Ghost Writer
10-29-2008, 06:46 PM
When I was posting in here every day, there was nothing more annoying than the member that would come in a post about stuff that was already covered and leave.
So I apologize in advance for doing that right now.
Some veterans may feel I have earned this right.
Either way, I'd like to share some thoughts.
And I'm sorry if you don't agree with my gut feelings and/or concerns.
Thanks for indulging an O.G.
The Spurs are old. The window is still slightly open based on Pop's resolve and the team's collective determined defense.
I like Roger Mason. He seems to be Spurs material. Hardworking and disciplined.
Ime Udoka must become the new Bruce Bowen by the playoffs.
Oberto and Thomas are not quick, agile or shot-blockers. That's worrisome.
Will George Hill see any initial playing time with Manu out? I hope so.
Mike Finley is still starting. And Brent Barry is sleeping with the enemy.
If Manu Ginobili does not come back 100% before Jan 1, the Spurs will be hardpressed to have a top 4 seed in the playoffs. However, the silver-and-black lining in that Manu should be fresher and healthier for the playoffs. Real Spurs fans know that this team simply can't win without it's top 3 stars playing at a high level. I blame Ginobili's ankle/foot injury on last year's crushing defeat to the Lakers.
Without being as negative as I have been in the past, where exactly did this team improve from last season? Most if not all of the team's players are on the decline. You can argue that Parker and Udoku and Mason have more to show, but I don't know if a healthy Manu is enough to compete with the Lakers and Bynum, the airtight Hornets with Posey and the consummate Jazz with young D. Williams. And the Rockets can be downright scary if T-Mac and Ming can stay healthy, because Ron Artest is going to prove all his naysayers wrong.
[Speaking of which, how in the world do the Spurs let Artest slip through their grasp once again? Here is the classic example of a mitigatible risk. The Spurs have a team of veteran players with the potential to squeeze one or two more titles out. Artest is playing for another contract this year. When winning and surrounded with class players, Artest can be special. I have often said that Artest is Bowen with the benefit of a strong offensive skill set. He excels in the half court and can guard 1s - 4s. How do you NOT bring this defensive dynamo in for a one year experiment, when Artest can't afford but to fall in line? Allowing him to land with the division rival Rockets is inexcusable.]
Interestingly. Sports Illustrated has the nerve to pick the Spurs over the Celtics (the Finals that I prayed for the minute Ainge mortgaged Boston's future to secure a title) in this season's Finals. They used such scientific prognastration as "the Spurs win every other year" and that "Manu will be healthy."
I love the Spurs and live and die with every playoff adventure, but I just don't see it. In the past, the Spurs on paper were rarely a match for other star-laden teams, but I could convince myself that they would secure homecourt advantage in the playoffs and defend better than any other team. Now, I am not convinced that the Big Three are enough or that Manu can stay healthy or that the team will be able to stay in the hunt while Manu is out. It's stunning to me that the front office does virtually nothing to get younger, faster, stronger, better. There is a thin line between believing in your players and system and plain obstinance.
I hope I am wrong, as I have been before.
I will say that with a healthy Manu and other teams underestimating them, the Spurs could steal a ring this year. It will take everything they have to do so.
Enjoy the game tonight!
GO SPURS!
So I apologize in advance for doing that right now.
Some veterans may feel I have earned this right.
Either way, I'd like to share some thoughts.
And I'm sorry if you don't agree with my gut feelings and/or concerns.
Thanks for indulging an O.G.
The Spurs are old. The window is still slightly open based on Pop's resolve and the team's collective determined defense.
I like Roger Mason. He seems to be Spurs material. Hardworking and disciplined.
Ime Udoka must become the new Bruce Bowen by the playoffs.
Oberto and Thomas are not quick, agile or shot-blockers. That's worrisome.
Will George Hill see any initial playing time with Manu out? I hope so.
Mike Finley is still starting. And Brent Barry is sleeping with the enemy.
If Manu Ginobili does not come back 100% before Jan 1, the Spurs will be hardpressed to have a top 4 seed in the playoffs. However, the silver-and-black lining in that Manu should be fresher and healthier for the playoffs. Real Spurs fans know that this team simply can't win without it's top 3 stars playing at a high level. I blame Ginobili's ankle/foot injury on last year's crushing defeat to the Lakers.
Without being as negative as I have been in the past, where exactly did this team improve from last season? Most if not all of the team's players are on the decline. You can argue that Parker and Udoku and Mason have more to show, but I don't know if a healthy Manu is enough to compete with the Lakers and Bynum, the airtight Hornets with Posey and the consummate Jazz with young D. Williams. And the Rockets can be downright scary if T-Mac and Ming can stay healthy, because Ron Artest is going to prove all his naysayers wrong.
[Speaking of which, how in the world do the Spurs let Artest slip through their grasp once again? Here is the classic example of a mitigatible risk. The Spurs have a team of veteran players with the potential to squeeze one or two more titles out. Artest is playing for another contract this year. When winning and surrounded with class players, Artest can be special. I have often said that Artest is Bowen with the benefit of a strong offensive skill set. He excels in the half court and can guard 1s - 4s. How do you NOT bring this defensive dynamo in for a one year experiment, when Artest can't afford but to fall in line? Allowing him to land with the division rival Rockets is inexcusable.]
Interestingly. Sports Illustrated has the nerve to pick the Spurs over the Celtics (the Finals that I prayed for the minute Ainge mortgaged Boston's future to secure a title) in this season's Finals. They used such scientific prognastration as "the Spurs win every other year" and that "Manu will be healthy."
I love the Spurs and live and die with every playoff adventure, but I just don't see it. In the past, the Spurs on paper were rarely a match for other star-laden teams, but I could convince myself that they would secure homecourt advantage in the playoffs and defend better than any other team. Now, I am not convinced that the Big Three are enough or that Manu can stay healthy or that the team will be able to stay in the hunt while Manu is out. It's stunning to me that the front office does virtually nothing to get younger, faster, stronger, better. There is a thin line between believing in your players and system and plain obstinance.
I hope I am wrong, as I have been before.
I will say that with a healthy Manu and other teams underestimating them, the Spurs could steal a ring this year. It will take everything they have to do so.
Enjoy the game tonight!
GO SPURS!