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In the interview he was pretty adamant about leaving Europe. He said that he would probably withdraw from the draft if he got an indication that he would just be stashed.
This is an excellent value pick. Worse case he doesn't make it which is it not unsual for a late 2nd round pick. Best case is the sky is the limit. He looks much more mobile than Ian. Hope he makes it to the d-league rather than Europe. Also, is only 19 and is one of the youngest players in the draft.
In the interview he was pretty adamant about leaving Europe. He said that he would probably withdraw from the draft if he got an indication that he would just be stashed.
I doubt it. The Spurs knew before they drafted him that his intentions were to come to the NBA this year. They will develop him here on the Toros.
Same agent as Manu and Splitter.
No chance at a Summer League invite?
Strengthen him up, teach him some defense, and enhance the kids BBIQ. He looks pretty nimble when he moves and also shows a lot of touch with his shot. He just needs better compe ion and more development.
Yeah he pretty much says that he doesn't want to go back to Europe that he would rather play in the D League then go back. The thing that I liked in the interview he seems pretty smart and seems like a guy who will work had on his game which is nice since he is only 19 years old.
I heard this guy has some anger management issues supposedly he got into a few fights back in Europe.
Exactly. The Spurs needed a young big in the pipeline. There's a good chance that Splitter is signed and Mahinmi is not re-signed, which would leave the cupboard bare. Now they have a young, mobile, athletic 7-footer to develop.
Overall, considering where the Spurs picked, this has been a very solid draft. One player who fits a short term need and the other who fits a long term need. Both good value where they were picked. You (not you specifically, but Spurs fans in general) may have wanted different players at those picks, but it's hard to complain with what the Spurs came out of this draft with.
That's a bad fit for us...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyCbD...eature=related
I'm actually very intrigued by this guy, he looks a lot more polished than I would have thought. It's going to be a huge transition for him going to the nba, but if he comes over while Timmy is still here, he could learn quite a bit.
That's the first good thing I've heard about this chump.
Excellent! We could use a player that likes to get scrappy.
http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/sie...hink-im-ready/
Excerpt:
How ready do you think you are for the NBA game?
RR: I definitely think I’m ready. I’ve been playing in Europe four years. I’ve been honing my game, working out every day twice a day for the last four years. I think I’m ready. I definitely need to improve my strength and playing experience, but they are two things that you’re going to improve just with time and getting in the gym.
Has anybody adviced you against giving the NBA a shot this year instead of waiting a little longer?
RR: Yeah. People will say you need to wait out, play for a high-level team in Europe and then go to the NBA. But you look at guys like Tony Parker or Sefolosha and they didn’t play in great leagues. They worked hard and they had the talent and potential… If you get a great coach on a good team, you can come to play in the NBA.
You have said that you would rather play in the D-League than Europe next year. Why is that?
RR: Just because my goal in life and my dream is to be in the NBA. To be on a roster with a team. If a coach or an organization thinks I’m not ready and want to send me to the D-League, I wouldn’t have an issue with it. Once I prove myself there, I’m going to be admitted to the NBA.
Apparently, he's not even ready for the top Euro leagues.
Strange, I had to think back to the last 19 year Old the Spurs drafted and Richards seems to have that same kind of MATURITY. I don't know if he'll be able to negotiate his purchase of a home in San Antonio like TP did in 2001, but to be well spoken means that you're more rounded as a person. That you just didn't let the system push you through because you were good with a round ball. If he goes to Toros, that's fine but I like a guy that's willing to work hard and get his time in and then...be ready should his number be called, to produce. Many games are won with effort guys, who can help you get results due to that effort.
Nice interview. I definitely admire his drive and commitment to playing in the NBA. To rather play in the D-League than in Europe is a huge testament, IMO, of his character. He could be making pretty decent money overseas playing with people that he's familiar with but he'd rather go to a strange place making crap money to prove that he's worth a roster spot. Very interesting prospect. I hope he gets a summer league invite, I don't see why not, Jack Mac got one last year.
No D/Foreign League! Why do that??? The Spurs should take the time to develop him here, in the big league.
I'm praying that he makes the team. He seems loads more confident in his game than Bonner does already.
We have time to develop him. The goal is to make the playoffs with everybody healthy; we don't need 60 wins. I say we take a couple Ls if need be and get this kid some playing time with the grown men.
I've got a good feeling about this kid and his game. We've never had a player with this kind of skill-potential before. I'd hate to see him sit in some lame minor league for 2 or 3 years when other teams can find time to play their young players.
Just my 2 cents.
Left-handed.. FTW
Concur.
The Spurs came out of the draft with a solid scoring prospect at the SG position, someone who has the potential to be a double digit scorer. Highly efficient shooter and so on. Can't really complain with that, since it does fit a need, and upside is easy to see. He could slide right in and be a consistent shooter in the Spurs system. Especially since scouting reports have indicated he works best in a structured system.
And they draft a little known 19 year old with impressive physical attributes, an apparent drive to improve and anger management issues. He's a project, but at that position in the draft he's a good project.
Cool.
Very nice video. I like this pick. Don't know if the kid is ready for the NBA yet, but he's definitely got some basketball skills; some nice handles, and some range to his jump shot. He's not one of those guys who just has the size but looks like they picked up a basketball for the first time two years ago.
I'm also excited about the possibility of him being in Austin rather than overseas for a few years. I know the D-League is a step down from a variety of leagues he could be playing in in Europe, but it should be nice to actually see one of these potential projects up close and personal for once.
San Antonio finally got their balla!
Will probably end up with the Toros. Would be nice if he ends up as a Ryan Hollins type guy, bringing energy and some good D
better to have him in the d-league. My memory, which could be wrong, is that when the Spurs had Mahinmi go to Pau with the understanding that he'd be the starting big man for a Euroleague team after starting for Le Havre he was actually largely benched.
Spurs can't control what a Euro team does with him. If he talks like he's willing to go to the d-league, then all the better.
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