Clippers 88, Spurs 118

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Not exactly known for being fleet of foot, Matt Bonner pulled his best David Robinson impression, helping to force Craig Smith into a missed layup and then beating the Clippers in transition for an “acrobatic” reverse layup.

With the score still a reasonable 20-14 before the basket, and still in the first quarter, that sequence is all you need to know about the effort level of a Clippers team that rolled over at the first sign of adversity. Or, as head coach Kim Hughes put it:

“I think we had four players on our defensive side competing tonight and that’s not enough,” Hughes said. “I thought most of our guys didn’t compete. 

“I don’t intend to let this team quit and if that’s the case minutes will have to be adjusted and those players will find themselves next to me.”

For most of the night, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili found themselves on the bench next to their own head coach, albeit under much better circumstances. Ginobili totaled 14 points and six assists in 18 minutes. In 13 minutes Duncan managed eight points and one unfortunate turnover that had George Hill (14 points, 11 assists) jokingly banning Duncan from further joining in on the Spurs recent alley-oop ways.  

“On back-to-backs if I can give those guys rest it’s very important and tonight worked out well,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.

Outside of rest, there were a few continuing trends from last night’s game that merit keeping an eye on as the level of competition escalates. Since rejoining Manu Ginobili in the starting lineup, Richard Jefferson has looked like the player the Spurs expected, finishing with 18 points and nine rebounds.

It’s become apparent that Jefferson is a much better fit in the Spurs new Ginobili-oriented offense, thriving off the free movement and passing that was not as available when the Spurs ran so much of their offense through Duncan earlier this season. In short, wherever Ginobili goes, Jefferson needs to follow.

Another development has been Malik Hairston cracking his way into the rotation as the first guard off the bench instead of Roger Mason. Hairston has shown he can get to the rim and finish, though it will be interesting to see if he can hit jumpers consistently against better defenses that will cut off his driving lanes.

For now he offers the Spurs an energetic defender, as visible by some of the work he did last night on Travis Outlaw.

“ Malik does a good job defensively,” Popovich said. “It’s probably the best thing he does and he takes great pride in it.”

Finally, there is the continued improvement of Matt Bonner who scored 21 points on nine shots, missing only one three-pointer. And if the David Robinson impression wasn’t enough, he showed he can also pull off a decent Kobe Bryant too, hitting a shot from behind the backboard over two defenders.

Asked if he ever practices that shot, Bonner came clean.

“Only when I  play horse,” he said. “This is like the one chance of my career to make the top ten plays.”

Or at least until he plays the Clippers again.

← Older Comments
  • Araz

    If we are talking about rebuilding… this coming year’s draft is pretty deep, for what we need I think. We can get anyone from a selection of shotblockers to compliment Blair… Varnardo, Art Parukouiski, Alabi (florida state), and a gaurd in the second round to compliment hill… Reynolds, Warren, Collins, Vasquez.

  • Bushka

    Parkers not selfless? Parkers a shoot first point guard?

    What are you guys talking about?

    Tony is a PG who relies on penetration/ floaters and open floor spacing.

    During a season that is horrible by his standars he is averaging 5.7 assists per 31.5 minutes. Thats 8.167 per 48 minutes.

    Thats better than Chauncey Billups, Derrik Rose, Mo Williams and a bunch of other upper echelon PG’s. It’s about the same as Andre Miller. Your going to tell me these guys are selfish gunners?

    George Hill who never gets called out for being selfish or me first shooter is averaging 4.2 assists in 36 Minutes the past month.

    The past month, you know the time he has been keyed in to big minutes and a starting role? I’m not skewing numbers here, i’m taking Georges best ever run of minutes and production.

    Thats 5.55 assists per 48 minutes.

    George is a great player I love him, I have no issue with our assist numbers, never have and never will. Neither should you guys.

    As currently constructed this team is run through Tim Duncan and has always been a team that MAKES the extra pass. We have never needed a PG who does nothing but initiate offence.

    Tony has always been happy to make the extra pass, and has always shot the ball at a high %.

