
San Antonio Spurs: Power Ranking Their NBA Draft Picks in the Tim Duncan Era
The fact that the San Antonio Spurs success since the drafting of Tim Duncan—four NBA titles and a whole lot of wins—is a byproduct of their terrific drafting is no secret.
Coach Gregg Popovich and the rest of the Spurs' management and scouting have done a remarkable job identifying undervalued players, helping build up a dynasty.
And despite claims that the team is too old, the Spurs still boast the NBA's best record, at 16-3.
Here's a list of the Spurs' best draft picks since Duncan was picked No. 1 overall in 1997.
A lot of these players haven't spent the majority of their careers with San Antonio, but it still is a great testament to their scouting that the Spurs had the foresight to pick them.
9. Beno Udrih
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Udrih didn't have much of an impact with San Antonio, but after moving on to Sacramento, he's been a serviceable starter, averaging about 12 points and 4.5 assists per game each year.
For the 28th pick in the draft, that's not too shabby.
8. Goran Dragic
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Dragic has spent his whole career with the Suns, but he was picked by San Antonio.
He's buried behind Steve Nash for now, but his playoff explosion last year proved that he should be up to the task of starting at point guard when Nash finally steps down.
7. DeJuan Blair
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Blair dropped down draft boards due to concerns about his knees, but that hasn't affected him thus far in his two-year NBA career.
And with his 12.5 rebounds per 36 minutes so far, he has clearly proven to be a good investment with the 37th overall pick.
6. John Salmons
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Salmons also didn't play for the Spurs, but he has easily outperformed the expectations of a guy picked No. 26 overall.
He's had a solid career overall, highlighted by his 19 points per 36 minutes for Milwaukee last year.
5. George Hill
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Hill fell to the 26th overall selection coming out of the obscure IUPUI.
But he's been a revelation for the Spurs, averaging 14.3 points and 3.6 assists per 36 minutes.
4. Leandro Barbosa
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Barbosa was another late-first rounder (28th overall in 2003), though he spent his entire career with the Suns before moving to the Raptors this season.
With a career 18.1 points per 36 minutes, he was a great find.
3. Luis Scola
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Another guy who hasn't played for San Antonio—but he's been unbelievable for someone picked 55th overall.
He was already good before this year, but is having a career-best season, averaging 21.8 points and 9.5 assists per 36 minutes.
2. Manu Ginobili
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Selected 57th overall in 1999, Ginobili is one of the best value-picks in NBA history.
Averaging 19.5 points per 36 minutes for his career, he's one of the NBA's best pure shooters and scorers.
Injuries have limited him for much of his career, but he's still been extremely productive.
1. Tony Parker
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Parker—the 2007 Finals MVP—was an incredible pick at No. 28 overall.
Averaging 18.1 points and 6.2 assists per 36 minutes for his career as the Spurs' floor general, Parker has been a revelation.
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Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud.









