The Spurs rated Keldon Johnson the #1 SF in the 2019 draft. Hyperbole or not, they still chose to take Samanic at #19.
That’s pretty exciting.
He may never reach KJ’s level (to what he is already), but I would back the Spurs on this one.
As a Spurs fan on this board I short most of everything you say. Most recently: there won’t be a conclusion to 2020 season, LMA is worth Wiggins, #2 AND the TWolves 2021 pick. You get an idea stuck in your mind and stick to
it like a commercial Sean Paul track. Like Glue. Luka has shown nothing and you showing confidence only tells me to double down.
Last edited by KingKev; 02-03-2021 at 06:30 PM.
Another thing is that with all this Covid restrictions how much real coaching are these guys really getting and G League is really important for these young players to learn the NBA game.
LMA from last year, PLUS taking on Wiggins deal, was. I think Kerr basically said there was a deal done before Klay tore his Achilles, This year, he’s crap. Can’t switch, can’t rotate, basically no defense.
If Sammich shows nothing in SL (if there is one), pre season, or early season, I’ll be off the train. I will wait the full two years, though. I have said all along that if he doesn’t make it, it won’t be because of his skill set or his physical tools. There just aren’t a ton of guys who are 6’10” with a 38” vert who can dribble/pass/shoot. It will be because of what’s between his ears. He’s not very Spursy.
Thanks for posting. Regarding him being a project that clearly is the case with him but I would add that his progress may have been stunted as well by COVID situation which has taken away a lot of playing time opportunity. I am keeping my fingers crossed on the guy so let's hope the Gubble does him good.
Luka has terrible basketball IQ. He also finishes too soft around the rim. Gets pushed around very easily. He seems pretty agile for his size and has a nice stroke, but he is nowhere near ready to keep up with the NBA style ball. Maybe by next year he will turn the corner? If not o well what can you do.
I’m don’t think it’s IQ. I think it’s a matter of confidence.
Covid could've really screwed with his development tbh. Remainder of G-League season got cancelled, probably limited access to a court prior to the restart, limited minutes in the bubble. Then there was a short off-season with no summer practices and summer-league games, and this season's G-league season has been cut from 50 to 16. That is bound to hamper his improvement.
I still think the Spurs could possibly toss him into the deep end next season. They have no PF's under contract next season and unless they get John Collins their not likely to find an impactful PF in FA. I could see them penciling him as the backup PF, and giving him the opportunity to prove himself before completely writing him off.
Samanic was technically their 3rd choice after Doumboya and Bitadze. They obviously liked what they saw and probably make a promise but they also didn't expect Johnson to be available at 19. Out of sheer dumb luck, he was there at 29 after ESPN had him going 10th.
It was definitely a gamble but the Spurs have reached before and turned out right, so who knows.
Last edited by cd021; 02-03-2021 at 07:20 PM.
I still have belief in Luka.
I look forward to him being on the big boy squad next year.
The tweet doesn't sound like he grasped the real context, which was the fact that Samanic has grown to know how hard it is to develop. He wasn't actually saying Samanic had improved his work ethic.
Let's hope. Like Devin Vassell plays much smarter defense then Lonnie Walker. You'd think with all the athletic talent Lonnie has he could turn it into defense but he doesn't. I don't know if it's a basketball IQ thing or not with some of these guys, but it does seem to play a big part in them being able to stay on the court. I would say defense is what we need. The offense will take care of itself.
thanks for posting this
I agree with you that he seems to understand now what he has to improve to be a better player and a chance to actually get run in the NBA.
I really like that he pointed out improving his effort level and especially on the defensive end. I also liked that he pointed out why Keldon is getting run and how the young guys like Murray, Lonnie, and Keldon are telling him he has to be consistent and always play hard.
I hope he takes that next step in the development league
even Pop doesn't believe this kid...and at least this time he wasn't the last to see.
I interpreted Pop’s first answer to mean that Luka is now realizing how much harder he has to work, and the second answer suggests that he now is learning to focus on his strengths so he can find a niche. I suppose it was neutral at best.
Yeah, I don’t know why Semanic doesn’t get more burn. He’s young. He’s long, skilled, and he can cause a lot of other small forwards havoc on the defensive end. I would play him at small forward and start him after a few game reps. With the team we have now, my lineup would be the following:
1st String:
1) White
2) Derozan
3) Semanic
4) Aldridge
5) Poetl
2nd String:
1) Murray
2) Mills
3) Johnson
4) Gay
5) Lyles
We could use Mills’ & Johnson’s energy off the bench.
Last edited by ceddy21; 02-03-2021 at 09:37 PM.
I wouldn't start him and I would play him at the 4....but I would play him.... I'd trade a couple vets and play him in with the other kids and use this season to find out what we really have.
that is what I got out of the comments also
I guess you gotta start somewhere.
When did he get any chance or opportunities for his second year in the league to be his "last" chance?
I agree that he needs to show more soon especially if they draft someone else at his position, but writing him off completely after 1 season is shortsighted.
I'd give him until the end of his rookie deal (if he remains with the team) to give up on him or not.
Right, he was considered a two year project and will have at least until the end of his rookie deal to show something. Things could always change if they draft a better prospect at his position, but he could still get a chance if both Lyles and Gay leave town.
Last edited by J_Paco; 02-04-2021 at 12:56 AM.
I agree with finding out what we have. Right now, the front court of Aldridge, Poetl, & Gay just seem slow to me. We need some youth & athleticism in at least 1 of those spots.
I'm writing him after two seasons, not one. He's going down the Metu path. Metu didn't play many minutes before his time was decided either. If he isn't showing anything special in the g league, it's done. Maybe I'll extend it to next pre-season, but if it'll be pretty sad if he can't improve upon his play in the g league last year. I'll be watching the g league games for him.
Chimezie's situation wasn't alike at all. He was a 3 year college player, 2nd round pick that was a "low risk - low reward" type.
Luka was considered a 2 - year project, has only gotten through his first "full" season (not sure where you're getting two from with no Summer League & a truncated off-season) & is a "high risk - high reward" player.
Again, they could move on if they acquire a better PF/C prospect this summer, but they'll most likely give him until the end of his rookie deal to show something.
And it makes even less sense to "give up" on prospects early on during a time when COVID is dramatically altering training schedules & development timelines. Especially for a team that is currently replenishing it's depleted talent pool and heading towards a full - on rebuild.
Give the kid 2 more years AFTER this show of a season and then we'll know if we have our SF or not. That means we should exercise our option after next year. No reason not to.
Might I remind you that you wrote off Dejounte, and were THE single loudest anti Vassell pre draft voice on the forum?
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