Spurs sign Rich Melzer??

[Kori Ellis]

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.

http://www.sportal.co.nz/basketball.asp?i=news&id=85429

[Mr. Body]

Now they're just fucking around.

[Spurs9]

Holy crap???

[dknights411]

Well they have to fill out the IR, don't they?

[Spurs9]

Is this shit for real? What position does he play, when did this happen??

[MannyIsGod]

2 year deal? Who is this kid and why?

[davi78239]

who?

[MannyIsGod]

He's a forward.

[RobinsontoDuncan]

So the spurs think he's better than Javtokas?

[TDMVPDPOY]

seriously the team he plays for is a scrub team in nbl

stupid spurs should went for chris anstey who use to play in nba, who is last seasons mvp in nbl, and can shoot from 3, hell he even outperformed bogut in the game against NZ a few days ago.

[ducks]

atleast he can block

[THE SIXTH MAN]

wtf???

[timvp]

6-foot-8 long small forward. Played in a tiny college. I watched a couple of games of him in summer league last year and wasn't impressed at all. IIRC, he shot like 33% for the camp and looked too skinny for the NBA.

I guess the Spurs want a practice dummy for Elson :lmao

:shootme

[angel_luv]

Wow... where did this come from?

I guess a welcome aboard is in order. :)

[violentkitten]

the title is ours

[ducks]

http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=breakers_playerprofile&profile=268

[TDMVPDPOY]

the spurs FO a one step away of losin a few fans.........

im pissed that they didnt sign javtokas or scola, instead on this guy who is unknown player, playin on one man team. dont tell me he is the long 3....

[Kori Ellis]

I'm trying to find out if it's true from another source.

It's odd that he would get signed before Rocky Mt Revue.

He was on Orlando's team in the Orlando summer league. He only played 2 of their 4 games (remember Pop was spotted in Orlando at the games).

Here's his stats from those games.

http://www.nba.com/media/magic/06slstats_magic.pdf

[ducks]

Has spent time with the Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls and the Magic in the last two years … led the Sioux Falls Skyforce to the CBA Championship in 2005 … won a title with San Carlos in the Dominican Republic league and was voted MVP of the National Finals … named Division III Player of the Year by the NABC and the D-III News as a senior at college … earned First Team All-America honours from the NABC his junior and senior seasons … named All-WIAC his last three seasons and was named league MVP his final two years … finished career as the school’s second all-time leading scorer with 2,363 points, the third all-time leading rebounder with 821 boards, and the all-time leading shot-blocker with 186 rejections … averaged 19.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in his first season with the Breakers.

[Obstructed_View]

Smallball, baby. :tu

[timvp]

Well, without seeing him play within the last year I can tell you he's a better signing than Elson. It's odd that the Spurs would give him a deal before summer league begins.

[TDMVPDPOY]

if the spurs spent 1.5-2mill on him, i be very fuckn pissed they signed an unproven player, instead of signin javtokas.

[Obstructed_View]

They can't put international signings into the NBDL, right? So this dude is here no matter what, right?

[angel_luv]

Just one question- what are the Spurs going to do with all these guys? And I thought they wanted a center?

[ducks]

http://www.nbl.com.au/_content/playerprofile/00000268-thumbnail.jpg

[koopa]

the spurs FO a one step away of losin a few fans.........

im pissed that they didnt sign javtokas or scola, instead on this guy who is unknown player, playin on one man team. dont tell me he is the long 3....


then they were never real fans in the first place......but wtf, pop and r.c. have always been overrated to me but now this summer just helps my argument even more. ah well, we'll still contend for the title. not like we are in huge trouble

[NorCal510]

wow ninja spurs

[timvp]

http://www.uwrf.edu/sports/sports0304/images/M.Basketball%20Men%20120603-091.JPG

Well at least he can get his shot off against tough competition.

[Kori Ellis]

I'm guessing it might just be the unguaranteed contract that everyone signs when they go to summer league. But this report is sounding like he is officially on the Spurs. :wtf

Anyway, I'm going to keep trying to verify it elsewhere.

[Spurs9]

Maybe hes a diamond in the rough! Who knows.

[ducks]

maybe after the summer leauge spurs thought he would command to much

[Kori Ellis]

I'm guessing it might just be the unguaranteed contract that everyone signs when they go to summer league.

[MannyIsGod]

I think I played against him at Trinity. He sucked.

Who the fuck is this guy and WHY?

[Solid D]

6'-8", 225 lbs.

http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/rich_melzer/index.html

[milkyway21]

maybe the Spurs mission this year is: get the 2007 1st over-all draft pick, meaning tank the season?

just kiddin' :lol

:bike: who's next?

[Spurs9]

I'll take him...

[timvp]

This guy put up decent stats in the Aussie basketball league ... which is perhaps the worst basketball league in the world (No offense, mates).

Looks like Oz is giving this guy a farewell speech so something must be up.

Got damn whatever happened to signing real NBA players?

[TDMVPDPOY]

maybe after the summer leauge spurs thought he would command to much

command what? he should even be happy to sign for minimum if gets into the nba

highest paid player in nbl is probaly around aus$$150-300k which is about usa$230k a season. and im pretty sure his not earnin 250-300k on the nz breakers team.

[ducks]

did denver or new york match the offers?

SPURS ARE NOW IN THE TAX with him

something is brewing

[angel_luv]

Was this on the news? I only caught the last part of the sports report.

[THE SIXTH MAN]

something is brewing
Like what?

[Kori Ellis]

Was this on the news? I only caught the last part of the sports report.

No. I just found it online.

[Spurs9]

Was this on the news? I only caught the last part of the sports report.
Nah it wasn't on the news...

[Kori Ellis]

Well I'm starting to believe it's true by his coaches comments and the circumstances. He was on the Magic's summer league team. He played the games on the 10th and the 11th, but didn't play in yesterday's game or today's game. That makes sense if he was about to sign with the Spurs, they wouldn't play him so that he wouldn't get hurt.

Plus Pop was at those games.

Odd.

I'll still verify.

[timvp]

Hopefully he's a restricted free agent for the NZ Breakers and they match this offer.

:spin

[angel_luv]

The plot thickens....

[TDMVPDPOY]

This guy put up decent stats in the Aussie basketball league ... which is perhaps the worst basketball league in the world (No offense, mates).

Looks like Oz is giving this guy a farewell speech so something must be up.

Got damn whatever happened to signing real NBA players?

the thing i hate about aus media is they love to boasts and hop on the bandwagon when sumshit is brewing good, and when ur not doin good, they wont even bother publising it.

spurs shouldve had a look at chris anstey who is 7'o thin frame
Born: 1 January 1975 - Melbourne, Victoria
Chris Anstey
Height: 213cm
Weight: 115kg
Junior Association: Melbourne, Victoria
First Played In The NBL: April 1994
NBL Clubs: Melbourne Tigers 1994; South East Melbourne Magic 1995-97; Victoria Titans 2001–2002; Melbourne Tigers 2006 -
NBL Championships: 1996 (South East Melbourne Magic), 2006 (Melbourne)

Major International: Olympic Games 2000 (Sydney, Australia), 2nd Goodwill Games 1998 (New York, USA), U/22 World Championships 1997 (Melbourne, Australia - gold medal and MVP).
Played for the Dallas Mavericks and the Chicago Bulls in the NBA… selected in the first round of the 1997 NBA Draft by Portland… won the 2001 NBL Best Sixth Man award… selected to the 2001 All-NBL Second Team… finished second overall in blocked shots in 2001… won a gold medal with the Australian team at the U/22 World Championships in 1997… won the 1996 NBL Most Improved Player award… was part of 1996 South East Melbourne championship team… played in 1997 Grand Finals for the Magic… MVP for 1997 FIBA U/22 World Champions team, leading the Crocs to a gold medal… selected to 2002 All-NBL First Team… 2002 International Player of the Year… 2003 Uleb Cup MVP (Russia)… 2003 Russian Championship All-Star Five, All-Import Team, and Best Centre… 2004 and 2005 FIBA Europe League All-Star… won 2006 season MVP award … named 2006 Grand Final Series MVP … named in the 2006 All-NBL First Team … member of the 2006 NBL Aussie All-Star side.

