Spurs acquire Thomas from Sonics for Barry, Elson

[tinysands]

If the Sonics waive Barry, as expected, before March 1, the veteran guard likely won’t be hurting for suitors provided he proves he’s healthy. Golden State and Phoenix, among other teams, would probably have interest in signing him.

via Johnny Ludden

[T Park]

If the Sonics waive Barry, as expected, before March 1, the veteran guard likely won’t be hurting for suitors provided he proves he’s healthy. Golden State and Phoenix, among other teams, would probably have interest in signing him.


Barry comes back if that happens.

Gauranteed Pop said "If your waived, we would love to have you back *wink wink*"

[SA Gunslinger]

If the Sonics waive Barry, as expected, before March 1, the veteran guard likely won’t be hurting for suitors provided he proves he’s healthy. Golden State and Phoenix, among other teams, would probably have interest in signing him.

via Johnny Ludden

Great. I'm not going to sleep well for two weeks.

[T Park]

Sounds like Thomas won't play till at least saturday.

Coming in for a physical. Probobly done tommarow.

Hopefully he can play saturday. Spurs could use him vs a tough Hornets team.

[Manu_Ginobili]

Excellent move!!! CONGRATS!!! BARRY WAS HURT, HURT, AND HURT this year - he could NEVER be the same as last year...GOOD MOVE!!!

BYE BRENT, WE LOVE YAA!!!

GO SPURS!!!

[Texas_Ranger]

Good trade. I only don't like that he's 35.

[T Park]

:lol @ RC Buford.

"Ron Artest's name has never left my lips in trade conversation"

For some reason that seemed very un FBI, and very "I like him NOT"

[jackseven]

I don't understand the hesitancy on this trade. The Spurs finally acquire a legitimate name off a trade and now reservations are rampant.

My takes:

1. What is the big deal about a late first round pick? The Spurs rarely keep any of them (exception Parker) and hate spending the guaranteed money on them. Unless there's another TP out there to be had at 25 I don't see the problem with trading the 25th pick.

2. It's true Thomas can only log major minutes against teams that play big (namely Lakers and Suns), but those are also the same two teams the road to the finals goes through. So it only makes sense to prepare for playing those two teams because if you can't beat them, you're not winning the championship anyways.

3. Brent Barry had some good run here and finally started to understand he needed to shoot, but the guy was a wounded duck. He may have stayed injured or just become reinjured later. Plus, the Spurs have Finley, Bowen, Ginobili, and Udoka. If there was any team that could replace a healthy Brent Barry, it's the Spurs. Plus, if the Spurs really want him back, there's still a good chance he returns after 30 days.

4. If the Spurs need to play small ball, just sit Thomas and play Horry or go smaller at the 4. Elson had gazelle like speed but that's about it. His lack of basketball intelligence made him more of a liability than an asset and the Spurs wouldn't have used him extensively anyways. He made so many mental mistakes he was virtually unplayable in crunch time.

5. If Duncan gets in foul trouble, the Spurs still have a good post defender/rebounder outside of Horry to fall back to. With the Amare/Shaq and Bynum/Gasol combos if the Spurs didn't get another post defender, they wouldn't have had enough depth at center and Duncan wouldn't get enough rest and Horry would be overplayed. Also, Duncan doesn't play well with foul trouble and conceeds just about everything around the rim.

6. Grabbing KT means other teams don't get him. A nightmare scenario would be the Mavs grabbing him since he plays great defense on Duncan. Also, if the Suns or Lakers bolstered there backup position with him, they could just rotate a fresh big man on Duncan the whole game and wear him out.

7. Admittedly Barry's experience and shooting will be missed should he have been able to return, but with the stockpile of quality SGs/SFs the Spurs have now vs. quality big men, the Spurs needed Thomas more than they did Barry. It would be great if the Spurs could have got something for nothing (or if it turns out that way) but usually in a trade you have to give to get (whether it's to match salary or talent) so the Spurs won out in this exchange.

8. Along the same lines, there's risk in most trades that exchanges key players so that is something to be said for the naysayers. Then again, I don't think the Spurs were going to make it through the West's post gauntlet with just Tim, Oberto, and Horry so if you believe that then there wasn't that much risk.

I give a lot of credit to the front office for pulling this move and not standing pat while two of the three best teams acquire major post players. They went out and acquired a great post defender and rebounder who can shoot the mid range jumper while giving up an injured player at the overcrowded wing spot, a center who was too much of a liability to play crucial minutes, and a draft pick they were probably going to trade anyways.

8.

[SequSpur]

:lol @ RC Buford.

"Ron Artest's name has never left my lips in trade conversation"

For some reason that seemed very un FBI, and very "I like him NOT"


Why does Don Harris make a fucking comment about the Spurs staff making comments about Ron Artest? after RC answered the question...

WTF?

[T Park]

Well put Jackseven

Good to see you back ;)

[6thMANU]

Can someone inform me on how it works if Seattle doesn't sign Brent Barry..... all i know is there is a chance we could get him back but how does that work someone please inform me ......

[jackseven]

Well put Jackseven

Good to see you back ;)

Had to post that. Was shocked to see TIMVP's response + others posting similar sentiments.

Maybe I'll be a Spurs fan now that they mean business.

[Manu_Ginobili]

The move to give up a 1st rd pick for a 1 year contract, 35 year old, average NBA big man kind of sucks..Oh well, at least the spurs held onto Ian and Tiago

DON'T BE STUPID, what kind of 1st round pick you would get next year if we are a Top team??? Pop is Buford are SMART to pick the BEST Players even in lower picks...Manu was Number 58, remember??? Thomas give us a chance again to win it ALL!!!

BEST!!!

[tim_duncan_fan]

Great Trade.

Spurs: 2008-2009 NBA Champs!

[T Park]

Had to post that. Was shocked to see TIMVP's response + others posting similar sentiments.

Maybe I'll be a Spurs fan now that they mean business.

I agree, Timvp's response was quite the headscratcher.

[jackseven]

DON'T BE STUPID, what kind of 1st round pick you would get next year if we are a Top team??? Pop is Buford are SMART to pick the BEST Players even in lower picks...Manu was Number 58, remember??? Thomas give us a chance again to win it ALL!!!

BEST!!!

Agreed. The Spurs have to play for now and squeeze as many championships out of Duncan as they can before the well runs dry. A first round draft pick in the Spurs system takes a long time to cultivate and the chances are very slim they'll actually retain the player anyways.

[whottt]

DON'T BE STUPID, what kind of 1st round pick you would get next year if we are a Top team???



http://www.nba.com/media/DavidLee_300_061220.jpg


http://the-seed.net/suns/wp-content/uploads/suns_bulls_LB.jpg



Try not to be stupid...

