The 2008 NBA Draft

[tp2021]

bumpity bump bump

[Bruno]

An analysis of Euro Early-entrants:
http://www.europeanprospects.com/198...raft/#more-129

Giorgi Shermadini's agent is saying that his player has a first round promise.
Shermadini is a 7'1", 240 lbs center. He is 19 years old (if they haven't cheated on his birth date) and put monster stats in the weak Georgian league this year. He is currently in LA working out for the draft.

Now the question is : if his agent hasn't lied, what team has made him a first round promise?

Spurs at 26th? It could make some sense, Spurs like drafting foreigners and they should know him quite well if they have follow Sanikidze this year because both were playing in the same league. However, I don't see at all spurs drafting another bigmen.
If it's a team with a higher pick than Spurs it could help Spurs to grab the player they like at 26th.
To me, the most likely team to have a promise is Detroit at 29th.

[Streakyshooter08]

There were some rumors that the Spurs are interested in drafting Omri Casspi. He is a long 3 but at the age of 19 he would be a long shot and would not help next season.

[wildbill2u]

There were some rumors that the Spurs are interested in drafting Omri Casspi. He is a long 3 but at the age of 19 he would be a long shot and would not help next season.

I think they'll take him. Spurs usually take a foreign player at this low draft slot because they can keep him stashed and don't have to pay first round money.

As far as next season goes, with two new players, Splitter and Ian, having a good shot at making the team, Pop and RC aren't going to draft anyone in the first round who would put three rookies on the team. Not unless a real stud fell that far and who expects that to happen.

[ss1986v2]

I think they'll take him. Spurs usually take a foreign player at this low draft slot because they can keep him stashed and don't have to pay first round money.

usually i agree with this line of thinking, but it just doesnt seem to make sense this offseason. we wont be anywhere near the tax line this offseason (should be like 10 mil below it). and the starting salary for a rookie in our spot is almost exactly 1 mil. its like picking up a player on the minimum. i cant see why the spurs wouldnt pay that much when they are nowhere near the tax line.

[gaKNOW!blee]

Cdr!

[TheProfessor]

The 2008 Reebok Eurocamp in Treviso has finalized their roster, and Victor Claver is not on there. Why declare if he's not going to raise his current, or, if he drops out, future draft stock? For what it's worth, Casspi is also not on there, so maybe they'll focus on private workouts.

[Ocotillo]

Anyone have any idea if Sankidze will be playing for Austin next year or will he play in Europe again?

[tav1]

Theoretical question: could a player such a Sankidze or Shermadini sign with the Austin Toros even if their rights were owned by the Spurs. If so, would their owned rights prevent teams other than the Spurs from being able to call them up? I assume money would preclude such scenarios from playing out, but I am curious if this is possible.

[mystargtr34]

I think we should get Luc Richard Mbah a Moute with our second round draft pick if hes still there... this guy looks like a Bruce Bowen clone in terms of size length and lateral quickness.

[tav1]

An analysis of Euro Early-entrants:
http://www.europeanprospects.com/198...raft/#more-129

Giorgi Shermadini's agent is saying that his player has a first round promise.
Shermadini is a 7'1", 240 lbs center. He is 19 years old (if they haven't cheated on his birth date) and put monster stats in the weak Georgian league this year. He is currently in LA working out for the draft.

Now the question is : if his agent hasn't lied, what team has made him a first round promise?

Spurs at 26th? It could make some sense, Spurs like drafting foreigners and they should know him quite well if they have follow Sanikidze this year because both were playing in the same league. However, I don't see at all spurs drafting another bigmen.
If it's a team with a higher pick than Spurs it could help Spurs to grab the player they like at 26th.
To me, the most likely team to have a promise is Detroit at 29th.

Bruno, unless the Spurs are more serious than we suspect about using Austin as a breeding house for NBA talent. In other words, maybe they are drafting best talent/prospect regardless of the position with an eye toward grooming him in Austin. Or maybe it's a little of both. Roster space availability will still force the Spurs to draft and stash.

[T Park]

Anyone have any idea if Sankidze will be playing for Austin next year or will he play in Europe again?

He should.

he should've been with em this year.

[wildbill2u]

1. I didn't see Casspi on the RealGM mock draft. Has he withdrawn from the draft?

2. Do we know of any other players who have withdrawn?

[Mr. Body]

1. I didn't see Casspi on the RealGM mock draft. Has he withdrawn from the draft?

2. Do we know of any other players who have withdrawn?

RealGm's mock has been pretty bad. Don't know if that's generally the case. Some outlets may expect Casspi to pull out of the draft, like Victor Claver will, since neither is likely to be picked in the first round at this point.

[pad300]

He should.

he should've been with em this year.