    Tims one of the best passing bigs of the past 50 years. Manu is one of the best passing SG’s in the league for the past decade.

    Why do you think we suddenly need someone to initiate the offence?

    I’m just wondering when this benign agreement on players “abilities” and “tendancies” is going to get swept away by the actual facts of the matter.

    I’m all for improvement in the Spurs. I’d still like to see some reality in the actual assessments.

  • Bushka

    Ok Corey just re read your comment you didn’t say TP wasn’t selfless at all :)

    You said he wasn’t as selfless as Manu. Fairly hefty distinction sorry.

  • junierizzle

    @ all the “Trade TP” people.

    Two words: ROdney Stucky.

    Many of you think G. HiLL is ready to lead the team. I love HIll and he’s a great player, but he ain’t ready.

    PISTONS thought Stuckey was ready. SO they traded BILLUPS. Now look at em.

    TP is the future. If MANu can still get to the CUP at 32 then TP still has a lot of game in him left.

    The Spurs are going to need him in the Playoffs.
    He was just starting to play good when he broke his hand. It’s just bad luck.

    The only reasons for trading TP is for a swat straight up for CP3 or if TP isn’t planning on resigning after next season.

  • VP of Common Sense

    Just watching the pistons/celtics game…

    I’ll I keep thinking is “Finley, you traitor!!”

    God, KG looks bad… TD all day, everyday.

  • VP of Common Sense

    *all I keep thinking

    (I had some adult beverages)

  • Hoopster

    @Bushka
    Only reason he had such a stellar year last year was out of neccesity. We had no Manu and TD wore down. But teams have wised up to his game and he does not get into the paint at will anymore and when he does he ends up trapped or trying to make a pass while in the air, and it just does not work anymore. One more point about his great year last season. How did that end up for us in the playoffs when the Mavs adjusted their game and he had to rely on passing to Bonner and Mason. Oh thats right we got bounced in the first round in what I call an embarrassing performance.
    For those of u loving you some Bonner right now u should seriously take a look at his stats against the better teams in the league(Teams we will potentially face in playoffs). Not against the lower tier teams like the Clippers.

  • Cory Clay

    @Bushka
    What am I talking about? What are you talking about? Watching games and seeing how a player impacts his team is more valuable to me than per minute stats.

    Parker is a willing passer…..when he has exhausted his options to score, sorry but it’s a fact! That’s why Parker works well with stand still spot-up shooters.

    Now with Manu, players no that if they cut and are open on the floor, Manu will find them. Their is a big difference in the types of assists a player like Parker has vs a player like Manu.

    And don’t get me wrong, I like Parker, but if you think Parker would be have come off the bench all of these years for the good of the team like Manu has you are seriously kidding yourself!

  • Cory Clay

    And sorry for the spelling and grammer errors.

  • Hoopster

    All I am saying folks is we have to seriously look at moving Parker. I think he would net more in a trade for us to help our future. We will not win a championship as presently constructed and we just do not have much in the way of trade assets unless we give up Blair or Hill. I for one do not want to do that.

  • Jim Henderson

    Hobson13
    March 14th, 2010 at 5:29 pm

    “The idea of trading Tony is not such a radical idea that it should be lightly dismissed as lunacy.”

    Hobson13
    March 14th, 2010 at 3:25 pm

    “Again, perhaps we retain Parker and trade RJ, but going into next year with the same lineup minus a few role players is suicide.”

    Hobson, I understand your point. That said, for the record, I’m not anxious to move Tony Parker. I think he’s an excellent player, he plays well with Duncan, and has plenty of game left in him (I would like to see him drop international play – it’s time). I only mention his name as a possibility because of his large expiring coming up at the end of next season, and the fact is the Spurs MUST get a young, talented interior player with height & shot-blocking ability. If we did, we might be able to get TD to resign at a smaller contract in a couple years to continue his chase at “realistic” title attempts in a Spur uniform. Just remember though, it’s unlikely either RJ or TP would be moved before next Feb. trade deadline. It’s just become harder & harder to do big deals like that during the off-season. Plus, both TP & RJ would have to ramp up their trade value with a solid, injury free first half of next season.

