RC Buford: "Luka's size and his skill is something you can get excited about"

[Sugus]

Btw guess who Luka could be like if he got good?









Bertans. Who we had and traded away.

So, is there a discount on the second bad take after the first one? Or are they all the same price?

Bertans is an absolutely one dimensional player who can pretty much shoot and that's it. No defense, no post moves, no rebounding, no passing and certainly not ballhandling.

Samanic, on the other hand, has already displayed above-average handles for his size; combined with his mechanic shooting stroke, and the fact that he models his game after KD, he could end up panning out as a lethal mid-range and outside shooter. He's got a very smooth spin move and has displayed nice touch above the rim; additionally, whilst his being a good (or even neutral) defender is still up in the air to be seen, I've already seen more defensive plays out of him than Bertans' entire career. Blocked some shots with his vertical, doesn't get posterized every other play. I'd say they are not only very different players, but one has a clearly higher ceiling (which is not the same as saying one will definitely be a better player).

[DJR210]

What does Wright do again? I haven't heard from him once tbh

[phxspurfan]

Samanic himself likes Kevin Durant, btw.

and I modeled my game after Michael Jordan, btw

[spurspl]

i hope hes talking about doncic otherwise hes drunk asf

[Down Under]

The upside is obvious. He has a chance to become Gallo without the injuries and toll those took on his body. Dude still has to work on his body and perimeter game if he wants to be a legit modern-day four.

That's an interesting comparison. You think the upside is higher because of his insane athleticism at his size? I think Samanic measured 2 inches taller than Gallo (6'7.5" vs 6'9.5") at the combine.

[Dr. John R. Brinkley]

I would love for him to be a 6 foot 11 version of Drazen Petrovich, but he doesn’t seem to have any of the fire that Drazen did.

[GreekSpursfan]

RC trying to sell hope, he's not succeeding though

[wildbill2u]

Been watching all Austin games. Seeing improvement game to game. Like I said in the other thread, his offense style is reminiscent of Dirk. Theyre making him learn the post up and his shot has fluid mechanics. He will never be a brute force to make him strong enough to bully other players but he just needs to get strong enough not to get pushed around. Hes got way more passing ability than any of our bigs.

Can he play at SF? He wouldn't need to bulk up so much there and he doesn't look like he plays like a PF

[duncan2k5]

Luka will never develop the skills of KD because we will force him to be out of position... We bashed Bertans for not being a good rebounder, but he was a SF that was shoved in at PF... same with Luka... He wants to be a SF, but we are playing him at PF...

[RC_Drunkford]

Luka could become AK-47 if everything goes right. It's a long shot, but possible

[timvp]

If you need a palate cleanser after the Lakers loss, here are Samanic's highlights from tonight ...

[Kurgan]

If you need a palate cleanser after the Lakers loss, here are Samanic's highlights from tonight ...

Already looks more skilled that that Austrian stiff we're starting next to LMA every night.

[Mugen]

Hopefully by the time he gets called up, the old man is gone and he can get some minutes.

[timtonymanu]

Can’t wait to see him play in 2022

[DPG21920]

If you need a palate cleanser after the Lakers loss, here are Samanic's highlights from tonight ...

Is it just me or is Luka not as quick with the first step as you thought? Seems to me, that even when he makes a move (and someone is closing out), he doesn’t really actually get past them.

He relies more on craft still instead of truly possession an explosive step (even by big man standards)

[south side spur]

Who are the sadder group, the Blair supporters, the Dedmon supporters, or the bertans guys?

The Scola supporters.

[timvp]

Is it just me or is Luka not as quick with the first step as you thought? Seems to me, that even when he makes a move (and someone is closing out), he doesn’t really actually get past them.

He relies more on craft still instead of truly possession an explosive step (even by big man standards)

Eh, didn't see him try to blow by anyone. Set up his step-back on one drive and set up his spin move on the other drive.





But, yeah, in highlights in general I haven't seen him flash his athleticism too much yet.

[DPG21920]

Eh, didn't see him try to blow by anyone. Set up his step-back on one drive and set up his spin move on the other drive.



But, yeah, in highlights in general I haven't seen him flash his athleticism too much yet.

Like I’ve seen him jump high, but even when he’s going to the rim he’s not blowing by anyone and usually just has to absorb contact and make a contorted shot.

Maybe it’s strength? He’s gets nudged and that keeps him from accelerating?

[SAGirl]

I thought this was a thread about a different Luca

[ElNono]

those videos look like one step above junior varsity basketball...

[r0drig0lac]

ROtY 2025