NBA Draft: Every NBA team’s worst draft pick
By David Rouben
30. San Antonio Spurs – Livio Jean-Charles (2013)
Since the San Antonio Spurs are a perennial championship contender, they are always in the unenviable position of picking in the mid to late 20s range in the first round. In terms of team success, they’re like the New England Patriots of the NBA. Unlike the Pats – who generally trade out of the first round – the Spurs use their pick on obscure overseas prospects who fly well under the radar of even the most professional draft analysts.
It makes sense, after all. Their big three won’t last forever and they’re well-known for their multi-cultural flavor, having led the league in international roster players for many years. It’s become a tried and true formula for the Spurs ever since they picked Manu Ginobili in the late second round. While it’s something we’ve become accustomed to, and there’s no telling how these prospects will pan out, picking Livio Jean-Charles was still a headscratcher.
They could’ve easily gotten Archie Goodwin or Isaiah Canaan, but that’t simply not their MO. They instead opted for Livio Jean-Charles whose only NBA competition so far has been minimal playing time during the Summer League. He comes from the first tier of French basketball, but it’s not like he was dominating there. In his draft-eligible year, he averaged 3.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.5 assists.
It’s hard to see what the front office saw in him. He put up 27 points and 13 rebounds in the Nike Hoops Summit, but it’s hard to believe that they based their decision on one scrimmage. By now, though, we’ve all learned not to question Gregg Popovich and co. He could be the best French player since Tony Parker… or Boris Diaw… or Ian Mahinmi. God, the Spurs are amazing.
Next: 29: Orlando Magic