Ludden: Spurs' roster may stay intact

[timvp]

Spurs' roster may stay intact for another title run
Johnny Ludden
Express-News

The Spurs cleaned out their lockers Saturday afternoon, one final bit of housekeeping before they share the franchise's fourth championship with more than 200,000 of their closest friends. They have tonight's river parade to look forward to, as well as Tony Parker's wedding in France in three weeks, then they will scatter to vacation with family and friends.

The Spurs likely won't gather again en masse until they return to their practice facility in three months to begin preparing for their title defense. Most of the nameplates in the locker room likely will read the same as they did Saturday.

The Spurs don't plan to overhaul their roster as much as tweak it. With Tim Duncan healthy again, Parker having just carried home the NBA Finals MVP trophy and Manu Ginobili still playing his best in the biggest moments, Spurs chairman Peter Holt said he would like to keep the team intact as much as possible.

"What I saw happen in Chicago taught me a lot of things," Holt said, referencing the former Bulls' dynasty. "Why do you dismantle a team? I don't get it. It's so hard."

The Spurs might not have to do much retooling this summer. Jacque Vaughn, Matt Bonner and Melvin Ely are the only certain free agents, though Michael Finley and Fabricio Oberto could join them if they decide to opt out of their contracts.

The contracts of Bruce Bowen and Robert Horry aren't fully guaranteed yet, but that seems to be a mere formality. Horry, who turns 37 in August, has already said he wants to put off his retirement plans to return for one more season, and Holt and coach Gregg Popovich both sounded like they want him back.

"Robert Horry has been a wonderful Spur," Popovich said, "and hopefully, that will continue."

For now, Finley appears to be the team's biggest wild card. He said he has yet to decide whether to opt out of the final $3.1 million of his contract to test the free-agent market.

While Finley has relished his time with the Spurs — he plans to celebrate the first championship of his career by not sleeping until after Parker's wedding — it might behoove him to seek one final multiyear contract while his stock is valued after a successful playoff run.

"I'm not going to stress out on the decision," Finley said. "I'm still going to enjoy this. No matter what happens, I'll still be considered a champion."

Oberto has to make the same decision. He might be able to get a multiyear deal from another team, but the opportunity to continue playing alongside Ginobili and help him defend the championship also is strong incentive to stay.

If Finley and Oberto come back, the biggest holes could be in the team's front office and coaching staffs. Spurs general manager R.C. Buford has interviewed Houston vice president of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey for the assistant general manager job that became open when Sam Presti left to run the Seattle SuperSonics.

Spurs officials also are bracing for the possibility of losing assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo, who appears to be the frontrunner to become Seattle's head coach.

"R.C. and I always keep lists on who the new head coach should be, who the new GM should be, who the assistant GM should be, who the new assistant coach should be and who the new scout should be, the new film guy," Popovich said. "We have lists for everything."

The Spurs were criticized early in the season for not doing enough to make their roster younger. While Popovich dismissed the criticism, he said Saturday team officials also can't ignore the franchise's future.

"If we kept this same team, at some point, it will be too old and unathletic," Popovich said. "It's difficult to find out exactly when is that point. If you don't do some things in a proactive manner, then all of a sudden, you're too darn old, and you waited too long."

The Spurs will continue their search to find an athletic swingman, preferably someone big enough to play either forward position against teams that play small.

James White, who showed some potential late in the season, will make his bid to stay with the team during the summer league in Las Vegas. The Spurs also will have three picks (Nos. 28, 33 and 58) in the June 28 draft, as well as the $5 million midlevel exception to use to fill needs.

Team officials will evaluate Ian Mahinmi, their 2005 first-round pick, in the summer leagues to determine whether he is worthy of a roster spot next season. They also have the rights to Argentine forward Luis Scola, who remains one of the best players in Europe, but they might not have room for him if Oberto and Horry return.

"We're accused of being too old, yet we seem to always be there," Holt said. "That's because R.C. particularly is so good at bringing in that right mix of players, and Pop is so good at managing their minutes. I'm damn glad we have Robert Horry and Finley and Bowen and (Brent) Barry and those kind of guys."

Holt also is particularly happy to have Duncan, which is why the team is expected to discuss offering him a two-year extension that will approach $50 million. Signing an extension would prevent Duncan from opting out of his contract after next season and keep him with the team through 2011-12.

"I want Tim to stay here as long as Tim wants to stay here," Holt said. "I mean that sincerely. Just like David (Robinson). I want him to retire with us."

Duncan said before the Finals he hopes to play as long as possible and appears to be willing to at least discuss such a deal.

"The flame has certainly not burned out for Tim," Popovich said. "He is just as competitive as he was the day he came in.

"In a way, we enjoyed this (championship) together more than the previous ones because as you go through it, you realize how hard it is, how many things have to go your way, and the fact that it happened again just stuns us both."

Duncan's agent, Lon Babby, also represents Bowen, who could seek his own extension this summer. Bowen is coming off a season in which his defense on LeBron James in the Finals was a significant factor in the Spurs' success.

But the Spurs also currently have only Duncan, Ginobili and Parker under contract after next season and could want to keep that flexibility.

"I don't know what's going to happen," Parker said, "but we're definitely going to be right there every year, at least for the next two or three years."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA061707.01C.BKNspurs.main.35d986a.html

[timvp]

Nothing too outrageous in this article. The Spurs need to eventually get younger but don't want to do so in a way that would hurt their chances next year.

Bowen and Horry need to be brought back. Oberto needs to be kept. It'd be a pretty huge step back if the Spurs let him walk in free agency.

Finley and Vaughn should be brought back. However, if either of them holds the Spurs hostage for more money, I wouldn't be too sad to see them go. Both are in good positions and shouldn't really be looking for greener pastures.

Bonner should be brought back as long as the financial commitment isn't too much. Ian Mahinmi can grow more in Austin than France, I think. Luis Scola probably stays in Spain.

James White and Jackie Butler (along with Mahinmi and the draft picks) play in summer league. Keep those who show the most potential and willingness to work.

The hardest part will be finding the young Long Three that this team has needed for years. The Spurs risked it by not addressing that need last summer. Hopefully this is the summer that finally happens.

[PM5K]

It's getting close.

Brent and Bruce are both old, Michael plays older than he is, and Robert only has one year left. I know if we re-sign Bonner he'll get a lot of minutes next year during the regular season while Robert does Ancira commercials...

[whottt]

IT's really not as close as it seems, just at the SF and back up 2...

We are good at PG. We are good at PF and C, we are good at starting SG. 30 is not old...that's still considered prime. We have some young prospects at PF, C and 2 guard.

Outside of Horry it's really jus about Bruce and the guys backing Bruce and Manu up.


And there is no way in hell I let Bruce go after what he just did against LeBron...he was our MVP. If he does not make LeBron normal...it changes the entire complexion of this series...the only reason Cleveland was easy, was because Bruce shut LeBron down. So age or not...we can't replace him...or we haven't yet. So replacing him is kind of a moot point. We'd love to...how?


Add a long SF, that can defend bigger SFs, hit open threes, and rebound...somehow someway...and we good to go. It can be done with the MLE...there is a glut of good long SF in the NBA. And we also have 3 draft picks to find one with as well.

[Mr. Body]

The hardest part will be finding the young Long Three that this team has needed for years. The Spurs risked it by not addressing that need last summer. Hopefully this is the summer that finally happens.

I don't see anything on the horizon that fills this role.

[whottt]

Matt Barnes
James Posey
Possibly Noccioni(IF the Bulls trade for Kobe, it's going to eat their cap, and they can't sign Nocioni just to trade him immediately if they are matching a RFA offer)
Pietrus


The Warriors have a huge payroll...I am not sure they can just match to their hearts content.

No way they can keep Barnes and Pietrus IMO.

[timvp]

I don't see anything on the horizon that fills this role.

Me neither. I don't see Nocioni, Barnes or SJax happening this summer. Posey and Pietrus are possible but both will probably be too expensive and neither one excites me too much.

There are some players in the draft who could fit that mold but they'll be gone before the Spurs pick.

[whottt]

What's not to like about Posey?

Mentored by Riley(like a certain current Spur).
Plays Dirk well.
More talented than Bruce.
Technically in his prime.
Championship experience.

[medstudent]

Posey fits in with us... he's dirty :smokin

[timvp]

What's not to like about Posey?

