2020 SPURS DRAFT THREAD - NOVEMBER 18, 2020, 7PM (CT)

[G R E Y]

Yeah, I would try to trade the pick if we actually got that lucky. Move down for Obi is my new slogan!
It wouldn't be a bad thing to be "stuck" with Edwards either but i think we could trade down for that also.

I think I keep comparing this draft crop to that of others (ie/ where would each guy go, for instance, last year?) Even with that, I don't think Edwards that guy and would rather Wiseman in terms of need, fit, BPA. But these are hypotheticals until we know the order.

There would be some karmic justice if we moved way up. Just saying.

How incensed would you if Obi were still available at #11 and we didn't draft him? I really like him on the O end, but he has seemed to drop a little in some mocks because of age and D by this point of his career. On the one hand, he can be plugged in and contribute right away. On the other - and this is a somewhat disproportionate criticism on Obi based on some of our players this season - I'm D-O-N-E done with guys who don't give a flying fig about the defensive end, be it from lack of BBIQ or lack of effort. If Obi were 19 or 20, maybe I'd be more on board, but there are younger guys who are two-way players, even if less polished on the O end. So I like him and want to like him more, but long-term, I wonder if he's the best, highest ceiling prospect for us. I definitely agree that we need someone of his ilk in terms of physicality and aggression (this is where I bang on the Patrick Williams drum a bit more).

[imagump1313]

Yeah, I would try to trade the pick if we actually got that lucky. Move down for Obi is my new slogan!
It wouldn't be a bad thing to be "stuck" with Edwards either but i think we could trade down for that also.

I think I keep comparing this draft crop to that of others (ie/ where would each guy go, for instance, last year?) Even with that, I don't think Edwards that guy and would rather Wiseman in terms of need, fit, BPA. But these are hypotheticals until we know the order.

There would be some karmic justice is we moved way up. Just saying.

How incensed would you if Obi were still available at #11 and we didn't draft him? I really like him on the O end, but he has seemed to drop a little in some mocks because of age and D by this point of his career. On the one hand, he can be plugged in and contribute right away. On the other - and this is a somewhat disproportionate criticism on Obi based on some of our players this season - I'm D-O-N-E done with guys who don't give a flying fig about the defensive end, be it from lack of BBIQ or lack of effort. If Obi were 19 or 20, maybe I'd be more on board, but there are younger guys who are two-way players, even if less polished on the O end. So I like him and want to like him more, but long-term, I wonder if he's the best, highest ceiling prospect for us. I definitely agree that we need someone of his ilk in terms of physicality and aggression (this is where I bang on the Patrick Williams drum a bit more).

I'm not dying on the Obi hill. I just want us to draft someone who is ready to play and not some Austin project. Toppin just seems to be the most NBA ready. I know it will be hard at #11 to find that.

[youngWizzy]

Hey guys, I just added a new feature to my site that let's you compare two prospects side by side here: https://nbadraftcomp.herokuapp.com/compare

Probably one of the cooler tools I've added.

I also added age as a method for comparing players for per40 and advanced stats which a lot of you requested! You can also choose to add manual measurements on the site as well as pick and choose which measurements you would like to compare physical measurements for players. Also similarity scores for comparisons are on the site as well!

If you don't mind checking it out that'd be amazing!!!!

[G R E Y]

Hey guys, I just added a new feature to my site that let's you compare two prospects side by side here: https://nbadraftcomp.herokuapp.com/compare

Probably one of the cooler tools I've added.

I also added age as a method for comparing players for per40 and advanced stats which a lot of you requested! You can also choose to add manual measurements on the site as well as pick and choose which measurements you would like to compare physical measurements for players. Also similarity scores for comparisons are on the site as well!

If you don't mind checking it out that'd be amazing!!!!

Thanks very much, Wizzy, really appreciate all the work you're putting into this. I've been getting familiar with the tools and think you've got a great site. Keep up the solid work.