[T Park]

You and I both know the Spurs wouldn't have drafted him had they kept that pick.

[T Park]

Barbosa? A low IQ guy who stiffs in the playoffs?

[ChumpDumper]

http://www.nba.com/media/DavidLee_300_061220.jpg


http://the-seed.net/suns/wp-content/uploads/suns_bulls_LB.jpg



Try not to be stupid...What makes anyone think the Spurs would have drafted either of those guys?

The Spurs are hit and miss with the draft.

[ChumpDumper]

The Spurs passed on David Lee to draft Ian Mahinmi.

[jackseven]

http://www.nba.com/media/DavidLee_300_061220.jpg


http://the-seed.net/suns/wp-content/uploads/suns_bulls_LB.jpg



Try not to be stupid...

Try not to be stupid yourself. It's not like there's a Barbosa or Lee around every corner and even if there is a diamond in the rough, the draft is still a low percentage guessing game where most teams end up being wrong.

[6thMANU]

T Park you sound like a smart guy so i have to ask you something.. Now that Barry is gone and Seattle is not expected to sign Brent what happens next can he just wait 30 days and come right back here or does he have to go to another team if they sign him. Does he have a choice or what? Please inform me i would like to see him back

[ChumpDumper]

If Barry is bought out, he is a free agent and can sign with the team of his choice.

[Drachen]

Ok, everyone here has to know that the spurs WANTED to get rid of that pick right? If we make that pick, we have to sign the pick to a contract that will count against our 2010 cap. THat is the offseason that we will have a lot of money for big free agent signings. we have been trying to get rid of it for a while now.

[Russ]

If Barry is bought out, he is a free agent and can sign with the team of his choice.
Is there some league rule restricting Barry signing with the Spurs (i.e., the team that traded him) within some amount of time?

[T Park]

T Park you sound like a smart guy so i have to ask you something.. Now that Barry is gone and Seattle is not expected to sign Brent what happens next can he just wait 30 days and come right back here or does he have to go to another team if they sign him. Does he have a choice or what? Please inform me i would like to see him back


First off thats the first time anyone on this forum has ever said that.
Second, if he gets waived he can sign, like Chump said, with any team he wants.

I think hed have to wait 30 days to resign, but if he gets released, I can see him coming back.

[ChumpDumper]

Is there some league rule restricting Barry signing with the Spurs (i.e., the team that traded him) within some amount of time?To my knowledge, the 30-day rule has not been changed.

[~Sweetmelody~]

No! Not Barry! :depressed

[6thMANU]

I know he has a wife and kids here around Alamo Heights so i hope that makes him want to come back to the spurs and not have to move his family to another city

[ThomasGranger]

Plus Barry knows it's his best chance to get another ring.

[coopdogg3]

I'll always remember that bear hug that Brent gave Stern when he got his ring. LOL. Good times.

[vander]

so how much money did we save? thomas's contract is about 500k less than elson+barry, but the year beyond is half over, so only like 200K there, the real savings comes from not having to pay out a guaranteed rookie contract, signing guys from the D-league for 10 day league minimums is much cheaper :spin

[clubalien]

I think a major point is what year the pick is for. That can be used to determine if we want somone in this draft year.

[Horry For 3!]

I don't like givin up the 1st round pick, I think that is a bit too much.

[Horry For 3!]

Also... Barry goin back to his old team, the Sonics.

[MajicMan]

Good, I hate Barry. He's going to go crazy playing long side chucker boy Durant in Seattle .

[Spuradicator]

Good pickup for our front court. Hope the Sonics waive Barry and we could sign him again

[K-State Spur]

When the heck did the 27th through the 30th pick in the NBA become so GD valuable?

Win freaking now.

You can trade fodder for a late first round pick in the summer of 08 or hell in June of 09 if you want.

hell, there will be a few teams simply selling their picks for cash at that juncture.

if you want a guy bad enough, use the money you're saving on the luxury tax this season.

[whottt]

Try not to be stupid yourself. It's not like there's a Barbosa or Lee around every corner and even if there is a diamond in the rough, the draft is still a low percentage guessing game where most teams end up being wrong.


Idiot...both those picks were made with picks from the teams with best record in the NBA...in offseasons immediately following Spurs championships...and the Spurs traded away both picks.


Why don't you pull your dumb fucking skull out of 1986 and realize the talent pool is vastly greater than it used to be...and #1 picks are much more valuable than they once were. Early second round picks are more valuable than they once were.



Don't even fucking to try to spin that any #1 pick isn't valuable...you're stupid if you do that. Period. I'm not stupid for pointing out their value, compared to Kurt fucking Thomas( to guard Shaq).


You're fucking stupid if you don't realize their value in todays NBA.


Would you like me to list off some more?


How about Tony Parker? You know...the finals MVP, who started at the age of 19, as a rookie.

[O-Factor]

It wasn't a sexy pickup, but it was the right pickup for us at this time. I can live with giving up a 1st rounder if it gives us a better chance to repeat NOW.

[Russ]

The Spurs are rounding into shape for a shot at their first repeat.

But the real kicker is the momentous disappointment this will cause to all of the usual suspects on the national media scene. Everyone is picking the Lakers now to "come out of the West." I mean everyone (on ESPN, at least).

It will be even better to upset the NBA/ABC applecart by ruining their best laid plans for a "dream" Celtics-Lakers finals matchup. The Spurs not only cement their legacy by repeating, but they do it by dismissing all the glamour teams (Lakers, Phoenix/Shaq, Dallas/Kidd) on the way.

This will be poetic justice -- the Spurs win the quintessential "Spurs championship" to finally lay claim to history. And they piss off all the powers that be in doing so. Nothing could be more fitting or emblematic of the Spurs and their maddening greatness. :)

[K-State Spur]

am i the only one who prefers Thomas over Barry against the Jazz as well.

i don't care what the defensive rebounding numbers say this year, i remember some games last year where Boozer & Milsap absolutely lived on the offensive glass against this team.

[genomefreak13]

I'm happy that they made a move to improve the frontline. Unfortunately it has to cost us Barry. I hope he signs back to the spurs after his contract with seattle expires.

[SANANTOJAMES]

good trade!!

[z0sa]

It wasn't a sexy pickup, but it was the right pickup for us at this time. I can live with giving up a 1st rounder if it gives us a better chance to repeat NOW.

At this point, there is no other choice, and I think the Spurs FO understands that.

The time is now. It's time for Number 5 :smokin

[Holt's Cat]

The Spurs are rounding into shape for a shot at their first repeat.

But the real kicker is the momentous disappointment this will cause to all of the usual suspects on the national media scene. Everyone is picking the Lakers now to "come out of the West." I mean everyone (on ESPN, at least).