-his price tag is going to be close to full MLE
-isn't said to have the greatest of attitudes
-a little overrated defensively
-is actually a dirty player
-recently got a DUI

Yeah, it'd take him if the price were right but he just doesn't strike me as exactly the Long Three the Spurs need.

[whottt]

-
-recently got a DUI

.


Damn...like that Boston Globe article said...the Spurs have more NBA titles the past 9 years than they do arrests...that's probably some kind of record. I wasn't aware Posey had a DUI. That's not the kind of badboy team I want the Spurs to be.

[Bruno]

There is too an article about Spurs future in the french newspaper :


Une fois encore, comme les Spurs ont des choix lointains dans la draft (numéros 28, 33 et 58), les renforts devraient venir de l’étranger, avec l’habituel serpent de mer de Vitoria, l’Argentin Luis Scola, et le jeune international Ian Mahinmi. Selon les derniers bruits de la finale, le Palois était prévu pour rejoindre la NBA cette saison. Et dans sa dernière année de contrat en Espagne, l’heure semblait arrivée pour les dirigeants de Vitoria de négocier et de laisser filer Scola – avec un prix de départ fixé désormais à 2,5 millions de dollars – et éviter ainsi de ne rien recevoir en retour dans un an. Aux Spurs de choisir alors d’accueillir le talentueux ailier argentin ou de l’utiliser comme monnaie d’échange lors de la prochaine draft…

Tranlatation :
One more time, as Spurs don't have a high draft pick (28, 33 and 58), help should come from overseas with the neverending story of Tau, Argentinian player Luis Scola and the young french NT player, Ian Mahinmi. According to the last rumors during the finals, Mahinmi should go in nba next season. And in the last year of his contract in Spain, Tau staff should let Scola go, with a buyout of $2.5M, instead of getting nothing for him in one year. It's up to the Spurs to decide to sign him with them or to use him as a trading asset during the draft...

[whottt]

-
-is actually a dirty player



Compared to who? Besides, you have to be dirty to play for Riley if Magic and Kareem aren't around. He legislates it.

[timvp]

Posey Meets With NBA Concerning His DUI
Written by Scott Cosby

Miami Heat forward James Posey recently met with NBA officials in New York to discuss his DUI arrest.

NBA officials summoned Posey to their headquarters to talk about the details of his DUI incident.

Posey was arrested in Miami Beach after he stopped his car in the middle of a traffic lane and began talking to pedestrians and other drivers.

NBA policy is to make player decisions after the legal decision have been determined.

http://www.duidaily.com/news/latest/posey-meets-with-nba-concerning-his-dui-20070601-145-33.html


I'd still take him for a decent contract but the Spurs might have already crossed him off their list.

[T Park]

One more time, as Spurs don't have a high draft pick (28, 33 and 58), help should come from overseas with the neverending story of Tau, Argentinian player Luis Scola and the young french NT player, Ian Mahinmi. According to the last rumors during the finals, Mahinmi should go in nba next season. And in the last year of his contract in Spain, Tau staff should let Scola go, with a buyout of $2.5M, instead of getting nothing for him in one year. It's up to the Spurs to decide to sign him with them or to use him as a trading asset during the draft...

2.5?

Adios, Luis.

[timvp]

Tranlatation :
One more time, as Spurs don't have a high draft pick (28, 33 and 58), help should come from overseas with the neverending story of Tau, Argentinian player Luis Scola and the young french NT player, Ian Mahinmi. According to the last rumors during the finals, Mahinmi should go in nba next season. And in the last year of his contract in Spain, Tau staff should let Scola go, with a buyout of $2.5M, instead of getting nothing for him in one year. It's up to the Spurs to decide to sign him with them or to use him as a trading asset during the draft...

Would you trade Mahinmi to Seattle for Mickael Gelabale? Presti could get his boy and the Spurs can get a small forward.

Although Gelabale is perhaps the skinniest player I've ever seen in the NBA and would need to bulk up to play the Long Three.

[timvp]

Compared to who?

Any player in the league. I don't know a perimeter player who is dirtier.

[T Park]

doesn't Presti already have like 50 centers on the roster? :lol

[timvp]

doesn't Presti already have like 50 centers on the roster? :lol

Mahinmi is supposedly more power forward than center. Oh and with Kevin Durant coming to town, that'd make Gelabale that much more expendable. The question is whether Gelable is worth anything.

He looked pretty good when I saw him play but he's way too skinny to put on a LeBron James or Ron Artest right now.

[Bruno]

Would you trade Mahinmi to Seattle for Mickael Gelabale? Presti could get his boy and the Spurs can get a small forward.

Although Gelabale is perhaps the skinniest player I've ever seen in the NBA and would need to bulk up to play the Long Three.

No, Mahinmi has way more upside than Gelabale.
At 28 or 33, Spurs should be able to get a player with a better chance than Gelabale to be Spurs future long SF.

[timvp]

No, Mahinmi has way more upside than Gelabale.
At 28 or 33, Spurs should be able to get a player with a better chance than Gelabale to be Spurs future long SF.

Thanks for the French inside scoop.

I'm sure Presti will go after Mahinmi. He was by far the most pro-Mahinmi person on the Spurs. Gelabale is the only player on their roster who even halfway makes sense. But you've followed him for than I have so I'll trust your judgment.

Hopefully Mahinmi explodes in summer league and forces the Spurs to hold onto him.

[spurscenter]

Here is how I look at the spurs roster for next season

Here is my 2008 Spurs Roster


PG
1. TONY PARKER
2. Alejandro Montecchia

SG
1. MANU GINOBILI
2. MICHAEL FINLEY

SF
1. BRUCE BOWEN
2. JAMES WHITE
3. FA or Mid Level Exception Signee

PF
1. TIM DUNCAN
2. ROBERT HORRY
3. LUIS SCOLA

C
1. FABRICIO OBERTO
2. FRANCISCO ELSON

3 INJURED RESERVES
1. IAN MAHIMI
2. Robertas Javtokas (monster)
3. US Draft Pick from this year or Butler

GONE
Udrich, Barry, Vaughn, Butler, Bonner

[Bruno]

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/EdicionImpresa/deportiva/nota.asp?nota_id=918200

A argentinian interview of Pop with a lot of interesting things.

:lol @ the argentinian reporter bringing Nocioni name on the table and Pop first reaction : " Isn't he very expensive ?"
It's quite interesting to see what Pop say about Scola situation : Scola wants to go in SA, Spurs wants him, Pop is tired about the buyout thing, Scola could be traded for a draft pick but offers Spurs have received are stupid.

Please, could an argentinian poster translate this interview and post it in a new thread ?

[timvp]

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/EdicionImpresa/deportiva/nota.asp?nota_id=918200

A argentinian interview of Pop with a lot of interesting things.

:lol @ the argentinian reporter bringing Nocioni name on the table and Pop first reaction : " Isn't he very expensive ?"
It's quite interesting to see what Pop say about Scola situation : Scola wants to go in SA, Spurs wants him, Pop is tired about the buyout thing, Scola could be traded for a draft pick but offers Spurs have received are stupid.

Please, could an argentinian poster translate this interview and post it in a new thread ?

:lol

That does look like a great interview. Even with a babelfish translation. :smokin

[spurscenter]

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/EdicionImpresa/deportiva/nota.asp?nota_id=918200

A argentinian interview of Pop with a lot of interesting things.

:lol @ the argentinian reporter bringing Nocioni name on the table and Pop first reaction : " Isn't he very expensive ?"
It's quite interesting to see what Pop say about Scola situation : Scola wants to go in SA, Spurs wants him, Pop is tired about the buyout thing, Scola could be traded for a draft pick but offers Spurs have received are stupid.

Please, could an argentinian poster translate this interview and post it in a new thread ?


This is a quick translation by me. not babelfish, so bare with me.


Writer says, pop is one of the greatest coaches.

pop, "manu best in 30 years of coaching"

Pop, would love to go back to argentina for exhibition game.

Pop, " Tim loves to play next to oberto"



Why did you get mad at Manu?
pop, that was embarrasing that it was caught on tv. lol
He wasnt manging the time of the game right.
Not where I wanted him.
Manu gets mad when not playing well , he needs to relax.

Why Manu not allowed to play for ARG
hes 30, we want him rested, we pay too much to him. Parker is only 25, not too many miles, he can play for france.

