Stoked: D-League MVP Jarnell Stokes will play for the Spurs in the Summer League

Jarnell+Murray+Simmons+Kyle+Forbes::lobt2::lobt2:: lobt2::lobt2::lobt2::lobt2::lobt2:

We staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacked !!!!!

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“I’m ready to take the next step. I’m not going to shy away from saying that I feel like I’m an NBA-ready guy and I’m going to get on the floor with the physical mindset that I have,” Stokes said. “I’m a rebounder at heart and that will be one of the things that I’ll be really looking forward to showcasing in the Summer League.”

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http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nb...ct-fit-in-nba/

Spurs could use some of that.

I'm a fan. He was a good fit for Memphis surprised he didn't stick.

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Originally Posted by Kawhitstorm

Jarnell+Murray+Simmons+Kyle+Forbes::lobt2::lobt2:: lobt2::lobt2::lobt2::lobt2::lobt2:

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http://i.imgur.com/ByQSoLU.gif

I knew it. I fucking knew it. I was talking about this last night. He's a fucking short Dejuan Blair. They used to list him as 6'6" or 6'7", and I don't think he's grown an inch. They just started listing him as 6'9". He's a good kid, and he has a lot going for him, but he's a fucking tweener who will look exciting against third-tier competition, and get his ass kicked by the good ones. That's why he shines in the D-League, and can't get minutes in the NBA. He's just the kind of guy a lot of Spurs fans will love. They will remember the good plays, and not take into account that they come in garbage time.

A buddy texted me last night and said that Spurs' people were checking him out pretty closely. I didn't want to believe it, but he's not a guy who bullshits. He was D-League MVP, and he's gonna be cheap... oh fuck me, this season is shaping up very ugly.

Before any of you start having fits about how great he is, consider that he was the D-League MVP, and no other team had signed him. At least stop to consider that there might be a reason. Oh, and understand that he's 6'7 1/2" at best. He's a PF with 2-guard height. I hope he steps up and make me eat crow, but I don't see it happening.

LET'S GOOOOOOO!!!

What do Spurs get for winning the summer league again? :D

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Originally Posted by GSH

I knew it. I fucking knew it. I was talking about this last night. He's a fucking short Dejuan Blair. They used to list him as 6'6" or 6'7", and I don't think he's grown an inch. They just started listing him as 6'9". He's a good kid, and he has a lot going for him, but he's a fucking tweener who will look exciting against third-tier competition, and get his ass kicked by the good ones. That's why he shines in the D-League, and can't get minutes in the NBA. He's just the kind of guy a lot of Spurs fans will love. They will remember the good plays, and not take into account that they come in garbage time.

A buddy texted me last night and said that Spurs' people were checking him out pretty closely. I didn't want to believe it, but he's not a guy who bullshits. He was D-League MVP, and he's gonna be cheap... oh fuck me, this season is shaping up very ugly.

Before any of you start having fits about how great he is, consider that he was the D-League MVP, and no other team had signed him. At least stop to consider that there might be a reason. Oh, and understand that he's 6'7 1/2" at best. He's a PF with 2-guard height. I hope he steps up and make me eat crow, but I don't see it happening.

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Can he defend the block and on the perimeter? If the spurs are this interested in him, it's got to be for good reason. Hopefully not just because of the price tag...

Boban
Stokes
Bertans
Simmons
Mills

Nobody has a better second unit than that :wow

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Originally Posted by GSH

I knew it. I fucking knew it. I was talking about this last night. He's a fucking short Dejuan Blair. They used to list him as 6'6" or 6'7", and I don't think he's grown an inch. They just started listing him as 6'9". He's a good kid, and he has a lot going for him, but he's a fucking tweener who will look exciting against third-tier competition, and get his ass kicked by the good ones. That's why he shines in the D-League, and can't get minutes in the NBA. He's just the kind of guy a lot of Spurs fans will love. They will remember the good plays, and not take into account that they come in garbage time.

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Year

	Source	Height w/o Shoes	Height w/shoes	Weight	Wingspan	Standing Reach	Body Fat	No Step Vert	Max Vert
2014	NBA Draft Combine	6' 7"	6' 8.5"	263	7' 1.25"	8' 7.5"	8.2	31.0	36.0

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Before any of you start having fits about how great he is, consider that he was the D-League MVP, and no other team had signed him. At least stop to consider that there might be a reason. Oh, and understand that he's 6'7 1/2" at best. He's a PF with 2-guard height. I hope he steps up and make me eat crow, but I don't see it happening.

