Another deal will break...the long three

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I think folks need to quit worrying so much about the lack of free agent movement by the Spurs.

The two free agent center offers surprised me too, but I'm confident that some other deal will be done either before or during the season to round out the roster.

The Spurs biggest need, I felt, was for a long three. That need hasn't been addressed as of yet. You can bet that the Spurs are aware of this need and are positioning themselves to address it.

The free agent market this year wasn't very good, and so I'm not overly disappointed by the moves the team has made so far. At least we haven't inked any long-term big money deals to any questionable talent. I didn't see a single free agent who fit exactly what the Spurs needed for the money these guys were asking for.

My worries about the Spurs aren't so much about who we missed out on in free agency but how we're choosing to revamp our defensive philosophy away from what has worked throughout three championship runs. But that's a different thread altogether......

Bottom line is this....we lost two centers who didn't play all that much, or well anyway. We picked up a decent forward in Bonner who will likely contribute as much to the team as the two guys we lost. We picked up a couple of filler players who might play a role for us or might make for decent trade inclusions down the road. We have offers to two centers who can fill a seat on the bench in crunch time just as well as the two centers we lost...for less money.

I see it as an even exchange sort of summer so far with more moves on the horizon. Teams will be looking to make deals this season, and since the Spurs aren't considered the lock to win the championship anymore, more teams might be willing to make deals with us.

It's wayyyy too early to jump ship.

[clambake]

I agree, but I sense something big thats looming for teams other than spurs and mavs.

[Spurminator]

F.O.P.A.J?

[Slam Duncan]

I completely agree. I bet there will definitly be a few trades during the season. Afterall, that is how we got Finley last year.

[leemajors]

I think folks need to quit worrying so much about the lack of free agent movement by the Spurs.

The two free agent center offers surprised me too, but I'm confident that some other deal will be done either before or during the season to round out the roster.

The Spurs biggest need, I felt, was for a long three. That need hasn't been addressed as of yet. You can bet that the Spurs are aware of this need and are positioning themselves to address it.

The free agent market this year wasn't very good, and so I'm not overly disappointed by the moves the team has made so far. At least we haven't inked any long-term big money deals to any questionable talent. I didn't see a single free agent who fit exactly what the Spurs needed for the money these guys were asking for.

My worries about the Spurs aren't so much about who we missed out on in free agency but how we're choosing to revamp our defensive philosophy away from what has worked throughout three championship runs. But that's a different thread altogether......

Bottom line is this....we lost two centers who didn't play all that much, or well anyway. We picked up a decent forward in Bonner who will likely contribute as much to the team as the two guys we lost. We picked up a couple of filler players who might play a role for us or might make for decent trade inclusions down the road. We have offers to two centers who can fill a seat on the bench in crunch time just as well as the two centers we lost...for less money.

I see it as an even exchange sort of summer so far with more moves on the horizon. Teams will be looking to make deals this season, and since the Spurs aren't considered the lock to win the championship anymore, more teams might be willing to make deals with us.

It's wayyyy too early to jump ship.


i agree. the spurs still have some pieces that could be useful in trades.

[FromWayDowntown]

Optimism?

In our moment of greatest despair, we're reminded to be optimistic?

Obviously, The Chopper hasn't been understanding the multitudinous takes from the expert denizens of these parts.

Optimism is passe; the Spurs are toast.

[leemajors]

I completely agree. I bet there will definitly be a few trades during the season. Afterall, that is how we got Finley last year.

except that he was not traded for, we signed him.

[clambake]

What pieces?

[davi78239]

I agree, but I sense something big thats looming for teams other than spurs and mavs.


Well, the NBA forum has a thread on some Big Blockbuster that might go down involving A.I to GS? A lot of other big names are in it as well. Supposedly if all goes well, there's supposed to be a press conference held tomorrow.

[velik_m]

I completely agree. I bet there will definitly be a few trades during the season. Afterall, that is how we got Finley last year.

Finley was signed as FA, not through trade.

[Slam Duncan]

except that he was not traded for, we signed him.

It was still during the season. Something we hadn't expected.

The Spurs will come through eventually.

[FromWayDowntown]

It was still during the season. Something we hadn't expected.

Actually, it wasn't during the season; it was before camp. And it might not have been expected given the competition, but it was anticipated -- Finley signing with the Spurs was discussed here for weeks.

[Mr. Body]

"We stole Finely from the Timberwolves."

...

"He was a great power forward for them."

...

"His greatest years were as a Tiger at Missouri."

:lol

[velik_m]

Actually, it wasn't during the season; it was before camp. And it might not have been expected given the competition, but it was anticipated -- Finley signing with the Spurs was discussed here for weeks.

i got vbookie $ on Finley signing here.

[MoSpur]

I am one who hasn't panicked. I'm the type that waits and sees. What's the point of worrying and dogging the Spurs front office when these guys haven't even played a game in a Spurs jersey.

[violentkitten]

eric williams.

theres your big/long 3. enjoy.

