And Kyle Anderson was projected higher, and fell due to athleticism red flags. The Spurs picked him, too.I agree, I just wanted to turn the thread into another Matt Bonner bash thread
But the spot Dejuan Blair was drafted at comes with a caveat: the guy was projected to be a top lottery draft pick until the red flags showed up about him having no ACLs. I think he would've gone no later than 15th without those red flags
The fact is, the Spurs have a better idea about what will and won't project as an NBA skill in players than probably any other team, and they've leveraged that in the late first and second rounds, and on the waiver wire to unprecedented levels.
They were never able to replicate it because the NBA was constantly changing the rules so offense was better. After that year, they outlawed hand checking, effectively ending Mario Ellie's career. That team couldn't replicate that performance now, even if you went back to 1999 in a time machine and brought them forward.
Although I have not a fan of the slurs on ST, I am feeling a bit conflicted with its use here. Thanks DJB for making me question my convictions.
This. ^ Pop being a good coach changed with the wind. Constructed an offensive team over time. Another thing I think we see that is being taught firmly is the verticality defense. Since they won't let Pop play defense like we used to, he is coaching what is allowed. While it isn't fancy or aggressive, it doesn't draw the attention of the refs. You see our seven footers make that vertical wall pretty religiously and just force the opponent to make as contested a shot as possible, hopefully having to alter it, but staying within their space. Just a fundamental change in what is allowed, so they take advantage of what little scraps are left on defense.
I can't argue your criticisms of DJB, but he gave Dallas more than Ayres gave us. So, I think he could have still been serviceable on The Spurs. But, he may have needed to get let go to give him some motivation to play that well after he left. If we kept him, he maybe isn't as good a player for us as he was for Dallas. Not that he was horrible, here, but he was never going to be more than a role player going forward and that was festering in him.
I was going to bring up that counter-point, as well, last night. Glad to see it made, and, cd021's points, too. It was late. But, the reason a person fell in the draft really doesn't matter. Every team before The Spurs still had an earlier opportunity and failed to take advantage of it.
I went back and made a quick look and at least five players selected before DJB are out of the league already, or never made it in, and at least a few more have more diminished roles comparatively, or some would argue on the bubble of being out of the league, Austin Daye being a bubble boy from that draft, depending upon his season this year, maybe, and Danny Green could be out if not plucked from the flames by Pop. I would have thought it more, but that draft class is still young. Even so, with a cursory look, conservatively, at least 5-8 teams did worse with better positions.
I just went and watched the D/X 'Evolution of Kawhi Leonard' video, and man, he's come a long way in our system. Hoping for something like that from Kyle, too.
I hope he does well too. I hope he can adjust with not having the ball in his hands so much. I wonder if he could gel with the second team with Manu and Splitter etc? That setup seems to be more fitting for his style.
Agreed. Let him get some run with Diaw and the M&M Bros. Passing that just won't quit!
Did San Antonio Spurs Find Another Late-Round Gem in Kyle Anderson?
by Matt Graber 9h ago
http://airalamo.com/2014/08/25/spurs...kyle-anderson/
UCLA’s Kyle Anderson was one of the most divisive players of the 2014 NBA Draft. One one hand, his passing, size and positional versatility made him one of the most uniquely talented players in college basketball. The sop re put up monster numbers (14.9 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.8 SPG, 48% 3FG) and was a consistent triple-double threat while leading the Bruins to the Sweet 16 of the 2014 NCAA Tournament. On the other hand, scouts criticized the 6’9″, 230 lb. Anderson for his high body fat percentage, lack of athleticism, and deliberate pace. The consensus was that Anderson, while skilled, lacked the athleticism, speed and man-to-man defensive ability to be a star, or even a starting NBA point guard. However, it was apparent that Anderson could make an impact if he landed on the right team.
Fortunately for Anderson, he landed on the right team. The San Antonio Spurs Spurs selecting Anderson with the 30th overall pick was a match made in heaven. The Spurs have a history of taking unconventional or overlooked talents and turning them into useful role players. Boris Diaw, arguably Anderson’s closest NBA player comp, was stagnating with the Charlotte Bobcats until the Spurs turned him into a pivotal role player who helped them win the 2014 Finals with his play as a point forward. Anderson could easily play a similar role in the Spurs offense.
Anderson doesn’t have the speed or athleticism to thrive as a primary ball handler in a fast-paced, run-and-gun offense. But he could thrive as a cog in the Spurs’ methodical system based on movement, passing and teamwork. Anderson won’t have to handle the ball in isolation or as a point guard but will have ample opportunities to use his size and passing to create mismatches and find open teammates. His improved mid-range jumper and ability to shoot from beyond the arc can also give the Spurs yet another weapon from outside. And while Anderson still projects as a sub-par defender overall, his athletic weakness can be masked by the Spurs’ defensive system, and his length and anticipation can lead to defensive rebounds and steals.
For further evidence of Anderson’s fit, one merely has to look at the Spurs’ recent draft history. Since taking Tim Duncan first overall in 1997, the Spurs have never picked higher than 24th overall, yet they’ve managed to find late round gems such as Tony Parker (28th overall) and Manu Ginobili (57th), as well as solid NBA players such as Tiago Splitter, George Hill, DeJuan Blair, Luis Scola, John Salmons, Leandro Barbosa, and Beno Udrih. They excel at finding players that fit their system and have a knack for recognizing players that have what it takes to stay in the league.
Anderson has a great shot to join that list. He won’t be a star, but his passing and basketball IQ can shine through on the Spurs. He also has the luxury of learning from the best coach in the league in Gregg Popovich, with three great leaders in Duncan, Parker and Ginobili and a fellow point forward in Diaw who can serve as a mentor. Anderson going to the Spurs is an example of a player landing in the perfect situation, and if he pans out he may become one of the 2014 draft’s biggest steals.
If they're going to have Barbosa on that list they might as well have Dragić as well (too bad the Spurs didn't keep him).
And Salmons, too.
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