Should the Spurs Make Another Move Before Camp?
Some version of that question keeps rearing its head in our comments section. It’s one those counter-intuitive things. You’d think Spurs fans would be satisfied after an offseason that saw a massive roster overhaul. But when post trade euphoria sets in, the market suddenly expands to all of our favorite players (that we imagine are available on the trade market), and Michael Finley’s expiring contract is treated like the Holy Grail of team assets. This happens every offseason, and after every trade.
I suppose the excitement surrounding the Spurs’ next roster move is different this year–the Spurs have, after all, committed themselves to a proper make over. Couple that commitment with the current market and the possibility of another move isn’t completely unthinkable. But I really think the Spurs will sit tight, and I hope they do. Here’s why:
- No one knows if the team is good - The Spurs added Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, DeJuan Blair, Marcus Haislip, Malik Hairston, Marcus Williams and Theo Ratliff. Ian Mahinmi is functionally a rookie. Manu Ginobili is returning from injury. And George Hill is attempting a transition from scoring quard to a game-managing, pick and roll point. Fans look at that list and see a bunch of answers. Most of last season’s ills–little front court depth, deficient scoring, lack of youth–seem corrected. But I suspect Gregg Popovich looks at that list of players and sees an overwhelming number of question marks. The front office needs answers to basic questions before moving forward. Take one player, Marcus Haislip, as an example. Can he play? And if so, is he a small ball center, shooting power forward or long small forward? I’m not sure. Are you?
- No one knows if the team is healthy – Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili crawled into the offseason. If they’ve regained their health for the upcoming campaign, the Spurs look great on paper. If not, the Spurs aggressive offseason won’t amount to much. The health of Manu Ginobili is a crucial consideration for R.C. Buford and company. If Ginobili is able to demonstrate some semblance of durability, the team’s roster is basically set. Everyone is cheering for a return to form for Ginobili. But if he doesn’t, team management will face a difficult question. Namely, should they treat Manu Ginobili as an expiring contract? An unhealthy Manu Ginobili + Michael Finley + Matt Bonner + trade sweetener(s) = a 16.5 million dollar trade package. The Spurs’ championship window is largely dependent on Manu Ginobili’s health. The Spurs’ front office can’t afford a misstep on this issue.
- Holding onto their expiring contracts provides insurance against unexpected injury – Injuries happen. The Spurs’ current expiring contracts (Finley, Mason Jr., Bonner and, in an extreme circumstance, Ginobili) create some midseason flexibility for the Spurs. If the Spurs move any of those contracts prior to February, they’ll have painted themselves into a dangerous corner.
- Sizing up the competition – Roster adjustments are either an attempt to shore up a roster deficiency or to exploit the perceived weakness of a likely playoff opponent. February knows more about these things than August.
- Someone will stink and reach for the dynamite – The Spurs’ current roster is in a two year window. Some team with playoff aspirations will unexpectedly fall on their face straight out of the gate. The Spurs might get lucky and find a player and contract that fits their current championship push. Or, as in always the case, mediocre teams will meet their season ticket/suite sales goals and begin to publicly embrace their suckiness. That embrace will include jettisoning a contract or two in advance of next summer.
the spurs need to see how this team performs on court first before any other moves are made. this team is competitive with anyone on paper right now, we just need to see how cohesive they can become.
Given the fact that it takes a season, more or less, to truly get comfortable with the Spurs’ system, it seems Pop will already have his hands full pulling together a super-contender with all the (welcome) new faces. New players can breathe some needed life into the Spurs, with their fresh legs and new contributions, but Manu, for instance, doesn’t just bring his Ginobili basketball skills: he also brings years of knowledge of the system and his role in it. All these new prospects will have to learn those things. The only flip side being that should we trade and acquire another chip, training camp and a few extra months in SA would perhaps be better than lesser time closer to the post season… I’d have to agree in the end that it’s time to keep this hand and see how the cards play out.
