Questions on players whom the Spurs have the rights of.

[samikeyp]

OK, first off...nobody is a bigger Spurs fan than I am, I have followed this team loyally since my first game I ever went to ('74 Spurs-Pacers playoff game) and I want to see them get more les in the future but I have to ask about these players who are Spurs draft picks playing elsewhere.

If they were good enough, wouldn't they be on the roster? I know that sounds simplistic and I am not trying to be snarky but I have to ask that. I understand that with some guys (Scola and now Splitter) its a contract thing. However so many folks are convinced that one or more of these players are the key to more championship glory. I'm just not yet convinced. Guys like Karaluov (Sp?) Sanikidze and Javkotas are talked about as if they are last piece to a le. If its not them, its James Gist or Marcus Williams or, the big one mentioned, Ian Mahinmi. This guy can't stay healthy and when he is, he can't stay in SA.

Are they just raw? Did the FO miss the boat? I know Karaluov and Sanikidze were drafted years ago as was Javkotas (although the accident he had set him back alot). How long should the team be patient before they realize someone just won't cut it? I understand drafting for the future, but how far in the future?

I don't know the international players as well as other so that is why I am posing these questions.

Thanks.

[Ocotillo]

The Big "K" since I don't know how to spell it, I don't think any of us board monkeys have been clamoring for him.

Also, most, all, of what we here is speculation from us here on the board and dribs and drabs from other internet sources. The Spurs front office has not said anything publically about Sandkidze or Javtokas for quite some time so to your point, maybe they have written them off and us die hards yearn to see what they can do because (kind of a grass being greener on the other side of the fence thing) they are a mystery because 99% of us don't get to see them play.

Gist is a recent enough draft pick that it is still viable for him to become some sort of player for the Spurs although I expect him to play most of next season in Austin.

When you get down to it, barring us signing some stud in 2010, these mystery players are our best hope and that is why we hold out hope that they will pan out.

[samikeyp]

The Big "K" since I don't know how to spell it, I don't think any of us board monkeys have been clamoring for him.

Also, most, all, of what we here is speculation from us here on the board and dribs and drabs from other internet sources. The Spurs front office has not said anything publically about Sandkidze or Javtokas for quite some time so to your point, maybe they have written them off and us die hards yearn to see what they can do because (kind of a grass being greener on the other side of the fence thing) they are a mystery because 99% of us don't get to see them play.

Gist is a recent enough draft pick that it is still viable for him to become some sort of player for the Spurs although I expect him to play most of next season in Austin.

When you get down to it, barring us signing some stud in 2010, these mystery players are our best hope and that is why we hold out hope that they will pan out.

Big K...I like it...if he ever plays for the Spurs..that's his nick name.

[whottt]

Karualov, Sanikidze, Scola, Javtokas, Gist were all second round draft picks so if they even look like NBA players at some point it's pretty much a plus.

Ian and Tiago were first round picks so the fact we got nothing for them yet hurts...


Although not as much as giving away a first rounder for KT hurts..or 2 of them for Nazr(at least we got a le out of that one though)

Out of the players you mentioned, Splitter, Scola, Gist, Javtokas, Mahinmi all have servicable NBA skills...Sanikidze is kind of on the bubble...and I don't know about Karualov...I've never seen him play.

But basically the Spurs do a good job of drafting..yeah they miss players here and there, but so does every other team in the NBA.

The bigger problem is actually getting the guys signed and to play in SA...for instance Javtokas is not here as much because of his own doing as any lack of talent...

He took the easy paycheck and PT over the chance at an NBA career.

[DPG21920]

But basically the Spurs do a good job of drafting..yeah they miss players here and there, but so does every other team in the NBA.

The bigger problem is actually getting the guys signed and to play in SA...for instance Javtokas is not here as much because of his own doing as any lack of talent...

He took the easy paycheck and PT over the chance at an NBA career.