Chris Anstey
Regular Season Statistics

Shots 3Pts Free Throw Rebounds Averages
G Att Md Att Md Att Md Off Def Tot Fls Ast Blks Stls T/O Points Rbd Ass Ppg

1994 Melbourne 17 40 19 48% 16 13 81% 19 21 40 18 7 3 3 7 51 2 3
1995 Sth east melb. 22 66 33 50% 1 28 17 61% 33 47 80 38 7 7 5 24 83 4 4
1996 Sth east melb. 25 171 107 63% 126 96 76% 68 129 197 77 14 35 30 37 310 8 1 12
1997 Sth east melb. 28 317 153 48% 13 2 15% 139 92 66% 108 173 281 112 23 51 41 59 400 10 1 14
2001 Victoria 23 278 143 51% 39 11 28% 127 94 74% 56 158 214 67 20 52 17 52 391 9 1 17
2002 Victoria 29 344 165 48% 21 4 19% 180 132 73% 87 213 300 97 39 37 42 64 466 10 1 16
2006 Melbourne 32 517 234 45% 195 69 35% 227 169 74% 70 254 324 110 122 73 37 125 706 10 4 22

176 1733 854 49% 269 86 32% 843 613 73% 441 995 1436 519 232 258 175 368 2407 7.6 1.1 12.6

Playoff Statistics

Shots 3Pts Free Throw Rebounds Averages
G Att Md Att Md Att Md Off Def Tot Fls Ast Blks Stls T/O Points Rbd Ass Ppg

1994 Melbourne 3 9 5 56% 3 1 33% 3 9 12 1 1 11 4 4
1995 Sth east melb. 4 5 2 40% 1 5 6 6 1 4 2 1
1996 Sth east melb. 7 48 26 54% 1 26 15 58% 17 36 53 29 4 13 7 10 67 8 1 10
1997 Sth east melb. 5 46 21 46% 15 12 80% 16 28 44 17 2 7 11 6 54 9 11
2001 Victoria 5 59 25 42% 11 1 9% 29 18 62% 15 35 50 13 4 4 6 19 69 10 1 14
2002 Victoria 5 87 42 48% 4 25 22 88% 19 38 57 16 6 6 7 12 106 11 1 21
2006 Melbourne 5 89 42 47% 39 15 38% 39 28 72% 9 36 45 18 17 4 4 16 127 9 3 25

34 343 163 48% 55 16 29% 137 96 70% 80 187 267 100 33 35 35 64 438 7.6 0.9 12.3

CAREER 210 2076 1017 49% 324 102 31% 980 709 72% 521 1182 1703 619 265 293 210 432 2845 8.1 1.3 13.5

dude is lookin towards gettin back into nba if he gets any offers, dude was mvp last season and mvp in finals.

[ducks]

would spurs buy out williams if they can not trade him to avoid the tax?

[timvp]

Former Minneapolis Washburn and Wisconsin-River Falls star Rich Melzer is to leaves today for San Antonio for a week of individual workouts with the Spurs. Melzer, who is 6 feet 8, is scheduled to play this summer for the Orlando Magic.


I guess he impressed.

Maybe the Spurs are just fillng their NZ quota?

[davi78239]

http://www.uwrf.edu/sports/sports0304/images/M.Basketball%20Men%20120603-091.JPG

Well at least he can get his shot off against tough competition.

:lol

[Spurs9]

We can't really bitch yet about if hes good or not because hes a unknown player really.

[ro_50]

Is this a non-guaranteed contract or a guaranteed one?

[BgT]

:spin :smokin :drunk :lmao :lmao

What the fuck is that?! Are we tanking the season? No, seriously - A-R-E W-E T-A-N-K-I-N-G the season?

[Leetonidas]

At least he's a 6'8" SF.

[ro_50]

At least he's a 6'8" SF.

And with long arms.

[TDMVPDPOY]

:spin :smokin :drunk :lmao :lmao

What the fuck is that?! Are we tanking the season? No, seriously - A-R-E W-E T-A-N-K-I-N-G the season?
too make it look legitimate? yes

damn i think we need to tank at last 0-82 to get lottery pick and ping pong balls to fall our way

[Spurs9]

:spin :smokin :drunk :lmao :lmao

What the fuck is that?! Are we tanking the season? No, seriously - A-R-E W-E T-A-N-K-I-N-G the season?
Shut the hell up with all that tanking the season bullshit. Everything will work out fine.

[Brutalis]

I have seen this guy play in person.

http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/20060406/ABQARK/boxscore.html

NBDL ALB @ ARK this year. Honestly he didn't play much but hustled like a mad man. That's all I can really remember about him.

-He's skinny
-He hustles

There's my report!

[Mr. Body]

Jesus, they signed about the 10th best player in that Arkansas Rimrockers - Albuquerque Thunderbirds game.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

HELL YEAH!!!!



Now that's what I'm talking about!! A long three!!! Way to pull the f'ing trigger Pop. I told you peeps the front office wasn't through.

Take that, Violent Kitten....you bitch!!!!



















:depressed

[picnroll]

Somebody take the fuckin wine bottle away from Popovich.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

We HAVE to get in on that multi-team trade now.

[40 inch vertical]

HELL YEAH!!!!



Now that's what I'm talking about!! A long three!!! Way to pull the f'ing trigger Pop. I told you peeps the front office wasn't through.

Take that, Violent Kitten....you bitch!!!!


Well, hell, as long as the Spurs are throwing money away .... I'll take some.
















:depressed

[Mr. Body]

Richard Belzer?

Law & Order: Front Offices Gone Insane, anyone?

[SA210]

It seems as if the Dallas series screwed up the Spurs FO heads so bad starting with Game 2, that they have never recovered and don't know what the hell they are doing.

They are so messed up and confused from that series that it's having a domino effect right thru this sorry off season and on to next year.

Bunch of pansies in that office, gutless.

http://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smipctoss.gifhttp://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smipctoss.gifhttp://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smipctoss.gif

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Hey 40 way to edit my post.
















Actually that's not a bad thought. I'd bet money I could put up better numbers than a lot of these stiffs.

[Obstructed_View]

Somebody take the fuckin wine bottle away from Popovich.
He has a few thousand of them. It shows.

[thekingrobert]

if Pop likes him I like him, and most likely its for his defense and hustle, im sure bowen was ask about him and best of all no ego at all or does he, hmmmmm?

[Kori Ellis]

Melzer is 6'8.75 with shoes and has a 7'2 wingspan (8'11 standing reach). He might actually be worth the look.

[itzsoweezee]

this has gotten to the point that it's down right comedic

[thekingrobert]

tayshaun prince is really thin too and doesnt have an nba body but he plays doesnt he

[SenorSpur]

I hope this doesn't spell the end for the search for Bowen's replacement.

I'm still holding out hope that they will somehow pursue either Ariza or Woods.

