| 30 Teams, 30 Days: San Antonio Draft Preview (28th) Authored by Elliot Cole - June 26, 2007 - 12:39 pm
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Draft Picks: 28, 33, 58
What They Do Well
For starters, win championships. The Spurs are the preeminent organization in the sports world at the moment, and have been widely regarded as a dynasty since winning their 4th championship and 3rd in five years. They blend a healthy dose of veteran outside shooting and slashing backcourt speedsters with the best power forward in league history. Although the Dallas Mavericks, L.A. Lakers, or Phoenix Suns pick up the headlines or statistical records, the Spurs quietly roll along, counting the trophies as they go.
As has always been the case in the Tim Duncan era, the Spurs do it with defense. They allowed a league-low 90.1 points a game in 2006-2007, and allowed only 91.7 in the 07 playoffs (an impressive feat considering their first two opponents were Phoenix and Denver, two of the top three scoring teams in the league). Their speed on the perimeter is a staple of the modern Spurs, but their defensive tactics are focused more on the fundamentals of their system; pushing drivers baseline towards the likes of Duncan, Fabricio Oberto, or Robert Horry.
Offensively, the Spurs have shown the ability to rely on Duncan less and less, as evident by Tony Parker’s Finals MVP performance (24.5 points a game). As Duncan’s minutes decrease to around 34 mpg in the regular season, Popovich and his staff are riding their young gun, allowing Parker to run the offense and blossom into an All-Star. Duncan, however, is still the fulcrum of the team, and the ever competitive Manu Ginobili is still in the prime of his career for another couple of seasons, which is bad news for the rest of the league.
Where Do They Need Improvement?
Even championship teams need to reload, and the Spurs are no exception. The Spurs are the oldest team in the NBA, and have to start looking towards a youth movement, especially on the perimeter. Backup point guard Beno Udrih was never able to find a groove with the Spurs coaching staff, averaging a career-low 37% shooting in mostly mop up duties. Jacque Vaughn isn’t the long term answer as Parker’s backup, and their wing players are mostly in their twilight years, including Brent Barry (35), Bruce Bowen (36) and Michael Finley (34). The Spurs will also be rebuilding on the coaching and front office levels after losing the likes of Sam Presti (Seattle) and possibly assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo.
Retaining the services of Michael Finley and Oberto in free agency is a must, but the Spurs have to become younger and more athletic through the draft. While they’ve proven that they can win with their current formula, the Spurs’ front office is well aware that they need a young, bullish 3-4 hybrid player to put out on the floor when they want to go small (rumors had circled about the Spurs trading for Corey Maggette all season). Bowen and Ginobili have difficulties guarding bigger small forwards such as Carmelo Anthony and Bonzi Wells, but the Spurs are usually able to overcome the size mismatches with team defense.
Rookie James White, a highlight reel type of player picked up midseason of 06-07, could be the long term answer at the small forward slot, but the Spurs need more than one player to mold for the future.
Who Should They Pick?
- Marco Belinelli, Italy
It would be a surprise if Belinelli got by Phoenix at no. 24, but if he drops the Spurs shouldn’t pass him up. He could ultimately supplant Brent Barry in the lineup with his outside shooting and heady playmaking abilities. He’ll probably play more off guard in the NBA, but has the ballhandling and passing savvy of a point guard. Maybe the best sniper the draft has to offer (the Spurs love long distance shooters), but he’s also a solid athlete who will take it to the rim.
- Morris Almond, Rice
Almond is a pure scorer, but his high basketball IQ is what could help him fit in nicely on the Spurs. He gets to the line, finishes at the basket, and knocks down contested shots. If he can adjust to being a role player rather than “the man”, he could be a steal at #28. Having an explosive scorer like Almond could allow the Spurs to move Ginobili back into the starting lineup over time, a role Ginobili performs better in. Almond’s off-court characteristics…he’s intelligent, well spoken, and a team player…make him a great candidate to pair with the likes of Duncan and Popovich.
- Petteri Koponen, Finland
A crafty, tall point guard with eyes in the back of his head, Koponen could be everything that Spurs have been missing in the backup PG slot. Originally slated to be a second round pick, Koponen has apparently dazzled scouts at workouts and camps, perhaps warranting a late first round pick (if he does drop, the Spurs own pick #33 as well). Even though slight of frame, Koponen has got guts, and should be receptive to the tough attitude of the Spurs’ coaching staff.
Picks Since 2000
The Spurs are arguably the best drafting team in the NBA, stealing players like Ginobili (57th overall pick) and Tony Parker (28th) with late picks. When it’s all said and done, the Spurs will probably draft a foreign-born player that nobody has ever heard of, as they have made a habit of doing. They have high hopes for Ian Mahinmi, an athletic center from France, and still retain the rights to Luis Scola, one of the best players not in the NBA.
2006
Damir Markota, 2nd round 29. (Rights traded to Milwaukee Bucks.)
2005
Ian Mahinmi, 28.
2004
Beno Udrih, 28.
Romain Sato, 52.
Sergei Karaulov, 57.
2003
Leandro Barbosa, 28. (Rights traded to Phoenix Suns.)
2002
John Salmons, 26. (Rights traded to Philadelphia 76ers.)
Luis Scola, 56.
Randy Holcomb 57. (Rights traded to Philadelphia 76ers.)
2001
Tony Parker, 28.
Robertas Javtokas, 56.
Bryan Bracey, 58.
2000
Chris Carrawell, 2nd 12.
Elliot Cole is a RealGM contributor and maintains www.thesilverandblack.blogspot.com, a San Antonio Spurs blog. |
