Spurs To Sign Theo Ratliff, Add Another Veteran Big Man

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Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

McDyess replaced Thomas, essentially. Ratliff replaces Oberto.

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And Mahinmi back to D-league.

In a perfect world the Spurs would get a little more athletic on the front line, but with the LLE I can't really fault this pick up. If nothing else he'll have six fouls to give and probably swat a few shots in the process.

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And Mahinmi back to D-league.

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not eligible to go to d-league anymore

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Originally Posted by SpursZone

Reported by: Don Harris
Email: [email protected]
Last Update: 7/22 11:17 pm

San Antonio--The roster moves continue for the San Antonio Spurs. NBA sources confirming to News 4 WOAI's Don Harris that the Spurs have come to an agreement with veteran shot blocker Theo Ratliff. The 36 Year old center only played in 46 games with Philadelphia last year averaging about 13 minutes per game. He will be a nice addition as a 3rd center for the Spurs and can still defend in the low post and is still a very effective shot blocker who can defend the longer, bigger centers in the west. Ratliff likely won't play big minutes for the Spurs but can be an effective back-up if his health holds up. Ratliff is a 14 year NBA veteran who has played with 6 teams including the Pistons, Hawks, Sixers and Blazers.

:lobt2::lobt2::lobt2::lobt2::lobt2:

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Kevin Willis is T-Rex

Theo Ratliff who is? Brontosaurus

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Originally Posted by waly.mg

Kevin Willis is T-Rex

Theo Ratliff who is? Brontosaurus

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That was the greek stiff who used us as a leverage.

Nice move, instead of having Bonner and Duncan on defense we will have ratlif and Duncan. Hopefully he wont get alot of minutes though, maybe around 8-10

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Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

Ratliff gives the Spurs a physical, shotblocking presence as an option for when the Spurs face teams with a more traditional bigman. For a minimum or LLE contract, this isn't a bad acquisition.

Moving forward, the bigman rotation for next season may look like...

Starters
4 Duncan
5 McDyess

Bench
3/4 Haislip
4 Blair
4/5 Mahinmi
5 Ratliff

The Spurs appear to be ready to start the season with 20 year old Blair as the first bigman off the bench. Further, Ian Mahinmi figures to be the 4th bigman, while Pop will have Ratliff to go against bigger frontcourts or if he wants a greater defensive presence inside. Haislip appears to be RC's stab at finding the elusive big 3 who can play both forward spots. I think Gist will be slated for another year in Italy or will spend the season as a Toro. Bonner is on the way out.

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I still Laugh at the Duncan "4" stuff seriously ...he does not gaurd the quicker 4's and are you seriously going to put Antonio on any decent low post guys when you have a great defender with size like Tim? He is a center Yao is gone ....no need to market him at PF like last year he will be the West starting center in ALL-star game ..

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Originally Posted by PDXSpursFan

And Mahinmi back to D-league.

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Nope.

Decent acquisition, I would say.

It definitely can't hurt to have some more veteran presence around youngsters like Mahinmi/Blair, let alone having a shotblocking big. Also, we have six more fouls to give against Gasol/Shaq.

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Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

McDyess replaced Thomas, essentially. Ratliff replaces Oberto.

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Sounds about right.
Looks like Ian wont see any significant time this year. I didnt like the idea of 2 rookie bigs being backups as it was. In a playoff game, who do you want to see coming off the bench? Ian or Ratliff?

the rotations are going to be interesting .Pop in general only uses 2 bigs off the bench. Im guessing those 2 wll be bonner and Blair to start the season unless Pop wants to move dice in slowly into the position. Iam and Hailap will be lucky to see any time at all. I kinda hope we can work Ian in, but going to be hard to find time for him.

I really think Ratliff would just be just be used in situational games.

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Originally Posted by YODA

. Iam and Hailap will be lucky to see any time at all. I kinda hope we can work Ian in, but going to be hard to find time for him..

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Haislip will play the long 3 and some 4... book it :wakeup

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Originally Posted by urunobili

Haislip will play the long 3 and some 4... book it :wakeup

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agreed.

haislip will go guard guys like odom and dirk.

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Originally Posted by SsKSpurs21

agreed.

haislip will go guard guys like odom and dirk.

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Im all for being proven wrong. Now tell me WHY you think this.

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Originally Posted by Supergirl

def a downgrade from Kurt Thomas as our backup big, but I'm guessing KT wasn't getting dumped by Milwaukee and therefore wasn't available for re-signing. If Ratliff has anything left in the tank it could be a good signing. But that's a big if.

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Theo isn't the Thomas replacement. He's our 2010 version of either Tony Massenberg. The veteran 3rd center.

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Originally Posted by YODA

Im all for being proven wrong. Now tell me WHY you think this.

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Because he's an athletically tall and mobile 3. Something we haven't had in a long time.

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Originally Posted by Buddy Holly

Because he's an athletically tall and mobile 3. Something we haven't had in a long time.

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U really think he going to get time over Fin? Hailsap has proven nothing yet.
I need more than he is athletic and tall.

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Originally Posted by YODA

U really think he going to get time over Fin? Hailsap has proven nothing yet.

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Yes because Fin won't be a Spur for much longer (I hope) but beside that, Yes, I'd want Haislip guarding the likes of Odom and _irk over Finley. Call me crazy. :lol

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I need more than he is athletic and tall.

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He can create his own shot, can shoot the J, can shoot the three, can get up like crazy. Anything more he needs your majesty?

I don't see Haislip guarding 3s anymore than Gist would have.

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Originally Posted by YODA

U really think he going to get time over Fin? Hailsap has proven nothing yet.
I need more than he is athletic and tall.

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The season hasn't started yet. You could argue say, in May, if someone asked you if the Spurs would land Jefferson for Bowen, Oberto, Thomas, would you believe it? The Spurs FO is doing something special this year; something that it hasn't done in a very long time. One thing you can rely on, though, is that it is being very unpredictable (as always).

so the consensus is..good signing for the Spurs?

I don't think you can go wrong here. Theo is a good guy and if everyone is healthy or even most of them, he won't even get on the court. I see him sitting in a suit off of the active roster. In the locker room he will serve a purpose though. He will be a great person for Ian and to a lesser degree Blair to learn from. If we do have some injuries Hopefully he can come in and provide some D and get a few boards.

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Originally Posted by loveforthegame

I don't see Haislip guarding 3s anymore than Gist would have.

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Well, the GM of the Spurs thinks he can so the only conclusion I can come to is that you're not the GM of the Spurs. WTF! You lied man. You lied. :lol

Dick Cheney must be dancing in his grave!

Go Theo!

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Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

Ratliff gives the Spurs a physical, shotblocking presence as an option for when the Spurs face teams with a more traditional bigman. For a minimum or LLE contract, this isn't a bad acquisition.

Moving forward, the bigman rotation for next season may look like...

Starters
4 Duncan
5 McDyess

Bench
3/4 Haislip
4 Blair
4/5 Mahinmi
5 Ratliff

The Spurs appear to be ready to start the season with 20 year old Blair as the first bigman off the bench. Further, Ian Mahinmi figures to be the 4th bigman, while Pop will have Ratliff to go against bigger frontcourts or if he wants a greater defensive presence inside. Haislip appears to be RC's stab at finding the elusive big 3 who can play both forward spots. I think Gist will be slated for another year in Italy or will spend the season as a Toro. Bonner is on the way out.

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So where did you send Bonner to? :rolleyes