the Toronto Raptors.

Belinelli, a key man in Carlo Recalcati's Italy squad at last year's FIBA World Championship, has submitted a letter ahead of the April 28 deadline.

The draft will be held on June 28.

Belinelli has averaged 17.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists for the Italian club this season.

© 2007 SportsTicker Enterprises, LP

Love the Spurs to grab this guy

[mardigan]

Updated: April 26, 2007, 4:27 PM ET
Marquette guard declares for draft, won't hire agentAssociated Press


MILWAUKEE -- Marquette guard Dominic James declared for the NBA draft on Thursday, but will not hire an agent so he has the option to return to school.

James, a sophomore, led the Golden Eagles with 14.9 points per game. He was an All-America honorable mention selection by The Associated Press last season and a first-team All-Big East selection.

"This is an opportunity that I want to take advantage of," James said in a statement. "Coach [Tom Crean] and I talked about our goals at the beginning of the season and one was the option of being drafted. The time is now to take advantage of that option."

James also led the team with 167 assists and ranked fourth in the conference.

Crean said he supports James' decision to explore his options in the NBA.

"You have to give your players a chance to chase their dreams," Crean said in a statement. "If not, you aren't building your program the right way or doing the right thing."

The draft is scheduled for June 28, and the deadline for James to withdraw and return to Marquette is June 18.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[picnroll]

Pettri Koponen is in. A pick to stash for a year who possibly in '08 would be a lottery level PG.

http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/petterikoponen.html

[exstatic]

Pettri Koponen is in. A pick to stash for a year who possibly in '08 would be a lottery level PG.

http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/petterikoponen.html
Sounds like Beno, minus the wuss factor. Six four, could grow another 1.5 inches, playing pro ball since 16 like Parker did. A true PG.

[picnroll]

Sounds like Beno, minus the wuss factor. Six four, could grow another 1.5 inches, playing pro ball since 16 like Parker did. A true PG.
Reportedly he played well against Mayo and Rose. He shot 50% from the three in europe and they describe him being able to hit it with a set shot or off the dribble.

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=1273

He's got to be better than Beno. Rose has the reputation of being a very good defender and this kid had no trouble bringing the ball up against pressure. That is way beyond Beno's skill set.

[yavozerb]

Current Team: Honka Playboys,

Is this is an overseas rec. team?? This guy has gotta have game if he plays for the "honky playboys"

[mardigan]

Brandon Rush is going to enter the draft

[Mr. Body]

Rush + Kopponen would be a perfect draft.

[TDMVPDPOY]

draftn euro scrubs, or we draftin and farmin them?

i prefer we get someone on the damn roster then farmin,

[JPB]

Nicolas Batum will not enter the draft. He Said it yesterday after a french league game.

He wants to continue his learning in France with a bigger role in his team and prefers "play 30 mn in euroleague than 2 mn in NBA".

Wise IMO.

[wildbill2u]

Pettri Koponen is in. A pick to stash for a year who possibly in '08 would be a lottery level PG.

http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/petterikoponen.html
I think the word is out on Koponen around the league. I don't know where he'll slot in the draft, but I'll bet someone will pick him up if we don't. Threre are no more 'stealth' players in the Euro leagues anymore.

[exstatic]

Current Team: Honka Playboys,

Is this is an overseas rec. team?? This guy has gotta have game if he plays for the "honky playboys"
A bonus: angel_luv will love him!!! :p:

[TDMVPDPOY]

if we are going to draft a PG....look for someone similar to fuckn duhorn

[Bruno]

An article about Mahinmi (in french) :
http://www.sudouest.com/290407/sport.asp?Article=290407a72473.xml

My quick translation :

Mahinmi, successful takeoff

Marc Duthu
Sud Ouest
04/29/07

PRO A (32e GAME)
Engines have started and the rocket has finally taken off, leaving the terrestrial attraction. Last week, at Dijon, Ian Mahinmi has taken off : 20 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, an evaluation of 29 ; the best game of his career. Pau and the former player of Le Havre have waited for it for a long time. One had felt some good things against Nancy, five days sooner when the young center (21 years) had flown over Cedric Banks to do a poster-dunk and fought inch per inch with Cyril Julian at the rebound. At this time, it was unknown if, once again, it was only one good game ...


"I have doubted".

Because the Mahinmi mission has not happened as expected. By moving him from Le Havre to Pau last summer, after having selected him during the 05 draft, the San antonio Spurs have thinked that the puting in orbit would be easier. An ambitious team, the Euroligue, a well known coach (the Canadian Gordon Herbert) : all the trafic lights were green. But the count down has stopped again. Launch as a starter for the first eight games of the season, Mahinmi failed to find his place.
When the american Michael Wright signed with the team, he has had less playtime. During some games, he seems lost and takes three PF in one minute. At Pau, one are very fast worried. "Hello Houston, we got a problem..". What must we do? Going back to the drawing board? Rebuild everything around a perfect body for this game (size, wingspan, speed, jumping ability) ? No, only wait. And remember that 21 years is only the dawn of a career. That at the center spot, experience is a more efficient and relaible fuel than the enthusiasm of youth.
"At the beginning, I have doubted" said Mahinmi. "I always have always given the best of myself, but nothing happened like I wanted. For some time, I'm feeling better. However I have changed nothing in my game, I haven't felt a turning point has happened and I haven't more the feeling to make great things." Mahinmi is straight and honest, like when he says that he was light years far from what everybody, including himself, expected from him when he came to Pau : "While coming at Pau, I wanted to break everything, but that has not happened like that. This year was made to be ready for Spurs. Without wishing it, I have, without a doubt, put too much pressure on myself."

Landing in Texas.

His misfire ended, he hopes so, Ian Mahinmi is sure that he will remember of everything: "In a career, everyone has some difficult moments. I learned a lot this season with Pau." The next ones, he will be on another planet. His landing with Spurs was planed a long time ago: Summer League at Las Vegas in July, maybe followed by one at Salt Lake City, before starting his rookie season.
A Spurs jersey, Tim Duncan to help him in the Texan paint, Tony Parker to give him the ball,a 6 digits contract, the NBA... Enough to go to someone's head. "I know what awaits me and it creates in me a mix of desire and excitation, said Mahinmi. I try not to think at that too much , but it's difficult. " It's even more difficult now that Spurs play playoffs for one week: "The morning, I throw myself on my computer to see what they did against Denver." He is almost over there. But he isn't fully gone for the moment. "Stakes in french league are high and, since Britton Johnsen injury, I have more responsabilities, I remain focus on what I have to do here, said Mahinmi. I want to finish well with Pau. It's important to me."

[picnroll]

So Spurs are doing Las Vegas and Utah.

Mahinmi had a pretty crappy game again statstically yesterday.

[Mr. Body]

Apropos very little, I'm actually warming to Nick Fazekas as a Spur. With the Mil. pick, of course.

[yavozerb]

Rush with our 1st pick and fazekas with 2nd round pick would be nice tandem..

[Mr. Body]

Rush with our 1st pick and fazekas with 2nd round pick would be nice tandem..

Yes it would.

Fazekas has Duncan's lack of athleticism and isn't as strong, but it would be an interesting tandem at least to try. It depends on who we pull with our own pick, but it's not unreasonable to think Fazekas will be a good NBA player within limits.

[Big P]

20 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, an evaluation of 29

Nice to see Ian had hopefully what turns out to be his breakout game.

[pad300]

Apropos very little, I'm actually warming to Nick Fazekas as a Spur. With the Mil. pick, of course.

Personally, I'm hoping for McRoberts, (by trading Scola + 33rd pick for his rights). I think Fazekas, although very skilled, might have real trouble transitioning to the NBA; he has significant issues when faced with much superior atheletes.

[yavozerb]

I do think the place to find a "big man" would be the draft if we can..I know we have other weaknesses but if the spurs are to trade up it should be for 4/5 player. We can find a decent 1-3 position player late in the draft due to the depth of those positions. To try to fill pf or c positions during FA season is to simply overpay for these positions.

[A.H 21-50]

Personally, I'm hoping for McRoberts, (by trading Scola + 33rd pick for his rights). I think Fazekas, although very skilled, might have real trouble transitioning to the NBA; he has significant issues when faced with much superior atheletes.


i don't know why you all want to trade scola
he appeared to be better than a lot of youngs pf's
i don't know what exactly he is doing this year in europe but i think the best thing for us is to bring him to the team

[AFBlue]

i don't know why you all want to trade scola
he appeared to be better than a lot of youngs pf's
i don't know what exactly he is doing this year in europe but i think the best thing for us is to bring him to the team

He's setting records and being dominant...as usual.

I agree that the "other" big is a hole that will have to be filled in the near future and Scola is the guy to do it. The only way I see a trade for him working out for the best, is if the Spurs are able to get an immediate starter or key role player that fills another need.....long 3/small-ball 4.

Trading up to get Jeff Green or nabbing Nocioni in a sign-and-trade are two scenarios....

Still, I think it's best (and most likely) if he signs with the Spurs and establishes his trade value over here before making him available...which also gives the Spurs the luxury of seeing how their young post players pan out.

[Mr. Body]

I don't see how signing Scola and 'establishing his trade value' helps the Spurs in any real way. First, it solidifies his exact value and makes flexible trades very hard. Second, teams are often extremely reluctant to trade their rookies away before even their first year is out. That, coupled with the fact that the Spurs' best options for SFs are in the draft, not out of it and already in the league (other than Nocioni), I just don't see any sense in signing him with the intent of trading him away. Either you want him or you don't. There's no 'try out' period. Besides, it takes a while for rookies to learn the Spurs system - it took Oberto and Manu the better part of a year - so it's senseless in thinking Scola could be showcased in any meaningful way.

[AFBlue]

I don't see how signing Scola and 'establishing his trade value' helps the Spurs in any real way. First, it solidifies his exact value and makes flexible trades very hard. Second, teams are often extremely reluctant to trade their rookies away before even their first year is out. That, coupled with the fact that the Spurs' best options for SFs are in the draft, not out of it and already in the league (other than Nocioni), I just don't see any sense in signing him with the intent of trading him away. Either you want him or you don't. There's no 'try out' period. Besides, it takes a while for rookies to learn the Spurs system - it took Oberto and Manu the better part of a year - so it's senseless in thinking Scola could be showcased in any meaningful way.

Body, I'm not going to argue the virtue of bringing Scola in. I'm only going to clarify that when I talked about establishing his trade value, I meant over the next two or three seasons, not trading him in his rookie season. A scenario similar to Nocioni, depending on the development of the Spurs' young talent at that position....

[Mr. Body]

I understand, then. All things equal, I'd rather get value for him now, but that's because I don't see him matching a need and believe there is a lot of irrecoverable bad blood between the two sides. If the Spurs do sign him, however, I'll be very happy to have Scola a Spur.

[yavozerb]

I am not sure his trade value will ever go up once in the nba. Right now he is considered top big man in europe and coming to the end of his contract (I think 1 year left). I think these labels alone may intrigue some teams. Also lets not forget he is 27 years old, so to play him for couple of years may due more harm than good to his value. But, I am with Body on this, if he can contribute and doesnt demand a high salary then I will welcome him.