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He isn't in the league for the same reason Blair barley plays, he's undersized, an average athlete & has a limited skillset. In the right system, he can be a rotation player like Blair was when he came into the league.

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Originally Posted by raybies

Can he defend the block and on the perimeter? If the spurs are this interested in him, it's got to be for good reason. Hopefully not just because of the price tag...

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He's Blair 2.0

Spurs better lock him up to a Forbes-like contract

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Originally Posted by NASpurs

http://i.imgur.com/ByQSoLU.gif

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http://i.imgur.com/ZTM4S9I.gif

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Originally Posted by Kawhitstorm

He's Blair 2.0

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He's got knees?

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Originally Posted by TheGreatYacht

Boban
Stokes
Bertans
Simmons
Mills

Nobody has a better second unit than that :wow

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You left out Kyle. :)

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Originally Posted by GSH

I knew it. I fucking knew it. I was talking about this last night. He's a fucking short Dejuan Blair. They used to list him as 6'6" or 6'7", and I don't think he's grown an inch. They just started listing him as 6'9". He's a good kid, and he has a lot going for him, but he's a fucking tweener who will look exciting against third-tier competition, and get his ass kicked by the good ones. That's why he shines in the D-League, and can't get minutes in the NBA. He's just the kind of guy a lot of Spurs fans will love. They will remember the good plays, and not take into account that they come in garbage time.

A buddy texted me last night and said that Spurs' people were checking him out pretty closely. I didn't want to believe it, but he's not a guy who bullshits. He was D-League MVP, and he's gonna be cheap... oh fuck me, this season is shaping up very ugly.

Before any of you start having fits about how great he is, consider that he was the D-League MVP, and no other team had signed him. At least stop to consider that there might be a reason. Oh, and understand that he's 6'7 1/2" at best. He's a PF with 2-guard height. I hope he steps up and make me eat crow, but I don't see it happening.

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Draymond Green is 6’8. in today's NBA he is not as undersized as he would be 10 years ago

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Originally Posted by Solid D

You left out Kyle. :)

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:nope

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Originally Posted by Kawhitstorm

He's Blair 2.0

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with +3 Max Vert (Blair 33.0)...probably due to having less body fat %... :D

lol at 6’8 or 6’9 being undersized for a PF in 2016. guys don't play on the block anymore and the only team with size that killed us is not a threat next season

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Originally Posted by Leetonidas

lol at 6’8 or 6’9 being undersized for a PF in 2016. guys don't play on the block anymore and the only team with size that killed us is not a threat next season

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He is a traditional PF not a hybrid forward, he also has a short standing reach for a PF.

Stokes can certainly rebound and he's hungry. Who knows? The Spurs have had success with D-league guys.

Stokes measured 6-7 without shoes at the draft combine. Draymond Green measured 6-5 3/4 at the combine, at the same age. They both had identical 7-1 1/4 wingspans. Stokes weighed nearly 30 pounds more than Green, but with an even lower body fat %, and better vertical jumps. Stokes doesn't have great size for a PF, but he's not "undersized" either. Certainly not for a bench player.

Coincidentally, both Stokes and Draymond were the 35th overall pick in their respective drafts.

Draftexpress.com lists him as 6'8.5" with shoes on, 6'7" without: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/...es-6282/stats/

Blair is listed as 6'6.5" with shoes, 6'5.25" without.

Stokes was named to the all-DNBA first team last season... but to keep things in perspective, so was Jeff Ayres.

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Originally Posted by Leetonidas

Draymond Green is 6’8. in today's NBA he is not as undersized as he would be 10 years ago

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Draymond is exceptional, and perfect for that Warriors system. He also plays bigger than he is because he's juiced for the last couple of off-seasons*, and he's strong as hell. I'm not disagreeing about Draymond, but if that theory was good across the board, Blair would be a star in the league.

I already said that I hope he steps up and proves me wrong. The fact that the Spurs are looking at 6'7" PF's is enough to make me queasy.

[*That's not sour grapes about Draymond. Go look at pictures of him, and he's changing exactly like Barry Bonds did. This is one subject I know something about, and I have zero doubt that Draymond has had a very good chemist helping him in the last couple of off-seasons. I'm not going to fight about it - if you have a different opinion, I won't argue with you over it. But in an industry where a slight edge gets you millions of dollars? It's hard to believe that a lot of guys wouldn't do it, if they could get by with it. Enhanced or not, he's a damn good player, and I'm not trying to take a thing away from him.]

