Spurs draft to world beat again with Mahinmi

[caspian]

Good gravy!

[Nbadan]

Presti is 28 years old. Five years ago he was an intern for the Spurs making $250 per week. Now he's director of Player Personnel and right hand man to RC. He was the one who brought the tape of Tony Parker to RC and Pop and made them seriously look at him. He played a huge part in the Spurs drafting Scola, Beno and just about every once else in the last few years. He's touted as Scouting Genius and digs up players from all over the world. Some people refer to him as the "NBA's Indiana Jones" because he'll go to any length and into any situation to scout/recruit players.

I've been impressed with Presti's overall record for spotting talent, but he has had some misses in recent years that seemed to be pretty cut-and-dry potential in my days of scouting for the Spurs Dominion. Taking bigs in the draft is always a risk, even those that already have a rep coming into the league.

[timvp]

Wasn't all that impressed with the clip, hopefully the kid grows & develops like Manu, TP & Scola have overseas.

Well considering you've called it a wasted pick twice on the forum, you couldn't have liked the video.

I'm not saying it's the best dunk ever but it's at least impressive.

[timvp]

I've been impressed with Presti's overall record for spotting talent, but he has had some misses in recent years that seemed to be pretty cut-and-dry potential in my days of scouting for the Spurs Dominion. Taking bigs in the draft is always a risk, even those that already have a rep coming into the league.

Sato was a miss but that was a Lance Blanks pick. There haven't been many other misses.

[baseline bum]

I'm happy the Spurs got their man. I felt the same in 2001. I knew Parker was their man. Of course, I had my doubts about a French point guard, especially one so small, but I felt good knowing they got the guy I kept hearing so much about them wanting in the days leading up to the draft.

[baseline bum]

Was Presti the one responsible for the Ferry for Turkoglu trade in the 3-way with Sacramento? Even though Hedo was a bust in the playoffs, that was still an incredible steal ofr a guy who retired anyways.

[timvp]

Was Presti the one responsible for the Ferry for Turkoglu trade in the 3-way with Sacramento? Even though Hedo was a bust in the playoffs, that was still an incredible steal ofr a guy who retired anyways.

Yes Presti was one the one who came up with the trade.

[AI-square]

What would impress you? Dunking over the backboard?

That wouldn't impress the guys in the A&E department at the hospital.

It's like, before Game 7 everyone was saying how Duncan wasn't aggressive enough. If Mahinmi can bring that type of aggression, strength and athleticism with him into the NBA, the Spurs are going to be a frightening prospect.

[timvp]

Looks like he'd be a good candidate for the opening jump ball.

[baseline bum]

How much do they pay this guy? For the success he's had I'm hoping it's a very high 6-figure salary or we're gonna lose him.

[AI-square]

Looks like he'd be a good candidate for the opening jump ball.

This guy is a freak!!!

[polandprzem]

If he has got a guarantee contract with the spurs how can he play in Europe?

[Nbadan]

Sato was a miss but that was a Lance Blanks pick. There haven't been many other misses.

I don't know. I think going with a league rookie as your primary back-up PG is really risky, even though Beno had a well-established rep in the foreign leagues coming in, were it not for Barry and Manu stepping up to bring the ball up the court in the playoffs, this move almost came back to haunt the Spurs. I would have liked it if the Spurs had shown Speedy Claxton a little love when they had the chance, but that's all water under the bridge now.

[Kori Ellis]

I don't know. I think going with a league rookie as your primary back-up PG is really risky, even though Beno had a well-established rep in the foreign leagues coming in, were it not for Barry and Manu stepping up to bring the ball up the court in the playoffs, this move almost came back to haunt the Spurs. I would have liked it if the Spurs had shown Speedy Claxton a little love when they had the chance, but that's all water under the bridge now.

Beno didn't have that good of a rep. He was touted as injury-prone and every report on him before he was drafted said he had trouble with the press. So expecting him to be able to play well against guys like Billups and Hunter was definitely overestimating him at this point in his career.

It's okay that the Spurs had to play Barry and Manu at some backup point. When Barry came here it was always the plan for him to get minutes at the backup point. But Beno played much better than expected in the beginning of the season, so we didn't see a lot of that in the regular season.

As for Speedy -- you are right, it's water under the bridge -- he wanted an opportunity to start.

