ESPN: Horry plans to play another season

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailyd...-060521/dalsas

San Antonio's Robert Horry has played in more Game 7s than any other active player.

Seven, fittingly.

Chances are, though, that Monday's Game 7 against the Mavericks won't be Horry's last.

Big Shot Rob told me the other day that he plans to play at least one more season, which would be his 15th in the NBA.

I told Horry that I had to ask only because he has made a habit throughout this series of lamenting his advancing age. The 35-year-old, who turns 36 in August, is actually under contract to the Spurs for the next two seasons at a little less than $7 million.

After playing just nine minutes in Game 4, small-balled off the floor by the Mavs' up-tempo game, Horry said: "I feel like a damn dinosaur. I'm extinct now. Back in the day, it was me playing small ball, jetting around people. Now, the roles are reversed. They're getting around me. You just have to deal with it the best you can. It happens. It's part of getting old."

-- Marc Stein in San Antonio

I'd trade him playing next year for him making a difference this postseason.

:tu

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Originally Posted by ShoogarBear

I'd trade him playing next year for him making a difference this postseason.

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:tu

Dear Robert:

It's OK to shoot. Really.

Signed,
San Antonio

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Originally Posted by CubanMustGo

Chances are, though, that Monday's Game 7 against the Mavericks won't be Horry's last.

Big Shot Rob told me the other day that he plans to play at least one more season, which would be his 15th in the NBA.

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Yay! http://i4.tinypic.com/10eqxcx.gif http://i4.tinypic.com/10eqys7.gif

It would be nice if the Spurs could slip Tim Thomas into that spot that Horry now holds.

I have a feeling we are going to see a couple of three's from big shot tonight..

I am cool with Big Shot still playing- as long as it is for us! :)

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Originally Posted by angel_luv

I am cool with Big Shot still playing- as long as it is for us! :)

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I'm perfectly fine with him sitting on the bench. It's better than him playing for the opposition... I still have nightmares...

I thought he already retired.

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Originally Posted by tlongII

I thought he already retired.

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I really do like it when you and jessica post..

:lol @Tlong.

Horry has got to show up tonight. Spurs need him in a big way. With small ball, I had expected him to come up huge this series, not just with big shots...but with offensive rebounding, playing smart basketball, etc. Spurs need his hustle and veteran play tonight if they want any chance to counteract the Mavs. I expect the Mavs to come out blazing after losing 2 opportunities to close out the Spurs. I also think Jason Terry and Dirk will have huge games and that Harris will bounce back from a bad Game 6, with Terry back to control PG duties. Come on Horry...one last time! :)

I'm hoping he decides to hang it up. There is very little left in that tank and the Spurs could use the cap room.

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Originally Posted by MannyIsGod

I'm hoping he decides to hang it up. There is very little left in that tank and the Spurs could use the cap room.

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Horry retiring would only affect the luxury tax. Spurs will have no cap room for the immediate future.

By the end of next year come playoff time:

Barry - 36
Bowen -35
Finley - 33
Horry - 36
Oberto - 32
Nesterovic - 31

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Originally Posted by picnroll

By the end of next year come playoff time:

Barry - 36
Bowen -35
Finley - 33
Horry - 36
Oberto - 32
Nesterovic - 31

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damn. :wow :wow

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Originally Posted by picnroll

By the end of next year come playoff time:

Barry - 36
Bowen -35
Finley - 33
Horry - 36
Oberto - 32
Nesterovic - 31

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Only one of those guys is a starter...and you act like Rasho getting older is going to make him lose something...

There's nothing wrong with having old guys on your bench...that just can't be all that you have...


Look at the 02-03 team:
Kerr - 37
Ferry - 36
Drob - 37
Kevin Willis - 40
Smitty - 33
Bruce - 31



That group is much older...and it saved our ass and helped win the title...

the problem with this current team is that we have absolutely no youth, size or athleticism at the 2 and 3...it's not that our old guys suck, perse...it's that we have no no versatility and youth anywhere on the team at those positions...the most athletic positions in the NBA.

One young guy can totally change our bench...

And old bigmen are not that big of a deal, actually they are probably better than young ones as backups, as long as you aren't relying on them too heavily...


It's a catch 22...the old guys, they know how to keep themselves sharp and give you consistency off the bench, the young ones you never know what the hell you are going to get...it could be great, it could be awful...that's why it's best to have a mixture of both.


The only true crucial age problem we have on this team is Bowen...he's a huge part of this team and he is getting up there in years.