It will be even better to upset the NBA/ABC applecart by ruining their best laid plans for a "dream" Celtics-Lakers finals matchup. The Spurs not only cement their legacy by repeating, but they do it by dismissing all the glamour teams (Lakers, Phoenix/Shaq, Dallas/Kidd) on the way.

This will be poetic justice -- the Spurs win the quintessential "Spurs championship" to finally lay claim to history. And they piss off all the powers that be in doing so. Nothing could be more fitting or emblematic of the Spurs and their maddening greatness. :)


In a reversal of fortune (one might say, a return to normalcy), Dallas will need someone else to knock off the Spurs in the playoffs in order to get by them.

Whatever improvement defensively was made in the desert, I think that's gone. Yeah, Shaq will have his moments, but Marion was a key cog for them on defense. You can't outscore everyone, as tonight's Suns game showed.

As for the Lakers, I think they're fool's gold. Versatility, yes. But there's a difference between a few regular season games and turning that into a tight crew for the postseason with great defensive execution. Perhaps Gasol will find a way to score more points than he is worked for on the other end of the court.

There are a couple of other teams laying in wait, Utah and New Orleans. Of the two, the Jazz concern me the most.

[BonnerDynasty]

Mike (Lexington, KY): If the Western Conference standing do not change and the Spurs win it all again, isn't that a great arguement for "casual fans" to just pay attention to the playoffs and not the regular season???

SportsNation J.A. Adande: (6:45 PM ET ) First of all, the Western Conference standings will change. There's too much volatility there. But if the Spurs win it, I think the reverse would be true: it would almost make the regular season more interesting than the playoffs. I've never been as excited about the NBA in February and March as I am right now

[jackseven]

Idiot...both those picks were made with picks from the teams with best record in the NBA...in offseasons immediately following Spurs championships...and the Spurs traded away both picks.


Why don't you pull your dumb fucking skull out of 1986 and realize the talent pool is vastly greater than it used to be...and #1 picks are much more valuable than they once were. Early second round picks are more valuable than they once were.



Don't even fucking to try to spin that any #1 pick isn't valuable...you're stupid if you do that. Period. I'm not stupid for pointing out their value, compared to Kurt fucking Thomas( to guard Shaq).


You're fucking stupid if you don't realize their value in todays NBA.


Would you like me to list off some more?


How about Tony Parker? You know...the finals MVP, who started at the age of 19, as a rookie.

That's a lot of hostility for someone so cuddly with the coyote. Hey chief, there's a few commodities in every draft but the fact is many teams will swing and miss and have a guaranteed contract in the books.

I'd rather the Spurs have a legitimate shot at the title this year than get one pull on the slot machine for a guy who they won't let contribute next year anyways.

I won't try to spin anything since your opinion is fact. PERIOD. I will ask you why the Spurs so often trade away their first round pick in these vast pools of talent you speak of?

[Dingle Barry]

I don't want to catch the Hornets in the playoffs.

I'd definitely want HCA against LAL.

I'm not afraid of the Jazz. I think that series would go down much like last years WCF.

[ChumpDumper]

Why do we think the Spurs would pick David Lee when they passed him up for Ian? If they didn't see he was going to be that much better than Ian already how can we say they would be good at any making that low of a pick in a so-so draft in any year?

[whottt]

That's a lot of hostility for someone so cuddly with the coyote.

Hey...you guys that think first round picks don't mean anything were the ones that started throwing around the stupid label....I only followed suit.





Hey chief, there's a few commodities in every draft but the fact is many teams will swing and miss and have a guaranteed contract in the books.

I bet there's been a late first round or second round player in every draft since 2002 that could have come in and contributed to the Spurs immediately. Including many mentioned by people on this board...before it happened.

Carlos Boozer was a second round pick...




I'd rather the Spurs have a legitimate shot at the title this year than get one pull on the slot machine for a guy who they won't let contribute next year anyways.

Me too..which is why if they are going to give up first round picks I'd like them to do it for players that will actually contribute substantially...





I won't try to spin anything since your opinion is fact. PERIOD. I will ask you why the Spurs so often trade away their first round pick in these vast pools of talent you speak of?


Tim Duncan erases a lot of mistakes...


Spurs could have drafted Josh Howard, Barbosa, David Lee, Carlos Boozer...



I don't know why you want to make excuses for that...if we'd landed those guys we wouldn't be giving away 1st round picks for 35 year olds right now.


It also doesn't hurt my point that seasons immediately following those mistakes the Spurs failed to repeat each and every time.

[K-State Spur]

I don't want to catch the Hornets in the playoffs.

I'd definitely want HCA against LAL.

I'm not afraid of the Jazz. I think that series would go down much like last years WCF.

i'm not worried about the Hornets in the playoffs...this year.

a) they haven't been there.

b) over a 7 game series, i think the spurs depth (and the hornets' lack there of) would win out.

c) peja turns to mush when the games start to really matter.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=764485


decent discussion about the trade

[hsxvvd]

http://pixhost.eu/avaxhome/avaxhome/2007-09-22/thomas_tank_engine.jpg

Now we can take care of the fat controller!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/411414892_638555b1d6.jpg

[objective]

The Scola trade was horrible. This trade at the very worst can't be as bad as the Scola trade.

I disagree strongly and feel this could be a worse trade than Scola, and for a reason that I haven’t seen on this entire thread.

And that is that the pick in the reports I've read is not protected.

There is a reason Presti wanted the pick in 09 and it’s probably not because of the 09 class or having multiple picks to bundle, it’s because he knows that in this season the Spurs are guaranteed locks to make the playoffs based on the amount of games remaining and them finishing the RRT strong without Parker (and Parker’s impending return).

Because in 2009 there is a realistic chance the Spurs are in the lottery. And it’s not a far-fetched gamble, it would be a reasonable long term wager that it happens.

Consider that next season no matter who they sign the Spurs will still be one of the oldest teams in the league, and will be even more vulnerable to age-related breakdowns. The injury risk becomes much higher when you factor in that Parker and Ginobili and Splitter will all be playing all summer with their national teams, and maybe Udoka and Mahinmi might spend time with Nigeria and France.

If any of the Spurs big 3 go down for say a third of the season, that’s a Spurs team that I think would be more likely to miss the playoffs than make.

Why?

Because the rest of the west is so stacked now. It’s not like before when you could guarantee a Duncan-team at least 50 wins and a playoff shot.
In the west right now, the Warriors are 9th and on pace to win 50 games. The Blazers are 10th and on pace to win 43, and that’s without adding in Oden and whoever else they bring in next year along with their youth improving. Every other western playoff team is not in any serious danger of falling off next year, hell, a bunch are poised to be even better.
The Spurs could win 50 games next year and miss the playoffs.

