Will Spurs address need at SF?

[spurman20]

SF seems to be the weekest link in the Spurs rotation this year with only Udaka and Bowen currently on the roster. Do you think the Spurs will address this need in free agency or will they stand pat? Who should they go after to address this need?

[SequSpur]

Kobe.

[Fillmoe]

we will give you francisco garcia for TD

[Mr. Body]

It's already been addressed: Udoka and Bowen.

[DPG21920]

Barnes for the money we have left would be a solid signing. Just like all the support players on the Spurs, he would not catapult us over the top, but would be a nice plug in that would allow for us to maintain.

[Gino2882]

Backcourt is nearly set. Plus, the Spurs will probably grab another wing in FA.

I think Udoka will log a lot of minutes at SF. I think he earned the increase in playing time and plus he will be in year 2 of the SA system.

[The Franchise]

Barnes for the money we have left would be a solid signing. Just like all the support players on the Spurs, he would not catapult us over the top, but would be a nice plug in that would allow for us to maintain.
:tu

[ElNono]

I think Earl Boykins at SF could help us a lot. Unfortunately Pop and RC are probably just going to pray real hard every day and hope God almighty turns Bowen in a 26 year old again.

I wouldn't personally bet on it, but weirdest things have happened...

[NewJerSpur]

I've said this before, but Barnes could be the next Horry given the right situation (like playing for the Spurs). He's a pretty good spot-up shooter like Rob despite his statistical fall-off last year, is a good rebounder despite his wirey fame, is a good defender with a high b-ball IQ....he actually has better handles than Bob ever had, even when he played for the Rockets. I'd love to think there is some conspiring going on behind closed doors that most of us don't know about given the nature of many of the Spurs' FA signings in recent years. Got get'em guys.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

udoka at SF is a dumb move against most teams

I'm tellin ya, if Bowen doesn't have much left, we might as well be playing 4 on 5 for the entire season.

[rj215]

udoka at SF is a dumb move against most teams

I'm tellin ya, if Bowen doesn't have much left, we might as well be playing 4 on 5 for the entire season.

Bowen lost a step last year...Udoka is too small to guard PF (Odom, West) and too slow to guard a SG/SF (Kobe)...Barnes could probably do both...not saying he's better overall than Bowen or Udoka but he'd help us where Bruce and Ime have problems....

[200 miles]

Gist at the 3 could work

[ElNono]

Bowen lost a step last year...Udoka is too small to guard PF (Odom, West) and too slow to guard a SG/SF (Kobe)...Barnes could probably do both...not saying he's better overall than Bowen or Udoka but he'd help us where Bruce and Ime have problems....

Barnes is going to Phoenix. And better get used to Bowen and Udoka because that's what you're going to see all year long...

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

SF seems to be the weekest link in the Spurs rotation this year with only Udaka and Bowen currently on the roster. Do you think the Spurs will address this need in free agency or will they stand pat? Who should they go after to address this need?

Why are you asking this here? Call your agent friends and find out who they're talking to.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

It's going to be Gist or bust for Bowen's backup.

[Spurtacus]

Bowen
Udoka
Gist

[Gino2882]

Bowen
Udoka
Gist

Gist at this point isn't even close to logging consistent SF minutes, and MAY not be able to even play SF.

[SenorSpur]

Barnes for the money we have left would be a solid signing. Just like all the support players on the Spurs, he would not catapult us over the top, but would be a nice plug in that would allow for us to maintain.

:tu :tu

[Bruno]

Spurs will have Bowen, Finley and Udoka at SF. It's not great but it isn't Spurs' "weakest link".

Spurs' situation at PF is way worse. Duncan and Thomas are centers and too slow to play PF in most matchups. Spurs have Oberto, Bonner, Mahinmi and Gist to play that spot. Oberto is a limited player while Bonner, Mahinmi and Gist are huge question marks.
If answers to these questions marks are negative ones, it will be quite a disaster.

