The Next Three

[nowitzkikopf]

http://www.nba.com/2016/news/features/fran_blinebury/01/04/san-antonio-spurs-showing-growth-with-next-three/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt6b


great read- saw a lot of troll threads pop up recently about Tim's 0 point game. its sad that folks don't realize the beauty of everything Duncan's done over the past 16 years to set up the franchise in a way that they would win by double digits despite him going scorless

[Chinook]

The praise was nice, but relatively substanceless. Leonard and Aldridge are the Next Two, and Green is going to have to get back into 2015 (the previous season)'s shape in order to even threaten to get that third spot. Would be nice to pick up a youngish star within the next two years so that Green could be the D'Artagnan

[YGWHI]

Thanks for posting the article. :toast


The praise was nice, but relatively substanceless. Leonard and Aldridge are the Next Two, and Green is going to have to get back into 2015 (the previous season)'s shape in order to even threaten to get that third spot
29-6 and the last win against Harden, help the media to construct an optimistic narrative about our future...I'll take it.

[Mr. Body]

Getting a great PG is paramount, and that's extremely hard to do.

[Chinook]

Getting a great PG is paramount, and that's extremely hard to do.

That's comparitively easy to do, if you ask me. There are probably 15-20 PGs who could start on a championship team. It's by far the most loaded position in the league today.

[Cry Havoc]

Getting a great PG is paramount, and that's extremely hard to do.

A good PG is paramount. A great one isn't necessary to winning a title.

[SPURt]

http://www.nba.com/2016/news/powerrankings/01/04/week10/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt6c

I thought I might piggy back on your nba.com article. They moved the good guys to #1 in the power rankings over GS. I hope this isn't 2011 peaking too early. Watching the games, I think we all see there is lots to improve on as a team, but we can't argue with the results.

[aal04]

LMA is an interim solution.

I said this when we signed him up as a 30 year old. he may have 2-3 years left in him at an elite level. Even LBJ has a sharp decline this year. Not everyone is Duncan.

Kawhi is the only real pivotal player going forward.

[SAGirl]

That's comparitively easy to do, if you ask me. There are probably 15-20 PGs who could start on a championship team. It's by far the most loaded position in the league today.

Which one do you think is the toughest to fill?

I am guessing a real defensive big man who is healthy (not Tiago---can't count on him for a championship team with his current and past injury history).

[Hoops Czar]

The praise was nice, but relatively substanceless. Leonard and Aldridge are the Next Two, and Green is going to have to get back into 2015 (the previous season)'s shape in order to even threaten to get that third spot. Would be nice to pick up a youngish star within the next two years so that Green could be the D'Artagnan

Don't be silly, Green is a 3 & D role player, nothing more, nothing less. As far as LMA is concerned, that's a pretty weak no. 2 though, I suppose any team could name its three best players a "big three" regardless of how they stack up against the rest of the league.

[Mr. Body]

That's comparitively easy to do, if you ask me. There are probably 15-20 PGs who could start on a championship team. It's by far the most loaded position in the league today.

I think you exaggerate. There are scoring PGs a plenty, but not many guys that can run with the Spurs.

[Chinook]

I think you exaggerate. There are scoring PGs a plenty, but not many guys that can run with the Spurs.

"Running the Spurs" isn't all that hard, as the current sets are not PG-dependent. The more Kawhi and LMA get situated, the less the PG will have to create. Offensively speaking, I think the 2017 Spurs will be able to get along with a guard the caliber of Monta Ellis when he was with the Mavs. That caliber of player will be available two summers from now.

[Old School 44]

"Running the Spurs" isn't all that hard, as the current sets are not PG-dependent. The more Kawhi and LMA get situated, the less the PG will have to create. Offensively speaking, I think the 2017 Spurs will be able to get along with a guard the caliber of Monta Ellis when he was with the Mavs. That caliber of player will be available two summers from now.

I'd prefer someone like Mike Conley, as opposed to Ellis.

[Kikoluna]

Give me 1. Mike Conley 2. Cory Joseph 3. Barea

[Chinook]

Which one do you think is the toughest to fill?

I am guessing a real defensive big man who is healthy (not Tiago---can't count on him for a championship team with his current and past injury history).

Defensive anchor is probably the hardest to find/easiest to build around. But wings are very scare, too. You have a decent number of elite ones (James, Durant, Harden, Kawhi maybe Thompson). But it's very hard to find wings who are championship-caliber role-players (Green and Ariza and maybe Iggy being the only ones I can think of). Then you have specialists who aren't quite good enough to start on title-contenders (Korver and Allen being two extremes). You need wings who can at least battle the best players in the league, so teams that have two of the guys in those first two categories have a huge advantage over the rest of the league.