Again, notice that the first round pick has no lottery protection.

The trade is a disaster waiting to happen, all just to have an old Kurt Thomas for 3-4 months.

IF the Spurs win the title this year and only if it's thanks to Kurt Thomas having huge games or a huge series, then who cares, right?

But that is a big risk. Maybe too big.

[ChumpDumper]

If we miss the playoffs with a healthy big three, start trading the big three.

[z0sa]

the spurs miss the playoffs next year?

...

[hsxvvd]

I disagree strongly and feel this could be a worse trade than Scola, and for a reason that I haven’t seen on this entire thread.

And that is that the pick in the reports I've read is not protected.

There is a reason Presti wanted the pick in 09 and it’s probably not because of the 09 class or having multiple picks to bundle, it’s because he knows that in this season the Spurs are guaranteed locks to make the playoffs based on the amount of games remaining and them finishing the RRT strong without Parker (and Parker’s impending return).

Because in 2009 there is a realistic chance the Spurs are in the lottery. And it’s not a far-fetched gamble, it would be a reasonable long term wager that it happens.

Consider that next season no matter who they sign the Spurs will still be one of the oldest teams in the league, and will be even more vulnerable to age-related breakdowns. The injury risk becomes much higher when you factor in that Parker and Ginobili and Splitter will all be playing all summer with their national teams, and maybe Udoka and Mahinmi might spend time with Nigeria and France.

If any of the Spurs big 3 go down for say a third of the season, that’s a Spurs team that I think would be more likely to miss the playoffs than make.

Why?

Because the rest of the west is so stacked now. It’s not like before when you could guarantee a Duncan-team at least 50 wins and a playoff shot.
In the west right now, the Warriors are 9th and on pace to win 50 games. The Blazers are 10th and on pace to win 43, and that’s without adding in Oden and whoever else they bring in next year along with their youth improving. Every other western playoff team is not in any serious danger of falling off next year, hell, a bunch are poised to be even better.
The Spurs could win 50 games next year and miss the playoffs.

Again, notice that the first round pick has no lottery protection.

The trade is a disaster waiting to happen, all just to have an old Kurt Thomas for 3-4 months.

IF the Spurs win the title this year and only if it's thanks to Kurt Thomas having huge games or a huge series, then who cares, right?

But that is a big risk. Maybe too big.


That's a whole lotta "ifs" and you forget to mention, Phoenix and Dallas have also gotten a whole lot older with their trades.

Not to mention, we have Splitter coming across to be "Kurt" next year. Or he may even be another Vet min with the taste of a championship. KT's type can play till their dead.

[objective]

they needed a lotto protection.

Again, they could win 50 games and be in the lotto.

[ChumpDumper]

If a team is in the lottery after being champion, it sucks and should be broken up.

[objective]

Who's to say Splitter gets any opportunities ?

PHX and Dallas may have gotten older, but the wheels aren't falling off of any of the players involved except Shaq.

PHX can still win regular season games, hell they led the west in wins when they did the deal. Kidd is having one of his better seasons in years, he just had an off night of adjustment tonight.

[whottt]

objective...I have to say there's no way in hell the Spurs will be in the lottery in 09. And if they are losing in 09, as Chump mentioned....we have three players we could trade for a lottery pick.

I don't think the Spurs have protected a first round pick they've traded in any of their recent trades.



I'm actually glad the pick is an 09 pick because I like this years draft quite a bit and have a feeling the Spurs can get a steal. There's no clear #1 pick...but it is a deep draft IMO.


In fact I'm actually hoping the Spurs make the playoffs as an 8 seed and one of the lowest seeds in the playoffs...

It's good to see that the Spurs feel the same about this draft and now I actually feel a little better about this trade.



What makes you think it was the Sonics that demanded the pick be an 09 pick and not the Spurs?

[Bruno]

It's possible that there is a protection on the pick and we don't know it for the moment.

I would be surprised to see Spurs trading an unprotected pick. Only Isiah Thomas does that.

[whottt]

I would be surprised to see Spurs trading an unprotected pick. Only Isiah Thomas does that.


Did the Spurs protect the picks they traded to Isiah for Nazr? I don't think they did.

[objective]

It's possible that there is a protection on the pick and we don't know it for the moment.

I would be surprised to see Spurs trading an unprotected pick. Only Isiah Thomas does that.

actually, Isiah protects them, but with odd and ridiculous firewall points by year.

I hope very much there is an unreported protection, but going on what's official now, the pick is free and clear.

And if a champion one year wins 50 games the next through injuries caused by age and summer ball commitments and misses the playoffs, and in doing so that team 'sucks' and should be 'broken up' . . .

much better to break up with a lottery pick than without.

[Bruno]

Did the Spurs protect the picks they traded to Isiah for Nazr? I don't think they did.

They were protected.
one of the pick came from Phoenix and was heavily protected.
The other one (Spurs 2006 pick) was top 10 protected.

[z0sa]

You don't think the spurs FO thought of this?

The spurs missing the playoffs next year is absurd. ABSURD.

[whottt]

They were protected.
one of the pick came from Phoenix and was heavily protected.
Oh that's right...Phoenix protected it.




The other one (Spurs 2006 pick) was top 10 protected.


You sure? If so that's the first I've heard about that. In any case...it's not that uncommon for picks to not be protected...at least not completely. But you are right...it's usually Isiah doing it.

[ChumpDumper]

actually, Isiah protects them, but with odd and ridiculous firewall points by year.

I hope very much there is an unreported protection, but going on what's official now, the pick is free and clear.

And if a champion one year wins 50 games the next through injuries caused by age and summer ball commitments and misses the playoffs, and in doing so that team 'sucks' and should be 'broken up' . . .

much better to break up with a lottery pick than without.So? It still sucks. If that's the doom and gloom prediction, they'll get a better lottery pick the next season because they will suck even worse without a #17 pick.

[Bruno]

actually, Isiah protects them, but with odd and ridiculous firewall points by year.

He traded the right to swap picks with Chicago in 2006 without any protection. Bulls got the 2nd pick from Knicks.




I hope very much there is an unreported protection, but going on what's official now, the pick is free and clear.


Protection aren't reported in official reports.
We don't know if the pick is protected or not.

I would be shocked if Spurs have traded an unprotected pick.

[objective]

re: Isiah, I'm talking about the 2010 pick he owes Utah.

[hsxvvd]

To me the pick seems to have been a bit rich, but maybe this has something to do with Barry coming home.

1st round unprotected pick & Elson for Thomas sounds fair for both sides.

[objective]

So? It still sucks. If that's the doom and gloom prediction, they'll get a better lottery pick the next season because they will suck even worse without a #17 pick.