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Originally Posted by GSH

I knew it. I fucking knew it. I was talking about this last night. He's a fucking short Dejuan Blair. They used to list him as 6'6" or 6'7", and I don't think he's grown an inch. They just started listing him as 6'9". He's a good kid, and he has a lot going for him, but he's a fucking tweener who will look exciting against third-tier competition, and get his ass kicked by the good ones. That's why he shines in the D-League, and can't get minutes in the NBA. He's just the kind of guy a lot of Spurs fans will love. They will remember the good plays, and not take into account that they come in garbage time.

A buddy texted me last night and said that Spurs' people were checking him out pretty closely. I didn't want to believe it, but he's not a guy who bullshits. He was D-League MVP, and he's gonna be cheap... oh fuck me, this season is shaping up very ugly.

Before any of you start having fits about how great he is, consider that he was the D-League MVP, and no other team had signed him. At least stop to consider that there might be a reason. Oh, and understand that he's 6'7 1/2" at best. He's a PF with 2-guard height. I hope he steps up and make me eat crow, but I don't see it happening.

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Just a bad assessment. He's a d-league player, which is a gamble period but it has little to do with your claims. He is not undersized as many have mentioned. He's got a knack for rebounding and pretty good awareness. He had like 20 NBA teams at his free agent workout which many raved about, and the spurs weren't the only team wanting him on summer league. He is looking for the right situation, which is why he hasn't signed. Shows Intelligence. He is 23 and has shown he can carry scrubs and play good in big games. That's about all you can expect form a d-league player. He is widely considered the best d league player period.

Yep... runaway train here. I got nothing more to say about it. If I'm wrong, I'll be happy to admit it. I doubt I'll pop in for any I-told-you-sos, because a lot of fans won't see any flaws, no matter how he works out. Same as they did with Blair.

I would mention that even Combine measurements aren't always consistent or accurate. They aren't, but saying it would be sacrilege. I just think it's funny that he hasn't even suited up for the Spurs yet, and already there are people defending him like a hometown hero - he's EXACTLY like Draymond Green, and nobody noticed but the Spurs. His height is going to be a problem against NBA competition. I hope he's hungry and over-achieves, and all of you can tell me how wrong I was. Just make sure he does it in more than one or two games, and not in garbage time, before you try to retire his jersey.

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Originally Posted by Mnky

He is looking for the right situation, which is why he hasn't signed. Shows Intelligence.

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That's so cute.

He's a d leaguer getting a shot at summer league play. Kid isn't even getting signed yet. :lol you are the only one jumping the gun. Spurs are looking for end of Bench guys, not stars. They have like 2 mil cap space.

it's not like you're going out on a limb to say someone who hasn't kept on an NBA roster likely won't make it.

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Originally Posted by GSH

Yep... runaway train here. I got nothing more to say about it. If I'm wrong, I'll be happy to admit it. I doubt I'll pop in for any I-told-you-sos, because a lot of fans won't see any flaws, no matter how he works out. Same as they did with Blair.

I would mention that even Combine measurements aren't always consistent or accurate. They aren't, but saying it would be sacrilege. I just think it's funny that he hasn't even suited up for the Spurs yet, and already there are people defending him like a hometown hero - he's EXACTLY like Draymond Green, and nobody noticed but the Spurs. His height is going to be a problem against NBA competition. I hope he's hungry and over-achieves, and all of you can tell me how wrong I was. Just make sure he does it in more than one or two games, and not in garbage time, before you try to retire his jersey.

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Remember, we're talking about a fifth big here. At best, he's only going to see limited situational action. Do I think he'd be a great starter? No. He's like a poor man's Sullinger. But do I think he could come in and rebound against bench PFs? Yes. The biggest minutes I could possibly see him get would be against David West in a potential WCF. Do I think he can rebound against him? I do. For the six-big spot, I would be happy with Jeff Ayres had he not already been a Spur. So Stokes is fine.

Spurs Organization about to lose their B2B virginity.

The biggest positive is the Spurs are still looking to improve the best way they can and have a direct avenue to a possible player. We will see how he does and if he gets a contract.

Hey everybody, let's gang up on GSH. As Stokes commands, we shall obey!

Interesting energy guy. Can't complain with the Spurs taking a look at certain guys.

Just watched highlights of this guy. Not too impressive tbh but he looks like he doesn't mind contact and is an energy player. Made me think more of Malik Rose than Dejuan Blair although a better shooter than either. I do like that he can dunk if he gets enough of a running start.

