Spurs find guys who dominated at previous level

[lurker23]

Despite not having picks high in the draft the last several years, the Spurs haven't settled for guys who were 2nd or 3rd bananas on their respective teams. Rather, the Spurs have chosen guys who were the best in their league, no matter what that league happened to be. The collection of MVPs and accolades is actually quite astonishing:

2007: #28 pick, Tiago Splitter: MVP of the Spanish Supercup tournament in both 2006 and 2007, All-Euroleague First Team for the Euroleague 2007-08 season, Spanish League MVP and Spanish League Finals MVP in 2010.

2008: #26 pick, George Hill: 2007-08 Summit League Player of the Year, 2004 was named to the prestigious Indiana All-Star Team and was named the City Player of the Year by The Indianapolis Star.

2009: #37 pick, DeJuan Blair: 2008-09 co-Big East Player of the Year, in HS was two-time AP player of the state, Pittsburgh City League Player of the year three times.

2010: #20 pick, James Anderson: 2009-10 Big XII Player of the Year, 2007 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Arkansas.


Even among NBA teams with lottery picks every year, I don't know that many (if any) other teams can boast those kind of credentials for their last 4 picks.

One only hopes that the Spurs on-the-court success when picking "the player with the most hardware" continues with Splitter and Anderson.

[TDMVPDPOY]

andrew bogut did play in a crap league in utah if im not mistaken, still went no.1 pick

[tdunk21]

[Libri]

2010: #20 pick, James Anderson: 2009-10 Big XII Player of the Year, 2007 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Arkansas.

The last three Big XII players of the year were Griffin, Beasley, and Durant. That's some pretty good company.

[UnWantedTheory]

^^^One would hope. Bease has been a disappointment & Griffin didnt get to deliver this year due to his injury...Although Durant has turned into a bonafide stud.

[SenorSpur]

Good stuff

[L.I.T]

Yeah, the Spurs have seemed to put a lot of stock in past performance and mental makeup in almost all of their personnel moves (at least in picks prior to the 50th or so).

As they've looked more towards domestic picks, as you well point out, their focus has turned to performance indicators that translate to the NBA.

Nice post!

[OrEmuN]

The last three Big XII players of the year were Griffin, Beasley, and Durant. That's some pretty good company.

Not really. Beasley is quite crappy whereas Griffin is kinda injuried. Durant will be good company and hopefully James Anderson will follow his path.