TuBasket.com: Erazem decides to play in NBA

There is zero chance of Lorbek coming over to be 3rd string five.

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Originally Posted by dbestpro

Lorbek in and Bonner out. Could see a move that sends Bonner back to a team like Toronto as they will have lots of cap space for maybe a protected 2nd round pick.

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Or just amnesty him.

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Originally Posted by TD 21

He's 6-10 or 11, can play with his back to the basket and has minimal athleticism/quickness, so I doubt they view him as a four. He might be fine with being the third string five/fifth big for one season, but what if Duncan plays two more seasons? And in the event they went with a Duncan/Splitter/Bonner/Lorbek big rotation, they'd have even less athleticism/quickness in their big rotation than they do now.

That's why I wonder, if they get a commitment or even a sense from Duncan, that he's going to play two more seasons, if they'll shop Splitter. He's already 27, injury prone, and similar to Hill, despite clearly being the fourth best player in the team, he's not the greatest fit with part of the big three (at least in Pop's eyes). So if they have Lorbek to take over as the backup five, they might shop Splitter, with Blair, for a starting four.

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I can see them attempting something similar but I highly doubt that they get a starting 4 in exchange for Splitter and Blair's combined salaries. If they look to move Splitter (and they should imo) they'll have to look more at getting a back-up point guard or at players who are currently on rookie salary with perhaps picks added on or something.

That said, you might be able to work something out with a team like Houston -they seem to have enough assets and I don't think they'd turn down a player who could help them get into the playoffs.

I can't say I'd be happy with the move though since given the accolades and the like, I'm still not convinced that trading Splitter and Blair to accommodate Lorbek is such a sound decision. In fact, I suspect that it would make us weaker up front than we already are. Unless the Spurs can maybe grab a slightly undersized but scrappy type from Houston to round things out or something.

Makes more sense to keep Diaw in the short run. TD and Manu don't have a long run.

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Originally Posted by Mel_13

Makes more sense to keep Diaw in the short run. TD and Manu don't have a long run.

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Actually that might work.

Duncan/Lorbek/Bonner
Diaw/Bonner/Blair
Leonard/Jax
Green/Manu/Neal
Parker/Back-up PG in exchange for Splitter

Still don't really like that frontcourt but that's a roster that could probably do well in the regular season.

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Originally Posted by angelbelow

This was discussed in Erazem's think tank thread, but I have absolutely no doubt that he'll be "interested" in the Spurs/NBA. All that does is drive up his market value for the European teams who really want him.

Unlike guys like Scola, Splitter, Gasol, this guy has never shown much interest in the NBA. I see his chances of willing to relocate and move to San Antonio as slim. I wouldn't be surprised if him and his agent are just driving up his value and expanding his options.

I would like to know what his estimated market value is and whether the Spurs can compete, financially, with some of the European teams. That should give us a clearer picture on the possibility of him coming over.

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:tu

How many times have we heard that some Euro player is "interested" in coming to the Spurs, as a way to negotiate a better contract? As far as I'm concerned, that's what they're all doing until I read that thay have actually signed a contract.


Lorbek is obviously a good player, but he's not going to be a bruiser in the paint - which is what we really need. Not that we wouldn't want him, but he's not going to change the complexion of the team. We have enough spreading, and scoring, and all that shit. We need a guy who can get in and root for position, block shots, and won't get pushed around at will.

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Originally Posted by Cant_Be_Faded

This will be like scola in summer 05 or splitter summer 08

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Depends. Who's Erazem's agent?

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Originally Posted by TheSkeptic

Actually that might work.

Duncan/Lorbek/Bonner
Diaw/Bonner/Blair
Leonard/Jax
Green/Manu/Neal
Parker/Back-up PG in exchange for Splitter

Still don't really like that frontcourt but that's a roster that could probably do well in the regular season.

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Assuming that Diaw is worth keeping, they won't be able to sign him and Lorbek.

I KNOW! Let's take Diaw AND Lorbek and just drop Bonner!

/kills self

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Originally Posted by Mel_13

Assuming that Diaw is worth keeping, they won't be able to sign him and Lorbek.

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Really? Why?

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Originally Posted by TheSkeptic

Really? Why?

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Because I don't think you can fit both into the MLE, and I don't believe either would sign for the BAE.

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Originally Posted by TheSkeptic

I can see them attempting something similar but I highly doubt that they get a starting 4 in exchange for Splitter and Blair's combined salaries. If they look to move Splitter (and they should imo) they'll have to look more at getting a back-up point guard or at players who are currently on rookie salary with perhaps picks added on or something.

That said, you might be able to work something out with a team like Houston -they seem to have enough assets and I don't think they'd turn down a player who could help them get into the playoffs.

I can't say I'd be happy with the move though since given the accolades and the like, I'm still not convinced that trading Splitter and Blair to accommodate Lorbek is such a sound decision. In fact, I suspect that it would make us weaker up front than we already are. Unless the Spurs can maybe grab a slightly undersized but scrappy type from Houston to round things out or something.

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I would ask those who keep making this suggestion, why in the world are some of you so quick to want Splitter shipped out of S.A.? This suggestion makes absolutely no sense - epseically for a team that is already thin on the frontline - at least from a skills standpoint anyway. After all, it's not like the Spurs are the Utah Jazz and have a plethora of big man options.

