Thursday, October 21st, 2010...8:39 am
Game night decisions? End of the roster
DeJuan Blair has been the story of the preseason so far in San Antonio, earning a spot in the starting lineup, and chances are he will merit a few paragraphs tonight when the Spurs face off against the Houston Rockets in their last preseason game.
Lost in the mix have been the battles that have not been all that much of a battle. Without the mysterious upside of a Ian Mahinmi or Malik Hairston, who Spurs fans had anticipated for years, the fight for the last roster spots, and what they mean for the future, have been somewhat overlooked.
Curtis Jerrells showed hints of being an NBA ready player, but as a scoring point guard behind two other high quality point guards, a shooting guard who can masquerade as such, and the point guard-sized shooter Gary Neal, Jerrells had little hope of sticking with the team. Ultimately the versatility of Garrett Temple, who can split time between either backcourt position and in a pinch slide over to the small forward slot, won out and Jerrells was traded.
Even if you believed Jerrells was superior to Temple, the only reason to keep him aboard would be if the team anticipated the loss of a point guard for the long term-a trade, for example-which now does not seem likely.
In search of an athlete that could swing between both forward positions, James Gist showed some intriguing potential in guarding both. Unfortunately, while promising, his defense was not good enough to overcome an inability to do or convert anything on the offensive end.
With Gist gone, the Spurs are at the maximum number of roster spots (15), though head coach Gregg Popovich has stated that finances dictate the Spurs only keep 13 or 14 players. If Temple is assumed to have a spot on the roster then the final spot, or spots, would appear to be up for grabs between veteran Bobby Simmons, the undeveloped Alonzo Gee, and training camp body Marcus Cousin.
Between an injury to Tiago Splitter, the rest needed for Tim Duncan, and the fact that Antonio McDyess uses the first half of seasons to prepare and therefore does not need preseason, Marcus Cousin was brought in as a training camp body. And while he has filled the role of Antonio McDyess stunt double admirably in a poor man’s Samaki Walker sort of way, with Duncan, Blair, Splitter, and Bonner locked up for a few years he has no chance of ever cracking the Spurs rotation.
Realistically, even if allocated to Austin it would be as roster filler-more for his benefit than from anything the Spurs would ever get down the line.
That leaves the quest for Richard Jefferson’s backup. There are two things working against Alonzo Gee earning a roster spot with the San Antonio Spurs: 1.) A lack of playing time in the preseason never bodes well for a young player without injuries, and 2.) the fact that his must-improve list reads like a description for everything the Spurs look for from their wings (i.e., 3-point shooting, defense).
A year of work in Austin would be nice, and with the wing depth shallow in San Antonio Gee certainly would do himself some favors by waiting it out. But raw as he is, he is an NBA talent, and lesser teams can afford to take chances on the undeveloped that the Spurs simply can’t at this point.
That leaves Bobby Simmons as the probable backup small forward, final roster spot, and this year’s Keith Bogans. Simmons’ scouting report reads like your typical cookie cutter Spurs role player (3-point shooter, defender).
Perhaps most telling if conclusions can be drawn from preseason (and they probably shouldn’t) is that Simmons was one of the first subsitutions to enter Monday’s game against the Thunder, playing alongside Richard Jefferson as the team’s defacto small-ball power forward.
In limited minutes Simmons defended the position decently enough, and rebounded well, but his greatest value was keeping Jefferson at the small forward position where he feels most comfortable. It remains to be seen if Simmons is the answer, but as Pop stated, he is who was available.
24 Comments
October 21st, 2010 at 9:24 am
I’m all for giving Bobby Simmons a shot. He’s said the right things and if healthy I easily prefer him over a Keith Bogans, Mason, or any other Larry Hughes types that were the alternative.
October 21st, 2010 at 9:33 am
Is Tiago going to play tonight???
October 21st, 2010 at 9:44 am
i dont think so…
October 21st, 2010 at 10:16 am
With players like Gee,Gist and even Cousins does it make financial sense to go to Austin? Is there salary comparative to that of which over seas teams offer to players of their caliber?
October 21st, 2010 at 10:43 am
I was under the impression that his injured plantitusejkreliu wasn’t a serious one. Isn’t sitting the entire pre-season indicative of a somewhat serious injury? I’m bummed now, I was hoping to watch him play a bit tonight.
October 21st, 2010 at 11:42 am
I think Cousins has some upside. I’d like to see him in Austin. We don’t know what the future holds. Bonner could get traded (fingers crossed!) at some point. And at the very least he offers some insurance in case one or more of our bigs goes down with injury during the season. I hope Simmons really comes around. He probably was the best available for the vet minimum. Gee’s biggest weakness is defense. If he could pick that up a notch or two we could use him. He does have above average athleticism, which is nice. What about Palmer? Are we working him out? Could he sneak on the roster for a longer look, putting the roster at 14?
October 21st, 2010 at 11:49 am
@Jacob
I think Pop is just being overly cautious, which he should at this point in the season. And if you listen to how Pop and the team talks about Tiago, all acknowledge the fact that Tiago isn’t a typical rookie - he’s a seasoned pro that shouldn’t take as long to adapt as some. I’m ok with him sitting. At this point, just get healthy.
October 21st, 2010 at 11:53 am
Gee’s situation reminds me a little of James White a few years ago. The Spurs took a gamble on White hoping his BBIQ would catch up with his athleticism. Though he never panned out, it was a good, calculated gamble. I hope for the team’s sake Gee develops into a solid player.