Good points, I have faith the Spurs will do, all in their power to be good. But health is the big question. If Manu, gets hurt, he can say good-bye to the silver and black.
Clearly, the front office will listen to all reasonable offers, but count me in the camp that says the next move (if any) is likely to be closer to February. I suspect that there will be a gaggle of players available at the trade deadline this year, for the reasons Tim mentioned (including the lingering effects of the economic decline). But beyond teams who will pull out the dynamite, I also think teams that were (over)relying on summer ’10 free agency (e.g. the Knicks) may make last-ditch efforts to clear more cap space now that they’ve received the rude awakening that they won’t have as much cap space as they originally intended.
By my count, the Spurs still have their LLE available to play with as well, if a veteran (a la Gooden or Stoudamire before him) becomes available and one of the younger players needs more time with the Toros. So, it’s still possible that they could make another move without trading anybody, although I’m sure Holt’s only willing to splurge so much.
I would not be surprised to see Finely and even Bonner and perhaps Udoka be traded for Raja Bell. Raja is a great defender and LOVES to d-up Kobe the Brat and I’d love to have RJ and Raja switch up defensive assignments on Kobe to make that fool work harder for every shot. Plus Raja can hit the three ball with a high consistency. JUST what the Spurs call for.
Just to play devils advocate:
One could argue that if another move was going to be made, it should be sooner than later. Pop already has his hands full with all of the new players.
Pop knows it is going to be a learning process and I am sure he has planned accordingly. If you are going to bring in another player to complete the “overhaul”, why not do it now?
Get all of your new players into training camp and give everyone the full season to adjust and learn instead of giving most the full season (which will be difficult anyways) and one or two only half a season.
Once again, this is just playing devils advocate and I actually would prefer the Spurs to wait unless a no brainer comes along.
I’m wondering if Manu wouldn’t be thrown around even if he came back healthy and playing like the Manu we love. Since this is a contract year for him wouldn’t it be good to get talent back or would they risk loosing him at the end of the season when he becomes a FA. I guess it just depends on how the team’s doing and how Manu’s health is.
i wonder if the spurs can start training camp early, for the newbies, and slowly add the veterans. im sure pop is going to tell the vets to help him coach this new team to speed this up
Let me take a wild guess: it’s probably a combination of all of the above
Seriously I think it’s more likely to be a combination of #2 and #3 – why fire all your shots now when you don’t know what’s around the corner? There have been so many changes that it’s probably better to see what this team can do in the first half of the season, then go for some last minute fixes if there are any glaring needs.
On the other hand I generally don’t like February acquisitions (unless they are simply “can’t pass” opportunities). There’s just not enough time before the playoffs to make a difference. Can anybody think of a Feb deadline acquisition that turned things around in a playoff run?
Will,
I cast a vote for Nazr.
Will,
How about Rafer Alston?
Will,
How about Rasheed Wallace for the Pistons in ’04?
Will – What about Pau Gasol?
You need some semblance of continuity. Basically, the Spurs are only bringing back seven players (Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, Mason, Hill, Finley, Bonner) who played for them last season (not counting Mahinmi, who was under contract but injured, Hairston, who had a cup of coffee, and Williams, who had a sip of coffee).
I’m skeptical that the Spurs would package a bunch of expiring contracts for another big ticket player, even someone such as Battier. More long term salary commitments are unlikely, I’d imagine, after what the Spurs spent this off season. Looking ahead a year from now, they could allot the majority of their money to keeping the core of this team in place.
If he’s healthy, I’m guessing they’ll look to re-sign Ginobili to a two year deal (maybe a third, partially guaranteed). Mason will probably also be re-signed for two-three years. Splitter will probably be signed to replace Bonner, McClinton to replace Finley, and then there’s the guaranteed roster spot that’ll go to the 1st round pick. Haislip may yet be jettisoned as well, either in favor of Gist, or just to be below the roster limit for financial/flexibility related purposes.
