Draft Prospect: Luke Babbitt

[SenorSpur]

I actually think he will make more of an immediate impact in the NBA than George will. With Babbitt you know what your going to get. He is a good shooter and he will hustle and work hard. I think George will eventually be the better player, but I believe he has a lot more developing to do than Babbitt.

Right now Babbitt is a better shooter than George and I believe Babbitt will fit better than George because the spurs are desperate for a shooter now. Tim Duncan and company can't wait on players to develop any more the time is now. Both players have weird releases on their shots, but George's definitely needs more work.

That being said I think Henry is better than both and will be a knock down shooter in the league for a long time. He won't be there at pick 20 though. If he slips out of the top ten spurs should be making calls to trade up. I wouldn't mind trading pick 20 and next year's first to move up 6 or seven spots. Maybe you add Malik Hairston if a certain team likes him. If the spurs get Henry he is the type of player that will make the spurs a top 4 contender again assuming splitter comes over.

I'm not sold on other wings like Gordon Hayward and James Anderson. Anderson is more of a penetrator which is getting redundant on the spurs roster right not. And Hayward is not that good of a shooter if you look at the %'s and he needs more developing.

The wild card for the spurs on draft night in my opinion is whether they want to go for a n offensive wing or a defensive wing. Also do you draft a big man if a good one drops that the spurs like. If they prefer defense then they will be looking at Stanley Robinson, Damion James, Kevin Ebanks, Avery Bradley, and Quincy Pondexter. All of these players have major flaws and at least early in their careers will do nothing offensively. All of their games need developing.

If a big man like Udoh or Whiteside slips do you go there? The spurs could really use a young athletic big man that can defend. I think you almost have to go big if splitter stays in europe.

Assuming a big man doesn't drop i think the spurs best route to take for short term success would be to draft one of the shooters. Why i posted this in the Luke Babbitt thread is beyond me.

The problem is the draft if June 24th. The Spurs likely will not know whether they'll be able to get Splitter before then, as the FA period doesn't begin until July 1st.

Agree with your last point. Assuming a big, like Udoh, doesn't fall to them, the Spurs desparately need to draft an athletic SF, who can stroke the 3 and defend. Preferably George, Robinson or Pondexter.

[benefactor]

I actually think he will make more of an immediate impact in the NBA than George will. With Babbitt you know what your going to get. He is a good shooter and he will hustle and work hard. I think George will eventually be the better player, but I believe he has a lot more developing to do than Babbitt.

Right now Babbitt is a better shooter than George and I believe Babbitt will fit better than George because the spurs are desperate for a shooter now. Tim Duncan and company can't wait on players to develop any more the time is now. Both players have weird releases on their shots, but George's definitely needs more work.

That being said I think Henry is better than both and will be a knock down shooter in the league for a long time. He won't be there at pick 20 though. If he slips out of the top ten spurs should be making calls to trade up. I wouldn't mind trading pick 20 and next year's first to move up 6 or seven spots. Maybe you add Malik Hairston if a certain team likes him. If the spurs get Henry he is the type of player that will make the spurs a top 4 contender again assuming splitter comes over.

I'm not sold on other wings like Gordon Hayward and James Anderson. Anderson is more of a penetrator which is getting redundant on the spurs roster right not. And Hayward is not that good of a shooter if you look at the %'s and he needs more developing.

The wild card for the spurs on draft night in my opinion is whether they want to go for a n offensive wing or a defensive wing. Also do you draft a big man if a good one drops that the spurs like. If they prefer defense then they will be looking at Stanley Robinson, Damion James, Kevin Ebanks, Avery Bradley, and Quincy Pondexter. All of these players have major flaws and at least early in their careers will do nothing offensively. All of their games need developing.

If a big man like Udoh or Whiteside slips do you go there? The spurs could really use a young athletic big man that can defend. I think you almost have to go big if splitter stays in europe.

Assuming a big man doesn't drop i think the spurs best route to take for short term success would be to draft one of the shooters. Why i posted this in the Luke Babbitt thread is beyond me.