[SA210]

Is this all a dream?

[Obstructed_View]

Melzer is 6'8.75 with shoes and has a 7'2 wingspan (8'11 standing reach). He might actually be worth the look.
He has his own shoes? No wonder they signed him. ;)

[ducks]

this move makes sence

that wingspan is awesome
he can block shots and get steals

[Kori Ellis]

He has his own shoes? No wonder they signed him. ;)

:)

Most players that are listed 6'8 are really 6'7 in shoes. So I was just clarifying that he's actually a real 6'8 ... with a big wingspan.

Long 3.

[TeKu]

Wow, thats depressing news (if true) on 2 fronts. I was at a couple of Breakers home games last season and losing Melzer is going to dump us back to the bottom of the table again. And I don't see him doing much for the Spurs at all either. It's hard to imagine how his game will even translate as the leagues are chalk&cheese (and that's being nice). Melzer was our main offensive weapon but I can't imagine the Spurs want him for that. He's a decent defender but anyone would look decent defensively on the Breakers. This is simply astounding, I really wonder if it's even true.

[SenorSpur]

If he makes the team, he'll probably never see any time on the court - other than garbage.

[Mr. Body]

ok, all we have to do is take than wingspan and put it on a basketball player. where can ge get a basketball player?

[ducks]

I think fans should give him a little chance
I am sure most have not seen him play

[Cant_Be_Faded]

LOLOL We got our long three!!!!!!!


LOL = :smchode:

[Spurologist]

I wake up, half asleep to come to this. I think I just made history because I'm sleeping alive now.

[Obstructed_View]

LOLOL We got our long three!!!!!!!
I guess we failed to specify anything beyond "long" and "three".

[Russ]

Isn't this the kind of guy who could be signed two weeks from now -- after the roster is better developed and the needs are clearer?

[TeKu]

http://nzbreakers.co.nz/?s=newsdisplay&aid=5661

It's on the Breakers website as well... says it's a 2 year deal.

[Kori Ellis]

Isn't this the kind of guy who could be signed two weeks from now -- after the roster is better developed and the needs are clearer?

Yes. That's why I don't exactly believe the report.

[timvp]

Wow, thats depressing news (if true) on 2 fronts. I was at a couple of Breakers home games last season and losing Melzer is going to dump us back to the bottom of the table again. And I don't see him doing much for the Spurs at all either. It's hard to imagine how his game will even translate as the leagues are chalk&cheese (and that's being nice). Melzer was our main offensive weapon but I can't imagine the Spurs want him for that. He's a decent defender but anyone would look decent defensively on the Breakers. This is simply astounding, I really wonder if it's even true.

Thanks for the scouting report.

Don't worry, in a couple years the Breakers can sign Francisco Elson to be their backup center :)

[milkyway21]

he was a 1999 draft pick?

some mentioned he's a SF and plays good defense. :wakeup

[TDMVPDPOY]

spurs attracted more trolls from down under :(:( expecially from NZ

[Spurologist]

He was released by the Wizards a couple of years ago so he has either improved since then or the spurs have a different view of talent

[SA210]

Can we get rid of Stan Kelly now and just call it an offseason?

:pctoss

[Obstructed_View]

Can we get rid of Stan Kelly now and just call it an offseason?

:pctoss
Maybe Kevin McCarthy's available.

[TeKu]

Don't worry, in a couple years the Breakers can sign Francisco Elson to be their backup center

:) He'd be our MVP for sure. That's how huge the gap is in level of play. Let's hope Melzer has it in him to leap up those levels.

I just can't understand why it would be a 2yr deal though, seems fishy.

[Kori Ellis]

:) He'd be our MVP for sure. That's how huge the gap is in level of play. Let's hope Melzer has it in him to leap up those levels.

I just can't understand why it would be a 2yr deal though, seems fishy.

It could be a 2-year unguaranteed deal, which means that no money is guaranteed at all unless he is still on the team in January. Then if he is, the rest of this season is guaranteed and the following season would be a team option.

When players come to training camp in the fall, they all sign 2-year unguaranteed deals.

[Obstructed_View]

Maybe they are doing crazy shit to confuse Isiah into making a mistake.

[TeKu]

spurs attracted more trolls from down under :(:( expecially from NZ


We were already here following Sean Marks. This move is obviously just to soften the blow and keep us around after the Spurs waive him. :)

[50 cent]

What the fuck?

Please tell me this is a joke.

[SA210]

Maybe they are doing crazy shit to confuse Isiah into making a mistake.
Or maybe they are confused themselves.

[Obstructed_View]

It could be a 2-year unguaranteed deal, which means that no money is guaranteed at all unless he is still on the team in January. Then if he is, the rest of this season is guaranteed and the following season would be a team option.

When players come to training camp in the fall, they all sign 2-year unguaranteed deals.

Isn't that usually specified in the reports?

[timvp]

It could be a 2-year unguaranteed deal, which means that no money is guaranteed at all unless he is still on the team in January. Then if he is, the rest of this season is guaranteed and the following season would be a team option.

When players come to training camp in the fall, they all sign 2-year unguaranteed deals.

To me it sounds like the Spurs had to throw him some guaranteed money. Probably like $50K or something like that. It is rather fishy that he played two games in Orlando and then quit the team ... especially since Pop was there.

Was Shane Heal unavailable or something? The NBL is less talented than the CBA. I'm not even sure that all their teams could beat WNBA squads.

[40 inch vertical]

How, if at all, does this signing (if it is guaranteed) affect the already slim possibility of the Javtokas signing? Does it kill it or is that more something controlled by the Butler matching and mid level exception? Don't really know much about those things but interested because I'm a long time Javtokas fan.

[TeKu]

It could be a 2-year unguaranteed deal, which means that no money is guaranteed at all unless he is still on the team in January. Then if he is, the rest of this season is guaranteed and the following season would be a team option.

When players come to training camp in the fall, they all sign 2-year unguaranteed deals.

So this is just the standard training camp deal they hand out every year to 3-4 wannabees that we never hear of again. Now that makes a lot more sense!

[Spurologist]

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.

The spurs were impressed with these numbers. Link (http://www.vegassummerleague.com/players_info.cfm?player=195&season=2&team=12) Truly fucking astonishing. Of all the players to sign, a Rich Melzer???? The drama continues.

http://www.vegassummerleague.com/players_info.cfm?player=195&season=2&team=12

:lol That's in 05 but whatever. I'm still asleep.

[Kori Ellis]

The spurs were impressed with these numbers. Link (http://www.vegassummerleague.com/players_info.cfm?player=195&season=2&team=12) Truly fucking astonishing. Of all the players to sign, a Rich Melzer???? The drama continues.

http://www.vegassummerleague.com/players_info.cfm?player=195&season=2&team=12

Those are last year's numbers.

I already posted the link to his games in Orlando this year. They are talking about the Orlando summer league 2006, not LV summer league 2005.

[Obstructed_View]

So this is just the standard training camp deal they hand out every year to 3-4 wannabees that we never hear of again. Now that makes a lot more sense!
Yeah, no matter what his NZ team is going to have to replace him, and that's the way they are reporting it, because they don't know or care if the contract is guaranteed or not, just that he's leaving.

[timvp]

So this is just the standard training camp deal they hand out every year to 3-4 wannabees that we never hear of again. Now that makes a lot more sense!

I hope that is the case but it seems to be more than that.

Oh man :rollin :shootme

[Kori Ellis]

So this is just the standard training camp deal they hand out every year to 3-4 wannabees that we never hear of again. Now that makes a lot more sense!