    Now, the thing is I don’t want to lose TP for nothing, and I don’t believe we’ll be able to afford his current salary (or market value next year) and still assemble the necessary pieces to truly “contend” in the next 2-3 years. And as with Manu, if we don’t trade TP before next years trade deadline, we risk losing him if he doesn’t want to concede salary to stay here. That’s always a BIG “if”.

    The problem comes down to who do we get for TP, and at what cost? You first have to ask, who needs a point guard like TP? Then, does that team have the right player(s) that we need? These are pretty complex scenarios and weighty decisions to be sure.

    You are right about this: we are not going to challenge as currently constructed. And I just don’t know if we can afford the big three and still acquire the missing pieces to truly compete for a title. We proved this year that with TD in decline (still great, productive player, but not the dominant force as in the past) we’re not going to be good enough to compete by filling gaps in the front court with aging players (e.g., McDyess, Ratliff), and one undersized talent (Blair).

    The fact is, we simply can’t afford many “star” players, even in a trade (TP could net one, but is that the way we want to go, a star for a star?). Or should we focus on guys “like” DeAndre Jordan of the Clips, or Serge Ibaka of OKC, etc. Bigs that might become stars. But can we even work out a deal for these “types” of players? And of course, if we lose Manu, TP, & RJ we would need a guard & small forward as well. If so, we would need to acquire players “like” Ronnie Brewer of Memphis, or Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Randolph, & C.J. Watson of the Warriors. But can we come up with good deals for these “types” of players?

    All I can say is, let’s hope so!

  • Bushka

    Hoopster I don’t disagree he had a stellar year out of necessity, but he still had it.

    It’s a harsh assessment when he blows peoples minds and your not happy just because he had to do that. If anything it shows you how much he plays within himself and for the good of the team

    As to the playoffs, it wasn’t just the mavs changing it up, it was the fact that he was a wreck. He faded in the playoffs because he was just used up. His usage on the year was absolutely off the charts.

    @Corey.

    I am actually saying, why do you want him to be a pass first player? What value is that to our team?

    What do the spurs gain by him just trying to create opportunities for others? I also don’t agree that he doesn’t hit cutters or rollers in the pick and roll. He finds Timmy plenty, and is a more than willing passer if someone has a wide open look. It’s not like we’re talking about Yinka Dare here.

    Those stats are very much in line with the type of player he is. A composite ball handler who can create for himself or his team mates, like most of the upper echelon point guards are. Billups, Rose, Williams, they all bring those type of skills to the table, thats what we have and it is EXACTLY what we need.

    Does Tim need that much help to get a shot off? What about Manu? Has tony ever had a problem being a cog in the wheel?

    The spurs don’t need him to be that, and don’t want him to be that. If that’s what was needed Pop and Co. would have changed it up long ago.

    If you guys seriously think about moving Parker your going to have a gutted team, with limited cap space and no stars at all.

    You think Tim Duncans hanging round to play on the Clippers mark 2?

    If you can’t sign Manu, or Manu gets injured severely whats your rotation going to be like?

    George & three rookies? Is Roger Mason Jnr your shooting guard of the future?

    Do you really think George is ready to be an all star? Because at least one of our guard rotation has to be at that kind of level for us to be serious players over the next few years.

    Of course, IF someone offers you a killer deal for anyone outside of Tim you take it and don’t think twice, everyone else is always in play. But just cap space and draft picks? That kind of thing kills franchises and fan bases.

    As to the not winning a championship as presently constructed, that may or may not be true. But just trading for the sake of trading is not on the cards, and i’m totally not convinced that George Hill & Dejaun Blair are enough to build a franchise on.

    We are a spoilt lot, we look like a solid playoff team, but from the general tone you’d think we were languishing in the lottery for the 4th or 5th season straight.

  • Cory Clay

    @Bushka
    Again, I really like Parker but your forcing me to sound as if I don’t.
    The thing with Parker is that #’s matter to him. All-Star game selections matter to him.

