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NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 28:  Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball over David West #30 of the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on November 28, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The Spurs defeated the Hornets 109-95.  NOTE TO US
NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 28: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball over David West #30 of the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on November 28, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Spurs defeated the Hornets 109-95. NOTE TO USChris Graythen/Getty Images

San Antonio Spurs: Power Ranking Their NBA Draft Picks in the Tim Duncan Era

Matt RudnitskyDec 4, 2010

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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SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 12:  Beno Udrih #19 of the Sacramento Kings in action during their game against the Orlando Magic at ARCO Arena on January 12, 2010 in Sacramento, California.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by download
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 12: Beno Udrih #19 of the Sacramento Kings in action during their game against the Orlando Magic at ARCO Arena on January 12, 2010 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by download

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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PHOENIX - DECEMBER 03:  Goran Dragic #2 of the Phoenix Suns puts up a shot over Roy Hibbert #55 of the Indiana Pacers during the NBA game at US Airways Center on December 3, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees t
PHOENIX - DECEMBER 03: Goran Dragic #2 of the Phoenix Suns puts up a shot over Roy Hibbert #55 of the Indiana Pacers during the NBA game at US Airways Center on December 3, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees t

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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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 01:  Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers keeps his dribble as he falls in front of DeJuan Blair #45 of the San Antonio Spurs during a 90-85 Clipper win at the Staples Center on December 1, 2010 in Los Angeles, Californ
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 01: Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers keeps his dribble as he falls in front of DeJuan Blair #45 of the San Antonio Spurs during a 90-85 Clipper win at the Staples Center on December 1, 2010 in Los Angeles, Californ

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.

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6. John Salmons

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MILWAUKEE - APRIL 30: John Salmons #15 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives around Mario West #6 of the Atlanta Hawks in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at the Bradley Center on April 30, 2010 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
MILWAUKEE - APRIL 30: John Salmons #15 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives around Mario West #6 of the Atlanta Hawks in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at the Bradley Center on April 30, 2010 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 08:  George Hill #3 of the San Antonio Spurs against the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on November 8, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,
CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 08: George Hill #3 of the San Antonio Spurs against the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on November 8, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

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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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 27:  Leandro Barbosa #10 of the Phoenix Suns drives with the ball on Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter of Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 27: Leandro Barbosa #10 of the Phoenix Suns drives with the ball on Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter of Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May

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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CHICAGO - MARCH 22: Luis Scola #4 of the Houston Rockets looks to pass under pressure from Brad Miller #52 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 22, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Rockets 98-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressly
CHICAGO - MARCH 22: Luis Scola #4 of the Houston Rockets looks to pass under pressure from Brad Miller #52 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 22, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Rockets 98-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

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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NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 28:  Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball over Jason Smith #14 of the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on November 28, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The Spurs defeated the Hornets 109-95.  NOTE T
NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 28: Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball over Jason Smith #14 of the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on November 28, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Spurs defeated the Hornets 109-95. NOTE T

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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NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 28:  Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball over Emeka Okafor #50 of the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on November 28, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The Spurs defeated the Hornets 109-95.  NOTE TO
NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 28: Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball over Emeka Okafor #50 of the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on November 28, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Spurs defeated the Hornets 109-95. NOTE TO

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.

Comments

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NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 28:  Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs reacts to a call during the game against the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on November 28, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The Spurs defeated the Hornets 109-95
NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs reacts to a call during the game against the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on November 28, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Spurs defeated the Hornets 109-95

What do you think?

Let me know in the comments.

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.

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