It could be. Or it could be partially guaranteed. Sometimes players sign 2year partially guaranteed contracts that guarantee them a specific amount (50K, 150K, whatever) no matter when they get cut. If gives the team the rights to them and it give the players a little bit of cash.

[DieMrBond]

This guy put up decent stats in the Aussie basketball league ... which is perhaps the worst basketball league in the world (No offense, mates).

No offence taken from me, at least anyway.

I would wholeheartedly agree with you on that statement - the NBL is so bad here, it barely even gets a mention on the local news (Its all about the AFL, Tennis, Swimming).

Heck, i beat one of the Perth teams '3 point shooters' in a 3pt competition. Easily. When i was 14. And i'm not a great Basketball player!

The first news i remember hearing about the NBA in Perth in ages is that Bogut went #1. And then the follow up stories from Gaze, Longley etc saying he should shut his mouth.

[furry_spurry]

It sounds like the deal that I believe Romain Sato got. It probably indicates more than just a training camp invite if some money was guaranteed. The article makes it sound like him going to the NBA is definite.

I suppose this is the long 3 and roster spot #15 if neither team matches. He's a practice guy.

Tony, Beno Jacque
Manu, Bruce, Michael, Brent, Melzer, Williams
Tim, Rob, Fabricio, Bonner, Fransciso, Butler

Although I will not be the least bit surprised if Williams gets bought out if he can't be traded by training camp. And- they will continue to try to trade Brent.

[Spurologist]

Those are last year's numbers.

I already posted the link to his games in Orlando this year. They are talking about the Orlando summer league 2006, not LV summer league 2005.

:lol

yeah. I'm almost up to speed. I might just go back to sleep where I am bound to have nightmares after what I have just witnessed

[milkyway21]

http://www.nba.com/media/mediacentralns/2004Draft_Melzer_Rich.jpg


Strengths: Polished offensive player with the ability to step back and shoot or take it strong and draw fouls.

source: NBA Draft Profile

[phyzik]

nothing against the kid but hopefully this is part of that "huge" 6 team trade (or whatever it is).... maybe someone wanted him.

[TDMVPDPOY]

No offence taken from me, at least anyway.

I would wholeheartedly agree with you on that statement - the NBL is so bad here, it barely even gets a mention on the local news (Its all about the AFL, Tennis, Swimming).

Heck, i beat one of the Perth teams '3 point shooters' in a 3pt competition. Easily. When i was 14. And i'm not a great Basketball player!

The first news i remember hearing about the NBA in Perth in ages is that Bogut went #1. And then the follow up stories from Gaze, Longley etc saying he should shut his mouth.

in melbourne when the tigers were in the finals last season, they got alot of media publicity, and andrew gaze was mainly on everyweek givin his tips. but still nbl is fuckn shit, they are tryin to make it like soccer, not free to air shit, tryin to protect the sport, the sport will not improve if its not free to air. The reason basketball or nbl not doin so well is probaly because ever since the pull the plug on nba action on the weekends, thats when nbl went down hill.

Now with the new media laws comin in, the free to air tv stations all get an extra channel each, imo which is good, but then again it depends on what programs and sports shit they goin to show, hopefully nba though. i dont care even if they show one game that was 2 weeks old, better than nothing, we were usually a week or 2 behind on nba action.

back to the topic, TANK SEASON.

[T Park]

So the Spurs sign a guy to develop and hes a long three.

Probobly a minimum contract.

Whats wrong with this?


God you peeps look for anything to fucking bitch about.

[TDMVPDPOY]

So the Spurs sign a guy to develop and hes a long three.

Probobly a minimum contract.

Whats wrong with this?


God you peeps look for anything to fucking bitch about.

PMS man :(

seriously so now our backup pg is fixed, if his the answer for the long 3 we are lookin for....then wattabout the backup center position that needs to filled atm, fuckn knicks better not match the offer and waste butler on the bench like JJ.

[T Park]

if his the answer for the long 3 we are lookin for

I doubt he is.

Im sure he will play in salt lake city with the others along with Mahinmi.


Vaughn is the third string PG, not the back up.

[TDMVPDPOY]

i think i mite change my views on him, since his not NZ :D, BUT STILL he plays on a one man team in a NBL :(

[jmard5]

1. What does Sean Marks have to say?

2. Could be Tayshaun Prince in the making?

3. Did we ever bitch around like this when the Spurs drafted an unknown Ginobili?

[Leetonidas]

Sean Marks must be resigned. :smokin

He can start!

[MI21]

Ok, I've seen this guy play live and on TV.

He was a bit of a brat on the court, arguing with the referees and whinging. Jacked up a lot of shots and didnt play in the team concept. Didn't seem to be a great shooter at all, even by NBL standards. Didn't stand out with his ball handling or passing. Was a good rebounder, but he was rebounding against my Perth team who are terrible on the boards. His main advantage in NBL was his size and athleticism, which is obviously negated once he makes the leap to the NBA. Defensively he didn't seem anything to worry about, certainly didn't stand out on the court at all and his team lacked any type of cohesion on the court. He definitly wasn't anything like the 'Kobe' of the NBL.

Really amazing to me that he would get a look at the NBA, absolutely baffling actually. Maybe he has worked really hard over the offseason or maybe he was half assing it in the NBL, but dude was merely a 'good' player in the NBL, which doesn't make you guaranteed contract NBA material.

[velik_m]

Wow, thats depressing news (if true) on 2 fronts. I was at a couple of Breakers home games last season and losing Melzer is going to dump us back to the bottom of the table again. And I don't see him doing much for the Spurs at all either. It's hard to imagine how his game will even translate as the leagues are chalk&cheese (and that's being nice). Melzer was our main offensive weapon but I can't imagine the Spurs want him for that. He's a decent defender but anyone would look decent defensively on the Breakers. This is simply astounding, I really wonder if it's even true.

tell me - is coach Andrej Slovenian or Croatian?

[ChumpDumper]

The only thing I remember about this guy is "who is making all those shots" -- but we won so I didn't wonder about it too much.

It's gotta be a make-good contract.

Unclench.

[Dre_7]

It could be a 2-year unguaranteed deal, which means that no money is guaranteed at all unless he is still on the team in January. Then if he is, the rest of this season is guaranteed and the following season would be a team option.

When players come to training camp in the fall, they all sign 2-year unguaranteed deals.

All i can say is I HOPE thats the case!

[ChumpDumper]

That's the ONLY case.

It's all good. We're just making sure this guy shows up in Utah.

[ChumpDumper]

Personally I like Erik Daniels on the Orlando SL team -- just a better all around player and younger.

[timvp]

Ok, I've seen this guy play live and on TV.

He was a bit of a brat on the court, arguing with the referees and whinging. Jacked up a lot of shots and didnt play in the team concept. Didn't seem to be a great shooter at all, even by NBL standards. Didn't stand out with his ball handling or passing. Was a good rebounder, but he was rebounding against my Perth team who are terrible on the boards. His main advantage in NBL was his size and athleticism, which is obviously negated once he makes the leap to the NBA. Defensively he didn't seem anything to worry about, certainly didn't stand out on the court at all and his team lacked any type of cohesion on the court. He definitly wasn't anything like the 'Kobe' of the NBL.

Really amazing to me that he would get a look at the NBA, absolutely baffling actually. Maybe he has worked really hard over the offseason or maybe he was half assing it in the NBL, but dude was merely a 'good' player in the NBL, which doesn't make you guaranteed contract NBA material.


Thanks. :tu

Sounds like Spurs material.