It's not a doom and gloom prediction, but an evaluation.

First, of how it could be worse than the Scola trade.

Second, of how hard the west is now where 50 win teams miss the playoffs.

[ChumpDumper]

First, of how it could be worse than the Scola trade.You liked Jackie Butler that much?


Second, of how hard the west is now where 50 win teams miss the playoffs.So the Spurs are going to suck. Might as well tank now while we still have a first round pick this summer.

[z0sa]

To me the pick seems to have been a bit rich, but maybe this has something to do with Barry coming home.

1st round unprotected pick & Elson for Thomas sounds fair for both sides.

Except for salaries. If Barry came back, that'd be awesome, but will he?

[Bruno]

re: Isiah, I'm talking about the 2010 pick he owes Utah.

Sometimes he protects his picks.

Anyway, it's still possible to see Spurs missing next year playoff. In the tough west, Spurs are one Duncan long term injury away of being a lottery team. One time you are in the lottery, everything can happen.

It will be stupid to see Spurs losing the first overall pick of the 2009 draft.
Even if Spurs have a 0.1% chance to end up with the first overall pick in 2009, you had to take care of this scenario if you are a serious GM.

[ChumpDumper]

If we're a 50-win lottery team, we won't be missing out on the next Greg Oden, we'll be missing out on the next Rodney Stuckey.

Folks overrate the draft in general and the Spurs' draft acumen in particular.

[objective]

You liked Jackie Butler that much?

So the Spurs are going to suck. Might as well tank now while we still have a first round pick this summer.

don't know what you're bringing up Butler for, he doesn't matter in why the Scola trade was a bad trade other than it was his salary being dumped for LT reasons and Scola being the price paid. I wasn't for butler when he signed the offer sheet, and wasn't for Butler when he finally got sent away.

Read what I quoted from TimVP (page 8) re: how this trade could be worse than the Scola deal. Key Word : how

And trying to twist a risk angle not pointed out on 22 pages of of a thread into some sort of OMG DOOMZ scenario?

Not unlike someone twisting a "Why trade Scola to the Rockets for nothing?" take into a "OMG tank teh season, Scola is the greatest player EVER and the Rockets are guaranteed to win the next 100 titles!"

lol

[ChumpDumper]

don't know what you're bringing up Butler for, he doesn't matter in why the Scola trade was a bad trade other than it was his salary being dumped for LT reasons and Scola being the price paid.That's why the trade happened. These things don't happen in a vacuum. It was a salary dump and not a good basketball trade, but so what? The Rockets did exactly the same thing Wednesday. It's the NBA. I still fail to see why losing a mid-teens first rounder would be a disaster for a 50-win team that only had injuries to blame missing the playoffs.

[whottt]

Sometimes he protects his picks.

Anyway, it's still possible to see Spurs missing next year playoff. In the tough west, Spurs are one Duncan long term injury away of being a lottery team. One time you are in the lottery, everything can happen.

It will be stupid to see Spurs losing the first overall pick of the 2009 draft.
Even if Spurs have a 0.1% chance to end up with the first overall pick in 2009, you had to take care of this scenario if you are a serious GM.

Um...while every once in a while a fiftywin team might miss the playoffs...it's extremely rare. It's also possible for teams with losing records to make the playoffs...and happens about as frequently.


And the Spurs are more than a Tim Duncan away from missing the playoffs IMO....they're pretty tough even without Duncan.

[whottt]

It's also possible for teams with losing records to make the playoffs...and happens more frequently.
.


Fixed...


When was the last time a team won 50 games and didn't make the playoffs?

I can't think of it happening ever...although I'm sure it has.



But just last season a team with a losing record made the playoffs...and just few years before that the Celtics did it with a horrible record.

[timvp]

I'm sure the pick is protected somewhat. No sane GM gives up a fully unprotected pick. At worst, the pick has to be lottery protected. It might even be protected all the way up to 20-22.

If it comes out eventually that the pick is 100% unprotected, they yeah this was a stupid trade just based on principal. But nowadays, virtually every traded first rounder is protected to some degree.

[timvp]

When was the last time a team won 50 games and didn't make the playoffs?

I can't think of it happening ever...although I'm sure it has. It hasn't.

[Bruno]

I guess that whottt would have traded in 1996 and unprotected 1997 first round pick.

[whottt]

I just looked going all the way back to 1991 and can't find any 50 win teams that missed the playoffs...

I did find about 20 teams with losing records that made the playoffs though.


For a fifty win team to miss the playoffs there would have to be 9 fifty win teams in a conference...unless you want to go back to an era before they had 8 playoff teams per conference....mid 80's.


That's just not going to happen very frequently.

[objective]

Fixed...


When was the last time a team won 50 games and didn't make the playoffs?

I can't think of it happening ever...although I'm sure it has.



But just last season a team with a losing record made the playoffs...and just few years before that the Celtics did it with a horrible record.

the point of the 50 win scenario was just an example of how even a very good team with only modest injuries could result in a team missing the playoffs.

Right now, the Warriors are on pace for 50 wins and the lottery.

But that 50 wins isn't every possibility. It swings both ways.

It's not like the Spurs have ever had seasons where catastrophe struck and important players missed huge chunks of the year, right?

To sum up:

If the pick is protected, even modestly so like top 3 or top 7, I'll be thrilled that any risks about it were all much ado about nothing. Because a first round pick that's in the 20s as is most likely IF the Spurs stay healthy isn't that much to lose considering their record of draft picks post-2001.

[whottt]

It hasn't.


You sure? I could see it happening before they had 8 playoff teams per conference.

[TDMVPDPOY]

so why is fokn bonner still on this team

we shouldve ship his ass out of here also

[objective]

If it comes out eventually that the pick is 100% unprotected, they yeah this was a stupid trade just based on principal.

thank you

that's all I was bringing up, something largely untouched in 22 pages

[whottt]

I guess that whottt would have traded in 1996 and unprotected 1997 first round pick.

Actually I wouldn't have...those Spurs team couldn't win a game without David Robinson in the lineup. And I knew that then...


I believe in David Robinson's first 6 years the Spurs were like 6-20 without David Robinson in the lineup....and all those wins came in the same season that he missed the final 3 weeks of the season(they went like 6-15 or something).




They went years at a time without winning a game without him in the lineup....years at a time.



That's not the case of these Spurs...these Spurs frequently continue to win at a 50%+ PCT clip even with Duncan injured for extended period.



Funny thing about championship teams...they are usually playoff teams even without their best player...that's almost always the case.

Bulls lost Jordan and still nearly made the Finals...they took the eventual finalist to 7 games, and those guys took the eventual champion to 7 games...without Jordan.

