2009 Draft Prospect: Sam Young

[Blackjack]

Hairston, Young and Manu are all the same size.

The difference between Young and Hairston's height is basically the same as Bowen to Udoka.

Young definitely has an NBA-ready body that's, while not quite as ridiculous as Artest, is more along those lines, and Hairston is built more along the lines of a Barkley or Wells in that: their round, sneaky explosive, and overall bulls.

They do bring a lot of the same attributes to the table, but they do come in a little bit of a different package, with a different way of going about it.

If Bowen and Udoka can co-exist in a 8 or 9-man rotation, there's no reason to think that they couldn't do the same. Especially when you consider that only one would probably get the opportunity to crack the rotation next year, while the other sits in street clothes.(Not that any of this matters, because the Spurs don't have, and most likely won't have, a first-round pick)

[Obstructed_View]

The difference between Young and Hairston's height is basically the same as Bowen to Udoka.

Young definitely has an NBA-ready body that's, while not quite as ridiculous as Artest, is more along those lines, and Hairston is built more along the lines of a Barkley or Wells in that: their round, sneaky explosive, and overall bulls.

Unless I'm hugely mistaken, Bowen is much taller and much longer than Udoka. Hairston and Young are probably as close to exactly the same in both height and wingspan as it gets.

They do bring a lot of the same attributes to the table, but they do come in a little bit of a different package, with a different way of going about it.

If Bowen and Udoka can co-exist in a 8 or 9-man rotation, there's no reason to think that they couldn't do the same. Especially when you consider that only one would probably get the opportunity to crack the rotation next year, while the other sits in street clothes.(Not that any of this matters, because the Spurs don't have, and most likely won't have, a first-round pick)

In other words, the Spurs would trade up for a player they already have and just waste one of them away for a year when they could get something they don't already have three or four of on the roster. Hairston's already pretty expendable because he lacks the length to play against the Kevin Durants of the league. Unfortunately, the Spurs need the one thing you can't teach, and Young ain't got it.

[Blackjack]

Unless I'm hugely mistaken, Bowen is much taller and much longer than Udoka. Hairston and Young are probably as close to exactly the same in both height and wingspan as it gets.

Bowen is 6' 7" with long arms and Udoka is 6' 5".

Young is 6' 6" with long arms (possibly close to 6' 7"- we'll see after the workouts) and Hairston is 6' 4.25" with a long arms.

In other words, the Spurs would trade up for a player they already have and just waste one of them away for a year when they could get something they don't already have three or four of on the roster. Hairston's already pretty expendable because he lacks the length to play against the Kevin Durants of the league. Unfortunately, the Spurs need the one thing you can't teach, and Young ain't got it.

First off, you asked how Young could help this team. I was just telling you simply what he brought and how he did differ to Hairston.

Secondly, Hairston isn't a member of the Spurs at the moment. If the Spurs liked Young enough to aquire a pick to draft him, it wouldn't hurt my feelings. Maybe it spells the end of Hairston in S.A., maybe it doesn't, but I do think they could co-exist.

And as for defending the Durant's of the world?

Someone like Gist might be the answer and Young (in the unlikely scenario that he becomes a Spur) would have the stength, athleticism and decent enough length to make him work, but there are no stoppers for players of that caliber.

The Spurs may or may not have Bowen next year but the next two best perimeter defenders they have are Hill (6' 2") and Ginobili.(6' 6")

The Spurs do need some defensive size at the wing, and while Hairston could help, no matter how much I like him, under 6' 5" isn't going to cut it.

Thabo would be ideal, McGuire would be a nice under the radar get for what the Spurs need, but the Spurs probably need someone who's been around and earned the respect of the officials to help out the immediate need.

[Obstructed_View]

Bowen is 6' 7" with long arms and Udoka is 6' 5".

Young is 6' 6" with long arms (possibly close to 6' 7"- we'll see after the workouts) and Hairston is 6' 4.25" with a long arms.

Yeah, I still don't understand the comparison. Everything I've seen lists both of them as 6'6" with long wingspans. I literally couldn't find anything that suggests Hairston is shorter than 6'6", and he's not stocky or short armed, and he certainly doesn't have slow feet or poor jumping ability like Udoka does.

First off, you asked how Young could help this team. I was just telling you simply what he brought and how he did differ to Hairston.

I understand that and do appreciate the effort, but I don't see how he differs from Hairston unless your measurements are accurate, and even then it doesn't seem like enough of an upgrade for a guy that's not any longer than Manu is. Young is a better college player on a better college team, and seems to have a knack for stepping up in big games. He certainly seems to have more upside.