[G R E Y]

Let's take a look at Killian Tillie, a 6'10" 4/5, 220lbs mobile big for our second round pick.

Need to address the injury elephant which has significantly affected his stock:

Endured a litany of injuries and surgeries at Gonzaga, including knee surgery, a torn ligament in his foot, a stress fracture in his ankle, a hip pointer, and sprained ankles.

https://nbadraft.theringer.com/

Oof. The accrued injuries may be a harbinger of his body being brittle or perhaps he didn't recover properly. He doesn't look physically developed for his position, by which I mean maybe strengthening could help prevent injuries. He'll need strength against NBA bigs. The injuries have affected his mobility somewhat, but he is still a very solid floor spacer whose game is valuable to the modern style. Not an advanced post-up game, terrific P&R. Terrific shooter and solid vision and passing. Very good touch around the rim. Good defender. Smart player. Knows where to be, makes the right plays.

Knockdown 3-point shooter with an effortless release from deep range. Gonzaga ran actions to get him spot-up 3s as if he were a wing. He’s not a threat off the dribble, but he can pick-and-pop or run off a flare screen.

Excellent ambidextrous finisher around the rim; he has a feel for finding open spaces to avoid getting blocked, putting English on the ball off the glass.

High-IQ player who can fit into any offense. He knows when to cut, relocate off the ball, and how to make the smart pass. Also capable of beating mismatches in the post, a valuable skill considering how often defenses switch.

Instinctive passer who reads the play before it happens; he’ll catch the ball then immediately fire a bull's-eye pass to get teammates open. In the NBA, he could feast in the pick-and-roll because he can shoot, finish, and pass.

Physical man-to-man defender who battles in the paint and moves well laterally on the perimeter.

Alert team defender who rotates well, communicates, and puts himself in proper position to help.

https://nbadraft.theringer.com/


Some per 40 stats:
https://nbadraftcomp.herokuapp.com/visuals/?player=Killian+Tillie

Advanced stats:
https://nbadraftcomp.herokuapp.com/advanced/


Tillie shot 53.5FG%, 40% from 3 which is terrific, 72.6FT%, averaged 13.6PPG, 5REBs, 1.9ASST, 0.8BLK, 1STL, 1TO, 2.5PF per game. Not the best rebounding big, but he excels in areas Jakob doesn't so it's a complementary game.


Some highlights:

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Good film breakdowns of his game. My ears perked up in the first one at the part where perimeter actions were run for him:

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Interview and film room analysis of his game with him. Detailed, interesting:

Watch on YouTube

[a-French-Fan]

After TP9, Boris Diaw, Nando De Colo, Livio Jean-Charles, Ian Mahinmi ... Grey 1769 talked about Killian Tillie for 2 round. And I've just seen an other idea of french player with the Spurs in a mock draft: Théo Malédon (with pick #11).

So, Spurs fans, what do you think about Malédon -TP's player- drafted by the Spurs?

[imagump1313]

As much as I like him, I believe the Spurs origination has too much of a love affair with Murray to be drafting a PG in the first round.

I'm not a fan of Murray but the team seems to be.

I suggested Cassius Winston earlier but only because he could possibly be had in the 2nd round. Our first round pick will almost surely be a wing or 3 and D guy.

[G R E Y]

After TP9, Boris Diaw, Nando De Colo, Livio Jean-Charles, Ian Mahinmi ... Grey 1769 talked about Killian Tillie for 2 round. And I've just seen an other idea of french player with the Spurs in a mock draft: Théo Malédon (with pick #11).

So, Spurs fans, what do you think about Malédon -TP's player- drafted by the Spurs?

He's an interesting prospect in what's considered a weaker draft (I think it's deep, just doesn't have that stand out star) but one that features many guards. If you take away the French and Tony connections, he is a young, talented PG with some holes in his game who may otherwise have gone higher were it not for the stiff competition at his position in this draft.

