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If at first you don't succeed?
Try, try, lock Pritchard in a closet before the draft, and try again.
http://www.nba.com/2009/news/feature...mall.forwards/
Given that Pop, RC and Lindsey made a stop to Claver's team during their Euro trip, Spurs are likely the NBA team that knows the most about Claver's physical state and his view about the NBA.Best Value: Victor Claver
NBA teams are getting used to a new trend that seems to be emerging -- getting caught in a game of chicken with international prospects. Spain's Victor Claver isn't interested in getting caught in the rigid restrictions of the NBA's rookie scale like fellow ACB league members Rudy Fernandez and Tiago Splitter, so he's simply boycotting the NBA pre-draft process. Claver is refusing to subject himself to private workouts, interviews, or most importantly (especially for a player who is coming off a serious ankle injury) a physical examination in hopes of falling to the second round. If he indeed falls there, he could be one of the best values around, as he's, after all, a 6-foot-10 terrific athlete with nice perimeter skills and a very good feel for the game.
I wouldn't be surprised that Claver is refusing to do all these things because he wants to be drafted by Spurs.
If at first you don't succeed?
Try, try, lock Pritchard in a closet before the draft, and try again.
By the way, I keep seeing his name and my american/english sensibilities have me thinking it's pronounced (Clay-Vur) but since he's Spain's own, would the correct pronunciation be (Claw-Vare?)
Saturday, June 20th, 2009...9:49 am
Draft Prospect: Victor Claver
In early May I promised a series of posts on draft prospects who seemed a good fit for San Antonio. I earmarked 8 players for future posts, 4 of which are now complete. Follow the links to read about Omri Casspi (and here and here), Vladimir Dasic (withdrew), Sergio Llull, and Danny Green (and here). Additionally, Graydon took a stab at Sam Young (and here), who now ranks highly on my personal wish list. I want to pick up on my original list with a post about Victor Claver.
In terms of raw talent, the Spurs will have few chances at a better second round selection than the 6′10” combo forward from Spain. If Claver slips to 37, the Spurs will have to think long and hard about passing him up. Whether or not he lasts to 37 is another question entirely, but Claver recently signed a 3 year deal in Spain and would prefer being drafted in the 2nd round to avoid the rookie scale. The Spurs should have an outside shot at him.
The story on Claver is this: he’s an extremely athletic forward with an excellent 3 point shot and the ability to finish above the rim. Until last December, he was a surefire first round pick. That was until he fractured his left leg. Now teams don’t know what to expect from him, which is compounded with dealing with his buyout in order to secure his services. But the kid is just 21, and all that seems like a risk well worth taking.
Although, he’s listed as a combo forward, I have a hard time imagining him as anything other than a 3. He can score in the post, but he’s more or less a face-up and transition player. Moreover, he lacks the strength to guard the post.
About the time I started these profiles, Gregg Popovich was in Spain visiting his good friend Neven Spahija. In addition to being one of the world’s best coaches and a friend to the Spurs, Spahija is also Claver’s coach. While in Valencia, Popovich conceded that he and his scouts have been impressed with Claver, and it’s fair to say that he is a player they’ve watched closely.
Now of course the unavoidable conclusion to this is not that the Spurs necessarily want to draft Claver. The Spurs probably have 3 times as many players they’re interested in as picks. But as we approach the draft, he’s a player you should be aware of. If the Spurs do select him, we can at least take confidence in the fact that they’ve done their due diligence. And I would still maintain this position even if they move into the first to draft a player like Sam Young, Omri Casspi or Jonas Jerebko. Talent is talent, and sometimes you have to bet on more than one horse in order to win at the races.
A person within the Spurs organization recently told me “we understand that all franchises make some good decisions (Tony Parker), some bad decisions (Jackie Butler) and then need a little luck (Duncan and Ginobili) …” To my mind, drafting a player like Claver cons utes a good decision. But the Spurs will still need that oft-forgotten measure of good luck for the draft to be a success.
Follow the link for a YouTube clip:
http://www.48minutesof .com/2009/...victor-claver/
Do we really want to waste the 37th pick on someone who can't join us now. He looks good, but if he has to wait three years to play for the spurs, duncan will already be retired. Hope I'm wrong and there is a buyout.
The spurs need to take this guy if he is there at #37 without a doubt..To think that any other player at this # would make or break the spurs next season is mistaken. You go with the best talent at this # and at 21 years of age, he would be just that.
Like most picks after the top 10 or so, this will be a difficult decision for Pop & RC. Obviously, they would like immediate help at SF, but the idea of the possibility of Splitter & Claver in the starting line up circa 2010/2011 is a pretty intriguing one too.
Claver has a buyout in his new three years contract. I've read reports saying that it was €400K others that it was €1M.
At #37 top forward college players should be Jeff Pendergraph, Derrick Brown or DeMarre Carroll. Are they that interesting prospects ?
Cluhvair. That is how you say it.
How do you pronounce Bursitis?
" sucker"How do you pronounce Bursitis?
That's How.
I hate it when players abuse negotiations with the Spurs just to jimmy some more money out of whomever they are negotiating with seriously...
Out of those three...Derrick Brown is probably the only one I would take over Claver. Pendergraph and Carroll are both nice prospects for a 37th pick, but Brown has "right now" potential IMO. I do think Claver has a really good chance at being better than about 90% of the SF's in this draft, but I cringe at the thought staring down yet another Euro contract and wondering if he will ever come over.
Don't know about you, but I'll still be rooting for the Spurs after Duncan's retired. Might be nice to have some decent players instead of trying to draft someone that isn't as good who's going to sit on the bench the whole year not contributing anyway.
No "uh" sound in Spanish. Wouldn't it be "Claw-VEHRE"?
No.
It is pronounced Veektor Cluhvair.
Listen at the first few seconds to have the pronunciation of his name:
How do you pronounce Bursitis?
Thanks
I knew 3 yrs. of Spanish 2 couldn't let me down.(Even if it did interfere with my social life)
A's like- Awe
E's like- Egg
I's like- the letter E
Veek-tore Claw-Vare/Vehr (as in Very)
Just a riveting debate, on an extremely hot topic.
I told you the right way dumb ass.Thanks
I knew 3 yrs. of Spanish 2 couldn't let me down.(Even if it did interfere with my social life)
A's like- Awe
E's like- Egg
I's like- the letter E
Veek-tore Claw-Vare/Vehr (as in Very)
Just a riveting debate, on an extremely hot topic.
I haven't found much info about his leg fracture-- was it so severe that it has people worried that his running/leaping abilities will be permanently hampered? If not, why would a simple leg fracture suffered by a 20 year old be such a big deal? If he was a 1st round sure thing last year, I don't think a few games at the end of this season should count for too much, especially if he plainly wasn't 100%. It does look like the opportunity for a steal here, with the combination of the timing of the injury and his reps saying he doesn't want to be picked in the first round due to rookie contract complications. Tough choice. That being said, I still think I'd prefer that the Spurs avoid more euro-contract issues & go for Taj Gibson (a taller Gist type) or defensive specialist Jerebko... that is, if they are unable to move up to the first round.
So if we draft this guy, can he actually play with the spurs this season, or will he have to stay there/will we keep him there? What do you guys think?
Because honestly, I think he's a pretty damn good prospect, especially if it's available at 37
Again, there's no schwa in the Spanish language, so your pronunciation suggestion is not possible.
By the way, I'm sure the Blazers are grateful to the Spurs for doing their legwork for them once again on a draft pick. IOW, no ing way this guy falls to San Antonio.
No. He just played like crap. So of course teams would doubt him.
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