Pop's Postgame

[1Parker1]

I don't like the sound of his answers to rebuilding next season. Anyone else catch this?

He said they just ran into a better team. They made it this far, doesn't mean they need to completely rechange their roster. :pctoss

[T Park]

I don't like the sound of his answers to rebuilding next season. Anyone else catch this?

He said they just ran into a better team. They made it this far, doesn't mean they need to completely rechange their roster. :pctoss


Uh, whats he supposed to say, "Yeah we suck, we gotta blow this shit up"

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

I don't like the sound of his answers to rebuilding next season. Anyone else catch this?

He said they just ran into a better team. They made it this far, doesn't mean they need to completely rechange their roster. :pctoss

Completely being the key word

[timmydidit]

Uh, whats he supposed to say, "Yeah we suck, we gotta blow this shit up"

that would be jokes

[ducks]

they got to the western confernece finals
and had no rest
they need to make some changes
they can not make huge changes have no $
and pop is not going to tell the world what he is going to do
before he does it

[Spurs Brazil]

What you expect him to say. We sucks and need a new guys next year

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Uh, whats he supposed to say, "Yeah we suck, we gotta blow this shit up"

As much as you bag on Buford, at least he was already on record tonight saying we needed to get younger over the summer.

[Kori Ellis]

As much as you bag on Buford, at least he was already on record tonight saying we needed to get younger over the summer.

Of course they need to get younger, but people should expect any kind of overall. Getting younger will probably just involve two pieces - Mahinmi and signing one young wing. Horry/Fin should retire. They'll pick up another vet for cheap. And the core all stays the same. Maybe they can dump Bonner for something.

[Mr. Body]

As much as you bag on Buford, at least he was already on record tonight saying we needed to get younger over the summer.

We needed to get younger two summers ago. Finals 2007 just masked the long-term problems this team had. His failure to get anything productive done might have consigned this team to a long, slow decay like the one Utah suffered at the end of the Malone/Stockton years. I hate to say it; just trying to be objective.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Of course they need to get younger, but people should expect any kind of overall. Getting younger will probably just involve two pieces - Mahinmi and signing one young wing. Horry/Fin should retire. They'll pick up another vet for cheap. And the core all stays the same. Maybe they can dump Bonner for something.

We need:

* Ian
* A Bowen apprentice at the three
* A 2guard who can fill up the basket

If we don't all three of these covered this summer, we're going to watch the same thing happen next year in the playoffs. Spurs will run out of gas. They need to follow Detroit's playbook for building a young bench (and give those guys some run during the regular season).

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

We needed to get younger two summers ago. Finals 2007 just masked the long-term problems this team had. His failure to get anything productive done might have consigned this team to a long, slow decay like the one Utah suffered at the end of the Malone/Stockton years. I hate to say it; just trying to be objective.

It sucks, but you're right on. I've been saying it for a good two years as well. In typical Spurs front office fashion, they are unwilling or incapable of dealing with obvious shit like this until it gets them punked in the playoffs.

[Tek_XX]

It's kinda like when he downplays when we suck, like "uhh we just missed shots" when we all know it's more complicated than just missing shots.

[T Park]

As much as you bag on Buford, at least he was already on record tonight saying we needed to get younger over the summer.

Then thats their stance.

If Pop stays they stand pat, they are getting younger.

When did you start taking Pop at his word? :lol

[Kori Ellis]

They need to follow Detroit's playbook for building a young bench (and give those guys some run during the regular season).


Yeah, LJ and I were talking about that yesterday.

[T Park]

We need:

* Ian
* A Bowen apprentice at the three
* A 2guard who can fill up the basket

If we don't all three of these covered this summer, we're going to watch the same thing happen next year in the playoffs. Spurs will run out of gas. They need to follow Detroit's playbook for building a young bench (and give those guys some run during the regular season).

If you know of 2 and 3 I'm sure the Spurs would be ecstatic to know.

[ducks]

pop does play a long bench doing the first half the year

[ducks]

I. Udoka should be better next year

[Russ]

The Spurs need a 2001-like off season. The Splitter situation doesn't help.

