Using the Spurs "Old Boy" Network to Get a Big to Replace Timmy

[BillMc]

If this turns out to be the last season for TD, obviously we will have to find a starting center. West and Boris are probably too small or too old to be long term answers, Boban has possibilities but is still mostly an unknown and may not be starting caliber. I admit I am in pure fantasy land here, but maybe we could pry a significant big out of one of the places where we've a strong Spurs connection. History shows you can sometimes get players at a discount when dealing with a person connected to his old club, witness Jerry West give Pau to the Lakers at a good price, as well as Kevin McHale giving KG to the Celtics for spare parts. In fact those two moves created teams that dominated the NBA from 2008 to 2010. Bud in Atlanta has already proven his willingness to work with the Spurs by taking Splitter from us so we could get LMA.

So, (and again pure speculation here, I know), looking around...

1. Sean Marks, might try to hit the reset button in Brooklyn and be willing to deal Brook Lopez.

2. Coach Bud could do some sort of sign and trade that would allow us to sign Al Holford even if we don't have the cap room to get him as a FA. Or would you take Tiago back and pray his career health takes a positive turn?

3. Brett Brown and the 76ers have a plethora of bigs (especially if Joel Embid ever plays). I'd love to get Noel from them, a defensive specialist that wouldn't take the ball from LMA and Kawhi. Okafor, while impressive, seems to have slightly disappointed some, who knows....

Yeah, its all fantasy, but any thoughts on these scenarios? Are there any other members of the Pop/RC tree I'm forgetting about with a big they might want to move?

[apalisoc_9]

Yeah I said for two weeks to go hard on Noel. Ibaka or Noel for 2017..prefrebly Ibaka.

[apalisoc_9]

Ibaka is perfect though. Both offensively and defensively...

[BillMc]

Yeah I said for two weeks to go hard on Noel. Ibaka or Noel for 2017..prefrebly Ibaka.

Obviously, either would be great. Not sure when Ibaka will be a FA, but would be surprised if he'd be willing to move unless Westbrook and Durant jump ship.

[apalisoc_9]

Obviously, either would be great. Not sure when Ibaka will be a FA, but would be surprised if he'd be willing to move unless Westbrook and Durant jump ship.

Thats the whole optimism with Ibaka. If Westbrook and durant move, it makes it possible to sign him.

As a spursfan, you have to cheer for durant leaving OKC.

[Kawhitstorm]

Ibaka is perfect though. Both offensively and defensively...

Ibaka isn't perfect. He's a low IQ player & can't postup anyone to save his life. Wouldn't give him the max under any circumstance. Ian busted a nut in his face yesterday & can be had for less than 10 mill to be a rim protector/PnR option.

[apalisoc_9]

Ibaka isn't perfect. He's a low IQ player & can't postup anyone to save his life. Wouldn't give him the max under any circumstance. Ian busted a nut in his face yesterday & can be had for less than 10 mill to be a rim protector/PnR option.

Why would he need to post up though? His shot blocking and three point shooting is perfect. Plenty of low IQ player like Green, Parker etc have had decent sucess in a spurs system.

[apalisoc_9]

I'm not advocating a max. If hes market is the max, Id raher go for Noel. 15-16 per should put a lot of pressure on Philly

[dabom]

Sixers keeping Noel.

[BatManu20]

Joakim Noah or Roy Hibbert seem much more probable, sadly.

[dabom]

i like hibbert.

[Knoxxx]

We got no cap until 2017. Best hope we can eke another season out of Duncan.

[buttsR4rebounding]

I thought Ian would be a good choice. I always felt the Spurs medical staff misdiagnosing his ankle injury cost him valuable court time during his 3rd year.

[Russ]

If this turns out to be the last season for TD, . . .

Then we're permanently and irrevocably fucked. (I didn't read any further.)

[MoSpur]

Since it's just a fantasy, I'll take Ibaka

[Kawhitstorm]

Why would he need to post up though? His shot blocking and three point shooting is perfect. Plenty of low IQ player like Green, Parker etc have had decent sucess in a spurs system.