Olmpyics games are you going to let Manu play?
YES , for sure.


how is your relationship with manu off court
he comes over for dinner, his wife and my wife share cooking tips. he is a grea guy.


what are you doing this ummer pop
Im going to Tony wedding then going to turkey. then visitng vlade divac , he invited me to a basketball museum.

What is your similarities to argentina style of play.
pop, "alot, about half the players, lol. "
Would love to bring over, Alejandro Montecchia? http://www.nba.com/espanol/columna_m_romano_argentina_atenas_040811.html
We run some ARG plays.


Nacioni?
we cant talk about him until july 1. isnt he too expensive?


Argentina has the heart to win, i love that.
Pop would assist the arg team for free. lol



no good offers for Scola, we want to bring him but I hate the buyout situation. Tired of it.

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

:lol

That does look like a great interview. Even with a babelfish translation. :smokin

Working on a proper translation...it'll be ready in some time.

[spurscenter]

INTERSTING READ from back in 2005.

Montachicca!



Bulls' Nocioni and Spurs' Ginobili, Oberto could be first Argentine trio to play in same NBA game

11/07/2005

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

CHICAGO — Andres Nocioni, like many international players transitioning to the NBA, struggled during his first two months with the Chicago Bulls last season.

His English, though improving, wasn't great. His wife and newborn baby were living thousands of miles away and his new team was still enduring some growing pains of its own.

So Nocioni sought advice from one of the few people who could relate: friend and countryman Manu Ginobili. The two spoke by phone a handful of times before dining together at an Argentine steakhouse when the Spurs visited Chicago last December.

The only question was who would pick up the tab.

"It's supposed to be the home guy who pays, but last time he invited me and didn't pay," Ginobili said. "We'll make him this time."

Ginobili and Nocioni couldn't get together Sunday, but when they do, the Spurs guard will have muscle with him: rookie forward Fabricio Oberto, the sixth and most recent member of Argentina's gold-medal winning team to play in the NBA.

Tonight's meeting between the Spurs and Bulls — barring a sudden change in either team's rotation — will be the first time three Argentine players have shared the floor in an NBA game.

"I never think this could happen," said Alejandro Montecchia, the veteran point guard of Argentina's history-making team in Athens last summer. "Argentina basketball is growing fast, like, 'boom!'"

Nocioni's stunning dunk over Kevin Garnett in the 1999 Olympic qualifying tournament served notice Argentine basketball was on the rise.

The explosion culminated last summer when Argentina beat the United States for the second time in three years before defeating Italy for the gold medal.

"I think we still don't take the reality of this medal," Montecchia said. "I always dream to play in the Olympics. To play. But to take the gold medal ...."

Argentina's selfless, energetic style of play was considered a victory for basketball purists everywhere. Though Nocioni is not as daring a passer as Ginobili or Oberto, he — like most of his Argentine teammates — is just as relentless.

"The thing I can't figure out is how there can be so many of them on the same team with that kind of passion," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "You can look at every other team — I don't care what country you look at — and it's not the same. Serbia imploded this year in the qualifying tournament, and they have talent.

"I just think it's a phenomenon you're probably not going to see again."

In addition to Ginobili, Nocioni, Oberto and Carlos Delfino, who is beginning his second season with Detroit, Argentine point guard Pepe Sanchez and center Ruben Wolkowyski played briefly in the NBA. Forward Luis Scola, a second-round draft pick of the Spurs, figures to be the next provided he can free himself from his contract with Spanish power Tau Ceramica.

If Popovich had his way, half the Spurs' roster would be filled with Argentines. The Spurs wanted to draft Nocioni but thought he was ineligible after a former international scout provided an incorrect birth date for him. They also looked hard at signing Montecchia, 33, a few seasons ago.

Montecchia is tough, "and he shoots it from everywhere," Popovich said. "They'd all be here right now if I could get them out of their contracts, but I couldn't do it."

That includes Scola, who once again is dominating in Spain. The Spurs intended to sign him this summer until it became apparent he wouldn't be able to resolve his contract's $14.5 million buyout clause.

Scola's contract lasts three seasons, and the Spurs haven't given up hope Tau's owners will reduce the buyout before it expires. At the end of the deal, he can leave for $1 million. The Spurs also have considered trading Scola's rights, though any team interested in him probably is going to want assurances he'll be able to get out of his contract.

Only recently have NBA teams become more willing to spend the money needed to bring over top international players, including those from Latin America. Oberto had to wait until he was 30 — he's the fifth-oldest NBA rookie ever — to get an offer large enough to warrant giving up the money he was making in Spain.

"Manu has changed everything," Nocioni said this summer in Buenos Aires.

The success of Argentina's national team is rooted in the players' familiarity with each other. The core has played together for at least nine years. Montecchia, though older, also grew up in Ginobili's hometown of Bahia Blanca.

"Off of the court, we are all friends," said Montecchia, who came off the bench to score 17 points in 17 minutes in the gold-medal game. "That's very important because on the court you can play more easy. No one is selfish."

Ginobili considered retiring from the national team after the Olympics. The annual summer-long commitment along with the rigors of an NBA season began to wear on him.

But the break he was afforded after the Spurs' most recent championship — winning the Olympics guaranteed Argentina a berth in the 2006 World Championships — has rejuvenated him enough that he hopes to represent his country in Japan in August.

"Now, I feel like after one year off I want to do it again," Ginobili said. "But it's hard to play every year, especially when you play with a team like (the Spurs). If I was playing on a team that doesn't make the playoffs and you have four months off, it's all right. But here we have more than 100 games a year."

Oberto said he is unsure whether he will play in the World Championships. Montecchia has retired from the national team.

"Maybe in three or four months I change my mind," Montecchia said, "but I don't think so."

For now, Montecchia's career is on hold. After missing much of his Spanish team's schedule with a knee injury last season, he is unsigned. He spent the past two weeks visiting Ginobili and Oberto in San Antonio.

Tuesday's season-opening victory over Denver was the first time he had seen any of his countrymen play in the NBA.

"I almost cried," he said. "Ten years ago I thought the NBA was not possible for any Argentina player.

"Watching Manu, for me, was incredible. I was proud."http://www.nba.com/media/usab/montecchia_254_020904.jpg

[MannyIsGod]

I disagree that Vaughn should be back. If the Spurs settle with this guy as their backup PG then we'll regret it. He worked as a stopgap, but thats about all he had to give. We need to find someone who can actually play some decent offense and defense.

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

Ok, here's my shot at the Pop interview.

“I hope we take the team to Argentina soon”


Gregg Popovich, San Antonio’s head coach admitted his appreciation for our national team.

SAN ANTONIO – The praise to argentine basketball from Gregg Popovich keeps growing. He has already become a dangerous admirer for our pride. He’s the most successful coach in the last decade in any professional sport in the United States, so his concepts, reflections and analysis on argentine basketball give his words even more weight.

He repeated that “Manu is the strongest competitor I’ve ever met in my 30 years working as a coach”, as he said to LA NACIÓN two years ago, and also that he and Fabricio Oberto are great human beings (or something like that, he says they’re cool, lol).

The interview, actually, started going around his other passion, wines. “I have over 1050 bottles back home, and some more in an apartment, which I’m the only one with access. I buy a new kind of wine in every town I visit. I did in Argentina, too”.

- The Spurs have visited The Virgin Islands (Duncan) and France (Parker). When it’s the Argentina turn?

- When the NBA says so. I’d like to go. I know the country and I’d love to go back. Unlike other franchises, the Spurs enjoy those trips and we always try to fulfil when the league asks us to go somewhere. Particularly, I like visiting countries. I wish we can take the team to Argentina soon.

- Are you satisfied with Oberto’s performance?

- He’s had a terrific behaviour in every sense. He doesn’t do star stuff, but he makes his job perfectly. Besides, Tim likes to play with Fabricio alongside him; they understand each other very well. He adapted to the Spurs very quickly and he is part of the family, a brilliant person who loves to be around his people. Last season, he was benched a lot of time, but he made a quick experience out of it, learnt all the details and now he’s shown it. He’s a very smart player and a worker.

- What happened in the first quarter of the fourth game that you were extremely critic towards Manu?

- Who said that?

- Manu told me.