But where there is great uncertainty there is great opportunity.:lobt2:

[1Parker1]

We need:

* Ian
* A Bowen apprentice at the three
* A 2guard who can fill up the basket

If we don't all three of these covered this summer, we're going to watch the same thing happen next year in the playoffs. Spurs will run out of gas. They need to follow Detroit's playbook for building a young bench (and give those guys some run during the regular season).

Detroit is a prime example of a team utilizing late picks. Even the Utah Jazz the past couple of years have found some gems in the late rounds that have helped them in the playoffs.

It would have been nice if Ian had gotten some run in the regular season this year.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

If you know of 2 and 3 I'm sure the Spurs would be ecstatic to know.

I've already laid my suggestion out a couple of times.

* bring up Ian (given)
* bring over Sanikidze to see what he's got once and for all (and he's a long three)
* Kelenna Azuibuike. Get him somehow, someway.

On top of those, we still need a true Bowen apprentice, I'm not sure who that is without perusing the FA listings but there's got to be a young journeyman out there somewhere willing to come be Bowen Jr.

[Ocotillo]

We need:

* A Bowen apprentice at the three


I don't think there is ever going to be another Bruce Bowen. What you need is a strong defensive minded wing but behind him, you need a shot altering/blocking center (like the Duncan year's DRob) to cover up for the shortcomings of the "new 3".

[Mr. Body]

Detroit has had success drafting because they have talented scouts. The Spurs don't and don't seem to care to develop a corps of them. I would also mark Dumars much higher at this point as a GM than Buford, even despite the Darko fiasco.

[DDS4]

I don't think there is ever going to be another Bruce Bowen. What you need is a strong defensive minded wing but behind him, you need a shot altering/blocking center (like the Duncan year's DRob) to cover up for the shortcomings of the "new 3".

Udoka was supposed to the "Bowen Jr." He showed some great play in the Hornet series , but got inconsistent and was abused by Kobe.

[mVp]

Let's tank next season and get the 1st overall pick.

j/k

[ducks]

Udoka was supposed to the "Bowen Jr." He showed some great play in the Hornet series , but got inconsistent and was abused by Kobe.

kobe is alot stronger then him
and kobe abuses alot of peope

[T Park]

I've already laid my suggestion out a couple of times.

* bring up Ian (given)
* bring over Sanikidze to see what he's got once and for all (and he's a long three)
* Kelenna Azuibuike. Get him somehow, someway.

On top of those, we still need a true Bowen apprentice, I'm not sure who that is without perusing the FA listings but there's got to be a young journeyman out there somewhere willing to come be Bowen Jr.

I like Azuibike, but hes a cheap player for the Warriors right now that I'd doubt let go, but I like the idea.

Ian is up, and I agree 1000% Time to see what the georgian Federline has.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Udoka was supposed to the "Bowen Jr." He showed some great play in the Hornet series , but got inconsistent and was abused by Kobe.

Udoka will never be Bowen Jr., he's not quick enough.

[Buddy Holly]

The Spurs did the "Piston" thing in 2001-2002. They've done it before, they can do it again.

[T Park]

As much as everyone WANTS a bowen jr?

Hes not out there. Hes a one of a kind player that will be damn near impossible to find I'm afraid.

[T Park]

The Spurs did the "Piston" thing in 2002-2003. They've done it before, they can do it again.

Whats funny, it was at SG point guard, but not really at the bigs.

I wonder what their thoughts of Demarr Johnson are. I wonder if they find him to be in the Stephen Jackson mode.

[Mr. Body]

The Spurs did the "Piston" thing in 2001-2002. They've done it before, they can do it again.

And unicorns! And puppy dogs!

[T Park]

Broken Record, broken record

[dbreiden83080]

I don't like the sound of his answers to rebuilding next season. Anyone else catch this?

He said they just ran into a better team. They made it this far, doesn't mean they need to completely rechange their roster. :pctoss

Wouldn;t read much into it, we all know Pop hates the media anyway. He doesn;t give them much, we all know he was pissed about that no call in game 4 but he was not going to say that to the press. He knows we need some changes in the offseason.

[dbreiden83080]

Let's tank next season and get the 1st overall pick.

j/k

LOL, there are no more Tim Duncan's left in this world

[ShoogarBear]

They need to follow Detroit's playbook for building a young bench (and give those guys some run during the regular season).

Drafting Americans? The hell you say.

