Which big will be replaced first?

[Interrohater]

Once Gooden is up to speed and Mahinmi finally arrives, I can't see the Spurs keeping 6 bigs. Maybe they would, but if not, who gets the axe? (obviously not Duncan)

Duncan
Mahinmi
Gooden
Bonner
Thomas
Oberto

[ducks]

oberto is gone

[Ditty]

oberto

but what if rasheed comes?

6 bigs that would be nice to have a bunch of big guys to bulid around in 2010 plus parker and if ginobili and mason returns

[exstatic]

Um, no one? The roster as you see it now will be the roster when the playoffs end. They don't NEED to cut or release anyone, so they won't.

[Solid D]

Nothing wrong with keeping 6 Bigs with a roster of 15.

6 Bigs
6 Wings
3 Playmakers

[VI_Massive]

do you mean for next year or this year? mahinmi's not coming back this year, right?

if we're talking about next year, i bet its all up in the air except for timmy and kt, especially with gooden, who might not fit in at all.

[m33p0]

pops abdul-jabbar. oh, wait...

[Marcus Bryant]

Oberto would probably go well with a slightly aged Malbec. I bet Pop offs him.

[Pentagruel]

Oberto and Bonner. With that said however, I don't think Gooden will stay, nor do I think Rasheed will join the Spurs so I imagine the roster of bigs will be the same as this season.

[ducks]

I think he is talking about next year


oh 6 bigs or nice just incase they start the hack a shaq stragendy

[VI_Massive]

Oberto and Bonner. With that said however, I don't think Gooden will stay, nor do I think Rasheed will join the Spurs so I imagine the roster of bigs will be the same as this season.

That would leave TD, KT, and Mahinmi. We need two more bigs....Pops maybe....who else?

[MarHill]

Oberto and Bonner. With that said however, I don't think Gooden will stay, nor do I think Rasheed will join the Spurs so I imagine the roster of bigs will be the same as this season.

If Gooden plays well..I believe he has a chance to stay!

[Austin_Toros]

Oberto.

Next in line: Mahinmi .... jk, jk

[m33p0]

Oberto.

Next in line: Mahinmi .... jk, jk
we still have no idea how mahinmi will play. could be true.

[bigdog]

I think either way Oberto is gone.

If Rasheed really wants to play here like he says he does, he will take a paycut and come, but right now I'd just like to see how Gooden pans out. If he does well enough, I can easily see him here next year(if he will take a pay cut).

[Thompson]

If Gooden plays well..I believe he has a chance to stay!

I think we lose Oberto, possibly add Rasheed and may or may not keep Gooden depending on how well he plays and whether he asks for too much money; if we add Rasheed I don't think they'll want to overpay Gooden.

[Pentagruel]

No. I mean if I was forced to pick I would say Oberto and Bonner would be the weakest link. But since I dont think Gooden will stay and I dont think Rasheed will come, both Oberto ad Bonner will stay as Spurs.

If somehow Gooden works out better then I imagine he will, I think Oberto will be gone next year unless he shows a bit more agressiveness towards the end of the season. After that, Rasheed might sign with the spurs but I find it unlikely. I don't think the Spurs will be able to contend against the Lakers this season, or next, so Rasheed won't want to sign with us becuase we can win a title... We can, but truly I think we are at to great a disadvantage to the Lakers.

The bottom line is that the Spurs will try to win a title with roughly the same roster we have now and will fall a little short, just like last season. We are a resourceful team, which we showed in besting the Hornets last year (and certainly in previous years too where we have been considered underdogs) but against truly superior talent like the Lakers, we will need something more to prevail.

[MarHill]

No. I mean if I was forced to pick I would say Oberto and Bonner would be the weakest link. But since I dont think Gooden will stay and I dont think Rasheed will come, both Oberto ad Bonner will stay as Spurs.

If somehow Gooden works out better then I imagine he will, I think Oberto will be gone next year unless he shows a bit more agressiveness towards the end of the season. After that, Rasheed might sign with the spurs but I find it unlikely. I don't think the Spurs will be able to contend against the Lakers this season, or next, so Rasheed won't want to sign with us becuase we can win a title... We can, but truly I think we are at to great a disadvantage to the Lakers.

The bottom line is that the Spurs will try to win a title with roughly the same roster we have now and will fall a little short, just like last season. We are a resourceful team, which we showed in besting the Hornets last year (and certainly in previous years too where we have been considered underdogs) but against truly superior talent like the Lakers, we will need something more to prevail.

How can you say that?

I think your analysis is a little premature.

