Comments on: Losing at Russian Roulette

By: ChillFAN

ChillFAN — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 04:04:38 +0000

gospurs44 I guess we can agree to disagree,
but in those years you did not mention George Hill, and the potential of Mahinmi and Marcus Williams. Just because the player never played for us doesn’t mean that the Spurs don’t pick ballers–I’m saying hold on to them.

My point is, as a franchise, the Spurs success has come through the draft because they draft well.

There are objective statistical measures of how the Spurs’ draft–the Spurs are always near the top.

By: gospurs44

gospurs44 — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:20:39 +0000

Only Scola, Salmons and Barbosa are proven and they drafted Barbosa for PHX and Salmons for Phily. Both were traded on draft day. If you take them away that proves my point even more! Since Tony, how many have contributed to their success? zero. Think about this, in 8 years this franchise hasn’t had a draft pick play an important role on the team!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:08:52 +0000

when in rome…

By: ChillFAN

ChillFAN — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:52:13 +0000

Jeff, your car trader analogy doesn’t exactly apply to players, but you shouldn’t shop a player when market value is the lowest. Let’s see if heals up before we start harvesting his organs.

gospurs44, even if ignore the Parker and Ginobili picks (although that’s unfair, because they are genius picks), show me a team that’s picked better than this since 2001…

http://statsheet.com/mcb/drafts/nba_team/San-Antonio-Spurs

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:26:17 +0000

Geo Metro…do they still make those? And i really thought you would have gone with an old diesel Volvo over the Lexus. Marian Barber…good comparison.

This summer excites me…I think that Pop and RC will be forced to make some moves…which is very unlike them. They are usually the conservative types, but I think there will be a shift in that soon… I know they’re the reason we have 4 rings..they have my trust.

By: Caleb

Caleb — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:15:20 +0000

Jeff, to follow your analogy, it depends on the model. If it’s an old Lexus, you drive it until its used. In a bad market, people won’t trade up for a used Lexus. You’ve already started the payments anyway. You’re partly to blame for its issues, knowing the way you drive and the reason you bought the vehicle in the first place. And when all is said and done, a banged up Lexus will still crush a new Geo Prism. I should know; I drove a Geo for five years!

I’ve always thought Ginobili is kind of like basketball’s Marion Barber. Everyone always knew the way he plays would impact his longevity. But we kept him anyway. We took the risk. I, for one, am glad we did.

But I’m with you Jeff on the summer. This is going to be one to watch. Hopefully, we’ll see what the classifieds hold for our future either way, Ginobili or not.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:00:33 +0000

I really do hope i’m wrong. enjoy the summer and let’s see how it unfolds.

By: GMT

GMT — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:49:02 +0000

I hate hearing all of the “trade Manu” noise going around, especially that coming from those that are in “I told you we should have traded him already” position. Injury is not justification for a previous opinion which I think most people will still say is flat out wrong.

I liked how Caleb pointed out that Manu isn’t McGrady or Grant Hill, but I think even seeing what Grant Hill is doing now can still keep us confident about what Manu could do after regaining his health.

I’m liking Jaceman’s prospecting, even Sheed. I think if Pop could keep him in check, he would definitely be a valuable pick-up for maybe 2 seasons and be a counterbalance for our possible “going young” roster shake up.

By: gospurs44

gospurs44 — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:30:56 +0000

chillfan, I have to disagree with you about the Spurs being successful in the draft. The only 3 draft picks that have made any type of meaningful contribution under the Pop regime are Tim, Manu, and Tony. That’s 3 picks in 12 years and Tim was a can’t miss! Manu was one of the best prospects in Europe. Tony had played professionally for 3 years.The reason the Spurs are in the position they are in today is because of their inablility and/or unwillingness to draft and develop young players. Pops philosophy is to let them make their mistakes somewhere else. (Europe, NBDL). The problem is it’s not the NBA. At one time the FO was considered the best at “finding foreign talent”. I think they decided to get too cute with drafting foreigners and keeping them overseas to develop and now it’s costing us. This FO strength is finding veteran players that fit the Spurs system. I think you have to mix the two and they have fallen short in the draft.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:09:37 +0000

Would you keep a car that has a timing belt issue, and the engine is making some funny sounds, and you know the a/c is going to need some serious work this summer just because you had some great memories in that car? I don’t know who’s out there, what kind of ‘car’ you could trade it in for…but perhaps it’s time to start looking at the classified’s. That’s all i’m saying…

By: ChillFAN

ChillFAN — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:49:24 +0000

Jeff, I have to agree with your friend that there was no legitimate “trade Manu” option last year, nor is there one now, so I agree with dtw that “its not worth discussing.” And Krista is right that you “don’t trade players like Ginobili,” in the first place. He’s been THE DIFFERENCE between winning and losing for four years, and was the difference when we beat the Lakers in the regular season this year.

Jeff you brought up a good question, though. Should we expect Manu for a full season next year? YES. I think that’s a realistic an expectation and whats expected from Tim Duncan. I say its a good question, though, because you can only have so many old dudes on the team–the other spots HAVE to be filled by youth. I wouldn’t let Finley, Udoka and JV stay on if they offered to play for free.

By: Latin_D

Latin_D — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:37:07 +0000

This is a painful moment for me, and I honestly don’t want to revisit all the arguments going on at PTR, but I just wanted to commend you on a great post. The imagery was particularly fitting.

By: ChillFAN

ChillFAN — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:12:44 +0000

Jaceman, great post, thanks for the list. I remember Daniels being clueless when with the Mavs, but should pay closer attention to him. IMO, the Hawks will pay Williams before Bibby. It’s premature, but

(1) Next year, I hope Pop relies on the Austin Toros development for more than a Rodeo Road Trip buddy.

(2) I’m not adverse to the Spurs trading into this year’s draft as you are, Jaceman, because that’s where they’ve been most successful. You lose out on Batum by one pick and you score with Hill!!! That’s a team that knows its draft board, my friend. And the Spurs owners prefer those salaries.

By: Krista

Krista — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:15:02 +0000

For those suggesting we should/should’ve traded Manu: How many times have you criticized a players’ lack of loyalty? It goes both ways. There are some players that you just don’t trade. There are so few players who are loyal to a team that when you have one you don’t throw them away.

I want Manu to retire a Spur.

By: Timothy Varner

Timothy Varner — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:16:02 +0000

Marvin Williams or Josh Childress would be dreams, and would probably need to happen by way of trade. But, yeah, I’ve thought about those two as Spurs for a long time.