There in lies a problem with the strategy that has been somewhat exposed recently. Is it really a good job of drafting if you know these players will take the "easy paycheck" and forgo playing in the NBA?

You have to adjust for this and account for these variables when you draft. Although it was a great strategy at first and it still has its uses, do you think it is a viable option going forward?

[BackHome]

Well Splitter changed the rules on everyone knowing that if you are drafting any player that is very good he will not want to come over unless he is going to be drafted in the top three of the first round. An example is Rubio he can't come over unless he is top three pick if not he will not be able to buy his contract out and make decent money.

So in a way if you a very good European player you either want to be drafted in the top three of the first round or somewhere in the second round where you can get more money.

As far as drafting we get good picks but that is ony part of it we just had bad luck.

Splitter - Getting a huge contract from Tau
Ian - Who knew he was related to the Kandi Man
Jav - Before his accident he could pick off a quarter from the top of the Baketball board.
Scola - .........Don't even need to say anything.......

[Marcus Bryant]

Sanikidze - drafted in mid 2nd round '04. Spurs dealt for his rights. He was 18 then. It's a bit early to write the epitaph for his potential Spurs career. He's had some injury struggles. He performed well when he played summer league ball for the Spurs. Currently playing in Estonia. I think this is the offseason that he will get a real close look and he could have a shot at making the jump. What he also has going for him is that the Spurs will probably be looking for at least one small forward this summer.

Javtokas - he had a shot at coming over a couple years ago. I'm not sure what happened but it looks like it came down to $ and minutes. At this point he may be ready to make the jump as he could at least have a shot at one big money contract. 29 years old though since the Spurs have had his rights for so long it would seem that he's older. Pre-motorcycle accidents the Spurs thought he could be the replacement for DRob. Still pretty athletic. Might be a nice candidate for the LLE.

Mahinmi - definitely a wild card. His game would seem to be tailor made to playing as a bigman along with Parker. This season was definitely set up as the season he could have broken into the rotation. If he pans out and is able to join the rotation from the bench, the Spurs' bigman lineup will look a lot better.

Williams - initial bust (relative since he was a 2nd round pick). He's worked his way back, enough for the Spurs to make room for him on the roster by releasing Hairston (then again, RC is probably trying to find an example for Holt of the payoff from the Toros acquisition).

Gist - he really could be something. Athletic bigman with some kind of J who apparently has done well in Italy this season. I think he has seen some time at the 3.

Hairston - I was surprised the Spurs waived him in favor of Williams. But I think he could very well be back in training camp.

Splitter - I think he will join the Spurs next summer. Scola's success should have removed all doubt about the ability of a Spanish league bigman to make it in the NBA. Since the Spurs won't be limited by the rookie scale next summer, they should be able to sign him and I don't see them dealing his rights, in part because there won't be any Lux Tax monster to compel them to do so.

Karaulov - late 2nd round pick. You win some, you lose some. I think he's currently packing ice in Siberia.

Overall, obviously the Spurs' drafting prowess has created certain expectations for the rest of their draftees. I don't think we will see a superstar emerge from the bunch, but I don't think it unreasonable that we will see a rotation player or two, and at least one starter. At the end of the day, it's a bit much to fault them for not all of their foreign prospects panning out.

[Marcus Bryant]

Lest we forget that the Spurs will have 3 picks in this year's draft (#s 37, 51, & 53).

[Russ]

Much as I like Pop, he seems to quickly tire of big men. Even ones that have contributed to le runs (Rasho, Nazr, Elson).

Even ones that they haven't even tried yet (Javtokas, Scola).

Mahinmi I'll give him.

[rayray2k8]

You think it's possible for the spurs to move up on the draft, especially since the spurs have expiring contracts.
Everyone seems to want to get into the much coveted 2010 sweepstakes, as deep that years free agent pool is, you never know.
How is this years draft looking and is it worth trading up in the draft at all?