[pad300]

i don't know why you all want to trade scola
he appeared to be better than a lot of youngs pf's
i don't know what exactly he is doing this year in europe but i think the best thing for us is to bring him to the team

I propose trading Scola because I think that the team management is not willing to do what it would take to bring him over. I think that they believe 1) He wants to much money for a second round pick(I disagree with them on this point), and they don't want to set that precedent. 2) He will not be a good fit playing beside Duncan. And if he's not playing beside (as opposed to backing up) Duncan, then he's really not worth the salary cap space he wants. This second point I think that they may be correct on (I will discuss my reasoning below). If the management is not willing to bring him over (for whatever reason), I would rather see his rights used as a trade asset to improve the team, rather than sitting on the Spurs back shelf...


Why am I unsure that Scola will be a good fit beside Duncan? Well, my ideal partner for TD has the following attributes. 1) Good Man to Man Defender, to match up with opponents best big when possible by matchups. This allows Tim to play help D much more often. 2) Strong Athelete. I am not a fan of small ball, and for matching up with team with jumpshooting/perimeter bigmen (eg. Dirk, Donyell Marshall, Andrea Barganani, Chris Bosh, Rashard Lewis, Memo Okur), it is very helpful to have one of the two starting bigs to be athletic enough to go out on the perimeter when defending. A strong athlete also greatly improves our fast break. 3) Plays high post. In our offence, Duncan gets the Low-post spot, because that is where he likes to set up. This leaves our other big man in the High post spot. This in turn implies that our 2nd big should have an effective 15 to 18 ft jumpshot. 4) Strong rebounder. Our small players have been pretty weak at rebounding historically. It is a very good thing if both bigs in play rebound strongly, rather than putting the majority of the load on Tim. It allows Tim to save more energy for defense and scoring.
Scola does not fit the majority of these criteria. The core strength of his game is his low post scoring. This contradicts point 3; however he does have a decent jumpshot. He is not reknowned as a strong rebounder in the Spanish league, and he will be matching up against better Athletes in the NBA, contradicting point 4. He is if anything, slightly undersized by NBA standards, which will make rebounding even more difficult. Although he is an acceptable athlete, he is not a strong athlete by NBA standards; can you envision him effectively defending any of the players mentioned in point 2 above. Finally, I am not that impressed with his man to man defense, particularly due to his size. He will have to work very hard to effectively defend a starting NBA PF/C. However, he has demonstrated some proficiency at dealing with NBA PF/C's before (eg. see Scola vs Jermaine O'Neal, World Championships, 2002). So he fits one of 4 criteria for an ideal (in my mind) fit beside TD.
In comparison, McRoberts will be cheaper (rookie contract), has demonstrated superior Athletic ability, and is larger 6'10" or 11". McRoberts likes playing in the high post (and has a jumpshot), and has strong passing abilities. He has also been an effective defender and rebounder at every level he has played at.

[Mr. Body]

If Fazekas were an athlete, he would be great. Very good rebounder, tall, prefers to face up instead of attacking the post, great outside shot, pretty good shot blockers.

McRoberts would be an intriguing pick. People are down on him but as a fourth option on an established team, he could be great. But I don't think 1) he drops to the Spurs, or 2) they would pick him.

[yavozerb]

Fazekas could be cheaper than trying to resign bonner this offseason. Both prefer outside shots, Fazekas is the better rebounder, bonner the energetic player off the bench.

[pad300]

Fazekas could be cheaper than trying to resign bonner this offseason. Both prefer outside shots, Fazekas is the better rebounder, bonner the energetic player off the bench.

I want to see Fazekas against NBA athletes before I say he is the better rebounder. I have been dissapointed with Fazekas' accumulated NCAA tournament performances. Remember, the wolfpack are in a relatively weak conference for the "college regular season".



McRoberts would be an intriguing pick. People are down on him but as a fourth option on an established team, he could be great. But I don't think 1) he drops to the Spurs, or 2) they would pick him.

Yeah, I don't think he drops to 28. I think that we would have to trade up to get him. Currently I would like to see the Spurs trade #33 and Scola for #21 (from Denver via Philly) and select McRoberts and use pick #28 on Dominic Mcguire.

[Mr. Body]

Fazekas was decent statistically against Memphis this year, which was comprised of NBA-type athletes. I wonder how Faze compares to Duncan in the athletics department. Maybe we could get Dudley, too, and have a glacial front line.

PAD - I'd be somewhat intrigued by McRoberts, but I'm surprised at the idea to trade up for him. I'd have to think about the option, but what I do like is the idea of using Scola to move up with the #33 pick. Perhaps it won't go far enough.

[mardigan]

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s79/sethhoward/300243.jpg

[pad300]

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s79/sethhoward/300243.jpg

I recognize he's from your Alma Mater, but Derrick Byars is currently ranked #39 on draft express. I'm pretty sure McGuire is flat out better than Byars, and he fits the Spurs better too, being able to play small-ball PF, as well as SF & SG. He's a better rebounder, and is a potential shut-down defender, with length, lateral quickness, and he LIKES playing D. He's unselfish and a good passer. Finally, there's the dreade P-Word. He's only 21, and his frame appears capable of adding significant strength. This will translate into much better ability to score when absorbing contact in the painted area when slashing.

[pad300]

Fazekas was decent statistically against Memphis this year, which was comprised of NBA-type athletes. I wonder how Faze compares to Duncan in the athletics department. Maybe we could get Dudley, too, and have a glacial front line.

PAD - I'd be somewhat intrigued by McRoberts, but I'm surprised at the idea to trade up for him. I'd have to think about the option, but what I do like is the idea of using Scola to move up with the #33 pick. Perhaps it won't go far enough.

Yeah, it's weird, but 1st round contracts these days are practically better than 2nd rounders. If you pick the right guy (and there is always a right guy available, it's just identifying him). You get a player locked in at below market value for 4 years. And then you can trade him if you can't afford to keep him. From the Spurs perspective, a couple of good 1st round picks from this draft would be gigantic, securing the roleplayers for the next 4 years, until even Duncan's contract comes off the books (as well as Parker's and Manu's).

[A.H 21-50]

I recognize he's from your Alma Mater, but Derrick Byars is currently ranked #39 on draft express. I'm pretty sure McGuire is flat out better than Byars, and he fits the Spurs better too, being able to play small-ball PF, as well as SF & SG. He's a better rebounder, and is a potential shut-down defender, with length, lateral quickness, and he LIKES playing D. He's unselfish and a good passer. Finally, there's the dreade P-Word. He's only 21, and his frame appears capable of adding significant strength. This will translate into much better ability to score when absorbing contact in the painted area when slashing.

it's strange because he's ranked no.15 on nbadraft.net so i don't think he will end up to the spurs maybe before........

[Mr. Body]

Derrick Byars is all over the place on mock drafts. It's impossible to know where players will fall before workouts happen.

[A.H 21-50]

Derrick Byars is all over the place on mock drafts. It's impossible to know where players will fall before workouts happen.

Yes it's what i want to say
it will be very difficult to know who can be availble with the no.28 pick for the spurs and with the no.33
maybe there will be some suprises ........

[Mr. Body]

This draft could be the most fun of all time. I'm hoping to go see it in person.

[Mr. Body]

Trying to keep this thread alive as much as anything.

Anyway...

With Law, Conley, Crittendon, Pruitt all in the draft (I believe), with Bobby Brown, Aaron Brooks and Dominic James also in there, I can't see how the Spurs won't have a good stab at getting a backup point guard with the #33.

[pad300]

Trying to keep this thread alive as much as anything.

Anyway...

With Law, Conley, Crittendon, Pruitt all in the draft (I believe), with Bobby Brown, Aaron Brooks and Dominic James also in there, I can't see how the Spurs won't have a good stab at getting a backup point guard with the #33.

1) Don't forget Kopponen (Finland) as well

2) I rather doubt that we will draft a PG. Rookies are gambles. We can't afford a gamble at the back up PG spot. If he succeeds, he's only trade bait anyways, as Tony has the starter spot locked up for the next 5+ years. Finally, after the Vaugh and Udrih experience this year, I suspect Pop will want a veteran in that spot...

[Mr. Body]

I can see them draft a back-up point. Vaughn can hold it down for one more year. Nothing's cheaper than a second round rookie.

[pad300]

I can see them draft a back-up point. Vaughn can hold it down for one more year. Nothing's cheaper than a second round rookie.

Vet Min contracts are cheap too. And I am pretty sure that this is a spot where they want to minimize uncertainty. Finally, none of the prospects who are likely to be available in the 2nd are definately better than some of the top D-league guys. There are however, some strong possibilities of getting some steals at 33 for the wing spots. At 58, all the guys mentioned should be gone. The only gamble that I might see paying off is Sun Yue.

http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/sunyue.html
http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=1024

Even then, I think he is a pretty big gamble.

[AFBlue]

I can see them draft a back-up point. Vaughn can hold it down for one more year. Nothing's cheaper than a second round rookie.

I think if one blows their skirts up in workouts they'll target a PG, because it's one of the issues.

Personally, I would love to see the Spurs go after a big PG who could contribut at both guard positions in the future. Filling two holes with one guy could be useful for the future (backup PG/SG).

I would definitely love to see guys like Crittendon or Pruitt fall to 28 <<salivating at the thought>>.

[Mr. Body]

Crittendon or Pruitt at 28 would be very nice, even if I wouldn't naturally want to draft a PG there. They have too much to offer. Even an Aaron Brooks of Koponen with the 33 is a great risk and IMO much better in potential than any of the NBDL guys.

Thing is, we already have the vet min guy in Jacque Vaughn. He's okay, but nothing special, and in ways severely limited. They could do well to draft a young guy with potential and bring him around in a year or two to see what he's got. I'd go 28 for SF, 33 for PG, barring trades.

[pad300]

Crittendon or Pruitt at 28 would be very nice, even if I wouldn't naturally want to draft a PG there. They have too much to offer. Even an Aaron Brooks of Koponen with the 33 is a great risk and IMO much better in potential than any of the NBDL guys.

Thing is, we already have the vet min guy in Jacque Vaughn. He's okay, but nothing special, and in ways severely limited. They could do well to draft a young guy with potential and bring him around in a year or two to see what he's got. I'd go 28 for SF, 33 for PG, barring trades.

I'm expecting the usual some talent falls; therefore, I'd most likely be picking best available talent at 28 and 33 (barring trades). Unless we pick 2 bigs or 2 PGs we have room anywhere on our roster.
Projected Next Years Roster
Under Contract and Kept
Bigs - TD, Elson, Oberto, Butler, Horry (he might retire, but has a spot if he wants one)
Wings - Bowen, Finley, Barry, Ginobili, White,
PG's - Tony
Under Contract and Dumped (Somehow)
Udrih
Out of Contract
Ely, Vaughn, Bonner

For a 15 Man roster - 3 PGs, 6 Bigs, 6 Wings

Needs - 2 PG's, 1 Wing, 1 Big.

I do not expect to sign an FA to a contract of more than 1 year (Yes, a HUGE assumption, but it does fit with the mythical 2008 plan). Vaughn we can probably resign for 1 year. We are not bringing Scola over with a 1 year offer. We might also leave a spot open to save some money and have the option of grabbing someone promising from the D-league (like Justin Williams for the Kings this year).
That leaves us needing all 3 core spots (Big, Wing, PG). Therefore, draft based on talent. We currently have 28 and 33. We have some tradeable assets. There are a lot of decent Wing and Big prospects in the draft, and rather less PG's that I actually like. If I saw a good opportunity, I might try and trade up, if I had a specific player in mind.

