When's the next loss coming?

[aaronstampler]

Looking at the schedule, I don't see it.


We could have a perfect March. Only toughie is vs. the Pistons on the 23rd.

Play the Suns at home April 5th and our next tough road game is on tax day.

[Melmart1]

Why on earth would someone start a thread about a potential loss? Who cares, let's just enjoy the ride and watch the Spurs try to make a go of it!

[Kori Ellis]

Hopefully not a game that they should win - like @ Portland.

They are going into a fairly easy stretch. They just need to keep up their relentless effort and they should be fine.

[The_Worlds_finest]

every time spurs go on a streak I bust out the old schedual from my wallet to look for thier next lost...sure enough its always sooner then expected...ofcourse this team is pretty freaking damn good

[aaronstampler]

Hey Kori, I saw your roundtable the other day and I have some free agency questions for you..

1. Do you think Fin will exercise his option next year and does the team want him to?
2. Are they gonna try to move Brent and Beno during the summer?
3. Since the team needs to groom Bruce's successor can you see them using the MLE on a guy like Pietrus (only 25 yrs. old) or do they have White pegged for that role?
4. If not Pietrus for the MLE, you think it's going to Scola to take Horry's spot?
5. They want to resign Bonner, right?
6. You think they might put a bid in for Carroll?

Thanks in advance for your reply. I wasn't sure if there is a free agency thread.

[GrandeDavid]

I know what you mean. I know that the Spurs will lose more games before the end of the season, but they SHOULD win the vast majority of them, and even the tough ones, i.e. the road game at Dallas, the Phoenix game, well both carry interesting story lines. The Spurs will be extremely focused and will be looking to make a statements to themselves, that they can beat these teams before the playoffs.

Definitely hard to guess which game it'll be. I see the road game at Milwaukee as a potentially looming letdown game. Who knows!

[SenorSpur]

At the outset of this streak, I predicted no less than a 13 game winning streak. Looking at the upcoming schedule, the potential "streak-breaker" could very well be @ home vs the Pistons on 3/23. By then, the streak would have reached 16 games.

[Kori Ellis]

Hey Kori, I saw your roundtable the other day and I have some free agency questions for you..

1. Do you think Fin will exercise his option next year and does the team want him to?
2. Are they gonna try to move Brent and Beno during the summer?
3. Since the team needs to groom Bruce's successor can you see them using the MLE on a guy like Pietrus (only 25 yrs. old) or do they have White pegged for that role?
4. If not Pietrus for the MLE, you think it's going to Scola to take Horry's spot?
5. They want to resign Bonner, right?
6. You think they might put a bid in for Carroll?

Thanks in advance for your reply. I wasn't sure if there is a free agency thread.

1. I would think he would want to stay. I'd imagine the Spurs would love him NOT to pick up the option.

2. I would assume they will continue to try to move them. They will be more appealing to teams now because they will be expiring contracts. Maybe they can get a backup point guard with a couple years experience in return.

3. I think that they will aim to get a SF with the MLE. That's got to be their number one priority with that money. What worries me is if they choose not to use the MLE at all for luxury tax reasons. But I guess that depends on who picks up their options, if Horry retires, etc. I don't think James White has developed in practice to the point that they think he's the answer at SF.

4. Hmm... I would think they have to re-visit the possibility of bringing in Scola again. He's consistently the top PF in Europe and I'd imagine that his buyout will be reasonable this summer. My guess is that they take a long look at Ely and see if he's someone that they are interested in re-signing, then they look at possibility of Scola. If he'd take a 3-year/$9M deal or so, he could very well end up here. But I've always had a feeling that he'd never be a Spur.

5. Yes. Surprisingly I've heard both Pop and PJ say that Bonner is going to be a Spur for a long, long time. I would think he wouldn't be a priority but he might be the Sean Marks replacement (meaning the nice guy that automatically gets re-signed).

6. I hadn't thought about MCarroll and I haven't heard anyone else discuss it. Hmm... I guess it's possible, I don't know how they really felt about him when he was here.

Overall, it's going to be interesting.

Horry could retire.
They could release Bowen and just give him $2M (which I don't think they'd do, but possible).
Finley and Oberto could opt out (hopefully).
They will probably look to move Beno/Barry/Butler.
They have to make decisions on Ely, Bonner and White.

Next year's team could look very, very different than this one. Hopefully younger and more athletic at the wings. And then I still hope that they get a solid PF to start next to Duncan. I don't like Elson/Oberto as the long-term starting center. And then obviously getting a back up PG is a priority as well.

[midgetonadonkey]

Kori is smart. I like Kori.

[SenorSpur]

1. I would think he would want to stay. I'd imagine the Spurs would love him NOT to pick up the option.

2. I would assume they will continue to try to move them. They will be more appealing to teams now because they will be expiring contracts. Maybe they can get a backup point guard with a couple years experience in return.

3. I think that they will aim to get a SF with the MLE. That's got to be their number one priority with that money. What worries me is if they choose not to use the MLE at all for luxury tax reasons. But I guess that depends on who picks up their options, if Horry retires, etc. I don't think James White has developed in practice to the point that they think he's the answer at SF.

4. Hmm... I would think they have to re-visit the possibility of bringing in Scola again. He's consistently the top PF in Europe and I'd imagine that his buyout will be reasonable this summer. My guess is that they take a long look at Ely and see if he's someone that they are interested in re-signing, then they look at possibility of Scola. If he'd take a 3-year/$9M deal or so, he could very well end up here. But I've always had a feeling that he'd never be a Spur.

5. Yes. Surprisingly I've heard both Pop and PJ say that Bonner is going to be a Spur for a long, long time. I would think he wouldn't be a priority but he might be the Sean Marks replacement (meaning the nice guy that automatically gets re-signed).