[Nbadan]

As for Speedy -- you are right, it's water under the bridge -- he wanted an opportunity to start.

By a well-established rep I meant that the Spurs knew what they were getting in Beno coming in, not that his game was flawless. Sorry for the confusion.

Claxton meanwhile had limited success starting for GS, but maybe now he will finally get his chance to start full-time with the Hornets - that's if he can stay healthy for a whole season. Would have loved to hang onto him for at least one more season though, which the Spurs had every opportunity to do. All they had to do was pick up a lousy million dollar per option if I remember correctly.

[caspian]

It's okay that the Spurs had to play Barry and Manu at some backup point. When Barry came here it was always the plan for him to get minutes at the backup point. But Beno played much better than expected in the beginning of the season, so we didn't see a lot of that in the regular season.

I love it when Manu plays point.

[Nbadan]

I love it when Manu plays point.

Better than Beno, but I'd rather have Manu and fresh legs at SG.

[DesiSpur_21]

Presti is 28 years old. Five years ago he was an intern for the Spurs making $250 per week. Now he's director of Player Personnel and right hand man to RC. He was the one who brought the tape of Tony Parker to RC and Pop and made them seriously look at him. He played a huge part in the Spurs drafting Scola, Beno and just about every once else in the last few years. He's touted as Scouting Genius and digs up players from all over the world. Some people refer to him as the "NBA's Indiana Jones" because he'll go to any length and into any situation to scout/recruit players.

Hey Kori, Can you recommend my name to RC and Pop ? I'm 30 and have a great job but ready to intern under RC (for any asian assignment) ?

[caspian]

Better than Beno, but I'd rather have Manu and fresh legs at SG.

I'd say Manu was fine for Q4 in G7.

[rascal]

Drafting at 28 its smart to take a chance on a player outside the United States. The spurs weren't going to get anyone very good at 28 from the US because all those players have been highly scouted already so take a shot on an unknown project with potential.

[Gino2882]

Ian has extremely thin legs. I think the biggest thing is for him to gain weight and work on a jump shot.

He has no place on this team if he cant hit an open jumper from 16.

[WalterBenitez]

Presti is 28 years old. Five years ago he was an intern for the Spurs making $250 per week. Now he's director of Player Personnel and right hand man to RC. He was the one who brought the tape of Tony Parker to RC and Pop and made them seriously look at him. He played a huge part in the Spurs drafting Scola, Beno and just about every once else in the last few years. He's touted as Scouting Genius and digs up players from all over the world. Some people refer to him as the "NBA's Indiana Jones" because he'll go to any length and into any situation to scout/recruit players.

That guy looks a key member of Spurs organization; only $250 per week, RC should give him a bigger salary!!!

[spurster]

If the Spurs are going to leave Mahinmi in Europe for at least a season or two, then he qualifies as a project. No, that's not a bad thing, but a little surprising for a 1st round pick. I would guess at the following reasons.

1. The Spurs did not think anyone available would help them right away.

2. No one wanted to help the Spurs with any kind of trade up or trade down, having been burned before (Claxton, Nazr).

3. With the new CBA, 1st round picks are only guaranteed 2 years instead of 3. This closes the distance between 1st rounders and 2nd rounders.

4. With no 2nd round picks and no 1st round pick next year (don't know about 2nd round next year), the Spurs wanted to put this pick to good use.

5. The Manu-Scola theory of picks is that if you draft enough international 2nd rounders, letting them develop in Europe, you will probably find a few that are good enough. This year's draft pick follows the same reasoning, though it will cost the Spurs 1st round money this time. But if you average it out over all their 2nd round picks, given the success they've had, it's a reasonable cost.

[Duff McCartney]

Claxton meanwhile had limited success starting for GS, but maybe now he will finally get his chance to start full-time with the Hornets - that's if he can stay healthy for a whole season.

, not with Chris Paul there. He won't start.

[SWC Bonfire]

Ian has extremely thin legs. I think the biggest thing is for him to gain weight and work on a jump shot.

He has no place on this team if he cant hit an open jumper from 16.

The last BB player I knew personally with legs that skinny broke his femur in a game. A very dangerous injury which probably destroyed his future basketball hopes. Hopefully this guy is just so skinny because he's still growing, didn't David grow several inches more when he was at the Academy?