RealGM

Let's get all of our thoughts down in one place and discuss the players that RC and Pop have selected. We've had a few days for the emotion of draft day to ease off. Was this as big a bust as some declared and I believed myself when it happened?

Maybe my expectations of SA drafts have lowered over the years, but I feel this draft was a solid step in the right direction for our bench. If Hill provides any decent minutes at all this draft is successful IMO. Hairston could rattle a few feathers for the rotation guys on the wings and Gist fills a project need.

Now that I've had a day for the draft to sink into my mind I shall attempt level headed comment.

George Hill: The more I read about this guy the more intrigued I become. I refuse to be excited because there is no way he eats into Parker's minutes in the playoffs. He sounds like a really nice guy and he has a quality all round game. Pop commented that he expected him to make this team better right off the bat. I've never heard Pop say that before. So at least we have some youth to look foward to actually seeing next season. If this pick works out safely we actually have some depth at point. Jacque Vaughn is an excellent third string player.

Malik Hairston : I felt a lot better about things when we traded Dragic for Hairston. Hairston should prove to be a solid all round g/f for the Spurs who at the very least can apply some pressure to the older SA wings. RC even stated that he believes Hairston has a legitimate shot at eating into some minutes. Hairston was a guy I was keeping an eye on because of his raw talent and his bulk for a guard. Definitely could surprise because his game doesnt have many holes in it. I want this guy to be on the 15 man roster at the very least.

James Gist: I'll admit that I wasn't too high on this guy before the draft but he's a worthwhile project at 57. He's made noticeable improvements every season he's played at Maryland and could become a nice option for the Spurs if this continues. I'd like to see the Spurs sign him to the Toros without beginning his rookie contract, although that seems highly unlikely.

All in all I see this draft as a solid one for SA. We've drafted guys that are going to be here now and compete. The Spurs have addressed athleticism problems at numerous positions and only one of the guys drafted is really a project player. Hopefully these guys will impress in Summer league.

A few guys around this board believe that Hairston won't make the team. Could anyone who feels this way share some insight? I feel that he was a steal for his position and could show a lot more in the pros. I think we could see this guy playing spot minutes occassionally.

I agree, excellent draft.
It's already been said that Hill will play on the Spurs as a backup, but I believe Hairston and Gist will be sent to the Toros.

I think at least one of Hairston/Gist are going to stick around (team or DL)... and am really expecting both to.

I'm totally dissapointed with the draft.

I had some hopes on what we draft. For instance, I was hoping for a guy that could contribute right away and most likely will. NBA ready type players. If we couldn't get that, I'm certainly hoping we draft someone who has a huge ceiling that we could develop slowly.

So look at who we draft. Those who think Hill is gonna beat out Vaughn better think again. Forget who's the better overall player. Think about who's the better Pop's backup PG. I think we can consider our backup PGs such as NVE or Udrih as busts. Other than that, our most successful backup PG has been Speedy Claxton, Jason Hart, and Jacque Vaughn. Why? they all possess 3 qualities that Pop absolutely love.

1. They're a defensive minded player and pretty good at it. Now, I don't know how good Hill is defensively but I doubt he's that kind of player in his 1st year. If you're talking about how good Hill CAN be in 3 years, who gives a ****? in 3 years, Parker should be playing 38-40 minutes a game for the Spurs to stay competitive with an aging Duncan/Manu.

2. They're steady veteran PGs who's been around the block. Hill's a rookie

3. They take care of the ball. Hill has a bad turnover rate in college plus he wasn't even a PG there.

Now for the guys we took in 2nd round, I really can't expect much from them. Considering that the Spurs didn't even keep a guy we took in early 30s (Marcus Williams), I honestly don't expect we get a guy who'll contribute during their first year.

You also have to consider how even veteran guys that comes to the Spurs usually can't even crack the rotation in their first year and have it used as a learning year.

I don't expect Hill to beat out JV... but he'll get oppurtunities

I think this years 2nd rounders are different to last year...

Hill better beat out JV, or I'll be even angrier about the pick..

IMO the FO werent as excited about Hairston when they were being interview. they said the right things like "hes great etcetcetc" but their tone and timing of repsonses didnt convince me they were as high on him as gist and hill. just my opinion though.

I don't think that'll have an impact on his oppurtunities to show something to us

I don't expect any of them to have an impact on our team in any way, shape or form. Not even as rotational players.

Popovich said in the post-draft interview that Hill will already be on the team, he won't be in the D-League. I fully expect Hill to immediately come in and take the backup spot from Vaughn.

I expect Hill to at least be in the rotation. I would be beyond disappointed if he couldn't managing to out play Jacque. I feel that there were other players and fits that were available at our pick, but I am not totally dejected now. I was beyond furious when we picked 2 points on draft day. We have now traded one who will not be in the NBA anytime soon and got a pick and cash. I don't expect our last two picks to make the team. I feel that James White and Marcus Williams were better players than Malik Harrison and they couldn't find a niche here.

It seemed given what Batum has said, that he wanted to play for Pop and was given assurances that he would be in that rotation if he feel to our pick. It just sucks that we weren't proactive in getting him. We could have traded with the Sonics and gotten him in my opinion.

Blame Rasho wrote:It seemed given what Batum has said, that he wanted to play for Pop and was given assurances that he would be in that rotation if he feel to our pick. It just sucks that we weren't proactive in getting him. We could have traded with the Sonics and gotten him in my opinion.

dont you think that portland could have made a more enticing offer to seattle as well? they have assets out the wazoo, and we essentially have 2nd round picks to offer (something seattle definitely doesnt need). if we called seattle, they would have called portland and seen if they could beat our offer.

james white was too raw imo, he was never a good player to me, but still, like other spurs fans i cheered for him lovingly. marcus williams is a fine player but NEVER shot well with us whether it was summer league or dleague or with us. hopefully malik can show us something. this draft was be a success if all 3 make the team with 1 being a rotational player next year and the other 2 showing potential and promise.