[ceperez]

Spurs will have Bowen, Finley and Udoka at SF. It's not great but it isn't Spurs' "weakest link".

Spurs' situation at PF is way worse. Duncan and Thomas are centers and too slow to play PF in most matchups. Spurs have Oberto, Bonner, Mahinmi and Gist to play that spot. Oberto is a limited player while Bonner, Mahinmi and Gist are huge question marks.
If answers to these questions marks are negative ones, it will be quite a disaster.

Agree, this is a big hole.

I can think of Nachbar as the only one in FA that can fill it. Otherwise, we'll have to rely on Gist to backup Bowen and Udoka.

Udoka btw is definitely an undersized player!

Bonner is undersized also at PF.

Oberto and Thomas are undersized at center.

Udoka, Bonner, Oberto and Thomas are all athletically challenged.

We possibly are going to get diminshing returns from Bowen, Oberto and thomas due to age.

[Kori Ellis]

The Spurs SF/SG positions are interchangable. The Spurs wing rotation consists of Bowen/Manu/Mason/Udoka/Finley (or another FA).

Their bigs are Duncan/Oberto/Mahinmi/Bonner.

I'm a little more worried about bigs than wings. Though since it's only July, I'm not really worried much at all.

Gist is sort of a wild card. Hopefully he shows enough through the rest of the summer and into training camp to be worth keeping around.

[timvp]

I know he's not a popular name on this board but I'd consider brining in Quinton Ross if he'll come cheap. The Spurs will need to replace Bowen soon and Udoka just doesn't have the quickness to guard the range of players Bowen can. Ross is Bowen-like in that he has exceptional agility and can stay in front of almost any type of player.

Ross as a deep reserve who tries to incorporate a corner three into his repertoire and be Bowen insurance wouldn't be a bad idea. Don't love him as a player but he'd actual be useful in the short term and could grow to be a vital long term player.

The bad part is he has no offensive talent ... but then again if he did, he wouldn't be available for scraps.

[rascal]

I know he's not a popular name on this board but I'd consider brining in Quinton Ross if he'll come cheap. The Spurs will need to replace Bowen soon and Udoka just doesn't have the quickness to guard the range of players Bowen can. Ross is Bowen-like in that he has exceptional agility and can stay in front of almost any type of player.

Ross as a deep reserve who tries to incorporate a corner three into his repertoire and be Bowen insurance wouldn't be a bad idea. Don't love him as a player but he'd actual be useful in the short term and could grow to be a vital long term player.

The bad part is he has no offensive talent ... but then again if he did, he wouldn't be available for scraps.


Why must a limited offensive player be insurance for Bowen? There are more ways to win then try to replicate past teams with trying to fill in similar talented players.

[rascal]

The Spurs SF/SG positions are interchangable. The Spurs wing rotation consists of Bowen/Manu/Mason/Udoka/Finley (or another FA).

Their bigs are Duncan/Oberto/Mahinmi/Bonner.

I'm a little more worried about bigs than wings. Though since it's only July, I'm not really worried much at all.

Gist is sort of a wild card. Hopefully he shows enough through the rest of the summer and into training camp to be worth keeping around.


Yes the bigs are a problem. You didnt list Thomas but I do expect he will be with the team.

[hater]

James Gist!

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Agree, this is a big hole.

I can think of Nachbar as the only one in FA that can fill it. Otherwise, we'll have to rely on Gist to backup Bowen and Udoka.



:lmao

Nachbar is anything but a PF. He's like 210 dripping wet.

[The Truth #6]

I don't see Gist playing the 3. His rebounding and shot blocking would be more useful down low than chasing perimeter players. However, at the moment he's a man without a true position. He needs to add bulk to fully defend down low, yet he needs a better perimeter game to be out on the wing. I think he'll be more comfortable on the block for now, and we have a more pressing need for help on the block. But with Pop's oddball lineups he might be used in different positions depending on matchups, especially against Lamar, Dirk, and West.