6. I hadn't thought about MCarroll and I haven't heard anyone else discuss it. Hmm... I guess it's possible, I don't know how they really felt about him when he was here.

Overall, it's going to be interesting.

Horry could retire.
They could release Bowen and just give him $2M (which I don't think they'd do, but possible).
Finley and Oberto could opt out (hopefully).
They will probably look to move Beno/Barry/Butler.
They have to make decisions on Ely, Bonner and White.

Next year's team could look very, very different than this one. Hopefully younger and more athletic at the wings. And then I still hope that they get a solid PF to start next to Duncan. I don't like Elson/Oberto as the long-term starting center. And then obviously getting a back up PG is a priority as well.

So, it's official. The Spurs brass are as disappointed in Finley as some of us here on this board. It's a shame it took them two years to figure out what the Mavs already knew - that he's morphed into a one-dimensional jump-shooter, whose best days (and more athletic days) are behind him.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Out of respect for what Bowen's given the team, Kori, I hope they don't release him and give him $2M. He's taken less for the team before...he's earned more respect than that. I know business is business, but Bowen deserves better.

[timvp]

I think Pop loves Finley and would want him back no matter what happens. RC, Presti and Holt would probably rather have the money to use elsewhere.

Horry in his halftime interview tonight sounded like he's now leaning toward coming back next season. Although, I don't think anyone knows whether he has a team option or if his contract is just partially guaranteed.

Hopefully the Spurs make moves this summer with the main goal of winning more championships. There's a chance that they go into the summer with the idea of conserving the 2008 caproom. :jack

[Kori Ellis]

So, it's official. The Spurs brass are as disappointed in Finley as some of us here on this board.

Well I wouldn't say it's official. I was just expressing an opinion :)

[Kori Ellis]

Out of respect for what Bowen's given the team, Kori, I hope they don't release him and give him $2M. He's taken less for the team before...he's earned more respect than that. I know business is business, but Bowen deserves better.

First of all, I think they still believe (as do I) that he's contributing on the court and then secondly, yes I think they respect him more than that. He took less money for the team twice. The last time, so that they could get Manu's contract taken care of, etc. I don't think they are just going to waive him and give him his $2M and shove him out the door. Whether people think he's "fallen off" this year or not, he's still an incredible defender and I think they'll want him here, even if it's only mostly to teach the next SF.

[SenorSpur]

First of all, I think they still believe (as do I) that he's contributing on the court and then secondly, yes I think they respect him more than that. He took less money for the team twice. The last time, so that they could get Manu's contract taken care of, etc. I don't think they are just going to waive him and give him his $2M and shove him out the door. Whether people think he's "fallen off" this year or not, he's still an incredible defender and I think they'll want him here, even if it's only mostly to teach the next SF.

No doubt. He still brings tremendous value to the squad. I just hope the Spurs finally bring in the next SF over the summer.

[Kori Ellis]

... I just hope the Spurs finally bring in the next SF over the summer.

Me too. I thought bringing a young SF to groom 3 years ago was a priority. So by now bringing one (that maybe doesn't need as much grooming) is a necessity.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

First of all, I think they still believe (as do I) that he's contributing on the court and then secondly, yes I think they respect him more than that. He took less money for the team twice. The last time, so that they could get Manu's contract taken care of, etc. I don't think they are just going to waive him and give him his $2M and shove him out the door. Whether people think he's "fallen off" this year or not, he's still an incredible defender and I think they'll want him here, even if it's only mostly to teach the next SF.

:tu

He's really the unsung hero of the team. If the Spurs are seriously considering hanging number 6 in the rafters someday I think they'd also have to seriously consider number 12.

[Phenomanul]

I think Pop loves Finley and would want him back no matter what happens. RC, Presti and Holt would probably rather have the money to use elsewhere.

Horry in his halftime interview tonight sounded like he's now leaning toward coming back next season. Although, I don't think anyone knows whether he has a team option or if his contract is just partially guaranteed.

Hopefully the Spurs make moves this summer with the main goal of winning more championships. There's a chance that they go into the summer with the idea of conserving the 2008 caproom. :jack


Ahhhh.... otherwise known as the "Dwight Howard or bust" plan.

[SenorSpur]

Me too. I thought bringing a young SF to groom 3 years ago was a priority. So by now bringing one (that maybe doesn't need as much grooming) is a necessity.

I thought so too. Btw Kori, have you ever heard any specific reasons as to why the FO waited never made this a priority?

I know they were primarily seeking outside shooting when they acquired Barry three summers ago and of course, Finley practically landed in their lap.

[FlyHigh07]

I See You Guys Losing Your Next Game. Ain't Wut U Izzzz.

[Cry Havoc]

Me too. I thought bringing a young SF to groom 3 years ago was a priority. So by now bringing one (that maybe doesn't need as much grooming) is a necessity.

Do you think we'll find the solution in the draft or look to deal someone? Anyone in the draft that will still be there that looks solid on D to step up and fill Bowen's shoes, albeit to a lesser extent?

I'm not keeping close tabs on college ball this season, just too busy with life.

[SenorSpur]

I See You Guys Losing Your Next Game. Ain't Wut U Izzzz.


....and I see your Baby Bulls losing in the 1st round :elephant :elephant :elephant

[The_Worlds_finest]

i can recall a time during last years series v. mavs finley dunk on three of the mavs...
IMO Finley has take the Horry syndrom. This playoff will prove you guys wrong

[Obstructed_View]

The Spurs go into the playoffs with a 31 game winning streak, finishing 64-18 to capture the second seed and go fo fo fo fo to another championship. :)