[Bruno]

Only four players will be picked between Spurs first round pick and Bucks second round pick. If a player is available at 28, he will likely be available at 33. Discussing if Spurs should draft a PG at 28 and a SF at 33 or the opposite is kinda moot.

About the PG situation :
Spurs won't have next season two non reliable backup PGs. The only way that a drafted PG plays with Spurs next year is if Beno is traded.
Most of these PGs are underclassmen and are testing the waters : I can see a lot of them going back to school/Europe if they aren't projected in the first round.
Spurs trading Beno isn't a sure thing at all. In beno isn't traded, drafting an euro to let him in europe is a good solution : at 28/33 with kopponen or at 58 with Bokolo who has a good end of the season.

[picnroll]

Has Bokolo improved his playmaking, PG skills or just decision making in general? Somebody at LG who's hot on him put together some youtube. I'm sure they're highly culled highlights but he looks quite the athlete.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbofUPZLlwg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhkB3JVVG7o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGPzh5AZAIg

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fcK2qTGZ2gE

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CtrjCEX3dls

[Mr. Body]

There does seem to be a conceptual gulf between the 28 and 33 picks that doesn't actually include that many picked players. The key would be to figure what players those teams might nab. And I agree wholly that Dominic James, Pruitt, Crittendon, etc., will pull out of the draft if they seem to be dropping into the second round - but often these guys get lousy advice, so we'll see.

That said, I don't see Udrih on this roster in any form next year. His days as a Spur number as long as the playoffs will take and that's it. He's deadweight if they keep him; they'll trade him first, second simply cut him, since his roster space could be used for someone else. But I do think they'll trade him, with a shot that they'll keep him to trade halfway through the season to an ailing team. But I think he's done.

[Bruno]

Bokolo plays now PG full time. He still isn't a good playmaker and never will be but he is improving. Let him one more year in europe and he can maybe become a solid backup PG in nba. He is a great pickup at 58.

[picnroll]

Bokolo plays now PG full time. He still isn't a good playmaker and never will be but he is improving. Let him one more year in europe and he can maybe become a solid backup PG in nba. He is a great pickup at 58.
How's his outside shot? Does he have possible Barbosa-type talent but maybe a better defender?

[Mr. Body]

Bokolo at 58 could be a steal, but I hope the Spurs don't think they'll find their answer there. He'd be gravy, if anything.

[yavozerb]

I would be exstatic with Rush at #28 and Mcguire at #33. Only other SG I like better than rush at in mid to late 1st would be Byars which would probably require the psurs to trade into the middle 1st round. Wouldn't mind drafting PG James from marq. late in the 2nd (this guy is fun to watch)

[Bruno]

That said, I don't see Udrih on this roster in any form next year. His days as a Spur number as long as the playoffs will take and that's it. He's deadweight if they keep him; they'll trade him first, second simply cut him, since his roster space could be used for someone else. But I do think they'll trade him, with a shot that they'll keep him to trade halfway through the season to an ailing team. But I think he's done.

If they don't find a trade for him, I doubt they will cut him. If they have kept Eric Williams, who was more a deadweight than Beno, this year; they will keep Beno next year.
The other solution is a buy out but Beno seems happy on the bench in SA. :rolleyes

[Mr. Body]

Rush + McGuire would be a sick draft and considering team need and draft position one of the best in the league.

Can you imagine this Spurs team right now with these two guys on it? timvp and others keep insisting the Spurs won't draft two rookies for next year, but I don't see how they cannot.

[yavozerb]

At #28 Rush would only get 750K yearly (which in my opinion I would much rather have him over white) and mcguire would get even less. To make your team younger, more athletic, and save $ would be in my opinion how to have a good offseason for the spurs. 2 rookies on a roster of 13 vets I think is good ratio!!

[Mr. Body]

but you hit on an important point... 2 rookies + white + butler?

[Bruno]

How's his outside shot? Does he have possible Barbosa-type talent but maybe a better defender?

His outside shot sucks. Barbosa isn't a good comparaison because he isn't at all a good scorer.
He is more a poor man Devin Harris.

[yavozerb]

I really do not think white will make the roster next year or he could be packaged in a trade deal. He played well against other reserves but I was not all that impressed. Butler will have to step up next year and challange for playing time. If comes overweight again look for him to be moved.

[yavozerb]

Also, has anybody seen this kid Avis Wyatt play from virginia st. 6-10 sf/pf type player who from what I have read has decent offense and above average defender. I have seen him compared to a tim thomas on some mock draft web sites.

[A.H 21-50]

we talk about a pg backup and a sf but maybe the spurs could go after a big man
if someone they like fell to the no.28 pick

i don't think pop is so satisfied of elson and horry can retire but i don't think so

at sf guys like rush , mc guire ....stuckey , tucker could be good for the spurs

[Mr. Body]

Spurs could definitely snag a big man... Marc Gasol or somebody. But the main pick will be a small forward. I'd bet my wallet on it.

[ducks]

Spurs could definitely snag a big man... Marc Gasol or somebody. But the main pick will be a small forward. I'd bet my wallet on it.
your wallet or the money in it :p:

[Mr. Body]

your wallet or the money in it :p:

Well nowadays the wallet is worth more. :dizzy

[Mr. Body]

Oh, and add Rodney Stuckey to potential back-up point guard types. Really, I'd be surprised if someone isn't around with the Milwaukee pick, should the Spurs desire.

[AFBlue]

Oh, and add Rodney Stuckey to potential back-up point guard types. Really, I'd be surprised if someone isn't around with the Milwaukee pick, should the Spurs desire.

Yeah, I'd love to see him in a Spurs uni too. NBAdraft.net has the Spurs taking him with #33, but they also say that Byars will go top 20....something I see from no other site.

I think if a guy like Stuckey (or Pruitt, Crittenton, Fernandez, or Belinelli...all combo guard types) fall to the Spurs at #28 they should take him and hope that a guy like McGuire is still around at #33.

[pad300]

we talk about a pg backup and a sf but maybe the spurs could go after a big man
if someone they like fell to the no.28 pick

i don't think pop is so satisfied of elson and horry can retire but i don't think so

at sf guys like rush , mc guire ....stuckey , tucker could be good for the spurs

I hope that we don't pick Tucker. 6'5" PF's not named Barkley don't thrill me...

[yavozerb]

Less than 2 months until the draft (06/28).

[A.H 21-50]

I hope that we don't pick Tucker. 6'5" PF's not named Barkley don't thrill me...

tucker is a SF not a PF

http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/alandotucker.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2m_UARbsbw

look at the video he doesn't look bad

[mountainballer]

I don't think, that the question of the backup PG should be adressed to this draft. not that there wouldn't be some interesting players, but I'm sure there will be even more SFs and bigs, who could provide more immediate impact.
I think this should be solved via FA or trade.
some interesting PG prospects are playing in Europe. Spurs should have noticed the play of Aaron Miles, when they watched Mahinmi.
also Alex Acker, even if he is not a PG in the first place, but there is also quite some playmaking potential. (don't know about his status, guess Detroit still owns his rights).

and there is a scenario I'm dreaming about (some might call me crazy):
trade for Jasikevicius!
no doubt, he will be available this summer. I know, he was a disappointment in the NBA so far, but I'm absolutly sure, he would flourish with the Spurs. (IMO Carlisle was to stubborn to use him the way he would have been best and it's also no wonder that he doesn't fit Nelly's stile)
they won't like the 4 million per year, but on the other hand, it is the last year of his contract. Saras was so damn good and so much of a winner (like I can only think of Manu in comparison), that I can't belive that there isn't some of it left. if there is any coach, who can unleash this again, it is Pop.

I agree that Rush + McGuire out of the draft would be almost perfect.

(if Spurs use the no.58 pick on a PG it's a nice move. some players like Green or Reynolds might fall)

btw. when people think about drafting Fazekas, what about Jason Smith, who is a similar player, but has much more upside and is more athletic? (mocks have him from mid to end 1st round, so with some luck he might be there at 28)

[picnroll]

Jasikevicius struggles with bringing the ball up against pressure and being pressured with the ball in the half-court as Beno. BIG, BIG pass on him.

[pad300]

tucker is a SF not a PF

http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/alandotucker.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2m_UARbsbw

look at the video he doesn't look bad

No, they call him an SF for college and in the draft. But he played with the skillset of a PF. In the NBA that won't work. Best case is that he becomes a Bonzi Wells. But 1) For every undersized PF to SF/SG transition that players try, at least 3 guys with the same skillset are busts. 2) Bonzi wells is effective against weaker SG/SF's, but when he runs into strong guys (like himself, Ruben Patterson, Battier, Ron Artest) he's not that useful. If he can't post easily, Bonzi isn't all that effective.

[Bruno]

EARLY ENTRY CANDIDATES FOR 2007 NBA DRAFT

Arron Afflalo, UCLA, 6-5, Junior
Shagari Alleyne, Manhattan, 7-3, Junior
Corey Brewer, Florida, 6-9, Junior
Dwight Brewington, Liberty, 6-5, Junior
Roy Bright, Delaware State, 6-6, Junior
Aaron Bruce, Baylor, 6-3, Junior
Jaycee Carroll, Utah State, 6-2, Junior
Wilson Chandler, DePaul, 6-8, Sophomore
Dan Coleman, Minnesota, 6-9, Junior
Mike Conley Jr., Ohio State, 6-1, Freshman
Daequan Cook, Ohio State, 6-5, Freshman
P.J. Couisnard, Wichita State, 6-4, Junior
Javaris Crittenton, Georgia Tech, 6-5, Freshman
Sasa Cuic, Oregon State, 6-10, Junior
Chris Daniels, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 7-0, Junior
Glen Davis, LSU, 6-9, Junior
Kevin Durant, Texas, 6-9, Freshman
Drew Gibson, Wofford, 6-2, Junior
Jeff Green, Georgetown, 6-9, Junior
Taurean Green, Florida, 6-0, Junior
DeVon Hardin, California, 6-11, Junior
Spencer Hawes, Washington, 7-0, Freshman
Roy Hibbert, Georgetown, 7-2, Junior
Al Horford, Florida, 6-10, Junior
Leon Jacob, Texas A&M International, 6-1, Junior
Dominic James, Marquette, 5-11, Sophomore
Robert Earl Johnson, Clinton JC (SC), 6-7, Freshman
Joseph Jones, Texas A&M, 6-9, Junior
Marcel Jones, Oregon State, 6-8, Junior
Marcelus Kemp, Nevada, 6-5, Junior
Kellen Lee, Los Angeles City College, 6-11, Sophomore
James Mays, Clemson, 6-9, Junior
Bo McCalebb, New Orleans, 6-0, Junior
Dominic McGuire, Fresno State, 6-8, Junior
Josh McRoberts, Duke, 6-10, Sophomore
Tack Minor, LSU, 6-0, Junior
Joakim Noah, Florida, 6-11, Junior
Greg Oden, Ohio State 7-0, Freshman
Kendaris Pelton, Southern Mississippi, 6-6, Junior
Bruce Price, Tennessee State, 6-3, Junior
Gabe Pruitt, Southern California, 6-4, Junior
Shaun Pruitt, Illinois, 6-10, Junior
Charles Rhodes, Mississippi State, 6-8, Junior
Maureece Rice, George Washington, 6-1, Junior
Brandon Rush, Kansas, 6-6, Sophomore
Ramon Sessions, Nevada, 6-3, Junior
Sean Singletary, Virginia, 6-0, Junior
Jason Smith, Colorado State, 7-0, Junior
Rodney Stuckey, Eastern Washington, 6-5, Sophomore
Spencer Tollackson, Minnesota, 6-9, Junior
Isaac Wells, Arkansas State, 6-8, Junior
Terrance Whiters, Arkansas Tech, 5-11, Junior
Marcus Williams, Arizona, 6-7, Sophomore
Sean Williams, Boston College, 6-10, Junior
Brandan Wright, North Carolina 6-9, Freshman
Julian Wright, Kansas, 6-8, Sophomore
Nick Young, Southern California, 6-6, Junior
Thaddeus Young, Georgia Tech, 6-8, Freshman

