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Think your range is too high, I've seen only late first or second rounds.
Luka Samanic
Country: Croatia
Position: PF
Age: 19
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 227.2
Wingspan: 6-foot-10.5
Draft Range: 15 to 35
Combine Results? Yes
Why: Very, very good athlete. Fast for a big, jumps really well and his natural fluidity is that of a point guard. Quick with the ball -- even most modern-day bigs would find it difficult to stay in front of him. Ball-handling ability as a big is off the charts. Has advanced footwork in the post. Shooting stroke is picture-perfect. Defensively, he's very capable of switching off onto smaller players. Battles for rebounds and is actively shedding his 'soft' label. RC Buford was seen scouting him.
Why Not: While his mechanics are good, he doesn't have much history of actually making three-pointers. So far, most of his scoring potential is more theoretical than anything else. His ball-handling can be wasted because he doesn't have good court vision and isn't always a willing passer. While he has gotten a lot stronger in the last year, he has to keep working at it -- especially because he has a high center of gravity. As it is, he has a hard time holding his ground. Wingspan is underwhelming.
Spurs Fit: His fundamentals on both ends are there so he could battle for NBA minutes as a rookie.
Spurs Comparison - Ceiling: Athletic Hedo Turkoglu
Spurs Comparison - Floor: Davis Bertans without the jumper
Europe Stats
Highlight Video
The Stepien Profile
HoopsHype Profile
Think your range is too high, I've seen only late first or second rounds.
If he’s on the board at 19, you have to take him tbh.
IMO, he's going to be a riser. Too many flawed first round prospects to pass on someone with Samanic's skillset. Plus, he played really well at the combine and his measurements and athleticism all checked out. As it looks right now, for the Spurs to get him they'd have to draft him at 19. Don't think he lasts to 29, especially when teams who prefer a draft-and-stash possibility start getting involved.
That would be a big jump for him. I watched some of the video, and he's bulked up quite a bit in the last year. And he's developed a big ol' neck, so I think he's still going to bulk up more. I don't know about upside, but I think he's got a good shot at seeing floor time sooner rather than later.
I'd like him better at 29, but I agree - so many of the guys they're hyping for the first round look like good second round prospects. He may not be exciting, but he looks like he could be steady if they aren't wanting to roll the dice.
I want him
We still talking about draft. Lol
late first since his name is Luka
Trade up from 29, tbh.
He quit on his current team which is playing in the finals of domestic league, to go to draft combine. Quitter at 19, tbh.
As I posted in other threads, he and his agent are adamant he plays in the NBA next season, so I don't know about stashing, how real option is that.
Otherwise, I've watched him in every game this season since he plays for a team from my hometown and I have mixed feelings about his (currently very, very inconsistent) game.
Interesting tidbits. Thx.He quit on his current team which is playing in the finals of domestic league, to go to draft combine. Quitter at 19, tbh.
As I posted in other threads, he and his agent are adamant he plays in the NBA next season, so I don't know about stashing, how real option is that.
Otherwise, I've watched him in every game this season since he plays for a team from my hometown and I have mixed feelings about his (currently very, very inconsistent) game.
as a guy that watched him play i dont think he's good. We really dont need a tier Bertans, one is already enough.
One main weakness for samanic is defense. Some experts in Europe think he is a liability on this side of the game.
but the surprise is that he was not bad on defense during the combine.
based on reports in Europe I will not touch him with the 19th pick.
better Luka in the nba
If he rises that far above our 19th...that means someone is dropping to our pick. Like others said, i will pass on him at 19 but for sure draft him if hes there at 29.
In some ways he reminds me of Manu in terms of craftiness and out of nowhere athleticism...
I aIso think we'll need to use #19 to get him, see some Nick Batum in him...
I was about to start a thread about him because I seen he got high Mark's for how he played and his measurements at the combine. He is definitely gonna be picked higher than many initially thought. Teams with multiple draft picks will go after this guy to save roster spots and money.