    I remember during his first few seasons when he was asked when does he determine whether he should push the ball or not he replied that if he beat Timmy and Robinson down the court he knew he could try to score vs a half court set where he would be the 3rd or 4th option. That’s not something you’d ever hear Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Billups or Rose ever saying.

    Like I said earlier, Parker will give it up if he can’t score himself. Watch fastbreaks w/Parker, instead of trying to get a player like Jefferson going by feeding him for an easy dunk he takes himself, every single time! When have you ever seen Parker pass up a shot on a fastbreak? The only time that happens is if it would be blatantly obvious that he didnt want to pass to the player ahead of him down court. To me, that’s not a top 3 point guard. When Parker’s athleticism slows him down his production and value will drop significantly due to the fact that he won’t be able to score at the clip he potentially can now when healthy and he doens’t impact the game in any other way.

  • Jim Henderson

    Bushka
    March 15th, 2010 at 4:14 pm

    Thanks for setting the guys straight on Parker. It doesn’t appear many understand his value to the Spur’s system.

    Hoopster
    March 15th, 2010 at 4:25 pm

    I don’t agree with your assessment of Parker. There are numerous legitimate reasons I won’t take the time to enumerate for his under-achievement this year, and yet he’s still put up some pretty decent numbers anyway. Also, let’s all hope your assessment is wrong, otherwise we wouldn’t get as much for him if we were to move him. And the fact is, we need to get back as much as possible to justify moving him.

  • BALLHOG

    Refreshing @ Cory Clay

    You posted earlier:

    “Watching games and seeing how a player impacts his team is more valuable to me than per minute stats”.

    I applaud that post. It was truth.

    Again, trading Parker, Ginnobli, or Duncan is insane. Seems there have been more than enough stupid moves over the last few years…Time for basketball decisions, not personnal ones.

    Spurs would be taking a dangerous route by moving any one of these three players. They are still serviceable high profile players. Minor decline in thier games, but what has been lost physically has been gained mentally.

    The major challenge will be for this FO to find the right pieces, the right supporting cast to surround these guys with, and convince them to come to San Antonio and to play for this coach. Good Luck!

    No need to trade them and no need to be overly concerned about cap.

    We simply need Peter Holt to convince this coach that the time is now to committ to not only developing younger players, but to actually play them.

    Even this season is not necessarily a total loss. If the team were to give Bogans’ minutes to Hairston and actually play Mahinmi limited minutes, it could actually make us contenders now.

    I would gladly take Mahinmi’s inexperience , mistakes, and even fouls in exchange for his ability to change shots, block shots, and provide size and athleticism in the paint.

    I would also demand that Mcdyess and Bonner get reaquainted with the paint for the rest of this season and the playoffs.

    Both could really help this team by playing like real NBA PF’s for a change. Not blaming the players though…This is a coaching issue.

    As for Mason Jr. Roger is a baller. He is solid at 7th or 8th man off the bench. Not the greatest defender, but can shoot and has the gonads to come out and compete.

    I will close the way I opened…

    Tony Parker is the wrong guy to trade. The team is weak in areas due to bad management. Spurs should actually try and fix whats broken instead of trying to recreate the wheel.

    Bring in real basketball players. Guys that can do more than one thing. How about guys that can shoot, move, and communicate? Maybe even a player or two with the ability to intimidate a tad bit, here and there?.

    How about REAL power forwards who can play a lil defense, get a rebound, or maybe even block a shot. Younger versions of Mcdyess type players would be excellent.

    How about an actual Center for a change?

    How about a back up point guard with some size and grit?

    Thousands of College players, tons of free agents, and more available role players than one could count….All at bargain basement pricing!

    Should it really be that difficult to do?

    Do we really need to break up our core to right the ship?