2010-11 could look something like this:
Starters: PF- Duncan, SF- Jefferson, C- McDyess, SG- Mason, PG- Parker
Bench: SG- Ginobili, C/PF- Splitter, PG/SG- Hill, PF- Blair, SG/SF- Hairston, SF/SG- Williams, PF/C- Mahinmi
Inactive/D-League: PF- Haislip or PF/SF- Gist, SG- McClinton, 1st round pick
I wouldn’t be surprised if the spurs trade bonner for a future 2nd round draft pick and sign splitter with our lle sometime before the playoffs. That would be great for our team and help to bolster our offense and defense at the same time.
The Spurs definitely should be considered a serious contender this season, but most people are overlooking them.
Zainn, I’ll claim ignorance on the season’s length of Tau Ceramica’s Euro League as my Spanish is not completely up to snuff. It appears they play through January with the playoff’s following after that? I like this idea (as everyone here already know’s I’m very excited about Tao) but it does seem like a stretch the Spurs could attain him this season.
Tim, point #2 is the main sticky issue. Tim, Manu and Tony have had a variety of players around them through out the years and several of those years the overall quality has been iffy at best. This squad has the look (on paper) to be very strong.
I’ve been turned around in my thinking about who the Spurs need clicking at their best. I think it ‘s El Contusion and if he’s back, I mean really back, I’ll put money on the Spurs versus any team in the league. He means that much to this team and clearly draws the respect of his competitors.
Obviously we want everyone healthy, but a hobbling Tim and a healthy Ginobli might still produce a championship where the reverse is not so.
Spurs need a very reliable and trusted player to come off the bench. Our current second unit is very vulnerable if it consists of the likes of Finely, Mason, Hill, Haislip, Marcus, Theo…. Not good enough to compete with Lakers second Unit… Raja Bell, Rafer, Najara…etc … all good fits for the spurs, but I doubt we can trade for any of these guys.
Funny thing. With all of the excellant moves made by the FO to bolster virtually all of the teams deficiencies…..the fate of this season still rests squarely on Tim Duncans knees.
Tim Duncan is still going to be the main post defender. Even if Ian becomes a valuable contributor ( I have faith he will ) Its tough to envision Ian on the floor during the last five minutes of a close playoff game.
The Spurs will have a little more leeway with Tims health once Tiaggo Splitter arrives ( Jesus I cant wait)
Thus Big J, I disagree with your assesment that a healthy Manu and a Hobbled Duncan can realistically produce a title.
Sam. As currently constituted , I would give the Spurs bench the edge over Los Angeles.
After Odom and Bynum (Who hasnt stayed consistently healthy) LA’s depth drops off dramatically…
While the Spurs have Manu, A more seasoned George Hill, Promising Rookie Joseph Blair, Big-Shot Capable vet Finley and Dark horse frontcourters Mahinmi, Haislip and Hairston.
Correction* Promising rookie DEJUAN Blair
Right now the Spurs are the talk of the league having made so many moves. I like the idea of a wait-and-see approach but the Spurs have to get off to a fast start or all this summer build up will be for nothing and nobody will take them serious. If these players stay healthy, keep things going as they are currently. However, as the NBA and the Spurs are businesses, entertain offers from other teams and if another steal is available: buy, buy, buy!
First off whats with all the negtivity. the moves they made were a step up. the moves they made arent unknown in the spurs run to championship book. Trust in R.C. and Pop. they got it covered.
IT’S GOING TO BE A FUN SEASON GUYS WITH ALL THE MOVE”S. THIS ROSTER IS SET,THIS IS THE BEST SPURS TEAM ASSEMBLED,HEALTHY IS KEY. THE ONLY WEAK LINK IS IF G.HILL CANT BACK UP TONY BECAUSE WE KNOW MASON CAN’T. AND GINIBOLLI CAN BUT IT TAKES AWAY FOR OVER ALL EFFECTINESS AT S.G.