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Originally Posted by Chinook

Remember, we're talking about a fifth big here. At best, he's only going to see limited situational action. Do I think he'd be a great starter? No. He's like a poor man's Sullinger. But do I think he could come in and rebound against bench PFs? Yes. The biggest minutes I could possibly see him get would be against David West in a potential WCF. Do I think he can rebound against him? I do. For the six-big spot, I would be happy with Jeff Ayres had he not already been a Spur. So Stokes is fine.

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Yeah, it's just a personal thing. I got totally burned out on tweeners, after pulling for them for so long. I always dreamed of the 6'6" PG who could defend three positions. The problem is, they always turned out to be shitty PG's. But when it came time to play defense, they were all too slow to keep in front of the small players, and too light to be physical with the bigger ones. But every time one showed up, I kept thinking this would be the one. That's just one example, but you must know what I'm talking about. I know, guys like Draymond are exceptions. Brandon Bass has done pretty well for an under-sized 4-5. But the fact that you have to go looking for those kinds of exceptions tells you that they aren't the norm.

If we're going to have an iffy guy on the bench, I'd much rather it be someone they are committed to developing. You just can't teach tall. The best they get out of Stokes this year is likely the best they ever get out of Stokes. And not because he won't try. I'm always thinking in terms of building championship teams. If you're just looking for a guy to be a fifth big, for blowout games? He's fine.

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Originally Posted by Chinook

I would be happy with Jeff Ayres

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Ban

Pop always needs to have undersized bigs on his roster to put out there when the actual big players are in danger of becoming too dominant.

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Originally Posted by Obstructed_View

Pop always needs to have undersized bigs on his roster to put out there when the actual big players are in danger of becoming too dominant.

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Yep...goes hand in hand with him needing a gunner on the roster.

Given their financial limitations and the fact that he could fill a potential need, it makes sense to take a look at him and hopefully secure his rights for training camp.

But in the grand scheme, how many unproven, fringe young players, are they going to have? I know they're financially limited and need to get younger, but they're also trying to still contend (even if it is a lost cause) and 3 of the top 6 are old and will be coming off of playing in the Olympics.

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Originally Posted by benefactor

Yep...goes hand in hand with him needing a gunner on the roster.

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Gasol is going to lead this team in assists next season. You know that, right?

Dream Team Summer League

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Originally Posted by Leetonidas

Draymond Green is 6’8. in today's NBA he is not as undersized as he would be 10 years ago

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exactly why "undersized" isn't a legit argument.

in 32 mp last year his WS and PER were awesome! ST Arousal (looking at you chinook)

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Originally Posted by Leetonidas

Draymond Green is 6’8. in today's NBA he is not as undersized as he would be 10 years ago

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Strangely, Stokes is listed as an 1.75" taller than Green, with a 1.5" shorter standing reach, despite the same wingspan.

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Originally Posted by Obstructed_View

Strangely, Stokes is listed as an 1.75" taller than Green, with a 1.5" shorter standing reach, despite the same wingspan.

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Short neck perhaps?

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Originally Posted by ceperez

Short neck perhaps?

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Lower shoulders, taller head. Yeah. I'd really rather the Spurs have someone to dribble the ball up and pass to teammates, but since that's unrealistic, I guess a guy who can rebound a lot helps.

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Originally Posted by Steve-O-Matic

Stokes measured 6-7 without shoes at the draft combine. Draymond Green measured 6-5 3/4 at the combine, at the same age. They both had identical 7-1 1/4 wingspans. Stokes weighed nearly 30 pounds more than Green, but with an even lower body fat %, and better vertical jumps. Stokes doesn't have great size for a PF, but he's not "undersized" either. Certainly not for a bench player.

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The MAIN difference is that Draymond can move his feet laterally MUCH BETTER than Stokes who is Blair status when it come to moving his feet. He has to learn how to take charges like Fat Baby if he wants to stick in the Big Leagues.

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Originally Posted by Chinook

Remember, we're talking about a fifth big here. At best, he's only going to see limited situational action. Do I think he'd be a great starter? No. He's like a poor man's Sullinger. But do I think he could come in and rebound against bench PFs? Yes. The biggest minutes I could possibly see him get would be against David West in a potential WCF. Do I think he can rebound against him? I do. For the six-big spot, I would be happy with Jeff Ayres had he not already been a Spur. So Stokes is fine.

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He doesn't have range like Scully & even Fat Baby is a MUCH better jump shooter. He has been able to knockdown 3s in workouts but then Ayres was supposedly a legit PRACTICE shooter.:lol

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Originally Posted by GSH

That's so cute.

