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I think Luka will be fine in a year tbh. Austin's schedule makes it easier for him to work on strength and conditioning.
Man most of the top 5 players in the draft are 18 and will need development to reach their ceiling. It will get worse next year when the age limits changes it is all about potential and maybe getting the next Jordan or Timmy.
I think Luka will be fine in a year tbh. Austin's schedule makes it easier for him to work on strength and conditioning.
I did see Clarke as an uber prospect (perhaps only him and Zion), but the Spurs didn't want to draft a ready-made player at 19. They have a responsibility to draft toward the future when they get a pick that high. They team doesn't need Samanic to be great yet, just like they didn't need Walker last year. In a year or two, it'll be Luka's time to shine, and these same folks who are questioning his selections will be questioning some other prospect who doesn't move the stars as a rookie. Just let them develop these guys.
Also, Luka's been very good for a rookie in the SL. None of Walker, White, Murray, Forbes or Anderson showed this much in their first summer leagues.
I agree. Spurs should gamble on their strengths. That strength is an elite development program. Pick the most talented player you can get at age 19 and develop the out of him. Leonard wasn't 19 but he came out pretty good. Murray was 19, he ended up 2nd team defensive. Walker seems to be performing quite well in SL. Luka and Johnson both 19 have a couple of years to up there game. I like the strategy.
Derrick White is different in that he was overlooked by many teams.
Good thing the Spurs used their 19 on a guy who wasn't gonna go top 40 otherwise.
Yea, cos the Spurs never draft busts. It's in the bag, bro.
With first-round picks? They rarely, rarely do. The only guys they picked who "busted" had career-killing injuries (and James Anderson is actually a good player overseas while Livio is mehish at ASVEL). When you consider guys like Kyle busts, it shows just how good they are.
But nope, I really, really wanted Clarke. I'm pretty sure I said so in this very thread. I'm not all of the sudden saying the Spurs were right in passing by him. I just know they may prove me wrong sooner than I thought or in the very least that Samanic looks to be in good hands.
J Anderson and Livio are two guys that come straight to mind. Some would argue Slo Mo, too. The book isn't out on Multinov yet either. CoJo wasn't a bust; but Spurs passed on J Butler for him.
I do get that the Spurs have drafted above the mean and are currently on a streak of three good firsts before this one; so your faith is well placed if not overstated. I think Keldon has a better chance of being a gem than Samanic, so there's that. But who knows if he'll get his strength and conditioning up and take advantage of some good tools.
I agree that Clarke was the obvious pick at 19.
The problem I have is that the Spurs don't see the high probability of a guy like this being available between 35-45 and make a trade accordingly if they think the potential is that high and he's then available. Teams are often willing to defer 2nds for future 2nds when the guy they wanted is no longer available.
i dno, we really coulda used walker instead of dumping all those minutes at marco
Nope. I mean, if he were a superstar or something, obviously. But Beli played well in the regular season. Definitely happy they took Lonnie over some high-ceiling/low-floor guy.
named summer league mvp
Clarke did all of his damage in SL as a C. As a PF he was respectable but not outstanding. Playing him as a C hides his jump shot. And it's against SL compe ion.
He's got springs, but I still think it's going to take him a while to adapt to the NBA big game. And we still don't know about that jump shot.I'm not saying he isn't a good player, but don't anoint him ROY just yet.
Its funny that article gives a list of other players who were SL MVP's, but doesn't mention that Kyle Anderson was SL MVP. And Tyus Jones was SL MVP. And Glenn Rice Jr. And Josh Selby.
Again - it's not a knock on Clarke. Just saying it's not quite time to anoint him yet.
I think much too much has been made of that one video at San Jose where his jump shot looked extremely awkward. Even high school videos of him show a smoother release than that one. But if the defense, energy, blocks, steals, and touch around the basket remain and he adds even an average jump shot, I think he'll absolutely be a keeper.
i was actually thinking you'd be on the FO regarding clarke, and i still very much read some disappointment from you, in regards to clarke, but i'm surprised that you are backing the saminic pick from the perspective of development and the tools that luka appears to have. your objectivity here is a trait sorely lacking by those who are stubbornly refusing to see your points.
When Brandon Clarke fell to number 19, I thought they should draft him without question. But after seeing Luka in summer league, I think he has a higher ceiling. I still wonder if they should’ve drafted Clarke and waited to see who was still around at 29, but either way the draft is a success.
Yes, if Luka can hit threes and bulk up and get the turnovers under control on his drives, he will be multidimensional. Clark feels like a guy that finishes what others create, but not necessarily a guy that has potential to hit it big, just be solid. Luka could be a star or a wasted pick.
Clarke's a stat stuffer for sure. His highlights are so boring though
Hard to say where his career ends up, but it feels like Pop sees Luka as being complementary to Poetl. Which makes me speculate that Poetl is probably in the long term plan.
Last edited by Dr. John R. Brinkley; 07-16-2019 at 06:36 PM.
clarke seems like a slightly more revved up version of kyle anderson, imho.
Clarke was the safe pick at 19. As others have said, Samanic has a higher potential ceiling. Clarke would be playing right away if we had drafted him. Samanic needs to get stronger and work on some things. I understand the point Clarke advocates make that PATFO should have drafted Clarke instead. To have a real shot at a championship, you need that superstar, a top 5 or 6 player with the right pieces around him. I don't know that any of young three are going to get to a Greek Freak or Nephew level in time, probably not.
So I am agreeing with the front office on the choice between Samanic and Clarke. Clarke was the more sure thing whereas Luka may develop into a really special player. Time will tell.
For the next two or three years though, the Clarke advocates will be telling us how out of touch R.C. is and all that.
Players like Clarke grow on trees. Athletic rim runner, can’t shoot, can block some shots and finish efficiently around the basket. He’ll likely be a solid player, best case scenario Montrezl Harrell Kenneth Faried... which isn’t bad at all.
With Luka you get a player with a much higher ceiling, his skill set is made for today’s game, definitely some star potential there. But he could also be a huge bust and we’ll be wondering a few years from now why we picked him instead of Clarke.
Clarke has looked impressive but he's also older than most of the rookies in this class. He's three and a half years older than Samanic for example. I'm not sure he's right for the current Spurs roster either. He's a win now player and I don't think the Spurs have a win now roster, as currently constructed. They choked against a group of playoff virgins this season, which says a lot about Derozan as a leader and first option. No surprise that PATFO aren't looking to extend him. He's not a winner or someone worth building around. A temporary mercenary who's only here to hold the fort until the youngsters can prove themselves. Derrick White almost did that in the playoffs this season when he took over in games where Derozan disappeared.
I agree, Spurs have to gamble on players that have the potential to take it the next level. Samanic is that kind of player in that he has the height, athleticism and basketball IQ.
I'm not so sure with Keldon Johnson, but for a #29 pick and at 19 years old, I'm satisfied with the pick. I would have liked a bigger player though.
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