Ghost Writer
09-03-2005, 10:50 AM
This is too good to be true.
The Spurs have won a title and as other NBA powerhouses have made signifigant roster moves to acquire new talent, the Spurs have reached out to bring in some international frontcourt help -- and quietly snagged a couple coveted veterans from the wishlists of more needy teams.
Seeing Nick Van Exel and Michael Finley pass on other teams to play with Tim Duncan for a chance at a title builds on the momentum of Brent Barry and Glenn Robinson's signings last season.
You might even say that Robert Horry started the trend.
Now, no one will argue that any of these players were in their primes when they joined the Spurs, but with Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker both establishing themselves as stars, the Spurs are not desperate for that huge, big-name superstar signing anymore.
All they really need is to bring in proven players that have been around long enough to know that they can win with the Spurs.
It will be interesting to see how Coach Gregg Popovich will work the rotations with this much talent and these many reputations to consider.
How would you divide the minutes?
What would your rotation be?
As it stands now, the Spurs can put five quality players off the bench that have name-brand recognition in the League.
Horry, Barry, Nesterovich and Robinson have proven that if they trust their coaches and their teammates and just "fit in," they can win a ring. Van Exel and Finley seem to be saying the right things to indicate that they will be happy with whatever roles the Spurs need of them.
We'll have to see how the newer young international players will fit in and grow.
I think this mix of young potential and veteran talent is a good problem to have.
The days of salivating over a Lamond Murray are over.
Before, I was desperate to give Duncan (and Robinson) real support right away. Well, it took a little while for the front office's more calculated, conservative approach to come to fruition after basically striking out in the lost free agent rush of 2003, but maybe it was all for the better.
In fact, now I know it was.
The Spurs have won a title and as other NBA powerhouses have made signifigant roster moves to acquire new talent, the Spurs have reached out to bring in some international frontcourt help -- and quietly snagged a couple coveted veterans from the wishlists of more needy teams.
Seeing Nick Van Exel and Michael Finley pass on other teams to play with Tim Duncan for a chance at a title builds on the momentum of Brent Barry and Glenn Robinson's signings last season.
You might even say that Robert Horry started the trend.
Now, no one will argue that any of these players were in their primes when they joined the Spurs, but with Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker both establishing themselves as stars, the Spurs are not desperate for that huge, big-name superstar signing anymore.
All they really need is to bring in proven players that have been around long enough to know that they can win with the Spurs.
It will be interesting to see how Coach Gregg Popovich will work the rotations with this much talent and these many reputations to consider.
How would you divide the minutes?
What would your rotation be?
As it stands now, the Spurs can put five quality players off the bench that have name-brand recognition in the League.
Horry, Barry, Nesterovich and Robinson have proven that if they trust their coaches and their teammates and just "fit in," they can win a ring. Van Exel and Finley seem to be saying the right things to indicate that they will be happy with whatever roles the Spurs need of them.
We'll have to see how the newer young international players will fit in and grow.
I think this mix of young potential and veteran talent is a good problem to have.
The days of salivating over a Lamond Murray are over.
Before, I was desperate to give Duncan (and Robinson) real support right away. Well, it took a little while for the front office's more calculated, conservative approach to come to fruition after basically striking out in the lost free agent rush of 2003, but maybe it was all for the better.
In fact, now I know it was.