The following is the list of international players who have applied for early entry into the 2007 NBA Draft:

Ralfi Silva Ansaloni, Praia Club (Brazil), 7-0, 1987
Stanko Barac, Siroki (Bosnia), 7-2, 1986
Rodrigue Beaubois, Cholet (France), 6-0, 1988
Marco Belinelli, Climamio Bologna (Italy), 6-5, 1986
Hakan Demirel, Fenerbahce Ulker (Turkey), 6-4, 1986
Romain Duport, Le Havre (France), 7-0, 1986
Kyrylo Fesenko, Cherkasy (Ukraine), 7-0, 1986
Vladimir Golubovic, Vojvodina (Serbia), 7-0, 1986
Rafael Hettsheimeier, Akasvayu Vic (Spain), 6-10, 1986
Deyan Ivanov, Drac Inca (Spain), 6-9, 1986
Kaloyan Ivanov, Vive Menorca (Spain), 6-9, 1986
Maxym Ivshyn, Azovmash (Ukraine), 6-10, 1986
Petteri Koponen, Honka (Finland), 6-4, 1988
Ivan Maras, Buducnost (Montenegro),6-9, 1986
Manuchar Markoishvili, Olimpija (Slovenia), 6-5, 1986
Douglas Angelo Nunes, Uberlandia (Brazil), 6-7, 1987
Caner Oner, Alpella (Turkey), 6-7, 1987
Miroslav Raduljica, FMP (Serbia), 7-0, 1988
Nikita Shabalkin, Samara (Russia), 6-9, 1986
Vladimir Stimac, Valmiera (Latvia), 6-9, 1987
Gabriel Szalay, Norrkoping (Sweden), 7-1, 1986
Ante Tomic, KK Zagreb (Croatia), 7-2, 1987
Caio Torres, Estudiantes (Spain), 6-11, 1987
Yi Jianlian, Guandong Southern Tigers (China), 6-11, 1987
Artem Zabelin, Avtodor (Russia) 7-0, 1988

[pad300]

I don't think, that the question of the backup PG should be adressed to this draft. not that there wouldn't be some interesting players, but I'm sure there will be even more SFs and bigs, who could provide more immediate impact.
I think this should be solved via FA or trade.
some interesting PG prospects are playing in Europe. Spurs should have noticed the play of Aaron Miles, when they watched Mahinmi.
also Alex Acker, even if he is not a PG in the first place, but there is also quite some playmaking potential. (don't know about his status, guess Detroit still owns his rights).

and there is a scenario I'm dreaming about (some might call me crazy):
trade for Jasikevicius!
no doubt, he will be available this summer. I know, he was a disappointment in the NBA so far, but I'm absolutly sure, he would flourish with the Spurs. (IMO Carlisle was to stubborn to use him the way he would have been best and it's also no wonder that he doesn't fit Nelly's stile)
they won't like the 4 million per year, but on the other hand, it is the last year of his contract. Saras was so damn good and so much of a winner (like I can only think of Manu in comparison), that I can't belive that there isn't some of it left. if there is any coach, who can unleash this again, it is Pop.

I agree that Rush + McGuire out of the draft would be almost perfect.

(if Spurs use the no.58 pick on a PG it's a nice move. some players like Green or Reynolds might fall)

btw. when people think about drafting Fazekas, what about Jason Smith, who is a similar player, but has much more upside and is more athletic? (mocks have him from mid to end 1st round, so with some luck he might be there at 28)

They are not taking Jasikevicius' contract for a 3ed PG (behind Tony, Vaughn).

As far as Jason Smith goes, I want to see it for more than a single season - Fazekas has always been productive. Smith appears to have had one good season. As far as potentially available bigs (at 28), my preference runs to McRoberts (if available).

[Admidave50]

Bokolo? I didn't know he was NBA material..

[yavozerb]

Please check out youtube video of this kid AVIS WYATT and let me know what you think. Remember he is 6'10 when watching video.

[AFBlue]

I honestly think there are a number of players that will be available at #28 and #33 that could be big pieces to the future of this organization.

I won't fault the Spurs if they grab a backup PG, a long 3/small ball 4, an athletic swingman, or another frontline prospect. I honestly won't even care if they draft international (leaving overseas for year) with one of the first two picks, as many of the current Spurs are still under contract through next year.

I'm not suggesting that I'll be happy with whoever they pick, because I still want them to get good value at their spots in the draft, but the Spurs FO doesn't have to find a "superstar" or "future MVP" with those picks....they have the Big 3. For the entire length of their rookie contracts, these prospective draft picks will be complimentary players.

Bottom Line: I don't care what positional need the Spurs fill, so long as they continue to surround the Big 3 with complimentary role players. And hopefully, as was the case with Parker, the Spurs are able to find something more than a "role player" with those first two picks.

[JPB]

Spurs should have noticed the play of Aaron Miles, when they watched Mahinmi.

I saw Pau's last game yesterday and I thought the same. He would be a nice back up and he's still young. If spurs can find what they want in the draft, he could be an opportunity. He could even be a first opportunity and allow them to concentrate on another need.

[wildbill2u]

We started this thread too damn early. The draft is still a long way off. ARRRRRGH!

[Big P]

55 days and counting.

[Admidave50]

a long way to go

[Mr. Body]

bump. in an effort to keep this near the front page.

[Bruno]

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?id=2861992&sport=nba&ft=ss

His poor semifinal showing will not have harmed Luis Scola's standing in the eyes of the Spurs, the team that drafted him 56th in 2002 but that so far has been unable and unwilling to buy him from Spanish team Tau Ceramica.

Had the Spurs wanted Scola as soon as they drafted him, San Antonio would have needed to pay a fee of $15 million for the 6-foot-8 forward. That buyout figure was understood to have dropped to $3 million this year and will be $1 million in summer 2008.

Indications are that Scola is keen to embark on an NBA career, not least of all because his original Tau contract was negotiated in U.S. dollars, meaning it has been seriously devalued because of international exchange rate changes in the years since.

In this instance, the use of a low second-round pick on Scola made his selection a no-lose situation for the Spurs, but other NBA teams might be risking more if they do not do their homework properly before spending a draft pick on a Euro who comes with a prohibitive buyout clause.

For example, FC Barcelona's All-Euroleague guard Juan Carlos Navarro was drafted 40th by the Washington Wizards in 2002 and, according to reports in Spain, still carries with him a $6 million buyout clause. In Scola's case, the midseason appointment of a new coach, Euro legend Bozidar Maljkovic, has not helped him. Maljkovic does not work the ball to Scola in the post as much as his predecessor Velimir Perasovic was prone to do and, in Friday's semifinal defeat, Scola also was visibly affected by the refereeing and fouled out after scoring only six points in 25 minutes.

Still, the Argentine should have time to work on those aspects of his game as it is extremely unlikely we will see him in Texas until 2008 at the earliest.

[Mr. Body]

Still a $3M buyout? Good lord, we'll never see this guy in the NBA.

[Winery]

ok, so how many draft picks do we have?

[Mr. Body]

ok, so how many draft picks do we have?

Three...

28
33
58

One first, two seconds.

[Ocotillo]

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?id=2861992&sport=nba&ft=ss

Indications are that Scola is keen to embark on an NBA career, not least of all because his original Tau contract was negotiated in U.S. dollars, meaning it has been seriously devalued because of international exchange rate changes in the years since.


Looking for all the angles here, does that help with the buyout as well?

[Mr. Body]

Looking for all the angles here, does that help with the buyout as well?

A flying guess... no, because his NBA contract would be in dollars. The dollar sucks right now.

Whoops. Nevermind. The ORIGINAL contract was in dollars? How bizarre. That's not looking so hot anymore. I guess it means nothing in terms of the buyout, since it would be dollars to dollars.

[Ya Vez]

I'd like to see the spurs go after Steve Blake from the Nuggets.. he is unrestricted, fast and averaged 5.0 ast this season...

[Darkwaters]

I'd like to see the spurs go after Steve Blake from the Nuggets.. he is unrestricted, fast and averaged 5.0 ast this season...

His assist numbers weren't the best when he was with Milwaukee. Once he moved to the Nuggets though his assist numbers absolutely exploded. I'm not sold on him, but he did end the regular season pretty strongly.

Word is that the Nuggets aren't the only ones that are enamoured with him, however.

[Mr. Body]

We'd be in a bidding war for Blake, so no thanks.

In any case, this is more a draft forum.

[Darkwaters]

We'd be in a bidding war for Blake, so no thanks.

In any case, this is more a draft forum.

FA signings do have a significant impact on who the team drafts, however. If a guy like Pietrus or Nocioni is brought in then does it really make as much sense to focus on taking a SF?

[Big P]

Blake is going to command most or all of the MLE, we have more pressing needs than paying a backup PG $4-5 mil a year. If Vaughn isn't resigned, then I could see the Spurs going after someone like Chucky Atkins for the LLE or maybe even a vet deal.

[AFBlue]

FA signings do have a significant impact on who the team drafts, however. If a guy like Pietrus or Nocioni is brought in then does it really make as much sense to focus on taking a SF?

It should be noted that Free Agency doesn't begin until AFTER the draft. So your statement is incorrect.

The Spurs will likely take the best players available and worry about Free Agency thereafter....though I bet they'll have a few guys in mind.

[A.H 21-50]

With what i saw yesterday against the Suns , we can say that the spurs may change something inside during the summer

so if a good C or PF is available with their 28th pick they could take it or doing something with bringing both mahinmi and scola

.............

[Mr. Body]

I'm starting to change my tune here, too. I didn't think a big man was such a concern, with such a logjam there, but any talent there would make a huge difference. The strict shooting guard slot can last one more year with Finley/Barry (and Manu, of course), but now I'm not sure how I prioritize back up point and big man. Swingman/SF still seems top priority.

[Bruno]

With what i saw yesterday against the Suns , we can say that the spurs may change something inside during the summer

so if a good C or PF is available with their 28th pick they could take it or doing something with bringing both mahinmi and scola

.............


Spurs PF/C rotation is quite bad this year and it could be even worse next year if Horry, who is Spurs best bigman behind Duncan, retires this summer.

What to do ?

- Hopping that Spurs actual bigmen improve their play ? Elson, Bonner and Butler should be better next year because Spurs players are usualy better in their second year. However, even if they play better next yer, it likely won't be enough given how average they are this year.

- Bringing some rookies like Scola or a player drafted with a late first round pick ? It's not realistic to count on a rookie, even if he is very good, to help a contender during playoffs.