You should scout players better before you post and pretend you know what you are talking about. I don't even feel like wasting my time pointing out all of the stuff you seem to have just made up.

[scottspurs]

You should scout players better before you post and pretend you know what you are talking about. I don't even feel like wasting my time pointing out all of the stuff you seem to have just made up.

Because you are so wise. I just watch a lot of college basketball. I never proclaimed myself to be an expert and I didn't make anything up. Just my opinion.

So are you a scout or what? You should be GM of the spurs, huh. You shouldn't have posted at all if I'm wasting your time.

[scottspurs]

The problem is the draft if June 24th. The Spurs likely will not know whether they'll be able to get Splitter before then, as the FA period doesn't begin until July 1st.

Agree with your last point. Assuming a big, like Udoh, doesn't fall to them, the Spurs desparately need to draft an athletic SF, who can stroke the 3 and defend. Preferably George, Robinson or Pondexter.

I actually think the spurs can come to terms with splitter before the draft. I'm not sure if they can officially sign him, but I'm sure they can come to some sort of agreement before the draft. If I remember correctly in 2008 the splitter saga was over with by mid-June.

[benefactor]

And Hayward is not that good of a shooter if you look at the %'s and he needs more developing.

If they prefer defense then they will be looking at Stanley Robinson, Damion James, Kevin Ebanks, Avery Bradley, and Quincy Pondexter. All of these players have major flaws and at least early in their careers will do nothing offensively. All of their games need developing.

I just watch a lot of college basketball.

No, you don't.

[scottspurs]

No, you don't.

http://www.gohuskies.com/sports/m-ba..._quincy00.html Yes, that is his name.

So now you know me. I watch more college basketball than I watch NBA. So am I still wasting your time Genius.

[benefactor]

Nevermind. Just forget I said anything.

[mountainballer]

most mocks have updated after the lottery and start to work with team needs. and quite a few see the Spurs currently pick Babbitt. (DX, Hoopshype, nba-draft, ridiculousupside)
not that those mocks ever predicted the right pick in the past. just mention it.

[yavozerb]

most mocks have updated after the lottery and start to work with team needs. and quite a few see the Spurs currently pick Babbitt. (DX, Hoopshype, nba-draft, ridiculousupside)
not that those mocks ever predicted the right pick in the past. just mention it.

This kid has been my #1 choice since the summer began..Hopefully he will be around at #20. Jay bilas has this kid in his top 10, hopefully no one else feels that way

[Blackjack]

Twitter:

Luke Babbitt projects himself as a 3 and stretch four, immediately mentions the Spurs as a good fit for his game.

[Bruno]

Spurs don't need a "stretch four".

[benefactor]

I'd rather have George and leave Babbitt for the Wolves at 23.

[DesignatedT]

This guy has been growing on me. He is very sound offensively. He has a sweet jumper, can handle the ball great for a big guy and has a nice variety of post moves as well. only question mark is his defense. If he doesn't play it then he wont get a shot here to begin with, but definitely an intriguing prospect IMO. could definitely replace Bonner and be a good fit.

[DesignatedT]

[Ditty]

maybe spurs fans can say "lukeeeeeeeeeeeeee" everytime he scores

but rather still have george

[DesignatedT]

maybe spurs fans can say "lukeeeeeeeeeeeeee" everytime he scores

but rather still have george

and if george is gone..?

[Blackjack]

It's actually becoming disturbing that these type of players automatically assume and profess they'd be a great fit for the Spurs without being prompted. I mean, I liked hearing Dudley openly campaign for the Spurs to draft him, as I really liked him and he's proven to be a nice player, but this is getting ridiculous.

This is almost reaching the whiteness standard for Indiana: "I'm white ... surely the Pacers will have me!"