[Emanuel20]

Detroit has really impressed me with the way they have fought and with Billups hurt. I mean everyone is stepping up, their bench is really good and young, and of course starters are awesome.
They are just taking care of business quietly but surely. Good for them!

[loveforthegame]

I don't expext Pop to say anything differently.

Collins mentioned that he talked to RC Buford before the game and he acknowleged they need to get younger and more athletic and how they're in a great position to do so this summer.

I imagine the Spurs look to upgrade everyone outside of Duncan, Parker, Ginobli, and Bowen if they can.

[Punkkboy44]

I just saw POP say no wholesale changes are needed..WTF!!!! THIS AINT 2 years ago when we lost to the MAVS..LISTEN TO BARKLEY..WHOLESALE CHANGES ARE NEEDED!!!! Vaughn, Oberto, Finley, Barry, Damon S., Bowen, Thomas, Bonner...and sorry to say..TRADE MANU NOW!!..Get a top 5 pick or something..I CANNOT STAND STRECHES OF NON SCORING ANYMORE...I WANT OFFENSE AND DEFENSE COMBINED!

[ChumpDumper]

For whom?

[SequSpur]

Outside of Parker and Duncan, the whole fucking team needs to go. Including Ginobili.

[tmtcsc]

We were old when the Mavs beat us in the semi finals a couple of years ago. People wanted to blow the team up then too. Truth is, there isn't much out there that would make us better.

Tiago's not coming right ?

[tmtcsc]

I don't expext Pop to say anything differently.

Collins mentioned that he talked to RC Buford before the game and he acknowleged they need to get younger and more athletic and how they're in a great position to do so this summer.

I imagine the Spurs look to upgrade everyone outside of Duncan, Parker, Ginobli, and Bowen if they can.

I'm encouraged by that but how exactly are we in a great position to do that ?

[Kori Ellis]

As much as everyone WANTS a bowen jr?

Hes not out there. Hes a one of a kind player that will be damn near impossible to find I'm afraid.

I am not asking for a duplicate of Bowen - that won't happen. Just the junior version. They need some who is young, WANTS to work to become a defensive specialist, and has some of the tools ... quick hands and feet.

[SRJ]

Udoka will never be Bowen Jr., he's not quick enough.

He's certainly not long enough to be BB2.

[ATXSPUR]

Outside of Parker and Duncan, the whole fucking team needs to go. Including Ginobili.

I never thought I would say this but I think you're right about Manu. He's a competitor...but he has been nothing but a liability this entire series minus game 3.

[The Truth #6]

Trying to find replacements for what we have isn't the right way to go in my opinion. For example, the coaches tried to see if Bonner would be their next Horry, but that's putting undue expectations on players to be something they're not. Possibly the same with Udoka. What about just good, solid role players that do something well and are willing to fit into the team concept? Basically, we just need solid hard-working players up and down the roster.

[Ronaldo McDonald]

Ginobili was not Ginobili this series. He was slow and tired, and you could just see it. It'd be retarded even think about trading him. Had he been healthy and been able to swiftyle get to the basket as usual this series would still be going on.

We need an s-jax type player.

[Flex9050]

Outside of Parker and Duncan, the whole fucking team needs to go. Including Ginobili.

He's one of the reasons the Spurs got to the finals in the first place. That would be a stupid, stupid move.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Ginobili was not Ginobili this series. He was slow and tired, and you could just see it. It'd be retarded even think about trading him. Had he been healthy and been able to swiftyle get to the basket as usual this series would still be going on.

We need an s-jax type player.

We needed a 4th scoring threat for sure.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

He's one of the reasons the Spurs got to the finals in the first place. That would be a stupid, stupid move.

If they get rid of Ginobili, the Spurs fans will realize how it's not just about the points. I wouldn't be surprised if Spurs lost in the 1st round without him, and the Spurs fans would be kicking themselves, when they'd get some regular season numbers guy who chokes and shrivels up the moment the playoffs start.
Making the WCF was the Spurs overachieving with a gimpy Manu keeping our backcourt elite.

[SenorSpur]

I don't like the sound of his answers to rebuilding next season. Anyone else catch this?

He said they just ran into a better team. They made it this far, doesn't mean they need to completely rechange their roster. :pctoss

Pop has long bristled at any references to the age of his roster. He did so again tonight, when asked a direct question. He claimed that "we've always tweaked the roster, regardless of whether we won a title or not."