:depressed

[T Park]

Ginobili looked like a total stiff too after they drafted him.

The faith built up after 3 rings is gone.

Unreal.

[timvp]

Yeah a real stiff winning Euroleague championships and MVPs.

[MI21]

Thanks. :tu

Sounds like Spurs material.

:depressed

:lol

Trust me, no way this guy sees time in a real, meaningful NBA game. Certainly not for the Spurs anyway.

Tpark, Ginobili didn't look like a stiff. First game for the Spurs he made the game winning steal on Kobe Bryant, and had a couple of nice dunks.

[ChumpDumper]

C'mon, this guy is being looked at because he's relatively tall and made a couple of three pointers.

Don't make such a big deal.

[T Park]

Yeah a real stiff winning Euroleague championships and MVPs.

When playing in Puerto Rico?


C'mon, this guy is being looked at because he's relatively tall and made a couple of three pointers.

Don't make such a big deal.

Doomed.

[Buddy Holly]

Why the fuck don't we sign Matt Barnes? He is the long 3 we need.

Because he has the gayiest tattoo ever.

[Kori Ellis]

Sac Town's Finest is fuckin badass.

He was a really big star at Del Campo, a high school near my house.


He is a legit 6'9.5'' inches and could play the 3 or 4.


I have seen him in person this year and he has REALLY worked on his shot.

I like Matt Barnes and all. But you can't sell him as 6'9.5. His listed height is 6'7.

[TDMVPDPOY]

I like Matt Barnes and all. But you can't sell him as 6'9.5. His listed height is 6'7.

size does matter yeh kori :D hahahha

[Buddy Holly]

Kori, do you know of a website that lists NBA players wingspans and also height with and without shoes?

[NZ Spurs]

This guy isn't from NZ.


The NBL is less talented than the CBA. I'm not even sure that all their teams could beat WNBA squads.

The NBL is actually a decent league. However the Breakers have sucked for a very long time. The Breakers have the worst ownership in pro sport they signed this Aussie as a coach when Tab Baldwin was avaliable.

This import didn't help things either they normally come in and jack up alot of shots outside of the system.


There were reports of Craig Bradshaw being linked to the Spurs obviously through Sean Marks. Bradshaw played with him on the national team. I really like him as a player, he's playing college ball in the states somewhere. Might be worth looking him up, you could see him on a Spurs summer league roster in the near future.

[Kori Ellis]

Kori, do you know of a website that lists NBA players wingspans and also height with and without shoes?

No, not all the players are listed in one centaral site as far as I know.

You can google "2004 pre-draft measurements" for example and pull up sites that have some of the 2004 draftees, etc.

[Parker 09]

if i hadn't seen him play before i might get excited but this is just throwing money away, hopefully unguaranteed, we can pick up much better players than this

[TDMVPDPOY]

im pretty sure there are other sfs in the league they can look at or try and get a deal.

[Dark Matter]

Spurs sign Rich Melzer??

And they (Spurs FO), told me that the crack pipe was for Show-n-Tell :depressed :lol .

[Ocotillo]

Oh God, even the eternal optimist (me) wonders what the hell this is about?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

WTF? Are we letting Cuban make our summer acquisitions for us? This has to be a joke.

[pache100]

Can we get rid of Stan Kelly now and just call it an offseason?

:pctoss

I like that guy that announces for the Silver Stars. I wish the Spurs would pick him up. I've always been a Stan Kelly fan from back in the day when he announced the San Antonio Dodgers (now the Missions) games at St. Mary's. But, I have to admit his voice is aging and he drags ( :grim: sorry, Stan). Finally, I agree, we need a new voice.

[Lebowski Brickowski]

I like that guy that announces for the Silver Stars. I wish the Spurs would pick him up. I've always been a Stan Kelly fan from back in the day when he announced the San Antonio Dodgers (now the Missions) games at St. Mary's. But, I have to admit his voice is aging and he drags ( :grim: sorry, Stan). Finally, I agree, we need a new voice.

Maybe we signed Melzer for Stan Kelly's replacement.
Everyone loves an aussie accent.

[Extra Stout]

This guy is training camp fodder. Perhaps the Spurs found some reason to sign him early.

If this is a guy they're serious about giving NBA minutes, it's a sign they're looking to tank the season.

[pache100]

He was a bit of a brat on the court, arguing with the referees and whinging.

Well, he ought to fit right in here, then. Whining and arguing with the refs was the Spurs' new MO the second half of last season. They really need to cut that out. It doesn't help anything, and it's not their style.

[mattyc]

Ok, I've seen this guy play live and on TV.

He was a bit of a brat on the court, arguing with the referees and whinging. Jacked up a lot of shots and didnt play in the team concept. Didn't seem to be a great shooter at all, even by NBL standards. Didn't stand out with his ball handling or passing. Was a good rebounder, but he was rebounding against my Perth team who are terrible on the boards. His main advantage in NBL was his size and athleticism, which is obviously negated once he makes the leap to the NBA. Defensively he didn't seem anything to worry about, certainly didn't stand out on the court at all and his team lacked any type of cohesion on the court. He definitly wasn't anything like the 'Kobe' of the NBL.

Really amazing to me that he would get a look at the NBA, absolutely baffling actually. Maybe he has worked really hard over the offseason or maybe he was half assing it in the NBL, but dude was merely a 'good' player in the NBL, which doesn't make you guaranteed contract NBA material.
Agree with all of that. The NBL has got alot better in the past 24 months but this guy was no star on a very average team.

Odd.

[strangeweather]

Wasn't everyone complaining last summer that the Spurs wouldn't take a flyer on an obscure long three prospect for the end of the bench? Now they sign one, and everyone's complaining because it's not the right guy?

I just think it's great that they found a prospect they're interested in.

[Mr. Body]

Ginobili looked like a total stiff too after they drafted him.

The faith built up after 3 rings is gone.

Unreal.

Stiff ankle, maybe. Sprained it on Nowitzki's foot in the World Basketball Championships in Indianapolis. One of the stories that season was how he felt so little part of the team until later in the year. Kevin Willis was instrumental in breaking him out of his shell.

Let me know if any of that rings a bell.

[Mr. Body]

Wasn't everyone complaining last summer that the Spurs wouldn't take a flyer on an obscure long three prospect for the end of the bench? Now they sign one, and everyone's complaining because it's not the right guy?

I just think it's great that they found a prospect they're interested in.

Why not sign Britton Johnsen, star of our Summer Leagues 2005, then?

[strangeweather]

Why not sign Britton Johnsen, star of our Summer Leagues 2005, then?
If the guy really has no game, I expect things will sort themselves out. As others have said, surely his whole contract isn't guaranteed.

If our scouts think there's a reason to take a flyer on him, I'm certainly willing to wait and see.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

The faith built up after 3 rings is gone.

Unreal.

That's what happens when you hit the fans over the head with small ball and follow it up by low balling every potential FA acquisition before settling on obscure scrub Euros.

[Mr. Body]

Rich Melzer was signed as the small forward-of-the-future prototype. They expect to show him around to all the scouts as what to look for but - you know - someone who can play basketball. He's something of a showroom model.

[benjirh]

Stiff ankle, maybe. Sprained it on Nowitzki's foot in the World Basketball Championships in Indianapolis. One of the stories that season was how he felt so little part of the team until later in the year. Kevin Willis was instrumental in breaking him out of his shell.

Let me know if any of that rings a bell.

