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Originally Posted by FromWayDowntown
I understand what you're saying but fundamentally disagree with your position. This team HAS to have a third point guard -- a third true point -- because of the fact that both Parker and Udrih are relatively fragile players. Last year demonstrated that need as clearly as could be possible. Wilks isn't a great answer, but he's at least a body who has an understanding of the system and some ability to play the game. Better than scouring the Aussie waiver wires, if you ask me.
We'll have to disagree about Wilks. I think the Spurs could get a Wilks-caliber player on short notice if they needed to. And don't forget, Barry is certainly capable of filling in at point guard and Manu can play there as well. Lint and Devin Brown could get some more minutes at the swing position if it becomes necessary. I'd rather have a pure shooter than keep Wilks around.
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As for Eddie Robinson -- I'll never understand the fascination with him. Sure he's 6'8" and athletic, but he's had plenty of opportunities, with different teams and coaches to prove that he can play at the NBA level. Somehow, he's never done anything and was so ineffective that the Chicago Bulls bought him out. They paid money for him to go away. I wouldn't touch Eddie Robinson with a 10 foot pole, and I'm befuddled by those who see anything in this guy as a basketball player.
I think people are fascinated with him because he's got the size and athleticism to become a good player if he ever gets his shit together. I agree that it's not likely. I'm not advocating that the Spurs bring him it, just that athletic swingmen are always available if the Spurs want to take a chance. Hopefully Lint will get a chance.
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Better off than what? Better off with those guys than with Brent Barry?
Better off with those guys than Wilks.
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Well, I don't think Person is likely to be available, since it appears he's going to play a role with Miami. Piatkowski might be available, but if his shooting was such a certainty, why was he unable to get consistent minutes on a good Houston team last season? You'd think, with the offensive troubles the Rockets had last year, that a shooter would have been integral to Van Gundy, but somehow, Piatkowski never really could crack the rotation.
If the Spurs really want a shooter, they'll be able to pick somebody up.
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I agree that shooters are helpful, but here's a question: when Manu and Parker are struggling with their outside shots, are you going to sit them for long stretches in favor of a journeyman shooter? If not -- if you're going to join such a journeyman shooter with Parker and Ginobili during those droughts -- what's the difference between using Barry in that role and using Piatkowski or Person or anyone else in that role? I'd argue that Barry is a substantially better choice than any of those other guys because if he's not hitting shots, he can at least do a number of other things to help your team score. Piatkowski and Person are one-dimensional players who are helpful only when they are making shots.
I understand your concern here, but I'm not asking Pop to play another shooter for 30 mpg or anything. I just would like someone on the bench who can hit some shots when Parker, Manu, and Bowen are shooting poorly. Not one of the starters is a pure shooter. Barry will provide help some of the time, but if he gets injured or is held to limited minutes, the Spurs will miss his shooting. As bad as Hedo was last season, he really opened things up during the regular season. The Spurs might have advanced had he not disappeared in the playoffs.
We're not talking about a big-minutes kind of guy. I'm hoping for someone capable of coming in for ten minutes here and there and opening things up in the middle for Tim. When the team is struggling from the outside, this player could open things up and force the opponent to adjust. Sort of like Steve Kerr used to do.
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Piatkowski or Person would just be Steve Smith 2005.
Person is more mobile than Smith. Smith lost his mobility. Person and Pike are still capable NBA players.
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about the lack of a 2nd shooter,
dev has been shooting 3 pointers all offseason for a reason. Pop knows what you know.
Brown could be that player, but I'm not convinced that he's the answer. He'll need more minutes to prove to me that he's a good perimeter option. I'm all for Pop giving him the minutes, but I'm still not comfortable with him being relied upon to hit most of his jumpers.
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A pass first PG. One that actually has more assists than KG.
There is some evidence that Beno could be that player. We'll have to wait and see.
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The reason I said it's not the off season is, because who are you going to find NOW sitting out there that fits YOUR needs. You're going to have to trade someone to get someone. Who are you going to trade, besides the untradable Malik.
There are several ways to obtain players during the regular season. Sometimes teams release veterans like Charlie Ward. Matt Carroll-esque young shooters are always available. A first or second round pick could bring a vet minimum player in return. I'm not saying that the Spurs need to find answers now, I'm claiming that perimeter shooting will continue to be a problem just like it was in the playoffs last season and that the team will have to address it eventually.
Could Parker become consistent enough to do the job? It's possible. I'm willing to wait and see, but I hope that the Spurs have a plan if the perimeter shooting is still a weakness come playoff time.
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The two people you mention, Wesley and Piat make more than the min. So who are you going to trade, that the other team would take?????????
Wes makes about $1.6 million. Something could probably be worked out there. Kareem Rush isn't getting much PT in Los Angeles. He makes $1.17 million. It's possible he could be had for a pick or two. I'm not sure about Peeler's contract, but he can make shots. Even Tracy Murray can make shots. There are veteran players available and young player too. If the Spurs really want a shooter, they'll come up with something.
And for the right player (and it would have to really be the right player), I could see the Spurs trading Devin Brown and include the rights to Scola.
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Yes I agree Johnson doesn't have an outside shot, but neither does E. Robinson, so what's the difference??????
Linton plays defense. Nobody has said that the Spurs should get Eddie.
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If your not basing it on three games, then what are you comparing it too?
Last year's playoffs. One of the reasons they lost is because nobody could make a perimeter shot. The Spurs replaced Hedo with Barry. Will that be enough?
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You're not being calm by saying we need at least two new players after three games, I call that uncalm.
I'm being perfectly calm. I think the Spurs need a shooter. I'm willing to wait and see about the toughness issue. If Massenburg actually plays some minutes, I'll be happy. If he doesn't, it's still going to be a problem up front. I'm willing to take a chance on a swingman if one becomes available.
Would you rather pick up a young swingman with some length and potential or keep Wilks? I'm not asking for Rashard Lewis.
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Every team has weakness, I can admit anything. I'm just not going to say the need changes after three games. They have all they need on they're current roster.
Answer me this: If I can't make judgements about the team based on three games, how can you possibly know that the Spurs have all that they need after three games? If you're going to claim that I can't judge anything by three games, at least do the same yourself.
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A tall athletic swingman to hold Lint's place is all we need.
Want one that can score? John Wallace.
Want one that can defend? Donnell Harvey.
Want one that can do a little of both? Terence Morris.
Waive Wilks and get one of these guys.
As soft as we played, we would've caught and passed the Sonics had we been able to get a hand in Lewis/Radman's faces.
Sounds good to me.
