Rate the spurs draft night!

[Biggems]

Lets see. Traded Hill for Leonard/Joseph. Drafted a potential Dirk Lite in Bertans. And didn't trade Tony Parker away for . I would have preferred Singleton over Leonard and a big instead of Joseph.

Overall Grade: B

Actually, Hill was traded for Leonard, Bertans, and Lorbek. Joseph and that guy from Hungary were drafted by the Spurs.

I am happy with the draft....though I was hoping for malcolm thomas at 59. Leonard and Thomas would have given us 2 long wing defenders.

[Mr. Body]

A-

Turning George Hill into Kawhi Leonard, especially after many of the suspect scenarios mentioned lately, was excellent. Leonard is the type of player we've desperately needed since Bruce left. His tools are excellent and his gym rat, workaholic character is exceptional.

Getting the #42 from Indiana was a great add.

I feel they pulled Joseph earlier than they wanted because Nolan Smith and Reggie Jackson were off the board. They stood to see him gone by #42, so had to hope Bertans fell.

This worked out perfectly. Not sure Joseph will pan out -- I do think he's unfairly maligned; his tools are very good and he's young -- but they managed who many thought was their #29 pick after all.

Bertans and Hanga, not to mention Lorbek, are gravy.

All in all I felt it turned out to be a superb draft. Better than last year, IMO.

[ElNono]

It's too difficult to rate this draft. These players are all young with Hanga being the oldest. Can anyone rate last year's draft picks of James Anderson or Eliot(purposely misspelled) Williams or Epke Udoh? Stuff happens.

I'm pleased with the draft and the future of these picks. Leonard was a lottery slotted talent projected anywhere from 6-15. He's got greater wingspan (7'3") than say Jordan Hamilton, Chris Singleton, Marcus Morris or even Derrick Williams. Spurs fans have been wanting a long 3 who can defend and although he's a not a 6'10" shooter, he is a good defender, terrific rebounder and an energy player who can contest shots and deflect passes.

The Spurs staff should have had plenty of opportunities to get to know Cory Joseph. He has some special qualities about him and he's a coach's kid. He should have stayed another year at UT to improve his PG skills but he can play.

Bertans and Adam Hanga looked good in the videos I've seen but I have never seen these players play...so I will limit my opinions and take a "wait and see" approach.

And then there's the longshot of convincing Lorbek to come over.

[Mr. Body]

Forgot to add: Kawhi Leonard is a ridiculous rebounder.

[Solid D]

If the Spurs had taken Bertans at 29 (as was rumored) and Joseph at 42, more people would have felt good about the picks, I'm sure. But then the Spurs possibly would have been stuck guaranteeing whatever salary the new CBA set for an 18 year old that isn't ready for the NBA. At least Cory Joseph lined up against the likes of Kemba Walker, Derrick Williams, and many other major college compe ion...and performed quite well for a Freshman.

[Mr. Body]

If the Spurs had taken Bertans at 29 (as was rumored) and Joseph at 42, more people would have felt good about the picks, I'm sure. But then the Spurs possibly would have been stuck guaranteeing whatever salary the new CBA set for an 18 year old that isn't ready for the NBA. At least Cory Joseph lined up against the likes of Kemba Walker, Derrick Williams, and many other major college compe ion...and performed quite well for a Freshman.

Agree. As I've said, with other PGs off the board earlier than expected (Smith, Williams), the Spurs might have felt they needed to go for him sooner. And you're right, Bertans not being on the rookie scale gives them flexibility with him.

[Cessation]

I'd give it a B, at the very least. Trading an undersized sg, which spurs have a ton of, for a lottery pick defencive sf with great length, where spurs have had a weakness since bowen left, is a great idea. Neal has been much more consistent than hill anyway. Almost matching his production, while being clutch and playing less minutes


hill 11 ppg 29 min 45fg% 38 3pt%
neal 10 ppg 20 min 45fg% 42 3pt%

[Bill_Brasky]

REALLY wanted JaJuan Johnson at 29, but I'm OK with everything else...

[CGD]

After the Splitter buyout mess, I'm glad they took Bertan's in the second round as opposed to the first. Recall that under the current structure (though this may change under the new CBA), it's actually easier to structure deals for 2nd rounders (including buyouts) than it is for first rounders. Bertan's looks very promising.

[mavsfan1000]

lol Spurs losing Hill. No idea what they were thinking. But Mavs can fear the Spurs a little less now.

[objective]

I get more happy about Leonard the more I see written and said about him about how he's 'relentless' or has a 'killer motor'.

That would be a breath of fresh air compared to Jefferson. Jefferson is all about 'contentment' and has a 'gas leak'.

[Buddy Holly]

lol Spurs losing Hill. No idea what they were thinking. But Mavs can fear the Spurs a little less now.

lol Mavs fans hyping the out of roddy. No idea what they were thinking.

Spurs have won three les mainly through the draft. They know wtf they're doing.

[TDMVPDPOY]

lol Mavs fans hyping the out of roddy. No idea what they were thinking.

Spurs have won three les mainly through the draft. They know wtf they're doing.

its a question of what have you done for me lately, still living on pass accomplishments and reputation....so what has the spurs done since their last championship? lol small ball

[Buddy Holly]

its a question of what have you done for me lately, still living on pass accomplishments and reputation....so what has the spurs done since their last championship? lol small ball

Drafted Splitter, Hill, Blair, Anderson.

We didn't draft Bonner and Jefferson.

[rascal]

Lateral moves. None of the players coming in are big enough difference makers and the frontline is still the same. Bonner and Jefferson will still be getting minutes.

[TDMVPDPOY]

still no big to replace dice

but im expecting huge things from splitter for his 2nd season

is that englishman coming over?

[ChumpDumper]

Just relax. It's going to be a long offseason.

[DrSteffo]

A-

[velik_m]

I think the spurs did good. It's hard to say how the players will turn out, but i think they got a good mix of players ready to contribute now and players that are good prospects for the future. But it's still a long off-season before us and this year it might be even longer one (lockout). We'll see how things play out.

[Spurs da champs]

If we can get rid of RJ then A+ for me!

[TDMVPDPOY]

the only t hing i can say if you look back at the last few seasons picks, we either:

drafted someone who was the best in europe at their position or skill set we looking at

drafted some player who was projected to be a top lottery pick but fell down in the rankings

drafted a player base on need of the team

what we never drafted was a player that was nba ready to come and contribute the get go

[ChumpDumper]

What do you expect with such draft position?

[Fireball]

Just relax. It's going to be a long offseason.

Hopefully not a lockout ...

I am not able to grade this draft night, but I have faith the FO made the right picks - just from reading all gathered information I like Leonard and Bertans - Joseph leaves me unexcited.

Lets see which BIG the Spurs target ...

I will miss George!

[Fireball]

what we never drafted was a player that was nba ready to come and contribute the get go

James Anderson looked NBA ready to me before he got injured after 10 games ...

[Darkwaters]

the only t hing i can say if you look back at the last few seasons picks, we either:

drafted someone who was the best in europe at their position or skill set we looking at

drafted some player who was projected to be a top lottery pick but fell down in the rankings

drafted a player base on need of the team

what we never drafted was a player that was nba ready to come and contribute the get go

I totally agree. We need to get back to basics. The last time the Spurs made a huge stride forward was when they won the lottery, got the number 1 pick, and drafted Duncan. WTF is the front office doing to get us back there?! We seriously need to look at teams like the Clippers and Timberwolves and do what they do. Year in and year out those teams have success getting back to number one....on the draft board.

[/sarcasm]