Former Spur: Nando De Colo

[will_spurs]

Nando had been quite disappointing so far but he indeed had a big game yesterday. Based on this EC he doesn't look like NBA material at this point. Then again Rubio got a nice NBA contract and plays like , so who knows...

[ForeignFan]

He had two big games in a row, scoring 22 then 28 points:

from lequipe.fr:
Une semaine après après inscrit 22 points contre Malaga, Nando De Colo a de nouveau brillé ce dimanche avec Valence. Le meneur-arrière de l'équipe de France s'est fendu de 28 points (5/8 à 2 points, 3/3 de loin, 9/10 aux lancers) et 9 rebonds et 7 fautes provoquées en seulement 21 minutes dans une victoire à Saint-Sebastien (86-81). Il termine avec la meilleure évaluation de la journée en Liga ACB. Valence est cinquième ex aequo derrière un quatuor composé de la surprise Alicante, de Barcelone, du Real Madrid et de Malaga

[Bruno]

28 points, 9 rebounds with a 37 efficiency in 21 minutes is insane. Nando is just a damn talented player.

[Bruno]

An interview of Nando:
http://www.lavoixdessports.com/Sport...aller-au.shtml

The part about Spurs:

Spurs went to Valencia to see you play last December while you will be a free agent next summer.
Yes, they did. It was George Felton (a scout). We know each other well now and we have had a dinner together. With the lockout, I haven't seen him for some time. We talked about a lot of things but not really about next year. These talks will be more between them and my agent.
You have never been so close of your dream.
It's a little now or never to go to the NBA. After three years spend in Europe, I think I'm ready to play there. I naturally think at my future and my first goal is the NBA But I stay focused on this year. It's too soon to talk about that.

[timvp]

It'll probably cause a major ST meltdown but it seems like trading De Colo has to be a major option. While I think he's an interesting prospect, I can't figure out how he'd fit. As it stands, someone like James Anderson doesn't even get time in the rotation. And even in the long-term view, Neal fills the "short shooting guard who is a defensive liability but is dynamic enough offensively to help" role that De Colo would fill. De Colo's best chance at cracking the roster might be point guard, however that's assuming he's athletic enough to do so (which is highly questionable) and assuming that Cory Joseph doesn't play well enough to lock down that spot in the rotation.

That said, I doubt De Colo has much trade value at all. The Spurs shopped Scola for years and couldn't get anything decent and De Colo isn't anywhere near Scola's level.

Personally, I'd bring him over next year and at worst let him play in Austin for the year. Bruno, what do you think? Is he worth bringing over or is there just not a fit?




P.S.

The Spurs could make a decision between James Anderson and De Colo. We won't know it at the time but if the Spurs don't pick up Anderson's option, that could be due to assuming De Colo can be brought over in the summer.

[Redshadows]

I guess without trading someone on backcourt the Spurs wouldn't bring De Colo to SA.
Somebody who has trade value and the Spurs might offer could be Neal. So, Neal + pick for a higher pick?

[mathbzh]

Personally, I'd bring him over next year and at worst let him play in Austin for the year.

The problem with De Colo is he would probably do wonders and score at will in the D-League. He could do it with Cholet, he does it with Valencia.
Nando's limitation appears when he is in tough games.

IMHO, either the Spurs think he has a future in the NBA and he makes the team or they don't bring him.

I also don't think he can play PG in the NBA.
As you mention he is probably not athletic enough... but he is just not a PG. Sure he can handle and pass the ball, but he does not manage the team possessions well (I must admit I did not see him play lately).

The problem with Nando is that when he is hot, he looks like Manu second coming. But he is not.
I think he should stay in Europe where he can become a very good player.

[Bruno]

Personally, I'd bring him over next year and at worst let him play in Austin for the year. Bruno, what do you think? Is he worth bringing over or is there just not a fit?

First, as you said, Spurs won't get a lot if they trade him.
Second, he will be cheap to sign.
Third, he has some flaws but he is too a talented player.

So, yes, Spurs should give him a shot. It's a low risk move. I have some doubts about De Colo being able to succeed in the NBA but it's worth a try.

If Spurs sign him next summer and if you consider that his first year will be transition year with some time spending in Austin, the question is how he will fit with the 2013-2014 Spurs team. A lot could happen in almost 2 years. Manu, Neal, Green could all be gone by that time. However, De Colo would be a good fit long term wise for Spurs. He has something that none of the young players has, it's the ability to create for others. In a post-Manu area, this creativity woudl be badly needed.

This year, De Colo has played PG, SG and SF in Spain. He is a versatile player but he is clearly best suited to be a SG in the NBA.

[mathbzh]

If Spurs sign him next summer and if you consider that his first year will be transition year with some time spending in Austin, the question is how he will fit with the 2013-2014 Spurs team.

Do you really believe he would learn anything in Austin?
He has been a professional for 5 years, he plays in one of the best championship outside the NBA and in international compe ion.
There is no point sending him to Austin for more than a couple of games.

[Brazil]

Do you really believe he would learn anything in Austin?
He has been a professional for 5 years, he plays in one of the best championship outside the NBA and in international compe ion.
There is no point sending him to Austin for more than a couple of games.

I do agree with that + I'm pretty sure he won't accept to go and play for the toros.

[Bruno]

Do you really believe he would learn anything in Austin?
He has been a professional for 5 years, he plays in one of the best championship outside the NBA and in international compe ion.
There is no point sending him to Austin for more than a couple of games.