SORRY Alamobro, I AGREE WITH BIG J, A HEALTHY GINOBILLI CAN LEAD TO A TITLE, WITH EVEN A SLOW HOBLING DUNCAN, WHICH BY THE WAY PUT UP 27 IN LAST PLAYOFF GAME. GINOBILLI IS THE BEST CLUTCH PLAYOFF GUY BEHIND KOBE. FISHER AINT BAD EITHER. WITH ALL THE MOVES WITH POWERHOUSE TEAMS (BOSTON,CLEVELAND,ORLANDO,SPURS,
DALLAS,LAKERS,PORTLAND) MOVES TO WIN THE TITLE. WHICH COACH GETS FIRED,WHO WILL BE FIRED IF THEY DONT WIN THE TITLE? MY GUESS IS DALLAS , AND CLEVELAND COACH WILL BE FIRED IF THERE NO RING. WHAT IS YOURS?
Great points. I still feel that the SPURS are still somewhat weak in one area: the PG spot. We all know that TP and Georgie will get the minutes, but what do we do if one of them goes down? The Roger Mason experiment really didn’t work last season and putting the ball handling duties on Manu just means more minutes which I hope the SPURS are trying to avoid. I was hoping that the SPURS would pick up Earl Watson once he was let go, but no dice.
The SPURS brass will obviously wait till Feb to make any more moves. It’d just be bad business to add more “what if’s” to the mix at this point.
As for Manu… every SPURS fan needs to hope that he is completely healthy and can dish out at least a solid 25 to 30 minutes a game. Still, the SPURS just can’t let him go. I know the guy’s older, brittle and maybe a step slower, but do me a favor: Pull out the old SPURS championship tapes or check out some of the NBATV playbacks and see what happens whenever Manu steps on the floor. To this day, the guy remains one of the more underrated players in the league. He just always manages to put his stamp on a game. The guy has so much heart and fire on a team of pretty laid back guys, we just can’t lose the intangibles. I’m hoping he will take a paycut like TD and the SPURS return the loyalty and keep him until he retires.
Re: my question, some good suggestions. I’ll dismiss Gasol out of hand because he falls directly in my “can’t pass” scenario:
- what you say we trade Gasol for a bag of peanuts?
- uh no sorry we don’t believe in trades in February
As for the others, Nazr definitely helped in 2005. Didn’t stay very long, though. Alston I’m not really considering because the Magics were poised to go far and they have already shipped him away.
Wallace is a great example, and I can’t really put him in the “can’t pass” category due to the price Detroit paid for him.
Maybe that’s what the Spurs have in mind. Hopefully there’s a great deal around the corner!
Please Spurs dont trade Ginobili!!! Trade Finley and Bonner for Raja Bell and get Splitter next offseason!!!
The Spurs stick with this lineup and maybe make another move (If needed) before the trade deadline in February.
As it is, I’d rank the Spurs 2nd (to the Lakers because they are the defending champs) in the entire NBA… the starting five of Duncan, McDyess, Jefferson, Mason and Parker looks good to me. We need to see first how things will pan out…
RJ and Dice seems a nice fit at the starting lineup.
If Ginobili returns healthy as he says he is, we have a deep bench that includes an improving
George Hill, Blair (I think he’s ready to be the backup 4… 20-25 mins maybe?), Mahinmi could be a rotation big to, specialy if he can alter shots (like he did in the summer) at the NBA level and now Matt Bonner can come off the bench to provide some outside shooting if go on a BIG lineup….
And still, we have some veteran presence in Finley, Ratliff and some added punch in having Hairston and Haislip…
There are a lot of questions left unanswered but my best bet is… stick with this roster, see what happens then if a need arises, we still have until February to thinker a bit… otherwise this should our roster for the entire season…
Sean..Tim Duncan actually did better than 27 points in his final post-season game. He scored 31. Unfortunately , he also totaled a less than stellar 8 rebounds per game and an equally un-impressive 1 block per game for the series.