[SenorSpur]

This guy has been growing on me. He is very sound offensively. He has a sweet jumper, cant handle the ball great for a big guy and has a nice variety of post moves as well. only question mark is his defense. If he doesn't play it then he wont get a shot here to begin with, but definitely an intriguing prospect IMO. could definitely replace Bonner and be a good fit.

From reading the scouting reports on him, it doesn't appear that he has the ability or quickness to guard 3's at the NBA level. Seems like he's a liability on the other end.

While the Spurs could certainly use his shooting ability, they don't need another poor defender on the squad.

We'll see how he grades out at the combine.

[SenorSpur]

It's actually becoming disturbing that these type of players automatically assume and profess they'd be a great fit for the Spurs without being prompted. I mean, I liked hearing Dudley openly campaign for the Spurs to draft him, as I really liked him and he's proven to be a nice player, but this is getting ridiculous.

This is almost reaching the whiteness standard for Indiana: "I'm white ... surely the Pacers will have me!"

...don't forget the Utah Jazz.

[Blackjack]

I was going to throw them in there but they've done pretty well with guys like Millsap, Matthews and others recently; though they've yet to earn eradication of the stigma.

Indiana just takes "white" to another level these days.

[kbrury]

From reading the scouting reports on him, it doesn't appear that he has the ability or quickness to guard 3's at the NBA level. Seems like he's a liability on the other end.

While the Spurs could certainly use his shooting ability, they don't need another poor defender on the squad.

We'll see how he grades out at the combine.

Well seems like most of the wing prospects in our range except Pondexter seem to be a liability on the defensive end. Even Robinson who can be brilliant defensively loses focus too often according to reports.

[yavozerb]

Well seems like most of the wing prospects in our range except Pondexter seem to be a liability on the defensive end. Even Robinson who can be brilliant defensively loses focus too often according to reports.

At #20 there are going to be some liabilities with each player still on the board or else they would go early. Lets not forget that all because this is the best draft position in years for the spurs there are still 19 picks ahead of them and only 10 to follow. I prefer player who is stronger offensively(3 pt shooting) than defense at this point cause it seems to be the weakest part of the spurs team, thats just my opinion.

[Gino2882]

I will admit I have not seen this guy play but from looking at the videos I really like his game. He could definitely fill a role on the Spurs, but I don't see him being able to defend if he is playing as the stretch 4.

He is a very smooth player, excellent jab steps and fakes, and can score in bunches.

[dbestpro]

As peviously mentioned most of the SF candidates have defensive problems. That can be corrected. While most look to Babbitt for shooting, it is his motor that could help him compensate for his current lack of defense.

[Blackjack]

Luke Babbitt

What position do you see yourself playing in the NBA? Are you a three or a stretch four?

Well, I feel like I can do both. I feel whatever a team’s philosophy is … there are all different types of styles, from the Phoenix Suns to the San Antonio Spurs to all kinds of different styles in the NBA and I feel like I fit in well with a lot of different styles, whether it’s at the three or the four. You see players like me being successful.

What do you think people have overlooked about you, when it comes to how you play the game of basketball?

I feel like I can make players around me better. In the NBA, you got to have guys that can stretch the floor and I can do that. Also, just distribute the ball and make plays for other people as well as myself. I think in college I was known to be just a scorer but I’d like to be known more as a creator. Not just for myself, but for other people too.

With your skill-set, what are you trying to work on right now?

Well, I’m just trying to work on all aspects but defensively, everyone has to improve and that’s an area where I want to work on. Being more of a prototypical [small forward], knowing all the nuances because the NBA is completely different from college. More spacing and what not, more wide open game. In college, it’s just clustered with all the double and triple teams so it’s a completely different game so I decided to learn all that stuff

Could you talk about the subtle differences between being a small forward and being a power forward?

It’s different for every team. A stretch four is on the perimeter a lot, like a Rashard Lewis or a Channing Frye. Those guys are facing the basket pretty much all the time but you’re guarding a four in the NBA and I’d say you’re facing the basket more. A three probably handles the ball a bit more and is asked run the lanes wide and make more plays and create.