Overview of Spur's season / playoff

[bless1187]

Tony Parker: Had the best season of his career, and developed into a top 3 pg in the NBA. Signed through 2011.

Roger Mason: Started the season off really well, and impressed with his long range shooting and hit plenty of big shots. But as the season winds down, and team knows how to play him which is physically and giving him little space, he started struggling; and in the playoff his performance was basically non-existent. Signed through 2010. (expect him to be back as one of the role player; but i wouldn't be surprised if he gets traded either.)

Michael Finley: He had his usual season, which is making perimeter shot, while playing hard on defense. He made some pretty big shots for us; but didn't shoot well either in the playoff, but with that said he was probably our third best contributor in the playoff, since the other role players struggled even more. Signed through 2010. (expect him to be back at a reduced role on the team, since i don't really think he has any trade value at his age.)

Tim Duncan: Started the season off really well, he was having one of his better season statistically, and were even in a brief talk for MVP, but the 2nd half of the season, injury effected his play, but with all said and done, he was still pretty effective in the playoff. Signed through 2012

Matt Bonner: Started the season of decently, he was hitting shots, playing hard on D, and getting some rebounds. But i always had the feeling that he wasn't the solution at Center for a playoff contender, since if you look at it, he's one of the worst starting front court player in the whole NBA. He started struggling the 2nd half of the season, and when the playoff came along, he was absolutely ineffective, and was probably our worst player. Signed through 2010 (expect him to be back at a reduced role, but wouldn't surprise he get traded but there's not much value for him.)

George Hill: Played really well when Tony Parker was out early with injury. His jumper may be inconsistent at times, but his size, defense, and athleticism is something that is lacking on the current Spurs team. He fell out of the rotation during the 2nd half of the season. He wasn't in the rotation in the playoff till game 4 and game 5. Signed through 2010 (expect him to be back in the rotation as our back up point guard.)

Bruce Bowen: He has always been a offensive liability when he is on the court, but his amazing defense pretty much makes up for it. But this year, i truly see him lost a bit of step in him; while still a effective defender, but not like before. He fell out of the rotation for about two month, and wasn't really back into the rotation until Manu went out. He was inserted into the starting line up in Game 4 & Game 5, he didn't hurt the team nor really helped it. Signed through 2010 "partially guaranteed (i think his time with the Spurs could finally come to an end.)

Ime Udoka: Fans expected big things out of him this year, but his play the early part of the season had him in Pop's dog house until maybe the last two month of the season. He plays really physical and hard, but i just don't see him as being talented enough. He played big minutes in the playoff and was responsible for guarding Dirk when we went small. Free Agent (i don't think Spurs would resign him.)

Kurt Thomas: Started the season off poorly, but really found his groove after a few month. He played good physical defense, knocked down the mid range shot, and provided rebounding, In the playoff, he wasn't as effective, but i also think that Mavericks is also just a really bad match up for him. Signed through 2010 (expect him to be back and playing the same role.)

Drew Gooden: He was a late season pick up. He had his problems on defense and shot selection, but his performance overall is very good. It was impressive what he was doing when he was getting playing time. I was very surprised with his skills and footwork for a big man. He had 2 good games in the playoff, and 2 bad games, which probably lead to his DNP-CD in game 5. FA (I wish he could come back, since i think he can be our solution for the center position, since who out there can you see as a REALISTIC and better option than him; i felt that he deserved more playing time; and i truly believed that he be a big contribution for us in the playoff, if he had been given more consistent minutes; but i don't think he'll be back, he deserves a better treatment, and a bigger role than a bench warmer.)

Jacque Vaughn: wasn't in rotation. FA (don't expect him back.)

Fabricio Oberto: wasn't in rotation. Signed through 2010 "partially guaranteed" (don't expect him back.)

Emanuel Ginobili: He was injured half of the season, and when he played, he really a bit inconsistent with his play. He was out for the playoff. I don't really know how effective he would be once he returns next season. Signed through 2010.

Ian Mahinmi: Prospect big man, out the whole season with injury. Signed through 2010 (next year would basically be his rookie season, and have no idea what role he would play on the team.)