- That can’t be truth (gets serious)

- But it was seen on T.V., too

- Ohhh, what a pity! (Laughter). Simply because he wasn’t where he was supposed to be, he wasn’t controlling the time of his game. Mentally he was out of place. Sometimes he isn’t happy; he feels that because of his substitute role, he has to do everything well and quickly as soon as he steps on the court. He’s so competitive that he wants to contribute right away. He has to know that the Spurs play better when he is on the court, that’s it.

- Anyway, you hugged each other at the end of the game.

- Oh, yes, I told him how much I appreciate him.

- Did you ask him to miss the Pre-Olympic Tournament with the national team?

- Manu has already given everything to his national team and his country. We invested a lot of money in him and we need him to get some rest. We’ve paid a lot for him to become a Spur and we need him rested. And Argentina is going to qualify anyway. A different situation is Tony Parker, who will play for France, because he is 25, and has a lot less miles spent in the engine. When he is 30 we’ll tell him the same that we’ve told Manu now. I’ve said! (Hits the table with his fist and laughs).

- Will you let him go to the Olympics?

- Absolutely.

- The NBA has asked to the different franchises that they don’t suggest to their players that they missed their international duty.

- We can say what we think about the issue and the player is free to decide, has the right to go with his national team, that’s the deal.

- How is your relationship with Manu?

- I don’t get along with his jokes (laughs). We have an excellent relationship, he comes to my house for dinner, we live in the same neighbourhood and Many (Manu’s wife) exchanges cooking tips with my wife, and they watch the games together when we’re out of town.

- Do you plan returning to Argentina?

- Yes, of course, but I don’t think it’ll happen this year. This summer I’m going to Paris, to Tony’s wedding, then to Turkey, I love walking in the streets of Istanbul, and then I’m going to visit the former Yugoslavia. Vlade Divac invited me to his basketball museum in Belgrade.

- What are the similarities between the Spurs and the Argentine National Team?

- Lots. Half of their players (laughs). I know their game, their coach, and we’ve taken some things of their offensive playbook. The fact that we have Manu and Fabricio helps those things. We spoke about it too. I’ve always liked your style and the spirit of your players. We even wanted to bring some more, like Alejandro Montecchia.

- Well, now Nocioni is a free agent.

- But he is really expensive, isn’t he? Anyway, we can’t talk about these things until July 1st.

- What do you like about our National Team?

- The heart. It has no match. The desire to win, the passion. It’s amazing. I’ve seen a lot of foreign basketball, but there isn’t a team that keeps that heart and that passion as Argentina does. Well, that why we brought Manu when he weighed 17 pounds and was skinny as a broom… If I could, I’d bring them all over here.

It’s enough. Sergio Hernández (Argentina’s NT Coach) should offer him the assistant position. He’d come for free.

No definition on Scola’s future.

About the possibility of Scola arriving to the Spurs this year, the coach commented: “He can be, or not. He wants to be here, we want him to be here, but it’s a problem in his contract that I’m tired of hearing about. We’ll see what happens this year”. However, when asked about the possibility of trading his rights to another team in exchange for draft picks, he answered: “Yes, it’s probable, RC Bufford is on charge there, but so far we have received stupid offers. There’s nothing good in return”.

[greens]

Thanks so much for the translation! Great article. I also checked out some other ones on the site...I speak a bit of Spanish too.

Just need some help with this paragraph:

"El bahiense, como si fuese un actor de reparto, distante de los agasajados, saludó a algunos amigos que le gritaban desde la tribuna, felicitó a Parker, escuchó unas palabras que Popovich le dijo al oído ( "I love you I love you" ) y chocó bien arriba su puño con el de Fabricio Oberto, que andaba también por detrás de todos, loco de alegría. "

it's from this article:
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/deportiva/nota.asp?nota_id=917878&origen=rankingLeidas


Just not sure about the Pop part...him saying "I love you" to the players? Is that what the article says?

[spurscenter]

I disagree that Vaughn should be back. If the Spurs settle with this guy as their backup PG then we'll regret it. He worked as a stopgap, but thats about all he had to give. We need to find someone who can actually play some decent offense and defense.

i agree exactly


i loved vaughn but he was just a band aid for the ineffective Beno.

and he was great but we should bring a veteran pure scorer, or someone that can keep the pace of Parker. ala Speedy.

[picnroll]

Devin Brown would be a more than adequate replacement should Finley decide to walk.

[timvp]

Thanks, Manu'sMagicalLeftHand. Very nice interview.

[Bruno]

Thanks for the translation, Manu'sMagicalLeftHand and spurscenter.


I disagree that Vaughn should be back. If the Spurs settle with this guy as their backup PG then we'll regret it. He worked as a stopgap, but thats about all he had to give. We need to find someone who can actually play some decent offense and defense.

Spurs can too decide to draft a PG and bring Vaughn back.
If the drafted PG plays well, he gets the backup PG spot. Vaughn is a great insurance if he struggles during his rookie year or choked during the playoffs (like Beno against Detroit).

[FromWayDowntown]

Pop spent the aftermath of the 2006 Playoffs talking about his team's need for a Derrick McKey-type player. The Spurs still don't have that sort of guy in the fold, and I wonder to what extent finding that sort of a guy is still a priority.

It's a difficult call, I think: with the age of the role players on this roster, the need to turn things over is becoming more and more pressing with each passing year; but if you turn the roster over, do you take away the club's championship mettle by removing role players who seem to find ways to be effective in big moments?

As an aside, I'm really anxious for another summer of hearing about how Robertas Javtokas is an NBA beast waiting to happen and that the Spurs can't possibly be committed to winning without bending over and giving him whatever he wants.

[spurscenter]

Robertas Javtokas and Scola need to come over next year.

Stock pile more players this draft to replace those 2 we are bringing in.

Robertas Javtokas and Scola can contribute more than anyone drafted.

and james White is a scorer, slasher. he will be great. Sean Elliot good.

[Marcus Bryant]

then visitng vlade divac , he invited me to a basketball museum.

Oh, that Vlade....

[Marcus Bryant]

A couple names I haven't seen mentioned so far:

Javtokas
Sanikidze

[spurscenter]

A couple names I haven't seen mentioned so far:

Javtokas
Sanikidze


Robertas Javtokas is gonna be great. better than oberto

what he has done since the motorcycle accident is remarkable.

he played with richard jefferson at arizona and went to the same HS as Lebron james

check this videos out
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=javtokas&search=

http://www.interbasket.net/players/javtokas.htm


Javtokas has very good athletic ability, long arms and good coordination. He is a good jumper who before his injuries had a 40 inch vertical and can easily dunk in traffic. Still has to work on his technique and to improve his free-throw shooting. He can run the floor and make plays on the perimeter with his good athletic ability, nice size, and good hops. Not a bad rebounder and becoming a good defender as well.

[Marcus Bryant]

I think Javtokas had his last shot at joining the Spurs last summer.

[spurscenter]

I think Javtokas had his last shot at joining the Spurs last summer.

true dat.

but if we can bring oberto this late in his career and he contribute

i think Javtokas is gonna shine.

he is more athletic than oberto but a combo of both of them, would be great because its 2 styles , throw in elson to the mix.

The first choice is scola because i think his time is running out.

Sandiske and Mahimi should ride IR this year, like butler and white did to learn nba style for 2009.

[Slinkyman]

http://www.nba.com/media/usab/montecchia_254_020904.jpg

this looks like steve carell from the office.

[Marcus Bryant]

-his price tag is going to be close to full MLE
-isn't said to have the greatest of attitudes
-a little overrated defensively
-is actually a dirty player
-recently got a DUI

Yeah, it'd take him if the price were right but he just doesn't strike me as exactly the Long Three the Spurs need.

Yeah, the DUI probably wouldn't endear him to the Spurs.

He's probably the closest to being the '3 who can guard perimeter oriented 4s' that Pop publicly has stated the team is looking for who the Spurs could actually acquire.

[clubalien]

roster same + not a odd year= low chnace of repeating

roster + ian =erpeat baby

[SpursFanInCO]

Bowen deserves an extension as he has at least 3 good years left...all he does is play D and shoot from the corner. I really hope Finley and the Spurs can work out an extension as well. Fab played great in the playoffs and it would be dumb for him not to come back. I won't care if Brent goes as long as we bring someone near or above his caliber in to fill in.

[Spurs Brazil]

I have a question for those who undestand the cap

Can RFA be sign and trade?

Nocioni is a RF. Can the Bulls sign him for a 5yrs starting aroun $5 and trade him for Scola and Barry?