  • Hoopster

    As I said to everyone it would not be the most popular decision, but remember this, he and his hollywood wife/lifestyle might leave anyway and we get nothing for him. Let me make it clear that I think that Parker has been great for our franchise, but he has always been a me first point guard. Remember how much Pop used to rail on the guy because he was not in the right spots on D and he was not hitting cutters, etc. It was because he was and is always looking for his numbers. It was disguised well because we had a lot of quality role players that never complained. As those players have departed and our team is not as strong he has taken on an even larger role. If we do not move him or get something for him we will set ourselves back another several years. Because mark my words getting the biggest possible deal on what might be his last opportunity on a big contract will come first and foremost, and he will not care about how many of you loyal fans stuck by him. I have no doubt that if we do not move him we will lose him for nothing. Because we will not be able to afford him. Keep in mind that TP will probably not want to be here after TD is done, and if i am not mistaken TD’s contract is done 1 yr after TP’s. So why would he not leave earlier?

  • Hoopster

    Ballhog,
    In your post I agree, but there is a fault in your thinking. we have never really attracted younger/athletic free agents and we were ok with that because TD, Manu, And TP were young and still very athletic but that is not the case anymore. We have to be able to get them here another way and that would be through trade. The players that we need to get on our roster I agree 100% with you, but again we end up with older guys that are on their last legs so to speak. Or guys that are not Pop guys and he won’t play them, but as we have agreed upon before this FO has not done a great job of keeping some of the talented draft picks we have had in the past. We need to accumulate draft picks/players as well as possibly getting some players back in trade. Unfortunately sometimes the only way to do that is by trading a major asset.

  • Jim Henderson

    BALLHOG
    March 15th, 2010 at 5:59 pm

    You say:

    “If the team were to give Bogans’ minutes to Hairston and actually play Mahinmi limited minutes, it could actually make us contenders now.”

    BALLHOG, can we stick to reality? Please!?

    You say:

    “How about REAL power forwards who can play a lil defense, get a rebound, or maybe even block a shot. Younger versions of Mcdyess type players would be excellent.

    How about an actual Center for a change?

    How about a back up point guard with some size and grit?

    Thousands of College players, tons of free agents, and more available role players than one could count….All at bargain basement pricing!

    Should it really be that difficult to do?”

    Of course it is. Do you really think this is “NBA Monopoly”, the board game? This is real money & real assets (players), most of which are of unpredictable value. And no, we don’t collect $200 million for passing “GO”; we get disqualified for passing the cap.

    The fact is it’s NOT going to be easy to re-sign the big three AND fill in the important gaps with budding stars and “useful” role players that add up to another championship – AND STAY UNDER THE CAP!

    I didn’t say it was impossible, but if the FO could pull it off, the Spurs would be well on their way to another “franchise of the decade”.

  • BALLHOG

    @ Hoopster

    We may not agree on every point, but the options that you mentioned in your posts are definately possible . Though I love Tp as a player, he would be the logical player of the BIG 3 to trade, if the team’s hand was forced. Its unfortunate, but true.

    I agree with you that his Hollywood wife is a factor as well as Duncan’s eventual exit. If we are truly keeping it real, Tony would be a fool not to go out and get market value. His next deal would probably be his last opportunity for a max contract.

    If the Spurs actually decide to trade Tony, they absolutely must get it right. They must persue a trade that will bring them the players that they need, now.

    No more scrubs and wanna be’s.

    Personally, I wouldnt take that route. I would keep my core intact and bring in the proper supporting cast. That way the team can rebuild while continuing to be competitive in the West for the next two seasons, at least.

    Spurs should definately proceed with caution.

    They have a coach, with a style of coaching, that will not only deter todays young players from comming here to play, but will create pause for veterans as well. Being small fish in a large pond, surviving a 10 to 12 year rebulding process, even 5 years in this economy, might be more than the franchise could handle.

    I would hate to see the city lose the club.

    Hoping for the best…

  • Cory Clay

    @Ballhog, I agree that trading Parker is not the answer.
    The key is to find complimentary players that match what is key to the Spurs current need.

    I think the biggest need is a secondary player that replicates what Brent Barry used to bring to the table. Parker can not be the best distributor on the team if we are to be successful. The Spurs need to retain Manu and bring in a player such as Mike Miller or Boris Diaw.