[Chinook]

I'd prefer someone like Mike Conley, as opposed to Ellis.

I'd prefer Gobert over whoever the Spurs are going to actually get for 2017. Conley is going to get $30 Million a year or close to it. He's not really in the conversation. The idea is that the Spurs don't need to replicate Parker on offense to make the Spurs run.

[Mel_13]

I'd prefer Gobert over whoever the Spurs are going to actually get for 2017. Conley is going to get $30 Million a year or close to it. He's not really in the conversation. The idea is that the Spurs don't need to replicate Parker on offense to make the Spurs run.

I pity the team that hands out that contract.

[Old School 44]

I'd prefer Gobert over whoever the Spurs are going to actually get for 2017. Conley is going to get $30 Million a year or close to it. He's not really in the conversation. The idea is that the Spurs don't need to replicate Parker on offense to make the Spurs run.
I was talking about the "type". I know Conley's not going to be available.

[timtonymanu]

Leonard, Aldridge, George Hill (when he returns to the Spurs)

[Chinook]

I was talking about the "type". I know Conley's not going to be available.

Well, then yeah. I definitely agree. I'm just saying the Spurs only need a decent, efficient scorer at the one to replace Tony once Kawhi and LMA get set up. Those are guys who can be found in free agency or even developed.

[Chinook]

I pity the team that hands out that contract.

I've heard people saying that Fournier is looking at $96M/4 this summer. Like they think it's a given. The Spurs are so lucky to have taken care of the cap business this season.

[Mel_13]

I've heard people saying that Fournier is looking at $96M/4 this summer. Like they think it's a given. The Spurs are so lucky to have taken care of the cap business this season.

Agreed. The LMA and Kawhi deals will look like bargains. Even Parker's deal won't look so bad.

[apalisoc_9]

Aldridge is a really weak # 2. The spurs need an ultra competitive guy as a #3 to make up for it. I cant think of anyone worth throwing money at next year.

[thiste]

http://www.nba.com/2016/news/powerrankings/01/04/week10/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt6c

I thought I might piggy back on your nba.com article. They moved the good guys to #1 in the power rankings over GS. I hope this isn't 2011 peaking too early. Watching the games, I think we all see there is lots to improve on as a team, but we can't argue with the results.

Woah that's incredible with the season the Ws are having.

Granted they are the number one team on our minds for obvious reasons, we're also the number one team on theirs.

[Kawhitstorm]

I've heard people saying that Fournier is looking at $96M/4 this summer. Like they think it's a given. The Spurs are so lucky to have taken care of the cap business this season.

It really all depends on their postseason performance & supply-demand. Joe Johnson got 125 mill as a 2nd tier star b/c of his postseason performance & the fact no star player wanted to play in ATL. Rashard Lewis, also a 2nd tier star, got 120 b/c he was the only stretch 4 in the market.

Conley is a 3rd tier point guard who's having a down season, they could sign Jeremy Lin as a replacement if he's asking for a ridiculous contract. They could also trade for Schroder who seem to be rocking the boat in ATL.

As far as Fournier, he might not even be in the starting 5 considering the Payton/Diop backcourt w/ Hezonja on the wing.

[Mnky]

Spurs tied best record in franchise history. Teams not good enough for spurfan per par.

Elite pgs are rare, good ones not so much. Aldridge is a great 1/2 of a big three. Having a big is a must. How many bigs in this league are better than him? Is he a top 10 player at his position? He has been a top 5 in his position for years. He took the spurs to the no. 1 spot defensively. He has a great shot, is a monster on the offensive boards and competes like a champion. He always has a good game against the top players at his position like he's trying to prove something.

Besides against Anthony Davis. I'll give him some slack there tho.

Kawhi is a great 1/2 who has the same type of tangibles of playing big against stars and competing on both ends.


If we could have our pick of who to pick up this off season with Duncan and possibly Ginobilli walking, I'd take Drummond as the fill in for that big three at center. would be a pounding the rock kind of team.

[cjw]

A good PG is paramount. A great one isn't necessary to winning a title.

Starting point guards who've won an NBA title since Jordan's first title:
All Stars: Curry, Parker (x4*), Kidd (older version, not prime), Rondo (a few years pre-ASG), Billups
Non-AS: Chalmers, Fisher (x3), Jason Williams, Avery Johnson, Ron Harper (x5), Kenny Smith (x2), BJ Armstrong, John Paxson (x2)

Between the Spurs '07 and '14 titles, only one starting PG surpassed 10 PPG (Rondo at 10.6)


* = one of those was Speedy Claxton

[Mr Bones]

In 2017, Green's contract of $10 mil/yr will be closer to the MLE ... I wouldn't be surprised to see the Spurs pursue a significant SG, making Green a back up SG & SF.

