Pick #14 - Strategies

[Gagnrath]

Makes little sense to compare him to tre Jones.

And the Spurs are absolutely short on guys who can bring up the ball, so much so that Wemby spent half a season with Sochan doing it.

Kid is 6'10 and can do everything. Makes plenty of sense to swing for the fences on those types. Although the way the draft is looking, spurs will likely have better prospects available.

That was an off season ago and a few acquisitions, There was this guy who got the rookie of the year trophy, his name is Stephon Castle, then a recent former all-star named Fox, and something of a veteran point guard with some history floating around the league named Chris Paul.

[SpursFan86]

Bryant has sort of solidified himself as my clear #1 choice at this point. I’m trying not to get too excited but I’d be seriously disappointed if he’s available at 14 and we pass him up.

He’s arguably the best perimeter defender in the draft who can guard 2-4s and also has the size to help on weak side rim protection. He demonstrated some very solid catch and shoot abilities. The biggest downside you hear is about his offensive potential, but 1) I think he was just playing the role asked of him on a team with older players, and 2) we legitimately have the perfect team for someone like that. Do we really want another guy who is most valuable with the ball in his hands? Between Fox/Harper/Castle + Wemby there are already going to be a bunch of mouths to feed as it relates to on-ball usage.

Obviously it would be nice for him to develop more of an offensive game (which again, I think is absolutely in the realm of possibilities), but even if he doesn’t it seems like his floor is the exact 3&D archetype we need.

[RC_Drunkford]

What I like about Bryant is that he was the one calling out coverages in college. We need more defenders who communicate. Our team lacks that a lot.

He showed some off the dribble pull up potential in high school too.

[spurraider21]

one of the big criticisms of Bryant is that he got toasted by Cooper Flagg in the tournament. yeah, getting torched in one game by an elite prospect like that isnt scaring me off.

[SpursFan86]

one of the big criticisms of Bryant is that he got toasted by Cooper Flagg in the tournament. yeah, getting torched in one game by an elite prospect like that isnt scaring me off.

Yeah, his defensive prowess is the least of my concerns. The only way he doesn’t become a valuable NBA player is if his shooting turns out to be inconsistent. He shot at a high clip as a freshman but it’s not like his mechanics are perfect or anything…so if you don’t buy him being a legit threat as a spot-up 3 shooter then I guess I could see being lower on him.

I just feel like getting a guy with his combination of floor + upside is very rare for outside of the top 10. Of course he’s not perfect or without any risk but given where you’re picking him…just would be very hard to pass up. I’ll be pretty pissed if Houston ends up snagging him at #10. Or if Atlanta snipes us at 13.

[spurraider21]

even if he isnt a lockdown man defender, he's able to get out there and be disruptive, block shots, get his hand on loose balls. he flies around back there. its been said a lot, but man to man iso defense is not really the measure of great defense right now.

[Mr. Body]

You guys are kind of overselling Bryant. He's a project and has a very low floor. I wouldn't say 'bust' potential, as he'll be more later lottery, but this is far from a sure fire pick. He has good attributes but will have to add even more skills and advance those that he has in order to make it and, again, he was far too limited in college to either know that potential is there or accept that he didn't play enough because of seniority. Good players play.

[SpursFan86]

You guys are kind of overselling Bryant. He's a project and has a very low floor. I wouldn't say 'bust' potential, as he'll be more later lottery, but this is far from a sure fire pick. He has good attributes but will have to add even more skills and advance those that he has in order to make it and, again, he was far too limited in college to either know that potential is there or accept that he didn't play enough because of seniority. Good players play.

For a team picking in the top 10 that is hoping for a #1 or #2 option to build around? Sure, Bryant poses a good amount of risk and there’s a good likelihood he doesn’t become that sort of player.

But for a team that already has its core building blocks like SA, he’s just not that risky IMO. With what he showed as a freshman + his measurables it’s really hard to imagine him not being a clear positive on the defensive end. He shot 37% from 3 and was in the top 1/3 percentile as a spot up shooter. Arizona was very clearly a better team when he was on the floor and he consistently sparked runs when he entered the game.

