Ocotillo
05-24-2006, 11:29 AM
Well the season is over (go Suns) and it's time to begin looking at what the off-season will bring for the Spurs.
It seems a little odd that the Spurs are done and we haven't even had the NBA Draft lottery yet. :depressed
Tim Duncan: Is signed for another four seasons and is in his prime. After having a mediocre (for him) season, the great one came alive in the play offs and quieted concerns that he is in decline. He's not going anywhere and is beloved by the community. Thanks for everything Tim and get lots of R & R this summer and don't forget to keep in shape.
Manu Ginobili: "Stud of the world" or so says Coach Pop. Locked up for another four years. The Manu haters will continue but the same guy who fouled Dirk on that play that allowed him to the free throw line to send the game into overtime is the same guy who nailed a three to give the Spurs a three point lead right just before that. I wish he would take this summer of rather than playing the World Championships. He seems to tire out quicker than most players so his minutes should be split with Fin this coming year.
Tony Parker: Will be staying and improving. Keep working on your jump shot, keep in shape and be a gym rat this summer.
Bruce Bowen: When critics say the Spurs need a long SF, this is the guy who would lose playing time to such a player. Bruce is a very important part of what makes this team work but he will be 35 soon and his skill set is one that relies on athleticism. He does work out probably harder than any other Spur but sometimes age hits suddenly. Clearly that long SF needs to be acquired and groomed to eventually replace the best perimeter defender in the NBA.
Nazr Mohammed: Barely played in the Dallas series. He is a serviciable center and would be an asset to this team. He won't be here next season. Serviciable centers often get mad jack thrown at them. Potentially could be fetch something in a sign and trade. He is originally from Chicago and there is talk they have an interest in him. Maybe another eastern conference team may have some interest as well.
Rasho Nesterovich: The oft criticized Rasho has three more years left at a cost of $ 23.5 million. His contract and the likely departure of Mohammed increase the odds of him staying here. If Rasho can be shipped somewhere (?), might it finally be time to make Duncan the center and go after an athletic power forward to start beside him?
Brent Barry: Barry is getting into his mid thirties at a position that is not kind to older players. If the J.R. Smith trade can be resurrected, do it now.
Michael Finley: Proved his worth and should split the two guard positiion with Manu. Doing that would hopefully, preserve their strength for the end of the season.
Robert Horry: Looks like age may be catching up with him. Was played a lot this regular season demonstrating a need for another quality power forward. He was overplayed due to the weakness of the four centers on the roster. Hope the bitter loss to Dallas rekindles the fire in his belly.
Beno Udrih: A bit of an enigma. He could be next years back up point guard or he could be a throw in on a trade. Has a the skill set to succeed. This humble poster's opinion is we keep him as our back up to Tony.
Nick Van Exel: This one just didn't work out. As Nick was alleged to have said in that Laker huddle one year....1,2,3,Cancun! It was a nice career Nick, see ya.
Fabricio Oberto: Could be a throw in in an off season trade. Disappointing and makes one wonder what Scola would really be in this league. Could end up being an expensive Sean Marks.
Melvin Sanders: Summer camp fodder.
Sean Marks: Team mascot, more popular with the players than the Coyote. If you need to fill out the roster, you could do worse. You can do better too.
Staff: It looks like Sacramento is going to make a run at P.J. He deserves it and best of luck if he gets it. Even more concerning is Sam Presti being courted by Denver. One has to wonder how many times the Spurs braintrust can be raided before it has a negative impact on player selection. Pop and R.C. won't be going anywhere. While Holt Cat is showing signs of tightening the purse strings, it's nice to have an owner who doesn't make an ass of himself in public (Cuban). Speaking of Cuban, did you see him on the sidelines by the players at the end of the game 7. Act like you been there before Cuban. Oh yeah, you haven't.
The Draft: No first round pick this seaon but in someways that is a good thing since first round picks get guaranteed money. Who is the last first rounder the Spurs took and kept anyway? Beno? Look for a trade on draft day as the Spurs have done that often in the past.