    Jefferson thus far has not worked and is only contributing when on the court with Manu when the original hope was that he would be able to somewhat replace what Manu does in case of injury or when Manu was out of the came. That clearly is not the case.

    What is interesting is the possibilities that could arise with a likely lockout.
    Mike Monroe wrote about the fact that the lockout could potentially mean that the Spurs will lose out in a bidding war for Tiago Splitter. Lets look at this scenario and how it could affect negotiations of NBA players. I wonder if older players that don’t get a contract for multiple years will elect for contract that is 2nd year player option in this case if a lockout occured than the player would be able to opt out of his contract then go overseas and make money while players under NBA contracts would not be able to do this.
    Players I could see doing this are Ray Allen, Shaq, Tracy McGrady, and our very own Manu.

  • Jim Henderson

    Hoopster
    March 15th, 2010 at 6:10 pm

    “Let me make it clear that I think that Parker has been great for our franchise, but he has always been a me first point guard.”

    So, you seem to admit that Parker was integral to 3 Spurs titles, and yet in the same breath you diss him for his so-called “me first” selfishness as a point guard. Is his “selfishness” therefore actually good for the team, somehow?

    Then you seem to connect TP’s so-called “me first” attitude as a player to a likelihood of him being selfish in his upcoming contract negotiations.

    Number one, your premise is wrong. TP is NOT a selfish, “me first” player. And I don’t think the coach or the players would agree. Number two, don’t forget the game is a business too. If TP get’s a better offer at this point in his career, you can’t blame him for taking it. The great majority of players would, just as the great majority of people on this blog would leave their company after several years for a more lucrative offer.

    You seem to be impugning TP’s character, and I really don’t feel there’s sufficient justification for that. I’m sure that’s not your intent, and it’s likely that this line of speculation is really just an expression of your concern for the potential of losing Parker to free agency without getting anything in return (an unfortunate reality at times in the NBA). I just don’t think the “me first” TP tact is accurate, or the most effective way to make your case.

  • Hobson13

    What alternate reality are some of you living in? A number of posts act as Parker’s injury is the only thing holding the big 3 back from seriously competing. That is not the case. This team is not really even that close to competing for a championship even if we did have Parker healthy. There are simply too many younger teams that either have up and coming stars or stars that are several years younger that ours. The league changed and got younger/athletic while the Spurs attempted to slot older “veteran” players into the lineup.

    IMO, The Spurs need to go back to 2002-2003 mode when Pop was coaching/teaching young talent such as Parker, Manu, SJax, and a much younger Duncan. What do we want to do, keep the big 3 intact and win 50 games this year, 45 games next year, 40 games the year after, etc? Essentially die a slow death or make some moves while we still have options? We need younger talent/good prospects but we have no cap space to sign free agents and we aren’t losing enough to get high draft picks. The only assets the Spurs have are some GREAT trade assets.

    I agree with what many of you have stated. It is VERY risky to trade a Tony Parker caliber player, but the alternative is very likely to go through a multiyear basketball wilderness of irrelavency. I, for one, would prefer us take the initiative while we still can.

  • junierizzle

    @BallHog

    I agree with you dude. Exactly what I was thinking.

    @HOBSON13

    I get your point about looking to the future and making deals when you can but not when you have a Finals MVP.

    Trading TP will more likely cause the “multiyear basketball wilderness of irrelavency” you mention than Spurs not trading TP.
    They need to bring in solid role players to put around TP, not send him off for role players that will have no one to play off of.

  • Jim Henderson

    Hobson13
    March 15th, 2010 at 8:16 pm

    Hobson, if you’ve read my previous posts on this thread you’ll notice that our thinking on the “keep TP on the list of trade considerations” is on the same wavelength. I don’t buy into the, “no, don’t even seriously think about trading TP crowd”. I think it’s silly, and is simply not dealing with reality.

    My point though is that we need to somehow come up with the “right piece(s)” in exchange for Parker if we’re going to pull the trigger on one of the big three. It is my contention that the MAIN piece we simply must have to truly contend is a solid, preferably younger defender in the paint that can rebound & block shots to line up next to an aging Duncan. As you know, these types of players are not easy to come by.