There was a reason the Lakers wanted to get Gooden to keep him from the Spurs.

If he helps with rebounding and scoring some buckets in the post and plays extended minutes with the 2nd unit...that may be all of what the Spurs need.

That means TD can be fresher at the end of the games and also 6 more fouls that Gooden can give to Bynum (if and when he comes back) or Gasol.

They definitely can contend now with the Lakers. I thought so before...but the Spurs can mix and match their lineups and even Mike Dunleavy, the Clippers coach, said so recently!

:flag:

[bigdog]

No. I mean if I was forced to pick I would say Oberto and Bonner would be the weakest link. But since I dont think Gooden will stay and I dont think Rasheed will come, both Oberto ad Bonner will stay as Spurs.

If somehow Gooden works out better then I imagine he will, I think Oberto will be gone next year unless he shows a bit more agressiveness towards the end of the season. After that, Rasheed might sign with the spurs but I find it unlikely. I don't think the Spurs will be able to contend against the Lakers this season, or next, so Rasheed won't want to sign with us becuase we can win a title... We can, but truly I think we are at to great a disadvantage to the Lakers.

The bottom line is that the Spurs will try to win a title with roughly the same roster we have now and will fall a little short, just like last season. We are a resourceful team, which we showed in besting the Hornets last year (and certainly in previous years too where we have been considered underdogs) but against truly superior talent like the Lakers, we will need something more to prevail.

I think the only thing Gooden has to do to stay on this team after this season is rebound, score when needed to, and show effort and work his ass off on defense.

I'm sorry but Oberto is probably a goner. I love Rasheed's game and would love if he came over next year, but he's also older, and brings a bad temper with him. I also don't know if he'd take less money to come here.

ALSO, we have Mahinmi. He will get a chance to prove he's worth the wait. If not, he would've been long gone by now.

[m33p0]

if Sheed could see himself as the piece the Spurs need to win a title next season, don't you think that will an incentive for him to come over even if it means taking less money?

[m33p0]

also, Bonner has done enough to be a great trade asset this summer.

[Kori Ellis]

If you are talking about this year, Mahinmi won't be arriving this year.
If you are talking about next year, Gooden might not be here next year, and Oberto likely won't be here either.

[lefty]

James Gist !!!!!

No, wait ....

[ducks]

if you are spurs and gooden works out do you go after sheed first then gooden ?
or just gooden

[lefty]

if you are spurs and gooden works out do you go after sheed first then gooden ?
or just gooden

Sheed is more skilled

But we don't need his boneheads T's during the playoffs

[Pentagruel]

Well, perhaps I am a bit pessimistic. I don't think Gooden will be bad. I think, in fact, he will have some impact on this years playoffs with his skills. But ultimately I don't think it will be enough against the Lakers. They have skilled bigs in Bynum, Odom, and Gasol. We have Tim Duncan. The rest is plaster to patch up our missing link. Tim Duncan is of course the best of the bunch but he is aging and not up to the task to fight them all by himself...

If I were to predict a best case scenario I would say Kurt Thomas plays extremely well (as he has been playing the last couple of games) and Gooden goes beyond expectations in muscling the Lakers bigs. Don't misunderstand me, I think the Spurs 'can' win a 7-game series against the Lakers, even in 6 games, but if I would have to predict such a series, I would say the Lakers have a clear advantage. The Spurs need a serious piece to win it all, and it isn't happening this year.

[K-State Spur]

oberto

but what if rasheed comes?

6 bigs that would be nice to have a bunch of big guys to bulid around in 2010 plus parker and if ginobili and mason returns

rasheed & gooden would be a mutually exclusive proposition most likely. there won't be the money for both of them.

[Pentagruel]

I would prefer Rasheed over Gooden, most certainly. Experienced and proven Vet over a Journeyman who has been everywhere. The only exception is if Gooden proves to be far more valuable during the end of this season then I have predicted.

[lefty]

Well, perhaps I am a bit pessimistic. I don't think Gooden will be bad. I think, in fact, he will have some impact on this years playoffs with his skills. But ultimately I don't think it will be enough against the Lakers. They have skilled bigs in Bynum, Odom, and Gasol. We have Tim Duncan. The rest is plaster to patch up our missing link. Tim Duncan is of course the best of the bunch but he is aging and not up to the task to fight them all by himself...

If I were to predict a best case scenario I would say Kurt Thomas plays extremely well (as he has been playing the last couple of games) and Gooden goes beyond expectations in muscling the Lakers bigs. Don't misunderstand me, I think the Spurs 'can' win a 7-game series against the Lakers, even in 6 games, but if I would have to predict such a series, I would say the Lakers have a clear advantage. The Spurs need a serious piece to win it all, and it isn't happening this year.

