Why the spurs are so international?

[SpurSpurSpurs]

fiba andrew gaze or prime gaze in the nba wouldve been earning max contract

One of my favorite Spur, but he's unlikely to get a max contract.

[DMC]

I also think American players don't want to play in San Antonio. They are drawn to the big markets they grow up watching on tv. Spurs rarely attract an american high profile free agent. Well, they rarely attract high profile free agents regardless of their nationality... just a few thoughts..

The Spurs make high profile players, they don't attract them.

[Dr. John R. Brinkley]

It all starts with Zarko and I'm embarassed that he keeps getting omitted from your lists.

[JR3]

The Spurs make high profile players, they don't attract them.

Yup! That's what sets us apart and makes me proud to be a spurs fan.

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

It all starts with Zarko and I'm embarassed that he keeps getting omitted from your lists.

The complete list in the Popovich era...

[Darkwaters]

Darius Washington is Macedonian now also

Although he wasn't at the time that he played for the Spurs. But I just wanted to make a reference to Darius Washington so somebody could comment on his one amazing defensive game against Baron Davis.

[mikekim]

Darius Washington is Macedonian now also

Although he wasn't at the time that he played for the Spurs. But I just wanted to make a reference to Darius Washington so somebody could comment on his one amazing defensive game against Baron Davis.

Darius Washington > T.J. Ford

[Rapper]

I remember that when we won the 2007 nba championship timmy put a flag of US virgin Island on his shouders

[YoMamaIsCallin]

To answer the question, I doubt it's because the Spurs specifically prefer international players. It started with the team locating a market inefficiency in that other teams weren't valuing international players enough in the draft. That led to being able to steal Ginobili and Parker.

Once their core became TD, Ginobili and Parker, signing or trading for international players became less risky because of the global culture of the team. Eventually, that snowballs to other international players wanting to join the team because of the success of the current international players.

It'd make a good story that Pop and the front office doesn't want to deal with "dumb American ballers" or whatever but that's just not reality . . .

You must be smart because that's exactly what I was going to say.

As they say, you take what the defense gives you. In this case the defense is the other 29 teams. If they don't do their homework and see the value in some international player, sneak in and steal him in the draft. Same for IUPUI graduates or players with no ACLs.