[TrainOfThought5]

In 2017, Green's contract of $10 mil/yr will be closer to the MLE ... I wouldn't be surprised to see the Spurs pursue a significant SG, making Green a back up SG & SF.

Green is plenty serviceable when playing at a normal.level. a great ballhandling defensive PG would take this team much farther

[UNT Eagles 2016]

The praise was nice, but relatively substanceless. Leonard and Aldridge are the Next Two, and Green is going to have to get back into 2015 (the previous season)'s shape in order to even threaten to get that third spot. Would be nice to pick up a youngish star within the next two years so that Green could be the D'Artagnan
Green isn't D'artagnan or Ringo Starr. Maybe Simmons if he improves. Green is the prince they save from getting shot in the end.

[UNT Eagles 2016]

Aldridge is a really weak # 2. The spurs need an ultra competitive guy as a #3 to make up for it. I cant think of anyone worth throwing money at next year.

Would #35 take a slight paycut to come here due to his injury history? (Assuming we get rid of Green)

[Supreme_Being]

It's like that morning at the breakfast table when someone first notices that little brother's shirt sleeves don't reach all the way down to his wrists. Then you take a peek to find a pair of ankles showing at the bottom of his jeans.

When did this happen?

Healthy growth occurs quietly and steadily, until one day it is casting a long shadow.

http://www.nba.com/2016/news/features/fran_blinebury/01/04/san-antonio-spurs-showing-growth-with-next-three/

[kaji157]

The read is nothing new. I would like to point out that while RC and Pop have done an extraordinary job making a good transition, it was only possible because both Duncan and Ginobili have been taking below market value for 2 or 3 years now.

If either of them would have chosen to get market value here or elsewhere, this transition would not be as smooth as youll be lacking money (if you paid them) or talent, experience and leadership (if they left).

These last 3 years we have payed 20 millions for Duncan and 15 for Ginobili. By the quality of their productions those are impossible to get in this league.

[100%duncan]

Kawhi LMA another star and green. 6 man simmons, patty, bobo, boba . Idk if thats a championship team but its a wcsf atleast imho

[TheDoctor]

With Kawhi and LMa getting used to each other offensively, even a pass-first-PG like Ish Smith would be nice to have. Not a star but a working hard veteran PG who knows his job. Now that he's in Philly lets see if Pop can work something with Coach Brown like he did with Coach Bud in Tiago's trade fiasco.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Would #35 take a slight paycut to come here due to his injury history? (Assuming we get rid of Green)

Sure. And LeBron could do a David West as well.

[rasuo214]

2017 FA is loaded with quality PGs, Westbrook, Curry, GHill, DRose, Teague, Holiday, JJack, MCW.

Hill returning is a realistic possibility.

[Kawhitstorm]

Now that he's in Philly lets see if Pop can work something with Coach Brown like he did with Coach Bud in Tiago's trade fiasco.


2017 FA is loaded with quality PGs, Westbrook, Curry, GHill, DRose, Teague, Holiday, JJack, MCW.

Hill returning is a realistic possibility.

The best case scenario is shipping Kyle for Schroder who is currently in Bud's doghouse. Teague/Schroder are going to be FAs in 2017 so they have to trade at least on of them next summer, most likely Schroder since he's rocking the boat ala Reggie Jackson.

Bud doesn't have anyone like Diaw coming off the bench so they could use Kyle as a point forward & get a shoot first backup point guard like Patty. Maybe, Kyle+2nd rd pick or Euro stash.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

The Hawks will easily get a better deal for Schroeder than a Kyle+pick.

[Kawhitstorm]

The Hawks will easily get a better deal for Schroeder than a Kyle+pick.

But Bud...:hat

[100%duncan]

Schroeder is a baller idk why hes not making much noise this season.

[boutons_deux]

How is Green in the next Big Three?

[Mel_13]

How is Green in the next Big Three?

Click on the link in the OP to read the writer's rationale.

[UNT Eagles 2016]

The Hawks will easily get a better deal for Schroeder than a Kyle+pick.

How about Kyle + both 2016 picks and our 2017 2nd rounder?

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

How about Kyle + both 2016 picks and our 2017 2nd rounder?

Putting aside the fact the Spurs have already traded their 2016 2nd round pick for McCallum, how would two 59th/60th picks move the needle at all?

