.png&w=244&h=193&zc=1 "By the numbers: A quick look at the Grizzlies")
R.C. Buford heads Spurs group at 2011 Eurocamp
It's a never-ending job for the San Antonio Spurs front office and their pursuit of basketball talent.
This time, Spurs GM R.C. Buford, along with Spurs' Dennis Lindsey, and Spurs' scout Claudio Crippa, are in Italy for the 2011 Adidas Eurocamp, where some of the best foreign talent display their basketball skills in hopes of catching the eye of an NBA GM or be drafted in the upcoming NBA draft.
A player attending Eurocamp is Brazilian big man Lucas Nogueira. Norgueira is 6'10”, has a 9'3” standing reach, 7'4” wingspan, 1'9” vertical. His name has been on Spurs fan's lips recently especially seeing how the Spurs need size as this past season proved.
Here is a write up on how Nogueira did at day one of the camp:
[T]he player receiving the most buzz who is actually fully participating in the camp is Lucas “Bebe” Nogueira. But, the buzz isn't all warmth and fuzz, with one GM saying, “[he's] So raw… So raw… and he's out there on the court laughing with all the guys – it's like, ‘get serious,' ” and others reaffirming that notion that he did not help himself at all with his first day showing.
Indeed Noguiera looked very raw and showed some questionable body language throughout the day.
Early on he looked very uncomfortable when forced to put the ball on the floor or pass and he failed to stand out going up against fellow lanky big man and camp teammate (Team 1) Bengaly Fofana.
As the day went on, in two five-on-five games, Bebe showed a bit better. First he registered 5 points, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks when going up against Sarra Camara and Team 4. Then, he exhibited a bit more offense going for 11 points and 5 rebounds against the Serbia U19 squad later in the day. His decision making left something to be desired, as did the lack of awareness and experience he showed on both ends of the floor.
All-in-all, without reading too much into day one, Nogueira probably showed talent evaluators a lot of what they expected to see considering his lack of polish, confirming his status as a long-term project.
Though Nogueira seemed to not have a great day one, here's hoping Buford and the rest of the Spurs' staff out in Italy find that hidden gem and once again surprise the NBA come draft day.
i agree, coach pop was not creative enough to put in talent to get the opponent off balance - just look at jj barea and ian mahinmi of the mavs.
the spurs played predictable ball with the grizz.
tiago was just kept on the bench on minor games...what the f.... is going on. we have waited for him just to bench him?
this is my take
get rid of parker, rj, bonner and acquire nene and chris paul.
parker could not lead this team anymore....the other guys know his game already.
we need two a center and two wing guys and an intelligent point guard
lets get ryan richards and nando de colo, asap
1 Like
They been great at finding talent,and in next up comming season they need have impact big man to get us title or 2 before Duncan retire.I see Duncan voiding his last year contract for 2 more yrs plus team option year.If we going get young talent to help us,Pop needs play these guys young players infuse with veterians is what this team needs. Clearly Garry Neal should of gotten alot more playing time in playoffs,You must make ajustments and pop is stubbon in playing same game plan when player is not producing on floor.POP is to blame for team early exist in playoffs.He got out coach period because he plays not lose instead playing to win.What i mean by that is spurs team plays safe game,no offensive rebounds,no attempt at steals,slow ball half court,let opponent defense set.,no physical play that cause u get foul,come on pop this not peewee basketball.So the litle things that can make difference in game is at disadvantage to team.
@ICE-MAN44 I agree, and I just dont understand why they go after these great prospects wait what seems like an eternity and then when they have them they sit on them. Use them Pop maybe they'll show you a thing or two like Dragic has.
