Lorbek to sign with Spurs this summer?
As the Los Angeles Lakers showed in their first meeting this season against the San Antonio Spurs, the
biggest weakness in this year's Spurs team is their lack of size.
Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol wrecked havoc in the paint for San Antonio and in particular Bynum who finished with 16 points and 30 rebounds.
But could a legit big man be on the way to the Spurs next season? Perhaps.
Project Spurs own Paul Garcia spoke with Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich earlier this month (when the Pacers visited the Spurs) on the George Hill-Kawhi Leonard trade which netted the Spurs the rights to Lorbek. In the Project Spurs' article, Pop said the following:
“He’ll (Hill) really help Indiana and I think Kawhi Leonard and our big kid in Europe (Lorbek) will help us.”
At first blush, one can read that as Pop saying that at some point Lorbek will help should he ever make the leap to the NBA. However, Spanish site tubasket.com, (which linked to the Project Spurs article) has stated they have confirmed that Lorbek will be making his way to the Alamo City next season.
If true, then Lorbek will absolutely help San Antonio, especially in the paint.
He is still young (28) and last season with Regal FC Barcelona the 6'10" Lorbek averaged 13.8 points, 0.3 blocks, 4.7 rebounds, shot 77.3% from the free-throw line, shot 40.4% from the three-point line, shot 59.3% from the field in 24.8 minutes per game in 19 games. Right away what stands out is his poor rebounding numbers and block shot averages. This will have to improve if he is to help San Antonio address their glaring weakness.
Keep in mind, Lorbek himself did not state he will be coming to the NBA so this could be speculation, however, if you keep in mind he did not resign with his current team for next season, and couple it with what Pop said, perhaps Lorbek might be wearing black and silver next season.
As they say, stay tuned.
Is he that good? Not sure about it, maybe he is the next Primoz Brezec??? For a PF/C his scoring number is ok but looks like he doesn't devote as much as that on the defensive end. His rebounds numbers and blocks show he is more a offensive orientated bigman than a defensive enforcer. I don't think we need that much scoring since we're already top 5 gunner team in the league. Yeah Lorbek is young he can still learn but I really doubt it.
I have to hear it from Lorbek himself before I believe it. He has always been wishy-washy when it comes to him making the leap to the NBA.
@rtesoro440 That's not true. He played a year at Michigan State and decided at 19 he'd rather be closer to home. Surely you're not holding that against him almost a decade later.
His rebounding and blocked shot numbers certainly leave something to be desired. Those are specific areas where the Spurs need help. As such, I wouldn't get all juiced up about this guy.
why is everyone so high on Richards? I know he has length and evidently he can shoot the ball but I'm not sure people should get that excited for him. He'll be a back up power forward playing 15-20mpg at best. I'm all for optimism but let's not get carried away.
He reminds me of L. Odom, who also did what you said Richards would do, so I think it can work out well.
@Spursforever69 so what your saying is he would be taking the Blair/splitter minutes? With splitter moving up in the rotation/minutes and Blair potentially trade bait I'm ok with Richards getting 15-20 minutes with/under duncan and splitter.
I'm all with you. Besides, Richards will have a longer tenure as a spurs. He has all the time to learn from the maestro, TD.
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He doesn't get so much rebounds because he plays with great rebounders in my opinion. I think he's the best PF in Europe. He can play in the low post and knock down his open shots. I like him
@JohnAbney Richards is nowhere near ready. He's not even a lock for the English national team.
@Enzo the Baker @JohnAbney I think the argument is more Ryan Richards would develop quicker in our own backyard (Toros) than he would rarely playing in Europe
i agree. not to mention, from what i've seen, Lorbek can play in the low post, something Bonner can't really do (no offense, lol). would i like to see Richards make the move to develop here in S.A.? yes i would, but would i mind seeing Lorbek coming over to help? not at all.
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@russman138 @Enzo the Baker @JohnAbney I think Mehmet Okur is probably a better comparison than Matt Bonner. 13 points and 5 rebounds in 24 minutes is pretty good.
That goes with me. Richards is younger and perhaps more eager to come. Being younger, he has a better future. Or trading Blair, Anderson, Joseph and Mills with one of the teams with multiple 1st round picks like the blazers, jazz, hornets, nets and some others. Zeller would be a good fit or Sacre, Ezeli, Meyers, Moultrie or Mike Scott. Then draft Kris Joseph or Sidney in the 2nd round. .
