SPARKY
06-09-2006, 10:34 PM
As the Spurs' frontcourt will undoubtedly see some changes this summer, I think it's best to look at the rotation bigs who played upfront with TD during the 3 title runs. Doing so should provide a profile of who would constitute the ideal bigman to target this summer.
1999
4 TD/Rose
5 Robinson/Perdue
2003
4 TD/Rose
5 Robinson/Willis
2005
4 TD/Horry
5 Mohammed/Nesterovic
Player Profile
David Robinson - excellent baseline to baseline speed, probably the fastest of any big up until his retirement. Ability to play strong man to man defense, transition D, block shots, and rebound well. Not tentative near the basket. Decent 15 foot jumper. Vision to throw lob to TD from top of key. Finishes well on breaks.
Malik Rose - ability to play inside and outside the paint. Rebounds well. Ability to run the floor on breaks. Can defend on the perimeter or inside, almost any position. Aggressive.
Kevin Willis - runs the floor well for a bigman. Rebounds well. Sets picks fine.
Robert Horry - best shooting range of any big to play alongside TD. Savvy. Rebounds decently. History of clutch performances.
Nazr Mohammed - aggressive. Will block shots and rebound. Not the surest with his hands or his defensive placement.
Rasho Nesterovic - passive. Will block shots and rebound once every other game.
Overall, I've identified 4 common areas for the ideal Spurs' playoff bigman teammate for TD:
- baseline to baseline quickness. Be it DRob, Malik, Willis, or Horry, the bigs who have helped the Spurs the most have been those with above average to awesome footspeed. Downcourt speed means a greater likelihood of successful breaks and also of solid defensive recovery.
- rebounding. Those who have done well alongside TD have helped him significantly on the glass. This is of special import and concern up front as spacing is a big issue for TD in the post.
- defense DRob, Rose, and Horry each played team defense solidly as well as had the ability to play man defense when needed. As often the Spurs will keep TD from covering the opponent's best big to help him avoid foul trouble, this is quite important.
- scoring DRob, Rose and Horry each were able to put up points during their title runs. There are scoring opportunities there for a big playing alongside TD. This is not to say they have to be prolific, but they have to be efficient in converting the opportunities they do get.
1999
4 TD/Rose
5 Robinson/Perdue
2003
4 TD/Rose
5 Robinson/Willis
2005
4 TD/Horry
5 Mohammed/Nesterovic
Player Profile
David Robinson - excellent baseline to baseline speed, probably the fastest of any big up until his retirement. Ability to play strong man to man defense, transition D, block shots, and rebound well. Not tentative near the basket. Decent 15 foot jumper. Vision to throw lob to TD from top of key. Finishes well on breaks.
Malik Rose - ability to play inside and outside the paint. Rebounds well. Ability to run the floor on breaks. Can defend on the perimeter or inside, almost any position. Aggressive.
Kevin Willis - runs the floor well for a bigman. Rebounds well. Sets picks fine.
Robert Horry - best shooting range of any big to play alongside TD. Savvy. Rebounds decently. History of clutch performances.
Nazr Mohammed - aggressive. Will block shots and rebound. Not the surest with his hands or his defensive placement.
Rasho Nesterovic - passive. Will block shots and rebound once every other game.
Overall, I've identified 4 common areas for the ideal Spurs' playoff bigman teammate for TD:
- baseline to baseline quickness. Be it DRob, Malik, Willis, or Horry, the bigs who have helped the Spurs the most have been those with above average to awesome footspeed. Downcourt speed means a greater likelihood of successful breaks and also of solid defensive recovery.
- rebounding. Those who have done well alongside TD have helped him significantly on the glass. This is of special import and concern up front as spacing is a big issue for TD in the post.
- defense DRob, Rose, and Horry each played team defense solidly as well as had the ability to play man defense when needed. As often the Spurs will keep TD from covering the opponent's best big to help him avoid foul trouble, this is quite important.
- scoring DRob, Rose and Horry each were able to put up points during their title runs. There are scoring opportunities there for a big playing alongside TD. This is not to say they have to be prolific, but they have to be efficient in converting the opportunities they do get.