JRog here.  It’s that time of year again.  With 2 weeks until the NBA Draft, J Ro and I have collaborated for a little draft preview.  After several bottles of brown liquor, a few $ 0.99 burritos, a couple broken windows, and a 9-Iron to the groin (don’t ask) we have your definitive draft breakdown.  Ladies and gentlemen, we give you the future.  Proceed with caution.

Most people agree, the Spurs biggest need is a big man to play beside/learn from Tim Duncan.  The Spurs’ best answer: Tiago Splitter.  At 7’0″ and 245 pounds, this 25 year old Brazillian phenom could bring a lot of aggressiveness and athleticism to the Spurs frontcourt.  In Europe he averages almost 60% from the field and has been ranked as high as 8th in scoring.  He has not been huge on the boards but he shows a lot of promise as a scorer, with remarkable coordination for a big man.  He shoots less than 70% from the free throw line which ought to make him perfect for our organization (sadly).  The question with Splitter is will the Spurs be able to sign him away from a Spanish team with deep pockets.  The smart money, at this point in time, appears to be on the Spurs side.  A lot of the Spurs offseason moves will be determined by Buford and Pop’s ability to sign this guy away from Real Madrid and into the NBA.  Should they be successful in this move, the Spurs will look to fill some other smaller, role player gaps in the roster.  The Spurs have the highest 1st round pick (20) that they have had since that beautiful spring morning (actually I think it was raining) that we signed Tim Duncan.  It is a good opportunity to pick up some talent.  Who, you say?  Well here are some possibilities, courtesy of J-Ro.

Round 1: Ball in Hoop…very basic

#1 Hassan Whiteside – 7’0″ C, Marshall

Athletic big man that nearly averaged a double-double his Freshman (and only) year with Marshall — 13 points and 9 rebounds per. This is a risky pick as he is completely unproven and makes almost everybody’s 2010 Draft Bust prediction boards. But, some time in the D-League to toughen up could do wonders for this seven-footer.

We’re only on our first bottle, but  I know what you’re thinking: Hassan Whiteside is a made up name.  Nay, my friends.  The man exists; J-Ro showed me tape….and his birth certificate.  I don’t like drafting freshmen, but the man has skillz (thats right, with a “z.”  Sorry, we’re drinking courvoisier and listening to Biggie.  Its J-Ro’s fault.)

Damion James – 6’8″ SF, Texas

Here is what mysa.com’s Jeff McDonald has to say about this intriguing possibility:

This year, they might have to travel only 70 miles up Interstate-35 to uncover their next draft pick. Texas forward Damion James is another player on the Spurs’ radar.

James, a 6-foot-7 four-year player at UT, lacks a defined NBA role. He isn’t big enough to be a regular power forward and doesn’t have the range or polished ball-handling skills to thrive on the wing.  In college, James was able to make up for both shortcomings with his agility, athleticism and a motor that simply never shuts off. There’s a reason James finished his college career as the Big 12′s all-time leading rebounder. A combine beast, James averaged 18 points and 10.3 rebounds as a senior, and has demonstrated the versatility to defend multiple positions.  It isn’t a stretch to say Spurs general manager R.C. Buford has seen more of James’ college games than any other player in the draft. Buford’s adopted son, Alexis Wangmene, played with James at UT.

Local heroship means ZERO to Pop. More importantly the tough ‘Small’ forward averaged 18 and 10 his senior season on the 40 acres  and knows how to put the ball in the bucket. Spurs need a mid-sized scorer to hold court while Manu and Timmy take air.

I like J Ro’s take here: Pop won’t care who James knows or where he came from. It will be about filling a role.  He does have some issues with where exactly he fits in, but his hustle and level of effort are 2 “X factors” that Pop loves.  I personally would love to see the Spurs give this guy an opportunity.

Kevin Seraphin – 6’10″ PF, Cholet Basket (France)

The third-ranked international prospect (Chad Ford, ESPN.com) a number of NBA general managers still have Seraphin ranked as a mid-to-late first round pick. If he can get a guarantee, his agent, Bouna Ndiaye, said Seraphin will stay in the draft. Do the Spurs ever dabble in overseas draft negotiations? I’ll have to check on that and get back to you.

You know how Pop loves “dem for’ners.”  Seriously though, he’s a steal.

Round 2: D-Up

Jarvis Varnado – 6’10″ PF, Mississippi State

Varnado is known as a defensive specialist and is especially adept at shot blocking aided by his 7’4″ wingspan. He led the NCAA in blocks for the 2007–08 season with 157 blocks which tied Shaquille O’Neal for the most blocks in a season in the SEC. In the 2008–09 season, he would shatter that single season record with 170 blocks. Varnado was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 3 consecutive years (2008, 2009, and 2010) becoming the first person to ever do so. Collegeinsider.com named Varnado their National Defensive Player of the Year for 2008 and he is the only college player in history to achieve the 1,000/1,000/500 milestone (points/rebounds/blocks).

Defense?  Now J-Ro is speaking Pop’s language.  If he had beaten Shaq’s record and proceeded to take a dump on the LSU center court, I’d pay for his plane ticket to San Antonio.  I’m told that this did not happen, so I’m still on the fence.

Tibor Pleiss – 7’1″  C,  Brose Baskets (Germany)

Young, long, pro experience overseas. Played for Da Mütherland. Is there a ‘Brose before lederhoes’ joke there???

What? You want more details?  J-Ro had this idea after the 3rd bottle of Jack Daniels.  I’m honestly surprised he spelled his name right (wait, it is spelled right, right?)  If we get Splitter, and pick up a role player/scorer in the first round I like this guy.  He’s from West Germany right, I’m just sayin….

So Who’s it going to be??

Comment and let us know!