We have Dejounte, Derrick, Patty, and Quinn at PG right now, with a couple of players also capable of filling in ball-handling and distribution duties. We have committed to DJ at PG. So I agree with gump that our BPA choice at #11 will likely be a wing / 3&D all other things being equal.

At this point, if we stay at #11, unless Hayes or Haliburton drop, if we do reach back a bit I think - hope, really - it will be for a player like Patrick Williams.

But I haven't watched enough of Théo besides mock compilation videos to know more about his game. Are you seeing something in it that we should take the leap and select him? It would be an unusual choice given our roster, but for me BPA and character fit are first and foremost, then position.

[G R E Y]

So we're confirmed at the #41 spot, and eagerly awaiting our position for the first round this Thursday. To that purpose:

Read on Twitter

I'm not saying anything - I'm just saying...

[imagump1313]

So we're confirmed at the #41 spot, and eagerly awaiting our position for the first round this Thursday.

At least we didn't screw up our draft spot. Tankathon have Toppin all the way down to 10 now just ahead of us

[G R E Y]

So we're confirmed at the #41 spot, and eagerly awaiting our position for the first round this Thursday.

At least we didn't screw up our draft spot. Tankathon have Toppin all the way down to 10 now just ahead of us

You know how I feel about Obi, but I'm starting to come around your way about DJ. Haven't given up on him, but bubble play revealed three Spurs with stronger overall performances - he plateaued to dropped a bit. Interesting he was the last regular season starter in the final game which we used (like all bubble games) for evaluation purposes. If we happen to move up to #4 (or he miraculously drops should we stay at #11) and we have a shot at Killian Hayes, already a great facilitator, smart shooter, good defender, great size, no way we pass on him because we have DJ, right?

ESPN Insider mock apparently has us taking Aaron Nesmith. Not sure why. He's a terrific distance shooter, but bubble play revealed that our O can cook in our new style (facilitators having an all the more crucial role). AN's plodding footwork on D is like in a different time zone, man... At least Obi has a variety of ways he can punish defenses.

I'd consider it a great draft if we got any one of Hayes / Deni / Wiseman / Patrick Williams / maybe Vassell (most ready, safest pick, but with lowest ceiling) in the first round, and Killian Tillie / maybe Carey Jr. / Paul Reed? in the second. Someone to shore up our front court.

[G R E Y]

#11 it is!

[G R E Y]

Looking at our bubble play, it's clear we need facilitators and clever ball movers whether or not DeMar opts in. Derrick is better at it than DJ, but even with that, we need more guys who can find our off ball movers. Bubble play brought out a new style of play and if we are to continue it, hopefully we can acquire players with god court vision.

Enter a trade up scenario. I've love it if we could somehow get into the 6-ish range and draft Hayes. I think he and Patrick Williams - who I hope we draft at #11 - have the best long-term potential with the highest ceilings.

As for the second round, I've never EVER guessed a pick correctly. In decades. But gump supports Cassius Winston, and he has compiled some eye-opening stats:

Read on Twitter

[G R E Y]

Now that our draft position has been solidified, I wanted to address some players mocks have us choosing - some I like in our position, some I don't, and some I like above and below #11.

I'm not in love with the Bey / Bey players. That is all.

Same thing with Aaron Nesmith. Lights out shooter, but we need defenders and creators. Nesmith has one main skill, and while it's a strong one, at #11 it's not the BPA with the highest ling-term ceiling. I feel like he's a player that a complete team with one or two specific needs to bulk up on drafts. We're not yet that team. Not convinced of Nesmith's D or his passing ability. Bubble play has shown that scoring isn't really an issue, this with three starters and a healthy Patty - our sixth man - out.

Some mocks have us drafting Precious Achiuwa. He's an energy PF beast who works relentlessly to keep possessions alive, can guard multiple positions, and has a nice J. Wonky FTs are a concern for long-term prospects of extending his range to the extent that there's a correlation between making 3s and FTs.

