The Official Prospects Watch Thread

[Mr. Body]

Bokolo is usually projected in the 2nd round. Draft Express has him in the late 2nd.

[Bruno]

I think the main advantage of bringing Mahinmi over next year, even if he isn't "ready", is that the Spurs FO will be able to monitor his progress more closely. Right now I know nothing about what he's been doing, that's why I love this thread. Here's what I want to know:

1. Has he put on "good" weight? All the pre-draft scouting reports, and those from the summer league, say this kid's biggest weakness was his inability to hold post positions or finish around the basket because of how skinny he was (some say 6'10, 210?). The scouts seemed to indicate that he had the ability to put on weight, but I was wondering if there had been any results. Update?

2. If the Spurs bring him over next year, does his guaranteed contract take effect then, or is the meter already running?

3. Are his fouls due to agressiveness (a positive trait), or because he tries to overcompensate for his lack of size by using his athleticism to make plays (mis-timed shot block attempts, on-the-ball steal attempts, etc.)?

4. His biggest strength listed in reports was rebounding (b/c of the athleticism). How's he doing with that? A per 40 number?

5. Has his 12/15 ft shot improved? Is he taking those shots? If not, how is he getting his points in limited minutes?

I know those are tough questions to answer for anyone not monitoring his play or watching tape of his game, which leads me to my point.

I haven't watched him a lot (maybe 2 or 3 times) but I will try to answer at your questions.

1. You can judge by yourself by looking at these pictures (taken two days ago, Mahinmi is number 14 with a white jersey) :
http://www.elan-bearnais.fr/cal/0607...07482A%7E1.JPG
http://www.elan-bearnais.fr/cal/0607...074867%7E1.JPG

2. His guaranteed contract will only start when he will sign with Spurs. The meter isn't runing this year.

3. Agressivness, lack of experience (a lot of silly fouls) and poor refs (refs sucks in french league).

4. Euroleague : 12 rbds/40min
French league : 10 rbds/40min

5. I haven't seen him taking 12/15 ft shot. Put backs, transition and basic post moves are how he scored in the games I've watched.

As ignorant as I am on this guy, I wonder how much smarter the Spurs staff are. That's why I'm a proponent of getting this kid stateside so we can 'no kidding' monitor his progress.

Do you realize that :

- Spurs have tapes for all Mahinmi games. Euroleague games are on TV, some french league games too and I'm quite sure they have tapes for french leagues games that aren't on TV.

- Pau's coach is close to Spurs and works for them every summer duting summer leagues. He can do some reports about Mahinmi for them. If Pau ahs signed a palyer like Melvin Sanders, it's because Pau's coach is very close to SA.

- Pau's physical trainer for this year is a member of Spurs' staff and is paid by SA. Spurs knows perfectly how Mahinmi is improving his body strenght.

[Bruno]

Bokolo is usually projected in the 2nd round. Draft Express has him in the late 2nd.

And I don't thin he would go really higher. he ahs still big weakness in his games : he is a poor scorer (bad jumpshot and layups) and his playmakings skill are very basic.

[AFBlue]

I haven't watched him a lot (maybe 2 or 3 times) but I will try to answer at your questions.

1. You can judge by yourself by looking at these pictures (taken two days ago, Mahinmi is number 14 with a white jersey) :
http://www.elan-bearnais.fr/cal/0607...07482A%7E1.JPG
http://www.elan-bearnais.fr/cal/0607...074867%7E1.JPG

2. His guaranteed contract will only start when he will sign with Spurs. The meter isn't runing this year.

3. Agressivness, lack of experience (a lot of silly fouls) and poor refs (refs sucks in french league).

4. Euroleague : 12 rbds/40min
French league : 10 rbds/40min

5. I haven't seen him taking 12/15 ft shot. Put backs, transition and basic post moves are how he scored in the games I've watched.

Hey, thanks for all the info and the quick response.

I'm put at ease about the contract situation, because it means the Spurs can take their time with bringing him overseas. Liked what I saw of the pictures and what you said of his agressiveness/rebounding.

Do you realize that :

- Spurs have tapes for all Mahinmi games. Euroleague games are on TV, some french league games too and I'm quite sure they have tapes for french leagues games that aren't on TV.

- Pau's coach is close to Spurs and works for them every summer duting summer leagues. He can do some reports about Mahinmi for them. If Pau ahs signed a palyer like Melvin Sanders, it's because Pau's coach is very close to SA.

- Pau's physical trainer for this year is a member of Spurs' staff and is paid by SA. Spurs knows perfectly how Mahinmi is improving his body strenght.

Actually I didn't know all that, so thanks again. I consider myself much less ignorant and much more at ease with the Mahinmi Project's development.

[JPB]

Agree on Bokolo (i wasnt' really serious on him backing up Tony)

It's hard to really judge how Mahinmi would do in the NBA from what you see in his games so far. he has real foul problems anyway.

But I don't see him joigning Spurs next year. Too soon.

[mountainballer]

Bokolo is the most proven since he was in Japan, last World champs, and showed very promising things. Would make a nice TP back up (similar games, T mentoring him) but would be drafted to high IMO.

no way. first of all his size will hurt him. DraftExpress has listed him 6-4, this is just wrong.
he is 6-2 and since he is one of this many SGs with PG size, this will not impress any NBA team. if he can show improvement playing the point, he might rise to mid of 2nd round. however, he will be in the reach of the Spurs 2nd rounders.
right now he doesn't impress much in the French league, in the Euroleague he looks a bit better, but far from making scouts rave about him.
given the fact, that he will be already 22 on draft day (so his upside will be questioned) I really can't see him anywhere else than in the second round. so he definitly is an option for the Spurs, but hopefully they won't use the first rounder on him.