He was obviously bothered considerably by his knees, and his condition certainly had a contribution to the overall degenerate Spurs defense of last season.
With Tim Duncan in that condition, even Ginobili circa 2005 isnt carrying the spurs to the title.
Do I think Tim will come back close to his old self this season ? I think he can. And if he does, itll be time to hang up number 5…..in 10′. ( the PTR mantra for 2010)
Ginobili was robbed of his 2005 finals MVP.
Manu is healthy so he says in the Argentine interviews and the MRI’s to go with it.
Haislip is better than most of you think. And yes he’s a long small forward – so says POP.
Forget about Manu’s ankles it’s Tim’s knees we have to worry about! Being that he’s shed some poundage that may help his knees. (Good)
Mason has something to prove — we all know what that is.
Splitter is Scola all over again. (Don’t hold your breath)
Raja Bell? Nice but, Finley and Bonner for him – that’ll never happen.
Don’t even mention Manu in any trade talks – EVER!
Regular season basketball over regular season baseball any day.
WHAT’S WITH THE LAKER BLOG ON OUR SPURS SITE? I NEVER WANT TO SEE THAT CRAP AGAIN! (If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with) STUPID ARTICLE! WHO GIVES A CRAP! Must be a transplanted laker fan who put that crap up there.
Everything will work itself out and the Spurs will be in the West finals against you know who. And when the final buzzer sounds in game 7 of the West finals I’ll be watching Kobe crying like a baby. And it won’t be tears of Joy.
hi
THE SPURS ROSTER SEEMS TO BE A GOOD ONE, BUT ALL OF THIS SKEPTICAL VIEWS JUST DEPRESS ME. I THINK, THE ROSTER SEEMS TO BE SERVICEABLE AND WILL COMPETE REALLY GOOD. I WOULD SUGGEST TO POP TO
1. SIMPLIFY THE OFFENSE WITH JUST A FEW ESTABLISHED PLAYS
2.FORTIFY THE DEFENSIVE SKILLS OF THE PLAYERS.
3. IMPROVE PERIMETER SHOOTING AND FREE THROW SHOOTING
4. ESTABLISH A MODEL OF SMART PLAYS AND LOW TURNOVERS.
I THINK WITH THESE 4 BASIC RULES, THE TEAM WILL WIN MORE THAN 60 GAMES
REMEMBER LAST SEASON, THEIR PROBLEMS WERE,
1. DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWNS
2. LACK OF OFFENSIVE VERSALITY AND SCORING CONSISTENCY
3. A LOT OF HURRIED UP PLAYS THAT RESULTS IN NON SCORE AND TURN-OVERS
4. BELOW AVERAGE FREETHROWS
JUST IMAGINE THE SPURS AVERAGE MORE THAN 10 TURNOVERS AND BELOW AVERAGE TO AVERAGE FREE THROWS – THESE COSTLY MISTAKES AMOUNTS TO MAYBE 15 TO TWENTY POINTS WHICH MORE THAN ENOUGH TO WIN A LOT OF GAMES
LAST SEASON IF YOU WILL OBSERVE, THE SPURS WIN BY MEASLEY FEW POINTS AGAINST 500 TO BELOW 500 TEAMS.
JUST DO THE MATH GUYS
IF FINLEY AND BONNER CAN’T SCORE CONSISTENTLY – THEY SIMPLY MUST GO
MAYBE ADD A DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST AND A GOOD RELIABLE SCORER
I WOULD REALLY BE HEARTBREAKING IF THE SPURS DID ALL OF THESE UPGRADES AND UNABLE TO REACH THE FINALS
KEEP MANU – HE IS THE KEY FOR THE NEXT 4-5 CHAMPIONSHIP. HE IS THE X-FACTOR FOR THE SPURS
DONT BE IDIOTS AND MAKING THE SAME MISTAKES = THE SCOLA TRADE TO THE ROCKETS
IF TIAGO SIGNS UP NEXT YEAR – THE SPURS WILL DEFINITELY BE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP HUNT THEREAFTER.
