Pounding The Rock: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: Cal RB Jahvid Best Seriously Injured, Carted Off Field

Draft Review

Im sure we're all pretty upset, or at least apathetic about the Spurs poo-poo blatter 2008 Draft. Taking a small college point guard when CDR, Donte Greene and Mario Chalmers, amongst others, were still available.

To make matters worse, the Rockets got both Nicolas Batum and Donte Greene, The Grizzlies got OJ Mayo via trade with Minnesota....So essentially we're going to ask a 37 year old Bruce Bowen to chase those guys around in addition to his Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant duties.

So I looked around and here are a few reviews of the Spurs performance, if you can call it that:

First is Chad Fords review on espn.com, he gave the Spurs a gentlemans C

Round 1: George Hill (26)

Round 2: Goran Dragic (42), James Gist (57)

Analysis: The Spurs are one of the best-drafting teams in the league, so I'm wary of criticizing them. But sometimes a team can be too clever for its own good. Hill is a nice player, but I don't believe he's a better point guard than Mario Chalmers.

 

I do like Dragic at No. 42 as a guy who could eventually find his way here to play an important role on a team. Gist is a great athlete, but I'm not sure he's got what it takes to stick.

I have to agree with the point on Chalmers, if youre going to get a back up PG to compete with JV, why not take another Jay Hawk at the very least? Hes a proven big game player from a big school....so George Hill will be getting Stoudamires 90 seconds of PT a game now?

From Chris Mannix at SI.com

Anyone want a pick? The Spurs, who made it known that they wanted nothing to do with their first-round pick before the draft, selected IUPUI guard George Hill at No. 26. I'm surprised they didn't take a chance on Arthur, who has the potential to play both forward positions.

Another good point, and less than stellar review, Im not that familiar with Arthur, but if he can play the 3 and 4, he would help this team more than a backup PG.

From Mike Kahn at Foxsports.com

San Antonio Spurs

First round: George Hill, PG, 6-2, 180, IUPUI
Second round: Goran Dragic, G, 6-4, 200, Slovenia
Second round: James Gist, F, 6-9, 220, Maryland

Certainly one of the most interesting drafts the Spurs have had in recent years. Hill was the Summit Conference Player of the Year, but how does that translate to the NBA? Dragic will likely stay in Europe and Gist looks like good NBDL fodder.

Grade: C.

Another mediocre review of the Spurs draft.

I thought Chad Ford summed it up best, perhaps the Spurs are trying to be too clever for their own good.  Or, as was mentioned last nite in the draft blog, perhaps the Spurs are going in with a set roster that doesnt allow for many minutes for rookies, that would presume that they plan on dipping into the free agent market though, wouldnt it?

But to pass on legitimately proven, big time, college players like Chalmers, Greene and CDR seems foolish when this team desperately needs an infusion of youth rather than european players who will most likely never set foot on American soil.

*** Dragic has since been traded to the Suns for the draft rights to Malik Hairston a G/F from Oregon and a 2009 second round pick***

( Hopefull Dragic wont turn out to be another Barbosa, who they also traded to the Suns)

0 recs  |  Comment 18 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Good news on the Dragic/Hairston trade. It is nice to unload that PG who cannot shoot for a small forward who can fill the cup, and getting a 2009 second round pick out of it definitely makes it a sweet deal.

I like Hairston, but I really hope we get a long SF in free agency since both Udoka and Hairston are only 6’6”.

by VWolf on Jun 27, 2008 11:43 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

They gotta go after Josh Childress.

I never met anybody who said when they were a kid, "I wanna grow up and be a critic." - Richard Pryor

by DennardC on Jun 27, 2008 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I thought Hairston was listed as a SG??

by vy til i die on Jun 27, 2008 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Some sites might list him as that. He played the 3 or 4 in college. That could be considered a guard if you call it a 3 or 4 guard lineup or a forward otherwise.

He can probably fill in for both positions if necessary. Regardless we need a long guy out there on the wing.

by VWolf on Jun 27, 2008 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Free Agency

As I mentioned last night, perimeter help has to come via free agency, if it doesn’t this team will not be competing for a championship next season. If the Spurs re-sign a guy like Michael Finley, then I am certain they aren’t even trying to win a ‘chip next year. This team needs some athletes in here next season.

I never met anybody who said when they were a kid, "I wanna grow up and be a critic." - Richard Pryor

by DennardC on Jun 27, 2008 12:18 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Chalmers isn’t really a pure point guard, and he’s too small to play the 2. I’m hoping that G. Hill turns out to be a Speedy Claxton with much better defense.

by 4Him on Jun 27, 2008 12:36 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Neither is Hill. He played the off-guard as well. He’s not really a Speedy type player. He has a better jump shot, and isn’t as fast or small. He also isn’t as good of a passer as Claxton.

by VWolf on Jun 27, 2008 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

When I mention Claxton, I’m thinking particularly about his ability to hit big shots when he was a backup PG for the Spurs. Whether Hill will be as good a passer as Speedy was is too early to say.

by 4Him on Jun 27, 2008 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Actually, Hill’s playing style sound much more like TP than anyone else.

by 4Him on Jun 28, 2008 2:30 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good article on Hill

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA062708.1D.BKNspurs.draft.main.4511270.html

So I guess they got who they wanted, perhaps he can beat out JV at the very least.