[ChumpDumper]

I have a question for those who undestand the cap

Can RFA be sign and trade?

Nocioni is a RF. Can the Bulls sign him for a 5yrs starting aroun $5 and trade him for Scola and Barry?If Nocioni agreed to it, yes.

[samikeyp]

The hardest part will be finding the young Long Three that this team has needed for years. The Spurs risked it by not addressing that need last summer. Hopefully this is the summer that finally happens.

Do you think that winning the title will make the FO not be as worried about this, thinking that the status quo can repeat?

[ChumpDumper]

Pop spent the aftermath of the 2006 Playoffs talking about his team's need for a Derrick McKey-type player. The Spurs still don't have that sort of guy in the fold, and I wonder to what extent finding that sort of a guy is still a priority.It should still be a priority, but the pickings are pretty slim in the FA pool. Looks like we could conceivably draft a PG and a long SF if we like what's available. I think the Spurs have been entirely too picky trying to find a guy to play what might just be more of a Danny Ferry 10mpg role.

[FromWayDowntown]

It should still be a priority, but the pickings are pretty slim in the FA pool. Looks like we could conceivably draft a PG and a long SF if we like what's available. I think the Spurs have been entirely too picky trying to find a guy to play what might just be more of a Danny Ferry 10mpg role.

I agree that it should be a priority. This team, before winning a title, wilted in 3 straight 4th quarters against the Mavericks this season and should be thanking its lucky stars for the Golden State Warriors' rise. I still think the Spurs could have beaten the Mavericks in these playoffs, but I also think that a future encounter with those guys still compels the Spurs to find ways to match up more effectively with them. This team still needs better rebounding as well as the perrenially-elusive long wing. At long last, it would seem to have some tools to be used in obtaining such players, too. I just hope that the elation over this title doesn't lead to a sense of complacency or some romanticized view of the current club.

The best word for me in Ludden's piece is the word "may." He could have written that the Spurs "will" keep the roster intact, but he didn't.

[ChumpDumper]

I just hope that the elation over this title doesn't lead to a sense of complacency or some romanticized view of the current club.Never seems to. In truth though, this team should be largely kept together. I'd be more or less fine with replacing Beno and putting a long SF in Ely's place, but I'm certainly open to other suggestions.

[samikeyp]

I would agree.

You make a couple of tweaks here and there but don't do anything stupid.



Its odd....a lot of people here were sure the Spurs were not going to win it again after the last off-season coupled with the fact of no major trade deadline deals.

Guess R.C. and Pop know what they are doing. :)

[SouthernFried]

I saw a lotta dunks and alley oops. Ok. But, I'm more interested in things like ball handling ability, court awareness, outside shot capability, passing, basketball IQ, etc...

The only thing that really caught my attention, was his defensive ability/blocked shots. That looked nice. Still, he seemed to rely mostly on athleticism rather than skill. Seen that type of guy come and go too many times to get too excited about it, especially when matched up against some of the NBA monsters. We had a lot better dunkers in the olympics that didn't bring back the gold.

Defense looks good tho.

A project?

[SenorSpur]

Pop spent the aftermath of the 2006 Playoffs talking about his team's need for a Derrick McKey-type player. The Spurs still don't have that sort of guy in the fold, and I wonder to what extent finding that sort of a guy is still a priority.


Good question. Based upon Pops comments below in a Saturday article from the Express-News, both he and R.C. do acknowledge the fact that must begin to integrate a couple of younger, more athletic guys into the mix. It sounds as though they are in somewhat of a quandary as to when would be the best time to do so.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA061707.01C.BKNspurs.main.35d986a.html

The Spurs were criticized early in the season for not doing enough to make their roster younger. While Popovich dismissed the criticism, he said Saturday team officials also can't ignore the franchise's future.

"If we kept this same team, at some point, it will be too old and unathletic," Popovich said. "It's difficult to find out exactly when is that point. If you don't do some things in a proactive manner, then all of a sudden, you're too darn old, and you waited too long."

IMO, while we should expect the core of the roster to remain intact, Finley and Bonner seem to be offseason wild cards. Personally, I'd love to see the Spurs look at two specific potential FAs - Gerald Wallace (SF-Charlotte) and Mikki Moore (C-New Jersey).

[ploto]

Javtokas and Scola could have been gotten for the same money spent on Elson and Butler and DEFINITELY would have done more for the team. In the excitement of the win, people seem to forget that most of last season moves were a bust. Where are all those who said how great Williams and Ely would be? Or how Butler was the new great Spurs center? Even Bonner spent all of March, April, May and June on the bench. Spurs won with the guys left from the previous year.

[Kori Ellis]

Javtokas and Scola could have been gotten for the same money spent on Elson and Butler and DEFINITELY would have done more for the team. In the excitement of the win, people seem to forget that most of last season moves were a bust. Where are all those who said how great Williams and Ely would be? Or how Butler was the new great Spurs center? Even Bonner spent all of March, April, May and June on the bench. Spurs won with the guys left from the previous year.

Why do you think Javtokas could have done anything? What did he average in Europe this year, one point and one board?

By the way, the moves weren't a bust. They got rid of Rasho's contract - so if Bonner/Williams/Ely were popcorn vendors, they didn't really care.

Butler is a good young prospect.

As for Elson - he was cheap and cheap is what they were looking for. They all served the Spurs purpose.

[medstudent]

I think elson is a wise investment. Guy has the skillz, we just need to bump his IQ

[ploto]

He would have done more than Butler did.

[ploto]

Why do you think Javtokas could have done anything? What did he average in Europe this year, one point and one board?

By the way, the moves weren't a bust. They got rid of Rasho's contract - so if Bonner/Williams/Ely were popcorn vendors, they didn't really care.

Butler is a good young prospect.

As for Elson - he was cheap and cheap is what they were looking for. They all served the Spurs purpose.
They served no BASKETBALL purpose and that is what matters to me.

The point is that the Spurs player acquisitions did not contribute to the championship. They did not do a good job of finding players who could actually play for the team and contribute. Scola was the same cost as Elson. I STILL would have gladly had Scola.

I find it odd that somehow Elson is considered cheap but Scola asking the same amount is asking for way too much.

[spurtime]

He would have done more than Butler did.

That really doesn't advance your point very much.

[spurtime]

Scola was the same cost as Elson.

How do you know?

[exstatic]

Javtokas and Scola could have been gotten for the same money spent on Elson and Butler and DEFINITELY would have done more for the team. In the excitement of the win, people seem to forget that most of last season moves were a bust. Where are all those who said how great Williams and Ely would be? Or how Butler was the new great Spurs center? Even Bonner spent all of March, April, May and June on the bench. Spurs won with the guys left from the previous year.
I don't recall that many people touting Williams and or Ely. It was pretty much acknowledged that the Williams trade was a dump of Rasho's awful salary, subtracting two years of payments. The Ely trade also fractionally lowered the cap figure so that the savings was probably over a mil when you figure that everything above the tax threshold is doubled. A lot of peeps here don't understand the realities of running a small market teams, and may have thought the Spurs wanted these players, but most of the long term posters knew the score: addition by subtraction.

As for White and Butler, how can you say they didn't work out, yet refuse to acknowledge that Beno, who had WAY more PT to prove his mettle, is an utter failure? WTF?

[ploto]

That really doesn't advance your point very much.
Yes, it does.

Robertas>Butler

and

Scola>Elson

therefore

Robertas + Scola>>Butler + Elson

[spurtime]

Yes, it does.

Robertas>Butler

and

Scola>Elson

therefore

Robertas + Scola>>Butler + Elson

That ignores the financial commitment involved...

Firstly...If you look at Butler's numbers vs. those of Javtokas this season they are basically a wash. As for Scola and Elson, my understanding was that Scola's people were asking for deal that started at just under the full MLE. Therefore, comparing Elson and Scola is disingenuous.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Butler must be put in the rotation this next season. He did good in the time he had this season, except for his very first game I think against Miami. I have no doubt in my mind if he's given the time Oberto got this season, he can be definitely better than him.

[exstatic]

Yes, it does.

Robertas>Butler

and

Scola>Elson

therefore

Robertas + Scola>>Butler + Elson
Nice opinion, but there really isn't a factual basis behind it. Scola can't block shots OR rebound worth a shit in Europe.