Personally I wouldn't care too much if Robert Horry retired, he’s ok but that would sure free some money up to bring in other players. Plus, my wife thinks he hansom and I have the listen to that every game.

Only one guy is a starter but in small ball four of them make up our seven/eight man core and small ball isn't going away. NVE is another of are small ball contignet to replace but Spurs could probably pick up something from the museum to fill that spot. Dallas will continue to exploit the Spurs vulnerabilities in it. Suns obviously will exploit the Spurs vulnerbility in it, as will others. Pop is getting buy on string and airplane glue so far.

You want to count on a year older group of guys like this, a touch slower next year. You want to hope that all these senior citizens are healthy enough to go come playoff time, We need minimum one, preferably two younger, more athletic swing players. And we need a young, more mobile big.

game 6 he shot
he realized he was needed

Given that Rob has a guaranteed contract for next year- I would expect him to play. The year after that has a buy-out.

RoHo is one of the biggest ballers the NBA has ever seen. will be sad to see him go.

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Originally Posted by MannyIsGod

I'm hoping he decides to hang it up. There is very little left in that tank and the Spurs could use the cap room.

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As far as I'm concerned, Horry is more than welcome to hang around for another couple of years in the Steve Kerr Memorial bench assassin role.

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Originally Posted by picnroll

Only one guy is a starter but in small ball four of them make up our seven/eight man core and small ball isn't going away. NVE is another of are small ball contignet to replace but Spurs could probably pick up something from the museum to fill that spot. Dallas will continue to exploit the Spurs vulnerabilities in it. Suns obviously will exploit the Spurs vulnerbility in it, as will others. Pop is getting buy on string and airplane glue so far.

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I agree...that's the problem in this series...but that most certainly is a problem that will be adressed in the offseason...since the ages you listed were for next season...I was just making a point that those ages, in and of themselves are not the problem...it's the lack of a long young SF more thing anything else...add that to our team and that bench looks just fine, aged or not.

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You want to count on a year older group of guys like this, a touch slower next year. You want to hope that all these senior citizens are healthy enough to go come playoff time, We need minimum one, preferably two younger, more athletic swing players. And we need a young, more mobile big.

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Um...seeing as how just about every title we won has been done carrying a lot of age on the bench...I feel quite secure with having vets on the bench...as long as it's got some youth to go with it...again, it's not the age that bothers me, it's the lack of youth and size at the 3.


It's not what is on the bench that is the problem, it's what isn't on it.

And I agree with your assessments of the needs on the frontline...only I see that need being filled by one player instead of two, a long SF, who would be a PF in this series, and we still wouldn't really have to play small ball as it is now known in the NBA...but Javtokas coming over can easily fill the second need you mentioned.

its all about the money now horry :D who wouldnt with 7mill left on contract playin in texas is income tax free.

And I am quite happy with Robert Horry on the bench and will feel that way for the rest of his career...anyone that doesn't like seeing Robert Horry on that bench, in any role, at any age, hasn't been watching the NBA for the last 15 years. IF Horry is on there as the 11th man that is ok with me...it'll be a better bench than if he isn't on it.

Rob will continue to play a key role for us in certain playoff situations. Having a guy will all those rings on our roster makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I'm glad he wants two more years after this. . .I'd like to see him run out of fingers for rings.

Horry may not be hitting the threes (yet), but he's playing ball, good D and getting rebounds, right?

We'll need him to single-handedly win a Game in Detroit again this year...

Last Game he had 6 points, 4 rebounds, a steal, and 2 blocked shots in 17 minutes.

That's not bad...

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Originally Posted by picnroll

By the end of next year come playoff time:

Barry - 36
Bowen -35
Finley - 33
Horry - 36
Oberto - 32
Nesterovic - 31

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Dear Pop and RC,

Please purge some of the age on this team and inject it with a couple of younger, more athletic players. You'll be wise to do so if you expect to hold off the Mavs, Suns and Kings in coming seasons.

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Originally Posted by SenorSpur

Dear Pop and RC,

Please purge some of the proven veteran winners on this championship bench and inject it with a couple of inexperienced and unproven players. There'll be no gurantees any of these players will pan out ,but it's always best to break up a title winning team and become less experienced than the Mavs and Kings, rather than adding to it.

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Fixed that for ya...

Lest whottt forget Barry had a foot and four toes out the door. Saved by a funeral. Pop knows what needs addressing.

Not everyone needs to go but you can bet the only ones that Pop is not going to tinker with in trade talk are the big three. Maybe Finley out of honoring his decision to come here.

lol

nice fix whottt.


I think the additions of Sanikidze, javtokas, and whoever else they get to back up Parker next year fix this, a Claxton or Bobby Jackson hopefully.