Coach Popovich: He certainly had his hardest season from a coaching perspective with all the injuries he had. He made lots of questionable decision and didn't really have a consistent rotation even in the playoff. Some of his questionable decisions includes: playing Matt Bonner 25-30 mpg while sitting on the bench is Drew Gooden and Kurt Thomas, playing Roger Mason at backup PG while taking George Hill out the rotation, and the last, some of you may disagree with, its inserting Bruce Bowen into the starting lineup for Roger Mason, i think anyone watching the Spurs play this season know the Roger Mason is extremely ineffective coming off the bench, the few games he had 0 points game during the seasons and playoff were all when he came off the bench; and Game 4 and Game 5 was when our offense struggled mightily.

Off-season: We really don't have much to play with, we don't have a draft pick, and we don't really have any trading chips unless we want to take back contracts which would eliminate us from the 2010 free agency plan. We are obviously set in three positions in the starting line up with PG, SG, and PF.

Tony Parker / George Hill
Emanuel Ginobili / Roger Mason
FA / Michael Finley
Tim Duncan / Matt Bonner / Ian Mahinimi
FA / Kurt Thomas

a list of candidates for SF: Josh Childress, Marvin Williams, Devean George, Linas Kleiza, Trevor Ariza, Jamario Moon, Rodney Carney, Jarvis Hayes, Desmond Mason, Matt Barnes, Grant Hill, Carlos Defino, Anthony Parker,

a list of candidates for C: Zaza Pachulia, Antonio McDyess, Rasheed Wallace, Chris Mihm, Chris Wilcox, Robert Swift, Channing Frye

i really think that for SF, Spurs would go for someone cheap such as a Jamario Moon, Rodney Carney, Matt Barnes, etc.

for C: i think Spurs would be interested in Antonio McDyess and Rasheed Wallace but i really do not want Spurs to make anymore of these old veteran type signing, i would much rather keep Drew Gooden, since i think he is younger and could potentially contribute more on the Spurs than a Wallace.

[jjktkk]

Tony Parker: Had the best season of his career, and developed into a top 3 pg in the NBA. Signed through 2011.

Roger Mason: Started the season off really well, and impressed with his long range shooting and hit plenty of big shots. But as the season winds down, and team knows how to play him which is physically and giving him little space, he started struggling; and in the playoff his performance was basically non-existent. Signed through 2010. (expect him to be back as one of the role player; but i wouldn't be surprised if he gets traded either.)

Michael Finley: He had his usual season, which is making perimeter shot, while playing hard on defense. He made some pretty big shots for us; but didn't shoot well either in the playoff, but with that said he was probably our third best contributor in the playoff, since the other role players struggled even more. Signed through 2010. (expect him to be back at a reduced role on the team, since i don't really think he has any trade value at his age.)

Tim Duncan: Started the season off really well, he was having one of his better season statistically, and were even in a brief talk for MVP, but the 2nd half of the season, injury effected his play, but with all said and done, he was still pretty effective in the playoff. Signed through 2012

Matt Bonner: Started the season of decently, he was hitting shots, playing hard on D, and getting some rebounds. But i always had the feeling that he wasn't the solution at Center for a playoff contender, since if you look at it, he's one of the worst starting front court player in the whole NBA. He started struggling the 2nd half of the season, and when the playoff came along, he was absolutely ineffective, and was probably our worst player. Signed through 2010 (expect him to be back at a reduced role, but wouldn't surprise he get traded but there's not much value for him.)

George Hill: Played really well when Tony Parker was out early with injury. His jumper may be inconsistent at times, but his size, defense, and athleticism is something that is lacking on the current Spurs team. He fell out of the rotation during the 2nd half of the season. He wasn't in the rotation in the playoff till game 4 and game 5. Signed through 2010 (expect him to be back in the rotation as our back up point guard.)

Bruce Bowen: He has always been a offensive liability when he is on the court, but his amazing defense pretty much makes up for it. But this year, i truly see him lost a bit of step in him; while still a effective defender, but not like before. He fell out of the rotation for about two month, and wasn't really back into the rotation until Manu went out. He was inserted into the starting line up in Game 4 & Game 5, he didn't hurt the team nor really helped it. Signed through 2010 "partially guaranteed (i think his time with the Spurs could finally come to an end.)

