NBA Draft Results: James Anderson, Ryan Richards Picked by Spurs

For a team like the San Antonio Spurs that finished with a 50-32 record and was the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, now is the time to win.

Second behind the Dallas Mavericks out of the Southwest Division, the Spurs upset the Mavs in six games but were swept by the Phoenix Suns in the semifinals.

They have three NBA titles in the last 10 years, but the starters continue to get older with age.

During Thursday night's NBA Draft, San Antonio selected Oklahoma State's James Anderson 20th overall.

Once again the organization went international by drafting Ryan Richards of England with the 49th pick.

No. 1 James Anderson with the 20th pick

The Spurs took Anderson with the 20th pick in the NBA Draft.

As a junior, Anderson averaged 22.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists as a guard for the Cowboys.

He was also named the Big 12 Player of the Year as the conference's leading scorer.

What the San Antonio Spurs Should've Done

What they did.

Anderson probably dropped a few spots in the draft because he suffered a hamstring injury during a workout.

Anderson, who can run the pick and roll offense, will fit right in with the Spurs.

Though it might take him some time to learn San Antonio's defense, his shooting ability will help out (and be helped by) Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker.

He wasn't the Big 12 Player of the Year for nothing.

What the Worst-Case Scenario Was

If San Antonio passed on Anderson.

Anderson continues a three-year trend of college players joining the Spurs organization.

Over its history, the team has drafted international players, which it did again in the second round.

The 6-foot-6 guard from Junction City, Arkansas will provide immediate help to the Spurs because he faced talented competition during college.

He also happens to be the highest draft pick for San Antonio since Tim Duncan was taken first overall in 1997.

Grading Anderson

A

This might easily be a steal for the Spurs.

To have the Big 12 Player of the Year fall to No. 20 doesn't happen every day.

With veteran players like Ginobili, Duncan, and Parker around, Anderson can develop into a solid player.

There will be no pressure on him as a replacement for Roger Mason, Jr. and Keith Bogans.

Plus, he comes at a much cheaper price.

No. 2 Ryan Richards with the 49th pick

San Antonio selected England's Ryan Richards with the 49th pick in the NBA Draft.

Richards, who played on loan in Switzerland from Spanish club Gran Canaria last season, has played for England at the U-16 and U-18 levels.

The 6'11" forward is just 19 years old.

He averaged 13.3 points and 5.2 rebounds while in Switzerland.

What the San Antonio Spurs Should've Done

Drafted Florida State's Solomon Alabi.

Richards is nowhere near NBA ready, but he wants a shot. He probably will be asked to play overseas to continue his development.

With a need for a big man, wouldn't immediate help have been wise?

Unless the rumors are true and Tiago Splitter, a 2007 draft pick, comes over from Europe, they might still need help.

Alabi, a 7'1" sophomore center from Nigeria, averaged 11.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

He was taken with the 50th pick by the Dallas Mavericks but was traded to the Toronto Raptors.

What the Worst-Case Scenario Was

Trading Parker.

There were many rumors suggesting the point guard would be traded sometime during draft night, but it didn't happen.

Sure, the team continues to get older and needs some young blood in the mix, but the Spurs remain a permanent fixture in the NBA playoffs.

Don't fix what isn't broken, right?

Ryan Richards Grade is...

C

I'm not a fan of unproven, international teenage basketball players.

In my opinion it's Splitter Part Two.

But if the pick was a slow transition toward a younger lineup in the future, then it's probably a smart move by General Manager R.C. Buford.

The Spurs aren't getting any younger...