The world championships were 3 years after the spurs drafted ginobili. What i think TPark is saying is that no one knew jack squat about ginobili after we drafted him because he wasn't even putting up big numbers in europe yet. I wouldn't go as far as saying he was a stiff, but it wasn't until his mvp's in '01 that we really started to watch.

[Mr. Body]

Gotcha. Taking fliers on Ginobili and Giricek was pretty smart - they both turned out to be at least career NBAers. Why they couldn't move Scola's rights and sign Javtokas will always be a mystery to me. In the first case, they likely overvalued the rights and in the latter, they likely were too conservative (going for Elson).

[LEONARD]

This just gets better every day :lol

[benjirh]

And by no means do I expect Melzer to turn out like ginobili or giricek. But I have no problems giving him Sanders time of 16gms and 7mpg. Most of that is garbage time anyways.

[ShoogarBear]

Let me get this straight . . . the Spurs signed this guy?

http://www.richardbelzer.com/belzer.jpg

[benjirh]

As far as we can tell.

[Spurs9]

The world championships were 3 years after the spurs drafted ginobili. What i think TPark is saying is that no one knew jack squat about ginobili after we drafted him because he wasn't even putting up big numbers in europe yet. I wouldn't go as far as saying he was a stiff, but it wasn't until his mvp's in '01 that we really started to watch.
Exactly, put the guy in a championship team position and the guy might turn into something great. People were making the same "who the hell is this guy and why did we draft him" remarks when we got ginobili. NOW look at him...
:fro

[ShoogarBear]

dammit to hell, Mr.Body beat me to the Belzer line :pctoss

[Mr. Body]

but you got the pic :lol

and nobody noticed it without it... :smokin

[Extra Stout]

Exactly, put the guy in a championship team position and the guy might turn into something great. People were making the same "who the hell is this guy and why did we draft him" remarks when we got ginobili. NOW look at him...
:fro
The Ginobili comparison works if you're talking about drafting a undeveloped kid and waiting a few years, like Mahmini.

It doesn't work for a 26-year-old.

The mere notion that you people are arguing that some guy signed for the purpose of being a training camp scrub somehow is going to don the Silver and Black and magically become a great player makes me wish I could reach through the computer screen and slap you.

When you have to resort to this degree of delusion to convince yourself that thinks are going to be OK, you're risking mental illness.

[Mr. Body]

Richard Belzer is a potential Bowen --- when he's 31. He has tons of work to do, but it took Bowen tons of work to get where he is. Lots of frequent flier miles and strange restaurants in foreign cities. If anything, the Spurs are planting a seed, showing him the Tao, trading Zen Koans, and hoping he works out sooner rather than later. But it won't happen yet.

[MajorMike]

HELL YEAH!!!!



Now that's what I'm talking about!! A long three!!! Way to pull the f'ing trigger Pop. I told you peeps the front office wasn't through.

Take that, Violent Kitten....you bitch!!!!


BWAHAHAHAHA!!!
:rollin

[Extra Stout]

Richard Belzer is a potential Bowen --- when he's 31. He has tons of work to do, but it took Bowen tons of work to get where he is. Lots of frequent flier miles and strange restaurants in foreign cities. If anything, the Spurs are planting a seed, showing him the Tao, trading Zen Koans, and hoping he works out sooner rather than later. But it won't happen yet.
That's encouraging... I'm glad the Spurs have found a guy who with several years of work might become an NBA role player as a long 3 when Duncan is 36 years old.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

http://www.richardbelzer.com/belzer.jpg

Just got his scouting report from IMDB.com:

Good locker room guy who is known as a joker. He is 61, so while younger than Horry, he doesn't address the Spurs needs to get younger. There are also some conditioning concerns. Has been playing the same character for some time now, so he's clearly a guy who can settle into his role and be quite happy. Does not have an NBA body, but has been working with Ice T for some time now and has probably picked up some pointers on being a G, so suckas wouldn't want to fuck wif him in da paint. Also, is cousin of Henry Winkler, so Eva wouldn't be the only star power on the Spurs sideline anymore.

All in all I say this is a quality pick up.

[benjirh]

Easy there stout. I think if you reread the posts. I never compared him to ginobili or any young prodigy. What I said is that we often know very little about the overseas guys and don't know what to expect, like ginobili or giricek. I also said that I am sure this guy can fill the crap minutes that Sanders had this last year. That is all I expect and all that we need right now in that role. If he turns out to be more then great.

[Mr. Body]

That's encouraging... I'm glad the Spurs have found a guy who with several years of work might become an NBA role player as a long 3 when Duncan is 36 years old.

Well, it's all based on hopes he's non-guaranteed. He has some nice tools, so maybe it doesn't take that long. To me, his presence is entirely negligable. If he takes Sanders' spot, I won't cry.

[Extra Stout]

Easy there stout. I think if you reread the posts. I never compared him to ginobili or any young prodigy. What I said is that we often know very little about the overseas guys and don't know what to expect, like ginobili or giricek. I also said that I am sure this guy can fill the crap minutes that Sanders had this last year. That is all I expect and all that we need right now in that role. If he turns out to be more then great.

Why exactly should anybody be applauding the front office for acquiring a guy to fill an IR slot?

Hey, yeah, we need a starting center, a backup center, and somebody to play significant minutes backing up both forward spots, but forget that, we've got the IR fodder covered! Yippee! Yay front office!

[Spurologist]

Let me get this straight . . . the Spurs signed this guy?

http://www.richardbelzer.com/belzer.jpg

TURN YOUR VOLUME ALL THE WAY UP FOR THIS. IT'S MORE DRAMATIC.

THE DRAMA CONTINUES..... (http://65.24.128.15/sounds/televis/law_order/logavel.mp3)

[Mr. Body]

Stout, never fear. I'm pretty damn sure we're trading Brent Barry and an unconditional 1st rounder for Rasual Butler.

[MajorMike]

Why exactly should anybody be applauding the front office for acquiring a guy to fill an IR slot?

Hey, yeah, we need a starting center, a backup center, and somebody to play significant minutes backing up both forward spots, but forget that, we've got the IR fodder covered! Yippee! Yay front office!

He is this year's Sean Marks. Didn't we give him a couple Mil to sit around?

[benjirh]

Why exactly should anybody be applauding the front office for acquiring a guy to fill an IR slot?

Hey, yeah, we need a starting center, a backup center, and somebody to play significant minutes backing up both forward spots, but forget that, we've got the IR fodder covered! Yippee! Yay front office!

No one is applauding it, but why is it a disaster to sign someone to the IR fodder.

As far as I remember Finley and Barry are backing up the 2 & 3. Bonner & Horry have the 4 covered and Williams can play either the 3 or 4. Both sheets won't be signed and maybe neither, so we pull in at least one center if not two. And if we do lose out on butler and elson, then we will throw most of our mle at someone like wright or we will make a trade. Settle down a bit. This was a minor transaction that doesn't count against the cap. He won't be our savior but he won't cost us the season.

[Extra Stout]

Stout, never fear. I'm pretty damn sure we're trading Brent Barry and an unconditional 1st rounder for Rasual Butler.
Oh be still my beating heart.

[callo1]

Maybe a good defender against a player like Diaw. We can always use Finley against Amare:)

[Extra Stout]

No one is applauding it, but why is is a disaster to sign someone.

