Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyYanks
Don't forget the Admiral.
As for Spurs always draft well: they really don't. Nobody from the 2102, 2103 & 2015 drafts has even contributed a single minute.
Manu in 1998 was an inspired selection, as was TP@ 26 in 2001. The other drafts have been spotty, at best.
They have coached exceptionally well & filled their roster with useful parts. Trading George Hill for K Leonard was genius.
But drafting has not been a strength. |
Let's see. So we nail the big ones with David, Tim, Tony and Manu. Good enough draft picks to lead over a decade or two or excellence.
Kawhi was a draft day trade. We wanted that pick, so consider it a draft selection as that was the Spurs man there.
Murray is turning out to be a great draft selection. Can defend, steal, rebound and soon enough, fill the bucket with points. Parker wasn't great his first year or two scoring. Murray likely be better and more athletic. Excellent selection.
Forbes and Bertans this year are turning out to be great products also. I look forward to their role contributions.
Kyle Anderson 2014 had turned out to be a great asset in filling in minutes this year. Not the best offensively, but will tear you up defensively. He's doing well this year and better than most expected.
Anyone remember Corey Joseph? UT standout who helped us win a ring in 2014. He was amazing in playing back up to Tony and often started when Parker was hurt. Still wish we had him to be honest. He's turned out to be huge in Toronto.
Then from there you have Dejuan Blair, Splitter, George Hill. 3 key role guys for us from 2009 up until 2012 or so. Splitter won a ring with us in 2014. Blair fell off due to partying too much but was good when he played hard, and Hill, well we all know there.
We did draft Goran Dragic in 2008. Too early for a Parker replacement and other teams throwing cash at him. Would of been amazing to still have him here over any of the point guards we had. Awesome talent he's become.
Jonathan Simmons was undrafted but came up through our G League system, almost a draft guy as many of our picks play with the Austin Spurs. Lime our guys Nick White and a few others we drafted recently.
Sean Elliott and Willie Anderson were products of the draft also. Two San Antonio classics in the 90s and Sean winning a trophy in 1999. Had not been for his kidney situation, Sean may of been around for 03 and 05.
There's other role guys who played a part and decent talents. Luis Scola didn't play here but turned out great for Houston and others. Cory Anderson and Beno Udrih played important back op minutes to Avery and Tony.
I would say we draft pretty well and utilize the world market of other countries better than any team out there. Baynes, Mills, Bellineli Diaw, Gasol. All foreign players. There's more but those probably best I can mention. Even if it's just signing them. Draft had been good to the Spurs over the years along with role player signings from all avenues.
Now, Murray and Kawhi may be the latest products of draft that start a new big 3 with Aldridge. Or if not Aldridge, perhaps a big man pick.
But seriously though, I don't know many teams that had their drafted stars play their whole careers where they were drafted other than Golden State right now with Thompson, Green and Curry. And it's to be determined if Thompson is able to stay due to luxury taxes kicking into record tax amounts after this season and double that the following year. Every other team that wins a ring seems to build from trades and free agency after players develop or become all stars. Such as Miami, Lakers from the past (Kobe being a draft day trade), and many others. But if Golden State is able to keep those 3 guys, would be the first since Duncan, Tony and Manu. Hmm. Funny, even Kerr a product of Jackson and Pop is there. Go figure.
If not a pick, a LeBron signing. I can seriously see him playing here with our guys and most importantly Pop. LeBron wouldn't have to coach any more, just play. Or dribble. Too soon? Lol