Ime Udoka: Fans expected big things out of him this year, but his play the early part of the season had him in Pop's dog house until maybe the last two month of the season. He plays really physical and hard, but i just don't see him as being talented enough. He played big minutes in the playoff and was responsible for guarding Dirk when we went small. Free Agent (i don't think Spurs would resign him.)

Kurt Thomas: Started the season off poorly, but really found his groove after a few month. He played good physical defense, knocked down the mid range shot, and provided rebounding, In the playoff, he wasn't as effective, but i also think that Mavericks is also just a really bad match up for him. Signed through 2010 (expect him to be back and playing the same role.)

Drew Gooden: He was a late season pick up. He had his problems on defense and shot selection, but his performance overall is very good. It was impressive what he was doing when he was getting playing time. I was very surprised with his skills and footwork for a big man. He had 2 good games in the playoff, and 2 bad games, which probably lead to his DNP-CD in game 5. FA (I wish he could come back, since i think he can be our solution for the center position, since who out there can you see as a REALISTIC and better option than him; i felt that he deserved more playing time; and i truly believed that he be a big contribution for us in the playoff, if he had been given more consistent minutes; but i don't think he'll be back, he deserves a better treatment, and a bigger role than a bench warmer.)

Jacque Vaughn: wasn't in rotation. FA (don't expect him back.)

Fabricio Oberto: wasn't in rotation. Signed through 2010 "partially guaranteed" (don't expect him back.)

Emanuel Ginobili: He was injured half of the season, and when he played, he really a bit inconsistent with his play. He was out for the playoff. I don't really know how effective he would be once he returns next season. Signed through 2010.

Ian Mahinmi: Prospect big man, out the whole season with injury. Signed through 2010 (next year would basically be his rookie season, and have no idea what role he would play on the team.)

Coach Popovich: He certainly had his hardest season from a coaching perspective with all the injuries he had. He made lots of questionable decision and didn't really have a consistent rotation even in the playoff. Some of his questionable decisions includes: playing Matt Bonner 25-30 mpg while sitting on the bench is Drew Gooden and Kurt Thomas, playing Roger Mason at backup PG while taking George Hill out the rotation, and the last, some of you may disagree with, its inserting Bruce Bowen into the starting lineup for Roger Mason, i think anyone watching the Spurs play this season know the Roger Mason is extremely ineffective coming off the bench, the few games he had 0 points game during the seasons and playoff were all when he came off the bench; and Game 4 and Game 5 was when our offense struggled mightily.

Off-season: We really don't have much to play with, we don't have a draft pick, and we don't really have any trading chips unless we want to take back contracts which would eliminate us from the 2010 free agency plan. We are obviously set in three positions in the starting line up with PG, SG, and PF.

Tony Parker / George Hill
Emanuel Ginobili / Roger Mason
FA / Michael Finley
Tim Duncan / Matt Bonner / Ian Mahinimi
FA / Kurt Thomas

a list of candidates for SF: Josh Childress, Marvin Williams, Devean George, Linas Kleiza, Trevor Ariza, Jamario Moon, Rodney Carney, Jarvis Hayes, Desmond Mason, Matt Barnes, Grant Hill, Carlos Defino, Anthony Parker,

a list of candidates for C: Zaza Pachulia, Antonio McDyess, Rasheed Wallace, Chris Mihm, Chris Wilcox, Robert Swift, Channing Frye

i really think that for SF, Spurs would go for someone cheap such as a Jamario Moon, Rodney Carney, Matt Barnes, etc.

for C: i think Spurs would be interested in Antonio McDyess and Rasheed Wallace but i really do not want Spurs to make anymore of these old veteran type signing, i would much rather keep Drew Gooden, since i think he is younger and could potentially contribute more on the Spurs than a Wallace.

Very good thread. The Spurs do have a draft pick, not a 1st rounder, but 3 2nd rounders. IMO the Spurs need to find a big that doesn't need the ball. Just get garbage buckets and board. A shot blocker would really help Duncan out. It will be hard for the Spurs to upgrade the roster, but they will find a way.(I Hope).