It seems a little odd that the Spurs are done and we haven't even had the NBA Draft lottery yet. :depressed
Tim Duncan: Is signed for another four seasons and is in his prime. After having a mediocre (for him) season, the great one came alive in the play offs and quieted concerns that he is in decline. He's not going anywhere and is beloved by the community. Thanks for everything Tim and get lots of R & R this summer and don't forget to keep in shape.
Manu Ginobili: "Stud of the world" or so says Coach Pop. Locked up for another four years. The Manu haters will continue but the same guy who fouled Dirk on that play that allowed him to the free throw line to send the game into overtime is the same guy who nailed a three to give the Spurs a three point lead right just before that. I wish he would take this summer of rather than playing the World Championships. He seems to tire out quicker than most players so his minutes should be split with Fin this coming year.
Tony Parker: Will be staying and improving. Keep working on your jump shot, keep in shape and be a gym rat this summer.
Bruce Bowen: When critics say the Spurs need a long SF, this is the guy who would lose playing time to such a player. Bruce is a very important part of what makes this team work but he will be 35 soon and his skill set is one that relies on athleticism. He does work out probably harder than any other Spur but sometimes age hits suddenly. Clearly that long SF needs to be acquired and groomed to eventually replace the best perimeter defender in the NBA.
Nazr Mohammed: Barely played in the Dallas series. He is a serviciable center and would be an asset to this team. He won't be here next season. Serviciable centers often get mad jack thrown at them. Potentially could be fetch something in a sign and trade. He is originally from Chicago and there is talk they have an interest in him. Maybe another eastern conference team may have some interest as well.
Rasho Nesterovich: The oft criticized Rasho has three more years left at a cost of $ 23.5 million. His contract and the likely departure of Mohammed increase the odds of him staying here. If Rasho can be shipped somewhere (?), might it finally be time to make Duncan the center and go after an athletic power forward to start beside him?
Brent Barry: Barry is getting into his mid thirties at a position that is not kind to older players. If the J.R. Smith trade can be resurrected, do it now.
Michael Finley: Proved his worth and should split the two guard positiion with Manu. Doing that would hopefully, preserve their strength for the end of the season.
Robert Horry: Looks like age may be catching up with him. Was played a lot this regular season demonstrating a need for another quality power forward. He was overplayed due to the weakness of the four centers on the roster. Hope the bitter loss to Dallas rekindles the fire in his belly.
Beno Udrih: A bit of an enigma. He could be next years back up point guard or he could be a throw in on a trade. Has a the skill set to succeed. This humble poster's opinion is we keep him as our back up to Tony.
Nick Van Exel: This one just didn't work out. As Nick was alleged to have said in that Laker huddle one year....1,2,3,Cancun! It was a nice career Nick, see ya.
Fabricio Oberto: Could be a throw in in an off season trade. Disappointing and makes one wonder what Scola would really be in this league. Could end up being an expensive Sean Marks.
Melvin Sanders: Summer camp fodder.
Sean Marks: Team mascot, more popular with the players than the Coyote. If you need to fill out the roster, you could do worse. You can do better too.
Staff: It looks like Sacramento is going to make a run at P.J. He deserves it and best of luck if he gets it. Even more concerning is Sam Presti being courted by Denver. One has to wonder how many times the Spurs braintrust can be raided before it has a negative impact on player selection. Pop and R.C. won't be going anywhere. While Holt Cat is showing signs of tightening the purse strings, it's nice to have an owner who doesn't make an ass of himself in public (Cuban). Speaking of Cuban, did you see him on the sidelines by the players at the end of the game 7. Act like you been there before Cuban. Oh yeah, you haven't.
The Draft: No first round pick this seaon but in someways that is a good thing since first round picks get guaranteed money. Who is the last first rounder the Spurs took and kept anyway? Beno? Look for a trade on draft day as the Spurs have done that often in the past.