Porker isn't a low IQ player, he's just a selfish diva.:lol

Ibaka being the last line of defense means he has to anchor the defense & call out the sets, you don't want a low IQ player doing that otherwise he will get exposed in a playoff series when team start delving into their playbooks rather than just running the basics. Despite being an elite rim protector & mobile, he sucks against small-ball lineups b/c he has to use his head on defense (not just react) & can't punish undersized defenders on the other end.

[Kawhitstorm]

I thought Ian would be a good choice. I always felt the Spurs medical staff misdiagnosing his ankle injury cost him valuable court time during his 3rd year.

l0ZRA_hwUko

NOQkfkau1TA

[sasaint]

Ibaka isn't perfect. He's a low IQ player & can't postup anyone to save his life. Wouldn't give him the max under any circumstance. Ian busted a nut in his face yesterday & can be had for less than 10 mill to be a rim protector/PnR option.

I like Ian, and I prefer him over Ibaka for the Spurs.

[Kawhitstorm]

i like hibbert.

You mean the guy who lost his job to Ian?:lol

[Kawhitstorm]

I like Ian, and I prefer him over Ibaka for the Spurs.

It isn't necessarily Ian being better than Ibaka but the fact he can be had for less than 10 mill/per while Ibaka is going to get 20 mill/per.

[SouthernFried]

Bigs ain't our problem. You ain't gonna replace Duncan. LMA is what we have. We could do better...but, we could do a lot worse.

No, replacing Duncan with another Big is not the issue. Guards. Shooting guards, defensive guards, assist guards. That's where the focus shoulda been even before we got LMA. If we'd gotten a max player guard instead of LMA, I woulda been happy just having D West. Now that we got LMA as well as D west, the guard position is even more critical and is the most glaring weakness and should be the #1 focus going forward.

[Kawhitstorm]

Joakim Noah or Roy Hibbert seem much more probable, sadly.

I'm not sold Joakim is done, Bogut career was on the fringes when he was traded to the Worriers but they have extended his career by managing his minutes. Deng, another player whose career was grinded away by Thibs, is now playing 30 minutes on a playoff team.

[Kawhitstorm]

Bigs ain't our problem. You ain't gonna replace Duncan. LMA is what we have. We could do better...but, we could do a lot worse.

No, replacing Duncan with another Big is not the issue. Guards. Shooting guards, defensive guards, assist guards. That's where the focus shoulda been even before we got LMA. If we'd gotten a max player guard instead of LMA, I woulda been happy just having D West. Now that we got LMA as well as D west, the guard position is even more critical and is the most glaring weakness and should be the #1 focus going forward.

West opted out AFTER Aldridge agreed w/ the Spurs aka the chicken came after the egg.:lol Otherwise, someone like Monta Ellis could have played the Manu role.

[dabom]

You mean the guy who lost his job to Ian?:lol

Yeah...

[Chinook]

Bigs ain't our problem. You ain't gonna replace Duncan. LMA is what we have. We could do better...but, we could do a lot worse.

No, replacing Duncan with another Big is not the issue. Guards. Shooting guards, defensive guards, assist guards. That's where the focus shoulda been even before we got LMA. If we'd gotten a max player guard instead of LMA, I woulda been happy just having D West. Now that we got LMA as well as D west, the guard position is even more critical and is the most glaring weakness and should be the #1 focus going forward.

If Duncan retires, he absolutely needs to be replaced. That doesn't mean that you'll get another legend. But the Spurs don't have any legit center other than LMA, and for his long-term health, he shouldn't play there exclusively. He isn't supposed to be the Tim replacement. He's supposed to be the guy who replaces what the Big Three have lost in terms of production. You'll still need to figure out who to put next to LMA next year, and if that answer is "Who cares?" the team isn't going anywhere.

Guards are a big issue, namely a play-making two-guard. Hopefully Manu can get it together this year, but even so, the team will need someone next year. They just can't deal with Patty not being a play-maker going forward. And you need a starting-caliber guard to sub in for Green in the minutes where Parker isn't in or just ineffective. I don't know if the answer would be to max out a Clarkson and force the Lakers to carry a 5/5/21//22 contract. The $13.5 Million flat rate it would cost the Spurs don't seem egregious on its face. If they can do that AND find a way to lock in a decent five on a one-year deal, maybe they can sneak in a max slot in 2017 for a more permanent replacement.