[bless1187]

i'm actually a bit intrigued by the prospect of Channing Frye, he's relatively young, he had a very impressive rookie season, than got traded to Portland, then everything went down hill for him there. But i believe its only his third year and wouldn't be that expensive.

[GSH]

Popovich showed up at the beginning of the season sporting a beard that made him look like an old bum. Some of his coaching decisions looked a lot like the beard.

[alchemist]

apart from the Ginobili fiasco.

Story of the season: Couldn't keep leads. It bit us in the ass these playoffs (Game 1, Game 4)

[bless1187]

I think going into this off-season, the only free agent on the team that i am kind of intrigued by is Drew Gooden.

Pros: size, mobility, rebounding, footwork, post game, and midrange game

Cons: shot selection, defense, concentration

There are not lots of big man out there who is only 27 years old, with his kind of skill set. To put this best, his game is highly similar to that of Carlos Boozer which is good offense, rebounding but poor defense and concentration. Drew Gooden gone through some stretches this year that he played pretty decent defense, i think he's main problem is team defense rather than individual defense; also his occasional lapse of concentration. But seriously, if Drew Gooden would have been a regular starter on the Spurs and playing about 30 mpg, i could see him averaging about 12-15 points per game with about 6-8 rebounds per game.

Personally i would much rather we resign Drew Gooden than go for Rasheed Wallace or Antonio McDyess. Both Wallace and McDyess are 34 years old, and with these old player, you just don't know how much they have left in the tank, injury issues, and minute management. And do you see them really making a significantly bigger contribution than Gooden given the same amount of playing time.

This really reminds me of a few years back when Turkuglo struggled in the playoff, and Spurs wanted to replace him with Brent Barry. I was one of the few that actually opposed it cause i felt the contribution we are going to get isn't going to be significantly different where as Turkuglo has a tremendous amount of upside "look at him today." And Barry while playing decently never was what some of the Spurs fan envisioned him to be when we signed him. "he was occasionally out of rotations, and constantly on the trading block."

i just don't hope this turns out to be another of these situation.

[bless1187]

and another thing is that, we never really got to see Tim and Drew play together; but the few glimpse we saw them play together, they weren't that bad. Since both guys could either post up or shoot the mid-range jumpers.

[Rogue]

Tony Longoria has already grown to a superstar from an energetic soldier, but only one superstar is far from enough to keep a team great. I don't want to be perverse but Manu's injury has already made him brittle, TD's age doesn't allow him to play like a beast even when he is fully healthy. Tony Longoria is only superstar in prime the spurs have, but TL himself is still not enough to preserve the Dynasty of the spurs. Now it's Tony Longoria's time to act as the leader of the spurs and pick up their team work that used to make this team the best in west, as a PG Tony Longoria of any spur should take that obligation.

[holcs50]

good post agree with most of the things you wrote. I agree though, the spurs need to sign gooden over an old rasheed or mcdyess. I just don't see the upside there unless they can be had for CHEAP-like in addition to gooden. If they throw a decent amount at either one ill be pissed. Like LLE maybe, they are vets if they want a ring money shouldn't be a thing to them. So if we could get sheed and keep gooden im all for it....replacing boNer and oberto....big upgrade IMO.

As for sf, i would LOVE to get ariza , but the lakes wont let him get away. IDK bout sf, i think we gotta try for a trade of our expiring contracts to get an upgrade at SG (trade mase, boner, kt, bowen, maybe future picks). VC would've been great for TDs remaining years cuz he'll be solid for the next couple. Maybe jefferson though im not too high on him, but we need to bring in a name, someone who can play a consistent 30 minutes, and isn't one dimensional and has some D. We need help scoring badly though. I mean 3 guys just isn't enough and thats IF they all are healthy. I agree with tp though we dont have the luxury of waiting till 2010, or td's remaining good years will be gone before we know it. Go now!

[byrontx]

I don't think we can count on the old "wanting a ring so must work cheap" angle as a recruiting tool for the Spurs any more.