The only reliable solution is to do a trade or to use the MLE on a vet PF/C. Getting a good PF/C this summer, is a way higher priority than getting a good SG/SF or backup PG. Spurs will be fine next year at SG/SF with Manu/Finley/Bowen : they can bring slowly young players (White or a draft pick) next year. Vaughn (barring he plays better than the first two games against Suns) can be a solid backup PG for next year or SPurs can sign a cheap vet liek Atkins.

To me, the best thing to do is to draft one or two PG/SG/SF and try to get one or two good vet PF/C via FA or trade.

[A.H 21-50]

IMO i think the Spurs will try to bring scola next year and maybe mahinmi as bruno said
and take two sg/sf prospects for the future with their picks

but nothing is sure , they could also take a PF or C they like if he's available and depending on the workouts ....

i think also that it's too much to have both scola and mahinmi and 2 rookies for the spurs but we will see

[Mr. Body]

A.H. -- they can't take Mahinmi, Scola, plus two sg/sf draft picks. They physically don't have the roster space.

[A.H 21-50]

A.H. -- they can't take Mahinmi, Scola, plus two sg/sf draft picks. They physically don't have the roster space.

it's exactly what i want to said so nobody can know exactly what they will do
bring scola/mahinmi , draft two rookies ... trade their picks...

many possibilities..

[Mr. Body]

Well, that's fine, but for what's actually possible, look back some pages to see a discussion for who may conceivably no longer be on the roster. I, myself, believe there will be two roster spots.

[Bruno]

A Splitter's interview :

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=2039

Splitter situation is related to Scola situation : Tau will have a hard time to let both go in nba this summer.
It will be interested to see where Splitter will be drafted. If it's at 10th, he will have enough money to pay a buyout. If it's at 20th, he won't have enough money to pay a buyout. The lower Splitter is drafted, the more likely Scola will go in nba.

[AFBlue]

Saw this in an ESPN chat, and thought it was funny. It makes you wonder whether those other draft sites really have the ears of NBA GMs or whether they're basing it off pure speculation and personal preference....


Bradley (Bellingham, WA): A lot of mock drafts have Brandon Rush going in the second round... I would love to have this guy - what gives?

Chad Ford: I'd be pretty shocked if he wasn't a first rounder. He's ranked No. 21 on our Top 100. The question you have to ask about all those mock drafts floating around is ... who are these guys talking to. Are they really talking to NBA people. At the end of the day, it's their opinion that matters. The NBA scouts and executives that I've spoken with recently, all have Rush somewhere in the 20s.

[AFBlue]

A few more notes from the chat....


Mario (Ohio): What's the buzz around Rodney Stuckey right now?

Chad Ford: Lots of teams love him. He's a big guard who can score and I think he can play point in the pros. Great basketball IQ. I think he's taken somewhere between 15-25 in the draft.

David (CHI): How far has Noah fallen?

Chad Ford: He hasn't fallen ... yet. But I talked to one prominent GM who said that they had a draft range of 3 to 16 for Noah on their draft board. That's huge. He has the most potential to fall ... but he also could go No. 3 or No. 4 depending on who's picking where. We'll know a lot more in on May 22nd.

John (CO): What is your opinion of Jason Smith (CSU)?

Chad Ford: I think he's a sleeper. He's a seven footer who can score inside and out, is a good athlete who can really get up and down the floor. He needs strength, but on the right up-tempo team he could be good. I see him in the 14 to 20 range.

[Mr. Body]

May 22nd is what?

Chad Ford has a high opinion of a lot of guys. I don't see Jason Smith going as high as 14.

[Jdspur20]

i think there is a real good chance jason smith could fall to 28th for us. i would definitely take him is he was there.

[Mr. Body]

You'd overlook other roster needs in order to take a chance on a big man?

[AFBlue]

May 22nd is what?

Chad Ford has a high opinion of a lot of guys. I don't see Jason Smith going as high as 14.

Sorry, he made reference to the 22nd earlier....it's Draft Lottery day. For some reason, ESPN televises it now, which is horrible because they drag it out to some god-awful hour-long program when it should only take like 5 minutes. But, yeah that's when we'll see what team is ending up where in the lottery.

As far as who he "likes", I'm not really sure....but based on his answer to the previous question, I think his feeling on players is based on talking to GMs as well as his Draft experience (i.e. knowing what rises and falls on draft day)

[AFBlue]

i think there is a real good chance jason smith could fall to 28th for us. i would definitely take him is he was there.

I think there's a better chance that a guy with buyout concerns like Tiago Splitter falls than Jason Smith, especially with the Fernandez fiasco in Orlando.

Smith has size (7ft), athleticism, and shooting touch...all things that scouts & GMs love on draft day.

[yavozerb]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qvDANEkcUM

check this dude out??Could play3,4, or 5 (small ball)

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Jason Smith or Ian Mahinmi?

[Mr. Body]

We don't have to waste a draft pick on Ian Mahinmi, do we? I'd rather look for wings with our picks.

[yavozerb]

We don't have to waste a draft pick on Ian Mahinmi, do we? I'd rather look for wings with our picks.

Horry, Bonner, Oberto, Elson, Ely= all big men with contract expiring contract either this or next year. Big men are very expensive in the NBA in FA, Spurs need to spend at least 1 draft pick on a 4 or 5...

[Mr. Body]

Disagree, because we drafted Mahinmi. As I said above, he's about equivalent to anybody you'll find at 28. Find a big guy with the 33? Ok, but it's not a priority. We also have Butler.

[Big P]

As far as the 2nd round goes I think you have to go best available...I was looking at nbadraft.net & I had never seen this guy before, apparently he is moving up the charts.

link (http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/petterikoponen.html)

[Mr. Body]

No one knew about Koponen before the World Summit game in Memphis a few weeks back, or whatever it was called. He did very well against top American high schoolers and looks to be a solid prospect. Good size, handles, good gamesmanship. I'd love to try him out instead of Beno.

'Sides, we'd start getting Finns in here. Free Nokia phones for everyone.

[mountainballer]

I think there's a better chance that a guy with buyout concerns like Tiago Splitter falls than Jason Smith, especially with the Fernandez fiasco in Orlando.


the Fernandez fiasco is still waiting to happen, but I guess Orlando has had it's share with the Vazquez fiasco. :)

it's a bit baffling what Splitter said about his buyout, I guess they just mixed the year. (IMO he has a buyout of 1 million, if he leaves this summer and would be free 2008).
however, this kind of buyout shouldn't prevent teams from picking him. NBA teams can contribute 500K, half of the buyout number, so even with the salary of a late 1st round pick Splitter can manage his buyout. (the no. 30 pick still gets him about 1.8 million in guarranteed money plus about 2.8 million for the option years, which the teams usually pick). with a no. 20 pick he gets about 2.5 million in guarranteed money (plus 3.3 for the option years). should be enough to pay 500K if the drafting team adds the other half.

so I don't think the buyout will be a reason, why Splitter could fall. he helped his stock with some very good games in march and april and the recent success of Andris Biedrins might also help him a bit (IMO Biedrins has more upside, especially on offense, but some scouts will draw comparisons). I would be surprised if he is picked higher than 12, but I really can't see how he could fall farther than no.20.
Clippers at 14, Pistons at 15, Wizards at 16, Nets at 17. they all would have some needs for a player type like Splitter. (if Pistons pick him at 15, this would mean that they virtually traded Darko for Splitter)

[Nbadan]

Why all the fuss over a player a that will end up playing Euro, or Yugo ball for a couple or 10 years?

[Mr. Body]

Splitter I don't see falling far, either, but I would be surprised to see him before a late lottery pick. If he's guaranteed free this year, he'll come. Even if the buyout is an issue (and it's never clear with Tau), Phoenix has multiple picks this draft and I don't see many teams in the 20s passing him over. Houston would be ecstatic to see him where they are.

[yavozerb]

I am loving the fact the bulls are getting blasted by the pistons. This possibly raises the odds of them making a move in the offseason for an inside post player. I am also hoping the bulls draft choice falls between 10-12 to lessen its value.
Dream snenario:
Barry,Scola, spurs 1st round pick -- Nocioni (S@T) bulls 1st round pick (where spurs could draft thornton,noah, law,or wright)

[Mr. Body]

No way do you get Nocioni and their lottery pick both for Scola. One or the other -- maybe.

[Big P]

yeah..lets not get greedy, if we can pull off a Barry, Beno, Scola & a pick for Nocioni we do it, but there is no way we also get a top 10 draft pick.

[Darkwaters]

yeah..lets not get greedy, if we can pull off a Barry, Beno, Scola & a pick for Nocioni we do it, but there is no way we also get a top 10 draft pick.

You're probably giving up a bit much there. Barry, Beno and Scola for Nocioni might not be a bad trade. I'd much rather see Barry, Beno and Scola for Nocioni and a 2nd rounder. Fact is that they probably don't have a lot of interest in Barry or Beno. Beno is not greater than any of their point guard options and Barry is just more of the same...outside shooting. Remember, they traded JR Smith to the Nuggets last year for basically nothing just to free up a roster spot. Barry's expiring contract makes him slightly more valuable...but hes still just an old outside shooter.

[Mr. Body]

Barry is included in the deal to match salaries. Likely the Spurs would have to attach someone else to better match what Noce would get on the open market. I'm sure Chicago would be interested in Butler, but Barry is redundant for them. They could turn around and trade him out.

With Nocioni's future slightly in doubt - hurt at the end of the year, playing awful ball in the playoffs - his price may be down at this point. If I were the Bulls, as objective as possible, I'd trade him out for that package - Barry+Butler+Scola - and then draft another good post player. Between Scola, Butler, and maybe Hawes or Yi, they should have a very nice battery of post players contra what they have now.

Question is whether Nocioni alone is worth Barry+Butler+Scola for the Spurs.

[yavozerb]

Hell I would give up butler, barry, scola, #1 -- Nocioni and #1 pick..Barry would have to be included to match up nocioni salary..Just a thought

[yavozerb]

Barry is included in the deal to match salaries. Likely the Spurs would have to attach someone else to better match what Noce would get on the open market. I'm sure Chicago would be interested in Butler, but Barry is redundant for them. They could turn around and trade him out.

With Nocioni's future slightly in doubt - hurt at the end of the year, playing awful ball in the playoffs - his price may be down at this point. If I were the Bulls, as objective as possible, I'd trade him out for that package - Barry+Butler+Scola - and then draft another good post player. Between Scola, Butler, and maybe Hawes or Yi, they should have a very nice battery of post players contra what they have now.

Question is whether Nocioni alone is worth Barry+Butler+Scola for the Spurs.

Problem with the bulls is that they have the young talent already, I do not think they wish to get any younger by drafting another player who will take 2-3 years to learn professional basketball. Players like butler and scola would already be ready to play large minutes in the nba and Barry has the experience and leadership skills to help this team win the east..

[Mr. Body]

Yav... dude... you simply aren't getting their #1 pick. Sure as hell not that + Nocioni for any package we have.

[AFBlue]

To my knowlege....

Nocioni CANNOT be traded before Free Agency begins, as his contract has expired.

This means, no trades involving Nocioni will occur before draft day, so all the talk about picks being involved in a deal are meaningless.