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:lol You pretty consistently crack me up. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by Obstructed_View

Gasol is going to lead this team in assists next season. You know that, right?

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I don't know about for the whole season, but I bet he's the assist leader in a lot of games.

One of my favorite "did you know?" facts is that the Spurs' assist leader in the '14 Finals was Boris Diaw. He had 29, Parker 23, and Manu 22. Not that Boris and Manu were important pieces or anything. Just saying.

any vids on stokes....

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Originally Posted by GSH

I don't know about for the whole season, but I bet he's the assist leader in a lot of games.

One of my favorite "did you know?" facts is that the Spurs' assist leader in the '14 Finals was Boris Diaw. He had 29, Parker 23, and Manu 22. Not that Boris and Manu were important pieces or anything. Just saying.

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That's why I've never understood Pop's reluctance to play him.

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Originally Posted by spurtech09

any vids on stokes....

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26 minutes worth, if you can dig up his entire NBA career. Or save some time and just watch his highlight.

That's not fair, and I don't want to just bag on the kid. Here's a fun one of him while playing for the Iowa Energy.
https://vine.co/v/OTPxzA5waId

That was during a timeout, and yes that's a teammate. Maybe he has a place as an enforcer-type? Or to thump the shit out of Tony and Patty when they start to lose focus?

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Originally Posted by spurtech09

any vids on stokes....

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Originally Posted by GSH

That's not fair, and I don't want to just bag on the kid. Here's a fun one of him while playing for the Iowa Energy.
https://vine.co/v/OTPxzA5waId

That was during a timeout, and yes that's a teammate. Maybe he has a place as an enforcer-type? Or to thump the shit out of Tony and Patty when they start to lose focus?

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He's everything D-Worst was talked about to be except he ACTUALLY walks the walk.:wow

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Originally Posted by TheDoctor

Spurs Organization about to lose their B2B virginity.

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Yep.

Tbh, are the 2016 Vegas SL Spurs more stacked than the 2016-2017 warriors? Relatively speaking, of course.

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Originally Posted by Obstructed_View

Pop always needs to have undersized bigs on his roster to put out there when the actual big players are in danger of becoming too dominant.

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:pop: Appropriate fear and all that.. Can't be dominant

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Originally Posted by SAGirl

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No thanks.

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Originally Posted by SAGirl

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Trying to stoke the fire again, I see.

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Originally Posted by Chinook

Trying to stoke the fire again, I see.

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lol
nah I just saw it and it caught my attention. Too bad for him... guy is simply undersized. He's more skilled than many legit bigs but he's 6'6" or so and not an incredible athlete either.
I remember seeing during the offseason that he had refused lucrative offers in other leagues bc he still wanted to try to make the NBA... so it's tough. I wish him the best, don't have anything against him, but he's not an NBA big. Nuggets have a lot of talent too, unless they had injuries I couldn't tell why they had signed him in the first place.

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Originally Posted by GSH

Yeah, it's just a personal thing. I got totally burned out on tweeners, after pulling for them for so long. I always dreamed of the 6'6" PG who could defend three positions. The problem is, they always turned out to be shitty PG's. But when it came time to play defense, they were all too slow to keep in front of the small players, and too light to be physical with the bigger ones. But every time one showed up, I kept thinking this would be the one. That's just one example, but you must know what I'm talking about. I know, guys like Draymond are exceptions. Brandon Bass has done pretty well for an under-sized 4-5. But the fact that you have to go looking for those kinds of exceptions tells you that they aren't the norm.

If we're going to have an iffy guy on the bench, I'd much rather it be someone they are committed to developing. You just can't teach tall. The best they get out of Stokes this year is likely the best they ever get out of Stokes. And not because he won't try. I'm always thinking in terms of building championship teams. If you're just looking for a guy to be a fifth big, for blowout games? He's fine.

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Pop has drafted and tried his share of tweeners. If they are shorter than the norm for the position, the talk is all about their wingspread. I remember there was one guy (Roman somebody?) who was about 6'6" in high heels and he was drafted as a SF. They touted his wingspan which was over 7'. Wingspread is important or airplanes, but this knuckledragger couldn't play at NBA level and didn't last. Magic started the fad for looking at long PGs as the new in-thing in the NBA, but as great as he was on offense, he never was a super defender for the reasons you point out. We haven't seen another Magic since.

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Originally Posted by Chinook

Trying to stoke the fire again, I see.

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I see what you did there.