Official 2022 NBA Draft thread

[Mr. Body]

Spurs have already proved they will pass on talent when the character isn’t there. Of course, so did 19 other teams. A lot of mock’s had Jalen Johnson ranked as a top 5-7 talent, but he fell all the way To 20.

Imagine a player who couldn't hack it with Coach K being able to be coached. I don't remember him getting ranked that high most places, but there were some geniuses here who fell in love with him. And Kai Jones.

[The Truth #6]

My larger point is that the Spurs could very easily make a reach for a player, even if they have a top 5 pick. Vassel instead of Halliburton. Primo instead of Sengun and other players. They like to buck expectations and do things their way. That process/approach is a reasonable things to critique, even if we hope for the best for our players to prove the FO right.

Another point. Tangent here. There is more than one way to build a winning culture. Building a culture around talent and not just a slow process of finding good character guys can also work. I’m thinking of Demar all of a sudden shooting threes and playing improved defense in Chicago. You would think he would have done that under Pop. The only reason I can understand that he does it now is that he is on a more talented team where the stakes are higher, the expectation to win is higher, and that brings out the best in players, even those who may have been reluctant to do so before. I mean, the current Bulls were basically slapped together over the last 18 months. The Spurs like to take the slow, safe approach. But it’s not the only way to do it. If we can get a talented anchor, then things fit around them. That’s actually the typical NBA way to do it, but as a Spurs fan it is so far out of step with how we do it, it seems exotic.

But not catering to a bag star is appealing too. Anyway, we’ll see what happens.

[BackHome]

Imagine a player who couldn't hack it with Coach K being able to be coached. I don't remember him getting ranked that high most places, but there were some geniuses here who fell in love with him. And Kai Jones.

Yep I remember the Kai love affair

[Dejounte]

My larger point is that the Spurs could very easily make a reach for a player, even if they have a top 5 pick. Vassel instead of Halliburton. Primo instead of Sengun and other players. They like to buck expectations and do things their way. That process/approach is a reasonable things to critique, even if we hope for the best for our players to prove the FO right.

Another point. Tangent here. There is more than one way to build a winning culture. Building a culture around talent and not just a slow process of finding good character guys can also work. I’m thinking of Demar all of a sudden shooting threes and playing improved defense in Chicago. You would think he would have done that under Pop. The only reason I can understand that he does it now is that he is on a more talented team where the stakes are higher, the expectation to win is higher, and that brings out the best in players, even those who may have been reluctant to do so before. I mean, the current Bulls were basically slapped together over the last 18 months. The Spurs like to take the slow, safe approach. But it’s not the only way to do it. If we can get a talented anchor, then things fit around them. That’s actually the typical NBA way to do it, but as a Spurs fan it is so far out of step with how we do it, it seems exotic.

But not catering to a bag star is appealing too. Anyway, we’ll see what happens.

1) Haliburton fell but he wasn’t an obvious pick over Vassell. Vassell was maybe projected 1-2 spots below Tyrese. It’s not like it was some big reach.
2) DeMar shooting threes and defense. You need to look at his three point rate again. After shooting 45 3’s in November, he reverted back to his non-shooting self with only 8 in December and then only 15 in January. The same numbers he had as a Spur. And defense? He’s not even playing better defense, so not sure where that came from.

Using the Bulls as an example of “building around good talent working” is an odd choice. It’s way too early and it’s not as if they’ve got a roster that has the makings of a dynasty. Things rise and fall in the NBA QUICK. Before you know it, the Bulls are yet again no longer in the playoffs next year and all this admiration goes out the window. Anyone remember when the Knicks looked like they were finally putting it together last year? What about the Hawks who looked like they had something special last year and now they look like a mediocre team and they’re now trying to trade away their core players.

[BatManu20]

I can see the Spurs having a high pick and doing something unexpected. Like, I could see Chet falling and the Spurs take Keegan Murray instead. Or something like that.

Chet is more likely to go #1 overall than he is to fall out of the top-3. But I disagree anyways. The top-4 talents in this draft are pretty clear imo. Would be shocked if all 4 didn’t go first. Only way that changes imo is if Shaedon Sharpe winds up declaring and kills it during pre-draft workouts.

