Big Man Needed: The Alternative Draft and Offseason View

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I'd love to have Patrick O'Bryant on the team. He hasn't really proved much yet but I think he deserves another shot.

[ChumpDumper]

I agree with timvp in the disagreement over Elson.

Elson wasn't a shotblocker. He should have been, but he wasn't. He went a lot of games of 20+ minutes in his career in Denver and with the Spurs without a single block.

Mahinmi is where it's at. He has to be allowed to fail, fall, pick himself back up, dust himself off, and fail again until he gets it right and his athleticism and raw skills overtake his inexperience.

And there's more to it than just Mahinmi blocking shots.

Mahinmi on the court with an athletic wing will do wonders . . . for Tony Parker.

Parker has no safety valve on the court, no horses to run with.

Everyone oohs and aahs at Parker being a one-man fastbreak, but that's a bad thing. Parker needs other guys out there with him, and in the halfcourt Parker needs someone to lob to for easy dunks, provided Parker doesn't throw them all out of bounds like he does in all-star games. Mahinmi helps there.

That was actually Elson's best attribute - his speed in transition. He helped to put tremendous pressure on opposing defenses and helped thwart their fastbreaks on the other end of the court by getting back quickly. It will be great if Ian can duplicate that, and drafting or signing another big man who can do that would be even better.

[Spur-Addict]

Well, you've got Duncan, Oberto, Bonner and Ian will get some burn -- Thomas is a good bet to come back.
Which established center will be willing to try to fit himself in there?

If you are telling me that Bonner SHOULD be back then i'd have to disagree. If you are saying that it is PROBABLE based on the fact that he HAS a contract most won't want, then i'd agree. Thomas ISN'T signed, so are we going on probabilities of someone with no binding agreement? Yes. It's likely, but who knows what may happen. Ian? I'd say so. So, as of now it stands, Tim, Oberto, Ian, and Bonner. Bonner didn't get much burn this year, I wonder why? Hmmm...He isn't exactly a stellar defender for someone who can only shoot on spot ups. For three Mil, that's sounds like a nice waste of money. That's alot like Horry, this year, his D was less than stellar, so, he saw alot of the pine (Hilton Armstrong even killed him). The only bigs that saw time are ones who can defend, and they (aside from Tim of course) were killed on the boards. So, I do want another big who is long and tall, but, they cannot be a defensive liability. Patty is a defensive liability. He isn't even consistent on the O end. Just because we have space for another big and time is limited doesn't mean we put a bum there. We can't get a star, that we all know. But, we certainly do not want a liability. I'd rather draft someone who is defensively ready, as opposed to giving Patty Mayonaise a shot.

[ChumpDumper]

If you are telling me that Bonner SHOULD be back then i'd have to disagree. If you are saying that it is PROBABLE based on the fact that he HAS a contract most won't want, then i'd agree. Thomas ISN'T signed, so we are going on probabilities of someone with no binding agreement? Yes. It's likely, but who knows what may happen. Ian? I'd say so. So, as of now it stands, Tim, Oberto, Ian, and Bonner. Bonner didn't get much burn this year, I wonder why? Hmmm...He isn't exactly a stellar defender for someone who can only shoot on spot ups. For three Mil, that's sounds like a nice waste of money. That's alot like Horry, this year, his D was less than stellar, so, he saw alot of the pine (Hilton Armstrong even killed him). The only bigs that saw time are ones who can defend, and they (aside from Tim of course) were killed on the boards. So, I do want another big who is long and tall, but, they cannot be a defensive liability. Patty is a defensive liability. He isn't even consistent on the O end. Just because we have space for another big and time is limited doesn't mean we put a bum there. We can't get a star, that we all know. But, we certainly do not want a liability. I'd rather draft someone who is defensively ready, as opposed to giving Patty Mayonaise a shot.

How do you even know someone is defensively ready? Who is definitely defensively ready in this draft?

And if you have watched every minute of O'Bryant's career, congratulations. Somehow I doubt it.

Go ahead and tell me who's coming here to play less for nothing, though. This I want to hear.

[td4mvp21]

Even Oberto's landlocked azz wasn't too far away.

[Spur-Addict]

How do you even know someone is defensively ready? Who is definitely defensively ready in this draft?
And if you have watched every minute of O'Bryant's career, congratulations. Somehow I doubt it.

Go ahead and tell me who's coming here to play less for nothing, though. This I want to hear.

