Fix-A-Team: The San Antonio Spurs

[duncan228]

Fix-A-Team: The San Antonio Spurs (http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2010/05/fix-a-team-the-san-antonio-spurs/)
Remember The Alamo? Its time to blow that thang up.
by Eddie Maisonet, III
SLAM

Note: When each second round Playoff team bows out, we will feature a “Fix-a-Team” post, which identifies the team’s key strengths and weaknesses. Where are the opportunities to take this team to the next level and who are the key threats to their ascension? For my business colleagues, you will recognize this as a SWOT analysis. Today, we review the San Antonio Spurs.

In what is turning into a pandemic like what they were slanging on ‘The Wire,’ the almighty sweep hit the San Antonio Spurs first. If you would’ve asked me which series is most likely to not be a sweep, I easily pick Suns/Spurs. We all know the background; the Spurs have OWNED the Suns this decade. They’ve beaten them every way imaginable, they out-hustled them, they out-coached them, they out-cheated them (looking at you Robert Horry), and to have the Spurs fall on their proverbial backside in such a fashion is unimaginable.

With that being said, the season is over. You’ve got to move on to next year. How can the Spurs be fixed? I have an idea or two.

STRENGTHS

The “Big Three” of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker have been as solid of a core as the Association has ever seen. The Spurs have arguably one of the top-three coaches in the League in Gregg Popovich, and they have young talent in George Hill and DeJuan Blair. That brings some optimism to San Antonio. And the biggest strength of this team is their chemistry. They’ve been playing together for so long that it’s ridiculous.

WEAKNESSES

The problem of the “Big Three” is that they’ve been playing for an extremely long time. It has been eight years now (Ginobili came into the League in ‘02-03), and they are not getting any younger. When the ‘10-11 season starts, Duncan will be 34, Ginobili will be 33, and Parker will be 28. Plus, you’ve got to wonder how much spark Popovich is bringing to the bench nowadays. Bigger problem? How about cap space? Yeah, they don’t have any whatsoever. That horrendous signing of Richard Jefferson has them locked up with a core seven of: Duncan, Manu, Parker, RJ, McDyess, Hill, and Blair. Those seven players combined make up $66 million in payroll. The proposed ‘10-11 cap? $56 million. Yikes.

OPPORTUNITIES

Here’s where Spurs General Manager RC Buford earns his paycheck, because he’s already $10 million over the cap for next season and only has seven players guaranteed for next season. His team is horrendously old and got out-worked by the Phoenix Suns (kudos to the Suns for pulling off one of the biggest surprises of the season, but it’s still the Suns!). With that said, I have a couple of ideas that could change the outlook of the franchise. Some insane, but could potentially happen:


1. Do a Sign-and-Trade deal with Tony Parker to Atlanta for Joe Johnson – Parker’s six-year/$66 million contract is up after the ‘10-11 season and with a league lacking in available free agent point guards, Parker would be a quality catch. This becomes more realistic with the emergence of George Hill this season. Joe Johnson could be a great long term fit in San Antonio, and with his career careening into the abyss in Atlanta his value could be lessened just a bit. Playing in San Antonio would have him playing for a contender, something Atlanta’s proven they’re not ready to be at all. Giving up Parker would seem insane, but for as good as Parker is, he has flaws as well. Move him and see if you can upgrade. Atlanta’s been in serious need for a PG for years now, as the basketball gods are making them pay for passing on CP3 and Deron years ago. Parker would be a SIGNIFICANT upgrade.

2. Do a Sign-and-Trade deal with Tony Parker to Toronto for Chris Bosh – Similar premise as Joe Johnson, the difference would be more relatable to when David Robinson’s career was tapering off and Duncan was able to be a lead dog (http://www.edthesportsfan.com/2009/11/etsf-nba-player-of-decade-tim-duncan.html), 10 years ago. Bosh is a born and raised Texan (Lincoln HS, stand up) and San Antonio might not be a bad look for him. I think San Antonio’s biggest flaw was that Timmy can’t do it by himself anymore and that there is no real frontline depth behind him. Toronto would love to upgrade at PG after the failed experiment, known as Jose Calderon. Plus, it’s the most international team in the League; TP might enjoy himself in the T-Dot.

3. Sign A Deal with the Devil to get the No. 1 Pick – Even the devil might not sign that deal. Doesn’t hurt to at least call New Jersey and inquire about the inevitable No. 1 pick for John Wall right?