[KobesAchilles]

Give me Ivey. Worry about the rest later

[The Truth #6]

1) Haliburton fell but he wasn’t an obvious pick over Vassell. Vassell was maybe projected 1-2 spots below Tyrese. It’s not like it was some big reach.
2) DeMar shooting threes and defense. You need to look at his three point rate again. After shooting 45 3’s in November, he reverted back to his non-shooting self with only 8 in December and then only 15 in January. The same numbers he had as a Spur. And defense? He’s not even playing better defense, so not sure where that came from.

Using the Bulls as an example of “building around good talent working” is an odd choice. It’s way too early and it’s not as if they’ve got a roster that has the makings of a dynasty. Things rise and fall in the NBA QUICK. Before you know it, the Bulls are yet again no longer in the playoffs next year and all this admiration goes out the window. Anyone remember when the Knicks looked like they were finally putting it together last year? What about the Hawks who looked like they had something special last year and now they look like a mediocre team and they’re now trying to trade away their core players.

In your rush to critique, I think you are missing my point. Derozan is being acknowledged as an improved player, not just because he’s on a bigger market, but because he has elevated/adapted his game because of the external pressure of being around talented players and not from any specific culture fostered by the front office. I also completely acknowledge the team could dissolve because it just as quickly was created, which was something I emphasized. Of course they aren’t a dynasty. But they are in a better position to win, though not favored, which is our more likely ceiling for the decades to come unless we luck out again with generational talent. I also acknowledged that I’m critical of slapping teams together around a hodge podge of talent, which is really a critique of the lame way the NBA has evolved.

[The Truth #6]

Chet is more likely to go #1 overall than he is to fall out of the top-3. But I disagree anyways. The top-4 talents in this draft are pretty clear imo. Would be shocked if all 4 didn’t go first. Only way that changes imo is if Shaedon Sharpe winds up declaring and kills it during pre-draft workouts.

Chet can easily go #1. But I can also easily see a team with a top 3 pick thinking this guy has bust potential and will get abused in the NBA and they don’t want to risk their job security on him. Every draft has risers and fallers and surprises. Time and team workouts will give more insight into how things play out.

[Dejounte]

“which is our more likely ceiling for the decades to come”

Anyone who actually believes this is out of their mind. You’d have to be a special kind of bad to stay in the cellar that long. Only two teams have really accomplished that: the Kings and the Wolves. The Spurs are nowhere near as poorly run as those teams. This has been the first real year the Spurs let loose their young talent and we have something we didn’t last year: a foundational piece in Murray. Just because of that fact, I don’t understand why people think the Spurs are trending down when they’re about to add to that and get their highest draft pick in decades, something most have wished for for years.

[PhantomDashCam]

Imagine a player who couldn't hack it with Coach K being able to be coached. I don't remember him getting ranked that high most places, but there were some geniuses here who fell in love with him. And Kai Jones.

Yep I remember the Kai love affair

Love affair still going strong here. He's not your typical 21 year old. He's the basically the equivalent of a 16 year old when taking into account his limited basketball experience. Called him a starter by the end of his second season. Nothing I've seen dissuades me from that. He is showing consistent improvement in all areas of the game.

[BackHome]

I do agree I think you can’t judge any draft until there 3rd year and maybe 4th depending on how young the person was and certain positions take longer to develop ie Center. I remember Sean Elliott talking about how many times teams call and cut bait on a draft pick at year two and basically said it takes time for some of these players to develop and off course to be with the right organization

[KingKev]

1) Haliburton fell but he wasn’t an obvious pick over Vassell. Vassell was maybe projected 1-2 spots below Tyrese. It’s not like it was some big reach.
2) DeMar shooting threes and defense. You need to look at his three point rate again. After shooting 45 3’s in November, he reverted back to his non-shooting self with only 8 in December and then only 15 in January. The same numbers he had as a Spur. And defense? He’s not even playing better defense, so not sure where that came from.

Using the Bulls as an example of “building around good talent working” is an odd choice. It’s way too early and it’s not as if they’ve got a roster that has the makings of a dynasty. Things rise and fall in the NBA QUICK. Before you know it, the Bulls are yet again no longer in the playoffs next year and all this admiration goes out the window. Anyone remember when the Knicks looked like they were finally putting it together last year? What about the Hawks who looked like they had something special last year and now they look like a mediocre team and they’re now trying to trade away their core players.