[Mr. Body]

Problem with the bulls is that they have the young talent already, I do not think they wish to get any younger by drafting another player who will take 2-3 years to learn professional basketball. Players like butler and scola would already be ready to play large minutes in the nba and Barry has the experience and leadership skills to help this team win the east..

Well, I do agree with the youth perspective, but unless they trade some of their 'core' players for Zach Randolph or dive into that Gasol trade, they aren't getting any veteran post scorers - they aren't available in the league right now, unless anybody considers Melvin Ely adequate in this department. I do think Luis Scola may be the closest they may get to a 'veteran' post talent. I was actually pulling for the Knicks to make the playoffs or come close, so the #1 pick wound up in the mid-teens somewhere, making a Scola+28 trade easier for them to pallate. Instead they're getting the #9, which is completely out of range for us.

But the scenario for Nocioni is more likely now than at any earlier point.

[Mr. Body]

To my knowlege....

Nocioni CANNOT be traded before Free Agency begins, as his contract has expired.

This means, no trades involving Nocioni will occur before draft day, so all the talk about picks being involved in a deal are meaningless.

Right. I'd think the Bulls wait to see what they can pull in the draft (barring a top 3 pick). If they manage to get Hibbert, Hawes or, god forbid, Horford with their pick, their need for Scola greatly diminishes. If they have to settle for Noah, Yi, Splitter, or somebody like that, or the best talent available is a SF, then they need to find more help.

[yavozerb]

Yav... dude... you simply aren't getting their #1 pick. Sure as hell not that + Nocioni for any package we have.

Anything is possible, but, yes 99% agrees of me with you on this matter..Its all about tainted offers from a spurs perspective on this site, thats what makes it so fun..

[yavozerb]

The question is if the spurs do get Nocioni this offseason do they still draft a SF??

[AFBlue]

The reason I stated above is exactly why I don't think attempts to grab Nocioni will have any bearing on how the Spurs draft. I still think they draft talent over need...BUT I don't think they'll hold off on drafting a SF because they think they'll get Nocioni. Similiarly, I don't think they'll hold off on drafting a PG because they think they can get Chucky Atkins or Brevin Knight or whoever else....it just wouldn't make sense.

[AFBlue]

The question is if the spurs do get Nocioni this offseason do they still draft a SF??

See my last post

[Mr. Body]

Totally agree with PHATso. They need an infusion of talent, period, and Nocioni's presence won't change that, in my mind. Deeper in the draft you either find project SFs like Dominic McGuire, who would need a couple years, anyway, or you get undersized guys like Tucker or Byars, who could play SG.

Small ball is a consideration, as well, where Nocioni is a very good PF option. Bowen will be retiring within 3 years, I'd say, so plan for that. We don't just need a replacement SF, we need a bench.

[ducks]

Nocioni did not impress me this postseason
lst postseason but not this one
he also missed 2 free throws which could have gotten the bulls within 3 with 1:30 left
he missed them it was the ballgame and series
still Nocioni would be better then barry

[Bruno]

If you do some fantasy trade with Nocioni don't forget that he will likely be BYC.
Most of your trades doesn't work CBA wise.

[Big P]

Another problem is that there are probably a few other teams interested in Noc & could likely put together better deals. We have to hope that Noc wants to play here(& get the salary he wants) & forces Chicago to take our deal.

[yavozerb]

I want to agree both of you (phat & body), but all of us know how pop hates to play young players and also the roster spots available for next year. I agree with your earlier stmt body about possible 2 roster spots available for next year which leaves us with possible trades to open roster spots. Phat thanks for clearing up when FA's are available cause this should help the spurs as they could bring in possible young talent (from draft) to camp and see what they have prior to making any moves there after.

[AFBlue]

If you do some fantasy trade with Nocioni don't forget that he will likely be BYC.
Most of your trades doesn't work CBA wise.

I thought Base Year Compensation dealt with extensions on current contracts...not on new contracts. Is that wrong?

Any detailed info on BYC?

[Mr. Body]

Regardless, I think Nocioni's days in Chicago are numbered. Not because he's not good, but they have much larger other needs.

[AFBlue]

Regardless, I think Nocioni's days in Chicago are numbered. Not because he's not good, but they have much larger other needs.

And that all-star guy who plays the same position....what's his name again?

[yavozerb]

With deng playing the way he has they need to sign him to an extension next year, which would make noci available. Nocioni is not a Rest. FA is he?? If not why couldnt the spurs simple sign him outright..

[AFBlue]

Nocioni did not impress me this postseason
lst postseason but not this one
he also missed 2 free throws which could have gotten the bulls within 3 with 1:30 left
he missed them it was the ballgame and series
still Nocioni would be better then barry

You can debate whether Nocioni is better than Barry, but the fact is that Noc plays a position of need for the Spurs as a Combo Forward and Barry duplicates the talent of another team member (Finley), so it makes more sense to grab Nocioni, even if he's not that much of an upgrade.

All that....plus he's Argentinian, which increases his chances of being heavily pursued by the Spurs ten-fold.

[Bruno]

I thought Base Year Compensation dealt with extensions on current contracts...not on new contracts. Is that wrong?

Any detailed info on BYC?

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#73


Nocioni this year salary is $3M.
If the starting salary of his new contract is more than $3.6M, he will be BYC.

[Big P]

Regardless, I think Nocioni's days in Chicago are numbered. Not because he's not good, but they have much larger other needs.

I agree, I just hope we have what it takes to get a deal done.

[AFBlue]

With deng playing the way he has they need to sign him to an extension next year, which would make noci available. Nocioni is not a Rest. FA is he?? If not why couldnt the spurs simple sign him outright..

This is a good question. Before the Playoffs I would've guessed that Nocioni could easily pull the MLE if not more. But since his late-season injury and his poor showing in the playoffs, I'm not so sure anymore. Still, he might be a RFA...that I don't know.

[AFBlue]

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#73


Nocioni this year salary is $3M.
If the starting salary of his new contract is more than $3.6M, he will be BYC.

Thanks for the info.

So that means his cap # as it relates to trades will be based on the $3M?

[Mr. Body]

This BYC stuff matters only if he is signed to stay as a Bull, then traded, no? Or is it automatic anytime a player receives greater than a 20% raise in salary? Does a S&T maneuver make the BYC rule moot?

If not, it looks like Nocioni isn't going anywhere, unless he leaves for the MLE, which sucks for Chicago, who are allowed to get no value for him in any scenario.

[Bruno]

Thanks for the info.

So that means his cap # as it relates to trades will be based on the $3M?

Yes.

Let's say Nocioni get a starting salary at $6M.

His BYC trade value will be $3M : Bulls can't get more than $3.85M for him (125%+100k)

But his trade value for Spurs will be $6M : Spurs will have at least to give $4.72M to absorb Nocioni salary.

[Mr. Body]

Thanks for the info.

So that means his cap # as it relates to trades will be based on the $3M?

Tryna understand this myself.

His previous contracted salary or half his new salary, whichever is greater. Then the trade has to fit within the "within 125% plus $100,000" rule for trades between teams over the cap, which winds up almost impossible. Chicago would only be able to take back half of his new salary for trade purposes, which wouldn't be able to fall within that 125% + $100,000 window.

It's basically impossible to trade for a BYC player without being under the cap. I guess this applies to S&Ts as well...?

[Bruno]

This BYC stuff matters only if he is signed to stay as a Bull, then traded, no?

You have too BYC rules when you do a S&T.



If not, it looks like Nocioni isn't going anywhere, unless he leaves for the MLE, which sucks for Chicago, who are allowed to get no value for him in any scenario

No, it's just a little more complicate. Say me how much you wnat for Nocioni as starting salary and I will do a trade that work CBA wise.

[yavozerb]

Bruno, lets say 4.5 mil on noci..

[Big P]

IMO Noc will probably get a starting salary of about $6.5. Someone will offer him the MLE or maybe a little more.

[Mr. Body]

IMO Noc will probably get a starting salary of about $6.5.

This seems about right. A S&T would have to be higher than the MLE.

[objective]

Cap question:

Is the amount the Spurs can contribute to a foreign players buyout limited to one player per offseason, or is able to be split?

Reason I ask is I wonder how much of a factor that is IF the Spurs wanted both Scola and Mahinmi considering that Mahinmi still has a year left on his deal.

Is it unlikely that the Spurs would be able to get both because they could only contribute the 500k to one player?

[AFBlue]

Bruno, lets say 4.5 mil on noci..

If it's for less than the MLE, the Spurs will be able to pay it out without a trade.....BUT, Nocioni is a restricted FA so the Bulls would have the opportunity to match what would end up being a high-value offer, so it might not work out.

[AFBlue]

Cap question:

Is the amount the Spurs can contribute to a foreign players buyout limited to one player per offseason, or is able to be split?

Reason I ask is I wonder how much of a factor that is IF the Spurs wanted both Scola and Mahinmi considering that Mahinmi still has a year left on his deal.

Is it unlikely that the Spurs would be able to get both because they could only contribute the 500k to one player?

Not sure on the answer to your main question, but I wanted to make a clarification to one of your points....

The clock on Mahinmi's contract hasn't started....his 3yr deal or whatever starts when he begins playing in the NBA.

[Big P]

I think he means that Mahinmi has 1 year left on his Euro contract.

[Bruno]

Let's say $6.5M.
Nocioni BYC trade value will be $3.25M.

You have two ways to do it work : with a third team or if Bulls add salary.

You cna have :

Bulls trade :
Nocioni (S&T starting salary $6.5M)
PJ Brown (S&T starting salary $3M)

Bulls can't get more than $7.9M
Spurs must give more than $7.5M

Spurs trade Butler + Udrih + Horry (with Horry retiring).

and with a third team, it's quite easy to do.

[yavozerb]

Just to remind everyone that gordon and deng only have 1 year left on contracts before they Rest. FA, so this means that they will try and thrown some $ at these guys next yr to lock up long term..I really think noci is simply not in their future plans..

[Mr. Body]

Yeah, they have some roster and salary questions to answer. Tax-wise they're doing fine now, but shouldn't splurge on players they may not need. They could very well keep Nocioni, but if they can pull a good post player for him... well, this second round series has shown that a lot needs to be changed and that Nocioni isn't necessary.

[Bruno]

Is it unlikely that the Spurs would be able to get both because they could only contribute the 500k to one player?

AFAIK, it's $500K per player.
If both Mahinmi and Socla come in nba, Spurs can give $500K to Mahinmi's euro team and $500K to Scola's euro team.

[Mr. Body]

What is Mahinmi's buyout? I thought he signed a contract specifically that let him out after a year if he wanted.

[Bruno]

What is Mahinmi's buyout? I thought he signed a contract specifically that let him out after a year if he wanted.

If he had a buyout it's less than $500K.
It's possible that Pau has said to Spurs : " we aren't interested to have Mahinmi only for only one year, he will sign a two years contract with us and if you want him at the end of his first season, you would have to give us some money as a compensation."

[objective]

agreed.

it was a way to give Pau something since they knew they'd only get him for year and have to accomadate a member of the Spurs staff there 24/7.

[Darkwaters]

How has Mahinmi been doing? I know his playing time hasn't been the best recently.

[colargol]

Intervien Mahinmi today in a French Newspaper

http://www.lequipe.fr/Basket/breves2007/20070510_153207Dev.html

Good luck....
I'll post a light translation in few hours....

[Bruno]

I'll post a light translation in few hours....

