Spurs Select Kyle Anderson in the 2014 NBA Draft (30th Overall)

[TMC]

http://www.48minutesof .com/san-a...t-arizona-ucla


On UCLA’s side, there’s one player that really jumps out, both because of his draft prospects and his unique skill set. Kyle Anderson is a 6’8″ point guard who is really good at what he does. However, there isn’t a chance in he’ll be a point guard at the next level. Why you ask, because he’s almost always the slowest guy on the court. He has so little athletic ability, that his nickname is “SlowMo,” a nickname he wears with pride. Despite the athletic limitations, Anderson is a stat stuffer playing in one of the best conferences in the country (averages of 15.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game). Grantland’s Danny Chau went to Pauley Pavilion and had this to say about Anderson’s game.

His use of hesitations, fakes, and weight-shifting is next-level — it’s as if his defender is entranced by watching Anderson move so slowly in real time that his own reaction time is forced to adapt. Then, once the defender finds himself playing in Anderson’s time signature, it’s too late. He merely adopted the slow. Anderson was born in it.

Everything Danny wrote is accurate. Watching Anderson play is like watching the scenes in the Matrix once Neo figures out he’s the one and everything just slows down. He knows what his defenders are doing before they know it themselves and he just waits for his spot and attacks. Again, Anderson’s position in the NBA is a huge question mark. He’s a little slight to play power forward, but for my money I’d say that’s his future. He’s Boris Diaw 2.0. He needs to bulk up, but he’s not so slow that he wouldn’t have an advantage against bigs trying to guard him. Bottom line is he’s SO smart and the Spurs have figured out a way to maximize Diaw’s skills, it feels like a match made in heaven, especially if Diaw was still around to teach Anderson a few extra tricks.
Given the Spurs late first round draft status the Spurs appear to always be stuck in, scouting prospects is always a little tricky, but that’s also what makes it fun. This year, the draft appears to be the deepest it’s been in a long time, which bodes well for the Spurs. Of course, we’ll talk about these college guys and they’ll draft someone playing in Europe.

[Spurs21Fan4Ever]

Better Malik Hairston with better shooting and dribbling. Malik was the same coming out of college, lacked footspeed, but that was improved, just not enough for the NBA level given his lack of fundamentals. Where Malik struggled though Anderson excels. I think the Spurs will send him to some top notch trainers that will increase his footwork and will ensure he ends up with a much quicker shooting release. I think he will be a solid contributor in the NBA, and will be a good backup to Kawhi Leonard. I think this was a pick SA wanted to make to try and make the team improve next year, not a long term type pick. I think Anderson can contribute next year and help the team repeat. No doubt he'll work his butt off this year.

[KL2]

Not sure if this has been posted yet, but Kyle Anderson was a fan of the Spurs prior to being drafted by them.

Awesome, I've seen a couple of videos of him mentioning the Spurs, not this one though.

[TheDarkSide.]

Awesome vid, curious to when he will be formally introduced by RC

[AFBlue]

Better Malik Hairston with better shooting and dribbling. Malik was the same coming out of college, lacked footspeed, but that was improved, just not enough for the NBA level given his lack of fundamentals. Where Malik struggled though Anderson excels. I think the Spurs will send him to some top notch trainers that will increase his footwork and will ensure he ends up with a much quicker shooting release. I think he will be a solid contributor in the NBA, and will be a good backup to Kawhi Leonard. I think this was a pick SA wanted to make to try and make the team improve next year, not a long term type pick. I think Anderson can contribute next year and help the team repeat. No doubt he'll work his butt off this year.

Actually the comp I would've gone with if you're talking past Spurs picks is Marcus Williams. He too was a long unathletic forward that fell in the draft. But I agree that the difference between those two in terms of their present skill-set when they entered the league is huge.

[210Max]

so we can dust off our derek anderson jerseys now?

[BatManu20]

[RD2191]

Goofy looking mofo.

[pgardn]

He is a player.

Very subtle quick hands both dribbling, passing and shooting. Very deceptive.
He does feel the game. Very good vision allowing him to use his body appropriately.

Athletic limitations are the biggest factor. Could hurt him on both ends, but especially defensively.
I totally agree with the getting stronger issue.
Very interesting, look forward to watching him wherever.

[Malice]

He seriously looks like he's in junior high.

[TheGoldStandard]

Can't wait to see what he's all about

[AFBlue]

He seriously looks like he's in junior high.

He even ages slow tbqh.

[spurraider21]

He even ages slow tbqh.

[ceperez]

He seriously looks like he's in junior high.

Austin Daye is even thinner that this guy. I think they both need to hang around Boris Diaw to gain some weight.

[Prime Time]

I still think Anderson looks a lot thinner than he did in his UCLA days.

[Chinook]

I still think Anderson looks a lot thinner than he did in his UCLA days.

I think he's trying to be a wing, and he is slimming down as a result. We'll see if it helps on Friday. If not, he needs to gain the weight back in muscle form and be a combo-forward.

The Spurs listed him as a wing on their SL roster, so it's possible that's where they want him.

[benstanfield]

Spurs are going for the all time racially ambiguous team in 2015. Duncan, Parker, Diaw, Green, Ayres, Daye, Joseph, and now Anderson. Pretty impressive really.

[MaNu4Tres]

I think he's trying to be a wing, and he is slimming down as a result. We'll see if it helps on Friday. If not, he needs to gain the weight back in muscle form and be a combo-forward.

The Spurs listed him as a wing on their SL roster, so it's possible that's where they want him.

Friday is too small of a sample size to determine whether or not he needs to gain significant muscle mass/ girth ( which I'm assuming you're implying; to be like 2012-2014 Diaw). He's years from even being considered a competent defender of the power forward position. He's too frail and lacks the physical toughness to box out opposing power forwards from offensive rebounds and from scoring on the block. IMO

What he needs to do is lose the right weight (14% body fat at combine), and gain lean muscle mass -- which doesn't necessarily mean put on weight. He needs to weigh a strong 215, 220 -- not a skinny/pudgy (weird) soft 230 and he should continue pursuing the wing position (PG-SG-SF) in the NBA . IMO

[Chinook]

Friday is too small of a sample size to determine whether or not he needs to gain significant muscle mass. He's years from even being considered a power (defensively)/point (offensively) forward. He's too frail and lacks the physical toughness to box out opposing power forwards from offensive rebounds and from scoring on the block.

What he needs to do is lose the right weight (14% body fat at combine), and gain lean muscle mass -- which doesn't necessarily mean put on weight. He needs to weigh a strong 215, 220 -- not a pudgy soft 230 and continue pursuing the wing position in the NBA.

I didn't mean Friday only. I meant more this season. I personally think he'll end up being a big, but time will tell.

[slick'81]

It will be fun to see how spurs use anderson,Manu replacement or Diaw

[BatManu20]

This kid can flat out ball. Loved watching him at UCLA. Check out his vision and passing in this clip.

[loveforthegame]

[MaNu4Tres]

Sounds like Pop views him as a PG-SG-SF, not a PF.

[spursparker9]

Sounds like Pop views him as a PG-SG-SF, not a PF.

Yeah not surprising though.

He is 6'8, 6'9 but he played the perimeter in his college days, so to play him at the 4 on NBA level is probably a bit too early for him.

Playing the 4 may be an option in the future but not now.

[ceperez]

Sounds like Pop views him as a PG-SG-SF, not a PF.

After seeing his latest photos... he's about 3 years away from being a PF.

Anyone have a photo of Leonard when he was drafted and how he looks now?