MAYBE WE CAN SIGN LEBRON JAMES FOR A BAG OF PEANUTS – THE GUY IS REALLY HUNGRY FOR A RING
AFTER THE DUNCAN ERA THERE WILL BE:
TIAGO, LEBRON, MANU, PARKER, DJ BLAIR, JEFFERSON, HILL, GIST, HAIRSTON
hi
THE SPURS ROSTER SEEMS TO BE A GOOD ONE, BUT ALL OF THIS SKEPTICAL VIEWS JUST DEPRESS ME. I THINK, THE ROSTER SEEMS TO BE SERVICEABLE AND WILL COMPETE REALLY GOOD. I WOULD SUGGEST TO POP TO
1. SIMPLIFY THE OFFENSE WITH JUST A FEW ESTABLISHED PLAYS
2.FORTIFY THE DEFENSIVE SKILLS OF THE PLAYERS.
3. IMPROVE PERIMETER SHOOTING AND FREE THROW SHOOTING
4. ESTABLISH A MODEL OF SMART PLAYS AND LOW TURNOVERS.
I THINK WITH THESE 4 BASIC RULES, THE TEAM WILL WIN MORE THAN 60 GAMES
REMEMBER LAST SEASON, THEIR PROBLEMS WERE,
1. DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWNS
2. LACK OF OFFENSIVE VERSALITY AND SCORING CONSISTENCY
3. A LOT OF HURRIED UP PLAYS THAT RESULTS IN NON SCORE AND TURN-OVERS
4. BELOW AVERAGE FREETHROWS
JUST IMAGINE THE SPURS AVERAGE MORE THAN 10 TURNOVERS AND BELOW AVERAGE TO AVERAGE FREE THROWS – THESE COSTLY MISTAKES AMOUNTS TO MAYBE 15 TO TWENTY POINTS WHICH MORE THAN ENOUGH TO WIN A LOT OF GAMES
LAST SEASON IF YOU WILL OBSERVE, THE SPURS WIN BY MEASLEY FEW POINTS AGAINST 500 TO BELOW 500 TEAMS.
JUST DO THE MATH GUYS
IF FINLEY AND BONNER CAN’T SCORE CONSISTENTLY – THEY SIMPLY MUST GO
MAYBE ADD A DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST AND A GOOD RELIABLE SCORER
I WOULD REALLY BE HEARTBROKEN IF THE SPURS DID ALL OF THESE UPGRADES AND UNABLE TO REACH THE FINALS
KEEP MANU – HE IS THE KEY FOR THE NEXT 4-5 CHAMPIONSHIP. HE IS THE X-FACTOR FOR THE SPURS
DONT BE IDIOTS AND MAKING THE SAME MISTAKES = THE SCOLA TRADE TO THE ROCKETS
IF TIAGO SIGNS UP NEXT YEAR – THE SPURS WILL DEFINITELY BE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP HUNT THEREAFTER.