It seems like the only way he doesn’t pan out as a valuable role player is if his jumper isn’t actually solid (let’s say, <35% from 3 as a mostly spot-up shooter in the NBA). Of course that’s a possibility but we’re talking about an end-of-the-lottery pick here. Everyone in this range has question marks and floors that don’t look pretty. I just think the median outcome with Bryant is preferable to the other guys commonly being discussed at 14, and his ceiling is pretty damn high too. It’s not like we’re talking about a guy who could theoretically become a 3&D player…he’s already shown he can do both as a freshman.

[scottspurs]

This narrative that Carter Bryant was a good defender at Arizona is not true. It’s one of the reasons he didn’t play many minutes. He was a bad defender. Out of place often beat off dribble and he would use his athleticism to recover. He won’t be able to recover in the NBA. Arizona played Duke twice and they had to bench Carter Bryant twice because of his defense on Cooper Flagg. Including on the biggest stage at the NCAA tournament. I’m not saying his defense can’t be fixed but I didn’t see this lockdown defense that everyone is talking about lol. Dude is a project on both sides of the ball. Comes across as more of an athlete than a basketball player.

[RC_Drunkford]

well if the Spurs want somebody more advanced they can pick Coward. I don't mind Bryant though. He has great work ethic and was working on speeding up his shooting motion last season. I'm pretty confident in his shot.

[SpursFan86]

This narrative that Carter Bryant was a good defender at Arizona is not true. It’s one of the reasons he didn’t play many minutes. He was a bad defender. Out of place often beat off dribble and he would use his athleticism to recover. He won’t be able to recover in the NBA. Arizona played Duke twice and they had to bench Carter Bryant twice because of his defense on Cooper Flagg. Including on the biggest stage at the NCAA tournament. I’m not saying his defense can’t be fixed but I didn’t see this lockdown defense that everyone is talking about lol. Dude is a project on both sides of the ball. Comes across as more of an athlete than a basketball player.

I mean, we’ll just have to agree to disagree if you flat-out think he was a bad defender at Arizona I think he showed a ton in the way of help defense/off-ball defense. Was consistently making plays and posted very impressive block/steal %s as a freshman. His team was noticeably better defensively with him on the court vs. off. He demonstrated the ability to rotate and offer weak side rim protection that isn’t super common for a player his age. He proved he can guard 2s and isn’t just a tweener forward type guy who has to stick to guarding 3s/4s. On-ball defense wasn’t as impressive but I don’t think he was bad or even average in that regard either. Getting torched by Duke isn’t really a death spell to me.

Flagg is the best wing defensive prospect in the draft, but after that I think Bryant has as much of an argument as anyone.

[scottspurs]

Bryant could get a lot better and pay off. The last player the spurs really did an awesome job of developing was Kawhi though. Luka Samancic was a disaster. Same with Primo. Branham and Wesley don’t look like they will pan out. Everyone else they have drafted in the 1st round were more ready and adjusted well to the role the spurs gave them. If the Spurs draft Bryant I hope they have a clear plan for how they want to develop him. I would have him focus on defense 1st and let the offense come along slowly. Personally I would rather Spurs draft a player who doesn’t need as much work. I could live with it though if they are high on him.

[scottspurs]

I mean, we’ll just have to agree to disagree if you flat-out think he was a bad defender at Arizona I think he showed a ton in the way of help defense/off-ball defense. Was consistently making plays and posted very impressive block/steal %s as a freshman. His team was noticeably better defensively with him on the court vs. off. He demonstrated the ability to rotate and offer weak side rim protection that isn’t super common for a player his age. He proved he can guard 2s and isn’t just a tweener forward type guy who has to stick to guarding 3s/4s. On-ball defense wasn’t as impressive but I don’t think he was bad or even average in that regard either. Getting torched by Duke isn’t really a death spell to me.

Flagg is the best wing defensive prospect in the draft, but after that I think Bryant has as much of an argument as anyone.

his help defense and recovery skills were there but the on ball defense from what I watched was not there. Devin Vassell also looked like a good help defender in college but that didn’t translate and the on ball defense never got better.

