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)