Comments on: TrueHoop Network 2009-10 Season Preview: San Antonio

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Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:42:24 +0000

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By: Zack

Zack — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:30:21 +0000

In terms of the inadequate size in the front court debate…

People forget that while although Blair is short for a C/PF, he has a 7′3″ wingspan which makes a huge difference when playing defense down low. Just look at the way he handled Thabeet all season last year. Blair is undoubtedly going to be a better post player (offensively and defensively) than Malik Rose ever was if his knees hold up.

By: krista

krista — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:49:03 +0000

Andy… Maybe I should have been more clear. Manu isn’t the only player who has suffered injuries to his ankles. Why isn’t anyone worried about Tony? He sprained an ankle or two in recent years. My point was that I think people are classifying Manu as if he’s gone through Grant Hill-like injury problems. I don’t consider Manu “injury-prone” just because of 18-month or so period of ankle issues, which I believe has more to do with rushing back to play rather than taking the time to properly heal.

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:04:04 +0000

Re: Manu and injuries… The whole problem with ankle injuries IS that they make you more susceptible to further injury. Of course, I hope he doesn’t show any lingering weaknesses and returns to his devastating form of old.

That said, IF he at some point is shelved for the season (and only if there’s a miniscule chance of his contributing in the playoffs) I would possibly go for a trade. I love Manu but we have such a small margin of error if we’re to get one more ring for Timmy.

Finally, about the big men, seriously? While Gasol and the cavs frontline makes me think twice, I think our big men match up rather nicely now. Sure we’ll get burned some, but Blair has proven to be scrappier and a tougher matchup than I could have imagined (granted I don’t watch college ball that much). Given Dice and Ratliff’s saavy and especially Dice’s keep-them-honest jumper, I think others will have to worry just as much about us. Maybe I’m being optimistic, but damn I love our chances.

By: ChillFAN

ChillFAN — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:02:01 +0000

The liitle things he does in the clutch are vital. Repeat after me: Ginobili is the Spurs only shot at a title. Without him they are just a good team.

By: krista

krista — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:26:04 +0000

Regarding Manu’s injuries… His reckless style causes bumps, bruises and contusions, but nothing too serious or long term.

As far as his ankles, I don’t believe it is a case of “injury prone.”. The first injury occurred. Not a big deal except he rested rather than opt for surgery and rushed back to play for Argentina. Then the already weakened ankle was reinjured. I believe his other ankle injury was more related to being more cautious with the first ankle than a case of weak ankles. As long as the injuries are fully healed and he is mentally back, his ankles are no less likely to become injured than anyone else’s.

I think it is premature to classify him as injury prone. I think he’ll be fine.

By: Jaceman

Jaceman — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:22:02 +0000

Firstly, if you watch the 2005 championships, Tim Duncan had a hard time guarding Rasheed Wallace. I don’t see how Blair, who is 4 inches shorter will fare any better, especially with Kevin Garnett on the floor at the same time. While I agree that the backcourt is improved, the onus is all on Tony Parker. That’s the only patented advantage that the Spurs really have. While Manu does win out favorably in most matchups, I’m not entirely convinced that we’re hard and fast on top. In the case of Lakers, Kobe and Artest are both above average defenders, Odom will never play the SF slot, and the frontcourt will platoon between Odom, Gasol, and Bynum depending on needs. I believe that Blair is more of a post player and therefore will be hard pressed to simply keep up with Odom’s skill let alone his length. While there doesn’t need to be a stated advantage in the frontcourt, I would argue that there still needs to be comparable production. While Ratliff is effective, I don’t see him producing much, not to mention he’s also only 6-9, like McDyess. No knock on either, but honestly, how do they really expect to contest the likes of Shaq or Big Z? The issue isn’t when Timmy is on the floor, but when he’s off, and he’s going to be off a lot more often now that he’s older and needs more rest. So who shares the floor then? In the past it has been Malik Rose and David Robinson, Robert Horry and one of Nazr Mohammed, Fabricio Oberto, or Francisco Elson. You’re not going to tell me that McDyess and Blair on the floor at the same time are going to be able to be effective against above mentioned frontcourt combinations? While we’re trending towards the undersized power forward realm (i.e. Leon Powe, Brandon Bass, Glen Davis, Kevin Love, etc…) the Gasol/Bynum/Odom and Garnett/Perkins/Wallace rotations worry me the most. Even Varejao/Shaq/Ilgauskas could be bothersome. We should probably save speculations for further down the season, I don’t see Pop making dramatic changes from what has always worked. While we don’t have a “Bruce Bowen” type character per se, we probably will be anticipating something closer to what we saw in 2003 with Stephen Jackson and Manu on the floor. While we have an impressive backcourt of Parker, Manu, and Jefferson, again, I can only say that Parker is the definitive advantage, and even then, only against matchups like LA and/or Cleveland, where PG defense is weak.

