Spurs' future draft picks

[ThomasGranger]

Draft Express has the Spurs picking Koponen in the first round.

http://www.draftexpress.com/mymock.php?page=official

Hmmm, a white European PG who does well enough in the workouts to get selected in the late first round. Somehow I don't think the Spurs will go down that road again.

What really spooked me about him was the DX comparisons:

Best Case: Beno Udrih

Worst Case: Teemu Rannikko

[AFBlue]

Ouch....yeah like I said, I dunno about Koponen with the 28th pick, but it wouldn't suprise me.

[Darkwaters]

Ouch....yeah like I said, I dunno about Koponen with the 28th pick, but it wouldn't suprise me.

Just hope to God that Rudy slips to us.

[AFBlue]

Just hope to God that Rudy slips to us.

Just thinking about it...

But I do wonder if the Spurs even have interest, because I haven't seen anything printed and I don't believe he's been in for a workout. Same for Belinelli...

The only one that I like at that spot that has been mentioned in Pruitt....that'd be nice!

[picnroll]

Draft Express has the Spurs picking Koponen in the first round.

http://www.draftexpress.com/mymock.php?page=official

Hmmm, a white European PG who does well enough in the workouts to get selected in the late first round. Somehow I don't think the Spurs will go down that road again.

What really spooked me about him was the DX comparisons:

Best Case: Beno Udrih

Worst Case: Teemu Rannikko

In contrast to Beno who was in the last year of draft eligibilty and had knocks of being soft and of questionable work ethic, Koponen is just 19, was described as setting Stockton type picks and holding his own againts Rose and Mayo who will be at the top of the '08 draft class.

If Spurs have seen him and he has the goods he'd be good to park for a year and bring in with the '08 rebuilding class. Ninety five percent chance anybody that they draft this late is going to have an impact next year regardless.

[AFBlue]

In contrast to Beno who was in the last year of draft eligibilty and had knocks of being soft and of questionable work ethic, Koponen is just 19, was described as setting Stockton type picks and holding his own againts Rose and Mayo who will be at the top of the '08 draft class.

If Spurs have seen him and he has the goods he'd be good to park for a year and bring in with the '08 rebuilding class. Ninety five percent chance anybody that they draft this late is going to have an impact next year regardless.

Not to be contrary, but I think backup PG is actually one area that a rookie could legitimately get time at. Yes, I believe the Spurs will attempt to retain Vaughn for minimal money, and I do expect them to at least entertain the idea that Beno isn't completely useless...but if the Spurs like a PG-type, I expect them to take that player with the intention of using them.

If Gabe Pruitt is the guy at #28, I expect him to vie for legitimate backup minutes.

[AFBlue]

SHOCKER....Hardin takes his name out of draft, says he wants to be Lottery Pick!

Sucks....

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2...ory?id=2908057

Hardin takes name out of NBA draft
By Andy Katz
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: June 18, 2007, 2:55 PM ET


DeVon Hardin wants to be a lottery pick when he leaves for the NBA and because of that Hardin has decided to withdraw from the draft and return to Cal for his senior season, Hardin's father Michael told ESPN.com on Monday.

The news comes on the heels of a San Francisco Chronicle story Sunday that said Hardin will sign with an agent.

Hardin's father told ESPN.com on Monday afternoon that "the report was inaccurate. We have pulled his name out." The deadline to withdraw for the June 28th draft was 5 p.m. ET on Monday.

The decision is a huge boon for Cal, which now has one of the top frontcourt tandems in the West with Hardin and Ryan Anderson for the 2007-08 season.

Hardin had a stress fracture last season played in only 11 games. But his stock was soaring through workouts.

Michael Hardin father said DeVon worked out for New Jersey, New York (in the same workout), Houston, Miami, Washington, Philadelphia, Detroit, Golden State and the L.A. Lakers. Hardin said he paid the expenses for the trip, which allows DeVon to retain his eligibility.

"It was a dent, but it's part of it," Michael said. "It's what you have to do."

Hardin said his son's decision came down to wanting to be a lottery pick next season.

"We thought do that rather than rush in it this year," Hardin said. "That was the main decision in spite of the positive feed back."

Hardin said his son was told that he needs to improve defensively in some areas but that "athletically they thought he was off the charts. This is a kid who wants to play. He doesn't want to be put in the D League. He's got an absolutely great shot at making himself a lottery pick next year."

Hardin immediately becomes one of the premier big men returning to college next season in a league that is loaded up front with Stanford sop re Brook Lopez, UCLA incoming freshman Kevin Love, USC sop re Taj Gibson and Washington's Jon Brockman.

[Mr. Body]

Just hope to God that Rudy slips to us.

Just wondering - are you a fan of Fernandez?

[picnroll]

Not to be contrary, but I think backup PG is actually one area that a rookie could legitimately get time at. Yes, I believe the Spurs will attempt to retain Vaughn for minimal money, and I do expect them to at least entertain the idea that Beno isn't completely useless...but if the Spurs like a PG-type, I expect them to take that player with the intention of using them.

If Gabe Pruitt is the guy at #28, I expect him to vie for legitimate backup minutes.

You can go back 10 years of draft history and find 3 guys taken in the first round after the 24th pick that could get playoff minutes as a PG, Parker, Tinsley and maybe Farmar in desperation. And this is considered a weak year for PGs.

Koponen is staying in so I assume that means someone's given him a first round guarantee.

[AFBlue]

You can go back 10 years of draft history and find 3 guys taken in the first round after the 24th pick that could get playoff minutes as a PG, Parker, Tinsley and maybe Farmar in desperation. And this is considered a weak year for PGs.