THREATS

Within their own division, we can somewhat predict improvement from Houston (Yao Ming returning plus the magic that is Daryl Morey), Memphis (pending what happens with Rudy Gay), and New Orleans (CP3 returning). The West will still be loaded, and with the “Summer of 2010” looming some of the Western powers are looking to make drastic improvements to their team. San Antonio is facing the similar closing window that Boston, Dallas, and Denver are looking at. Your players are getting older, no immediate ways to improve the team while others around you are getting better by the minute.

CONCLUSION

You’re going to see one of two things happen with the Spurs this off-season. Either San Antonio will be steadfast with their team and make minor tweaks to their engine, (finding better glue guys, drafting wisely, importing some of their foreign talent) or they’re going to make a drastic change in their personnel. Bringing in Bosh in a sign-and-trade to Toronto would change the entire game in the Alamo and would scare the living daylights out of any team preparing to face them in ‘10-11.

On a personal note, it’s kind of sad to see Timmy in the state he’s in now. He’s still very good, and I think he’s got some years left in him but…he’s almost in David Robinson mode for this team. If I’m RC Buford, I find a way to put Bosh next to Duncan and try to make a run for a title for 2010 and beyond.

Its time to make one last stand at the Alamo.

[Cane]

Tony Parker can be a very valuable trading asset indeed.

[DBMethos]

That horrendous signing of Richard Jefferson has them locked up with a core seven of: Duncan, Manu, Parker, RJ, McDyess, Hill, and Blair. Those seven players combined make up $66 million in payroll. The proposed ‘10-11 cap? $56 million. Yikes.

Man, I remember when the Spurs signed RJ to that horrendous contract...oh wait. :wakeup

[beachwood]

Whoa. Never imagined a scenario where Bosh would be with the Spurs. I'm going to be thinking about this all summer now.

[NFGIII]

Either scenario - JOhnson or Bosh - leaves the Spurs with a huge hole at pg. I've said it several times before but here goes: Hill isn't ready for nor is he heir apparent to the starting PG position. He will be a SF and either start or come off the bench in the 6th man role. That will most likely happen when Manu retires though.

If Bosh comes then what to do with Splitter? TD, Bosh, Dice, Blair, Splitter - then that means that Bonner is gone and i don't have a problem with that. Too many bigs to keep on the roster. Splitter will need minutes and he isn't a rookie, either. So who's minutes get cut since there isn't enough to go around. All those players will demand minutes and there is only 96 in the 4 & 5 positions per game. Conservatively TD - 25 Bosh - 30 Dice - 20 Blair - 12 Splitter - 9. The first three take the majority of the minutes and Splitter would need more - much more. I'm willing to bet the FO most likely promised him at least 25 if not the starting 5 position. And he deserves those minutes unless he turns out to be a bust. The only way to stretch those minutes would be to use Blair or Bosh at the 3. Bosh might be able to handle it but I think Blair won't. He just isn't that mobile out on the perimeter.

If Johnson comes then the minutes among the bigs are fine and the Spurs get some offensive perimeter scoring. Still the point hasn't been addressed. Where is the PG? Temple? Jerrells? Manu? NO to all three. And Hill is out of the discussion IMHO.

Neither help since the glue to the team, a qualilty starting PG, isn't on the team.

The Spurs are in a quandry. How to add a qualilty 4/3 but still have leadership at the 1.

[Supergirl]

You're concerned about the age and health of the big 3 so you trade the youngest and healthiest of those 3? WTF? That's the stupidest idea I've ever heard.

Manu should be considered more for trade bait than Parker at this point. Hell, at this point, DUNCAN should be considered for trade bait befor Parker. But none of the big 3 are really the problem, except that they can't do it all themselves.

The future of the Spurs is here: Parker, Hill, Blair. That's it.
The aging superstars who still have 1-2 good years in them - but who CANNOT carry the team - are: Manu, Tim.

The Expendables and therefore Trade Bait are: Dice, Jefferson, Bonner, Mason, Mahinmi, Hairston, Bogans.

[beachwood]

Either scenario - JOhnson or Bosh - leaves the Spurs with a huge hole at pg. I've said it several times before but here goes: Hill isn't ready for nor is he heir apparent to the starting PG position. He will be a SF and either start or come off the bench in the 6th man role.

Conservatively TD - 25 Bosh - 30 Dice - 20 Blair - 12 Splitter - 9.

Wow, can you imagine this front line? I would say Dice gets closer to 15 min and Bosh closer to 35. And Splitter will be a rookie.

I think the argument in a TP/Bosh scenario is; is it better to have an elite PG or an elite big man? that's a tough one.

