Reply With Quote
I like to think of the Spurs in terms of "half dead" or "half alive."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....189b2ade.html
Web Posted: 02/19/2007 11:00 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
Argh, I don't know what to feel after this disappointing(?) road trip.
We proved our ‘D’ could stop the best offense in the league for 43 minutes and even though Howard's buzzer-beater dunk was ridiculous, it shouldn't have even come down to that. We had total control of the game until the fourth quarter. Same with the Heat game, except Wade totally schemed us and went on a tear.
Should I be upset that our record is .500 for the infamous road trip or relieved and hopeful our boys will be able to produce come playoff crunch time? –Kaz, New York
How about a little of both?
If you continue to hold the Spurs to their standards of seasons past – and there’s nothing wrong in doing that – then you’re going to be disappointed. But if you see this season’s team for what it’s been – inconsistent – then the way the trip ended should give you a little optimism.
The Spurs have proven they can compete with anybody, even Dallas. What they have yet to do is show they can consistently beat the elite teams. And, chances are, we probably still won’t know that about them when the playoffs begin.
If Tim, Manu and Tony continue to stay healthy and playing at a high level, the Spurs shouldn’t be completely dismissed as a contender. But they’re going to have to find help from another source and, as of now, I have no clue who’s going to provide it.
We still need a key backup for Tim Duncan. Why not our old friend, Malik Rose? –Deborah O. Stewart, San Antonio
I think the Spurs have bigger needs than a backup for Tim, but you can include me among those longing for a reunion with Malik. And I imagine Malik wouldn’t mind one as well.
But here’s the problem: The Knicks would first have to agree to a buyout with Malik, then the Spurs – as their roster is presently cons uted – would have to waive someone to make room for him. And before that happens, Malik and Pop would have to make sure they’re on the same page.
I haven’t seen the Knicks enough to know what kind of shape Malik’s in, but he’s had experience guarding Dirk Nowitzki. And it never hurts to have another defender to throw at Dirk.
Are the Spurs going to make a trade before the trade deadline? Who are they trying to trade away and receive? There is a rumor that Scottie Pippen might join the Spurs. Any comments on that? –Gian, Manila
I still think the Spurs will make another trade prior to the deadline. What do you hear? –Tom, Las Vegas
The Spurs are still looking at possible trades. But considering what they have to offer in return, chances are it would be another small deal.
They wouldn’t mind moving Jackie Butler (nor, I assume, would Jackie mind being moved if it was to a place where he could play) while Beno Udrih probably also would benefit from a change of scenery. Cleveland needs a point guard, and Danny Ferry helped draft Beno, so that’s always a possibility.
But the Spurs aren’t going to move Beno just to move him. If he brings back something that fills a need (and his small contract makes that difficult to do so), that’s one thing. But I’d be a little wary of going into the playoffs with only Jacque backing up Tony.
As for Pippen, he sounds like he would prefer to sign with Miami. The Spurs haven’t ruled out pursuing him, but they’re probably going to wait until after the trade deadline to see who is or isn’t left on their roster.
How many of the Spurs are under contract for next year? –Robby, Longview
Tim, Manu, Tony, Bruce, Francisco, Brent, Beno, Jackie, Robert.
Michael Finley and Fabricio Oberto have player options on their contracts. Bruce’s deal isn’t fully guaranteed. Robert has one more year left, but has talked about retiring.
Matt, Jacque and Melvin Ely will be free agents and the team has an option on James White.
With Tim Duncan winning two MVPs, three Finals victories and three Finals MVPs, is he the best to ever play the game? Meaning better than Jordan. –Reginald Harris, Atlanta
No. But I’d rank him as the best to ever play the game in a Spurs uniform.
When are you going to catch the Mavs? I'm eating crow here. –Angel Lozano, Dallas
I’d say you have at least another two months of crow eating. And, if I were you, I’d also be prepared to continue chowing down long into the summer.
Why isn't Tony playing like he did before he got engaged? I think he has stars in his eyes. –Jean, Schertz
He has a star on his arm, but I don’t know about in his eyes.
Tony averaged 19.8 points and 4.9 assists while shooting 50.6 percent in the 16 games before his engagement. He’s averaging 18.6 points and 5.8 assists while shooting 53.5 percent in the 36 games since.
Why is Manu on the bench? He's the Spurs’ best player on any given night and if your bench sucks then why “promote” them to a starter and put someone who gives it all on the bench?
The first time Pop did this it drove me insane and now he's doing it again. I say get rid of Barry and Finley if they can't deliver, don't sit Manu to Create A Bench and say no trades will be made.
This experiment isn't producing any wins is it? –Jeremy, Baltimore
The “experiment,” as you call it, has produced four wins, as well as four losses. So, record-wise, it’s a wash.