I didn't like how defensive he seemed. Of course, he was being his usual smart-ass self. He's one stubborn SOB and I wouldn't be surprised if he did little.

Something else I heard on the NBATV postgame. Former Sixers GM, Billy King, was in the studio as guest. The studio host asked what Pop would do immediately following the loss. King replied, "knowing Pop he'll open up a bottle of wine and get away for a while with his family". He went onto say that R.C Buford would likely run the draft, but Pop, as Executive VP, would have final say on any acquisitions, trades, picks, etc. I often wondered how their relationship worked.

[hsxvvd]

One of the things we've always managed to do well, is retool for a new nemisis. RC and Pop will figure this shit out, but I'd be feeling a whole lot better if Presti was still around.

[Harry Callahan]

Detroit has had success drafting because they have talented scouts. The Spurs don't and don't seem to care to develop a corps of them. I would also mark Dumars much higher at this point as a GM than Buford, even despite the Darko fiasco.

Dumars also signed Nazi Muhammed to a long term, $30M contract to replace Ben Wallace. How'd that work out?

The Darko fiasco cost the Pistons at least one NBA championship.

Please name the Detroit scouts who are talented versus the Spurs scouts who are not so good. I'd like to know.

Don't get me wrong, the Spurs need some players now. They've got to draft a good player with the first rounder, sign him, and play him. They also need to get lucky in the 2nd round at get a player with one of the two picks they have (and maybe another future type guy) Ian must play NBA basketball next year as well.

[Harry Callahan]

If they get rid of Ginobili, the Spurs fans will realize how it's not just about the points. I wouldn't be surprised if Spurs lost in the 1st round without him, and the Spurs fans would be kicking themselves, when they'd get some regular season numbers guy who chokes and shrivels up the moment the playoffs start.
Making the WCF was the Spurs overachieving with a gimpy Manu keeping our backcourt elite.

Remember Vinny Del Negro? I try to forget.

Manu has had a major hand in winning a bunch of playoff series around here the last six years. Don't forget that.

[SpurAddict561]

Uh, whats he supposed to say, "Yeah we suck, we gotta blow this shit up"

lmaooooooooo

EXACTLY

sorry guys we sucked, time to rebuild this bitch!

[fishrap]

The Spurs have had great draft picks, especially when you consider they were all in the lower 1st round, Duncan is an exception. What happens after they get the picks is puzzling(Barbarosa, Scola). The Spurs will re-tool and will continue to be competetive.

[urunobili]

I. Udoka should be better next year

:tu

[urunobili]

lmaooooooooo

EXACTLY

sorry guys we sucked, time to rebuild this bitch!

stop doing crack

[vanvannen]

This team needs another offensive contributor. TD and Manu will only go downhill.

[dbestpro]

Manu is going to be 31 soon. There is not much time left for him as a shooting guard. If I could trade him to Portland for Outlaw and Webster, I'd do it.

[SenorSpur]

I am not asking for a duplicate of Bowen - that won't happen. Just the junior version. They need some who is young, WANTS to work to become a defensive specialist, and has some of the tools ... quick hands and feet.

Any player they target could require about 2 seasons to integrate into the Spurs defensive philosophy. IMO a rookie swingman, who is trying to find his way in the league, would be more coachable than a vet in taking this role.

Really, the Spurs should've brought potential candidates for this job 2 years ago.

[MoSpur]

I don't like the sound of his answers to rebuilding next season. Anyone else catch this?

He said they just ran into a better team. They made it this far, doesn't mean they need to completely rechange their roster. :pctoss

To me that means he's really saying, "I'm gonna get rid of a lot of these dudes that aren't named Parker, Duncan, & Ginobili.

[The Truth #6]

How do we know what he really means? When I first heard his comments I thought he was in denial in the same way he responded to the 2006 defeat. Part of me fears that the only way a bunch of our old players don't come back is if they don't want to come back for a new contract. Pop's one weakness is being stubborn and slowness to make changes. We saw that throughout the playoffs.

Pop might not want to change, but this time it might not be just his decision.

Perhaps Kelvin Sampson can help them evaluate college talent. We need to get serious with this year's draft. Last year's was a disaster.