[UNT Eagles 2016]

Putting aside the fact the Spurs have already traded their 2016 2nd round pick for McCallum, how would two 59th/60th picks move the needle at all?

alright, Kyle + 2016 and 2017 first rounders?

[Vito Corleone]

I have two words for you

Jimmer

[picnroll]

Schroeder hasn't anywhere near proven he could be a big three player.

Spurs to get another dominant player will have to:
1. Pay big and convince a star player in his prime to come to the Spur or
2. Parlay a developed young player like G Hill into a great high mid-round pick like Kawhi or
3. Get really lucky with a late round pick a la Manu or Draymond Green.
4. Tank a year due to key injuries a la D Rob/Duncan and get high lottery. (Even losing a key player Pop's to good a coach to tank enough probably).

Doesn't matter what position they acquire an alpha player at as long as they have Kawhi and a still relative prime Aldridge. The rest could be filled in with shrewd acquisitions.

[TheDoctor]

The best case scenario is shipping Kyle for Schroder who is currently in Bud's doghouse

I wouldn't mind Schroder tbh :toast

[TheDoctor]

Schroeder is a baller idk why hes not making much noise this season.
He's getting lots of DNP-CD. He balled when Teague was injured in November. Don't know wtf happened after that even SHERVIN MACK has jumped ahead of Schroder in the rotation.

[100%duncan]

He's getting lots of DNP-CD. He balled when Teague was injured in November. Don't know wtf happened after that even SHERVIN MACK has jumped ahead of Schroder in the rotation.

Yah, he was a big reason along with Korver that the hawks were good last season.

[$pursDynasty]

To be honest we might need to think of it as the OG three, the now three and the next three, OG's TimTonyManu of course, the now three KiwiLMABobo, and next KiwiSimmonsBoban? Kiwi, if we are blessed with Timmay-like longevity can be a part of two groups. As for the now three it is quite an incredible combination. They might not be as skilled as say OKC's or Clevland's top three players but neither of those teams have the benefit of a supporting cast as good as ours or more importantly the OG 3 to bail the young bucks out when necessary.

[SAGirl]

The best case scenario is shipping Kyle for Schroder who is currently in Bud's doghouse.

Is he really in Bud's doghouse?
I thought that actually was Tim Hardaway Jr.

Checking his stats he appears to be playing better than Teague except for 3 pt shooting.

They will have to make a commitment to one of the two guys. I doubt we can swindle them with Kyle, very reluctant shooter from 3, which Bud loves.

Don't know that we have anything else to trade we could spare, therefore it will be tough to reload through trades.

It will more likely have to be internal growth from our guys and free agency.

Maybe if a few of our guys get more interesting we could trade them, but at that point, we probably want to keep them.

[SAGirl]

He's getting lots of DNP-CD. He balled when Teague was injured in November. Don't know wtf happened after that even SHERVIN MACK has jumped ahead of Schroder in the rotation.
WTF???
He might really be on his way out then?
Schooder needs to get over himself?

[DMC]

The praise was nice, but relatively substanceless. Leonard and Aldridge are the Next Two, and Green is going to have to get back into 2015 (the previous season)'s shape in order to even threaten to get that third spot. Would be nice to pick up a youngish star within the next two years so that Green could be the D'Artagnan
This is only true if you discount defense as a component to winning. Danny is still one of the top 3 defenders on the team and top 2 on the perimeter. Leonard and Green are still the most deadly perimeter defenders in the game while on the court together, and Danny continues to play great transition defense despite his shooting woes.

[DMC]

Spurs tied best record in franchise history. Teams not good enough for spurfan per par.

Elite pgs are rare, good ones not so much. Aldridge is a great 1/2 of a big three. Having a big is a must. How many bigs in this league are better than him? Is he a top 10 player at his position? He has been a top 5 in his position for years. He took the spurs to the no. 1 spot defensively. He has a great shot, is a monster on the offensive boards and competes like a champion. He always has a good game against the top players at his position like he's trying to prove something.

Besides against Anthony Davis. I'll give him some slack there tho.

Kawhi is a great 1/2 who has the same type of tangibles of playing big against stars and competing on both ends.


If we could have our pick of who to pick up this off season with Duncan and possibly Ginobilli walking, I'd take Drummond as the fill in for that big three at center. would be a pounding the rock kind of team.
I understand your point, but the team isn't good enough right now to win a championship and it's not good enough for their coach either. Why should it be good enough for us? Despite their record, there's a lot of room for improvement.

[Kawhitstorm]

Is he really in Bud's doghouse?
I thought that actually was Tim Hardaway Jr.