By: SPURSfanLA

SPURSfanLA — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:50:12 +0000

Maybe it’s just me, but I’m actually not too worried about Odom in the playoffs. Most of my memories of him are bad threes and horrible bricks. With Manu (especially him), RJ and McDyess, I feel optimistic.

By: SpursfanSteve

SpursfanSteve — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:19:07 +0000

and no way should we even think about trading anyone for camby. period. Ratliff fills that role, and i would think just as well as Camby would. Camby is injury prone and has definitely declined the past couple years. 5 years ago, if manu was hurt and camby was healthy, i’d say make the trade. But now, no way. As for any potential moving of Manu, i’d hate to see him go- but we just witnessed Bruce going, and i loved Bruce about as much as i love Manu. If the right deal comes, as far as i’m concerned the only untouchable right now is Tim, because i can’t think of a big i would rather have, even at this point in Tim’s career.

By: SpursfanSteve

SpursfanSteve — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:10:07 +0000

Chris K.
i’m not sure that Blair won’t be able too though. He needs some time to mentally adjust to the speed of the game, but he has shed weight since we drafted him (or at least looks it), and he has shown a good amount of quickness going for steals (and getting several, although getting burned a time or two as well). I think maybe by the end of the year its possible he could match up to Odom. He also has a really, really long wingspan (i think 7′3?), which helps when you are not as quick (think Ariza guarding Parker, Brooks, etc). Anyway- I would definitely like to see him try at the beginning of the year and in the playoffs. Plus, if they play all 3 (Odom, Gasol, Bynum) at the same time, i think it would be interesting to see Duncan, Mcdyess, and Blair or Duncan, Ratliff, and Blair working together on the floor defensively. All Blair (or really whoever is guarding him) would have to do is run him towards the help D.

By: Chris K.

Chris K. — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:21:51 +0000

Ryan,

No way can Blair guard Odom.

I love the guy, and he can hold his own in the paint against Odom, but it’s Odom’s slashing ability and 3 point range that makes him a difficult match-up.

Jefferson or Haislip (or Bonner???) probably have to guard Odom.

By: Timothy Varner

Timothy Varner — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:34:27 +0000

Slowly back away from the Ginobili comment. Only if he is seriously injured would the Spurs even look at trading him, and maybe not even then….

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:11:34 +0000

as for Ginobili being traded, I’ll be one starting the riot the second that happens. and Camby’s not even worth what Ginobili is, so that obviously won’t happen. and besides, Camby is a little older than Ginobili(a path we do not want to go back), and has his own injury to deal with last season with the Clippers, as we all saw it during a game against us. again i say, as a true Spurs fan, i think the frontline will be fine. and Jackson for Ginobili? like i said about Camby, Jackson’s not even worth what Ginobili is. I like Jackson a lot, but he is up there in age(almost the same age as Ginobili), and he might be a great shooter, but Ginobili is much better. and Ginobili still does things that are great in his own way, that even with those pieces we got can’t do(no disrespect to Jefferson, McDyess, and Blair because they can do great things their own way too). and I know it’s true. All in All, I do not wanna see Ginobili traded whether he’s healthy or not. and despite the fact he wasn’t healthy all last season and only played half of it, he still averaged 15-16 points. and if healthy, i think he’s still the 3rd best SG, behind Kobe and Wade.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:38:37 +0000

Honestly, to me, i really don’t see a problem with our frontcourt big men taking on the other teams’ frontcourt big men. looking at the other contenders’/playoff prospects’ rosters, these are the only legit 7′0″ guys:

Lakers: Gasol/Bynum
Celtics: None
Cavs: Shaq/Ilgauskas
Magic: None(yes, shocking, Howard is listed at 6′11″)
Blazers: Oden/Przybilla
Nuggets: None

all the other guys are either short of being 7 feet(being 6′11″ or 6′10″) or not even close to being 7 feet(6′9″ or lower), so our frontcourt of big men should be able to compete with them in size. now as for the Spurs’ big men matching up with the Lakers’ big men, i don’t see that as a concern. Duncan can handle both Bynum or Gasol(whoever is playing against him at that time, and Gasol has had his probems playing against Duncan). and with the combination of McDyess/Ratliff, they can handle either both Gasol or Bynum, again, depending on who’s in. and with Odom coming off the bench, I think if given the time, I believe Blair could handle a 6′11″ guy in Odom, seeing the fact that Blair can handle his own against the other PFs and even Cs with his toughness rather than his 6′7″ height. and Haislip could get some time against Odom too. So with that said, I don’t see a problem with it. in fact, I’ll guarantee the Spurs’ frontcourt big men are exactly right there to cause problems to the other contenders’ big men.

By: Sauce

Sauce — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:17:44 +0000

I would like to see a Ginobli for Camby trade. I love Ginobli and he is one of my favorite players, but I agree with all those who have said that our frontline will be the real test. As much as it pains me to even think about trading Ginobli, we have a lot more pieces that can mask what Ginobli does. We need a secondary, defensive big man.