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Maybe Finley out of honoring his decision to come here.

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and as shown in these playoffs, when conserved, he can play heavy minutes come playoff time, AND , produce.

I agree Finley has been great but Pop will use his assets to adress his weaknesses. Finley might be off limits for that.

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Originally Posted by whottt

Fixed that for ya...

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I agree that we shouldn't jettison our experienced players. And young isn't worth much unless we get guys who can actually give us good minutes with the season on the line -- sorry, Beno.

Still, we need to start developing the guys who are going to be playing those key minutes in a couple of years, because we have several key guys who aren't real far from the end of their careers.

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Originally Posted by picnroll

Lest whottt forget Barry had a foot and four toes out the door. Saved by a funeral. Pop knows what needs addressing.

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And it is very arguable on if we'd still be playing right now if we had done that trade....

And I say this as a guy very unhappy with Barry's passing of late...IDGAF what he is shooting...he's making too many TO's.

But he's still better, at least for right now, than JR Smith would have been.

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Not everyone needs to go but you can bet the only ones that Pop is not going to tinker with in trade talk are the big three. Maybe Finley out of honoring his decision to come here.

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Ahhh but I have recently come across some information(from legendary Spurs FA and Draft analyst Cleve Steamer) that the piece we need can be added to the team without us giving up a thing...


Stay tuned:

I give you:


http://www.newsday.com/media/photo/2005-12/20895525.jpg

That's Trevor Ariza in case you were wondering...JR who?

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But he's still better, at least for right now, than JR Smith would have been.

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How do you know?

Hes athetlic, and shoots 40% from threes.

On top of that, hes got kind of a Stephen Jackson chip on his shoulder.

I think the piece your talking about is in the draft, is it not Whottt?

Agree it may have been a fatal mistake but it probably shows you where Pop is heading.

JR Smith>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Trevor Ariza

Ariza doesn't have the outside game that Smith does.

Plus Smith is younger.

JR Smith most assuredly not better than Trevor Ariza...he's damn sure not a better defender.


Outside game is the only thing Ariza does not have...absolutely the only thing...he's 21. And his intensity and work ethic is unquestionable.

Ariza would be a nice pickup. Ariza plus Banks would instantly solve the Spurs youth, athlecitism, to some extent rebounding from the 3 and would gives the Spurs some very tough second unit D.

One thing is some talented young guys have to be looking at the Spurs and seeing windows of opportunity with the Spurs age. And Pop has earned some players some nice contracts on or off the Spurs.

Why would anyone ever consider trading FIN after the last couple of games? He's the guy playing with the most heart out there except for maybe Tim, he even took one in the balls for this team! Dude has hit big shots night after night (2 big shots that went unnoticed because we ended up with the loss, game 3 round 1, and game 4 round 2) and played with fire this whole series not to mention was a key factor in winning the last two games.

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Originally Posted by George Gervin's Afro

I really do like it when you and jessica post..

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Who the fuck is Jessica???!!!!!! :cuss :huh

TPark...this JR Smith:

.R. Smith | 23
Season statistics & Notes Season splits Game-by-game stats Bio Printable player file


2005-06
Statistics
PPG 7.7
RPG 2.00
APG 1.1
EFF + 6.15


Position: G
Born: Sep 9, 1985
Height: 6-6 / 1,98
Weight: 220 lbs. / 99,8 kg.
High School : St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, NJ)
Career Highlights
got milk? Rookie of the Month in Jan., Feb. and March during 2004-05 season
Recorded career-high 33 points and six 3-point field goals vs. Memphis (3/26/2005)


2005-06 Statistics
REBOUNDS PER GAME
Team G GS MPG FGM-A FG% 3PM-A 3P% FTM-A FT% OFF DEF TOT APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
NOK 55 25 18.0 144-366 .393 52-140 .371 83-101 .822 .3 1.7 2.0 1.1 .67 .07 .98 1.60 7.7





CAREER AVERAGES
REBOUNDS PER GAME
YEAR TEAM G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
04-05 NOH 76 56 24.5 .394 .288 .689 .5 1.5 2.0 1.9 .72 .14 1.43 1.80 10.3
05-06 NOK 55 25 18.0 .393 .371 .822 .3 1.7 2.0 1.1 .67 .07 .98 1.60 7.7
Career 131 81 21.7 .394 .316 .740 .4 1.6 2.0 1.5 .70 .10 1.24 1.70 9.2


This is Trevor Ariza:

Position: F
Born: Jun 30, 1985
Height: 6-8 / 2,03
Weight: 210 lbs. / 95,3 kg.
College : UCLA
Head-to-Head Comparisons



2005-06 Statistics
REBOUNDS PER GAME
Team G GS MPG FGM-A FG% 3PM-A 3P% FTM-A FT% OFF DEF TOT APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
NYK 36 10 19.7 61-146 .418 1-3 .333 42-77 .545 1.4 2.4 3.8 1.3 1.19 .25 1.28 2.20 4.6
ORL 21 0 13.8 32-80 .400 0-2 .000 35-50 .700 1.4 2.5 3.9 .7 .67 .10 .76 1.00 4.7
-- 57 10 17.5 93-226 .412 1-5 .200 77-127 .606 1.4 2.5 3.8 1.1 1.00 .19 1.09 1.80 4.6





CAREER AVERAGES
REBOUNDS PER GAME
YEAR TEAM G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
04-05 NYK 80 12 17.3 .442 .231 .695 1.1 1.9 3.0 1.1 .88 .23 .91 1.90 5.9
05-06 NYK 36 10 19.7 .418 .333 .545 1.4 2.4 3.8 1.3 1.19 .25 1.28 2.20 4.6
05-06 ORL 21 0 13.8 .400 .000 .700 1.4 2.5 3.9 .7 .67 .10 .76 1.00 4.7
05-06 -- 57 10 17.5 .412 .200 .606 1.4 2.5 3.8 1.1 1.00 .19 1.09 1.80 4.6
Career 137 22 17.4 .431 .222 .658 1.2 2.1 3.4 1.1 .93 .20 .99 1.80 5.3



Ariza is taller and longer, he's a better rebounder and defender and he's a good inside scorer...and he's got a work ethic...kid won a spot in a big market rotation at the age of 19....


I don't like trotting 6'6 guys out there on Nowtizki...that's what we are doing right now...I think that sucks.

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Originally Posted by picnroll

Ariza would be a nice pickup. Ariza plus Banks would instantly solve the Spurs youth, athlecitism, to some extent rebounding from the 3 and would gives the Spurs some very tough second unit D.

One thing is some talented young guys have to be looking at the Spurs and seeing windows of opportunity with the Spurs age. And Pop has earned some players some nice contracts on or off the Spurs.

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I am not too uptodate on the Banks situation but I doubt we get him...

But let's just say we could...

So you add Banks, Ariza(said to be signable at 2.5 mil), Javtokas...

All of a sudden that bench looks shit hot...and we still have Barry, Finley and Horry, Bowen and Rasho or Nazr......and probably Oberto.

Is age a problem then? No it isn't...

But I'd say just adding Ariza and Javtokas...which is easily doable with the MLE and no trades involved...fixes all the teams major needs(except PG)...

I mean yeah we are still old at the 2...but we'd have Manu, Finley and Barry to plug in there...I'd trade youth for that kind of depth at one position.


IOW...these problems we face are easily fixed without blowing up our bench, fantasy land trades, and dumping, most notably, ROBERT FREAKING HORRY, ARE YOU PEOPLE FREAKING INSANE!

He signed a 3 year deal in the summer, so that means this year and another 2 years

Spurs HAVE to sign a backup PG. I recognize that the Beno experiment isn't working. Some of the Spurs opposition, some major, can throw two good PGs at them in small ball, Paul and Claxton, Terry and Harris to name a couple. Spurs need to counter that. They also need a physicl quick PG. AS good a year as Parker has had there are times where he's scored a lot and given up a lot. NVE was no solution to the Spurs backup PG situation, that's not something I want to live through next year. So if not Banks, someone. He's the best solution I see if Spurs can land him.

imo Spurs would like to lose some salary and avoid the luxury tax or minimize how far they go into it, particularly if they spend the MLE. So they'll make some moves to do that.

Well yeah...and Shaq is the best solution at C if the Spurs can land him...

The impression I get is that Banks tore it up with Minnesota and they have no intention of letting him go...and it's even less likely they are going to let him go if Garnett starts making noises about wanting out.


I could be wrong...but didn't Banks finish the season as Minny's starter?

Banks carries no Bird rights. One rumor has them going after Marbury. If that's true are they going to spend much MLE on a backup PG. Maybe.

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Originally Posted by picnroll

imo Spurs would like to lose some salary and avoid the luxury tax or minimize how far they go into it, particularly if they spend the MLE. So they'll make some moves to do that.

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They'll lose some of that if Nazr walks and is replace with Javtokas.

I don't doubt the Spurs want to dump Barry and Rasho...that doesn't mean they are going to be able to do it...