This is what happens all the time in corporate America. You have an employee who sucks at his job, so you promote him to a position where a) he’ll suck less; or b) his suckiness will continue, but in a way that impacts the company less than it previously did.
In either case, the employee gets a better job out of the deal just because he sucked.
Manu’s situation was essentially this, but in reverse. A “promotion by demotion,” so to speak. In other words, he is so good Pop needs him to make up for the poor performance of his co-workers.
I, however, am like you. I would prefer Manu start. (I actually would prefer he start and never come off the court, but have been assured that’s probably not going to happen).
Brent also seemed to be in a good flow coming off the bench before the move, so I don’t think this has benefited him. It was Fin (and basically every other reserve) who was struggling at the time the switch was made.
So here’s what I think is eventually going to happen: Manu will go back to starting (Pop has already started to put him on the floor earlier and earlier); or Fin will replace Brent as the starter. Of course, there’s also the chance everyone settles into their current roles, catches fire and the Spurs steamroll their way to another championship.
Wow, you Spurs fans are worse than Detroit fans. You still have one of the best records in the league and can only complain. –Dan Shere, Detroit
What else is there to do when the rodeo is in town?
Wasn't the acquisition of Chip Engelland supposed to help the Spurs improve their outside shooting and free throws? Have we ever been worse? –Hef, New Braunfels
As a matter of fact, the Spurs have indeed shot worse at the free-throw line. Like, say, from 1993-2006.
The Spurs are shooting 75 percent from the foul line, ranking them 15th in the league, a considerable improvement from last season. If they maintain that pace, it would be the franchise’s highest percentage since the 1992-93 season.
The Spurs’ erratic 3-point shooting has admittedly been a problem in recent weeks, but they still rank fourth in the league at 37.8 percent. Only twice in the previous 10 seasons did they finish with a higher percentage: 2005-06 (.385); and 2000-01 (.407).
But thanks for playing.
Why won't the Spurs trade for Garnett? They should ship Ginobili, Udrih, Butler and a No. 1 and also send Barry to the Clippers to get Maggette. Would that solve the Spurs’ problems? –Dominic, Dallas
Sure it would. There’s just two problems:
1) The deal, as constructed by you, wouldn’t work under the league’s salary-cap rules. 2) The Timberwolves probably would have little interest in trading the cornerstone of their franchise for: a talented, yet 29-year-old shooting guard; a backup point guard who can’t get on the floor for the Spurs; a 21-year-old center who was cut by Minnesota in training camp two years ago; and a first-round pick that likely will fall somewhere in the 20s.
Aside from that, I think it’s a great suggestion.
Johnny, Calcify? You're right ... we should all go the opposite direction that you go!!
Wow! You just mentioned not burying Horry until you see the casket, but you just buried the whole team with your outlook on this season and coming playoffs. Is it asking too much for you sportswriters to actually print something worth reading?
I spend part of my day reading the sports section and hoping to get a little lift for my day. Instead I get more dribble and drab from writers like you who's writing skills are so “calcified” that there is no inspiration or hope within the printed lines.
Why don't you move to L.A. and write for them ... at least they would think you are uplifting and inspiring because of the way you knock our Spurs! Dry, negative columns are all you are able to produce? Maybe the Spurs players have been hanging around you too much!!
I have to stop wasting my 50 cents on the Express-News!! Your column today offered absolutely nothing but depressing thoughts! Don't we get enough of that in the world? A sports column is meant to be entertaining in a world of bleakness ... you only offer more bleakness. Can I get my money back? –Jackson, San Antonio
I would love nothing more than to give you your 50 cents back. There’s just one problem: The column you reference – the very one that failed to be “entertaining in a world of bleakness” – was available only online. Which meant, of course, it was free.
In newspapers, like everything else in life, you get what you pay for.
I like to think of the Spurs in terms of "half dead" or "half alive."
I've thought that Oberto was more on the trading block than Butler. Maybe Spurs staff has still decided that Butler was a bust.They wouldn’t mind moving Jackie Butler (nor, I assume, would Jackie mind being moved if it was to a place where he could play) while Beno Udrih probably also would benefit from a change of scenery. Cleveland needs a point guard, and Danny Ferry helped draft Beno, so that’s always a possibility.
But the Spurs aren’t going to move Beno just to move him. If he brings back something that fills a need (and his small contract makes that difficult to do so), that’s one thing. But I’d be a little wary of going into the playoffs with only Jacque backing up Tony.
I'm too a little surprised on what he says about Udrih (they won't move him just to move him): Spurs don't need 3 PGs for the playoffs and he is paid $1.7M next year (quite expenside for a 3rd string PG).
Butler being lazy and unmotivated hasn't done wonders for their conceptions of him.