MAYBE WE CAN SIGN LEBRON JAMES FOR A BAG OF PEANUTS – THE GUY IS REALLY HUNGRY FOR A RING
AFTER THE DUNCAN ERA THERE WILL BE:
TIAGO, LEBRON, MANU, PARKER, DJ BLAIR, JEFFERSON, HILL, GIST, HAIRSTON
REASONS WHY LEBRON WOULD THINK OF GOING TO THE SPURS NEXT YEAR
1. THE SPURS IS MODEL OF MIKE BROWN CAVS IN THE EAST
2. THE SPURS HAVE THE BEST AND WELL RUNNED ORGANIZATION IN THE NBA
3. THE SPURS HAS THE MOST CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE LAST 10 YEARS
4. THE SPURS PLAYERS ARE A BUNCH OF GUYS WHO LEAVE THEIR EGOS IN THE PARKING EACH AND EVERY GAME
5. THE LAKERS HAVE KOBE ALREADY, WHY BOTHER
THAT’S WHY LEBRON MIGHT BE SERIOUSLY OF COMING TO THE SPURS IN 2010 SEASON
REASONS WHY LEBRON WOULD THINK OF GOING TO THE SPURS NEXT YEAR
1. THE SPURS IS MODEL OF MIKE BROWN CAVS IN THE EAST
2. THE SPURS HAVE THE BEST AND WELL RUNNED ORGANIZATION IN THE NBA
3. THE SPURS HAS THE MOST CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE LAST 10 YEARS
4. THE SPURS PLAYERS ARE A BUNCH OF GUYS WHO LEAVE THEIR EGOS IN THE PARKING LOT EACH AND EVERY GAME
5. THE LAKERS HAVE KOBE ALREADY, WHY BOTHER
THAT’S WHY LEBRON MIGHT BE SERIOUSLY OF COMING TO THE SPURS IN 2010 SEASON
LOL……
As good as this blog is, it is by far the most pessimistic.
Many good analysts have given us a great shot at the championship (well, predicted) with this line-up, and I really don’t see this season going bad as needing a “BUT WAIT, WHAT IF” piece. Maybe see this kind of attitude for other teams like the Clippers and Bobcats, but not the Spurs.
5th ring or not, I can only see this season as being extra special, seeing as we haven’t had this much talent on the floor in a while.
As I recall, we won a championship with much less (2007).
I’m eager to see how Splitter can contribute. After seeing him evolve slowly from young-promising to dominant, I wonder if he can have a Gasol type of NBA start (effective right away), or if he even can progress more and basically “replace” Duncan.
Sadly I feel Splitter will come to Texas one year too late. To an extend, I also think the Spurs shouldn’t have throw Scola just to save $2 M.
Oh I forgot to put all the above in caps.
Huhu.
I think somehow, someway, they should go after Shane Battier. He defends Kobe Bryant the best, just look back at their playoff series, he did a fantastic job on Kobe. If the Spurs go after him, that may put the Spurs over the top!!!
AnyoneRemember,
I ask sincerely, why do you think this post is pessimistic? I see neither doom nor gloom. The point is that the Spurs are best served to wait until later before making any other roster moves… The truth is, I’m bullish on the upcoming season.
I was just thinking how our team would look if steven jackson could have checked his ego at the door and not demanded more money, and we had resigned hedo after the 2003-04 season. assumiong we had acquired the other pieces as well parker, jackson, hedo, duncan, mcdyees and manu off the bench would have been crazy
I was just thinking how our team would look if steven jackson could have checked his ego at the door and not demanded more money, and we had resigned hedo after the 2003-04 season. assuming we had acquired the other pieces as well parker, jackson, hedo, duncan, mcdyees and manu off the bench would have been crazy
Double posts? ALL CAPS?… what’s going on here??
I think the season needs to start soon!
I agree with Tim as I’m also not sure where the pessimism is here? Seems to me most are quite excited about the season yet are up to the task of debating the finer points.
It is not at all pessimistic. It is an accurate assessment of the current marketplace for the Spurs.
I think what is leading people to think this is pessimistic are some of the comments, but even that is wrong. People have to understand that even with the moves the Spurs made (which were fantastic), they were far behind the top teams in the league last year. The other top teams in the league did not stand still.
Championships are not won on paper and while the Spurs no doubt improved, they have a lot of question marks on this team with regards to health, fit and integration of players.
There are other moves that may potentially need to be made, but for right now the smart thing to do is wait it out and see how the competition shapes up. If there is a good move to be made, the Spurs will make it as soon as it is available. Whether that means now or later. It is just seemingly more likely that it happens down the road because trades just do not happen all of the time and other teams want to see what they have as well.