Lets put it this way, "Players who are better defensively suited with size and length" (As opposed to Miss Mayo)

Well for starters, i'd say Speights and Plaistid are better suited defensively. I'd rather draft a Man. I'm sorry, those are my preferences.

[Bruno]

The two bigs who could be available around where the Spurs draft that could fill the needs are Robin Lopez and Joey Dorsey. This half of the Lopez twins is pretty mobile and is the better shotblocker. Dorsey is almost exactly a poor man's Ben Wallace. Neither one could start anytime soon but off the bench they'd give the Spurs the shotblocking and energy they oftentimes lack from the bigman position next to Duncan.

Dorsey size is only 6'7" (although his wingspan is 7'2").
I don't really care about measurement but some GMs do and it could make him available at 45 for Spurs second pick of the draft.

[ChumpDumper]

Plaistid is never going to be an NBA shot blocker. Speights I like ok though his rebound numbers aren't super -- but he'll probably be gone before the Spurs pick.

Is that all?

Anyway, it's just an idea. Sorry Patrick stole your girlfriend or ran over your dog....

[Spur-Addict]

Plaistid is never going to be an NBA shot blocker. Speights I like ok though his rebound numbers aren't super -- but he'll probably be gone before the Spurs pick.

Is that all?

I notice you like the word Probably. It'll probably rain today because that's what the news said. M.Speights probably won't be there b/c Draft.net said so. Look, i'd rather draft Nathan Jawai before picking him up. Additionally, shot blocking doesn't equate to good Defense my man. Go ask dennis Rodman and Charles Oakley.

[ChumpDumper]

I notice you like the word Probably. It'll probably rain today because that's what the news said. M.Speights probably won't be there b/c Draft.net said so. Look, i'd rather draft Nathan Jawai before picking him up. Additionally, shot blocking doesn't equate to good Defense my man. Go ask dennis Rodman and Charles Oakley.

I think the Spurs need more shotblocking, and I think there is a greater need for swingmen in the draft. That I'm considering picking up a project big man for the minimum pretty much sums up my thought on this issue.

Look I'd rather draft Michael Beasley, but he will probably be off the board by the time the Spurs pick.

If you have different information about his draft position, I'd love to hear it.

[timvp]

Dorsey size is only 6'7" (although his wingspan is 7'2").
I don't really care about measurement but some GMs do and it could make him available at 45 for Spurs second pick of the draft.

I saw that after my post. 6-foot-7 is pretty damn short. I was hoping for at least 6-foot-8. Add in his bad offense and horrible free throw shooting and now Dorsey doesn't look like that good of a pick. His measurement make me think he's going to be more Donnell Harvey than anyone.

[Spur-Addict]

I think the Spurs need more shotblocking, and I think there is a greater need for swingmen in the draft.

Look I'd rather draft Michael Beasley, but he will probably be off the board by the time the Spurs pick.

If you have different information about his draft position, I'd love to hear it.

Big difference between Beasley and Speights my good man. One doesn't have a chance of slipping where one does. Also, someone who is 6'10-6'11 like Speights or Plaistid have good wingspans. As a matter of fact, they both do. So, just b/c someone isn't a wire doesn't mean that they can't block shots. If we went by all the reports then certain players drafted really late would never make any sort of impact. Or, they'd never develop certain parts of their game. I don't have to go into specifics about that b/c you are a smart person. it's also funny how some players have "possibility of becoming a great shot blocker", where other players with the similar qualities cannot. Based off reports (Comparison:Speights to Plaistid) Defensively of course. Also, how can you blk a shot when pinned underneath the rim? If O'B put on weight i'd love to have him. My only issue is his weight. To defend that post, you'll need weight. Otherwise, he'll be primarily an off the ball defender (weakside). We need more than that.

[K-State Spur]

Yeah, and someone else bought high -- not us. I don't know why we are acting like the Spurs have current All-Stars available to them this summer.

I get that, and I'm fine buying low - provided that it's quite low - on him.

Just saying that the next time he has prolonged success will be the first time - at any level.

[spursfan98]

I think the Spurs need more shotblocking, and I think there is a greater need for swingmen in the draft. That I'm considering picking up a project big man for the minimum pretty much sums up my thought on this issue.

Look I'd rather draft Michael Beasley, but he will probably be off the board by the time the Spurs pick.

If you have different information about his draft position, I'd love to hear it.

Ha... Michael beasley probobly will be off the board by the time the heat pick.