As far as I remember Finley and Barry are backing up the 2 & 3. Bonner & Horry have the 4 covered and Williams can play either the 3 or 4. Both sheets won't be signed and maybe neither, so we pull in at least one center if not two. And if we do lose out on butler and elson, then we will throw most of our mle at someone like wright or we will make a trade. Settle down a bit. This was a minor transaction that doesn't count against the cap. He won't be our savior but he won't cost us the season.
How was any of that supposed to be reassuring?
Barry is old and in decline.
Horry is in steep decline and may have so little left that he does an NVE impression this year.
Bonner is Matt Bullard if we're lucky.
Williams is worthless.
If the Spurs do get Elson, well hooray they've gotten a third-string scrub from a .500 team to play starting center. If the Spurs don't get Elson, they'll have to get a pair of NBDL players or bad European scrubs to play heavy rotation minutes.

Butler will be matched.

Oh, you forgot Bowen -- he's 35 years old now. Cross your fingers and hope he doesn't lose a step this year, or get used to everybody scoring on the Spurs the way Dallas did.

The Spurs are not going to use their MLE because they are scraping up against the luxury tax and Holt is not going to pay it again this year.

If the Spurs make a trade, it will fill maybe one of these gaping holes.

While I hate a lost season in the middle of Duncan's prime, I get that they rolled the dice in making veteran FA acquisitions the last two years that have now left them cash-strapped and old. They have too many holes to fill and not enough resources to fill them to field a true title-contending team next season. It will take until 2007-08 to get back on track.

I'm not thrilled about it, but I understand it. I can understand optimism and faith in the front office, but the obvious facts staring us in the face is that they are chasing third-string scrub players on bad teams to play key roles, and counting on squeezing another year of spring out of some very old legs. To ignore all that and pretend everything is fine, and this isn't really the year the Spurs pay up for the Rose, Rasho, and Barry contracts, well you have to engage in a level of Pollyanna-BS denial of reality rarely seen outside of rooms with padded walls.

[SA210]

TURN YOUR VOLUME ALL THE WAY UP FOR THIS. IT'S MORE DRAMATIC.

THE DRAMA CONTINUES..... (http://65.24.128.15/sounds/televis/law_order/logavel.mp3)

:lmao

[SA210]

How was any of that supposed to be reassuring?
Barry is old and in decline.
Horry is in steep decline and may have so little left that he does an NVE impression this year.
Bonner is Matt Bullard if we're lucky.
Williams is worthless.
If the Spurs do get Elson, well hooray they've gotten a third-string scrub from a .500 team to play starting center. If the Spurs don't get Elson, they'll have to get a pair of NBDL players or bad European scrubs to play heavy rotation minutes.

Butler will be matched.

Oh, you forgot Bowen -- he's 35 years old now. Cross your fingers and hope he doesn't lose a step this year, or get used to everybody scoring on the Spurs the way Dallas did.

The Spurs are not going to use their MLE because they are scraping up against the luxury tax and Holt is not going to pay it again this year.

If the Spurs make a trade, it will fill maybe one of these gaping holes.

While I hate a lost season in the middle of Duncan's prime, I get that they rolled the dice in making veteran FA acquisitions the last two years that have now left them cash-strapped and old. They have too many holes to fill and not enough resources to fill them to field a true title-contending team next season. It will take until 2007-08 to get back on track.

I'm not thrilled about it, but I understand it. I can understand optimism and faith in the front office, but the obvious facts staring us in the face is that they are chasing third-string scrub players on bad teams to play key roles, and counting on squeezing another year of spring out of some very old legs. To ignore all that and pretend everything is fine, and this isn't really the year the Spurs pay up for the Rose, Rasho, and Barry contracts, well you have to engage in a level of Pollyanna-BS denial of reality rarely seen outside of rooms with padded walls.
Couldn't have said it better.

[SA210]

Were gonna suck so much this year.

And its Horrys last. damnitIt's amazing how everytime the Spurs FO does another stupid thing after another, people still keep saying it's ok and telling themselves it's actually a great thing.

The FO have lost their marbles since about Game 2 of that Dallas series.

Reward for anyone who finds them.
Reward is back to "Spurs basketball" once again.

[Spurs9]

Why exactly should anybody be applauding the front office for acquiring a guy to fill an IR slot?

Hey, yeah, we need a starting center, a backup center, and somebody to play significant minutes backing up both forward spots, but forget that, we've got the IR fodder covered! Yippee! Yay front office!
Shut the fuck up man, your damn annoying. No one can really bitch about Rich Melzer seeing as how no one knows who the hell he is.

[MrChug]

I like Matt Barnes and all. But you can't sell him as 6'9.5. His listed height is 6'7.

Yup, I liked Barnes alot. And he's NOT 6'9". He's closer to 6'6''. Met him when me and our significant others were at Bath and Body works. He's nowhere near even 6'8".

[SA210]

Shut the fuck up man, your damn annoying. No one can really bitch about Rich Melzer seeing as how no one knows who the hell he is.
Maybe that's the problem.

[LEONARD]

How was any of that supposed to be reassuring?
Barry is old and in decline.
Horry is in steep decline and may have so little left that he does an NVE impression this year.
Bonner is Matt Bullard if we're lucky.
Williams is worthless.
If the Spurs do get Elson, well hooray they've gotten a third-string scrub from a .500 team to play starting center. If the Spurs don't get Elson, they'll have to get a pair of NBDL players or bad European scrubs to play heavy rotation minutes.

Butler will be matched.

Oh, you forgot Bowen -- he's 35 years old now. Cross your fingers and hope he doesn't lose a step this year, or get used to everybody scoring on the Spurs the way Dallas did.

The Spurs are not going to use their MLE because they are scraping up against the luxury tax and Holt is not going to pay it again this year.

If the Spurs make a trade, it will fill maybe one of these gaping holes.

While I hate a lost season in the middle of Duncan's prime, I get that they rolled the dice in making veteran FA acquisitions the last two years that have now left them cash-strapped and old. They have too many holes to fill and not enough resources to fill them to field a true title-contending team next season. It will take until 2007-08 to get back on track.

I'm not thrilled about it, but I understand it. I can understand optimism and faith in the front office, but the obvious facts staring us in the face is that they are chasing third-string scrub players on bad teams to play key roles, and counting on squeezing another year of spring out of some very old legs. To ignore all that and pretend everything is fine, and this isn't really the year the Spurs pay up for the Rose, Rasho, and Barry contracts, well you have to engage in a level of Pollyanna-BS denial of reality rarely seen outside of rooms with padded walls.

:lol :lol :lol :lol

[ShoogarBear]

He is 61, so while younger than Horry, he doesn't address the Spurs needs to get younger.

:lmao

[ChumpDumper]

Spurfans have just surpassed Mavfans on the whine-o-meter because of a summer league signing in July.

Congratulations.

[picnroll]

If Spurs land Elson and Butler with this signing that puts them at 15 so I guess that'd be the team short of a trade or contract buyout.

PG- Parker, Udrih, Vaughn.
SG- Ginobili, Finley, Barry
SF- Bowen, Williams, Melzer
PF - Duncan, Horry, Bonner
C - Butler, Elson, Oberto

No Woods. :depressed

[ChumpDumper]

We'll see if Munch shows up on the NBA transactions. If not, it's just an SL deal.

[METALMiKE]

Spurs sign two new forwards

Web Posted: 07/14/2006 03:19 PM CDT

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

The Spurs have signed rookie forwards Rich Melzer and Jamar Smith.

Only a small percentage of each player’s minimum-salary contract is guaranteed, so both will essentially be trying to make the team in training camp in October.

Melzer, 26, played briefly in the NBA’s developmental league last season. Smith, 26, averaged 11.4 points and 7.2 rebounds for Austin in the NBDL last season.

Both players are on the Spurs’ summer-league team in Salt Lake City.