[The Truth #6]

I'm thinking Coward for this draft until we see progress with developing players.

[SpursFan86]

We have bigger issues if our development staff is so ty that we’re having to choose to take players in the lottery with clearly lower ceilings and slightly better floors Not saying I disagree with the concerns and I wouldn’t mind Coward at 14, but I’d be disappointed to see us take him if Bryant is still on the board.

[sfernald]

We have bigger issues if our development staff is so ty that we’re having to choose to take players in the lottery with clearly lower ceilings and slightly better floors Not saying I disagree with the concerns and I wouldn’t mind Coward at 14, but I’d be disappointed to see us take him if Bryant is still on the board.

You guys are really getting your hopes up for Bryant but you will be disappointed. I really doubt he will be there at #14. I see him going as soon as #9 to Toronto. And I think Houston takes him at #10. I’m really liking CMB though and there’s a chance he drops. The last player who I thought had similar defensive processing skills was Chet Holgrem. That is amazing! He’s a real shot maker too. Not worried about his offense at all. Not picking him because of Sochan would almost be as bad as not picking Harper cause of Fox.

[spurraider21]

carter bryant isnt some incredible on-ball stopper. he's a rangy help defender who can contest shots at the rim, make good rotations, and has solid instincts to get his hands on loose balls or errant passes.

even Flagg grades as a much better team defender than man to man defender... the only really imposing perimeter man defender in this class is probably CMB

but from what i can recall, Carter Bryant graded out well on defensive impact and on/off stuff

[Mnky]

That was an off season ago and a few acquisitions, There was this guy who got the rookie of the year trophy, his name is Stephon Castle, then a recent former all-star named Fox, and something of a veteran point guard with some history floating around the league named Chris Paul.

So 2 guys?

Yea.

[intlspurshk]

The pick is likely to be traded as I don't see the SPURS have the patience and resources to train so many young players. If this pick is not traded and SPURS management wants player with high floor and can contribute as a role player right away, Nique Clifford could be a safe pick who has 3&D abilities

[BackHome]

Obviously if we get offered a nice package we probably make a trade at 14 but I don’t think that will happen. Very big difference for teams trying to get in top 10 not so much at the 14rh pick so probably not going to get any decent deals. But who knows we might be able to trade pick for a veteran and maybe offload a player or three

[CGD]

I'm thinking Coward for this draft until we see progress with developing players.

You just know that if we pass on him, OKC is picking him at 15…

[exstatic]

Obviously if we get offered a nice package we probably make a trade at 14 but I don’t think that will happen. Very big difference for teams trying to get in top 10 not so much at the 14rh pick so probably not going to get any decent deals. But who knows we might be able to trade pick for a veteran and maybe offload a player or three

The players available at #14 this year will be better than the players available at #8 last year. Don’t just get hung up on the pick number.

[The Truth #6]

You just know that if we pass on him, OKC is picking him at 15…

Quite possibly.

[SpursBills]

You just know that if we pass on him, OKC is picking him at 15…

OKC has a lot of options at 15 that can fit next to Chet. CMB in particular would devastating as the long term 4/5 in that defensive scheme. Sorber would be excellent as well. Even Penda would do a lot of damage with his connective passing and versatile defense.

I blame Jeannie Buss for being too cheap to pay Caruso in 2020, which was an insane move even at that time. Today, OKC looks a lot less scary with Giddey in place of Caruso.

[SpursFan86]

OKC has a lot of options at 15 that can fit next to Chet. CMB in particular would devastating as the long term 4/5 in that defensive scheme. Sorber would be excellent as well. Even Penda would do a lot of damage with his connective passing and versatile defense.

I blame Jeannie Buss for being too cheap to pay Caruso in 2020, which was an insane move even at that time. Today, OKC looks a lot less scary with Giddey in place of Caruso.

Yeah, I’m dreading seeing who falls to them at 15. At least they didn’t get the Philly pick…