But I would probably lean towards Bosh over TP. I just think the chances are so minimal though.

[SpurOutofTownFan]

people have to make up their minds... do we have to many pgs or too many bigs? if we get bosh and tiago in, does it mean we have too many bigs with duncan blair and dice? i dont think so.. look at LA

[spurtech09]

spurs just need a rough and tough athletic big....get rid of bonner,bogans,mason,and rj....add a shooter that can hit the 3 and drive to the hoop

[sananspursfan21]

Either scenario - JOhnson or Bosh - leaves the Spurs with a huge hole at pg. I've said it several times before but here goes: Hill isn't ready for nor is he heir apparent to the starting PG position...

neither was tony parker when the spurs won in 02-03.

how realistic is it that the spurs will get bosh? everybody's talking about it like there's a 50/50 chance. i mean, is this just speculation, has bosh said he'd like to return to texas? anything that can give a hopeful fan some, well, hope.

[franceout]

How about this deal:

Spurs give Parker RJ Blair draft pick
Spurs get CP3 Okafor Marvin Williams

Hornets give CP3 Okafor Peterson
Hornets get TP RJ

Hawks give Marvin Williams
Hawks get draft pick from spurs, Blair and Peterson


Spurs get a solid team: TD Okafor Williams Manu CP3
Hornets get a huge salary relief (Okafor+CP3)
Hawks get pick and some salary dump in Williams

Salaries passed RealGM trade checker
Probably spurs need to give up the right to splitter to make this work.

[rjv]

the writer never mentioned the draft, splitter or middle tier free agents, or the possibility of trading hill.

[sananspursfan21]

How about this deal:

Spurs give Parker RJ Blair draft pick
Spurs get CP3 Okafor Marvin Williams

Hornets give CP3 Okafor Peterson
Hornets get TP RJ

Hawks give Marvin Williams
Hawks get draft pick from spurs, Blair and Peterson


Spurs get a solid team: TD Okafor Williams Manu CP3
Hornets get a huge salary relief (Okafor+CP3)
Hawks get pick and some salary dump in Williams

Salaries passed RealGM trade checker
Probably spurs need to give up the right to splitter to make this work.

salaries work (i think) but i don't think the hornets would want to help out a fellow sw divisioner. if the spurs are to trade parker and maybe rj for that kind of a return, i bet it would come from an eastern conference team or a struggling west team (AL jefferson anyone?)

[Agloco]

How about this deal:

Spurs give Parker RJ Blair draft pick
Spurs get CP3 Okafor Marvin Williams

Hornets give CP3 Okafor Peterson
Hornets get TP RJ

Hawks give Marvin Williams
Hawks get draft pick from spurs, Blair and Peterson


Spurs get a solid team: TD Okafor Williams Manu CP3
Hornets get a huge salary relief (Okafor+CP3)
Hawks get pick and some salary dump in Williams

Salaries passed RealGM trade checker
Probably spurs need to give up the right to splitter to make this work.

Certainly fills most needs that the Spurs have at this point (except another 3 point threat). My question is: why would the Hawks or Hornets do this?

[franceout]

For hornets: based on two facts
first they are in a big financial trouble, I think dump the salaries of cp3 and okafor helps them a lot.
2nd they are quite high on Collison, and so cp3 is not untouchable.

To make it work, i'd give them the right to splitter.


Certainly fills most needs that the Spurs have at this point (except another 3 point threat). My question is: why would the Hawks or Hornets do this?

[024]

i would like to see spurs do an all out push for bosh. parker + blair/splitter through a sign and trade would be worth it. parker will be the best player of all the other big 3 next year but hill is a cheaper option. pick up a veteran point guard over the offseason and the spurs can get by at the PG position. the spurs need a superstar to remain a contender, otherwise they will just stay in mediocrity.

joe johnson doesn't seem as good as a fit. ginobili already occupies the SG position. and, at this point, spurs don't need more guards, they need a big who can be a first option to replace the aging duncan. duncan can then move to a more supporting role of defense, rebounding, and scoring when needed.

[024]

i just remembered jarrett jack is on the raptors. parker + blair/splitter + filler for bosh and jarrett jack. do it toronto. just do it.

[beachwood]

neither was tony parker when the spurs won in 02-03.



Parker was light years ahead of Hill in 03. Hill's biggest liability is he can't create his own offense. He feeds off the scraps given to him by TD/Manu/TP.

For all of Parker's flaws in 03, he could take over games on his own. Hill has flashes, but he's no where near where Parker was.