Maybe not the Gasol stopper, but still a big upgrade

[peskypesky]

Oberto would probably go well with a slightly aged Malbec. I bet Pop offs him.

:lmao

[MarHill]

Well, perhaps I am a bit pessimistic. I don't think Gooden will be bad. I think, in fact, he will have some impact on this years playoffs with his skills. But ultimately I don't think it will be enough against the Lakers. They have skilled bigs in Bynum, Odom, and Gasol. We have Tim Duncan. The rest is plaster to patch up our missing link. Tim Duncan is of course the best of the bunch but he is aging and not up to the task to fight them all by himself...

If I were to predict a best case scenario I would say Kurt Thomas plays extremely well (as he has been playing the last couple of games) and Gooden goes beyond expectations in muscling the Lakers bigs. Don't misunderstand me, I think the Spurs 'can' win a 7-game series against the Lakers, even in 6 games, but if I would have to predict such a series, I would say the Lakers have a clear advantage. The Spurs need a serious piece to win it all, and it isn't happening this year.

I think you are missing that Gooden can rebound and play in the post. If he's healthy....his 10-12 min of production will be huge for the Spurs especially in the 2nd unit with Manu.

I think that is where you are missing it. Or he could play a little beside TD and help with Gasol or Bynum.

Remember, Bynum for all his physical skills, he is still a young player and mentally he will be dealing with 2 injuries in 2 years. Also, there is veteran court-savvy from KT and DG.

If you are expecting DG to score 20 and 10...that's unrealistic. But if he can change a game in series by scoring 12 and 9 and that can get you a win on the road. That would be worth 1.5 mil right there and end a series quicker than you need.

[spursfaninla]

So, the Spurs don't have a significantly better back court than the Lakers?

Fish is good, and Kobe is great. They have two good subs in Ariza and Farmar. But I think our backcourt of parker/manu/mason/hill is superior. Plus the kobe-stopper of bowen.

call me crazy, but I think we have a chance if we are healthier than they are during the playoffs.

[lefty]

so, the spurs don't have a significantly better back court than the lakers?

Fish is good, and kobe is great. They have two good subs in ariza and farmar. But i think our backcourt of parker/manu/mason/hill is superior. Plus the kobe-stopper of bowen.

Call me crazy, but i think we have a chance if we are healthier than they are during the playoffs.

+ 247000

[genomefreak13]

Once Gooden is up to speed and Mahinmi finally arrives, I can't see the Spurs keeping 6 bigs. Maybe they would, but if not, who gets the axe? (obviously not Duncan)

Duncan
Mahinmi
Gooden
Bonner
Thomas
Oberto

It can be Gooden or Mahinmi , depending on the way Gooden game playout in SA. Both men offer the same piece on the table - athleticism and youth. Gooden has the upper hand in showing his goods this year - Ian on the other hand has been with the team for a few years and hasn't shown that consistency that Pop is looking for.

If Gooden blows his chance, Ian might stay just because Pop has no assurance he can get another athletic forward for SA.

[Duncan2177]

Oberto and Bonner. With that said however, I don't think Gooden will stay, nor do I think Rasheed will join the Spurs so I imagine the roster of bigs will be the same as this season.

That would be a joke.

[Pentagruel]

Well, as for the backcourt, Kobe is pretty amazing while Fisher is underwhelming. Parker needs to dominate Fisher as he is clearly superior and Manu will be able to hold his own against Kobe. But take a look at the frontcourt. Duncan and (Bonner, Kurt Thomas, Drew Gooden, Oberto) versus Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and Andrew Bynum. Those three players of the Lakers are all fantastic while we only have 1.

To be honest, the only way I see us winning this series is through Tony Parker. If that happens, it will be a changing of the guard, a passing of the torch; from Duncan to Parker. Parker is our greatest advantage in this matchup and we need to use it. If we do and we will then it will be a day in Spurs history. It will be Tony Parker's team from there on out (and I hope it will as TP is my favorite NBA player). But being realistic, this will be a very difficult task to accomplish; but certainly not impossible (I would say 60:40 in Lakers favor).

[Pentagruel]

In regards to Gooden. Yes, his greatest strength is his rebounding. Furthermore he can score in the post a bit and can hit a mid range jumper. But do you realy think he can accommodate completely to the Spurs system in his limited time? I really like players like Udoka and Vaughn just because they have had so much experience with the spurs system and they understand what is expected of them. It's going to be difficult for Gooden to adapt so quickly.