[Kawhitstorm]

I don't know if the answer would be to max out a Clarkson and force the Lakers to carry a 5/5/21//22 contract. The $13.5 Million flat rate it would cost the Spurs don't seem egregious on its face. If they can do that AND find a way to lock in a decent five on a one-year deal, maybe they can sneak in a max slot in 2017 for a more permanent replacement.

They are going to try signing Westbrook/Durant in 2017 so it is actually better for the Lakers to match a Clarkson offer sheet, which would give the team increased spending power over the next two summers.

[pgardn]

Ibaka is perfect though. Both offensively and defensively...

Perfect?

Perfect replacement for Tim Duncan does not exist.

[tonight...you]

Perfect?

Perfect replacement for Tim Duncan does not exist.

True... True.
Been watching this team since 1987. In that span I've lost both my parents, my wife, more than one good job and a several good dogs.

Tim stepping down for good will rank up there among the worst of those moments. He's been involved in my life for so long that he feels like family.
The one guy who stuck around when everyone else melted away from my personal reality.

Yeah... it will be pretty sad and his abilities for this team will NOT be reproduced by anyone in the NBA any time soon.

I hope the remainder of this team can do what none of us expect: Win without Tim.

[daslicer]

True... True.
Been watching this team since 1987. In that span I've lost both my parents, my wife, more than one good job and a several good dogs.

Tim stepping down for good will rank up there among the worst of those moments. He's been involved in my life for so long that he feels like family.
The one guy who stuck around when everyone else melted away from my personal reality.

Yeah... it will be pretty sad and his abilities for this team will NOT be reproduced by anyone in the NBA any time soon.

I hope the remainder of this team can do what none of us expect: Win without Tim.

I have been a Spurs fan since '94 and also have been following Duncan since '94. I grew up in NC so I saw Duncan first play at Wake Forest back when I was in middle school. Was amazed by his greatness even back then when he made no name players like Randolph Childress look like NBA caliber players. Childress was a PG that looked like an all-star player when playing with Duncan in college and was even a first round pick but turned out to be a bust in the NBA. That to me was the earliest signs of Duncan's greatness which was his ability to elevate the play of the players around him which very few players have the ability to do. Obviously over the last 20 plus years of watching him play my life has had a bunch of ups and down but Duncan has always been the constant while everything has changed. It definitely will be be sad once he's gone its going to feel like the ending of a great TV show.

[weeks]

I hope the remainder of this team can do what none of us expect: Win without Tim.
:lol thinking we'll win anything after timmy is gone

[tonight...you]

:lol thinking we'll win anything after timmy is gone
Wasn't saying I think we could. I used the word "hope". You're kind of stupid.

[weeks]

Wasn't saying I think we could. I used the word "hope". You're kind of stupid.

christ
lighten up faggot
it's gonna be dark days when 21 hangs it up

[tonight...you]

christ
lighten up faggot
it's gonna be dark days when 21 hangs it up
Yes it will. I don't look forward to this team being led by LMA and Kawhi (no offense to Kawhi).

It will be just like the 90's all over again. At best.

And keep your "faggot" shit to yourself. You know I wouldn't have slapped you in the face if you didn't say something stupid for no good reason.

[dabom]

:lol thinking we'll win anything after timmy is gone

Being a faggot. :lol

[Chinook]

:lol thinking we'll win anything after timmy is gone

I've never figured out why people think this. In Tim's 18 previous seasons, he's only won the title five times. So 13 other times, teams without Tim have won the title. So it certainly seems possible to win without Tim.

[weeks]

I've never figured out why people think this. In Tim's 18 previous seasons, he's only won the title five times. So 13 other times, teams without Tim have won the title. So it certainly seems possible to win without Tim.

someday it's possible sure..i think it's gonna be a long drought, especially after pop.
i'm not enamored with LMA. kawhi might be our only real hope, if he could level up one more time, but it seems ridiculous to ask that from a guy who is already crowned with laurels; elite on both ends.

without something else major coming our way...nah, don't see it.

[tonight...you]

I've never figured out why people think this. In Tim's 18 previous seasons, he's only won the title five times. So 13 other times, teams without Tim have won the title. So it certainly seems possible to win without Tim.
For me- it's watching those teams from the 90's that were pretty-to-darn good, but not good enough. The Clippers of today,so to speak.

