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Ben! Ben ! Ben ! Ben!
Spurs looking for a big man
Web Posted: 07/01/2006 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....12d961ad.html
Rasho Nesterovic is gone. Nazr Mohammed could be on his way out. Staff Writer Johnny Ludden takes a look at who could be the Spurs' man in the middle next season. Here's a look at five of the top free-agent centers, including Mohammed.
BEN WALLACE
Size: 6-foot-9, 240 pounds
2005-06 stats: 7.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.21 blocks per game with Detroit
Strengths: Four-time Defensive Player of the Year, including the past two seasons; one of the league's strongest players
Weaknesses: Turns 32 in September; limited offensively; his free-throw shooting makes Tim Duncan look like Steve Kerr at the line.
Outlook: Likely will command at least a four-year contract in the range of $55 million. Spurs don't have those resources and Detroit has no incentive to cooperate on a sign-and-trade with them. Expected to re-sign with the Pistons or leave for Chicago.
* * *
JOEL PRZYBILLA
Size: 7-foot-1, 255 pounds
2005-06 stats: 6.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.32 blocks per game with Portland
Strengths: One of the league's top shot-blockers; fairly mobile; at 26, probably hasn't tapped potential.
Weaknesses: Played in only 56 games last season because of injuries; hasn't developed a strong overall offensive game.
Outlook: Lives near Chicago, so Bulls would be an attractive option. Spurs could be in the mix if Chicago lands Wallace, but can't match the money Bulls have to offer. Wasn't happy with Portland teammates' effort last season, but should be more open to returning after Blazers' draft-night moves.
* * *
NAZR MOHAMMED
Size: 6-foot-10, 250 pounds
2005-06 stats: 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds. .61 blocks per game with Spurs
Strengths: Ranked fourth in the league in offensive rebounds per 48 minutes; capable of big games, like career-high 30 points he scored against Phoenix; improved free-throw shooting to career-best 78.5 percent.
Weaknesses: Poor hands make him turnover-prone; struggles at times with defensive rotations.
Outlook: Bulls will take a long look at the Chicago native. Turned down extension offer from Spurs prior to last season, but open to returning. Spurs open to keeping him, but probably won't offer a starting salary much higher than $5 million.
* * *
JACKIE BUTLER
Size: 6-foot-10, 260 pounds
2005-06 stats: 5.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and .56 blocks with New York
Strengths: Larry Brown often played him over Eddy Curry and Jerome James; good size; at 21, still has plenty of time to develop.
Weaknesses: Considered more of a project than an immediate contributor; foul- and turnover-prone.
Outlook: Restricted free agent, so Knicks can match offer. Spurs director of pro player personnel Dell Demps helped discover Butler for New York. Still, hard to imagine him starting for a championship-caliber team.
* * *
LORENZEN WRIGHT
Size: 6-foot-11, 240 pounds
2005-06 stats: 5.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, .59 blocks with Memphis
Strengths: Decent rebounder; capable scorer.
Weaknesses: Lost starting job in Memphis toward end of season; not very athletic; at 30, his best days are behind him.
Outlook: Made $7.7 million last season, but probably will have to settle for less than half that. Not much of a fit for Spurs.
* * *
Others: Michael Olowokandi; Kelvin Cato; Francisco Elson (restricted); DJ Mbenga (restricted). Spurs also could move Tim Duncan to center and try to sign a versatile forward like Vladimir Radmanovic, Jared Jeffries (restricted) or Tim Thomas.
Ben! Ben ! Ben ! Ben!
No Reggie Evans listed?
WTF?
The Spurs do know they might want to grab a rebound next year, don't they?
No Reggie Evans listed?
WTF?
The Spurs do know they might want to grab a rebound next year, don't they?
Here's a look at five of the top free-agent centers, including Mohammed.
It goes on to list some power forwards.
There shouldn't any list that has names like Bulter, Radmanovic and Wright without even mentioning Evans.
Maybe they already know he wants to go to the Knicks.
Mbenga's available? Hmm
Looks like the Mavs are going to go after Evans hard.
Spurs might get outrebounded by 10 rebounds per game next year.
Bring on pansy ass Radmanovic
The prospect of no rebounding is a scary one. Spurs need to address it.
Hopefully FastAndFuriousSpurs can address it by contacting his good friend Charles Oakley.
You seriously overrate Evans he can't score, is too short, and has bad hands. Also in the article when they listed Butler they should have mentioned the fact that he makes Oliver Miller look like a fitness fanatic.Looks like the Mavs are going to go after Evans hard.
Spurs might get outrebounded by 10 rebounds per game next year.
Bring on pansy ass Radmanovic
You don't need stars now you need role players who can do one or two things well.
Pop says that small ball is the way. Let's all trust Pop, it worked great for us in against Mavs.
Reggie Evans is a foul factory. He invents new ways to foul people. (The crotch grab was a sadly overlooked attempt.)
Pryz pryz pryz pryz!
sigh
spurs are ed
Doesn't matter, we're not gonna play this guy when we meet Dallas anyway.
say it again my man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On my nba 2k6 i released rasho created bonner and signed pryz man my o went down but my d went up real nice!
I guess all trades have to pass video game muster these days as well as getting armchair GM approval.
Duh Chump, should know that by now...
ok lets be real...if the spurs sign anyone they better be on the court when they face the mavericks in the playoffs next season...be a waist of money...i mean if nazr didnt play last year what makes pop think he will play this year...spurs need a versitale big..not sure if there is one in the market they could afford
Sounds like CIA Pop to me. Spurs need someone so they match up better to the Suns and Mavs. Getting another center they won't let on the court during the playoffs doesn't like a winning plan to me.
It wont matter who the Spurs land because I wont let them win the le. I want Shaq and Miami to do it again.
is pryzbilla really THAT good of a shotblocker? Or did he get alot of those blocks in garbage time.. what kinda minutes did he get? I really don't know much about him but when I hear a big man being mentioned out of nowhere, i dont really consider him all that decent.
well based on the massive ratings jump
CBF- Przybilla's shot blocking numbers are stellar, if that means anything.
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