NBA DRAFT (June 28, 2007) thread

The Draft is less than a week away. Who will go #1? What do the Spurs try to address, who should they choose?
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I think the Blazers should definitely take Durant #1 and will probably regret not doing so. This is based on potential (both playing and marketing), and they took Aldridge last year so they have a young, quality big to go with Zach, but still have only Travis Outlaw and D-Miles as their main SF options. They could look like this:

Jack/Rodriguez
Roy/Webster
Durant/Outlaw
Randolph
Aldridge

I imagine they are discussing various trade opportunities as well, likely for Jarrett Jack and Zach Randolph.

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I am hoping the Spurs can land PG Petteri Koponen from Finland; everybody is really high on this kid. I remember the last time we took a foreign 19-year-old PG it worked out pretty well (see '07 Finals MVP). Backup PG is still a glaring need, even though Jacque Vaughn is really good at cannonball-style energy & fouling.

We'll need a backup PF once Horry retires after next season (hello Scola?), plus a starting SF when Bruce retires in a couple of years (James White does have Championship "experience" now, a ring anyway), and some youth at the swing positions in general. I like Morris Almond and I don't think it would be too much to ask to move up 5 or 6 spots to grab him. Maybe we could deal [Beno + #33 pick] to Philadelphia for the #21 and get both Koponen & Almond, finally bring over Scola, then get Mahinmi over the following year!

It seems as though the Spurs will never see the light of day with Luis Scola, and his ridiculous buyout situation that has been ongoing for about 3 years now. Do we really want to bring in a smaller PF that just replicates what Timmy and Fab bring to the table already? Or do we want someone to replicate Horry's outside shooting, blocking, and passing abilities? Has he already caused too much drama with the overseas bickering through the media by himself and his agent, or would he add to the invaluable rapport from the Argentinean connection and fit right in? Remember his agent stated something to the effect that the Spurs are holding Scola hostage or prisoner by not trading him to a team willing to pursue his buyout...

Bones, Udrih, and Scola seem to be our main tradeable assets, in addition to the 3 draft picks we already own. Maybe we could trade Beno + a draft pick to the Blazers for Jarrett Jack, so we'll get the PG we want and they get both guys in the league whose last name starts with a "U", Udrih and Udoka. There are possible deals out there to try to move up, but who would want to help the gold standard of the league increase power?

I'd still like to see this next year:

Parker/Koponen
Ginobili/Almond
Bowen/White
Duncan/Scola
Oberto/Elson

...with Finley and Horry being our two main vets off the pine. But Beno, Bones, Bonner, Butler - bon voyage fellas, enjoy the ring!

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I think Phoenix will try to be a main power player this off-season, seeking redemption for their series (and Championship) loss to the Spurs. Look for them to try and make high-profile moves in the draft and free agency. They think they are really close and have Mr. Kerr making moves now. I get the feeling whatever they do with their pick @ #24 will be made to spite San Antonio (think snatching Rudy Fernandez for instance). They could try to package #24/#29 and move up, also, or throw picks in with a Marcus Banks or Boris Diaw trade to get some cap relief.

But...I don't think we'll see much in the way of Kobe, Ray, Jermaine, Pau, KG, Marion deals, these are generally media conjecture and hype. More likely we would see movement along the next tier such as Corey Maggette, Lamar Odom, Jason Richardson, Grant Hill (FA), Gerald Wallace, Ron Artest, Boris Diaw, Jack+Randolph, Haslem+Walker, Head+Spanoulis even if at all, lol.

Overall, I don't see how this Draft can live up to the hype that has already been built up over the last year. Everybody wants to see these crazy blockbuster deals every year and they are only becoming increasingly more difficult to accomplish in reality, with teams approaching or over the Salary Cap already, and superstars orchestrating or vetoing their own deals.

I disagree about the Blazer taking Durant, He's just going to be another Rashard Lewis. Oden is going to be a lot like Tim Duncan, not so much dominate on the offensive end, but a complete monster defensivly and he'll play to win. I think the Blazers should take Oden, than look to deal Randolph.


as for the Spurs, expect them to move the 33rd pick. Rumor is the Spurs are trying to erase the Jackie Butler mistake and are trying to use that pick as bait.