[crc21209]

Blow it up? This guy is an idiot. All the Spurs need is a better bench..plain and simple. I'm fine with the core of TD, Manu, TP, Hill, Blair, Dice, and RJ (unless the right deal comes along). Hell maybe even Hairston and Temple can contribute some next year. Splitter coming over will help tremendously...now all the Spurs need is 2 wings who can play a little D and shoot the 3-ball..and we could be set. :tu

[TheChillFactor]

just forget Bosh...it ain't happening PERIOD.

[duncan228]

It's time to truly assess what this Spurs team needs to be playoff ready (http://www.examiner.com/x-11768-San-Antonio-Sports-Examiner~y2010m5d10-Its-time-to-truly-assess-what-this-Spurs-team-needs-to-be-playoff-ready)
Gregory Moore

For the third time in San Antonio Spurs history, the front office is looking at a sweep from the playoffs.

Do you negate what this team did this season in the playoffs

No.

They played the Dallas Mavericks tough and vanquished them pretty easily.

But that's not an excuse because a roster with some savvy playoff veterans shouldn't be swept; no matter what your seed is in the tournament.

Yet it's time to understand that the window of a championship run was over two seasons ago and it is time for many Spurs fans to realize that that the Tim Duncan era is in its waning stages.

Is it a hard pill to swallow?

Probably. But let's be realistic about this situation. Did you really think this team was capable of going far in the playoffs?

In all honesty? Yes. And that is what makes this series loss so painful.

Last season, about this time I was bold enough to go on a local radio station and say that if Greg Popovich didn't make the moves necessary to get out of the first round, that he needs to resign and just concentrate on front office duties.

I took a lot of flack for that and I still do but with this loss, maybe Spurs' fans can understand why I made that statement then.

Ask yourself this question: how can a Spurs team that could beat a #2 seeded team in the opening round NOT win one game in the semi finals of the conference tournament?

The answer lies very simply at both the coach and the players assembled.

Where was Roger Mason, Jr.

Where was Matt Bonner?

Ian Mahinmi?

George Temple?

Richard Jefferson?

How bad are you missing Michael Finley right about now?

This playoff series loss comes down to production and there are several players who need to be held accountable for their actions. Namely, Bonner, Jefferson and Mason, Jr.

Let's look at what their options are and what the Spurs may need to do to better facilitate a change that could at least bring about a better result than this 4-0 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

OUTSIDE SHOOTING IS PARAMOUNT

Mason, Jr. and Bonner are the guys who were supposed to bring outside shooting to this team. They were both sitting on a mile carton somewhere collecting a paycheck.

Both Bonner and Mason, Jr. are gone after this season and RC Buford should just let them walk. This is the business of winning games and the exit interviews for these guys should be frank and honest. Mason, Jr. saw just mop up minutes in both series and that should tell him something about his 'mental' state. Either you are going to be a tough hombre or not.

The same can be said for Bonner.

Both of these players didn't show anything of importance when it counts and the playoffs are where reputations are either made or broken.

Don't believe me?

Ask Goran Dragic or Roddy Beaubois if that's not true.

Mason, Jr. and Bonner need to really search their souls if they want to continue being in this league.

I'm also asking Popovich where was Malik Hairston in this picture?

Sometimes the most frustrating thing is to watch Pop make a substitution and wonder what the hell he is doing.

Hairston has game and he is a game player.

More than George Temple and definitely more than Keith Boggins.

The kid doesn't mind squaring up and letting it fly. Plus he'll play the type of defense that makes you proud to watch a guy wanting to win.

But he was buried on the bench.

DEVELOP A TRUE CENTER FOR ONCE

Tim Duncan isn't a center and neither is Antonio McDyess.

They're power forwards and guys like them need a center that can bang and be productive on both sides of the court.

It worked with David Robinson in his waning years because he had Duncan but now its time for the Spurs to realize the opposite.

That means jettisoning the Mahinmi project.

Even if you are going to go with this two power forward line up, how about having a guy that can't hurt you on the defensive end and be a liability on the offensive end.

If the Spurs are fortunate to draft a center in this year's draft, they need not to bury him in the NBDL.

FUNDAMENTAL PLAYS THAT ARE JUST MONEY IN THE BANK

One off the biggest plays that gave the Spurs fits was the pick and roll that Steve Nash ran with so many players.

Jerred Dudley, Channing Frye, Amare Stoudamire.

All three are excellent at attacking the basket and doing so with confidence.

Where is that guy on the Spurs roster?