I think the Bulls, when healthy will be for real and it’s about building a roster that works. PATFO is struggling to do that these last 4 seasons, our roster construction is terrible and we have had some back kuck along the way (Marcus Morris debacle for example).

Lavine (possibly All-NBA), Caruso and Ball are great compliments to DDR’s game. Spurs didn’t exactly put DDR in a position to win especially playing him at the 4. I was happy to see DDR go as I think it was in both parties best interest but I don’t blame him for how bad we were when he was here.

But in the interest of this thread there don’t seem to be any glaring character issues in the projected top 5 or so draftees this year so BPA shouldn’t have to take a backseat to culture.

Look back to a year like 2020, give the Spurs a top 3 pick and there is no way they draft Lamelo, Ant because of character/culture fit. That would have been a very wrong decision.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Lavine (possibly All-NBA), Caruso and Ball are great compliments to DDR’s game. Spurs didn’t exactly put DDR in a position to win especially playing him at the 4. I was happy to see DDR go as I think it was in both parties best interest but I don’t blame him for how bad we were when he was here.

I disagree about this. DDR is playing the 4 more in Chicago than he ever did on the Spurs. It's not his position that's been the problem. Bulls have way more talent than the Spurs from the last few years.

[KingKev]

I disagree about this. DDR is playing the 4 more in Chicago than he ever did on the Spurs. It's not his position that's been the problem. Bulls have way more talent than the Spurs from the last few years.

Fair point but I’m not sure he’d be playing much at the 4 if Patrick Williams and Jones were healthy. Also DDR at the 4 is more manageable with a 5 who stretches the floor in Vucevic. Somehow still gets in as an all-star starter as a guard lol.

[KingKev]

I’m a casual when it comes to college basketball, I’ll concede but does anyone think Jabari Smith could play some time at the 3? He appears to have a sort of PG, Giannis, Kahwi, KD archetype and looks pretty comfortable D’ing up on the perimeter.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

I’m a casual when it comes to college basketball, I’ll concede but does anyone think Jabari Smith could play some time at the 3? He appears to have a sort of PG, Giannis, Kahwi, KD archetype and looks pretty comfortable D’ing up on the perimeter.

Don't think he has the handles yet to be a full time 3. Not exactly a shot creator from outside the 3 point line either, although he does take the occasional fast break pull up 3. I guess he could find minutes there against specific matchups but it doesn't seem like his natural position at all. Definitely a 4 right now, more of a jump shooter type, not exactly a get to the rim big, which is probably one of the biggest cons for him.

[FutureMan]

It would be hilarious to see all the people who preach the Spurs take the BPA watch as the Spurs get a top four pick and don’t select Banchero, Chet, Smith, or Ivey. That would settle that debate real fast.

[Trueblood]

In your rush to critique, I think you are missing my point. Derozan is being acknowledged as an improved player, not just because he’s on a bigger market, but because he has elevated/adapted his game because of the external pressure of being around talented players and not from any specific culture fostered by the front office. I also completely acknowledge the team could dissolve because it just as quickly was created, which was something I emphasized. Of course they aren’t a dynasty. But they are in a better position to win, though not favored, which is our more likely ceiling for the decades to come unless we luck out again with generational talent. I also acknowledged that I’m critical of slapping teams together around a hodge podge of talent, which is really a critique of the lame way the NBA has evolved.

I don't disagree with what you're saying, but I think it has less to do with elevating his game and more to do with elevating his effort. He's always had the talent, but now that there's a chance to win it all he's giving more effort than we ever saw here

[exstatic]

I don't disagree with what you're saying, but I think it has less to do with elevating his game and more to do with elevating his effort. He's always had the talent, but now that there's a chance to win it all he's giving more effort than we ever saw here

They lost to the Spurs. Bulls won’t last past the second round. They’re not winning anything.

[Mr. Body]

They lost to the Spurs. Bulls won’t last past the second round. They’re not winning anything.

If they're not healthy they're not. Healthy, they can beat anyone in their conference.

[KingKev]

If they're not healthy they're not. Healthy, they can beat anyone in their conference.

They certainly are in the conversation. East has pretty good parity currently.

I believe Williams is done for the year but Caruso, Lonzo and maybe Jones Jr will be back come playoffs so a conference finals appearance is certainly possible.

