duncan228
07-15-2008, 05:09 PM
Just killing time...:)
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=434888
10 players unlikely to join the Spurs
Stan McNeal
Roger Mason is known for a willingness to work and a desire to do whatever he's asked for the good of the team. Put another way: He'll make an ideal Spur (His ability to back up the point guard position and play shooting guard won't hurt, either). While every team says it values makeup and attitude, the Spurs really do. It's simple, really. As Gregg Popovich once told me, "I don't like to coach ---holes."
Keep that in mind as the Spurs retool their bench this summer. Their goal is to get younger but even more important, they want guys who will make good Spurs. That is, they want guys who will play defense without being prodded, guys who will accept their roles without whining and guys who will handle themselves like professionals.
In other words, not anyone on my list of Players Not Likely Preferred By Popovich (All of whom are available, by the way).
1. Ron Artest. Besides his lengthy list of off-court issues, Artest has been known to participate in shootaround and pregame warm-ups like he's completely fine, only to inform his coach 45 minutes before tipoff that he won't be able to play. That kind of conversation with Popovich would be worth paying to see.
2. Stephon Marbury. He could have tattooed a Spurs logo on his head instead of a Starbury logo and Popovich still wouldn't be interested in the overpaid, malcontent shoot-first point guard. Of course, the Spurs aren't the only ones. There may not be a team in the league interested in Marbury, and that includes his own. You could say, especially his own team.
3. Jamaal Tinsley. As Larry Bird tries to trade his veteran point guard, don't expect him to dial anyone in the 210 area code. Tinsley is as dependable as a paper boy with a flat tire and, making him even a less likely Spur, he's had more than his share of off-the-court problems.
4. Kenyon Martin. His chest-thumping ways would last about as long in San Antonio as an igloo in July.
5. Kwame Brown. When they were Wizards, Michael Jordan once reduced his No. 1 draft pick to tears with a particularly harsh putdown. Well, Brown would not hold up well under Popovich, who rarely passes up an opportunity to practice his sarcasm. Brown also would have trouble sticking with the Spurs because Popovich prefers players who can catch the ball.
6. Damon Jones. It took him three years but one of the game's biggest yakkers has outworn his welcome in Cleveland. It would take about three days for his act to grow old on the laid-back, word-thrifty Spurs.
7. Jason Williams. Forget that his game is in decline. Pop wouldn't want him because he doesn't play defense and he's not much on fundamentals.
8. Vince Carter. If he lost the 'Vinsanity' nickname, decided he's better off driving than hoisting jumpers and displayed the kind of toughness and leadership he did in New Jersey after Jason Kidd was traded, he would be a welcome addition on the Spurs. Well, he would be if he wasn't owed $66-plus million over the next four seasons.
9. Carlos Arroyo. The veteran point guard likes to do things his way. In San Antonio, it's Popovich's way or no way.
10. Darius Miles. He hasn't played in two years because of knee problems and who knows what else but has started working out for teams, and reportedly turned in an impressive showing for the Celtics. Don't expect his tryout tour to make a stop in San Antonio, though. Miles' fists-to-the-head-bump ritual would leave Popovich with a headache he'll be happy to avoid.
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=434888
10 players unlikely to join the Spurs
Stan McNeal
Roger Mason is known for a willingness to work and a desire to do whatever he's asked for the good of the team. Put another way: He'll make an ideal Spur (His ability to back up the point guard position and play shooting guard won't hurt, either). While every team says it values makeup and attitude, the Spurs really do. It's simple, really. As Gregg Popovich once told me, "I don't like to coach ---holes."
Keep that in mind as the Spurs retool their bench this summer. Their goal is to get younger but even more important, they want guys who will make good Spurs. That is, they want guys who will play defense without being prodded, guys who will accept their roles without whining and guys who will handle themselves like professionals.
In other words, not anyone on my list of Players Not Likely Preferred By Popovich (All of whom are available, by the way).
1. Ron Artest. Besides his lengthy list of off-court issues, Artest has been known to participate in shootaround and pregame warm-ups like he's completely fine, only to inform his coach 45 minutes before tipoff that he won't be able to play. That kind of conversation with Popovich would be worth paying to see.
2. Stephon Marbury. He could have tattooed a Spurs logo on his head instead of a Starbury logo and Popovich still wouldn't be interested in the overpaid, malcontent shoot-first point guard. Of course, the Spurs aren't the only ones. There may not be a team in the league interested in Marbury, and that includes his own. You could say, especially his own team.
3. Jamaal Tinsley. As Larry Bird tries to trade his veteran point guard, don't expect him to dial anyone in the 210 area code. Tinsley is as dependable as a paper boy with a flat tire and, making him even a less likely Spur, he's had more than his share of off-the-court problems.
4. Kenyon Martin. His chest-thumping ways would last about as long in San Antonio as an igloo in July.
5. Kwame Brown. When they were Wizards, Michael Jordan once reduced his No. 1 draft pick to tears with a particularly harsh putdown. Well, Brown would not hold up well under Popovich, who rarely passes up an opportunity to practice his sarcasm. Brown also would have trouble sticking with the Spurs because Popovich prefers players who can catch the ball.
6. Damon Jones. It took him three years but one of the game's biggest yakkers has outworn his welcome in Cleveland. It would take about three days for his act to grow old on the laid-back, word-thrifty Spurs.
7. Jason Williams. Forget that his game is in decline. Pop wouldn't want him because he doesn't play defense and he's not much on fundamentals.
8. Vince Carter. If he lost the 'Vinsanity' nickname, decided he's better off driving than hoisting jumpers and displayed the kind of toughness and leadership he did in New Jersey after Jason Kidd was traded, he would be a welcome addition on the Spurs. Well, he would be if he wasn't owed $66-plus million over the next four seasons.
9. Carlos Arroyo. The veteran point guard likes to do things his way. In San Antonio, it's Popovich's way or no way.
10. Darius Miles. He hasn't played in two years because of knee problems and who knows what else but has started working out for teams, and reportedly turned in an impressive showing for the Celtics. Don't expect his tryout tour to make a stop in San Antonio, though. Miles' fists-to-the-head-bump ritual would leave Popovich with a headache he'll be happy to avoid.