Secondly, Hairston isn't a member of the Spurs at the moment. If the Spurs liked Young enough to aquire a pick to draft him, it wouldn't hurt my feelings. Maybe it spells the end of Hairston in S.A., maybe it doesn't, but I do think they could co-exist.

That's an excellent point, but the Spurs could have Hairston any time they want, and trading up to take such a similar player seems horribly wasteful, considering that he's got the exact same skillset that they didn't appreciate from Hairston. I don't see that there's anyone in the NBA that Young could defend that Hairston couldn't, so if the Spurs are going to trade up, they should be going for someone with more size. That's all I'm saying.

[Blackjack]

Yeah, I still don't understand the comparison. Everything I've seen lists both of them as 6'6" with long wingspans. I literally couldn't find anything that suggests Hairston is shorter than 6'6", and he's not stocky or short armed, and he certainly doesn't have slow feet or poor jumping ability like Udoka does.

Trust me. Hairston isn't 6' 6". Mason's 6' 5" might be generous and Hairston looked to be, at best, the same size. I think DX had him listed as 6' 6" and a lot of others used that, but I think most listed him as 6' 5" coming out of college. I think it was mountainballer (I don't feel like going back in this thread at the moment) who found that he was measured at 6' 4.25" at the pre-draft workouts, by the way.

My comparing Hairston to Young and Udoka to Bowen was strictly in regards to there height. Although, maybe before Udoka's knee problems he could clear the yellow pages.

I understand that and do appreciate the effort, but I don't see how he differs from Hairston unless your measurements are accurate, and even then it doesn't seem like enough of an upgrade for a guy that's not any longer than Manu is. Young is a better college player on a better college team, and seems to have a knack for stepping up in big games. He certainly seems to have more upside.

I'm pretty sure Young is a legit 6' 6", also. I actually thought he was closer to 6' 7" but I guess playing around a bunch of college midgets (at least by NBA-standards) can have that effect. I'll be interested in seeing how he measures.

That's an excellent point, but the Spurs could have Hairston any time they want, and trading up to take such a similar player seems horribly wasteful, considering that he's got the exact same skillset that they didn't appreciate from Hairston. I don't see that there's anyone in the NBA that Young could defend that Hairston couldn't, so if the Spurs are going to trade up, they should be going for someone with more size. That's all I'm saying.

I appreciate where your coming from and don't terribly disagree. I'm not advocating the Spurs move up to pick Young, just saying I like the kid and that he'd be a nice fit with the silver and black.

I do think he'd probably have more consistent success against the better perimeter players in the league, since I do see a significant enough size/length and strength advantage over Hairston, but I could be wrong.

I actually think some of Hairston's on-ball success/highlights (i.e. blocking Prince, James, etc.) was partially due to his ability being underestimated, or them just lacking a scouting report/respect.

Hairston's just so sneaky athletic, with such good timing, that unless you've seen him enough, it's hard to understand the opposition he can pose defensively.

All in all, though, I'm not real confident in the Spurs finding the type of defender they need to contribute right away, through the draft.

Like I said before, you've got to have guys that have already established themselves in the league, to some degree, if you're ever going to have a chance at defending the stars in this league.

Sure, there's always exceptions, but I'd feel much better with a Thabo, Mcguire, etc.-type player in the fold.

[mountainballer]

there are enough differences between Young and Hairston to think both would find different roles with the Spurs, so having both on the roster would still make sense. first off, I also think that Young is abou 1 - 1.5 '' taller than Hairston and I wouldn't be surprised, if his wingspan is about 7''. (he still wouldn't display perfect size for a SF, but good enough)
but the players are quite different. Young is the much better shooter, but Hairston is the better slasher and maybe also the overall more skilled player. I could even see both on the court together. especially in a small ball line up.

[Blackjack]

there are enough differences between Young and Hairston to think both would find different roles with the Spurs, so having both on the roster would still make sense. first off, I also think that Young is abou 1 - 1.5 '' taller than Hairston and I wouldn't be surprised, if his wingspan is about 7''. (he still wouldn't display perfect size for a SF, but good enough)
but the players are quite different. Young is the much better shooter, but Hairston is the better slasher and maybe also the overall more skilled player. I could even see both on the court together. especially in a small ball line up.

They bring a lot of the same good attributes (physical/mental toughness, rebounding, defense) but you're right, there's enough differences in their actual game to think that they could successfully co-exist.

Young has more of a traditional small-forward's game, in that he's not typically going to break down a defense off the dribble to make a play, he's capable of knocking down a shot with his feet set, he possesses a pretty decent post game, and rebounds his position very well.

Hairston has a good 10-15' jumper, has a nice first step that helps with his slashing, plays well off the ball (finding seams, hitting the offensive glass) and passes the ball pretty well because of a good BBIQ.