And you knew... you knew that this team wasn't going to do it, barring huge luck. Tim changed all that. You saw it the first time he faced the NEMESIS Utah Jazz and schooled Karl like Dave never could.

Unless Kawhi takes yet another Quantum leap forward (which, you never know with this guy)- Tim stepping down (coinciding with Manu) will be too devastating to the franchise to become any better than those 90's Spurs teams.
Yeah- it can happen. We still have Pop and RC for another few years. Kawhi could still take another step forward and become truly, Truly Elite on the offensive end to go along with his D.
LMA could become more of a Man than he has ever been...

The Spurs COULD pull off another miracle via trade/stash/draft.

But all I can do is hope, for now. Tim brought the titles. Without him this team hoists ZERO LOB's.

So, in short: for me it was the Robinson Era that did the "jading".

[Chinook]

someday it's possible sure..i think it's gonna be a long drought, especially after pop.
i'm not enamored with LMA. kawhi might be our only real hope, if he could level up one more time, but it seems ridiculous to ask that from a guy who is already crowned with laurels; elite on both ends.

For all we know, the Spurs get injured and tank in 2017 to grab some generational talent. With guys like KAT coming out of nowhere to look like all-time prospects, I don't think it's impossible. But even overlooking that, adding one more max-caliber player keeps them in the discussion. If the Spurs have any advantages over GS, they aren't going away one Tim leaves. Maxing out a guard to help carry the offense will probably give the Spurs a fighting chance against a Warriors team that will be losing their role-players.

[SouthernFried]

LMA is the Tim replacement. Period. No, he ain't Tim. He ain't one of the 10 best players of all time...but, he's an all star power forward, brought in to replace a hall of famer power forward.

Now, we have to bring in other pieces in other positions. To me the positions needing the most help now...are the guard positions. Someone that can run the court and provide assists. That's what we need...not another damned Power Forward...geesh. lol

[tonight...you]

someday it's possible sure..i think it's gonna be a long drought, especially after pop.
i'm not enamored with LMA. kawhi might be our only real hope, if he could level up one more time, but it seems ridiculous to ask that from a guy who is already crowned with laurels; elite on both ends.

without something else major coming our way...nah, don't see it.

My thoughts exactly.
The odds just don't look good- especially with this amazing Warriors team standing in front of everybody for the next few years.

[Chinook]

LMA is the Tim replacement. Period. No, he ain't Tim. He ain't one of the 10 best players of all time...but, he's an all star power forward, brought in to replace a hall of famer power forward.

Tim's been a center for more than a decade. Like seriously. LMA came to play with Tim, not play after him. Do you think Tim replaced DRob? I do, but you shouldn't as you consider Duncan a four. There's no "period" about your answer.


Now, we have to bring in other pieces in other positions. To me the positions needing the most help now...are the guard positions. Someone that can run the court and provide assists. That's what we need...not another damned Power Forward...geesh. lol

The Spurs NEED someone next to LMA. They made a mistake for years of neglecting the guy next to Tim. If the team had a healthy Splitter on the bench, I could understand your attitude. But guard or no, the team isn't going to win with LMA and washed-up guys as their bigs. And all that "Aldridge isn't in Tim's league" rhetoric only supports what I said. If Tim struggled as the only legit big, why do you think the team can handle LMA being in that position?

Anyway, I agreed that a guard is important. It's just not the only important thing. They can't use all their cap space on a guard and think their work is done. They aren't going to win very much that way.

[SouthernFried]

LMA came to REPLACE Tim...I think that was obvious to almost everyone. They made a mistake of neglecting the guy next to Tim? Seriously? 5 championships say otherwise. Tim didn't struggle...he f'king won big! And if Tim was the center for decade...what position did Tiago play?

Now, if you're unhappy with LMA being the replacement for Tim, I'm with you. But, bringing in another Big to play alongside LMA cuz he isn't good enough ain't the solution either. Either trade LMA for a better big...or keep him and focus on guard positions. I'm good with either.

[Chinook]

LMA came to REPLACE Tim...I think that was obvious to almost everyone. They made a mistake of neglecting the guy next to Tim? Seriously? 5 championships say otherwise. Tim didn't struggle...he f'king won big!