    Nevertheless, I did find a deal that at least on the surface seems like it might work out well for both teams. Here’s a link for the proposed deal off the “trade machine” website.

    http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yzz9lgx

    Parker & McDyess to Sixers for Dalembert & Williams.

    What are your thoughts?

  • buns

    It’s funny how a Clippers game post generates that many comments. But its always interesting to read opinions with good arguments. I don’t agree with everyone of you (and who cares?) but almost every point is interestingly built. That better than the POP SUCKS and the TP CANT DO THAT.
    By the way.
    I may be wrong, cause I didn’t watch a whole lot of live Spurs Basketball prior to the 2001 heartbreaker, but did any PG in the Spurs system ever rack up lots of assists? I’m guessing Pop’s system doesn’t favor assists from PG like, say, Sloan’s.

  • Hoopster

    Ok. While I will not shrink from my idea of trading TP i understand why the argument, but if we can’t find another way to get talent here and or get the draft picks to rebuild, we would be crazy not to trade TP. He is the best asset we have.
    Sorry folks but we will not win the lottery and end up with DR and TD in succession. Say what u will but Pop also was the benefactor of this luck. Bottom line we need to do something and even that is apparant to the FO by virtue of their move for Jokerson. All I will say is we have to make moves, of course we have to be careful and make the right moves.

  • Jim Henderson

    buns
    March 16th, 2010 at 12:16 am

    “I may be wrong, cause I didn’t watch a whole lot of live Spurs Basketball prior to the 2001 heartbreaker, but did any PG in the Spurs system ever rack up lots of assists? I’m guessing Pop’s system doesn’t favor assists from PG like, say, Sloan’s.”

    No, you’re exactly right about this. No PG has ever had a lot of assists in Pop’s system, and none have scored 18 ppg either. Unfortunately, the anti-TP crowd just don’t get it.

    Parker is surrounded by two of the greatest passer’s at their position (Duncan & Ginobli) to ever play the game. It’s not like Nash on the Sun’s, who’s offense runs around Nash, at least partly because Nash’s principal teammates are NOT good passers (Amare, Richardson, Lopez, Frye, etc.). The Spurs offense runs through Duncan …… and then through Ginobli, Parker, etc. THAT’S THE SPURS SYSTEM, AND PARKER & his SIX apg. fits very well in it!

    Bushka does a great job explaining this, and has felt inclined as a result of many of the comments on this blog to explain it repeatedly. So, once and for all, can you anti-TP people please try to understand this basic concept. It’s not rocket science!

  • Hobson13

    Henderson,

    The trade you proposed is interesting. I wonder if they would take RJ instead of Tony and McDyess. The trade you propose would indeed get us younger at two positions and Dalembert would re-sign for far less than the $12mill he is getting now. He’s a good young shot blocker who could really help TD along that back line.

    Here’s the kind of trade I think we would have to pull off for someone like Parker:

    Parker and McDyess for the Twolves Center Al Jefferson and PG Ramon Sessions. If we could get this kind of blockbuster deal, I think we have to do it. If we can’t get a great deal for Parker, then I agree with the rest, there’s no point in giving him away.

    BTW: Theoretically this trade might actually work. Minny is rumored to be shopping Al and they could buy McDyess out leaving even more cap space to resign Parker. If they did not want to resign Parker, they would have just saved $16 mil in cap space for a Free Agent.

  • Tyler

    As far as trading guys in the future:

    I think this playoffs will tell us a lot. If we look slow, old, and worn out, I think RC will feel pressured to make some significant changes next year. But if we make a run at the conference finals and suprise a couple opponents, you might not see any major moves.

    I’m definitely not an advocate for trading any of our big 3. I still think they’ve got a lot left in the tank. However, you have to explore all possibilities. Over the past few seasons, injuries have become more frequent, a direct result of age/wear. Expect more of this. This is what happens to players entering their 30′s (even though he hasn’t reached that point, TP has as many miles as most players in their early 30′s).