[The Truth #6]

“which is our more likely ceiling for the decades to come”

Anyone who actually believes this is out of their mind. You’d have to be a special kind of bad to stay in the cellar that long. Only two teams have really accomplished that: the Kings and the Wolves. The Spurs are nowhere near as poorly run as those teams. This has been the first real year the Spurs let loose their young talent and we have something we didn’t last year: a foundational piece in Murray. Just because of that fact, I don’t understand why people think the Spurs are trending down when they’re about to add to that and get their highest draft pick in decades, something most have wished for for years.

Let me clarify: most teams ceiling, based on an understanding of how teams have become either dynasties or some version of a sure thing to contend, is based on having generational talent. Magic. Bird. Jordan. Shaq. Duncan. Lebron. Otherwise it’s some luck here and there with having players a notch below that. Comparing our likely ceiling to this year’s Bulls team is accurate, unless you think we are destined to get another Tim Duncan. No, unless we luck out again, as Pop has always acknowledged in landing Duncan, then, like most teams, we will hope to gather talent and try to get out of the second round and see what happens. That’s the state of the NBA unless you form a quickly put together team, and SA is not going to be that sort of destination to attract that talent.

So, let’s hope for luck in the lottery. I’m cool with that.

[John B]

It would be hilarious to see all the people who preach the Spurs take the BPA watch as the Spurs get a top four pick and don’t select Banchero, Chet, Smith, or Ivey. That would settle that debate real fast.

Expect the unexpected with the Spurs. They’d probably take another 18 years old, who nobody heard of, except one here in ST who stamped mark his post

[John B]

They lost to the Spurs. Bulls won’t last past the second round. They’re not winning anything.

That’s too bad if that happens. I’d rather see Demar in the Finals than Patty/Aldridge with Harden.

[ZeusWillJudge]

Any thoughts on AJ Griffin? His dad was an NBA player, I believe.

Predicting the draft is a hobby - none of us are being asked for our opinions by any NBA teams. But most people get their ideas from stat sheets and articles. What they don't understand is that most of the people writing articles on the internet get their ideas from stat sheets and other peoples' articles. That's why every year people go crazy over guys like Pokusevski and Tacko Fall, and guys like Desmond Bane are largely overlooked. So you want to know what I think about Griffin?

I like him, and I'm confident he'll have an NBA career. I've watched Duke this year, because they have several players who are at least candidates for the lottery. My gut feeling was that Griffin's father would encourage him to come back for another year at Duke, and be a high lottery pick in next year's draft. But he's put up some good numbers recently, and getting more attention. If he projects somewhere from #20 up, I think he'll declare rather than risk an injury in a sop re year.

He struggled early in the season, but he was coming off an injury. You can't gauge too much from that, but it was one factor in my thinking he'd spend one more year in college. Duke's strength of schedule has been pretty weak so far, and he's struggled against better teams. There's no shame in that for a very-young freshman, but it's another factor in thinking he'd be back for another year of development. He played one outstanding game at Wake Forest that was also his first start, and that got people talking.

Most of the sudden interest in him is because of his gaudy 3P%. I think he has a legit 3P stroke, and you can probably thank his dad for that. But he's also benefitted from being a relatively overlooked player on a team with some more established players who have commanded more attention. He's not going to get these kinds of looks in the NBA, where guys close to the ball so much quicker. I would be very surprised if he shoots more than low .300's from 3 in his first couple of years. If that doesn't shake his confidence, he's got the stroke to be a sharpshooter. But he's not going to shoot .500+ in the NBA, so you need to adjust that number down, and then evaluate whether you would be as high on him for everything else.

He's willing to play defense, again thanks dad. But he doesn't have the lateral quickness of Desmond Bane, who was one of my favorites two years ago. These days you really want a SF who can guard three or even four positions. He's got really long arms, which will help him on D, but lateral quickness is a big part of the versatility you really covet.

If I remember right, Griffin would be the youngest player in the draft - at least one of the youngest. Mostly I didnt' mention him because I thought he wouldn't declare this year. If he continues to improve, and the Spurs draft him? I wouldn't cry. In fact, now that you have me thinking about it, I think he's better than Keegan Murray was as a freshman, and if he comes back for a sop re season I think he'll be a stronger lottery pick than Murray this year. That's going deep on too little information, but I would really like to see the Spurs get a guy who could bend a defense and still hold his own on the other end of the floor.