REALIZE THAT TEAMS ARE GETTING BETTER THAN THE SPURS' ROSTER

As I've said earlier, it is time to get this notion out of your minds that this is still a "championship' caliber team.

With three seasons after the last NBA title, the Western Conference has gotten stronger and the Spurs have only made modest improvements to their roster.

Granted some of those moves have netted some promising players for the future. Witness the outstanding play of George Hill and DuJuan Blair.

But that is not enough. Not that these acquisitions weren't a welcome addition but more is needed for this team be very competitive ion the next season.

With the help of Tiago Splitter possibly coming that should help in the shooting department but free agent acquisitions and the draft is vital will be vital. This team will need to get 'younger' but still have some skilled players to help.

This will be of upmost importance for the front office as it is now well documented what has recently transpired in the second round of the playoffs.

Young teams like the Suns, Oklahoma City and Portland in the West are just better than the Spurs are this year. If this is not addressed this summer, how the playoffs went this year could be a repeat performance for next season or worse; no playoffs at all.

Assessing this team after a tough playoff series loss has always been difficult because rarely have Greg Popovich teams performed this awful during the Duncan era.

But it is also time to face reality from a fan perspective and from a team perspective.

The Suns were the better team in this round and to deny that fact shows a very myopic view of what is wrong with this roster.

Buford and Popovich will address those needs as best they can but the players also need to 'man up' and look themselves in the mirror.

To be playoff contenders for next season, everyone needs to realize what's at stake, what is needed and be willing to accept the truth as it laid before them.

Good teams do that and definitely past Spurs teams have done that well.

Can this team do that once again before the window of opportunity on the Duncan era closes?

Only time will tell by next January.


Gregory Moore is a syndicated columnist and managing editor for a weekly web portal, the San Antonio Informer. His extensive sports journalism career has been centered around covering the San Antonio Spurs and the San Antonio Silver Stars but he has also been an NBA analyst for major radio networks including the Sporting News and Fox Sports Radio. A frequent guest on ESPN programming during the NBA season, Gregory has also written on many race related topics that involve African-American athletes and sports in the United States.

[rascal]

Either scenario - JOhnson or Bosh - leaves the Spurs with a huge hole at pg. I've said it several times before but here goes: Hill isn't ready for nor is he heir apparent to the starting PG position. He will be a SF and either start or come off the bench in the 6th man role. That will most likely happen when Manu retires though.

If Bosh comes then what to do with Splitter? TD, Bosh, Dice, Blair, Splitter - then that means that Bonner is gone and i don't have a problem with that. Too many bigs to keep on the roster. Splitter will need minutes and he isn't a rookie, either. So who's minutes get cut since there isn't enough to go around. All those players will demand minutes and there is only 96 in the 4 & 5 positions per game. Conservatively TD - 25 Bosh - 30 Dice - 20 Blair - 12 Splitter - 9. The first three take the majority of the minutes and Splitter would need more - much more. I'm willing to bet the FO most likely promised him at least 25 if not the starting 5 position. And he deserves those minutes unless he turns out to be a bust. The only way to stretch those minutes would be to use Blair or Bosh at the 3. Bosh might be able to handle it but I think Blair won't. He just isn't that mobile out on the perimeter.

If Johnson comes then the minutes among the bigs are fine and the Spurs get some offensive perimeter scoring. Still the point hasn't been addressed. Where is the PG? Temple? Jerrells? Manu? NO to all three. And Hill is out of the discussion IMHO.

Neither help since the glue to the team, a qualilty starting PG, isn't on the team.

The Spurs are in a quandry. How to add a qualilty 4/3 but still have leadership at the 1.

Trade manu instead of Parker.

[beachwood]

That Gregory Moore article was first time I've ever heard a media type blast Pop for not playing or developing the youngins. Nice.

[TDMVPDPOY]

what is colison contract with the hornets? is he still on rookie contract or FA?

[da_suns_fan]

I think Joe Johnson would do well. Especially if they can keep Hill.

Rudy Fernadez has "Spurs" written all over him and his stock has gone way down.

[SenorSpur]

That Gregory Moore article was first time I've ever heard a media type blast Pop for not playing or developing the youngins. Nice.

More made a few good points and I wholly agree that the "on-the-fly" rebuild should've started 2 years ago. However, I sensed the "idiot" factor creeping into his article.

He claimed Duncan is a power forward. Perhaps in name and position title only. The truth is the guy DOES man the 5 spot and has for some time. I dont' know what Moore has been watching. I do agree that Pop should revert back to a more traditional power forward lineup, rather than continue his ongoing search for the perimeter-shooting 4.