Agreed, the only thing that I can think of is either it's a visa thing, or a money thing. A visa shouldn't be a problem - he was a good enough prospect to get into the NBA draft. I am not sure about the money. Sanikidze can't be getting paid that much more than the D-league pays, in the Georgian National league, Can He? Bruno, your probably our most knowlegeable international poster, do you have any estimate of the salaries paid in small european leagues like that? Is the d-league (~40K US per year IIRC) uncompe ive?

[kyleo]

RealGm's mock has been pretty bad. Don't know if that's generally the case. Some outlets may expect Casspi to pull out of the draft, like Victor Claver will, since neither is likely to be picked in the first round at this point.

RealGM is awful.

If either Casspi, Claver, or de Colo stay in the draft, I'd say it's a safe bet they've got a first-round promise. And Casspi's agent has said he will for sure be in the draft, for what it's worth. Not like an agent's word is worth anything.

[Bruno]

Agreed, the only thing that I can think of is either it's a visa thing, or a money thing. A visa shouldn't be a problem - he was a good enough prospect to get into the NBA draft. I am not sure about the money. Sanikidze can't be getting paid that much more than the D-league pays, in the Georgian National league, Can He? Bruno, your probably our most knowlegeable international poster, do you have any estimate of the salaries paid in small european leagues like that? Is the d-league (~40K US per year IIRC) uncompe ive?

AFAIK, players, whose nba rights are owned by a team, can't play in D-League.
Unless the NBA changes its rules, Sanikidze can only play with Toros if he has signed a contract with Spurs.
Baring Sanikdize being ing great in summer league, I don't see at all Spurs spending almost $500K and one roster spot on him.


And Sanikdize didn't choose to play in Georgia for financial reasons or visa troubles. He should have played in Germany but blew his knee during workouts. You can read an interview he made in February if you want more details :
http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/show...&postcount=170

[mathbzh]

First playoff game of the season for Batum.

In a blowout win over Cholet (82-62) the young SF from Le Mans filled the statsheet: 11 pts (4/8 FG, 1/1 3 FT)/7 rbds / 9ast / 2 stl / 0 PF / 2TO in 24 minutes.

[SenorSpur]

I think we should get Luc Richard Mbah a Moute with our second round draft pick if hes still there... this guy looks like a Bruce Bowen clone in terms of size length and lateral quickness.

Here's his bio from ESPN.com. He's got some skills, but sounds more of a project player.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/...draftyear=2008

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute Draft Bio

Draft Projection: Late first to early second

Similarities:
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute can bring down the house with his athleticism.
(Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)


Ron Artest.

Notes: Mbah a Moute has declared for the 2008 NBA draft, but hasn't hired an agent, preserving his college eligibility.

Is a prince in Cameroon.

Positives: Super long, athletic forward who does a little of everything. He crashes the glass, is a lock-down defender and has an emerging offensive game. Quickness and athleticism make him a great slasher and finisher. Great motor on both ends of the floor.

Negatives: Still learning the game. Not a great shooter. His form is OK, but he really doesn't have long range on his jumper. No real offensive moves in the post to speak of. Is mistake prone and streaky, but most scouts attribute that to his relative lack of experience.

Summary: His play during the NCAA tournament as a freshman made him a top prospect. He has the energy and athleticism that every coach loves. But his disappointing play through his sop re and junior season hurt his stock. A strong NCAA tournament this season has scouts interested again, but right now he projects as a late first to second-round pick.

[Mr. Body]

One knock on Batum was rebounding. Looks not to be a problem anymore. Damn, I wish dumbass Ford didn't put out his mock; I was well expecting Batum gone in the lottery or by 20 at latest. He still will be.

Mbah a Moute will not be drafted. He's not good enough, but suppose if he actually stays in the draft he can be signed as a free agent.

[wildbill2u]

Here's his bio from ESPN.com. He's got some skills, but sounds more of a project player.

Summary: His play during the NCAA tournament as a freshman made him a top prospect. He has the energy and athleticism that every coach loves. But his disappointing play through his sop re and junior season hurt his stock. A strong NCAA tournament this season has scouts interested again, but right now he projects as a late first to second-round pick.

MBAH! Humbug!

[Sway]

I really like Batum and Alexander to fill the "long 3" role, but I think they will be gone before the Spurs pick. Casspi, Calathes, & Claver may still be available, and should be worth a look.

[mathbzh]

Le Mans makes it to the semis in playoff with a 74-65 win over Cholet.
Not a great game for Batum.

Batum stats: 13 pts (5/11 FG, 2/3 3Pt, 1/1 FT), 2 rbds, 2 ast in 33 minutes

[Bruno]

I wish Batum will be horrible in the French league playoffs. He needs some real games to fall close to Spurs pick.

The latest on French players on the Early entry list:
Batum will stay in for sure.
Ajinça should stay in.
De Colo and Beaubois will likely pull out.

[AA2120]

Chirs..Douglas..Roberts