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5 Predictions For NBA Draft Night

By Ryan Blackburn

Feb 20, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyler Ulis (3) drives to the basket against Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) in the second half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyler Ulis (3) drives to the basket against Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) in the second half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

The San Antonio Spurs trade up to select Tyler Ulis

When trying to identify holes in the San Antonio Spurs, I see a chink in the armor with Tony Parker.

Somehow, someway, the Spurs have at least two players in the top 18 at each position in RPM, except for Tony Parker. He finished 27th in RPM among point guards.

The Spurs have proven that they run a machine, and because RPM shows how each player fares in whatever role is assigned to them, it means that Parker was the only weak link in the chain.

In the playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he averaged a mere 10.8 points and 5.7 assists in 29.3 minutes per contest. That’s not enough production against a team with Russell Westbrook at point guard.

He’s 34 years old, so the Spurs don’t have to think about immediate replacements, but having Tyler Ulis serve as the third point guard off the bench behind Patty Mills should make any NBA fan excited.

The Spurs have the 29th overall pick, and with reports of Ulis having a faulty hip, he may end up sliding in the draft. That being said, after the draft crosses about the 20 mark, San Antonio may look to trade up.

Ulis isn’t pro-ready because of his size, but every other aspect is Chris Paul-like , and he can use this time as an opportunity to gain weight and get accustomed to the Spurs offense.

If he does get bigger, then we could have a Chris Paul/Isaiah Thomas hybrid on our hands, which should scare every single team in the NBA.

Next: The Knicks and Nets enter the party

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