I was interested up until the point he contradicted himself by suggesting that the Spurs scrap the Ian Mahinmi project. As old as this roster is, and as neglected as this kid has been, this is no time to jettison the only promising, young center on the roster. That would be absolutely blasphemous. Regardless what happens with Splitter this offseason, the Spurs NEED Ian in the rotation next year.

I love Malik Hairston and believe he should've garnered playing time, but this team struggled with its outside shooting. I know that Malik can score, but I don't know if he's a consistent enough of an outside shooter to warrant that level of Moore hype.

Then Moore refers to Garrett Temple as George Temple.

Good article, but Moore did nothing to convince me that he's a credible insider.

[Mixability]

so our best scenario leaves us without a PG? F that. Hill isn't THAT good!

[Josepatches_]

A true PG? Manu is more real PG than Parker.Manu and Hill could fit very well.Do you remember how this team played last month before the playoffs?? Do you know who was the PG? Adds a back up PG from draft or a free agent.You can trade Mason,Bonner,Splitter(if you have Bosh and blair) for one PG too.

Bosh + Duncan it would be awesome.But sadly it's not going to happen.

[peskypesky]

On a personal note, it’s kind of sad to see Timmy in the state he’s in now. He’s still very good, and I think he’s got some years left in him but…he’s almost in David Robinson mode for this team. \

yep. DRob's stats in 98-99 season were 16pts 10 rebounds. Tim's this season were 18pts and 10 rebounds.

the first year Tim was on the team, DRob had 21.6 and 10.6

Tim has a helluva lot of mileage on him. DRob retired with 1110 games played (including playoff games). Tim has already passed that with a total of 1147 games.

[duncan228]

Spurs at crossroad (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/basketball/2010/05/10/13901031.html)
With team and Duncan in a decline, tough choices must be made this summer
By Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun

When all is said and done, when Tim Duncan hangs up his hightops and gets enshrined in basketball’s Hall of Fame, the Big Fundamental will be remembered as the game’s best power forward.

But for now, a big question mark hovers over Duncan, team concerns that lead to the foundation on how the San Antonio Spurs have been built under Gregg Popovich’s watch.

The Lakers of Shaq and Kobe three-peated earlier this decade because of transcendent talent and an inability from a Portland team to come through in the clutch and a Sacramento team that simply couldn’t get over the hump.

As good as that Lakers team was, nothing compares to the Duncan-led Spurs, winners of four championships whose run began when San Antonio won the draft lottery in 1997, the year Duncan was taken first overall.

Had David Robinson not been injured, the Spurs would not have been in a position to take Duncan out of Wake Forest at a time when the lottery odds favoured the Boston Celtics.

With the Admiral at centre and Duncan at power forward, the dynasty that would become the Spurs took shape.

You look at the 1997 draft and you see that Chauncey Billups isn’t as good as he was when he was making big shots in leading Detroit to a title; Tracy McGrady is washed up; Stephen Jackson posts decent numbers on an average Charlotte team; Anthony Parker is a depth piece; Tony Battie and Tim Thomas enter free agency as fringe players.

The seven active players from the ’97 draft are on the downside of their careers, but no career even comes close to Duncan.

Duncan and Popovich are joined at the hip, making a split virtually impossible, which is why Tony Parker’s name gets bandied about in possible off-season scenarios involving potential trades. Duncan, to boot, has two years left and $40 million US.

Based on this spring’s playoffs, he’s not worth it.

No player has played more minutes than Duncan during his era and he’s beginning to show the wear and tear.

The Suns were able to sweep the Spurs because Phoenix took advantage of Duncan, who was exposed and abused. The Suns are a pick-and-roll team featuring bigs that spread the floor.

Duncan could not show and recover and he could not make free throws.

He’s nowhere near as big and out of shape as Shaq, but Duncan is threatening to enter that stage of his career where his presence is marginal.

Against Phoenix, Duncan averaged 16.0 points in the two games played in San Antonio. Against Dallas, Duncan tied his career low by scoring four points in a three-point Spurs win. In 10 playoff games, Duncan recorded four single-digit rebounding nights.

Averaging 19.0 points and 9.9 rebounds in a playoff run sounds good for most players, but not for Duncan.

At no time in his career post-season did Duncan average fewer points than he did this spring. His 48% shooting from the line was a career low, while Duncan’s rebounding average ranked as the third lowest.

For obvious reasons, the soul-searching in San Antonio has begun.

Whether this is the beginning of the end for the Spurs is the great unknown.

