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1. They always pick mid-to-late first. And it's really fucking hard to build through the draft without nabbing some top tier picks. (Golden State has had two top 7 picks in the last two years. And, while this is more subjective, grabbed at 14 Moses Moody, whom I thought they should have picked at 7.) Even if the Warriors don't use Wiseman and Kuminga, they have such obvious trade value right now.
2. The Spurs keep drafting the same sort of dude-- a 6'4 to 6'6 wing that isn't really a true point guard, isn't, to date, a three-point threat, and isn't, to date, a very good defender. Derrick White. Lonnie Walker. Keldon Johnson. You could argue Dejounte Murray could get there as a true PG-- and he's the best defender of the bunch-- but he's been more of a combo for his career there. Devin Vassell should make 3s and defend, but hasn't gotten there yet. They trade for DeMar DeRozan, a 6'6 wing who can't shoot 3s and can't defend. And they get Rudy Gay, a 6'8 wing who's an NBA average 3-point shooter at best... and can't defend. Who'd they draft this year? Josh Primo, a 6'6 wing, who likely won't be ready year 1... and Joe Wieskamp, a 6'6 wing who definitely *should* shoot 3s but who absolutely can't defend.
So, like... what are they doing? lol. I guess they're going for theoretical lineup versatility, but if that's the case (a) their player development isn't happening like they need, and (b) they shouldn't be playing Jakob Poeltl, a drop coverage big who absolutely can't switch on defense.
They need real perimeter shooting and real perimeter defense, and their roster is just too one-note right now. They need to be dealing for players like PGs, true PFs who can shoot, versatile bigs, etc.
I don't think "the Spurs method" doesn't work... but it is definitely predicated on (a) getting high draft picks and/or (b) converting assets into stars in order to remain relevant enough to attract valued supporting free agents. And the Spurs have done neither recently, really. My movies: http://russellhainline.com My movie reviews: https://letterboxd.com/RussellHFilm/ My beer TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebeertravelguide
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