I don't think the Hornets are going to be as willing to let JR Smith go for an aging vet in the offseason...nor do I think the Spurs are going to see him as the best they can get this summer...that trade sounds like it was something the Hornets were willing to do in the hunt for a playoff spot.

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Originally Posted by picnroll

Banks carries no Bird rights. One rumor has them going after Marbury. If that's true are they going to spend much MLE on a backup PG. Maybe.

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But even if he leaves, don't you figure he'll look for a starting spot somewhere? Rumor has it that the Lakers are interested, and you can bet he'd start ahead of Smush Parker.

Don't get me wrong -- it would be great if we got Banks. But it seems like a longshot to me.

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Originally Posted by picnroll

Banks carries no Bird rights. One rumor has them going after Marbury. If that's true are they going to spend much MLE on a backup PG. Maybe.

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I didn't know that...but that need is still not as great as the need for a long SF that can defend...and he is likely to suck up a lot of the MLE.


Long SF is the crucial need for this team...and so wil be replacing Nazr if he leaves. That's our MLE right there.


And don't forget...we won a title last year with Beno as the back up...because we had Barry.

I'd prefer Ariza to Smith too.

Barry I think carries value. Lots of teams could use a guy that can sink the three, handle the ball, occassional go to the rim, and is a great locker room guy with maturity.

Rasho. You might have to throw in Manu or Parker.

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Originally Posted by strangeweather

But even if he leaves, don't you figure he'll look for a starting spot somewhere? Rumor has it that the Lakers are interested, and you can bet he'd start ahead of Smush Parker.

Don't get me wrong -- it would be great if we got Banks. But it seems like a longshot to me.

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He might. But that's fools gold for Banks. He's unlikely to be a starting quality PG on a contender level team. He's solid back up/combo talent in my opinion. I think if he goes to the Lakers as a starter eventually they'll look for an upgrade. Just like Claxton and GS. Probably a longshot though.

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Originally Posted by picnroll

He might. But that's fools gold for Banks. He's unlikely to be a starting quality PG on a contender level team. He's solid back up/combo talent in my opinion. I think if he goes to the Lakers as a starter eventually they'll look for an upgrade. Just like Claxton and GS. Probably a longshot though.

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You're probably right that he's not a legit starter for a high-level team. But how many young guys in the league would turn down a starting job if they can get one? Any young player worth his salt will believe in himself, and want the chance to prove he can play at that level. It's only after a player tries and fails that he'll acknowledge his limitations.

Not that I'm right or that Banks would see it that way but if Banks goes to the Lakers what is the likihood that he functions as a real PG? First you have Kobe who dominates the ball. Then you have the triangle offense which is not PG distributor friendly. Smush expressed displeasure several time this year with his situation when he was starting. On the Spurs he might not start but if he believed in himself he might think, hey I can beat out Parker. And at least he'd have the opportunity when he was in to function as a real PG. If I was a PG and wanted to develop LA would be low on my list.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by picnroll

Not that I'm right or that Banks would see it that way but if Banks goes to the Lakers what is the likihood that he functions as a real PG? First you have Kobe who dominates the ball. Then you have the triangle offense which is not PG distributor friendly. Smush expressed displeasure several time this year with his situation when he was starting. On the Spurs he might not start but if he believed in himself he might think, hey I can beat out Parker. And at least he'd have the opportunity when he was in to function as a real PG. If I was a PG and wanted to develop LA would be low on my list.

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A fair point.

lebron is young and his countract is pretty cheap. I think we should go after him. Because we keep winning, we wouldn't have an opportunity to pick high in the draft.

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Originally Posted by whottt

That's Trevor Ariza in case you were wondering...JR who?

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Has Orlando called and offered Ariza for Barry? No? Didn't think so...

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Originally Posted by exstatic

Has Orlando called and offered Ariza for Barry? No? Didn't think so...

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http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sport...coll=orl-magic

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The Magic, gearing up for the 2007 offseason, are not expected to make a big splash in free agency and will be cost-conscious.They likely will decide to keep either veteran reserve Bo Outlaw or Stacey Augmon and probably will not match offers for restricted free-agent forward Trevor Ariza that climb past the minimum.

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Anything else? Ass?

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Originally Posted by picnroll

By the end of next year come playoff time:

Barry - 36
Bowen -35
Finley - 33
Horry - 36
Oberto - 32
Nesterovic - 31

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By the time the playoffs come around next year, Barry will only be 35. He's 3 days younger than I am...and that's not old, dammit! :spin

You're obviously in better shape than he is.