1) Keep in mind that Sam Presti was pivitol to our scouting department and he left in 2007 to be SEA-OKC's GM... since then, they've been drafting immediately before us almost every year.
2) Since Robinson retired, the Spurs have most needed a big man... but big men are twice as likely to be a draft bust as their guard equivalent... spurs have done great at drafting guards.
http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/20...al-by-position
3) Spurs have done AMAZING at picking for their position: According to 82games, a player drafted around where the Spurs usually draft (30) has roughly a 35% chance of making it in the league.
http://www.82games.com/nbadraftpicks.htm
2007: Splitter
2008: George Hill - Traded away for Kawhi + Bertans
2009: (#37) Dejaun Blair - great pick for 2nd round
2010: (#20) James Anderson - our only legitimate bust
2011: Cory Joseph
2012: Traded away the pick to get rid of Jefferson (worth it)
So, in the 5 picks we had around #30 (I'm including #20 Anderson and #37 Blair) since 2007... we've had a 80% success rate (as opposed to the league 35%).