[ploto]

As for White and Butler, how can you say they didn't work out, yet refuse to acknowledge that Beno, who had WAY more PT to prove his mettle, is an utter failure? WTF?
Beno was not acquired last summer. I mentioned those players chosen last summer and who they were brought in instead of. I still think the Spurs made poor choices and a championship does not change that because those guys brought in had nothing to do with winning it.

As for Butler, the Spurs are as happy to get rid of him as they are Beno.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Javtokas is NO WAY better than Jackie.
Javtokas<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Butler.

[ploto]

, my understanding was that Scola's people were asking for deal that started at just under the full MLE.
Your understanding is wrong. Sorry.

[Spurs Dynasty 21]

Bring Scola and the SPurs will be fine


and give James White some PT

[spurtime]

Butler must be put in the rotation this next season. He did good in the time he had this season, except for his very first game I think against Miami. I have no doubt in my mind if he's given the time Oberto got this season, he can be definitely better than him.

That's a good point...I don't think the coaching staff saw Butler as someone who would give us any significant time this season. If you look at Butler's age + upside vs. that of Javtokas I think Butler was the right choice between the two.

[ploto]

Javtokas is NO WAY better than Jackie.
Javtokas<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Butler.
Then why are the Spurs trying to trade his lazy ass?

[spurtime]

Your understanding is wrong. Sorry.

If you're certain please link me to something that says that. At best, I think it's unknown where the negotiations left off. If you are personally aware of something that happened in the negotiations between the Spurs and Scola I'd be interested to hear what it is.

[spurtime]

Then why are the Spurs trying to trade his lazy ass?

Are you certain the Spurs are actively shopping him? Is it possible that other teams are inquiring about him and that's why his name pops up from time to time? You seem to speculate quite a bit about things that very few people know the whole story about.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Then why are the Spurs trying to trade his lazy ass?
Give me the source that says he is on the trading block.

[Darkwaters]

Never seems to. In truth though, this team should be largely kept together. I'd be more or less fine with replacing Beno and putting a long SF in Ely's place, but I'm certainly open to other suggestions.

If the team feels that a trade for Nocioni is going to happen then the roster turnover can be quite minimal while also filling our needs and bringing in some youth.

Trade Beno + Barry + Scola for Andrés Nocioni (toss in our 08 first rounder if need be)

Sign your pick of either Theodoras Papaloukas or Aaron Miles to be our backup PG. Resign Vaughn to be the 3rd PG.

Sign Ian Mahinmi and bring him over to play mostly in Austin.

Resign Finley or Oberto if they opt out of their contracts (which I feel is unlikely at the moment anyways).

Draft foreign players with all 3 picks:
28: Koponen
33: Belinelli
58: Yue

Sign an undrafted FA like DJ Strawberry (most likely won't be drafted) to fill out the roster. I like Strawberry because hes an athletic defensive minded wing. With a year in the system he might be a decent role player...especially with Finley and Bowen a question mark for the future.

Tony Parker/Theodoras Papaloukas or Aaron Miles/Jacque Vaughn
Michael Finley/Manu Ginobili/DJ Strawberry
Andrés Nocioni/Bruce Bowen/James White
Tim Duncan/Robert Horry/Ian Mahinmi
Fabricio Oberto/Jackie Butler/Francisco Elson

Voila. We just got younger through the draft, but didn't have to lose our already quality roster. Plus we resolved our needs of a backup PG and a long 3/4. Not to mention we handled the Scola situation.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

The game that impressed me was against the Grizzlies. The Spurs deactivated pretty much of everybody and let White and Butler start. The Grizzlies were actually trying and were playing with their usual rotation(although I think Miller was injured), so Butler had to go up against Gasol, Warrick, Johnson, and Swift. He finished with around 14pts and 10rebs.

[exstatic]

Beno was not acquired last summer. I mentioned those players chosen last summer and who they were brought in instead of. I still think the Spurs made poor choices and a championship does not change that because those guys brought in had nothing to do with winning it.

As for Butler, the Spurs are as happy to get rid of him as they are Beno.
It must suck to be you. How bitter you've become because the Spurs dumped Rasho.

The Spurs front office sees EVERY transaction as important, if not now, then down the road. The cleared caproom by making those transactions to allow them to make move in the future that WILL impact championships.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Darkwaters knows his shit. :tu :tu :tu

[Darkwaters]

Darkwaters knows his shit. :tu :tu :tu

Props to me :king

[timvp]

So let's recap ploto's recent takes:

Javtokas > Butler
Scola > Elson
Beno > Vaughn
Barry > Finley
Rasho > Williams + Ely
Ginobili > Parker
Nash > Horry
Pavlovic is a stud
Ilgauskas is unguardable

A pattern might be developing but I can't put my finger on it . . .

[ducks]

So let's recap ploto's recent takes:

Javtokas > Butler
Scola > Elson
Beno > Vaughn
Barry > Finley
Rasho > Williams + Ely
Ginobili > Parker
Nash > Horry
Pavlovic is a stud
Ilgauskas is unguardable

A pattern might be developing but I can't put my finger on it . . .
did spurs win it all?

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Props to me :king
The only thing I would've changed is not signing Strawberry and putting Belinelli in his spot.

[timvp]

Spurs dominated on their way to a championship so that means their offseason was a success. I don't care if the Spurs had given Elson a max contract to make it happen.

It happened. Spurs win. Haters lose.

:smokin

[Bruno]

l

A pattern might be developing but I can't put my finger on it . . .

Michelson > Woods ?

[Darkwaters]

The only thing I would've changed is not signing Strawberry and putting Belinelli in his spot.

Belinelli has a sizeable buyout this year and he has said in the past that he wants to come to the NBA as an established player. That being said, if we could get him here next season I'd be all for it. I just don't see it happening.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

So let's recap ploto's recent takes:

Javtokas > Butler
Scola > Elson
Beno > Vaughn
Barry > Finley
Rasho > Williams + Ely
Ginobili > Parker
Nash > Horry
Pavlovic is a stud
Ilgauskas is unguardable

A pattern might be developing but I can't put my finger on it . . .
If the Spurs followed this plan we would be talking about drafting Corey Brewer instead of Jared Dudley.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Belinelli has a sizeable buyout this year and he has said in the past that he wants to come to the NBA as an established player. That being said, if we could get him here next season I'd be all for it. I just don't see it happening.
That explains it. :reading

[Kori Ellis]

Yes, it does.

Robertas>Butler

and

Scola>Elson

therefore

Robertas + Scola>>Butler + Elson

I don't get how you think Javtokas is better than Butler.

Did you watch him this year? In the minutes Robertas got off the bench, he sucked. He looked immobile and horrible. In the minutes Jackie got off the bench in the second half of the season, he was good.

[SequSpur]

So where is Kobe going?

[ChumpDumper]

ploto is right, we would have won a championship this season if we had only given Javtokas the full MLE and Scola 2/3 of the MLE.


And kept Rasho.


And started Beno.

And started games at a time that gave Boerne residents time to pick up their dry cleaning.

And respected the solemn sanctity of Father's Day.

Etc.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

So where is Kobe going?

To New York.

[Darkwaters]

The only thing I would've changed is not signing Strawberry and putting Belinelli in his spot.

We don't have to take Strawberry. I was just throwing out a name that I figured might be there, fit in our roster, and could very well eventually have a spot on this team. But if any of our players from summer league seem overly impressive then they can have that spot for all I care. In fact, we have this Austrian PF coming over for the summer league this year that might warrant a longer look if he does enough this July.

[picnroll]

He would have done more than Butler did.
How much did Javtokas do for his team this year?

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

ploto is right, we would have won a championship this season if we had only given Javtokas the full MLE and Scola 2/3 of the MLE.


And kept Rasho.


And started Beno.

And started games at a time that gave Boerne residents time to pick up their dry cleaning.

And respected the solemn sanctity of Father's Day.

Etc.
And the Spurs played in Division 4 College Basketball.

[ChumpDumper]

The thing about Elson and Butler is they played real games in the National Basketball Association -- known quantities that signed extremely managable (and if necessary, tradeable) contracts.

Win-win.


http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/30/fullj.getty-74165826cc222_nba_finals_ga_3_08_21_am.jpg
And win....

[spurster]

The players the Spurs got this past year helped during the regular season, but not so much during the playoffs. The highlights were:

1. Elson didn't get up fighting when he was undercut in Game 4 vs. the Suns. This was a good thing because Duncan had stepped onto the court.

