The 4-Down Podcast, episode 27: Zach Lowe of The Point Forward

“…figure out how to not have Matt Bonner guarding a center in the playoffs.” -

Spurs were one injury to a key player, one legitimate b/u wing and one defensive big short of being set to go all the way last year.

Injuries one can’t know when they will happen and if they happen to one of your top two players on the team…that team would be hard pressed to make it through the playoffs.

I don’t think the Spurs need to blow the team up. But in order to have a chance to win it all they are going to have to make at least one savy deal via trade AND get lucky during free agency. Hopefully with the bevy of SF’s available this free agency the Spurs might get lucky in getting one of those players and via trade get the type of big man they’ll need to compliment Splitter and Duncan. Bonner and Blair are not, will not be, post players any team should be playing more than 10 minutes a game.

Get rid of Bonner. There is definently trade value there. I say either unload them and their massive contracts for draft picks or sign and trade for a wing such as Caron Butler or Nene. And we need samuel Dalembert or andre Kirilenko, Either or, depending on what we do with Jefferson/bonner. we could possibly add blair or george hill in the said trade. This better happen we need to unload jefferson and sign some free agents

So on another note who should the Spurs draft? Should they move up via trade? I would LOVE to have Chris Singleton but there’s no way hes falling to us unless he has no cartilage in his knees. How about JaJuan Johnson from Purdue. Athletic big man who can score and plays decent defense. Thoughts?

Spurs won’t give up any valuable chips to move up in the trade. The question to be asked, can Ryan Richards play better defense than Bonner? If so, sign him up now, or when the agreement takes place.

Bonner has very little trade value. He’s a one dimensional, system-based player with no upside who still has 3 years left on his contract. He has very little value (if any) as a trade “asset”.
I read this same argument under each post and it boggles my mind every time I read it. George Hill has value - he’s young, has some upside and he’s cheap. Same with Blair, Tiago, and Anderson. Bonner? Not so much.

I have no idea who they will grab. For the past three or four years it’s been nearly impossible to know who they are targeting (mostly because they draft so late and go after some dark horses). They only time you could see it coming was with Blair, because he had been so dominant in college and was inexplicably still on the board in the second round. But even then it took about ten or eleven teams to take a bad pass for the Spurs strategy to finally become predictable. Basically, because they never get top-20 picks in the Duncan era, he was the last No-brainer Spurs pick.

Not to mention Chicago is desperate for a SG and the Spurs have a stockpile of those. Â I would love to see Taj Gibson or Omar Asik playing for the silver & black next year.

I like that deal. Instant defense and energy off the bench. Works for Chicago too they get George Hill to play his natural position at sg and get another 3pt threat and a hustle guy off the bench. One problem: salaries don’t match. The Spurs would have to have $1,500,000 Â cut off from the salaries. Would it be possible to give Mcdyess instead of Bonner? They could get cap relief from Mcdyess’ retirement so they could sign a decent free agent. If not we could add a 3rd team in the trade.

Umm…..I’ll take another Tiago…..last time I checked, wasn’t that a need?

Salaries also dont have to match if draft picks are involved so jefferson straight up for a 1st rounder works out. Gets rid of cap and gives us a draft pick to work with

http://www.projectspurs.com/2011-articles/june/spurs-to-build-via-trade.html
Pretty big news. This is something the Spurs don’t usually do so it will be interesting.

@a8e1425c18bce053363b8da47b927f93:disqus . I hope that is the case. The spurs aren’t quite ready to rebuild, but need some serious tweaking if they are to have a chance at at getting back to the WCF’s. If we buy in for a minute that Tony is one of the 3 untouchables, then I would hazzard to guess that one or more of RJ, Blair, Anderson, and maybe Hill and Bonner are top of the availability list. I would think they would be smart to keep Hill if they have Tony and Manu stay, because although not ideal as point, and a little short a the 2, he can play both positions.
RJ is replaceable, and they are not getting enough value for money there. Maybe phoenix, portland or other will take him….sides with a pass first point. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind an offense that suits his skills better either.
Blair has some tools, but could go to a team that has mobile scoring 4’s and could use a rebounder off the bench. I would be happy to see him get another year in SA though.
Anderson is all promise and not enough court time….so could go if the right type of player came in return.
If Bonner is to stay, the spurs need to change their offense somewhat, as teams have caught up to them in defending the 3pt line, and he will need more time to shoot if he is to keep his percentages up next season.
Despite all these reasons, I would lean towards trading Hill and Jefferson for a young good sized wing and an expensive, yet useful vet big.
I’m not sure if Iguodala would be more of what RJ brings, but an upgrade…but I have the feeling he would be a good compliment to Manu and Tony. Maybe if the spurs threw RJ, Hill, and a pick for Igu and parts they would get over the line. might be a stretch. I think a similar approach to trading - trading two solid backcourt/wing for an upgrade would be smart. We have Manu, Tony, Neal and possibly Anderson or Green, so we are stacked in the backcourt, with the exception of a point.
The other option is to get a steady point to relieve pressure on Tony, and give him more freedom to score.

Korver does.

It’s hard to judge him since he doesn’t get the opportunity to develop and play. He’s a third string center. You can’t always expect someone who hasn’t played that much to come out and have an instant impact. His going for pump fakes and fouling was a perfect example. It’s easy to do if you’re eager to make an impact and don’t play that much.

Ian has been in the NBA for three years (plus a couple in Austin). At 24, he is what he is - an end of the bench player at best for a contender.

For all his athleticism, he has no discipline defensively and his BBIQ isn’t very good.

It’s just weird to me that someone with the obvious physical gifts he has can’t be coached into becoming a pretty good player, but I’ve seen it again and again. I mean, he’s had some of the best coaching available, and plenty of good teammates who he could learn from.Â

Meanwhile, there are guys with limited athleticism, like Brian Cardinal, who can deliver when called on because they play smart and within their limitations. I don’t think it’s intelligence, because I’ve seen Mahinmi interviewed and he seems smart enough. I agree with the BBIQ statement, but I just wonder if that’s something that can be coached if a player is willing to spend enough hours in a gym with a coach.Â

 I’m thinking about Dirk. There’s no doubt that he’s a physically gifted player, but he’s also take it upon himself to become a smarter and more skilled player throughout his career. He has continued to develop and get better ever year, at an age where most NBA players have declining skills.

OK, after all my trash talking about Mahinmi, he gave a couple of good minutes in the first half, and played decent in the third quarter. His defense in the third was terrible, but he did hit an open shot at the end. He may yet develop into a decent second stringer.

Let’s see if his game evolves when the Champs take the court to defend the title.