As for Young not having the ideal height for a small-forward?

Young, depending on the measurements, might actually be quite comparable to Bowen.(6' 6"-6' 7" with a long wingspan) He's a much more physical-type player, so I'm not comparing how they go about defending, but the Spurs have built a championship-caliber program with essentially playing a small-forward, with a 2-guards frame.

[Obstructed_View]

If the Spurs can find a way to get rid of Udoka and Finley, I'd consider Young and Hairston as moderate upgrades with huge upside.

[SenorSpur]

If the Spurs can find a way to get rid of Udoka and Finley, I'd consider Young and Hairston as moderate upgrades with huge upside.

Please God, let it happen.

[Ditty]

i think he can be like a more athletic ron artest IMO

he has the same kind of skills back to basket scoring
bad ball handling skills,three point shot, good defender, young is also a great dunker

would be nice

[Blackjack]

http://www.48minutesof .com/2009/...ith-sam-young/

[HarlemHeat37]

a lot of this will depend on Finley's decision..please Mike, do the right thing..

[loveforthegame]

Are we already setting Finley up as the bad guy should the Spurs not have a successful off season?

[Blackjack]

Height without shoes - 6' 5.25"

Height with shoes - 6' 6.75"

Weight - 223

Wingspan - 6' 10.75"

Standing Reach - 8' 9.5"

[Blackjack]

Height without shoes - 6' 5.25"

Height with shoes - 6' 6.75"

Weight - 223

Wingspan - 6' 10.75"

Standing Reach - 8' 9.5"

For a comparison:

Josh Howard-

Height without shoes - 6' 5.25"

Height with shoes - 6' 6.5"

Weight - 202

Wingspan - 7' 2"

Standing Reach - 8' 9.5"

[Obstructed_View]

Ime is a FA isn't he? So Finley seems to be your only problem.

Yeah, but what a problem it is.

[Steve-O-Matic]

No way Young makes it to 37, but if the Spurs surprise us and buy a pick in the 20's, this is the guy that I hope they do it for.

[loveforthegame]

If we could get the 15th pick and Earl Clark was still on the board that's who I'd be after.

[Steve-O-Matic]

If we could get the 15th pick and Earl Clark was still on the board that's who I'd be after.

Ditto. Young would be a reach at 15, but Clark certainly wouldn't. Young has the higher floor, but Clark has the higher ceiling and that's the type of gamble the Spurs need to take at a spot like that.

[benefactor]

IMHO, any venture we make into the first round is to go after Casspi.

[SenorSpur]

IMHO, any venture we make into the first round is to go after Casspi.

I like Casspi too and certainly hope the Spurs can trade up into the 1st round to nab one or the other. However, isn't Young considered THE better player between the two?

[benefactor]

I like Casspi too and certainly hope the Spurs can trade up into the 1st round to nab one or the other. However, isn't Young considered THE better player between the two?

Right now he probably is. Young is 24yrs old and Casspi isn't even old enough to buy alcohol yet, so that might change in the future. I make the assumption of them taking Casspi because of the Spurs actions regarding him. If they have been following him as closely as some here have indicated, then the only motivation I see them having for moving up is to secure him.

[EricB]

Well the Pistons are shopping their 15th pick and Amir Johnson. The Spurs are probably going to make a run for that pick. The question is at 15 would the Spurs want Sam Young or maybe a big on the board? I would say B.J. Mullins, but that kid doesn't give a damn. It would be Jackie Butler 2.0

When I said 15th pick and Amir, I meant that it will likely be a package deal. The Pistons will move the 2010 contract of Amir Johnson (who the Spurs have shown interest in) and then combine the 15th pick in the trade.

Interesting.

I was told the supposed player to draft up for would be this guy.

I don't see what makes him so damn special.

Cassipi? Yeah that I can swallow.

But nothing about Young makes him standout from other run of the mill small forwards.

[Blackjack]

Pre-draft interview with the Warriors:

http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/200...iew_young.html

[Chieflion]

Well the Pistons are shopping their 15th pick and Amir Johnson. The Spurs are probably going to make a run for that pick. The question is at 15 would the Spurs want Sam Young or maybe a big on the board? I would say B.J. Mullins, but that kid doesn't give a damn. It would be Jackie Butler 2.0

When I said 15th pick and Amir, I meant that it will likely be a package deal. The Pistons will move the 2010 contract of Amir Johnson (who the Spurs have shown interest in) and then combine the 15th pick in the trade.

I would take Amir Johnson since his contract is ok, and the 15th pick for something that is reasonable, so that the Pistons can sign both Gordon and Boozer which seems fair for both teams.