.png&w=244&h=193&zc=1 "By the numbers: A quick look at the Grizzlies")
Buford in Italy for Eurocamp Day 2
San Antonio Spurs' General Manager R.C. Buford continues to scout international players overseas as he was present in Italy for the Adidas Eurocamp Day two. According to Aran Smith of NBADraft.net, Buford was present for day two of the event alongside other NBA general managers.
Day two of the 2011 adidas Eurocamp was another long, eventful day. Add Chris Wallace to the list of GMs (Kevin O'Connor, Bryan Colangelo, RC Buford, Darryl Morray, Masai Ujiri, John Hammond, Dell Demps, and David Kahn) making what has to be a camp record 9 GMs that came over for the event. Larry Bird and Indiana cancelled due to rain delays.
Smith went on to predict all of the young players in the camp are relatively young and all players would pull out of the NBA draft tomorrow. He also mentions the much talked about Brazilian Lucas Nogueira.
Well, I'm going to go there again and say that I don't think any of the kids that participated in the camp will be drafted in 2011. That is going out on a limb because if either Lucas Noguera or Bertans (who played today) stay in the draft, they will surely be selected. But I think pretty much all of the underclassmen participating here (Bertans, Lucas, Lavergne, Radosevic, Zubcic, Albicy) will end up pulling out of the draft tomorrow.
It seems that the evaluation for NBA prospects at this camp has become more workout oriented or analyzing prospects for future years plus players coming in with their National teams (Mario Hezonja for example).
What do you think Spurs fans? Is Buford there to really look at a player that can make an immediate impact next season or is he scouting talent for the future of the organization?
I seriously want the Spurs to draft Bojan Bogdanovic. By the way he plays (step-back 3's, slashing to the rim with either hand) he seems to fit the mold of our own Manu Ginobili. Throw in the fact that he has averaged around 20 ppg in a tough Euro league and he seems like a winner to me, especially at the back end of a draft with slim pickings after the first two picks. The only problem with Bogdanovic, according to draftexpress.com, is that he has been rumored to sign for at least one more year for Fenerbahce; however, that could be the only way the Spurs can nab him with the 59th pick since some mock draft boards predict him to be gone by the mid-second round.
As for the 29th pick, I'd say that pick either gets us a defensive-minded big or wing, but if we can't make a pick that Pop and Co. can agree to--and Pop seems hellbent on filling his team with defensive players, especially this year--then look for the Spurs to trade the pick.
Well I think if they do draft a Euro (or Brazilian) we weren't likely to see them next season, so I'd say future of the organization. All of these are 18 or 19, so another year of seasoning either in Europe or Austin would probably be best anyways.