[lefty]

In regards to Gooden. Yes, his greatest strength is his rebounding. Furthermore he can score in the post a bit and can hit a mid range jumper. But do you realy think he can accomodate completely to the Spurs system in his limited time? I really like players like Udoka and Vaughn just because they have had so much experience with the spurs system and they understand what is expected of them. It's going to be diffcult for Gooden to adapt so quickly.

Yeah but Gooden played for Brown, who comes from the Pop school ( " Pop school " , that sounds funny)
Cavs run a few systems similar to Spurs'.

He'll be fine

[Taking it to the Hole]

I really don't want to pencil in Gooden as the X factor on this team, because I don't think he is. If the Big 3 are healthy by the time playoffs roll around, we have enough to get to the WCF against the Lakers (if they don't get bumped off first).

I think the X-factor is the bench play and how many productive quality minutes our reserves give us. Gooden's responsibility isn't going to be nearly the amount that it would be for KT, Oberto, & Bonner.

I don't see Gooden being put in during crunch time situations, unless he is in a rhythm offensively or he is having a really good defensive game. Pop will likely go with KT, or even Oberto down the stretch because of their knowledge of the system.

[weebo]

The playoffs are a completely different animal altogether. Bynum has yet to experience any meaningful playoff fury while Odom (good in his own right) is known to disappear in big games.

Ofcourse, that leaves Gasol. Doesn't really strike fear if you ask me.

The Lakers frontline, albeit very good, is often very over hyped.

[Hoy]

So, the Spurs don't have a significantly better back court than the Lakers?

Fish is good, and Kobe is great. They have two good subs in Ariza and Farmar. But I think our backcourt of parker/manu/mason/hill is superior. Plus the kobe-stopper of bowen.

call me crazy, but I think we have a chance if we are healthier than they are during the playoffs.

Really?
Like last year when Bowen "stopped" Kobe?
Bowen can stop Kobe to 30+ points on a good night and if Kobe is having an off night.

[Manufan909]

Well, as for the backcourt, Kobe is pretty amazing while Fisher is underwhelming. Parker needs to dominate Fisher as he is clearly superior and Manu will be able to hold his own against Kobe. But take a look at the frontcourt. Duncan and (Bonner, Kurt Thomas, Drew Gooden, Oberto) versus Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and Andrew Bynum. Those three players of the Lakers are all fantastic while we only have 1.

To be honest, the only way I see us winning this series is through Tony Parker. If that happens, it will be a changing of the guard, a passing of the torch; from Duncan to Parker. Parker is our greatest advantage in this matchup and we need to use it. If we do and we will then it will be a day in Spurs history. It will be Tony Parker's team from there on out (and I hope it will as TP is my favorite NBA player). But being realistic, this will be a very difficult task to accomplish; but certainly not impossible (I would say 60:40 in Lakers favor).

Wait, when did Odom become fantastic??? And Bynum will prob be half ready so that's Tim to Gasol and a half. I like those odds.
:flag:

And it'll be TPs Spurs til TD gets rid of the tendonosis, then he'll take that torch back.:ihit

[Pentagruel]

Wel, you might like those odds but I don't. Tim Duncan (+ Kurt Thomas and scrubs) against Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum...

You might disparage Odom but personally I think he is one of the most important players on the Lakers roster. He excellent on second chance points and rebounds in general. On occasion he can be a lazy bum but if he is really playing I fear him more then both Gasol and Bynum.

Duncan is just not as good as he used to be. No doubt he can manage, and beat a single other oponent like Gasol but he's not just facing him. He facing a potent frontcourt here with multiplr talented bigs. A couple of years ago I might consider such a much up but he just can't do that anymore, he needs help up there.

The bottom line; He needs serious help, not just a bandage, and I don't think he's got it this season. That's not to say the Spurs can't win this season; they can. But it will clearly be an uphill battle, unlike many of their previous titles where they may have been considered underdogs, but they shouldn't have been.

Nonetheless, if any team can pull of such a spectacle, it's the spurs.

[024]

gist will be coming back to the NBA next year. mahinimi also. spurs will have a logjam at PF/C even if they don't resign gooden because bonner, thomas, and oberto will all still be under contract. i can see gist replacing bonner because he can hit j's and is developing his 3 pt shooting. but the spurs still have to find someway to dump bonner. oberto will probably retire or get waived. thomas will remain as insurance and hopefully the spurs will get wallace just to stop another contender from acquiring a duncan stopper.

[Brutalis]

Oberto is a gonner, and so is Bonner.

If we win the ring, it won't mean a thing.