Koponen is staying in so I assume that means someone's given him a first round guarantee.

I see your point, but with all due respect, your point has nothing to do with the '07-'08 Spurs...

If the Spurs do re-sign Jacque Vaughn it's inherently understood that he's the in bent backup PG. But Vaughn certainly isn't immune from compe ion, and I wouldn't say he's one of the better backups in the league....he does his job effectively but doesn't provide any "umph".

If Pruitt came in and provided a scoring punch as well as size/energy off the bench, I think Vaughn (who was originally brought in as a third-string type anyways) could get beat out.

Obviously I'm being speculative because there's no telling whether Pruitt is the guy or if Pruitt would even perform that well...but to sugges that there's little chance of it happening based on history doesn't hold water in the present.

[AFBlue]

Just read a report on DX that says the young French PG (Beaubois) pulled his name from the draft....smart, considering he'll likely be in the first-round conversation next year if he keeps improving.

[AFBlue]

Couple more nuggets....

Sean Singletary of Virginia said to be "out"

Jason Smith of Colorado St said to be "in"

[medstudent]

Just saw a youtube video of Belinelli.

That guy looks like a young Bones with a JJ Re stroke.

When was the last time the Spurs had a guard that could come off a pick and shoot a moving J? Pretty much never

I'm getting excited

[medstudent]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNxZ4_O8R8M

[Darkwaters]

Just saw a youtube video of Belinelli.

That guy looks like a young Bones with a JJ Re stroke.

When was the last time the Spurs had a guard that could come off a pick and shoot a moving J? Pretty much never

I'm getting excited

I do have some concerns about him though.

- He is in love with his outside shot and, despite having a very decent slashing game, tends to only shoot outside shots
- He frequently fades away or contorts his body during a shot for no apparent reason...thereby increasing the difficulty of the shot.
- Not very fond of defense.

All of those issues I believe can be "coached out" of the kid, however. And he has a sweet stroke. But hes not ready to contribute just yet.

[medstudent]

- He frequently fades away or contorts his body during a shot for no apparent reason...thereby increasing the difficulty of the shot.

good call.

looks like a bit of a showboat at times also. But it looks like he thrives on adversity which gets a

[JPB]

I think Aaron Miles, who will play in Spurs summer league team, could be that back up PG.
Problem is, Spurs could really figure this out only after the draft even if they have seen him play all year long with Pau in France.

[ChumpDumper]

I think Aaron Miles, who will play in Spurs summer league team, could be that back up PG.
Problem is, Spurs could really figure this out only after the draft even if they have seen him play all year long with Pau in France.

That's part of the reason I think they'll pick that Finnish kid in the first round. Miles could play next year if Beno is moved and Kopponen can stay overseas until we use up all that cap space in 08.

[pad300]

This is an interesting bit by Chad Ford about using a tier system to choose draft picks...

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft...e%3dTierSystem

[Darkwaters]

That's part of the reason I think they'll pick that Finnish kid in the first round. Miles could play next year if Beno is moved and Kopponen can stay overseas until we use up all that cap space in 08.

I still think we have a good shot at Theodoras Papaloukas as well. I think he'd be a great fit with the Spurs if his game will translate to the NBA well. I keep seeing him playing on the floor with Parker playing off the ball and being able to cut and move and not run the offense.

But I really like have Aaron Miles in case that doesn't work out. I think he'd be a great backup if Papaloukas doesn't come to SA and would have no problem taking him.

[wildbill2u]

This is an interesting bit by Chad Ford about using a tier system to choose draft picks...

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft...e%3dTierSystem

You're right and it seems like a very good system--if the scouts guess right on which players to put in which tiers.

[AFBlue]

God I love how everyone slams Billy Knight! He even gets mention in this Ford article. If only the ownership would understand what a complete moron this guy is...

[Bruno]

Jacob Burtschi won't finally work out with Spurs :
http://www.gazette.com/sports/nwaele...l/air_nba.html

Jacob Burtschi, who graduated with Nwaelele and worked out for the Phoenix Suns earlier this month, said he doesn’t have any more NBA tryouts set up.

Jamaal Tatum has worked out with Spurs :
http://media.www.siude.com/media/sto...-2916009.shtml

He attended a pre-draft camp in Orlando, Fl. From May 29-June 4 and since then has been invited for five workouts with the Sacremento Kings, Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors, Neff said.

Spurs interested in Wilson Chandler :
http://www.nypost.com/seven/06192007...arc_berman.htm

According to a person close to Chandler, the Spurs, Bulls, Knicks and Trail Blazers have shown the most interest.

[Bruno]

The deadline for pulling out of the draft was yesterday. Still waiting the official list but it seems that very few international players will stay in the draft.

[ChumpDumper]

on Chandler. Youth, size and athleticism. Raw, but a decent #33 pick.

[mountainballer]

All of those issues I believe can be "coached out" of the kid, however. And he has a sweet stroke. But hes not ready to contribute just yet.

if he is there, when Spurs pick, he will be a steal.
(same goes for Fernandez)
of course he isn't ready to contribute like a veteran and also not like Manu, who was 25 when he came to SA. but he still brings a lot more expirience of pro BB than any college player (Belinelli started playing professional at 17).
so, if he came here this summer, he would be in a very good situation to be able to get used to NBA in the first year and get a more important role, when some of our veterans will retire. I think in his 2nd year he will be able to provide a significant impact.
I have no doubt that he could be a very usefull player in the Spurs system. maybe not a future starter, but for sure he can provide most of what Barry did.