[urunobili]

:lmao

Nachbar is anything but a PF. He's like 210 dripping wet.

and he is about to go to play in Europe...

[timvp]

Why must a limited offensive player be insurance for Bowen? There are more ways to win then try to replicate past teams with trying to fill in similar talented players.As long as Pop and Duncan are associated with the Spurs, they will win or lose championships based on their defense.

[ceperez]

:lmao

Nachbar is anything but a PF. He's like 210 dripping wet.

The thread is about a need for a SF (Small Forward).

Anyway, Nachbar is going to play in Europe.

With a lot of Russian Oil money sloshing around, I doubt we'll be able to sign a quality SF.

[ChumpDumper]

I actually like Gist's potential at the 3 if he's used kind of the way Jack was -- shoot the open three and cut to the basket, dribbling only in a straight line if dribbling is absolutely necessary.

[shelshor]

Q Ross would make a decent Bowen Jr
Ryan Gomes for improved offense & rebounding with a slight dropoff in defense, if he wouldn't cost too much
Will Gist be ready for the Spurs, or will the Toros be even more fun to watch?

[jjktkk]

SF is the strongest position for the Spurs. Bowen, Udoka, and probably Gist, who will also play the 4 spot. How is this a weak spot?

[spurman20]

SF is the strongest position for the Spurs. Bowen, Udoka, and probably Gist, who will also play the 4 spot. How is this a weak spot?

R U SERIOUS? A 37 year old guy who cant make a two point shot to save his life. A 30 yr old cast off who can hit a two point shot and gets outrebounded by smaller players, cant dunk on a wide open fast break. And Gist who is likely 3 yrs away from being a true small forward if he ever becomes one.

[jjktkk]

R U SERIOUS? A 37 year old guy who cant make a two point shot to save his life. A 30 yr old cast off who can hit a two point shot and gets outrebounded by smaller players, cant dunk on a wide open fast break. And Gist who is likely 3 yrs away from being a true small forward if he ever becomes one.

LOL, I guess you didn't watch the playoffs this year. The "30 year old castoff" was very solid through out the play offs. Bowen and Udoka are guys that can nail the 3 pointer consistantly and are the Spurs best defenders. Gist is a project, but he has arguably been the best player for the Spurs in the Summer league so far. Gist, with his length, shot blocking and defensive prowess is the kind of player the Spurs have needed on their roster for a long time. Unless some crazy trade happens, (it won't happen) you're not gonna find anyone better than what the Spurs have currently at the SF position. This opinion is also based on what kinda of money the Spurs would be able to offer a prospective free agent.

[angelbelow]

udoka should be ready to handle more minutes. bruce will still be effective for 20+ minutes. i think developing gist is another great option.

[Buddy Holly]

R U SERIOUS? A 37 year old guy who cant make a two point shot to save his life. A 30 yr old cast off who can hit a two point shot and gets outrebounded by smaller players, cant dunk on a wide open fast break. And Gist who is likely 3 yrs away from being a true small forward if he ever becomes one.

You're a idiot, we've already established that. No need for further proof.

[Obstructed_View]

Udoka picked up the defense as quickly as any Spur ever has. That he was able to be a factor in the playoffs is amazing, and his play certainly wasn't the reason the Spurs didn't win a title.

[lakehorn]

It's already been addressed: Udoka and Bowen.

Ilike Udoka's tenacity as a defender, but at 6'5" he's an undersized for the SF and is better suited for the SG position. That's why I would have liked the Spurs to have signed an athletic 6'8* SF, who knows maybe they think James Gist will eventually fill that position. Matt Barnes would have worked for the veterans minimum and a one year contract. The most critical needs of SF and Center haven't been addressed yet.

[Fabbs]

Could Pop play SF or PF, filling a Bill Russell type role as player-coach?

His salary would not count against the cap would it?