2. Vaughn didn't play as badly as Beno would have.

But for the Spurs, it's really hard to tell about players the first year here. It seems to take two years for Spurs players to get it, e.g., Oberto.

[Darkwaters]

But for the Spurs, it's really hard to tell about players the first year here. It seems to take two years for Spurs players to get it, e.g., Oberto.

Or in the case of Beno Udrih...5 years?

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Robertas Javtokas's Stats Last Season:

Regular Season: 8.3mpg, 2.4ppg, 1.4rpg, .1apg, .3bpg, 1.6fpg, 57%FG, 29%FT

Playoffs-Top Sixteen:10.8mpg, 5.3ppg, 1.7rpg, .3apg, .7bpg, 2fpg, 50%FG, 57%FT

Playoffs-Top Eight: 10mpg, 1ppg, 2.5rpg, 0apg, .5bpg, .5fpg, 50%FG, Didn't shoot any FT's

Playoffs-Final Four: 3 mpg, 0ppg, 0rpg, 0 apg, 2bpg, 1fpg, Didn't take any shots or FT's

ENTIRE SEASON: 8.5mpg, 2.6ppg, 1.6rpg, .1apg, .2bpg, 1.5fpg, 61.3%FG, 35.5%FT

http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?clubcode=pan&pcode=BVE

Tell the Spurs to trade Butler and sign this guy!!!

[Gummi]

I find it funny that many of you guys want to change so much. Many of you don't want Jacque Vaughn back despite his good playing esp. in the playoffs. He's not a great PG but then again we don't need a great PG to back up Tony. Vaughn is more then capable of being our backup for next season. He plays tough D and is a good leader on the floor and he has experience. He'll cost us the vet min which is good.

Nocioni isn't comming this summer. The Spurs front office know they won't afford him. Bowen will be our starting SF until he retires so stop trying to find someone else to start for us.

The Spurs, IMO, should re-sign Vaughn, package Beno to try to go higher in the draft and then draft someone athletic that has the potential to someday replace Bowen. Sign Luis Scola even if that means using most of the mid level.

Don't re-sign Bonner since Horry is going to play one more season and hopefully Scola will be here next season. If Scola doesn't arrive this summer then we should re-sign Bonner. Try to trade Butler for a future draft pick. Sign a third stringer like Travis Diener and bring over Mahinmi and develop him by sending him to the NBDL.

That would give the Spurs a team of; Duncan, Parker, Manu, Bowen, Oberto, Finley, Scola, Barry, Elson, Vaughn, White, Horry, Mahinmi, Diener, and a draft pick SF/SG.

After next season we'll have some flexability with Barry, Bowen, and Finley comming of the books. Until then the Spurs shouldn't change the roster much, just add a couple of pieces.

[CubanMustGo]

ENTIRE SEASON: 8.5mpg, 2.6ppg, 1.6rpg, .1apg, .2bpg, 1.5fpg, 61.3%FG, 35.5%FT

Yeah, we need someone who shoots FTs worse than Bruce. :drunk

[Extra Stout]

T Park > timvp
whottt > ShoogarBear

[K-State Spur]

What are the thoughts on the likelihood of Pietrus? I would think somebody would offer him the full MLE - but would the Spurs be willing to? And would GS be willing to let him go at that price?

If we're going to bring back most of the roster intact, it makes some sense to throw the entire MLE at one athletic player who can be immediately inserted into the rotation.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Would you trade Mahinmi to Seattle for Mickael Gelabale? Presti could get his boy and the Spurs can get a small forward.

Although Gelabale is perhaps the skinniest player I've ever seen in the NBA and would need to bulk up to play the Long Three.

Just say no to Gelabale, LJ. Dude has the combined work ethic of Beno and Marcus Banks.



Nocioni isn't comming this summer. The Spurs front office know they won't afford him. Bowen will be our starting SF until he retires so stop trying to find someone else to start for us.

This isn't about finding someone else to start over Bowen. This is about finding 1) his replacement and 2) a guy who can come off the bench and check the long three that has given the Spurs problems for about three years running now.

The Spurs can't get complacent this summer. They need to plan for and expect to be facing off against Dallas next year in the WCFs, and that means finding someone to slow down Dirk and allowing Bowen to check Howard.

As to finding that person, Spurs can trade anyone not named Tony, Tim, Manu, and Bruce to make it happen.

[Gummi]

I might be crazy but I think Scola could play D on Nowitzki. Oberto did a nice job on him this season and with Scola being more athletic and more mobile he should be a better defender on Nowitzki then Oberto.

IMO the Spurs can bring back almost the same team as this season, then make some changes after next season when we have a little more room to operate with. Finley and Barry showed us that they can still play at the highest level.

As I said with Finley, Bowen, and Barry comming off the books in 2008, even though there's a great chance of seeing Bowen getting a new contract either this summer or the next, the Spurs probably won't make any big changes this summer regarding the swing positions.

[dbestpro]

Damn...like that Boston Globe article said...the Spurs have more NBA titles the past 9 years than they do arrests...that's probably some kind of record. I wasn't aware Posey had a DUI. That's not the kind of badboy team I want the Spurs to be.
Half of South Texas has a DUI. DUI happens to all kinds of people and is no reason to throw away or exclude a person.

[Fabbs]

Finley and Vaughn should be brought back. However, if either of them holds the Spurs hostage for more money, I wouldn't be too sad to see them go. Both are in good positions and shouldn't really be looking for greener pastures.
Thanks for the playoffs, esp rounds 1 2 3.

If this is about money the door can't hit his arse fast enough.
20 million a year and he wants more? You've got to be kidding me.

[CubanMustGo]

Thanks for the playoffs, esp rounds 1 2 3.

If this is about money the door can't hit his arse fast enough.
20 million a year and he wants more? You've got to be kidding me.

The $18.5 mill from Dallas only goes for one more year. If someone out there (especially a contender) is dumb enough to sign him to a 3-year $15-20M contract why wouldn't he go for it? He's only getting $3M from SA next year and with the "dump everything for 08" plan in place he's not going to get a long-term contract from us.

[Gummi]

I doubt Finley is looking for money at this point. I hope he's looking for success and another title and the Spurs are his best option.

He has also said he loves it in San Antonio so I think it's highly unlikely he'll leave.

[Fabbs]

The $18.5 mill from Dallas only goes for one more year. If someone out there (especially a contender) is dumb enough to sign him to a 3-year $15-20M contract why wouldn't he go for it? He's only getting $3M from SA next year and with the "dump everything for 08" plan in place he's not going to get a long-term contract from us.
Sometimes it's nice to fantacise that when athletes say it's all about winning titles they actually mean it. I guess you could say both parties got what they originally wanted, well at least they got one title.

So yes he is free to go. One might think he owes some gratitude to the Spurs and wants to give it another go with virtually the same lineup in 2008 playoffs. Will seem weird if he's on Dallas or the Suns but, whatever.

[ChumpDumper]

I can see those guys opting out and the Spurs offering something close to the full midlevel for one season and a nonguaranteed second season.

[picnroll]

At the Riverwalk parade when they Vaughn said "next year we'll repeat". When they asked Finley about repeating he didn't commit. My bet is he knows he'll test free agency.

[ChumpDumper]

Yeah, Fin said "I could get used to this" but I guess he could get used to losing again for more money.

[CubanMustGo]

Yep, Fin was very non-committal in interviews, too.

Pop: "We kicked ass!!" :lol

[Nbadan]

Finley? Cash or another title? no doubt he'll go cash.

[CubanMustGo]

Afraid you're right. Oh well, a man's gotta feed his family and the Cuban gravy train runs out after next season.

[Nbadan]

..someone offer Vaughn more money pleaz....

[ChumpDumper]

Vaughn is a great third string point guard.

We just need a second string point guard.

[picnroll]

Finley is a nice ppiece but nowhere near irreplaceable for what he did. Devin Brown would likley bring more. Only problem is replacing Finley will eat into the MLE.

I don't blame Finley. He robably wants a 3 year contract and I doubt Spurs want to commit given their '08 plans.

[Gummi]

I thought Vaughn did a pretty nice job in the playoffs as the backup.

[ChumpDumper]

Finley is a nice ppiece but nowhere near irreplaceable for what he did. Devin Brown would likley bring more. Only problem is replacing Finley will eat into the MLE.

