Wow. Was not expecting this, but looking at it objectively it makes sense.
Typically you can make the argument with busts: “well where they picked, it’s not like there was anyone good in the selections after.” Lonnie is a case in point the draft before.
But here the immediate picks after were Thyblle and Clarke, which turned out nice. Thankfully spurs salvaged Keldon at 29.
Pop definitely wont put up with players without heart. I dont know if luka just gave up or just wanted out but either way spurs swung,and missed badly with that pick
I’m surprised by his release. Samanic has clearly showed enough tools to be on this team but as others have said, this is more about his lack of drive to be a good NBA player. This is also a complete failure by the front office and another wasted first rounder. These red flags were known prior to his draft but the Spurs think they are smarter than everyone else. They need to emphasize mental toughness in their evaluation of players and find players with some grit & at ude.
So long piece of soft euro
I don’t think Luka is this ambitious in his dreams let alone reality.
I thought the Spurs always drafted based on character?
How the did they draft someone that gets waived because of lack of character?
Looks like the Spurs front office is becoming dysfunctional over time!
No team drafts perfect.....we draft better than any other team. That’s all
Brain drain has affected the scouting department too. Spurs no longer hire the best. Their best just get hired by other teams.
So if Luka doesn't have the mental toughness to handle Pop's coaching then him. If you can't handle a coach being hard on you how are you going to have the mental toughness to go bang with Davis, Jokic, Zion, etc on a nightly basis?
Pretty much this
NGL, I'm pulling for the kid to do well on another team tbh
same with Lonnie with his inevitable departure...
i actually think they drafted him just cause his name was Luka. No joke.
I’m not hating on Pop, but not all are cut like TP. And while TP went through a lot, he was the starting PG on a winning team. And he had Timmy, DRob also setting examples. We have a mediocre team. I’m not making excuses for Luka, but someone could’ve gone through him, maybe a different approach. Because he’s a great talent of position in need, and Spurs already invested on for 2 years.
Great talent
I don’t think there’s any doubt on his talent. The question is on his hunger and maybe at ude. Luka has better skill sets than any of our bigs.Great talent
There is a lot of doubt on his talent. Only thing there wasn't doubt on was his height.
He had tons of talent. I don't think you understand what that means.
Talent you are born with.
Skills are achieved.
Growing your skills helps you to reach your full potential or utilizing all your talent. Talent is like unrefined precious material...
(Speculation)
But also wanted to say, this is what I suspect. He was pushed to play the game by his family. I thought he was misguided... Well as it turns out and to h/t timvp's post, his father played and he actually wanted to be a skateboarder. His dad, who played for years, knew his raw talent and pushed him to play. Probably spoke him up all the time; and told him about the money; and the fame etc. I mean at his draft he said he compared himself to KD. Ok bruh. But it makes more sense if that's what his dad said and he parroted it etc.
I figured he didn't love the game because he played like a robot, just going through the motions. His effort was whenever he decided to turn it on because he wasn't invested. He just played because he was pushed to. I found it very mysterious to what his motivation was... for example some players have the heart, or the mental for ude etc. He just didn't show one or the other.
I think with some time away to reevaluate his life and quite frankly become a man, he can decide what he truly wants to do. I wouldn't be surprised if he never plays ball again, and if he does it will be because he truly wants to. And then, he could be a problem...
His talent seems way more theoretical than anything at this point. Showing (barely any) flashes of being a competent basketball player doesn't mean he's got all this untapped talent
For me, it was first a heart problem. He was not fully invested in basketball. There are tons of stories of kids who are made to play by their parents who also had the dream but couldn't make it... So the kids become a vicarious way for them to accomplish their dreams etc.
But he didn't love the game man. I ain't mad at the kid, I kind of feel bad for him, if that's the case. He's just been very misguided.
As far as talent, you could consider physical tools as well. His fluidity, and natural ability was very wealthy or full of talent. The work ethic, at ude, and heart were problems though. It all starts with the heart. Anyone who enters the league you would think it's a given that they love playing. But he got by on genes as I've been saying and "snuck into the party." So in that regard, very talented.
But his head wasn't screwed on straight... He didn't have the love and without that you can't have the focus, at least consistently.
I agree with you but this is not a new thing. A load of guys with the physical tools lack the proper mindset to succeed. That's why there's so many college stars you forgot even existed!
Philly can’t play Thuybulle more than 20 minutes, he’s that awful, offensively. I also consider it a travesty that a 20 minute bench player made All D over someone like DJ. Total crap.
Nothing wrong with having an all world defender on the roster, even if he doesn't start or play 30 mpg. I'd argue Murray's a good defender, but he's nowhere near Thybulle... not even close.
Luka had some chances, he just didn’t take advantage of them. For example, he tried out for his national team, gets cut, and then returns and chooses not to play in the summer league to rehab his injury. Ok, I am sure that rubbed the Spurs the wrong way. His is healthy enough to try out for the Olympic team but not to play in the summer league? It’s not like he had played in multiple summer leagues since one was covid canceled Then the Spurs promoted his G league coach to the big club. One would think Luka would have a supporter if he was coachable in the G league. Maybe not so much. Pop didn’t play him when there were opportunities, but it’s not like Luka took advantage of every chance in front of him. People that truly want something go after it. Look at Kyle Anderson. He took advantage of his opportunities and got a nice contract and is playing good ball.
Yeah, a dumb pick at the time. And now, still a dumb pick if they couldn’t recognize or work with his flaws. A bad look. They still failed to give him a chance even if he was a problem. He played so much less than his peers from the draft. His failure isn’t just individual, it’s more wasted asset management. Pop has to reevaluate his process with young players. Otherwise they are going to limit their ability to acquire talent or continue the 37-win treadmill.
On the flip side, I think Wright has been drafting better character guys. And I wonder if that focus wasn’t from their experience with Nephew specifically but Luka as well.
I’ve been a supporter of Sam in that I thought he deserved a fair and realistic chance to succeed or fail. Never claimed he was great because we never saw enough of him to really know.
But hey, we’ll see…
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