It’s certainly the beginning of a new Duncan, one that is getting old.

[kromediablo]

what about kyle korver and carlos boozer joing the spurs. kyle korver would fulfill the spot shooter/ 3 point shooter the spurs need. boozer would compliment timmy in the paint and an additional scorer we really need. dont know if the salaries match but both are free agents.

[MmP]

trade for bosh bring pepe sanchez or montechia and there we are.

joe johnson for tp? was that a joke? how old is jj another sg scorer? and hill? is he a true pg? he needs at leas 2 more years to blossom.

[TJastal]

More made a few good points and I wholly agree that the "on-the-fly" rebuild should've started 2 years ago. However, I sensed the "idiot" factor creeping into his article.

He claimed Duncan is a power forward. Perhaps in name and position title only. The truth is the guy DOES man the 5 spot and has for some time. I dont' know what Moore has been watching. I do agree that Pop should revert back to a more traditional power forward lineup, rather than continue his ongoing search for the perimeter-shooting 4.

I was interested up until the point he contradicted himself by suggesting that the Spurs scrap the Ian Mahinmi project. As old as this roster is, and as neglected as this kid has been, this is no time to jettison the only promising, young center on the roster. That would be absolutely blasphemous. Regardless what happens with Splitter this offseason, the Spurs NEED Ian in the rotation next year.

I love Malik Hairston and believe he should've garnered playing time, but this team struggled with its outside shooting. I know that Malik can score, but I don't know if he's a consistent enough of an outside shooter to warrant that level of Moore hype.

Then Moore refers to Garrett Temple as George Temple.

Good article, but Moore did nothing to convince me that he's a credible insider.

+1 I was thinking the same thing.. Duncan is no longer a PF in this league, his mobility is squat.. he is the teams' center now. Accordingly, you need to pair him with someone with some kind of mobility but that can still provide some post defense, rebounding, and shotblocking. A guy like Tyrus Thomas would fit nicely next to Duncan, so would Al Horford. I don't know about Splitter, but if he has the mobility people claim he has then that's a possibility too... even though I doubt he's coming.

[TJastal]

I think Ian is gone next year. I don't think he is going to hang around in SA and spend another miserable season sitting on the bench. He will be either picked up by someone else willing to take a chance on a young 7 footer (most likely to happen) or he will go back to France. But I doubt he stays with Popovich and the spurs.

[WalterBenitez]

For getting Chris Bosh, I wouldn't be mad trading TP or Manu, in any scenario pls send RJ out of town.

[da_suns_fan]

I think maybe you roll the dice with a TP for JJ swap. Especially if they can snag Bibby as well.

JJ and Rudy Fernandez. Dont know how to get it done but thats who I would go after.

This "Duncan is done" crap is very premature. THe SPurs' frontcourt is still good enough. The Spurs need three point shooting and more diverse scoring.

[HankChinaski]

Our front court seems pretty solid. This series with the suns even though it was a sweep. I don't see it completely that way. Each game was close all the way up to the last 6 minutes. The biggest issue in the series was not protecting our lead and disappearing on closing out quarters.

Duncan's game is just fine. We need a wing that is a 3pt shooter or we develop/trade/sign atheletic defenders and see about building the defense powered team we once were. To do that you need spurs need to place fresh pair of legs at the 4/5 position for interior defense to be more effective.

It wouldn't hurt if the spurs went about developing and testing out all the young talent they have and brought in at the end of the season and not to mention the hopefully potential draftees in this off-season.

I could say a bunch of other things, but overall I'm not really hurt by this second round outing this year. Phoenix just had so many different x-factor players just jump out and play balls off the wall for them this series. Now if those same players continue to play like that with the Lakers then I'll just have to really believe that phoenix is a better team. Dragic, Dudley, Frye.....these guys had unbelievable playing outside of themselves games against us. Not to say these guys are horrible players. They're solid role players but for them to blow up like they did I still surprised about that.

[J_Paco]

It's funny that a writer from Toronto, a city that hasn't done squat shit in the NBA, would try to question whether Duncan deserves the remaining $40+ million on his contract. For the second straight post-season things have ended disappointingly for Tim, but what about his all-star first half of the season. Plus, he defended a far more explosive player in Amar'e well. Or is he supposed to be able to defend point guards, shooting guards and small forwards at 34 years-old, too? The team needs to help Tim by finding better defenders, shooters and rebounders to complement him, not worse. He can't be nor should be the end-all, be-all defender and interior scorer on this team.