The big knock besides his average numbers and inconsistent play overseas is his wingspan. If he had a bigger wingspan this kid would go top ten off potential alone I think. If he can get bigger and stronger he can actually play the 4 in the NBA and his body type looks like he will not have much of an issue putting on muscle
This draft is going to be interesting
This team has a known history of drafting and having success with quitters, so I think this increases his stock with PATFO, if anything, tbh......He quit on his current team which is playing in the finals of domestic league, to go to draft combine. Quitter at 19, tbh.
As I posted in other threads, he and his agent are adamant he plays in the NBA next season, so I don't know about stashing, how real option is that.
Otherwise, I've watched him in every game this season since he plays for a team from my hometown and I have mixed feelings about his (currently very, very inconsistent) game.
Isn't that like basement or even outhouse.Spurs Comparison - Floor: Davis Bertans without the jumper
I'm far from a draft expert, other than to realize that a high percentage of picks outside the lottery don't pan out. Samanic seems a bit of a risky pick. Maybe not up there with Bol, but similar. That said , I'd be fine with swinging for the fence so to speak.
Smaka comes through again.He quit on his current team which is playing in the finals of domestic league, to go to draft combine. Quitter at 19, tbh.
As I posted in other threads, he and his agent are adamant he plays in the NBA next season, so I don't know about stashing, how real option is that.
Otherwise, I've watched him in every game this season since he plays for a team from my hometown and I have mixed feelings about his (currently very, very inconsistent) game.
I've been pretty hard on Kawhi for not even sitting behind the bench while his teammates were in the playoffs. I was hard on Danie Gafford for leaving his teammates and skipping the NIT Tournament, so he could "prepare for the draft". It would be pretty hypocritical for me to excuse Samanic for the same thing. If he doesn't mind leaving one team, even in the playoffs, why would he be loyal to the next team?
As for being inconsistent, you sort of expect that from young players. But it's good to keep in mind when he (probably) moves up that far in the draft based on one day at the combine.
Exactly
He is supposed to be back for game 2 of the league finals, which are streamed on facebook as well, so I can post a link here if anyone wants to watch it. Game 2 is on Tuesday morning (11am-ish) US time I think. But keep in mind that level of play in this league in general is nowhere near Euroleague, Eurocup or Aba level, and Samanic's stats in this league are nothing to brag with. He's played better lately, I have to think due to higher motivation because I've seen many scouts at the games, including RC as I mentioned in some other thread.
That said, Buford being in Ljubljana twice this year must not be a coincidence. We'll see, but I'd be a bit disappointed to use first round pick on him, at least judging by the way he played this year. I don't know much about other prospects in the 20-30 pick range, so maybe I cannot really compare him with others.
I think you're right about motivation, are you agree about his weakness on D ? people who watched him this year said he is a liability on the perimeter.Exactly
He is supposed to be back for game 2 of the league finals, which are streamed on facebook as well, so I can post a link here if anyone wants to watch it. Game 2 is on Tuesday morning (11am-ish) US time I think. But keep in mind that level of play in this league in general is nowhere near Euroleague, Eurocup or Aba level, and Samanic's stats in this league are nothing to brag with. He's played better lately, I have to think due to higher motivation because I've seen many scouts at the games, including RC as I mentioned in some other thread.
That said, Buford being in Ljubljana twice this year must not be a coincidence. We'll see, but I'd be a bit disappointed to use first round pick on him, at least judging by the way he played this year. I don't know much about other prospects in the 20-30 pick range, so maybe I cannot really compare him with others.
people start to be high on him but like you i will not draft him with the 19 pick, the 29 maybe ....
Yes, I agree about him being weak on D. I think he doesn't have the body/strength (yet) to defend good post up players, players bigger than him. Although his athleticism brings potential for blocking shots and his quick feet for switching on defense, imo.
Everyone, check out scouting videos of Luka on this channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCli...Iz0KU9z3alU3qg
His switchable defense is actually impressive and I could see why the Spurs may be interested.
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