I've mentioned Hayes above our range and why - great facilitator, great size and D potential, crafty shot maker. A PG, but we're about raising our floor and ceiling.

As to some players below us, I've been liking what I see from PF Jalen Smith. Not sure I like the idea of trading down (depending on who we get, of course), but Jalen's size, assertive play and 3s is also intriguing.

As I've been wanting to write about these players, this tweet was posted:

Read on Twitter

So we're notoriously secretive during our drafting process, and this may just be due diligence, grouping players by position. But given the way we played in the bubble, I wondered whether there's something to the info in this tweet as it relates to being more motivated to move LMA. He's been following the recovery protocol we've worked out (plus we had Timmy stay in SA to work with him). Ok. But let's face it, his whether here or elsewhere is hardly the stuff of legendary commitment. Ok. Whatever we can get to strengthen our team now and for the future is fine by me.

I've yet to look into Oturu, but since we already have Luka who is more of a broad finesse talent, if we can shore up the 3-4-5 with a big equivalent of Keldon effort-wise, and hopefully talent-wise, do it.

[Phreak50]

I'm not in love with the Bey / Bey players. That is all.
.

I reckon Tyler Bey could be a diamond in the rough. Wouldn't use the first rounder on him but if he drops and is available with our second pick...

[G R E Y]

I'm not in love with the Bey / Bey players. That is all.
.

I reckon Tyler Bey could be a diamond in the rough. Wouldn't use the first rounder on him but if he drops and is available with our second pick...

Yeah I think they both have qualities and D play we like but with Tyler already over 22, that's not a guy you get at #11. Not even convinced Saddiq is despite some mocks having us pick him. I like the direction, though. We need a true 3 or 3/4 in a pinch who can guard multiple positions, can hit a 3, distribute, rebound well, and move well off ball. Is that too much to ask?

As much as I am pushing for Patrick Williams, I acknowledge his hips being a bit on the stiff side which may affect lateral movement at the next level, and his TOs are concerning. But his being at least three years younger with a great physical profile, a D and rebounding intensity, a solid shot and it's an intriguing skill set already. If his work ethic is as good as reported, and his character checks out, he's still my top pick.

Bottom line, though: I trust our scouting department. Even Luka wasn't the obvious choice, and with some older players in his draft class making an impact this season, we took some flack. But once Luka settled in, got to work on his body, his final game showed flashes of a package we hope will be impactful. We certainly hit a home run with Keldon, so here's hoping someone we have higher and we really want drops to us again.

[G R E Y]

p.s. As to my earlier comment about us looking into bigs per tweet maybe being an indication of us being willing to move on from LMA - I've had a think and believe the bigs tweet is really just due diligence. His nonchalance about staying or leaving doesn't come off the best way, but maybe it's something about his personality that PATFO just accept and know how to deal with better than fans looking outside in.

Whether LMA stays or not, we need to shore up 3/4/5 since LMA and Rudy are on the older side with Trey, Jakob, Luka, and Drew (maybe Mezie if he stays) so that's a lot of points and skill with the vets that you can't just replicate with the young guys we have. So even if LMA and Rudy both stay and play out their contract with us, they're great vets for the next crop of bigs to keep learning from.

[EvanZ]

Would Spurs have any interest in trading Murray+11 to GS for #2?

[imagump1313]

Would Spurs have any interest in trading Murray+11 to GS for #2?

YES PLEASE! That would be a steal for us IMO.
Not sure why you guys would want a PG with no basketball IQ who cant shoot or pass though. And you're defense isn't that bad.

[EvanZ]

Would Spurs have any interest in trading Murray+11 to GS for #2?

YES PLEASE! That would be a steal for us IMO.
Not sure why you guys would want a PG with no basketball IQ who cant shoot or pass though. And you're defense isn't that bad.

Are you really that down on Murray? He actually did start shooting legitimately this season. 2:1 A:TO ratio as well.