I like how your line of argument is to just keep saying "It's obvious" over and over again. It's NOT obvious. LMA has repeatedly complained about being the only legitimate big on his teams. So that's not the Spurs' plan for him. And yes, they made a mistake not putting someone better next to Tim for years. He only won one of his titles as the only legit big, and that was 2007. He had DRob in 99 and 03 and Splitter in 2014. He had Nazr and Horry in 2005, and that is at least what LMA would need. In 2007, the Spurs faced their weakest Finals opponent ever. I honestly think these Spurs without Tim would win that Finals pretty easily. The long gap between 2007 and 2013 is almost directly related to the Spurs not having anyone else on their front line, as anyone who remembers the other teams of that era can tell you.

You seem so keen to rebuild the Big Three. Like LMA=Tim, Kawhi=Manu so now they just need a new Parker. But that's NOT going to happen again. The entire timbre of the team is different, and it won't replicate the Big Three. They have to figure out something else, and that'll probably manifest itself in them having four very good players and a strong system rather than three HoFers. They'll be more like the 2000s Pistons in that regard. Maxing out a guy like Clarkson would only be half of what they need to do.

[SAGirl]

LMA came to REPLACE Tim...I think that was obvious to almost everyone. They made a mistake of neglecting the guy next to Tim? Seriously? 5 championships say otherwise. Tim didn't struggle...he f'king won big! And if Tim was the center for decade...what position did Tiago play?

Now, if you're unhappy with LMA being the replacement for Tim, I'm with you. But, bringing in another Big to play alongside LMA cuz he isn't good enough ain't the solution either. Either trade LMA for a better big...or keep him and focus on guard positions. I'm good with either.
I have one legit non trolling question bc I see both your points. Like you, I am very concerned about the state of our guards. Heck I haven't been opposed to multiple trade ideas that involve Anderson, one of my favorite young players bc I recognize the team needs one elite guard.

So here we are. If we don't get a big to play next to LMA who do you see next to him?

Milutinov is too young. Boban? LJC? This question is for Chinook too. If we don't have Timmy who do you play next to him? D.West? Could be an option. We need someone that is of good enough caliber to start.

[Chinook]

Maximum offer sheet to Clarkson would be $56.2M/4 (assuming a $93-Million cap) in case people are wondering. It would count as $14.05 Million for four years for other teams or $5.63M, $5.88M, $21.90M, $22.80M for the Lakers. I do think that those last two years would give the Lakers pause right now (in terms of money, they should do the same for SA). If the team is desperate for a young guard, and Clarkson is willing to come off the bench for a few years and work on his game, it's not prohibitive.

[Chinook]

I have one legit non trolling question bc I see both your points. Like you, I am very concerned about the state of our guards. Heck I haven't been opposed to multiple trade ideas that involve Anderson, one of my favorite young players bc I recognize the team needs one elite guard.

So here we are. If we don't get a big to play next to LMA who do you see next to him?

Milutinov is too young. Boban? LJC? This question is for Chinook too. If we don't have Timmy who do you play next to him? D.West? Could be an option. We need someone that is of good enough caliber to start.

Yeah, in my mind, you hope West is willing to stay at a min deal, re-sign Boban for cheap and use the cap space to get a guard for cheap enough to keep a max slot in 2017. That is under what's everyone else's assumption that Tim and Manu retire while taking no money from next year's cap. If they do take theirs, then you just re-sign West for what he wants and focus on prospects. But unless David falls off, I want him starting next to LMA next year if Tim is gone.

[SAGirl]

I like how your line of argument is to just keep saying "It's obvious" over and over again. It's NOT obvious. LMA has repeatedly complained about being the only legitimate big on his teams. So that's not the Spurs' plan for him. And yes, they made a mistake not putting someone better next to Tim for years. He only won one of his titles as the only legit big, and that was 2007. He had DRob in 99 and 03 and Splitter in 2014. He had Nazr and Horry in 2005, and that is at least what LMA would need. In 2007, the Spurs faced their weakest Finals opponent ever. I honestly think these Spurs without Tim would win that Finals pretty easily. The long gap between 2007 and 2013 is almost directly related to the Spurs not having anyone else on their front line, as anyone who remembers the other teams of that era can tell you.