Be sure to check out the Draft/Trade Forum I have posted profiles for Morris Almond and Petteri Koponen.

As for the Blazers I have information that they will indeed be taking Oden. Unfortunately I cannot reveal my source. But trust me this is a done deal.

Scola will come over in 08/09 or never at all. Right now the Spurs don't have the cap room to offer Scola a contract that would pay a significant portion of his buyout. And I think Ian Mahinmi might be more than two years away. He was terrible in last years sumer league and from what I hear did not get a lot of playing time this past season.

Rudy Fernandez or Marco Belinelli may be options for Phoenix but these guys have contracts and may still be a year away from playing in the NBA despite being clear late first round steals.

I don't think there is any way the Blazers pass on Oden...you just don't pass on a 7 foot true center with his ability.

The Blazers will take Greg Oden.

The Blazers could keep Zach and he has stated that he wants to be apart of this "special" building process.

However, I think the Blazers could easily swing Randolph for a legit SF and possibly back up PG.

As for the Spurs, I agree that they need to look at back-up PG first.

However, if they stick at 28 and do not trade up or down, I believe they will either grab a SG or SF.

I say SG or SF because I think the point guard they want will still be around at 33, which is Zabian Dowdell.

I have heard the Spurs are eyeing Koponen and the rumor is he had an impressive workout here in SA. However, I just do not see the Spurs picking him. No real specific reason, but just a hunch.

I would love the Spurs to trade up and grab either Rudy Fernandez, Marco Belinelli, or Thaddeus Young. Yet, the Spurs trading up rarely occurs and highly unlikely this year.

Thus, I believe the Spurs will stick it out at 28 and select Morris Almond, Arron Afflalo, or Koponen.

If they do not draft Koponen and go SG/SF with the 28....Zabian Dowdell (PG - Vrginia Tech) at 33.

San Antonio Spurs 2007 Draft Preview
Last Update: Jun 20, 2007 11:58 AM



The San Antonio Spurs captured their fourth title in nine years, as they swept LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. They finished 58-24 during the regular season, and knocked out Denver, Phoenix and Utah in the Western Conference playoffs.

All-Stars Tim Duncan and Tony Parker were once again the Spurs top players during the 2006-07 campaign and in the postseason. Duncan led the club in scoring (20.0 ppg) and rebounding (10.6 rpg) during the regular season, while Parker, who won the 2007 NBA Finals MVP, was second on the team in scoring (18.6 ppg) and was the team's top assist man at 5.5 per game.

Manu Ginobili and defensive stopper Bruce Bowen made their contributions, and both earned their third rings. Veteran forward Robert Horry picked up his seventh championship, while Parker also won his third and head coach Gregg Popovich and Duncan took home their fourth.

San Antonio's four crowns have been won by playing solid basketball on both ends of the court. The Spurs defeated New York in five games in 1999, New Jersey in six in 2003, Detroit in seven in 2005 and Cleveland in four. Duncan and Popovich knocked out Latrell Sprewell and the Knicks for their first title, defeated Jason Kidd and the Nets for No. 2, conquered Chauncey Billups and the Pistons for the third and James and the up-and-coming Cavaliers

The Spurs have three picks in this year's draft (28,33, 58). They will try and add some players who can develop for the future. This is a franchise that is looking to repeat. If they can add a veteran through free agency or a trade, it will be a successful offseason.

As for the draft, San Antonio may use its picks in a deal to help them get that veteran who can help it make a run at winning its fifth title.

Key Player(s): Brent Barry (Guard), Matt Bonner (Forward), Bruce Bowen (Forward), Tim Duncan (Forward), Francisco Elson (Center) Michael Finley (Forward/Guard), Manu Ginobili (Guard), Robert Horry (Forward), Fabricio Oberto (Center), Tony Parker (Guard), Beno Udrih (Guard).

Team Needs: Another rebounder

Draft picks: 1st round (28th overall), 2nd round (33rd overall), 2nd round (58th overall).

wouldnt mind the Spurs getting Alando Ticker, Jared Dudley and then either Dowdell or Ramon Sessions with their last pick.

With the 28th and the 33rd pick, the Spurs should draft Jared Dudley at no 28 and Glen Davis at no 33, and then at 58 or w/e...they should draft a PG if theres any left....