October 21st, 2010 at 12:09 pm
For Jacob
I don’t know if I’m passing on information or misinformation. I peeked into the Dallas/Orlando
game on NBATV Wednesday night. The broadcasters were talking about Ian Manhinmi and one of them said that the Spurs could afford to let him go because they had Tiago Splitter in the pipeline. The other broadcaster then said ( I’m paraphrasing) ‘and now Splitter is hurt and will be our another six weeks’. This could be informed insider info from a creditable source, or it could be empty words from a man trying to fill up three hours of air time. In either case, big hopes for a full recovery. Also, best wishes for Curtis Jerrells and James Gist. They both seemed like they were Spurs types and will spread the Spurs culture a little bit wider.
October 21st, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Tiago & his Sister: Poignant story of tragedy & inspiration:
http://www.nba.com/spurs/features/101020_rodriguez.html?rss=true
October 21st, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Should we bring Miles in for a look?
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Al1o89sQRGoX59fjRuaLbnu8vLYF?slug=ap-bobcats-moves
October 21st, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Pop is challenging Gee. He wants to see how he accepts the type of repeated DNPs he’ll get in the regular season. Does he sulk or keep a good attitude and work that much harder in practice? Pop talking about going with 13 unless someone forces him to keep 14 is similar to the Malik Hairston situation last year. Malik met the challenge and “forced” Pop to keep him as the 15th man. Gee can do the same, if he’s willing.
October 21st, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Am I the only one who sees that just the fact the FO hasn’t cut Cousin yet means they’re high on him?
I hope they give him the Mahinmi deal, and he actually pans out.
October 21st, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Jim Henderson
October 21st, 2010 at 12:48 pm
“Should we bring Miles in for a look?”
I guess we could, but I would be surprised if he were even as good as Bobby Simmons. While some suspect Simmons is washed up (I’m a bit on the fence myself), I’m about 90% sure Miles’ knees are shot. If Larry Brown doesn’t want him, I would doubt Pop would even give him a chance.
Regarding ole Bobby Simmons. I haven’t been impressed with him in the least bit over the first 7 preseason games. However, I can’t say he’s been absolutely horrible either. He hasn’t shot the ball well, but he has done some smaller things well at various times such as rebounding, assists, and steals. I haven’t actually seen a Spurs game so I don’t know how is defense has been. Anyone who has watched the games care to comment on his defensive performance thus far? Maybe he is this year’s Keith Bogans, but at least Simmons is a has-been with a sweet stroke. Bogans, claimed off waivers last summer, is a never-was. Simmons certainly has the upside to be one of the better backup SFs in the league. Let’s hope he can get his game together and learn the system faster than our other genius SF, RJ.
October 21st, 2010 at 2:55 pm
4 jazz players cut: gaines, thompson, nichols, jeffers.
what about those players cuts from the jazz ??
jeffers is sg/sf, is he better than simmons?
and is gaines or thompson better tan neal ?
October 21st, 2010 at 3:21 pm
We definitely need someone to cover the 3. If he has defense and a 3-pt shot, all the better. I just hope to not see RJ at the 4 this year. It’s painful.
October 21st, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Simmons reminds me of Glenn Robinson.
October 21st, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Big Dog had game. That little poodle couldn’t hold Glenn’s gym bag.
October 21st, 2010 at 10:19 pm
^Glenn Robinson had game. His career was basically over when he became a Spur though.
October 21st, 2010 at 11:12 pm
@ Jim Henderson - Thanks for posting that story about Tiago and his sister.
October 21st, 2010 at 11:23 pm
miggy
October 21st, 2010 at 11:12 pm
No problem, glad you enjoyed it.
October 22nd, 2010 at 3:04 am
I never thought Gist was going to improve enough to play the 3 for this team. And he performed alright as a 4 but not enough to roster up behind Duncan, Blair or even Bonner.
Gee I had held hope for because of his athleticism. But it’s funny how (sometimes)somebody that’s athletic can’t stay in front of an opposing player on defense. If he can somehow transform that athleticism into lock down defense, one day he might have a shot.
I’m in agreement with Hobson13 regarding Simmons. And perhaps a little more time learning the system will help elevate his game to being a dependable b/u.
I still hold the consensus that Anderson will eventually become the first off the bench to play the 3 behind Jefferson. I’ve been impressed with what he’s been able to do so far giving him a rookie curve and playing a position he didn’t play in college. All the tangibles are there. Development will be the key. That and mental fortitude playing an 82 game season. And I’m sure Pop will bring him along slowly…but don’t be suprised to see him taking over the b/u slot at SF if all indicators of his college play start developing at an nba level. And or…Simmons can’t quite play up to expectations.
As far as Tiago….still not any minutes under his belt and the season is at hand. It’ll be interesting to see how effective he will be being he hasn’t even played in a pre-season game.
October 22nd, 2010 at 6:20 am
I am very excited about the season ramping up. SI has the Spurs in the WCF against the Lakers and I completely agree with their assessment. I do believe that with Splitter contributing, Anderson playing up to his potential and a surprise effort from the bench, we have all of the components in place to make a last title run or two! Blair has been awesome and I believe infusing both he and Manu will make a difference to how we start and finish games this season. GO SPURS GO, STRIVE FOR FIVE!!!!!
October 22nd, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Splitter has been playing a lot of BBALL this past year. I bet that POP is using the injury to his Plantar whateveritis muscle as a good excuse to force him into some REST. As has been said - its not like Splitter doesn’t know how to play BBALL. Even Splitter is quoted by POP as wondering if his body was falling apart. Rest young man, the NBA season is LONG.
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