You seem so keen to rebuild the Big Three. Like LMA=Tim, Kawhi=Manu so now they just need a new Parker. But that's NOT going to happen again. The entire timbre of the team is different, and it won't replicate the Big Three. They have to figure out something else, and that'll probably manifest itself in them having four very good players and a strong system rather than three HoFers. They'll be more like the 2000s Pistons in that regard. Maxing out a guy like Clarkson would only be half of what they need to do.
I think even the system itself is changing as we went through the past season and go through this season and our bench system and style will change too. We don't need a super star big, the star big is LMA, but we do need one blue collar big like Tiago was.

[SouthernFried]

LMA was brought in to replace Tim. That was your post "get a big to replace Tim." Well, that's what LMA is. Now, if you want to get another big to replace TIAGO...ok, that's a different matter. I have no problem getting someone who can protect the rim and get rebounds...cuz, LMA doesn't seem to be able to do that as well as Tim did either.

But, it was never the front court that was the Spurs problem. Hell, Timmy was the best player on the court for the Spurs against the Clippers in the first round lost just last year. The oldest, slowest guy on our team, outplayed everyone else on the team. That was ridiculous.

It was the Back court that was inconsistent and the problem. And, yes, we need to change...and that means changing the backcourt...where the problems have been. Danny Green was terrible, Parker was inconsistent, Kawhi disappeared. The front court was not the problem. Which is why I was dismayed when we got a maxed contract front court player in the off season. That is not where we needed to spend the money. But, I understand we needed a "replacement for Timmy"...so, I waited to see how that would turn out. Problem is, it still didn't fix the back court problem. That is still the biggest issue for the Spurs.

[Chinook]

I think even the system itself is changing as we went through the past season and go through this season and our bench system and style will change too. We don't need a super star big, the star big is LMA, but we do need one blue collar big like Tiago was.

No one mentioned in this thread has been a superstar. But they have been high-caliber guys. That's what you need. Players like Ibaka and Noel aren't stars in the sense you seem to mean, but they are the actual types of guys who replace Tim. "Star big" isn't Tim's role, and it hasn't been for years. He's been a defensive-minded rebounder who can score in favorable match-ups. Difference between him and those guys is that he has a HoF gear he can still get into. But that's not going to be found in free agents. It probably won't exist on the team next year. LMA doesn't have it, and LMA doesn't need it. He needs someone who can do what Tim does on a nightly basis next to him.

[Chinook]

LMA was brought in to replace Tim. That was your post "get a big to replace Tim." Well, that's what LMA is. Now, if you want to get another big to replace TIAGO...ok, that's a different matter. I have no problem getting someone who can protect the rim and get rebounds...cuz, LMA doesn't seem to be able to do that as well as Tim did either.

He wasn't brought in to do anything Tim does. He was brought in because he compliments Tim. When Tim retires, the Spurs need to find someone to do those things again. That's replacing Tim, and there isn't much room for debate.


But, it was never the front court that was the Spurs problem. Hell, Timmy was the best player on the court for the Spurs against the Clippers in the first round lost just last year. The oldest, slowest guy on our team, outplayed everyone else on the team. That was ridiculous.

It was easily the problem. The Spurs win that series in five with a healthy Splitter. You're just underscoring why LMA, who we all agree isn't as good as Tim needs to have another big next to him.


It was the Back court that was inconsistent and the problem. And, yes, we need to change...and that means changing the backcourt...where the problems have been. Danny Green was terrible, Parker was inconsistent, Kawhi disappeared. The front court was not the problem. Which is why I was dismayed when we got a maxed contract front court player in the off season. That is not where we needed to spend the money. But, I understand we needed a "replacement for Timmy"...so, I waited to see how that would turn out. Problem is, it still didn't fix the back court problem. That is still the biggest issue for the Spurs.

The problem for the Spurs is that they have been riding on Tim and Manu playing above their paygrades for years. So when a guy like Manu plays like a $7-Million player, instead of a max player at critical moments, it shows. They'll have to reprioritize their salary allocations next off-season. But you're so wrong. Had the Spurs maxed out a guard (and you should try to give an example of such a player being available), they would be a worse team now. With Tiago being unreliable and hurt, they needed to get a legit player next to Tim to have any shot. Because he can't hold up being the only big anymore. He can barely hold up being the second big right now. If it were him, Diaw and West right now, the Spurs would be middle of the bracket at best. I understand your concerns over the backcourt, but your skepticism of using the cap space on LMA hasn't been remotely vindicated by this season.