Supposedly, he was getting outplayed by the 3rd string PG (Mack) in practice. Teague got injured tonight so Schroder got the minutes otherwise he got DNP-CD the past 2 games.

[Mnky]

I understand your point, but the team isn't good enough right now to win a championship and it's not good enough for their coach either. Why should it be good enough for us? Despite their record, there's a lot of room for improvement.

I was referring to people dismissing Aldridge as a big three. He is the difference in the record defining defense this year and his offense is still top tier, even if people don't want to give him credit for it. Kawhi is the best defensive player in the NBA, I think that makes people not appreciate how great Aldridge is in that respect when compared to his peers.

They should definitely always look to improve, and have plenty of options to start with. As far as the limited free agency possibilities, and the near end of the 1st round draft options, the spurs are doing amazing personnel wise as far as contending and building a future. No team has been on top as long as the spurs.

I completely disagree about the championship statement, they're definitely good enough to win. Will they? Time will tell, but with a few months left to prepare and the spurs steadily Improving in every facet, the spurs are looking great. I really want to see how the warriors respond to the spurs first meeting. This team outplayed them last year, and they're better now. He warriors are better too, but have the warriors imrpvoed as much as the spurs if not more? I don't think so.

The spurs has some miserable performances by their stars and coach in the clippers series. Coach has shown he recognized his flaws though, by pushing everyone on defense this year and mixing in the young and new guys much sooner. We've blown out several teams by 20 pts or more. I believe the Spurs are the best team in the nba, and have been since the begining of the season. Will they live up to their potential? Well, they haven't shown anything but rising to the occasion so far. I like where they're going.

[TheGreatYacht]

1. Aldridge
2. Leonard
3. Noah/Pau

[DMC]

I was referring to people dismissing Aldridge as a big three. He is the difference in the record defining defense this year and his offense is still top tier, even if people don't want to give him credit for it. Kawhi is the best defensive player in the NBA, I think that makes people not appreciate how great Aldridge is in that respect when compared to his peers.

They should definitely always look to improve, and have plenty of options to start with. As far as the limited free agency possibilities, and the near end of the 1st round draft options, the spurs are doing amazing personnel wise as far as contending and building a future. No team has been on top as long as the spurs.

I completely disagree about the championship statement, they're definitely good enough to win. Will they? Time will tell, but with a few months left to prepare and the spurs steadily Improving in every facet, the spurs are looking great. I really want to see how the warriors respond to the spurs first meeting. This team outplayed them last year, and they're better now. He warriors are better too, but have the warriors imrpvoed as much as the spurs if not more? I don't think so.

The spurs has some miserable performances by their stars and coach in the clippers series. Coach has shown he recognized his flaws though, by pushing everyone on defense this year and mixing in the young and new guys much sooner. We've blown out several teams by 20 pts or more. I believe the Spurs are the best team in the nba, and have been since the begining of the season. Will they live up to their potential? Well, they haven't shown anything but rising to the occasion so far. I like where they're going.

You can't say they are good enough to win right now and "time will tell" when asked how. Aldridge is being unfairly compared to Duncan. He's still one of the best bigs in the game and probably has the best shooting touch of any big. He's not going to be Duncan-like but he'll do just fine. He's already close to being the best player on the team.

[Mnky]

You can't say they are good enough to win right now and "time will tell" when asked how. Aldridge is being unfairly compared to Duncan. He's still one of the best bigs in the game and probably has the best shooting touch of any big. He's not going to be Duncan-like but he'll do just fine. He's already close to being the best player on the team.

You can easily say you're good enough and time will tell. The ball can bounce against you all night. You can get an Injury. You can have bad calls. Being good enough us only a part of a championship. Bosh can have a championship rebound fall in Gus hands, get it to Ray Allen and Ray can make that three and not get called for the travel.
Being good enough doesn't mean you will win. Time will tell if they actually do, but they're definitely good enough.

[DMC]

You can easily say you're good enough and time will tell. The ball can bounce against you all night. You can get an Injury. You can have bad calls. Being good enough us only a part of a championship. Bosh can have a championship rebound fall in Gus hands, get it to Ray Allen and Ray can make that three and not get called for the travel.
Being good enough doesn't mean you will win. Time will tell if they actually do, but they're definitely good enough.

If you say you are good enough, there's no reason to need time to tell, you just told. If you said you might be good enough, and time will tell, that makes more sense.

[Mnky]

If you say you are good enough, there's no reason to need time to tell, you just told. If you said you might be good enough, and time will tell, that makes more sense.

Read it again. You're mixing sentences.