Don't waste your time by doing it, this interview has still been translated :

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66779

[colargol]

Don't waste your time by doing it, this interview has still been translated :

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66779

and he did it so well.......

[Bruno]

Mahinmi has finished his season today with Pau.

Pau has won today the final of the french cup against a quite weak team.
Mahinmi has had a good game (11 pts, 6 rbds in 23 min), Aaron Miles has been the MVP of the final and word is that he will try to go back in nba next year.

With the end of Pau's season, more infos about Mahinmi's future should be available soon.

[yavozerb]

Got this from draft express, I think I am allowed to post it here and if not sorry...

Dominic McGuire Private Workout

by: Jonathan Givony - President
May 12, 2007
DraftExpress had a chance to spend Friday afternoon watching a private workout conducted by trainer Keith Moss featuring Fresno State junior early-entry candidate Dominic McGuire, in Sacramento, California. This was the first of many workouts we’ll be taking in over the next 2 weeks in various cities around the US leading into the NBA pre-draft camp in Orlando on May 29th.

McGuire has been working out here in Sacramento for nearly 7 weeks now, having only taken off a week in early March following his team’s exit from the first round of the NIT, a game against Georgia in which he compiled a triple double with 15 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists (and 4 blocks), his second triple double of the season—even if the first one came with double digit blocks instead of assists. That game against Georgia will ultimately prove to be his last from what McGuire told us in Sacramento, as he is, in his words, “done at Fresno State” and is “not looking back.”

The fact that he’s leaving school following his junior year (his first at Fresno) has “nothing to do with Fresno in terms of the basketball or the school,” according to McGuire, but was more “about me,” reminding us at the same time that he went to Cal for two years to begin his college career and then sat out a year after transferring to Fresno. “Coming out of high school I thought I would be in the NBA by now already, but it just didn’t work out that way.”

When pressed about his decision to forgo testing the waters for the sake of jumping in head first, McGuire articulated that he was “confident that at this time next year, I would be in the NBA. No one’s sure where or how I’ll get there, but I am going to be there, so let me get some help in this process. I don’t know if I would be able to get it done scheduling wise and so-forth. Other guys have agents, so let me have someone who is working for me, to get the job done.”

McGuire says that after preparing for nearly 2 months individually with a private trainer, he is very much looking forward to beginning the process of private workouts, and that “whoever I end up going playing against… I feel sorry for them…honestly.”

This statement wasn’t made to be boastful or arrogant, just a simple statement of McGuire and his trainer’s viewpoint. Both he and Moss feel that they’ve gained a significant advantage over much of the field by starting the draft preparation process weeks in advance of many other candidates. Many schools finish classes in May and this leaves them with only 2 or 3 weeks of serious preparation time. McGuire elected get a jump on the competition by starting the process early. By putting in 4 hours daily of straight skill and body work, both trainer and player are fully expecting that commitment to pay off.

That leads us into the actual process of preparing that Keith Moss is putting him through right now. Immediately it became evident that McGuire looks better physically than he did last time we saw him. According to Moss, McGuire will measure out in Orlando at 6’8 ½” in shoes, with a wingspan just under 6”11”. He’s also added 7 pounds to his frame, bringing him to 219 lbs. Looking at his frame, it’s hard not to be impressed. He doesn’t seem to have even an ounce of fat on his body, and sports a well proportioned, athletic frame with plenty of room to add more bulk if needed thanks to his wide shoulders.

McGuire has been working out lately alongside his brother Jeremee, a former University of Houston basketball player who has spent time in the minor leagues (the D-League, CBA, USBL) as well as playing in Japan. Dominic’s brother, a dead ringer for Kevin Garnett, is even more impressive physically, standing 6’10” with a 7’5” wingspan, and also showing terrific athleticism.

The workout started with a 20 minute shooting drill pitting the McGuire brothers head to head against each other. Each player had to start off hitting 20 layups each in the Mikan Drill, then doing 10 spin-out layups, going around the world hitting 5 mid-range shots in a row from 5 different spots, and finally advancing to shooting college 3-pointers from the spot of their choice, against the clock. The player who hit the most college 3-pointers in the 11 remaining minutes after completing the other parts of the drill “won”. After starting slow and clearly battling fatigue as the drill continued, Dominic ended up “winning” by shooting 42/60 from college range, or 70%. For a player who struggled to even hit free throws at a consistent rate (58%) at the collegiate level, and only shot 29.9% from behind the arc, that has to be considered extremely encouraging. He’s still somewhat streaky from what we saw, being capable for example of hitting 10 college 3-pointers in a row at one point and missing 5 straight in another.

The reason for the improvement he’s seen, besides the hard work he’s been putting in 6 times a week over the past 7 weeks, lies in the improved mechanics Moss has implemented in his shot.

On film, it’s easy to tell that McGuire would do a great job creating separation from defenders and taking advantage of his explosive leaping ability by just jumping in the air as high as he could and then releasing his jumper from an inconsistent vantage point from shot to shot, often on the way down.

Moss has eliminated the hop in McGuire’s spot-up set-shot, getting him to set his feet and release the ball fluidly and fundamentally with good arc and follow-through and a clean snap of the wrist. The results were evident throughout the workout (even if he’s not a finished product yet)-- and if McGuire can find a way to shoot at or near the 70% we charted in this drill from the college 3-point line in NBA private workouts, he will help himself tremendously in the eyes of scouts.

Being an athletic and highly versatile 6-8 wing who rebounds (9.8 per game), blocks shots (3.6 per game), passes (3.3 assists), runs the floor and is highly active makes him an intriguing prospect for sure, but being able to knock down open spot-up 3-pointers on top of that makes him that much more valuable, potentially.

After working on shooting, McGuire and Moss proceeded with the heart of the workout—improving core strength, explosiveness, ball-handling, finishing with contact around the rim, offensive rebounding, and then more shooting drills.

All of the drills (besides the ones involving shooting) were conducted with a 3 pound training ball rather than the standard 1.3 pounds. This ball is used in order to improve (amongst other things) ball-handling skills and strength. As we mentioned in our scouting report a few months ago, McGuire is clearly a nice ball-handler, but what was surprising to see was how little difference there was between his right and left hands. He’s actually better with his left hand, but still looks smooth and fluid handling the ball in basically every drill that was thrown at him. Watching this and thinking about his strengths and weaknesses as a player (particularly his passing ability), it’s not hard to envision him in a Lamar Odom type point forward role, minus about 2 inches of course.

Moss subscribes to a similar theory we’ve seen over at David Thorpe’s gym (now at IMG Academy), focusing heavily on core strength, quickness, leaping ability, “getting after the ball” and improving activity level both through instilling an aggressive mentality in the player through the various drills, as well as giving them the physical tools to compete in the hyper-athletic NBA by sharpening their ability to explode off the spot and outquick their opponents.

Drills included dribbling the ball off the backboard while jumping simultaneously (try it at home…it’s exhausting), exploding off the ground and dunking again and again instantaneously as the ball is caught coming out of the net, having to track down and pounce on long offensive rebounds thrown hard off the glass before again finishing strong, and our favorite, an NFL inspired drill. In this last one, the player receives the ball underneath the rim and is forced to finish aggressively through contact while taking a tremendous two-handed barehanded wallop coming down on him from the trainer Keith Moss on one side and a direct hit in the chest from his brother holding a football-style blocking pad on the other.

The McGuires finished off their exhausting day with shooting drills from all over the court, both with their feet set, using the glass, and off the dribble coming off a simulated screen. Some minor work on post moves (turnaround jumpers, jump-hooks, etc) was added in for good measure. McGuire shot 22/26 (85%) from one baseline from 17-18 feet out, and then 24/27 (89%) from the other. From the elbow (about 19 feet out) he went 19/30 (63%) on one occasion, and 22/29 (76%) on another. Shooting in motion coming off a screen is still a work in progress for him, coming horizontally he was 7/12 (58%), while running in vertically he shot 9/13 ( 69%). As mentioned, he has a tendency to shoot the ball on his way down, which hinders him from achieving a consistent release point. This part of his game still appears to be a work in progress, which isn’t a surprise considering that his shooting was obviously his biggest weakness in college.

Like many skill and athleticism oriented workouts intended for preparing players before the pre-draft process actually kicks off, there were very few game-type settings in which to evaluate the player off of. From our perspective, we were able to get an excellent gauge for McGuire’s conditioning and physical gifts, as well as his improved shooting mechanics and ball-handling skills, but not much else—meaning how he actually plays in a real competitive setting. Already having been told that he will very likely be invited to the pre-draft camp in Orlando, that is where McGuire skill-set will have to really be evaluated off of. For a more in-depth look into the type of player he is, read his scouting report linked above.

[degenerate_gambler]

yavo...thanks for putting that up.

any ideas at what # this guy might go in the draft?

[Big P]

yavo...thanks for putting that up.

any ideas at what # this guy might go in the draft?


NBAdraft.net has him going in the second round, #39 to Orlando.

[yavozerb]

He is possible at #33 i think..

[degenerate_gambler]

He is possible at #33 i think..


thanks guys...

that's the pick we got from milwaukee correct?

[yavozerb]

28, 33(mil. pick), 58 are the spurs 2007 draft picks

[yavozerb]

if the spurs want to get more athletic inside these picks would cause headaches around the NBA: 28th pick- dominic mcguire and 33rd pick- sean williams.
Then again these could also cause some headaches here in SA cause they both are know to get into trouble every now and then...

[Mr. Body]

Yeah, I don't see the Spurs taking Sean Williams. Dominic McGuire may well be a possiblity if they don't trade up for a SF, but he's a project, has few offensive skills, and projects as more of a SF/PF swingman than a Bowen-type SG/SF. I wouldn't take McGuire with the 28, since I think a better player will be there.

[AFBlue]

Thanks for the McGuire update. I really think this kid could be something special, he fits a need, and he should be available at the bottom of the first/top of the second round. The Spurs have yet to pick a player that I relatively know or expect, so I'm not getting my hopes up...but it would be nice.

On Sean Williams, he has undeniable talent but I think the Spurs would be concerned about his past indiscretions, and there is likely to be a few other post players available without those questionmarks if the Spurs want to go in that direction (Herbert Hill, for example).

[Mr. Body]

PHAT hits on something -- all this talk, and it's by far unlikely the Spurs hit even on any of our favorites, much less a guy we even know. Maybe this year it'll be different, since there will be well-known players available when we pick, and the Josh Howard fiasco still looms.

[A.H 21-50]

Just a question for you guys

Between all the SG's or SF's how can be available with the 28 th pick or the 33 rd

who will you prefer and why ??? mc guire , tucker , almond , stuckey, rush....

he's not my favorite but mc guire seems to be a good defender : lot of blocks for a SF(3.3), not bad with 3.3 assist per games and also 9.8 boards ....
maybe an interesting choice with a 2nd round pîck .

[Mr. Body]

Rush is my pick by far out of those guys. He doesn't quite have the size but has everything we need in a wing - great shooting, athleticism, good defense.

[mardigan]

DE has us taking Dudley in their latest mock. As I have expressed alreay in this thread, I think he would be a great fit in the Spurs sytem. I know he has some limitations athletically, but I think in the right sytem, he would be a great fit. Good rebounder, can shoot the 3, very unselfish, decent defender, and a great team leader with a great attitude. Although, I still love Byars and bellinelli

[Mr. Body]

I hope we don't reach for Dudley in the first round. That'd be disappointing. Later, maybe, but he's as athletic as Oberto.