[Mr. Body]

I'm pretty sure the Spurs will do something borderline dumb like trade Barry for Rasual Butler.

[leemajors]

What pieces?

eric williams has an expiring contract, barry could be moved to the right team. we have several players with smaller deals who could be packaged in a trade.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

eric williams.

theres your big/long 3. enjoy.


Violent, you're such a loveable pussy.

We will have a different backup 3/4 before the the playoffs. I'd be willing to put $$$ on it.

[MoSpur]

I still think there is a chance the Spurs front office pulls something off that will be very good.

[texasqb2]

I can see us packaging Eric Williams/Rights to Scola/Oberto for a 3. I think one of our big men will probably be dealt if we end up with Elson and Butler. I hope it's Horry, he's done. I believe Bonner is going to be a pleasant surprise and that makes the 4/5 just too crowded

[velik_m]

the only thing you get for garbage is another garbage or a player with a salary that is too big for his production, and spurs don't like those.

Any deal for a player with some quality will have to include Barry on spurs end.

[LEONARD]

It was still during the season. Something we hadn't expected.

LMAO!!

:lol :lol :lol

[picnroll]

Just sign Woods. He can handle Howard.

[TDMVPDPOY]

imo we shouldve kept on rasho, and try get involve into that big 8 team 16players trade and we could add a few pieces to it to get sumthing in return that will favor us now or future. but no we trade a big for scrubs.

[ace3g]

I am hoping if Donta Smith does well in the summer league for the Spurs, they will sign him to a contract maybe they can use the LLE, or go after Qyntel Woods, or Jumaine Jones for the LLE

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Well, since this thread was started by the SPAM Pope, it's acronym time!

FAST FOOD- Free Agents Sign Today Front Office Owns Diddly

SNACKS-Spurs Need A Center, Knicks Suck

DIET SODA- Doubting Is Extremely Tiresome. Spurs Office Does Awesome

[Spurminator]

F.O.P.A.J?

... but it would be nice to use an actual word, preferably food related.

[Solid D]

I, too get the feeling the Spurs will make another deal for a Wing with size. It would be nice to see the vaunted "Spurs Farm System" be tapped a little bit, but....:depressed Where is Viktor Sani-Kidzero when you need him?

This thread gets the Good Houskeeping seal of approval on the honor system.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Hey, I noticed we just signed Rick Melcher, or Dick Belcher, or Lich Smeltzer or something like that from NZ. Anyway, he's a "long three" so I'm convinced that Pop & Co. have found another Manu-like gem.

"BELCHER FOR MVP!!!"

[ro_50]

We Got Our Long Three!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mabber]

Hey, I noticed we just signed Rick Melcher, or Dick Belcher, or Lich Smeltzer or something like that from NZ. Anyway, he's a "long three" so I'm convinced that Pop & Co. have found another Manu-like gem.

"BELCHER FOR MVP!!!"

Rich Melzer, one of the key players for the New Zealand Breakers, has secured a two-year NBA contract with the San Antonio Spurs.

The 26-year-old Melzer got his break after impressing in the Orlando Magic summer league and 10 days in camp with the Spurs last month.

Despite his good fortune, Melzer admitted to having mixed emotions because his heart was set on returning to New Zealand.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited about being signed," he said.


"But at the same time I'm also a little saddened because I've been waiting to go back to the Breakers ever since I left after the last season.

"I attribute a lot of this success to Andrej, John and the team because I really believe I wasn't a professional ball player until my experiences in New Zealand.

"I'm really going to miss the team, but I'll try and do everyone proud and represent New Zealand and Australian basketball 100 percent," he said.

Melzer's good fortune has upset the planning for the Breakers.

Coach Andrej Lemanis said: "It's a great opportunity for Rich and we wish him every success.

"It's a positive reflection on our recruitment policy to see him make the NBA and it shows players can develop here as part of our programme and that we are a viable pathway to the big time.

"John Dorge worked extensively with the big men last season and Rich himself acknowledges that he's a better player because of that input."

Now that recruitment policy will be put to the test again as the Breakers look for a replacement.

"Rich not only knew our systems and culture, he is a talented player with unique skills and we need to determine the balance of our roster and sign a quality import that fits in with the make-up of the team," Lemanis said.

Melzer made his mark in the latter half of the season last year when the Breakers finished strongly.

He led the team is scoring, steals and blocked shots. He spent time with the Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls as well as the Magic and Spurs before securing his contract.

Earlier in his career he led the Sioux Skyforce to the CBA Championship in 2005 and was the MVP in the finals when helping San Carlos to win the Dominican Republic League.

At school he finished as second on the all-time scoring list for Wisconsin-River Falls with 2363 points. He was the school's third-best rebounder with 821 boards and the all-time shot blocker with 186 rejections

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

The only disappointing thing so far is that we haven't extended a multi year contract to Charles Spider Smith. He's got a 7' wingspan just like Mitch Relzer, and at least he has a 35 point game against the Kings on his resume. :lol