The Spurs became the first team in NBA history to win back to back double OT games without Duncan in the lineup.


Bruno...there's no comparison to the way these Spurs teams are built and the ones built around David Robinson...

[mattyc]

Good move for mine. As much as I like Barry, Kurt Thomas is a perfect fit in our system. Is quite capable of hitting the midrange shot and the odd open 18-footer. On defense, he'll be necessary against the bigs in the West, Shaq, Gasol, Yao etc. I reckon Oberto will start, but wouldn't be surprised to see Thomas get the gig against certain teams.

Plus, he has an expiring contract, which might make things interesting at the end of this season when it's possible for a few guys to be off the books.

Losing a draft pick isn't great, but we have some overseas talent almost ready to go.

[PM5K]

I can't say I'm crazy about it, it just seems that the "center" position for this team has been a revolving door of guys trying to fill The Admirals' shoes, I don't know that Kurt will be much better than Francisco, Fabricio, Rasho, and Nazr...

I guess you could toss a coin and pick either Finley or Barry, I really liked how Barry came along but he hasn't been as healthy as Finley this year.

I also don't care for us getting older and older, or at least staying old, but I doubt there was much more out there, Pau Gasols don't grow on trees...

[SA Gunslinger]

You sure? I could see it happening before they had 8 playoff teams per conference.

The '71-72 Phoenix Suns went 49-33 and missed the playoffs.

But no team has ever won 50 games and missed the playoffs.

[RonMexico]

Yeah, I want the Suns to hit maybe 55-57 games and get a decent seed this year. Hopefully, they can go 18-10 over these next 28 games.

The '75-'76 Suns went 42-40 and made the Finals.

[A.H 21-50]

I Don't think it was neccesary to give a draft pick for a 35 years old player

but thomas is a good acquisition for the Spurs except the pick

i know the pick wouldn't be good but he could serve for others deal .....

for the next two years thomas will bring a lot to the team ( I hope)

[pad300]

hell, there will be a few teams simply selling their picks for cash at that juncture.

if you want a guy bad enough, use the money you're saving on the luxury tax this season.

The only team that has actually done that recently has been Pheonix... This was perhaps the biggest strategic error that Colangelo committed when he was there IMO. Just selling them was stupid... That he sold them all to essentially one team (Portland) was silly. That has built the basis of a dynasty in Portland. I am confident that Steve Kerr is smart enough to recognize the false economy of selling 1st round picks, and that this practice will come to an end. I wouldn't expect any 1st rounders to be available, particularly to the Spurs, for simply cash.

[DazedAndConfused]

I'm curious as to how SAS feels about addressing their offensive problems this year. Is Tony the glue that makes it all work? I always thought Barry was a huge catalyst for the 2nd unit on offense with his ball handling and playmaking skills. He was always a player I feared because he seemed to come up with big plays against us time and time again.

Thomas was a great acquisition though, and if you can get Barry back somehow the trade will be a steal.

[Ghost Writer]

I don't know why people are so worried about losing Barry.

He's been out of the lineup for most of the season and between Bowen, Finley and Udoku, we already have three 6'7ish guys who play Spurs D and hit 3s.

And Barry was my favorite Spur and I'm not heartbroken!

[Holt's Cat]

I don't know why people are so worried about losing Barry.

He's been out of the lineup for most of the season and between Bowen, Finley and Udoku, we already have three 6'7ish guys who play Spurs D and hit 3s.

And Barry was my favorite Spur and I'm not heartbroken!


He provided depth at the 2 and 3, fit in very well in the offense, and was a part of their small ball lineup. All in all, a luxury compared to the need in the frontcourt rotation and somewhat of a question mark after his injuries. Of course, he may very well be available soon and if the Spurs bring him back that will be nice.

[Spurminator]

My only regret is that my Spurs wall calendar has two months devoted to Francisco Elson and two months for Brent Barry. In August I'm going to be looking at the Sonics' third string center.

[Ghost Writer]

He provided depth at the 2 and 3, fit in very well in the offense, and was a part of their small ball lineup. All in all, a luxury compared to the need in the frontcourt rotation and somewhat of a question mark after his injuries. Of course, he may very well be available soon and if the Spurs bring him back that will be nice.
Give to get.

Barry hasn't been healthy virtually all year and drives Pop nuts by missing defensive assignments.

We've got a new backup PG to bring the ball up. Stoudamire.

We got an emerging bench SF who can hit some baseline 3s. Udoku.

Mike Finley does a lot of what Barry did.

Like you implied, we traded some excess for a profound need.

[timvp]

One unique aspect of this trade is the timing. Teams like to wait all the way up to the deadline to make sure no better offers come rolling in. Supposedly the Sonics had a whole group of teams trying to get Thomas. Why would the Sonics trade him a day early?

Perhaps they just got what they wanted. Or maybe the Spurs made yesterday the deadline so that they could still have time to work the phone lines today. Depending on how Pop plans to use Thomas and Oberto, all of a sudden Horry's expiring contract might come into play.

I don't advocate trading Horry but it'd explain the timing of the Thomas trade.

Hmmmmmm . . .

:stirpot:

[VaSpursFan]

this trade gives me the warm and fuzzies. our second unit will be able to sustain or increase any lead that we have now.

[pad300]

I bet there's been a late first round or second round player in every draft since 2002 that could have come in and contributed to the Spurs immediately. Including many mentioned by people on this board...before it happened.



Absolutely true, but the problem is finding them. With hindsight it's easy.

2002 SA Picks John Salmons #26 (traded), Scola #56 (traded) , Randy Holcomb #57 (out of league)

Alternatives for #26 Dan Gadzuric, Carlos Boozer.
Alternatives for #56, Alternatives for #57 Maurice Evans (undrafted)

2003 SA Picks Barbosa #28 (traded to Suns in pre-arranged deal for 1st rounder next year)
Alternative for #28 Josh Howard, Zaur Pachulia, Luke Walton, Kyle Korver

2004 SA Picks Udrih #28 (busted, traded to Kings, has since improved), #42 Sanikidze #42 (traded for from Hawks with future 2nd rd pick, not come over yet) , 2005 2nd, Sato #52 (out of league), Karaulov #57 (not coming over)
Alternatives #28's Varejao, Duhon, Ariza,

2005 SA Picks Mahinmi #28, #30 (traded to Knicks as part of the Nazr Mohammed deal), #59 (traded to Atlanta for Sanikidze)
Alternatives #28's David Lee, Ryan Gomes, Andray Blatche, Amir Johnson

2006 SA Picks #29 (traded to Knicks as part of Nazr Mohammed deal), #59 (traded to Bucks for future 1st)
Alternatives NONE (given we only actually had #59 by draft time...)