[ChumpDumper]

Big difference between Beasley and Speights my good man. One doesn't have a chance of slipping where one does. Also, someone who is 6'10-6'11 like Speights or Plaistid have good wingspans.As a matter of fact, they both do. So, just b/c someone isn't a wire doesn't mean that they can't block shots.

Plaistid's wingspan is merely ok, and he only averaged one block this season in college in 27 mpg.

If we went by all the reports then certain players drafted really late would never make any sort of impact. Or, they'd never develop certain parts of their game. I don't have to go into specifics about that b/c you are a smart person. it's also funny how some players have "possibility of becoming a great shot blocker", where other players with the similar qualities cannot. Based off reports (Comparison:Speights to Plaistid) Defensively of course. Also, how can you blk a shot when pinned underneath the rim? If O'B put on weight i'd love to have him. My only issue is his weight. To defend that post, you'll need weight. Otherwise, he'll be primarily an off the ball defender (weakside). We need more than that.

That's fair. IMO O'Bryant needs about as much work as any big man we will likely be able to draft, and has about the same upside, but simply won't cost us a pick.

[ChumpDumper]

I get that, and I'm fine buying low - provided that it's quite low - on him.

Just saying that the next time he has prolonged success will be the first time - at any level.

I would only sign him for the minimum.

[Big P]

Forget about giving Diop the MLE, we need scoring in the worst way, he will not provide that. Diop is not a long term solution to anything, so signing him to anything over a 2 year contract would not be a good move & giving him a full MLE contract would be idiotic. If I had to choose between say Pietrus or Azibuke or Diop, I go with the scoring swingman everytime.

[Spur-Addict]

Plaistid's wingspan is merely ok, and he only averaged one block this season in college in 27 mpg.That's fair. IMO O'Bryant needs about as much work as any big man we will likely be able to draft, and has about the same upside, but simply won't cost us a pick.

Bad/deficient....Ok/Good....Fantastic/Great....The words kinda even out to me. The ones that are grouped in 2's that is. The difference is O'B is still a young kid in his frame. I don't wish to work a whole year on his frame. Who knows if his frame will even accept it. I'd rather work with a Mans frame who only needs fundamental tutoring of what we want to do. If we want O'B for a year or so later, then yeah why not. But, our time is now.

[ChumpDumper]

Bad/deficient....Ok/Good....Fantastic/Great....The words kinda even out to me. The ones that are grouped in 2's that is. The difference is O'B is still a young kid in his frame. I don't wish to work a whole year on his frame. Who knows if his frame will even accept it. I'd rather work with a Mans frame who only needs fundamental tutoring of what we want to do. If we want O'B for a year or so later, then yeah why not. But, our time is now.

Which makes me wonder why we are even discussing the big men available to us in this draft. It's usually a crap shoot at this point.

[Spur-Addict]

Which makes me wonder why we are even discussing the big men available to us in this draft. It's usually a crap shoot at this point.

I think we became caught up in making points. We both made good ones. I believe we are talking about the draft in regards to bigs because who knows what may pan out in the FA market. So, the FO is probably looking there as well. We need length and size and to be honest as long as it pans out I really don't care where it comes from.

[A.H 21-50]

I'm not a fan of diop , he can defend , block shots , rebound but he's a little bit soft and bring nothing offensivly wich is not the most important point
Spending The Mle for diop is too much for me but having him on the bench could be an option

I don't know O'Bryant stats in D-League and didn't saw him so far this year but comments seems good on him : why not

For the draft , here is the guys who can be available and interesting :
Robin Lopez , Roy Hibbert , Joey Dorsey, Devon Hardin ....

[Marcus Bryant]

The only way Diop makes sense is if you could land him while splitting the MLE and end up with a useful perimeter player with the other portion. I think that'd be tough to pull off.

[Mr. Body]

I'm agreeing the MLE is too much for Diop, but to get him that's probably what it takes.

In all likelihood Mahinmi will need to be the second shot blocker (which means we have no dependable one); Kurt can get blocks here and there. Splitter's loss really puts a stymie on the team right now, but we need to move ahead (how's that, Chump? I'm getting better).

[K-State Spur]

If you sign Diop, and put him on the floor at the same time as Bowen, then you basically allow the opponent to have two 'rovers' hassling the big 3.

[Russ]

I always thought that Elson was underrated, mostly by Spurs fans.

Bring Elson back as a cheap insurance plan. If Mahinmi can step in, then so much the better -- nothing's lost.

Most of these guys on the draft list will never make it or won't make it for some time -- especially the bigs.