[ChumpDumper]

Told you.

[Spurminator]

:lmao :lmao

[timvp]

It's gotta be a make-good contract.




Told you.


Huh?

A partially guaranteed contract does not equal a make-good contract.

Like I said, it had to be partially guaranteed.

:smokin :drunk

[Mr. Body]

Chump has a bug up his ass today for some reason.

Most everybody realized this was a non-guaranteed or whatever. We were just making fun of it because it joined a series of perfectly underwhelming moves by the FO this summer.

[ChumpDumper]

My definitions must be off. I thought they were the same. At any rate, I said it's just a summer league signing.

Let's go for another 6 pages discussing that.

[timvp]

My definitions must be off. I thought they were the same. At any rate, I said it's just a summer league signing.

They are training camp invites. The Spurs rarely give partial guarantees to those invites. The only one in recent memory was James Thomas ... and we all know how well that worked out.

:)

[Kori Ellis]

Summer league, make-do contracts usually means no guarantee of any money. They obviously gave these guys a little money and made them sign the 2 year deals to keep them away from other teams in case they pan out. If they don't, cut them with very little loss. I wonder if they'll both make it to camp.

Anyway, it's a non-issue at this point, I'd imagine Melzer got at least 100K or else he wouldn't have had such a farewell with his old team.

Let's see what these scrubs do in today's game vs the mighty Mavs. :drunk

[ChumpDumper]

Six more pages for guys who won't make the team, then.

[Kori Ellis]

Six more pages for guys who won't make the team, then.

We should vBookie it to see if they are even in training camp. I think one of them won't be there. :drunk

[T Park]

Were doomed ya know...

[ChumpDumper]

They obviously gave these guys a little money and made them sign the 2 year deals to keep them away from other teams in case they pan out.So at worst, we stole Jamar Smith away from the Nets before they could have a good look at him?

That's probably the best news of this offseason.

Jamar will start for the Toros in December.

[Kori Ellis]

So at worst, we stole Jamar Smith away from the Nets before they could have a good look at him?

Exactly. That's the point of making them sign the 2-year deal (the same that every player does when training camp starts. They can look at them all the way til January without guaranteeing them anything (in this case they guaranteed them a token amount -- VERY GENEROUS OF PETER HOLT).

[T Park]

VERY GENEROUS OF PETER HOLT).

:lol

Don't know if this is sarcasm or not :lmao

[ChumpDumper]

:lol He was 90 miles away the whole season. Granted, I don't know all the Spurs' scouting staff, but I didn't see anyone I recognized outside of RC at Toro games, and that was one scheduled appearance. Rudy T was there alot, but he's recognizable.

It's a great deal for guys like Jamar and Rich though. They can go back to the D-League and not starve next season.

[Kori Ellis]

:lol

Don't know if this is sarcasm or not :lmao

Yeah I was being sarcastic to the Holt Busters. But they could have very well had them sign two-year unguaranteed deals. So it is a little generous.

[T Park]

But they could have very well had them sign two-year unguaranteed deals. So it is a little generous.


Tisk Tisk

Didn't use the blue font :lol



I think if Melzer shows that hes coachable, hes athletic, and can defend?

I think hes an IR guy.

Jamar Smith could be another Udonis Haslem.

[Kori Ellis]

I don't think there's enough roster spots for either guy to make the team in the fall.

[T Park]

I think if Jamar shows signs of being another Haslem, that might be taken into consideration.

[CaptainLate]

Shut the hell up with all that tanking the season bullshit. Everything will work out fine.

Who can tank a season with Tim, Manu and Tony healthy...or even semi-healthy? You can't get enough lottery balls. :elephant

[CaptainLate]

The Ginobili comparison works if you're talking about drafting a undeveloped kid and waiting a few years, like Mahmini.

It doesn't work for a 26-year-old.

Well, how long did it take for the Mario Elie's and the Avery Johnson's of the NBA to really establish themselves -- mid 20's?

[Please_dont_ban_me]

So the spurs think he's better than Javtokas?

Cheaper...maybe less of a risk. I don't know really.

You can't get into the Spurs front office's heads...but it looks like they're pretty happy with the roster and don't want to overspend for a Javtokas. Instead they're happy getting guys who fill certain roles and are cheap...and not that big of a risk. Like this kid. I guess. I don't know.



I don't really care, either. Melzer or Melvin...whoever wants to high-five Duncan when he walks off the floor...I couldn't care less.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

spurs=cheap labor.
spurs=enough money for a Valero cashier

[wildbill2u]

I guess he impressed.

Maybe the Spurs are just fillng their NZ quota?

He's taking the dedicated Kiwi slot as towel boy and gatorade passer.

[ro_50]

217 replies to a Rich Melzer thread. I'm sure he's enjoying this.

[ChumpDumper]

Hey, he's got training camp money. I'd be happy.

[Quadzilla99]

I don't know much about him I would say he doesn't stand much of a chance based purely on his name. Not ethnic or foreign enough also sounds too white.

[ChumpDumper]

The thing I like about him he is a converted PF -- with the rebounding and in his case shotblocking that entails -- who already has some SF skills - namely perimeter shooting. He could be an interesting project should we keep him.

[Slinkyman]

I don't think there's enough roster spots for either guy to make the team in the fall.

If we sign Elson and Butler we'd be at 14 players, hopefully we can package a couple players in a trade or else just waive eric williams. I'd like to see both guys make this team over Williams or Melvin Sanders.

[ChumpDumper]

We are overloaded with power forwards. Unless we get rid of one there is no use for Jamar this season. Giving him $100k is something he'll probably remember though, and it will allow him to stay in Austin next season to likely start all year at PF.

I like the idea of going from no long threes to two long threes -- I have no problem keeping Eric Williams for awhile or Melzer if he continues to show potential. Of course if the right trade came along....

[NZHayden]

good on him on getting signed by the spurs, melzer was definatly one of the better players on the breakers but not in the nbl

[Spurologist]

Jamar Smith could be another Udonis Haslem.

Yes, but without the jumpshot. He couldn't hit jack when he was at Maryland, but I love his hustle mentality and do whatever it takes to win attitude.

[RC's Boss]

Who is Melzer? Sounds like something I need to cure a hangover!

[yavozerb]

TP, Manu, Bowen, TD, Elson, JV, Fin, Melzer,Bonner, Beno, Horry, Oberto...These guys will hopefully be on the roster with trade coming for barry and williams contract for either sf and/or possibly a center!!

[yavozerb]

Who is JV?

Jaque Vaughn

[ducks]

williams is going to be traded
williams still has not been heard from
that might open a lot open for jamar

[Obstructed_View]

Jaque Vaughn
You saw it before I had a chance to delete it. It took me about ten seconds after I hit "submit" to figure it out. :)

[TDMVPDPOY]

how come this thread is not locked yet? i expected it to get a few posts only not fuckn 9pages

[Quasar]

Well, Rich is doing well in the 2 RMR games that have been played so far.

However, that may not count for much considering that Melvin Sanders' stats look like Manu's when he is on fire (7/10, 7 assists, etc..)

[ducks]

how come this thread is not locked yet? i expected it to get a few posts only not fuckn 9pages


why should it be locked?

:rolleyes :rolleyes :rolleyes :rolleyes

people are discussing him
not trolling in the thread

[leemajors]

Well, Rich is doing well in the 2 RMR games that have been played so far.

However, that may not count for much considering that Melvin Sanders' stats look like Manu's when he is on fire (7/10, 7 assists, etc..)

young, good size and hustle could be useful. who knows.