2007 SA Picks #28 Splitter, #33 Marcus Williams, #58 (trade to TO for a future 2nd...)
Alternatives for #28, Kopponen (maybe...)
Alternatives for #33 Glen Davis, Fesenko, McRoberts (maybe), Mcguire, Strawberry(maybe), Reyshawn Terry (maybe), Chris Richard, Demetris Nichols (maybe)

This exercise has proved that we are no more certain of hitting a good player late in the 1st than anyone else. We also tend to miss good players with regularity...Just like everyone else. The draft can be a real crapshoot.

[Sportcamper]

Another Spurs trade that reeks of collusion! :pctoss

[loveforthegame]

Or maybe the Spurs made yesterday the deadline so that they could still have time to work the phone lines today.

I was wondering about this. I thought it strange the Spurs made a trade a day early when they like to wait till the last minute. I hope it's because they have another small move where they get another swing player as insurance.

Most likely it was because Seattle had so many offers for Thomas that the Spurs had to move quickly.

Not much longer to wait to see.

[Ghost Writer]

One unique aspect of this trade is the timing. Teams like to wait all the way up to the deadline to make sure no better offers come rolling in. Supposedly the Sonics had a whole group of teams trying to get Thomas. Why would the Sonics trade him a day early?

Two words:

PJ Carlessimo

"Sure, Pop... fvck those Lakers. Sorry about beating you guys last week, by the way."

[Ghost Writer]

I was wondering about this. I thought it strange the Spurs made a trade a day early when they like to wait till the last minute. I hope it's because they have another small move where they get another swing player as insurance.

Most likely it was because Seattle had so many offers for Thomas that the Spurs had to move quickly.

Not much longer to wait to see.
Like I said, if you wanted to dangle some more excess, you've got Horry (I would like to keep him), Bonner, Vaughn, picks and Splitter and Mahimi to fvck around with.

[ploto]

One unique aspect of this trade is the timing. Teams like to wait all the way up to the deadline to make sure no better offers come rolling in. Supposedly the Sonics had a whole group of teams trying to get Thomas. Why would the Sonics trade him a day early?

Perhaps they just got what they wanted. Or maybe the Spurs made yesterday the deadline so that they could still have time to work the phone lines today. Depending on how Pop plans to use Thomas and Oberto, all of a sudden Horry's expiring contract might come into play.

I don't advocate trading Horry but it'd explain the timing of the Thomas trade.

Hmmmmmm . . .

:stirpot:

Maybe it is so the Spurs can trade Thomas today!!

[Holt's Cat]

One unique aspect of this trade is the timing. Teams like to wait all the way up to the deadline to make sure no better offers come rolling in. Supposedly the Sonics had a whole group of teams trying to get Thomas. Why would the Sonics trade him a day early?

Perhaps they just got what they wanted. Or maybe the Spurs made yesterday the deadline so that they could still have time to work the phone lines today. Depending on how Pop plans to use Thomas and Oberto, all of a sudden Horry's expiring contract might come into play.

I don't advocate trading Horry but it'd explain the timing of the Thomas trade.

Hmmmmmm . . .

:stirpot:


Yeah, why wouldn't the Sonics wait until today? It's possible that they wanted to move things up to see what was available for themselves. Maybe they got the final offers from the serious suitors and made a decision. Financially the trade works out for the Sonics in that they will probably be able to reduce their payout to Barry by more than the differential in salary they took on. Still, it is interesting from the Spurs' perspective.

Artest to SA could possibly help them land better talent moving forward. Horry had his moments in the last postseason (ie Denver series) and you hate to see the Spurs give up such a clutch shooter because you just know there's going to be a time when that is needed in the playoffs. Also, to land Artest you know the Spurs are going to have to give up some combination of their prospects and future picks.

Still, think about (not to make Ghost wet himself) a 10 man rotation like...

Starters
1 Parker
2 Finley
3 Bowen
4 Duncan
5 Oberto

Bench
1 Stoudamire
2 Ginobili
2/3 Udoka
3/4 Artest
4/5 Thomas

:stirpot:

[Holt's Cat]

Spurs still have their Beno trade exception. Maybe there's a deal out there they can find to land another swingman for something cheap (2nd round pick).

[ploto]

From yesterday afternoon:
(2:49 p.m.)
Someone within the Spurs organization is steering folks astray, as it now seems as if that situation may not exist. It never made sense as it was, and wasn't anything close to a deal the Kings would consider.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/010679.html

[usckk]

Derek, Salt Lake City: Chad...don't you think the Spurs basically stole Kurt Thomas yesterday?

SportsNation Chad Ford: (1:30 PM ET ) Yeah. And it's a problem. The Lakers steal Gasol. The Hawks steal Mike Bibby. The Spurs steal Kurt Thomas. Now every GM wants the same type of deal. Send me a really good player and I'll give you back nothing of value in return. A few GMs are desperate enough to trade away great players for cap space ... but most aren't.


http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=19384

Interesting that he thinks the deal was so one-sided...

[Holt's Cat]

The Sonics got a 1st round pick and a probably a little payroll reduction for a 35 year old big man, solid but yet a role player, with an expiring contract. What else was available for him?

[smeagol]

We got an emerging bench SF who can hit some baseline 3s. Udoku

It's Udoka, godammit!!!

[Holt's Cat]

Sudoku?

[Holt's Cat]

It sounds like the Kings, at least, have reached the point where they're more ready to move Artest than keep him at this point, given that they're unlikely to re-sign him in the summer and could use the final 29 games to get an even better feel for what John Salmons and their three point guards (Beno Udrih, Anthony Johnson and Tyronn Lue) can do.

link (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&page=TradeTalk-080221)

[Ghost Writer]

Yeah, why wouldn't the Sonics wait until today? It's possible that they wanted to move things up to see what was available for themselves. Maybe they got the final offers from the serious suitors and made a decision. Financially the trade works out for the Sonics in that they will probably be able to reduce their payout to Barry by more than the differential in salary they took on. Still, it is interesting from the Spurs' perspective.

Artest to SA could possibly help them land better talent moving forward. Horry had his moments in the last postseason (ie Denver series) and you hate to see the Spurs give up such a clutch shooter because you just know there's going to be a time when that is needed in the playoffs. Also, to land Artest you know the Spurs are going to have to give up some combination of their prospects and future picks.

Still, think about (not to make Ghost wet himself) a 10 man rotation like...

Starters
1 Parker
2 Finley
3 Bowen
4 Duncan
5 Oberto

Bench
1 Stoudamire
2 Ginobili
2/3 Udoka
3/4 Artest
4/5 Thomas

:stirpot:

Even better... start Artest and extend Bowen's career and effectiveness.