[pad300]

Just a question for you guys

Between all the SG's or SF's how can be available with the 28 th pick or the 33 rd

who will you prefer and why ??? mc guire , tucker , almond , stuckey, rush....

he's not my favorite but mc guire seems to be a good defender : lot of blocks for a SF(3.3), not bad with 3.3 assist per games and also 9.8 boards ....
maybe an interesting choice with a 2nd round pîck .

Given the Spurs needs, I'd probably take McGuire (Athlete, effective defender, rebounder, size, possible small ball PF, good passing too), Almond (Sweet stroke), Rush (everything but size, but considering what the other Rush brothers [2 busts, kareem and Jaron, both with character questions] have done makes me worry), in that order... I'd stay away from Tucker; he plays like a massively undersized PF. Stuckey is really a PG/SG hybrid. That isn't a hole I like plugging with a rookie, especially, because I am sure that Pop has no interest in anything but a reliable vet at that spot...

[Mr. Body]

I'd take Stuckey as a back-up PG if available at 33.

Rush's brothers successes or failures should have nothing to do with his evaluation. I suppose you'd pass on Horace Grant because Harvey was less than good?

Almond, like most shooters, has less than stellar defensive intensity.

McGuire would be good. I'd pick him if Rush were gone (he probably will be).

[pad300]

I'd take Stuckey as a back-up PG if available at 33.

Rush's brothers successes or failures should have nothing to do with his evaluation. I suppose you'd pass on Horace Grant because Harvey was less than good?

Almond, like most shooters, has less than stellar defensive intensity.

McGuire would be good. I'd pick him if Rush were gone (he probably will be).

I wouldn't object to Stuckey there, but if Pop won't ever use him, it's pointless.

My concerns about Rush are character. This comes in part from your home and family environment. We've seen that 2 kids coming from that home and that family couldn't handle the NBA (all 3 are physically gifted enough). I'm not sure I want to bet on the 3ed kid having what it takes.

Almond is iffey, but they said much the same things about Finley, and he turned out real well. Almond can score, and he's not just a shooter - he got to the FT line a lot. He'll either play D, or sit. We have had problems with defensive intensity before - Barry, Finley, Hedon't. Each of them had at least learned to put in the effort (not play defense well, but at least try HARD) by the end of the 1st year...

[yavozerb]

I wouldn't object to Stuckey there, but if Pop won't ever use him, it's pointless.

My concerns about Rush are character. This comes in part from your home and family environment. We've seen that 2 kids coming from that home and that family couldn't handle the NBA (all 3 are physically gifted enough). I'm not sure I want to bet on the 3ed kid having what it takes.

Almond is iffey, but they said much the same things about Finley, and he turned out real well. Almond can score, and he's not just a shooter - he got to the FT line a lot. He'll either play D, or sit. We have had problems with defensive intensity before - Barry, Finley, Hedon't. Each of them had at least learned to put in the effort (not play defense well, but at least try HARD) by the end of the 1st year...

That doesn't make any sense to pass on Rush for faimly reasons. If we were looking at faimly backgrounds as a factor, then probably 75% would have never been drafted. Rush is going to be a good (not a star) sg on the NBA level. The guy has done nothing wrong while at Kansas and has worked his butt off to become a quality defensive player on that level.

[AFBlue]

Anyone that lasts until the end of the first round is going to have some flaws...

Rush is passive and lacks consistency

Stuckey hasn't done it on a big stage

McGuire is still developing his shot

And so on and so forth....there are plenty of reasons why the Spurs could go away from any of the players above, but there's also plenty of reasons why I would be perfectly happy with them taking any one of them.

Another combo guard is Gabe Pruitt. I think the idea of drafting a combo guard isn't all that bad because they would get the opportunity to steal some minutes at backup PG, and if they performed well enough at SG, it could open up the opportunity for the Spurs to trade Barry.

Pad, it's not that Pop refuses to play Beno because he's a young guy...it's because he sucks. I think if the PG plays well, he would overtake Vaughn (or whatever veteran FA is signed).

[pad300]

Pad, it's not that Pop refuses to play Beno because he's a young guy...it's because he sucks. I think if the PG plays well, he would overtake Vaughn (or whatever veteran FA is signed).

That I have trouble with. Not just this year (06-07), but last year(05-06). In Beno's 1st year (04-05), we had no other back-up pg (Wilks doesn't count). Beno wasn't bad that year, he was still confident and trying. He took a nosedive in the finals, but it was recoverable. Then we brought in Nick "the not so Quick" for next year. We had a veteran back-up PG. Who got the minutes all year (and in the playoffs. I still get sick to my stomach thinking about the Dallas series)- Nick. Who sucked all year - Nick. Who did not suck when he got to play (PER 17.3 as PG) - Beno. As a result - 1) No Championship 2) Beno lost all confidence. This year, we have Vaughn. Who took the position over - Vaughn. Yeah, Beno sucked this year, but Vaughn wasn't that much better
as a PG
Beno Vaughn
PER 12.6 11.7
Opp PER 16.8 16.8
Net PER -4.2 -5.1

Ass/48 7.5 8.7
To/48 3.1 2.7
EFG% 43.1 41.5

Net takeaway - statistically they are essentially the same player. But Beno lost the coaches confidence (and with it his own). And the Vet took over the position. Pop clearly favors veterans at the PG slot. Look at Tony's early years. Pop hooked him out for any error. Pop doesn't believe in letting the kids learn by doing at the PG spot, and its the only way they can. Tony only got enough minutes to develop, because there was no alternative... At backup PG, there is always going to be an alternative, so drafting a rookie into that spot, where he won't develop, is a waste of time.

[Mr. Body]

Beno is not going to get time again as a Spur. He'll be gone this summer. It's not that Pop won't play a young point guard, but that Beno lost all confidence and needs a change of scenery.

[pad300]

Beno is not going to get time again as a Spur. He'll be gone this summer. It's not that Pop won't play a young point guard, but that Beno lost all confidence and needs a change of scenery.

Yeah, I certainly think Beno's gone. But I don't think that another young PG will get a fairer shot. Therefore, it's really pointless drafting one...

[Bruno]

With the end of Pau's season, more infos about Mahinmi's future should be available soon.

First news in Pau's local newspaper :


Ian Mahinmi a formulé le souhait de rejoindre " au plus tôt la NBA " et les San Antonio Spurs qui l'ont drafté. Mais il semblerait que la franchise texane désire le laisser en couveuse douze mois de plus, dans une grande formation européenne.

Translation : Mahinmi would like to sign with SA this summer while Spurs would like to let him one more year in a euro top team.

[Mr. Body]

(This thread was 14 pages back!!!)

Anyway, after Game 5, Spurs/Suns, it's apparently Jacque Vaughn is as bad as Nick Van Exel, and that the Spurs badly need a talented big man next to Duncan.

Any reason to look at these positions ahead of a SF?

[mardigan]

Yes, yes, and yes. I think the SPurs have enough at the 2-3 at least for next year, but your right, after watching last game, the Spurs def need a back up point, Vaughn is horrible. And our bigs cant board or score, so I think that would also be a great future investment for Timmy, maybe a Fazekas or Gasol

[AFBlue]

I was the biggest proponent of snagging a PG prior to the trade deadline and was flat-pissed when a deal didn't get done. Vaughn has been effective in spots, but I've NEVER thought of him as more than a third-string type.

I think if a talented combo guard like Stuckey or Pruitt fell to them at 28 or 33, they should pull the trigger. The "other" big situation at least has a few potential options (Butler, Scola, Bonner, etc.), and the combo forward could be addressed with a trade or with the other pick possibly.

I think the Spurs MUST go out and get two things this off-season. The first is a legit combo forward and the second is a legit backup PG. Again, I'm not as worried about the "other" big situation because the Spurs have potential options.

[leemajors]

nash cooks up most reserve pgs. not saying vaughn is the answer (he isn't), but... it would be great to have someone more effective offensively.

[Bruno]

So you're all hoping that a rookie PG, drafted with a late first or early second, will be able to be a quite good backup PG in playoffs ?

You're very optimistic : PG in one of the hardest spot in nba and PG during playoffs is even harder. If you're not convinced by that, check what Marcus Williams, who has had a good rookie season, does with Nets.

If you want a better backup PG for next year than Vaughn, free agency or a trade is the solution. A rookie PG will likely be as bad/average than Vaughn. I have nothing against drafting a PG but this is more a solution for the 08-09 year and even if Spurs draft a PG this year, they will need to have a reliable PG (Vaughn or someone better).

[Mr. Body]

I agree with Bruno, but not enough to counsel against drafting a PG. He's right that it's unlikely to see that guy do anything in the playoffs. Only a guy like Conley or Law could you expect to weather the pressure, although I wouldn't be surprised to see a guy like Koponen or someone else turn out to handle it fairly quickly.

This all said, it does look likely that Stuckey, Pruitt (if he stays), Koponen, and others will all be there with the 33. Judging by what PG/combo guards will be there versus what big men will be there, I'd judge the PGs possibly better talented. Eh, who knows.

All that said, I don't know what veteran PGs are out there and available. There are the Clippers, Bucks and Hawks that will possibly vaccuum up the more expensive ones (Billups, Mo Williams), but beyond that, I don't know.

[Bruno]

http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/data/freeagents/2007byposition.jsp

There are very few good backup PG available in the free agency this year.

The only candidates are
Charlie Bell (restricted and likely too expensive).
Steve Blake (lot of teams are interested)
Earl Boykins (player option, not sure he will opt out)
Brevin Knight (team option)
Smush Parker
Chucky Atkins
Jannero Pargo

We will see what will happen but it's far from sure that Spurs will have a better backup PG than Vaughn next year.

[Mr. Body]

We will see what will happen but it's far from sure that Spurs will have a better backup PG than Vaughn next year.

It's doubtful. I'd take Atkins, possibly Pargo. Rumors have it Chris Duhon is available, but he's not been good lately. Nobody else looks better than Vaughn - I'd just as soon draft a guy in the early second and see if he pans out. We can maybe get by with him + Vaughn one more year, then see if he grows more into it.

Veteran back-up point guard... vanishing breed? Or just a really expensive one, looking at from Derek Fisher to Earl Watson?

[ChumpDumper]

We're probably going to try to work a trade for the backup point.

[Bruno]

I'm not sure at all that Duhon, Atkins or Pargo are better than Vaughn.

A trade is maybe the only solution to get a good backup PG.

[Mr. Body]

They're more expensive, that's for sure (Duhon/Atkins).

Gary Payton! He'll be available!

Does trading for a back-up make sense? What back-up? From where? Who do we trade for him? I can't envision the Spurs spending too much on a back-up player when they're pennypinching the lux tax as it is. And why trade for a point guard when, all along, Brent Barry could have done it for you (admittedly not that great on defense)?

[ChumpDumper]

Does trading for a back-up make sense? What back-up? From where? Who do we trade for him?When was the last time anyone called a Spur trade?

[Mr. Body]

We're 1001 posts into a thread about draft picks, when it's just as likely the Spurs don't draft anyone we've mentioned.

[ChumpDumper]

Ah, it wasn't a rhetorical question. I was hoping someone would say it was me.