Not pessimistic at all.
the two biggest suggestions i see for improvements are trading for Raja Bell or Shane Battier. Although i was initially high on the Battier trade, i’ve been persuaded to think otherwise. heres why:
1. We cannot include Finley in a trade. hes got the right to refuse a trade (correct me if i’m wrong on this, but i think its because of his one year deal). This means we would have to include Mason or someone else, which i dont think would be worth it anymore.
2. I think we need Masons shooting more than Battier’s defense. Hill is a better than serviceable on ball defender, and hes got even more potential to get better. by the end of the year, he wont be Bowen, but he will be damn good. This means that we already have a solution in both the short term and the long term. Battier would not be a long term investment. I know we’re worried about Duncan’s window, but Hill, although not great, is certainly good enough. Battier defenitely has a Spurs mentality, and i would love to see him on the Spurs, but i just dont think its worth the cost.
As for the Bell suggestions, I do not think he is near as good as Battier and anything more than a straight up swap for Bonner would be giving up too much. I doubt those salaries match as well.
The Lebron suggestion is completely absurd.
In my opinion, although it would be difficult/near impossible, Kirk Hinrich from the Bulls would be an excellent option for us. Hes got a small ego (he took a bench role with no complaints), he can shoot, he can pass, hes an excellent pure PG. And even better, an excellent defender. In the playoffs last year, he covered (and stopped) everyone from Rondo to Paul Pierce.
Bonner, Mason, and Finley would make the salaries match, although if i’m right about Finley having the right to refuse a trade, he probably would exercise it. Using Williams instead of Finley would also work, but my understanding is hes already slated to see some good minutes this year. I dont know anything about him. This means we would have to wait until December 15 to make a trade, probably involving one of our cheap free agents like Hairston or Haislip. I’m not sure the Bulls would go for it anyway. In fact, i’m pretty sure they wouldnt. But having Heinrich, Manu, and Hill all coming off the bench would be an incredibly effecting defensive trio. Add in a shot blocker like Ratliff, and its lockdown.
but i would say wait until around the deadline. dont make any moves before camp.
Spursfansteve, your post is inaccurate:
1) Finley can be traded.
2) Why would a rival Houston trade the Spurs Battier? Why would the Bobcats trade the Spurs Bell?
Not to mention, Battier is extremely overrated on defense (at least against Kobe, which I presume is why you want him). Look at the numbers. Shane Battier was almost the worst defender in the league when it came to guarding Kobe.
Most of these ideas are absurd, not just the Lebron one. People will point and say “well what about the Richard Jefferson trade?”
That was a different circumstance. In order for trades like that to work, you have to have one team who is salary capped and that is rebuilding with very little chance at a playoff spot. Then you have to find another team with combination of expiring contracts, picks and/or talent for cheap.
The Bobcats are on the cusp of being a playoff team in the East and they just dumped one of their long contracts in Okafor and got a shorter-term contract in Chandler. I doubt they would want to give up Bell for Bonner. The salaries do not work and Bell expires next year. If they wanted to dump bell and use him as an expiring contract, they could do better than Bonner. Plus, Bonner is one of the only bigs on the Spurs with experience, and he did ok last year.
Trades are difficult and many things have to go perfectly for them to happen. If some team offers a no-brainer, then sure, pull the trigger. But most teams are in the Spurs boat and everyone will wait and see what they have before they decide to either add to or delete from their teams.
The RJ trade leaves as many questions as answers. If the spurs can find a way to keep the Big 3 of Tim/Tony/Manu and trade with houston for Scola and Battier then I’ll feel alot better. That way the Rebounding and the Defensive stopper situation are both cleared up.
The Houston Chronicle is reporting that Pops Mensah-Bonsu is signing with the Rockets. I know he was highly thought of around here. (And in Austin as well). I hope he does well. And I would like to also add, he was discussed quite a bit hear last year, and now we are discussing Richard Jefferson, Blair, and McDyess. Wow, kudos to the Spurs staff…RC, Pop, and Peter Holt.