[EIC]

I'm new to the intricacies of basketball salaries and such so please don't flame me, but is there anyway at all that TD would be willing to renegotiate his contract for a lower salary?

To give you an example, LT was the Chargers' superstar running back but became less effective at the end of his career in San Diego because of age and injuries. But because LT loved the team so much and wanted to win a championship, he was willing to renegotiate and accept less money if it meant keeping (or adding) other talent on the team. If I recall, Larry Fitzgerald expressed a similar willingness if it meant keeping fellow receiver Anquan Bolden on the Cardinals.

Anyway, Duncan is a quality person who wants to play the rest of his career out in San Antonio and strikes me as the type of person who might be willing to accept a little less money to help out the team, particularly if he recognizes he is getting a little slower out there from age.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

My suggestion to fix A-Team: ditch Rampage Jackson and hire an actual fucking actor.

[HankChinaski]

EIC,

He already has done this once with negotiating a contract to help the spurs bring in talent.

[EIC]

EIC,

He already has done this once with negotiating a contract to help the spurs bring in talent.

Ah, well nevermind then. I knew Timmy had the character for it, just wasn't sure if we'd gone that route already.

[2centsworth]

You're concerned about the age and health of the big 3 so you trade the youngest and healthiest of those 3? WTF? That's the stupidest idea I've ever heard.

Manu should be considered more for trade bait than Parker at this point. Hell, at this point, DUNCAN should be considered for trade bait befor Parker. But none of the big 3 are really the problem, except that they can't do it all themselves.

The future of the Spurs is here: Parker, Hill, Blair. That's it.
The aging superstars who still have 1-2 good years in them - but who CANNOT carry the team - are: Manu, Tim.

The Expendables and therefore Trade Bait are: Dice, Jefferson, Bonner, Mason, Mahinmi, Hairston, Bogans.

Great freaking Post!

[EIC]

The answer to our problems just hit me: Dirk Nowitzki. Picking him up would give us . . .


Reliable outside shooting
More international swagger (we could have USA, France, Argentina, and Germany in our starting five)
Instantly make Ginobili a thousand times better by keeping his nose safe


Who's with me!

:rollin

[peskypesky]

The answer to our problems just hit me: Dirk Nowitzki. Picking him up would give us . . .


Reliable outside shooting
More international swagger (we could have USA, France, Argentina, and Germany in our starting five)
Instantly make Ginobili a thousand times better by keeping his nose safe


Who's with me!

:rollin

i could totally see Dirk coming to the Spurs. i know he respects the Spurs' organization. he respects Duncan and Manu. the Spurs with Dirk might be able to challenge the Lakers.

[jjvalerieD]

The answer to our problems just hit me: Dirk Nowitzki. Picking him up would give us . . .


Reliable outside shooting
More international swagger (we could have USA, France, Argentina, and Germany in our starting five)
Instantly make Ginobili a thousand times better by keeping his nose safe


Who's with me!

:rollin

No doubt the NO.3 suggestion is pretty nice!

[wut]

1st off it needs to be said that a lot of people perhaps don't know the history of the alamo very well (speaking about the national media who always makes these types of comments)...it's pretty well known that we defended upon insurmountable odds but ultimately lost (oh the irony).

2nd I agree with the premise of the article which basically states that we either stand pat and add small additions or completely revamp the lineup by trading Parker.

IMO we've tried the whole tweaking the lineup thing...it fails. We need a major trade involving 1 or 2 of the big 3, and clearly Parker is the one you could afford to lose without giving up too much in that spot due to Hill's increased ability.

[wut]

i could totally see Dirk coming to the Spurs. i know he respects the Spurs' organization. he respects Duncan and Manu. the Spurs with Dirk might be able to challenge the Lakers.
I agree.

btw:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgents-10-11

[Chomag]

Dirk would be nice but where would spurs find the money for him without being able to unload that bloated 15 mil for a midicore of a player named RJ?

[Horse]

I love Tony but would be interested in a pass-first point guard if no Hill maybe someone else. Who know maybe Splitter will be special or one of the young guys will emerge. People are overlooking how badly we were at the line, and phoenix had nothing to do with our ft shooting even Tony and Manu were off at the line. Very strange for the whole team to drop off an the line at the same time. If we just hit our average I believe we win a game or two and we're still playing.

[ace3g]

My suggestion to fix A-Team: ditch Rampage Jackson and hire an actual fucking actor.

lol, good one. I agree, that movie looks really good beside his Rampage's acting. I can't tell if he wants to do his own style or copy Mr. T. 3/4 of the A team are good actors. Rampage better not ruin that movie