[SouthernFried]

Sigh...ok, if you don't think LMA was brought in to replace Tim, and that we need someone else to replace Tim...ok, w/e. LMA can't do what Tim does...and nobody else in the league can either. So, you ain't gonna replace Tim with anyone else. But, yeah, LMA needs help. lol. Timmy didn't need help. He won 5 championships with scrub centers. Timmy needs to retire, he's hobbling right now on 1 1/2 legs. Shoulda had his knee replaced years ago. If they brought in LMA to play "with" Tim...that was stupid. They needed to bring in someone to "replace" Tim. And I have no doubt, that is why they brought LMA in.

I have come to the conlusion...that Tim and Manu's passing was what really made the old Spurs move. They both had great bbiq, court vision and moved the ball around. I think those 2 were the keys that made the "beautiful" game everyone talked about. LMA and Kawhi just aren't passers and I don't think see the court nearly as well. And Tony is much more of a scoring guard. So, when either of those 2 aren't on the court, the Spurs look lost. Diaw ain't bad at it, and Kyle has potential...but, they really ain't that close to Tim and Manu. Another big really doesn't address that issue at all...which I think is the key. Well, if you actually want to keep the passing game going.


Who's gonna distribute the ball around without those 2? Do we become an ISO team? I dunno. What I do know is this. Manu, Tim and Tony all need to be healthy and playing well for us to have any chance of doing anything this year. Cuz, without them, this team is lost on the court. And if you don't upgrade the backcourt when both those guys are gone...it's going to go from the "beautiful game" to the "wtf is that?" game lol

[Big Empty]

The answer is prince ibeh, the Texas Longhorn center that is projected to go late first round early 2nd round. 6-11 260lbs with a 7'4 wingspan. He moves well and is athletic. He is the answer

[Big Empty]

http://youtu.be/aUzr5MSZuZ8

[benefactor]

I like Ebeh but he's raw and a foul machine. He'll probably need a season or two in the DLeague.

[TheDoctor]

They are going to try signing Westbrook/Durant in 2017...

You guessing on Durant signing a 1 year contract this summer a la Lebron/Wade? Because Durant become an UFA this summer.

[SouthernFried]

I have one legit non trolling question bc I see both your points. Like you, I am very concerned about the state of our guards. Heck I haven't been opposed to multiple trade ideas that involve Anderson, one of my favorite young players bc I recognize the team needs one elite guard.

So here we are. If we don't get a big to play next to LMA who do you see next to him?

Milutinov is too young. Boban? LJC? This question is for Chinook too. If we don't have Timmy who do you play next to him? D.West? Could be an option. We need someone that is of good enough caliber to start.

Yeah, it would be nice to have a monster defensive big. Diaw, West and even Aldridge play small on D. Boban? Geesh...I dunno, lol. But, I like Diaw and West on the offensive end. So, I'd prolly start West also. If we get a dedicated defensive big, ala Tiago, then I guess we'd bring both Diaw and West of the bench. Leaving LMA as the primary offensive option low. Ugh...lol

But, it's still the backcourt that is our major problem. Has been, and will continue to be until addressed. I was hoping Parker would become a much better floor general as he got older and slower. But, it looks like he still a scorer, just taking more jumpers (and hitting them) rather than driving. If he would just look more to playmaking, that could still happen. D will always be an issue with tho...sigh. :lol

[Old School 44]

If this turns out to be the last season for TD, obviously we will have to find a starting center. West and Boris are probably too small or too old to be long term answers, Boban has possibilities but is still mostly an unknown and may not be starting caliber. I admit I am in pure fantasy land here, but maybe we could pry a significant big out of one of the places where we've a strong Spurs connection. History shows you can sometimes get players at a discount when dealing with a person connected to his old club, witness Jerry West give Pau to the Lakers at a good price, as well as Kevin McHale giving KG to the Celtics for spare parts. In fact those two moves created teams that dominated the NBA from 2008 to 2010. Bud in Atlanta has already proven his willingness to work with the Spurs by taking Splitter from us so we could get LMA.