I don't blame Finley. He robably wants a 3 year contract and I doubt Spurs want to commit given their '08 plans.Well, we could either offer him a full midlevel for one season or S&T him to another team.

[CubanMustGo]

So Devin's not signed with NO for the upcoming and only made $500K last year. Could we get away with offering him the LLE or is someone else going to offer him more What is the LLE for '07-'08, anyway?

[Nbadan]

No new Parker wannabes?
I thought Vaughn did a pretty nice job in the playoffs as the backup.

Except the part where he was shooting...

...anything on the foreign market not named Udrih?

[ChumpDumper]

Can we please get someone taller than 6'5" first?

[picnroll]

Can we please get someone taller than 6'5" first?
Names?

[ChumpDumper]

Names?
http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71700

[Gummi]

Vaughn brings everything that a good backup needs. Toughness, floor leadership, and experience. Yeah, he's no sharp shooter, but I'm pretty sure Pop would rather have a defensive backup then an offensive one.

[Nbadan]

If it's possible, Vaughn's production actually went down in the playoffs...he's a dead-end, a career best 5/2, a 2/1.4 on a good day now....

[smeagol]

Michelson > Woods ?
No, but Angel Cabrera is :lol

[picnroll]

Can we please get someone taller than 6'5" first?
If Finley leaves and the Spurs don't replace him with another swing player that means Barry and Manu for the swing position. That's if they don't move Barry.

[ChumpDumper]

If Finley leaves and the Spurs don't replace him with another swing player that means Barry and Manu for the swing position. That's if they don't move Barry.
I'd still want to get someone taller than 6'5" first.

[Marcus Bryant]

So Devin's not signed with NO for the upcoming and only made $500K last year. Could we get away with offering him the LLE or is someone else going to offer him more What is the LLE for '07-'08, anyway?

Man, if only.

[K-State Spur]

Vaughn did EXACTLY what he was signed to do. He was a third string point who stepped up and gave us a serviceable back-up once it became obvious that Beno still had not regained his cajones.

I'm all for going with a young unproven guy as a back-up next year - but does anybody really want to do that without a player like Vaughn as third string for insurance?

On Finley, I think he wants more years than he does money. I could see him signing a multi-year deal with another contender for about the same salary that he is making here before I could see him signing a 1 year deal for more money with a non-playoff team.

[fuckespn]

If Finley leaves and the Spurs don't replace him with another swing player that means Barry and Manu for the swing position. That's if they don't move Barry.
I got two words for you, James White

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

Thanks so much for the translation! Great article. I also checked out some other ones on the site...I speak a bit of Spanish too.

Just need some help with this paragraph:

"El bahiense, como si fuese un actor de reparto, distante de los agasajados, saludó a algunos amigos que le gritaban desde la tribuna, felicitó a Parker, escuchó unas palabras que Popovich le dijo al oído ( "I love you I love you" ) y chocó bien arriba su puño con el de Fabricio Oberto, que andaba también por detrás de todos, loco de alegría. "

it's from this article:
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/deportiva/nota.asp?nota_id=917878&origen=rankingLeidas


Just not sure about the Pop part...him saying "I love you" to the players? Is that what the article says?

Sorry for the late reply.

It does say that. I find it kind of weird, either in English, Spanish or Serbian :lol .Something must be lost in translation.

[greens]

Sorry for the late reply.

It does say that. I find it kind of weird, either in English, Spanish or Serbian :lol .Something must be lost in translation.


LOL! I found it a bit odd too! The article made it sound like Pop was yelling to all the Spurs players "i love you...I love you...I love you...!"

Just trying to picture that!!!

[Admidave50]

I like the Gelabale - Mahimi trade! I consider Gelabale >> Mahimi and I'm afraid that Ian will be a bust! Mike is playing for the French national team and had decent games this year for the Sonics when the coach let him play.

He has good athleticism, can make nice dunks and is a decent defender.

[Darkwaters]

When is the deadline for Finley to pick up his player option?

[spurscenter]

Why do you think Javtokas could have done anything? What did he average in Europe this year, one point and one board?

By the way, the moves weren't a bust. They got rid of Rasho's contract - so if Bonner/Williams/Ely were popcorn vendors, they didn't really care.

Butler is a good young prospect.

As for Elson - he was cheap and cheap is what they were looking for. They all served the Spurs purpose.


I agree. Bring in Scola and play White a little more and get Nacioni and we are set.

[spurscenter]

Bring Scola and the SPurs will be fine


and give James White some PT

exactly. my point.

[spurscenter]

The thing about Elson and Butler is they played real games in the National Basketball Association -- known quantities that signed extremely managable (and if necessary, tradeable) contracts.

Win-win.


http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/30/fullj.getty-74165826cc222_nba_finals_ga_3_08_21_am.jpg
And win....


LOOK AT JAMES WHITE FACE! :lol

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

LOOK AT JAMES WHITE FACE! :lol

That's a hell of a booger he's got. :lol

[Despot]

just to clear something up, I was under the understanding that the Mavs had an agreement to pay Finley $5 Mil a year until the full contract was paid off.

[colargol]

I like the Gelabale - Mahimi trade! I consider Gelabale >> Mahimi and I'm afraid that Ian will be a bust! Mike is playing for the French national team and had decent games this year for the Sonics when the coach let him play.

He has good athleticism, can make nice dunks and is a decent defender.

:nope
No more......... not selected for the World championship...
In France it's a big surprise. The coach, C.Bergeaud, made others choices...it's a big upset for Gelabale who was a part of the French starting five....J.Petro and M.Pietrus are also ejected from the list....

http://www.basketfrance.com/_edf/page_m.php?d=campagnes&p=equipes&id_equ=4&s=2007

[ManuTastic]

I don't get why Finley would be looking for 'one more multi-year deal.' Isn't Cuban still paying his huge Mavs contract? Essentially, he's ON his huge multi-year deal still, with the wrinkle that he's playing on a championship team and getting paid by someone else.
If I were him, I'd be happy with my current situation and stick around for another ring or two. But that's just l'il ol' me.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I like the Gelabale - Mahimi trade! I consider Gelabale >> Mahimi and I'm afraid that Ian will be a bust! Mike is playing for the French national team and had decent games this year for the Sonics when the coach let him play.

He has good athleticism, can make nice dunks and is a decent defender.

Why do you like Gelabale? He has the work ethic of Beno. When Seattle put him in the starting lineup at one point this year he started delivering 2 point, 2 rebound games in like 25 minutes of play.

You think that's productive? He's athletic as hell but he's also unmotivated as hell. No thanks.

[Mr. Body]

Yeah, Gelebale looks bust-ish.

[Fabbs]

Well, we could either offer him a full midlevel for one season or S&T him to another team.
Q. At this point in time with Greedley i mean Finley having a player option, what incentive is there from the players point of view to do an S&T? When they can simply S with any team, right?

[Fabbs]

Finley is a nice ppiece but nowhere near irreplaceable for what he did. Nor is Fabs. If he's gonna get all pissy over a relatively small amount of money, or some other team is stupid enough to give him 5+ mil, hasta la vista baby. Yes he now knows the system well and yes hit tipped rebounds and rotations are good. Other then that he stands under the hoop and scores 1 foot layup passes from Timmy. Well see how you do without Duncan and GNob and the Spurs. Unless this is another stinker year for large 3s and 4s, gotta be someone who can easily do what Fabs did and wants to come to the Spurs.

@#$%^ it would be nice to hear some of these millionares say "i want to be on the Spurs, winning is what its all about."

[Mr. Body]

I don't think Fabbro will opt out, but do think he's more indispensible at this point than Finley.

[smeagol]

Fabricio is 32 and this might be his only chance to get a good contract in the NBA.

The question is, what is he worth?

I hope he stays a Spurs for another three years.

[ChumpDumper]

Q. At this point in time with Greedley i mean Finley having a player option, what incentive is there from the players point of view to do an S&T? When they can simply S with any team, right?The incentive is more with the team that would get Finley in that situation. They might want to get rid of another contract to make room for him and/or be able to use their MLE on another player as well.

[Darkwaters]

The incentive is more with the team that would get Finley in that situation. They might want to get rid of another contract to make room for him and/or be able to use their MLE on another player as well.

Any idea who might be interested in him? I know the Hornets and Jazz are looking for a good 2 guard. Anybody else?