http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...D91I7LJG3.html
On Hill:
on Hairston:"George Hill is a really solid player at both ends of the court. He adds to our team and I honestly believe he'll make our team better right off the bat," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. "We really thought he'd be gone, we were thrilled that he was there."
"Malik has had a great career at Oregon, a really versatile player," Buford said. "It gives us an opportunity to, I think, add a guy to our team that probably will make it."On Gist:Popovich said "we think he's (Hariston's) got a great shot to make our team. He's going to really surprise some people."
"We're thrilled with James Gist from Maryland. He's a heck of a rebounder, he's a good scorer ... does a fine job," Popovich said. "So all three guys together having an opportunity like that is what really pleases us at this point."
A lot of tepid comments. Hopefully this works out well. The Spurs play is so safe, but safe hasn't been working in the draft so far. It'll be interesting to see how things play out down the road, as they left guys like Donte Greene, Arthur, CDR, and Hendrix all on the board to pick 'safer' players.
You can watch the video of the entire news conferences with those comments at Spurs.com. It's interesting if you hear them all in context, plus Pop makes some good jokes about Tony being with him in the war room. Plus a phone interview with George Hill
http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/draft_central08.html
with that beard he's looking a lot like Donald Sutherland.
I'm happy with Hill, Gist amd Hairston. If they live up to expectations, they will address some outstanding concerns namely:
- All have the ability to score
- All are good defenders
- All are good characters
- All are young
- All are athletic
- All fill needs at the 1-4 positions
All comments, particularly negative ones are unwarranted at this time. Pop and the FO have put in immeasurably more time and thought into these choices than anyone else and they seem content. That's fine with me. We'll know soon enough if these players were worth the investment.
It's noteworthy that with their 3 picks, Spurs have drafted 3 "old" college players.
As people wish, Spurs have recognized that they needed help now.
They haven't taken the popular pick and they have followed and trusted their scouting. For the moment people reaction is "WTF? Hill over Chalmers? Fire pop and RC...". Future will tell if they have doena good job at scouting players this year.
This draft for Spurs wasn't spectacular at all but it could turn as a very solid one.
Spurs not picking up Hendrix or Hardin at 45 makes me believe they really like what they see in Mahimni.
i can see this in buck harveys next (waste of space) article...
Exactly.
Since experienced players, particularly on the front line, have trouble with the Spurs' defense the first year, it's folly to think a rookie was going to be able to do it. The mandate for this draft was, we have a veteran team, get help now.
It's beginning to make sense, Hill is the type of point guard Pop likes.
Pop is always wanting Tony to shoot and be more aggressive and that is what this guy will do.
Maybe I'm wrong on that, but I think Spurs consider Hairtson and Gist almost as training camp invites.
Spurs have invested close to nothing in both. Gist is a 57th pick and they get Hairston with cash and a future second round pick for the 45th pick. I wouldn't be surprised or upset to see one or both being waived after the training camp.
I'll give the FO credit for finally following their domestic scouting reports and NOT going the Euro "draft-n-stash" route for about the 27th year in a row.
All seem like "prototype" Spurs players in that they are seemingly of good character and good defenders.
While I'm very disappointed that Batum wasn't available to them, I'm warming up to these 3 new rooks and can't wait to see them in Summer League action.
I will be disappointed if no less than 2 out of the 3 don't make the team.
Last edited by SenorSpur; 06-27-2008 at 08:30 AM.
All we need, and haven't had for years, is a b/u pg who can hold the score steady while Tony sits.
You didn't listen to the interview obviously. You draft the best talent you think will work with no regard to nationality, or as Pop said "religion"
Pop had also said that at least TWO of the three will probably make the cut. Hill and Hairston are the ones I'm presuming, yet Gist could surprise all of us.
Pop said:
Of the 25-30 mock drafts that I saw, not a single one had Hill gone by pick 26.We really thought he'd be gone, we were thrilled that he was there.
Right. At best one of them makes the roster and spends most of next season on IR and in Austin.
Not picking Hendrix at 45 blows my mind.
I was amazed that Pop said 2 of the 3 will probably be on the team. He seldom makes prognostications like that. The overall tenor of both Pop and RC in interviews is that these are the guys they wanted and they really think they have NBA skills.
Does anyone remember the FO being this positive about all three draftees in any draft for the last 10 years? I don't.
It's either a good sign--or a really really bad one.
I don't like R.C's interviews. He's very boring. I think he is a little overrated as a GM.
That's an improvement over a few years ago when he was looking like Ratso Rizzo
Wow, looks like the Spurs really really really wanted Hill. Also, it sounds like they discovered him long before the Orlando tryouts. LOL, the whole email thing was all part of the plan!
As for the other two, I think they were both drafted on potential. They know both are raw now, but for the late pick, it was worth the pick. Pop and R.C. seem to believe Malik has a shot to at least be in the IR.
Possibly, but why limit to that view right now? Let them play in the summer league and come into camp, and then decide what you have.
I think any team who is depending on production from any second round pick last night is in for a world of trouble next year.
Pretty much what I was thinking, too. I'm looking forward to seeing how all of them preform in the summer league. Hopefully Hill turns into a solid back up for Tony and the other two can either make the IR or at least play for the Toros. It mught be a stretch if both make the IR/Toros since that would mean both are under contract so I'll be happy with one. Second round picks are a crap shoot so if we get something that can contribute then it pays off.
I'm sure Spurs will act like that. I just wanted to say that if Spurs cut them at the end of the training camp, it won't be a big deal because of the low investment spend on them.
It's not like last year, where cutting Marcus Williams, who was drafted 33rd, was a failure.
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