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jun 27, 2008 12:50 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Let's Wait and See...

This sounds very similar to the Tony Parker draft pick. He blew the Spurs away in workouts, then they were ecstatic that he dropped to them. They passed up some bigger names to pick him, and everybody said “WTF?” Then he came in and started practically from day 1.

Chris Douglas-Roberts, Darrell Arthur, and Mario Chalmers were all available, but for whatever reason, the Spurs liked The King of the Hill better than any of those guys. In this case, it wasn’t anything to do with money, or a buyout, or anything. They just liked him.

Pop is typically pretty honest, too; remember when they traded Eric Williams for Melvin Ely, and in the interview, he basically said “we did this to save cash, because they both suck and won’t play for our team.” In this case, Pop came right out and said he thought Hill could help them right away, so I’m inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.

He never said anything like that about James White or Darius Washington or Marcus Banks, to name a few. So here’s me going on record to say I bet Hill will be a good player and we’ll all be glad that we picked him over Chalmers or CDR.

The other factor to consider is who the Spurs pick up in free agency. They may think: our needs are an athletic, backup big, an athletic wing who can score, and a backup PG who is not a total liability. We think Mahinmi will be our big, and our free agent (JR Smith?) will be our wing, so we need a PG at a low cost to tide us over, and still give us a chance to win, until we hit the cap space jackpot next year.

Catch the Spurs Spirit! It's a Fast-breakin' Fiesta!

by tomasito on Jun 27, 2008 5:55 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Youre probably right...

It was just a shock to see such a “no name” taken when so many proven players were available. But as far as future free agents goes, who knows, I doubt Lebron would come to SA…..i just cant wait to see Hill in the summer league.

Damn you, Tiago!

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jun 27, 2008 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

proven in college is not proven in the nba

slice it, dice it, stack or queue. non-lottery guys are a crap shoot. that’s the biggest knock on the spurs drafting. they keeping getting crappy draft positions. if they want to get an A- like the heat, they have to lose more games and stop making the playoffs all the time.

dave mcnulla
spurs fan

by dmcnulla on Jun 27, 2008 11:54 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Of course the front office has proved otherwise with Manu and TP, and may have done it again with Hill.

by 4Him on Jun 28, 2008 2:34 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pop seems confident in him, and says he will contribute…let’s hope he’s right.

by Linix129 on Jun 28, 2008 12:15 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

When was the last non injury Spurs lottery pick?

I was trying to remember this the otherday, obviously they had the 87 and 97 picks with Robinson and Duncan, but apart from that I cant remember the last lottery selection the Spurs had, which is a good thing of course…..was Elliot a lottery pick?

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jun 28, 2008 1:21 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I think Elliott was the third pick in the draft in ‘88.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jun 28, 2008 9:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about the San Antonio Spurs.

Community Guidelines
Start posting about the Spurs »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Black_small
Ginobili vs. Dracula, Chapter 2
Gothicduncan_small
WatchSpurs
Spurromeo_small
George Hill: Tony Parker 0.99?
Black_small
Ginobili vs. Dracula, Part 1
Small
The importance of Tim Kness to the Spurs success in 2009-10

Recent FanPosts

Myspace2_small
Editorial: Why Tony Parker's Injury is Good for the Spurs
Ginobili_small
Spurs underperform in back-to-backs
Small
The view from the upper bowl of EnergySolutions Arena (game observations)
Sbn-avatar_small
NBA Live 10 Simulation: Week 3 POLL
Sbn-avatar_small
NBA Live 10 Simulation: Regular Season : San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers
Bunnycookie_small
Sit Courtside at the Toros Game of Your Choice
Zoe_spurs1_small
Nov. 4th Other Games Thread

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Featured Poll

Poll
Who has the best hair in the NBA?

  549 votes | Results

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recommended FanShots

Fatal Staples Center Collapse Brings Merciful Early End To Clippers Game (via TheOnion)

So damn good.
It's official.

(via Sam Amick)
BATMAN!!!!

Recent FanShots

ESPN> Iverson leaves Grizzlies for personal reasons
POW! Right in the kisser!
The Onion: "40,000 Revenge Seeking Bats Descend Upon Manu Ginobili"
40,000 Revenge Seeking Bats Descend on Manu Ginobili
ESPN> Don't forget Bobcats in Stephen Jackson sweepstakes
Shooting Rampage at Fort Hood, Texas
Free Beer... if you live in SA
TH: DeBeast 10 seconds away from being a Cav
Like School on Christmas
More Sandwich Stories From Matty

+ New FanShot All FanShots >


Coach

Ats_big_small Wayne Vore (ATS)

Player

Supergino_small LatinD

Doas_small jollyrogerwilco

Bunnycookie_small Lauri

Oberto_fab_small silverandblack_davis

Myspace2_small Tim C.

4558041c970_main200_small CapHill

Announcer

Manucrazy_small Aaronstampler

Zoe_spurs1_small BlaseE

Small CECabrera21

Profile_5_small Fred Silva