[Bruno]

Agree on Bokolo (i wasnt' really serious on him backing up Tony)

I think Bokolo can maybe be a good backup PG in nba (in the Marcus Banks mold).

I will really like if Spurs draft him with a second round pick and work with him and his shooting and playmaking skills during his rookie year. He could become a good backup PG for Spurs in 08-09.

[Mr. Body]

I'd be more interested in a Mustafa Shakur or even a Javaris Crittendon, should he go out. Shakur could drop into the 2nd round and I'd be surprised if he couldn't pan out as at least a back-up point in this league.

[AFBlue]

I'd be more interested in a Mustafa Shakur or even a Javaris Crittendon, should he go out. Shakur could drop into the 2nd round and I'd be surprised if he couldn't pan out as at least a back-up point in this league.

How about another European PG!?!

Mantas Kalnietis, Lithuania

Goran Dragic, Slovenia

[Mr. Body]

Specifically NOT a European PG. I'm all about American players nowadays.

[pad300]

How about another European PG!?!

Mantas Kalnietis, Lithuania

Goran Dragic, Slovenia

Anton Ponkrashov, Russia - he is likely better than either of them. He might well be available in the 2nd, possibly deep.

[JPB]

I think Bokolo can maybe be a good backup PG in nba (in the Marcus Banks mold).

I will really like if Spurs draft him with a second round pick and work with him and his shooting and playmaking skills during his rookie year. He could become a good backup PG for Spurs in 08-09.

Ok, so I was serious

Seriously you're right, he does need to work on his shoot and finishing and I don't know if spurs have the time to wait. Maybe as a third PG the first year...
Anyway he has speed, slashing and athletics (remember that dunk against Argentinia ?).

[picnroll]

1. You can judge by yourself by looking at these pictures (taken two days ago, Mahinmi is number 14 with a white jersey) :
http://www.elan-bearnais.fr/cal/0607...07482A%7E1.JPG
http://www.elan-bearnais.fr/cal/0607...074867%7E1.JPG

- Pau's physical trainer for this year is a member of Spurs' staff and is paid by SA. Spurs knows perfectly how Mahinmi is improving his body strenght.

I see the pictures. Question is can he hold position any better, either in low post on offense or for rebounding. In SL he was getting knocked around with ease.

[wildbill2u]

Sounds like all the great Euro prospects we have, with the exception of Scola, are panning out so well in reality. Remember all those threads last summer about how Javtokas was the saviour du jour?

These guys were drafted so the Spurs wouldn't have to pay out any first round money. They were, and are, way out possibilities that haven't cost us anything other than a missing draft pick for a US player who might not have made the team anyway.

[JPB]

I see the pictures. Question is can he hold position any better, either in low post on offense or for rebounding. In SL he was getting knocked around with ease.

He still needs to work on his position (PF) basis. He has natural skills but has to work on all the big men fundamentals.

Basically, he's still fresh.

[AFBlue]

Anton Ponkrashov, Russia - he is likely better than either of them. He might well be available in the 2nd, possibly deep.

Ponkrashov is huge, likely in the Marko Jaric mold. He may be an adept passer and decent ballhandler, but getting regular minutes at the backup PG spot? I dunno.

BTW, I was being sarcastic about adding another foreign PG.

[Mr. Body]

BTW, I was being sarcastic about adding another foreign PG.

Cool.

Maybe we can convince BufordPop that Mustafa Shakur is from a foreign place!

[AFBlue]

Cool.

Maybe we can convince BufordPop that Mustafa Shakur is from a foreign place!

Or Mario Chalmers....there was this italian guy from a video game with the same first name.

Mario...could even be from Argentina, and you know how Pop and RC are about those Argentines!

[itzsoweezee]

no more euros and no more projects

[Kori Ellis]

no more euros and no more projects

So they should draft veterans?

[itzsoweezee]

So they should draft veterans?

no, just american college players. ie, players that can contribute right away. no more of this farm system BS that's left the spurs old and out of step.

[Kori Ellis]

no, just american college players. ie, players that can contribute right away. no more of this farm system BS that's left the spurs old and out of step.

American college players will still be projects at the end of the first round. But I get your point.

[AFBlue]

So they should draft veterans?

Maybe a three/four yr college guy with good skills, but not crazy upside. A couple years ago that player was Josh Howard.

In '07 I think it's possible that a guy like Jeff Green, 6'8 225lb combo forward (Georgetown), falls to the later part of the first round because he doesn't have crazy upside and isn't the score-first flashy superstar. He's a good all-around player and contributes without dominating the ball.

Maybe he falls and maybe he doesn't, but the point is that decent players seemably w/o much "upside" fall in the draft. The Spurs have 3 or 4 picks in the '07 draft and I hope that at least ONE is like Jeff Green....or is Jeff Green.

[Mr. Body]

I like the thinking. It will be a big-man heavy draft so most teams will look to collect theirs there. Plus teams usually are going for 'upside' or, as Hubie Brown might put it, 'upside potential' (which is I guess the potential to someday have upside). There may be some seniors dropping to the latter part of the draft and into the second round who will be worth a look, and then some guys who declared early but are getting boxed out by some of their peers. Jeff Green would absolutely be the type of guy to help the Spurs.

Second round I'd like to look for senior point guards, undersized big men, undersized scorers with ability, and so on, with foreign players being last on the list. So make it Mustafa Shakur, Mario Boggan, Demetrius Nichols, and then finally a dude like Ponkrashov.

[itzsoweezee]

American college players will still be projects at the end of the first round.

Paul Milsap, Leon Powe, Jordan Farmar, Alexander Johnson suggest otherwise. not polished, but they're able to contribute right away.