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Originally Posted by SenorSpur

I would ask those who keep making this suggestion, why in the world are some of you so quick to want Splitter shipped out of S.A.? This suggestion makes absolutely no sense - epseically for a team that is already thin on the frontline - at least from a skills standpoint anyway. After all, it's not like the Spurs are the Utah Jazz and have a plethora of big man options.

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It's not that I want Splitter shipped out. I wish he could stay and start getting the minutes he deserves.

But unfortunately, Pop has made his decision and short of a lightbulb moment he's not going to change. While I would be furious if Tiago went on to be an all-star/get further in the playoffs than our team (:lol) or something, he doesn't deserve to be on the bench playing behind Bonner, Blair, Diaw, and soon-to-be Lorbek.

If we can trade him and get a decent back-up PG then it's in everyone's best interests to do so. Both for Tiago's career, my sanity, and the team as far as a offensively-oriented roster goes.

I'll admit that it's a shame though because I can't shake the feeling I have that Tiago has the potential to be a really good player in this league. From what I've seen I don't get the same feeling about Lorbek but it could still be a good move...

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Originally Posted by TheSkeptic

It's not that I want Splitter shipped out. I wish he could stay and start getting the minutes he deserves.

But unfortunately, Pop has made his decision and short of a lightbulb moment he's not going to change. While I would be furious if Tiago went on to be an all-star/get further in the playoffs than our team (:lol) or something, he doesn't deserve to be on the bench playing behind Bonner, Blair, Diaw, and soon-to-be Lorbek.

If we can trade him and get a decent back-up PG then it's in everyone's best interests to do so. Both for Tiago's career, my sanity, and the team as far as a offensively-oriented roster goes.

I'll admit that it's a shame though because I can't shake the feeling I have that Tiago has the potential to be a really good player in this league. From what I've seen I don't get the same feeling about Lorbek but it could still be a good move...

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There's an old NBA adage that "you never trade BIG for SMALL". And in this case, I would concur. I get your position. However if Pop and RC give up on Splitter this early - and I don't think they will - then they would and should ruin the pristine reputations that they have built for themselves. In fact, shipping out Splitter would be a perposterous move for a team that is ALREADY thin up front.

If that should happen, we would all be well within our rights to criticize this organization for its failure to develop big men. They've already given up on Mahinmi too soon, so I would hope there is a lesson learned there - and they don't make the same mistake twice.

There's absolutely no reason to believe that the Spurs have given up on Splitter or have any intention of trading him. And the Mahinmi situation is not the least bit analogous to Splitter's situation.

The best is to keep Splitter and sign Lobrek....The guy can be on the floor and get playing time with Splitter or Timmy. His offense is better then Blair and Bonner and his defense is probably a little better then those two.

Diaw will get a bigger contract from some team..NJ, Portland etc..

I would look at who his agent is and tell them look we are interested but we are not going to be played. So either sign a decent deal or we move on...no B.S!

Anderson will be gone, Cory will still need another year in the D-Leauge, and I hate to say it but Mills is sucking it up big time lately.

So going into the summer we should first look at signing Lobrek...if he signs on then we look at trading..Blair, and keeping Green. Maybe amnesty Bonner?

Another question is we will only have RJ for one more year do we make a move him and go for Batum or Omri?

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Originally Posted by Mel_13

There's absolutely no reason to believe that the Spurs have given up on Splitter or have any intention of trading him. And the Mahinmi situation is not the least bit analogous to Splitter's situation.

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I agree with you in that I don't see how the Spurs FO could ever consider giving up on Splitter. Besides, a team that is already size-challenged along the frontline is in no position to give up on a serviceable big man. Therefore, the Ian situation, in my opinion, may not be analagous to Splitter situation, but it is germaine to the discussion.

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Originally Posted by SenorSpur

There's an old NBA adage that "you never trade BIG for SMALL". And in this case, I would concur. I get your position. However if Pop and RC give up on Splitter this early - and I don't think they will - then they would and should ruin the pristine reputations that they have built for themselves. In fact, shipping out Splitter would be a perposterous move for a team that is ALREADY thin up front.

If that should happen, we would all be well within our rights to criticize this organization for its failure to develop big men. They've already given up on Mahinmi too soon, so I would hope there is a lesson learned there - and they don't make the same mistake twice.

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Scola actually makes it three times. I was angrier about that than Mahinmi although I'm annoyed about Ian as well.

On a personal level I completely agree with you on trading bigs for smalls. Especially since I don't think Lorbek will be as good to start as Tiago has been this season. Forget about if Splitter actually got time to develop.

But I do think Lorbek would be good enough to be our third big and that he could help if we weren't so insistent on playing Bonner/Blair at all costs. Shipping Tiago significantly weakens our team imo but if Pop is insistent on going offense-first, then a back-up point is exactly what they need to go for.

We'll just have to resign ourselves to the fact that short of our coach coming to his senses, Tim/Manu will likely retire without another ring at the rate things are going...

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Originally Posted by BackHome

Another question is we will only have RJ for one more year do we make a move him and go for Batum or Omri?

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:wtf

Spurs don't really have the luxury to give into a trade demand from Splitter either. Besides, I do think he'll get a bigger role next season..

As for Lorbek vs. Diaw:
-Diaw is proving to be a nice fit so far. That makes him the safer pick between the two.
-Lorbek isn't a home run fit with us either. Pop doesn't always play new bigs right away and Lorbek is probably a center rather than a power forward. Which means it'll be Duncan vs. Splitter vs. Lorbek for minutes.

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Originally Posted by Manu_Forever

STOP BEING A FREAKING TROLL.

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