So, (and again pure speculation here, I know), looking around...

1. Sean Marks, might try to hit the reset button in Brooklyn and be willing to deal Brook Lopez.

2. Coach Bud could do some sort of sign and trade that would allow us to sign Al Holford even if we don't have the cap room to get him as a FA. Or would you take Tiago back and pray his career health takes a positive turn?

3. Brett Brown and the 76ers have a plethora of bigs (especially if Joel Embid ever plays). I'd love to get Noel from them, a defensive specialist that wouldn't take the ball from LMA and Kawhi. Okafor, while impressive, seems to have slightly disappointed some, who knows....

Yeah, its all fantasy, but any thoughts on these scenarios? Are there any other members of the Pop/RC tree I'm forgetting about with a big they might want to move?

I can see a reset in Brooklyn, I'm just not max money high on Brook Lopez.
I like Horford, but others will offer more than I believe the Spurs would to get him.
Noel imo is the best fit of the three, but I just don't see Philly doing it.
Although he's not a 'big', and as unlikely as it sounds, I'd pursue Kevin Durant.

BUT realistically...be prudent. I think there's going to be a lot of over spending with the rise in the cap. I'd sit back and wait until the smoke clears. Continue to do what the Spurs do, work the draft and player development through the D league.

[xellos88330]

A mobile defensive big please. They are hard to come by, but the Spurs perimeter defenders are getting crushed by screens and we have no bigs quick enough to step out and recover to their man.

[SouthernFried]

A mobile defensive big please. They are hard to come by, but the Spurs perimeter defenders are getting crushed by screens and we have no bigs quick enough to step out and recover to their man.

And there you have it. Another conundrum :)

[SpursBig3s]

Thats the whole optimism with Ibaka. If Westbrook and durant move, it makes it possible to sign him.

As a spursfan, you have to cheer for durant leaving OKC.

Not if he goes to the Warriors

[wildbill2u]

A mobile defensive big please. They are hard to come by, but the Spurs perimeter defenders are getting crushed by screens and we have no bigs quick enough to step out and recover to their man.

Hmm. We have someone in the wings who might fill that bill. 7', 250 lbs; Defense first,mobile, aggressive on rebounds & block shots. He's not ready now, but interesting prospect who is learning the game in Austin. Ndoye's rookie year so far while averaging only 20 minutes per game.



[*=left]PER GAME
[*=left]TOTALS




TEAM
AGE
GP
GS
MIN
PTS
FGM
FGA
FG%
3PM
3PA
3P%
FTM
FTA
FT%
OREB
DREB
AST
STL
BLK
TOV
PF


2015-16 Season:
AUS
24
33
13
20.9
9.2
3.1
5
0.608
0
0
0
3.1
4.2
0.727
2.5
5
0.9
0.5
1.2
1.8







Boban and Ndoye might be a fun pair to watch, eh.

[apalisoc_9]

Maximum offer sheet to Clarkson would be $56.2M/4 (assuming a $93-Million cap) in case people are wondering. It would count as $14.05 Million for four years for other teams or $5.63M, $5.88M, $21.90M, $22.80M for the Lakers. I do think that those last two years would give the Lakers pause right now (in terms of money, they should do the same for SA). If the team is desperate for a young guard, and Clarkson is willing to come off the bench for a few years and work on his game, it's not prohibitive.

Where do you watch archives for D league games? I want to see Ndoye. If hes as good as you say, The spurs should put 80% of their focus into getting kawhi a perimter player.

[Chinook]

Where do you watch archives for D league games? I want to see Ndoye. If hes as good as you say, The spurs should put 80% of their focus into getting kawhi a perimter player.

You can just look them up on YouTube. And I don't consider Ndoye a bona fide rotation player right now. But I think he's a third center who has higher upside than Baynes, because he's already much better defensively and looks to have the same potential offensively.

[Kawhitstorm]

You guessing on Durant signing a 1 year contract this summer a la Lebron/Wade? Because Durant become an UFA this summer.

No reason for him not to sign a 1 yr contract unless he want to jump on the Worriers bandwagon:lol b/c he isn't going to find a better wingman than Westbrook elsewhere.