    Either way you cut the cake, the reality is tough decision will have to be made. Keep in mind that our cap figure is waaaaaaay out of the norm for us. Any moves made will have to rein in that figure.

  • Tyler

    And for the record – TP is not selfish or me-first.

    TD has been our defacto point guard over the last decade. As others touch on, he’s one of the best passers out of the double team in the history of the league. We don’t need high volume assist guys. We need guys who can attack a fractured defense and take advantage of driving angles. TP does that better than just about any PG in the league and is a big reason why he’s a perfect fit for our offense.

  • rj

    im kind of a late comment in this blog, but i was really intruiged by garbage time.

    cedric jackson can straight up ball. i believed he tallied 2 blocked shots, 3 steals, and 4 assists. he looked like a pretty savvy player out there. at one point he sucked the defense in with a few fancy dribbles before unexpectedly kicking the ball out to matt bonner for a three. that was the most impressive.

    malik hairston continues to impress me, but i still think we should make some kind of effort to get roger mason jr going. we are going to need his offense wonce the playoffs get rolling. im glad we have an athletic defender at the wing position, but we need some offensive punch as well. i guess the only way to get rj going is to play him 20+ and that’s not happening.

    mahinmi actually looked like a stud out there, albiet against the clippers bench. he actually looked comfortable with his back to the basket, for once, and had some nice left handed finished around the rim. looked like he was fighting harder for boards as well. the guy is still foul prone, but honestly, i didn’t see how he picked up the 2 he was givin. on offense, he is still a bit lost and at one point crashed into dejuan blair. mahinmi still looks like he is physically uncomfortable with his size like a junior high kid that just hit puberty and he still lacks the leg strength that will keep him from getting pushed out of rebounding position, but i think one good summer can fix this. im telling you, he is one summer away from breaking out into a productive NBA player.

    lets beat the heat

  • rj

    im kind of a late comment in this blog, but i was really intruiged by garbage time.

    cedric jackson can straight up ball. i believed he tallied 2 blocked shots, 3 steals, and 4 assists. he looked like a pretty savvy player out there. at one point he sucked the defense in with a few fancy dribbles before unexpectedly kicking the ball out to matt bonner for a three. that was the most impressive.

    malik hairston continues to impress me, but i still think we should make some kind of effort to get roger mason jr going. we are going to need his offense wonce the playoffs get rolling. im glad we have an athletic defender at the wing position, but we need some offensive punch as well. i guess the only way to get rj going is to play him 20+ and that’s not happening.

    mahinmi actually looked like a stud out there, albiet against the clippers bench. he actually looked comfortable with his back to the basket, for once, and had some nice left handed finished around the rim. looked like he was fighting harder for boards as well. the guy is still foul prone, but honestly, i didn’t see how he picked up the 2 he was givin. on offense, he is still a bit lost and at one point crashed into dejuan blair. mahinmi still looks like he is physically uncomfortable with his size like a junior high kid that just hit puberty and he still lacks the leg strength that will keep him from getting pushed out of rebounding position, but i think one good summer can fix this. im telling you, he is one summer away from breaking out into a productive NBA player.

    lets beat the heat

  • Jim Henderson

    Hobson13
    March 16th, 2010 at 5:37 am

    “Here’s the kind of trade I think we would have to pull off for someone like Parker:

    Parker and McDyess for the Twolves Center Al Jefferson and PG Ramon Sessions.”

    Not a bad deal, but I see a couple of problems. Number one, Our FO would be committing to an additional 20 million in excess of the deal that I proposed, and the Spur FO at this point may be very leery of that.

    And number two, the deal is really not as good of a fit for either team. For example, I think the T-Wolves are really high on Jonny Flynn to run their point guard spot. And as a result, I don’t think that they are putting a premium on acquiring a high-priced point guard at this point. And as far as the Spurs, Dalambert is a better fit because he doesn’t need as many offensive touches as Al Jefferson, and he defends the paint better, and blocks more shots.

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