While I don't think he will learn something in Austin, I doubt too that he will be good enough to contribute in his rookie year. He will likely be a 3rd stringer in his rookie year and only plays garbage time with Spurs.
I agree with you that he shouldn't be send the whole year to Austin but short stints will get him some playing time.

[TimmehC]

Do you really believe he would learn anything in Austin?
He has been a professional for 5 years, he plays in one of the best championship outside the NBA and in international compe ion.
There is no point sending him to Austin for more than a couple of games.

The only thing any decent NBA prospect can "learn" on the Toros is the Spurs' system/plays. So depending on what the depth chart looks like, it might be a good idea to send De Colo to Austin if he does get brought over.

[mathbzh]

The only thing any decent NBA prospect can "learn" on the Toros is the Spurs' system/plays. So depending on what the depth chart looks like, it might be a good idea to send De Colo to Austin if he does get brought over.

True, but you'll notice some (raw) prospects get assigned to the Toros when some other are not.
Splitter missed the pre-season last year and could have been a good candidate for a Toros stint. There is a reason he was a Spurs from day one.

The question with De Colo is not to know if he can learn the system. He should be able to learn the Spurs playbook just like any free agent coming here.
But is he a NBA player? Only playing in the NBA can answer that.

[yavozerb]

I think the spurs will attempt to do exactly what they did this past year with Hill and Kawhi. I expect Neal and/or JA will be shopped for a mid 1st rd pick if the player they are interested in (a big) is available to them. Why not...With Manu and green playing well at the 2 and Kawhi proving he can also play that position it could another great move to get solid young talent "ala Kawhi leonard". You bring in Colo and see if he can contribute at the 2 for depth reasons..

[will_spurs]

Not sure I remember that right, but if a team sends a player to their D-League affiliate, I thought the player was "protected" (i.e. couldn't be picked up by another team) only if the original retains their rights, and I thought that was only in the first 3 years after the draft? Am I at least vaguely on the right track or do I remember that completely wrong? That could be a reason why draft picks that have lingered in Europe for long (Splitter, De Colo) will not be sent to the Toros.

[Mel_13]

Not sure I remember that right, but if a team sends a player to their D-League affiliate, I thought the player was "protected" (i.e. couldn't be picked up by another team) only if the original retains their rights, and I thought that was only in the first 3 years after the draft? Am I at least vaguely on the right track or do I remember that completely wrong? That could be a reason why draft picks that have lingered in Europe for long (Splitter, De Colo) will not be sent to the Toros.

Players in the D-League fall into two categories:

1. Players signed to NBA contracts that are assigned to the D-League team affiliated with the player's NBA team. Players can be assigned to the D-League during their first 3 years in the NBA (there are also provisions for rehab assignments as a result of the new CBA). Players assigned to the D-League continue to draw their full NBA salaries and cannot be claimed by other NBA teams.

2. Players on D-League contracts. All other players have contracts with the D-League and can be called up to the NBA by any NBA team.

The main reason why a D-League contract isn't an option for most foreign players is the very low salary of about $30,000 per season.

As to why most foreign players aren't assigned to the D-League for development by their NBA teams, that can be attributed to the low level of play compared to the better European leagues. In De Colo's case, the ACB is far superior to the D-League.

[mountainballer]

I think the De Colo question is pretty simple to answer.

if he is willing to sign a Neal type contract, it's absolutely a no brainer. even if he ends up as the 3rd string PG/SG, it's a nice deal for the Spurs.

if it takes something like 2 years/2 million it's the same IMO.

if it takes 2 years / 3-4 million, you might do it and start think about clearing a position on the pay roll. (like Anderson or Neal).

I don't think the question can be, if a position is loaded or thin. Spurs need to stockpile talent, evaluate it and then decide. who would have thought that Green will take JA's spot? you just bring in the talent and keep whatever works. as long as you don't need to invest a boatload of money in this strategy, it seems the best way IMO.

[Bruno]

Nando's highlight of a game he played in France a couple of weeks ago:


Nando is #22 purple and wears a protective mask.

[Bruno]

BTW, Valencia has changed his coach to hire Velimir Perasovic. It's Nando's 6th coach in 4 years.

[Bruno]

http://www.eurocupbasketball.com/eur...e?gamecode=113

[TimmehC]

Damn nice performance from Nando.

[ChumpDumper]

You know, he might be a reason Anderson's option wasn't picked up.

And his opponent's team name looks like an anagram tbh.

[TheProfessor]

if it takes 2 years / 3-4 million, you might do it and start think about clearing a position on the pay roll. (like Anderson or Neal).

You know, he might be a reason Anderson's option wasn't picked up.

It didn't occur to me initially, but that's a possibility. Don't think that precludes signing Anderson if he finishes strong, but it does clear up some money for that kind of signing.

[TheCerebral1]

Bring him over if possible and get rid of the trash that is Corey Joseph. TJ Ford has been a quality facilitator before he got hurt but this guy has been successful for a while now.

[will_spurs]

Bring him over if possible and get rid of the trash that is Corey Joseph. TJ Ford has been a quality facilitator before he got hurt but this guy has been successful for a while now.

I don't get to see De Colo play during the regular season, but based on the Euro championship with France I wouldn't say his ball handling is great, he seems more like a really talented, versatile SG. So he'd probably be more a replacement to JA (assuming JA's game doesn't improve) than Joseph.

In other words I wouldn't say De Colo is as unidimensional as e.g. Neal, but I'm not sure he could be a backup PG for the Spurs. He is also not known for his defensive prowess...