Could Losing In the First Round Help in The Long Run?

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Originally Posted by ElNono

But who? Raja Bell is a guy I wouldn't mind filling that role, but I don't think he realistically could have been had. SJax is out of the question. Artest was available, but very expensive, selfish and a big gamble. I like Battier also, but I think he's pretty happy in Houston. You have to give me somebody that's unhappy with his team, doesn't earn a max or near max contract and has all the qualities you mentioned. There really isn't that many guys out there, especially that can really play solid D.

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I'd absolutely love if we got Trevor Ariza from free agency this summer. I seems near impossible, but he is the perfect man for the job.

It helps me make my vacation plans.

It helps me get a discount from the prepayment I had to make on playoff tickets.

It helps me stop fooling myself and dreaming about unlikely scenarios.

Does it help the Spurs ? Nope.

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Originally Posted by ElNono

But who? Raja Bell is a guy I wouldn't mind filling that role, but I don't think he realistically could have been had. SJax is out of the question. Artest was available, but very expensive, selfish and a big gamble. I like Battier also, but I think he's pretty happy in Houston. You have to give me somebody that's unhappy with his team, doesn't earn a max or near max contract and has all the qualities you mentioned. There really isn't that many guys out there, especially that can really play solid D.

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In six years, there were definitely some options to consider.

Let's start first with the guy they passed over in the 2003 NBA draft because they were busy pursuing Jason Kidd, the very summer Jax left - Josh Howard. This is not to say he's a stalwart defender, but he would've been a nice option for many years. Suitable scorer, decent defender, who has developed into a nice player and is in mid-career.

Then there was Mickael Pietrus. Very good defender. Aggresive. Excels in the open court

Hell, I would've taken a gamble on Ron Artest. He's doing well in Houston. Now seems to get it. Will be available in the offseason.

There were other possible options. Trevor Ariza, Desmond Mason, Renaldo Balkman, Matt Barnes, Dahntay Jones, Hakim Warrick, Yakhouba Diawara. Some of these guys are defenders only, with limited offensive games, but hey, so was Bowen, until he developed an 3-pt shot.

Then there is the guy I hope they go after this offseason - Luc Richard Mbah A Moute. Long, athletic, 6'8" SF, Terrific defender, who can defend multiple positions and block shots. Good offense around the basket, still raw but developing. Was an season-long starter for the Bucks. Because he was a 2nd round draft pick, he'll be an unrestricted FA this offseason.

You're right. There aren't many of those types out there. Some need more polish and development on the fly. However if a team makes a commitment, you never know.

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Originally Posted by ElNono

They went for Corey Maggette, and he got a better offer. They got Mason. They drafted Hill and played him. They went for Camby, and it didn't work out. They went for VC and it didn't work out either. Then they signed Gooden.

It's not like the FO didn't go out there to try to get more pieces. Sometimes, because of the contracts you have, or the situation a player is in, it's not that easy to actually get the moves done. But at least this season specifically, it was not because they didn't try.

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It didn't work out. They did not get the players period. How often does it not work out for the spurs. It didn't work out when they tried to get Sprewell, jR Smith Camby and R wallace and Carter and on and on. That is not a good front office if they never can make the big move to upgrade the talent.

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Originally Posted by ElNono

FYI, you're talking to a Laker fan.

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So which ever team someone thinks will win it all then they become a fan of that particular team. That is your logic.