It's down to San Antonio and Houston for Piatkowski.

[WriterNum934]

LINK


"It doesn't appear the Cavs will sign another targeted free agent. A source close to Eric Piatkowski said the former L.A. Clippers guard will sign with either San Antonio or Houston."

[TheCat5]

and San Antonio might be the favorite, because...

"Though they have not made an offer, the Rockets had shown interest in Clippers guard Eric Piatkowski, primarily in the event they don't bring back Posey. Piatkowski had been considering a move to the Cavs, but is back on the market."

www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssis...kn/2001971

As a Rockets fan, I disagree with this - I think Pike is needed with or without Posey. But Posey is a very important priority for the Rockets (and rightly so), and if the article is correct and it's one of the two, I'm sure the Rockets will go with Posey. Houston is close to the luxury tax, and probably wouldn't offer Eric close to the full MCE with Posey in the fold. Of course, if the Spurs make a trade in the next couple of days, he won't have a choice.

[KoriEllis]

Piatkowski would be a great role player off the bench for the Spurs. If he shot that well with the Clips, imagine how good he can shoot in the Spurs' offense.

I know he is on the Spurs' short list of FA interests. Hopefully they can pick him up.

[ducks]

stats2

[Russ]

Pike is a zone buster and an underrated all around offensive player.

I was afraid the Lakers would get him and/or Tyronn Lue. With Lue going to Orlando, it looks like they'll get neither.


I say grab Pike.

[KoriEllis]

Hi Russ. I agree. He's a very Spur-like player and would flourish in their offense. I know the Spurs are looking at him -- hopefully they can pick up Piatkowski, Horry and maybe Pippen.

[ShoogarBear]

Piatkowski would be nice.

However, I see some redundancy in keeping both Piakowski and Kerr. And right now it looks like Kerr (and/or Manu) are our backup point guards, which isn't going to cut it.

I think we can keep any two of: {Kerr, Piatkowski, new backup point}, but not all three.

[WriterNum934]

Kerr would be the third option at point and Piatkowski would be the second option at the 2 behind Manu.

[ducks]

the backup point guard will be a guy from the summer league

[T Park Num 9]

Nesterovic Piatkowski Pippen Horry.

Now that would be an awesome offseason.

[Admiral]

Nesterovic Piatkowski Pippen Horry.

Now that would be an awesome offseason. -T Park num 9

I think awesome is too strong of a word, T Park. Jermaine O'Neal or Elton Brand, plus guys like Piatkowski and Horry, would've been an awesome offseason. The above list fills some needs (especially long-range shooting and clutch play) and really beefs up our bench, but it's not "awesome" by any means in my opinion.

[Cassius Clay]

Exhibit A of why most Spurs fans are spoiled es.

[WriterNum934]

Jermaine O'Neal or Elton Brand,

Guys we NEVER HAD A CHANCE AT! O'Neal wasn't going to give up 30 million to become the second option and leave a city he liked.

Brand was going to be matched no matter what the Spurs did.

They were complete PIPE DREAMS.

[texbound]

Kerr would be the third option at point and Piatkowski would be the second option at the 2 behind Manu

Am I missing something, or did you forget Stephen Jackson at the 2.

Let's see, with Jackson backing up Bowen:

PG Parker, ??? (darrell Armstrong or Pippen), Kerr
SG Manu, Piatkowski
SF Bowen, Jackson, Horry (spot minutes here)
PF Duncan, Rose, Horry (same as above)
C Rasho, Willis

I like this team, even without Pippen

Tex

[ShoogarBear]

PG Parker, ??? (darrell Armstrong or Pippen), Kerr
SG Manu, Piatkowski
SF Bowen, Jackson, Horry (spot minutes here)
PF Duncan, Rose, Horry (same as above)
C Rasho, Willis

The Good News: Kerr, Pippen, Piatkowski, Bowen, Jackson, and Horry mean pretty impressive three-point capacity.

The Bad News: They also mean incentive to play even more dump-a-chump on offense instead of running and slashing.

[texbound]

The Bad News: They also mean incentive to play even more dump-a-chump on offense instead of running and slashing

Not necessarily. You would have a good blend of slashers and shooters on the court at the same time.

Starters:

Parker and Manu are your slashers at this time.

Off the bench, you bring in Jackson (slasher) with either Armstrong or Pippen and Piatkowski.

Or the Spurs could go with an all "at the basket" team with:

Parker
Manu
Jackson
Duncan
Rasho.

Or they can come with a strong perimeter team to soften up the middle with players like:

Armstrong or Pippen, Kerr
Piatkowski
Bowen
Horry
Duncan

That is an excellent blend of inside and outside players. This team could adjust to any situation.

Additionally, if the Spurs wanted to be even stronger down low (for rebounding purposes) they could have this lineup:

Parker
Manu
Malik
Duncan
Rasho

There are so many different scenarios you can go with this team. I like it.

Tex

[ShoogarBear]

Not necessarily. You would have a good blend of slashers and shooters on the court at the same time.
.
.
.
Or the Spurs could go with an all "at the basket" team with:
.
.
.
Or they can come with a strong perimeter team to soften up the middle with players like:

C'mon now, which option, left to his own devices, do you think Pop is more likely to choose?

[mattyc2422]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.
Piatkowski is a perfect role player for the Spurs.

[CarnacTheMagnificent]

I like the Polish Rifle...:gun

[MI21]

Nice bench player, but I hate relying on 3pt shooters to get it done in the Playoffs. (See 2002, Western Conference Semi-Finals)

But then again, we wont be relying on him will we

[CarnacTheMagnificent]

MI2I, the Spurs won't be relying on 3-point shooting, they'll still be relying on Tim/ The range will help alliviate the pressure off Tim.
Remember when the Spurs had no outside shooting? Like, in 1989-90?

[MI21]

That's why I said we wont be relying on him.

[CarnacTheMagnificent]

touce. A little top-spin volley into my end of the court!

[Cassius Clay]

The Spurs didn't have a perimeter game in 89-90 dumbass.

[mattyc2422]

Isn't that what he said?

Remember when the Spurs had no outside shooting? Like, in 1989-90?