[usckk]

Scott (Orlando, FL): Are the Magic afraid to pull the trigger? They should have gotten Kurt Thomas (as they had expiring contracts and a better 1st rounder than SA). It wouldn't have cost them anything long term as Thomas is in the final year as well.

SportsNation Chad Ford: (1:52 PM ET ) They were in the hunt for Thomas. I think they had a better first rounder to give the Sonics. The cynical view is that Sam Presti helped out the Spurs out of loyalty. I don't think the Magic can make a big deal because they seem very reluctant to part with either Turkoglu or Redick

Another comment about the trade.

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=19384

[ploto]

So Seattle turned down a better deal from another team to make a deal with the Spurs... Where are Pop's comments now?

[Spurminator]

Who says they were willing to give the first rounder?

[picnroll]

Scott (Orlando, FL): Are the Magic afraid to pull the trigger? They should have gotten Kurt Thomas (as they had expiring contracts and a better 1st rounder than SA). It wouldn't have cost them anything long term as Thomas is in the final year as well.

SportsNation Chad Ford: (1:52 PM ET ) They were in the hunt for Thomas. I think they had a better first rounder to give the Sonics. The cynical view is that Sam Presti helped out the Spurs out of loyalty. I don't think the Magic can make a big deal because they seem very reluctant to part with either Turkoglu or Redick

Another comment about the trade.

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=19384
Given that it's a 2009 pick, the East sucks, the West is coming on with team like Portland, the Lakers, Magic are young and improving, the Spurs need to revamp after losing most of their wing players with little money to replace them with, I'd say Presti may well have gone after the better potential draft pick. Chad Ford is a dumb shit proven many times over. No wonder ploto quotes him.

[Ghost Writer]

So Seattle turned down a better deal from another team to make a deal with the Spurs... Where are Pop's comments now?
Pop's hand was forced.

Thanks, PJ and Presti.

[Holt's Cat]

Eh, so what? After the Gasol trade what's going to happen?

[Ghost Writer]

Nada.

Turnabout is fair play.

[Bruno]

While I don't like this trade, Spurs trading for Kurt Thomas is a symbol of Spurs' philosophy.

For almost all NBA teams, their main criteria in a trade is how good is the player they get. They look at things like personal talent, age or upside.
Spurs' main criteria is how much will this player help the team.

When you look at teams' roster on the paper, Spurs have beaten in playoffs a lot of more talented teams. Spurs is the best team in the league at using role players.

As a fan, it is sometimes frustrating. You see other teams adding talent and youth while Spurs are sticking with old and limited role player.
However, it's great to be a fan of a team that think the right way with a team first attitude instead of a players first attitude.

I find great that Spurs has won a lot of titles with that mentality. It's a testimony of what basketball is : a team sport.
This year, some teams have added a lot of talent. It will be huge to see Spurs winning it all again even if I know that one day the talent gap will too big to overcome by Spurs' values.

[CaptainLate]

Good choice. Much needed size to counter the Gasols, Bynums and O'Neals of the West.

Maybe they'll go after Diop in the offseason.

Better do something. This is great for a chance to repeat, but Thomas is 35 yrs old. Having Duncan and Thomas around to tutor Mahimi and Splitter would be good, though.

[Holt's Cat]

Better do something. This is great for a chance to repeat, but Thomas is 35 yrs old. Having Duncan and Thomas around to tutor Mahimi and Splitter would be good, though.


That's probably part of the idea. Bring Thomas in for the rest of the season and see if he's worth keeping around. Next year the Spurs would have Duncan, Thomas, Oberto, Splitter, Mahinmi and Bonner as the top 6 in the bigman rotation.

[CaptainLate]

Is the consensus that KT has a better jumper than Oberto?
Is it possible that KT replaces Oberto come playoffs and that Manu and Oberto come off the bench together?

Damn, I knew we should have kept Scola. What chemistry that would be having all three of them in the game at the same time.

[Radiosparks]

It's Udoka, godammit!!!

Okay, I'm reading and then I see this post. Great stuff!! Hahhahahaa... :elephant

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

So Seattle turned down a better deal from another team to make a deal with the Spurs... Where are Pop's comments now?

Try reading.


They were in the hunt for Thomas. I think they had a better first rounder to give the Sonics.

You are going off some idiot ESPN analyst "thinking" Orlando had a better offer on the table.

STFU and go suck off Rasho or something.

[Holt's Cat]

Toronto acquired another Pillsbury soft Slovene bigman. ploto is on Cloud Nine.

[Spurs Brazil]

Popovich also said he expects newly acquired big man Kurt Thomas to join the team sometime this weekend.

“Kurt Thomas is someone we’ve tried to get on our team since he was a Knick,” Popovich said. “It’s been a long struggle. We can use his experience inside.”


http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AvpGQEIlbo9r6necFjDDq568vLYF?slug=ap-spurs-parkerreturns&prov=ap&type=lgns

[CaptainLate]

I rather the Sonics just keep Barry than buy him out....I don't want Barry going to Phoenix.

I can see Barry coming back here for the rest of the year. His family is here and children in school, etc. + the chance to help us repeat. His experience in our system will be valuable IF he's healthy.

[td4mvp21]

Yeah after tonight's pathetic display of interior defense, I love this trade even more.

[T Park]

Popovich also said he expects newly acquired big man Kurt Thomas to join the team sometime this weekend.

“Kurt Thomas is someone we’ve tried to get on our team since he was a Knick,” Popovich said. “It’s been a long struggle. We can use his experience inside.”


http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AvpGQEIlbo9r6necFjDDq568vLYF?slug=ap-spurs-parkerreturns&prov=ap&type=lgns


Well Pop if you would've traded that white stiff Nesterovic, you would've had him :pctoss

[T Park]

Kurt Thomas would've been the perfect matchup against Jefferson tonight.

[mojorizen7]

Solid buzzer beater aquisition.
I nearly shit when $arver gave K.T. away last summer.
Kurt was the best low-post defender we've had here since Mark West & just as classy.
I knew that payroll cut would hurt & eventually come back to haunt. Congrats.
At least you guys didn't land Ron Ron though....it'd been all over for everybody else otherwise.

[objective]

just to clear something up

I asked McDonald about the pick and it's protections or lack thereof.

He replied it's his understanding that it's lottery protected.

That being the case, I suppose there's not much to be concerned about on that front.

[ChumpDumper]

Good to know.

[Bruno]

just to clear something up

I asked McDonald about the pick and it's protections or lack thereof.

He replied it's his understanding that it's lottery protected.

That being the case, I suppose there's not much to be concerned about on that front.

Thanks for having asked.

Hollinger is also saying that the pick is lottery protected :
http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87816