Moving Udrih just to move him is stupid. He still has some worth and has talent better than any 3rd string lifer in this league.
even without playing time this season, Butler should be easier to move than Oberto.
not getting any playing time when Spurs are covered below average at center, will have decreased his value furthermore and I guess it has been recogniced around the league, that Spurs were unhappy with his conditioning and work ethic.
but anyhow, he have a little bit of credit left, when some teams think, that it was just the situation in SA or the relationship with Pop, that caused this regression. they might see a still just 21 years old player with some potential and might think that they can uncover it.
and, not to forget: Butler's contract looks team friendly right now, since the first year is for the greater part payed by the Spurs. so a team that picks him up, has only one guarranteed year left, the last year is a team option. (I hope I'm right on this). a situation teams usually like most.
which makes a package of Beno and Butler a not so unlikely offer IMO. their salaries add up to 3.2 million, which would make deals possible, who have those (often signed) around half-MLE contracts. (see: Duhon, Atkins, Dixon, D.Wilkins,etc.)
Duhon is out of reach IMO, Dixon not the right player at the moment, but Atkins and Wilkins are. (Wilkins has been mentioned in some trade rumors two months ago, don't know about his current status, but his minutes have been limited again in the last games).
if the Sonics still try to move Watson (who the Spurs likely don't want cos of his contract), there might be a scenario in which the Spurs could be part of. not very likely, but not impossible.
but overall, a trade for Atkins might be the best option for this package. Grizzlies get back two young players for a team, that is rebuilding anyhow.
they might give it a try.
The Spurs have proven they can compete with anybody, even Dallas.
In 2007 the Spurs are 1-5 against the top 6 teams in the West with the only victory being the overtime win on the long 3 by Finley in Los Angeles.
For the season they are 5-9 against those teams with 3 of those victories coming in the first 2 weeks of the season.
They are 1-2 against Dallas; 1-1 against Phoenix, 1-2 against Houston; 1-2 against LA, and 1-2 against Utah. Add in Denver and Minnesota and they are still 7-10 against Western Conference play-off teams. That's not half anything.
Spurs trading Butler instead of Oberto has nothing to do with Butler being more tradable : Both won't bring a lot in return. Their trade value is close : same contract, Butler will be more attractive for a rebuiding team and Oberto will be more attractive for a team in the playoff race.
If Spurs trade Butler instead of Oberto, the reason will be that they don't think that Butler is a good project and will be able to help them before the end of his contract.
Anyway what Ludden say can be wrong : Spurs' FO isn't known for saying what he will do.
Trading Butler would be hasty to me, but if trading him is what it takes to legitimately fill a current hole, I'd be for it.
If the Blazers ship out Magliore, which is likely, they might want another center, so....
Butler for Dixon works straight up...though I'd be hesitant to give up on his potential.
Oberto for Dixon also works.
Or my semi-realistic dream trade...
Butler + Beno for Dixon + Outlaw
How are we 1-6 against the "top 6 teams" if you yourself just said we're 1-2 against Dallas and 1-1 against Phoenix and 1-2 against Houston, and 1-2 against LA, and 1-2 against Utah?
That's about 5-12, no?
Despite his math, I see his point though. Ludden saying that the Spurs have proved they can compete is a farse. Just because they rounded out the RRT with a victory at Detroit, doesn't mean they can compete against the likes of Dallas/Phoenix. As good as Detroit is, the Spurs will have to survive the West (Dallas & Phoenix probably) to get to them in the playoffs, and they haven't shown the ability to beat those teams at full strength...
the way we are playin is not even spurs championship bball anymore, popabiatch
Hooked on Phonics???
Spurs are 1-5 in 2007 against those teams and 5-9 for the season.
That is both awesome and not bloody likely.
For three years I argued a shooting coach would help this team at the line, but everyone swore that was a pointless idea.The Spurs are shooting 75 percent from the foul line, ranking them 15th in the league, a considerable improvement from last season. If they maintain that pace, it would be the franchise’s highest percentage since the 1992-93 season.
It's time for some folks to eat some crow on that one.
Who the argued that? Yours is a mythical kingdom where you're the short-pantsed king.
You think Outlaw is "priced" out of that range? To me, Outlaw looks like the odd man out in Portland.
Udoka is starting and Miles is being paid $10M per year so if he's healthy, he won't sit. Martell Webster looks to have more time at the SF spot with Brandon Roy catching on at SG. That's potentially three SF in front of him and the risk of losing him to a legitimate offer this off-season.
Meanwhile, Pryzbilla has been a huge disappointment and Magloire will probably not survive the trade deadline, let alone be around next season. I think if the Blazers can snag a legitimate Center prospect and a backup PG for Jack ( au has also been disappointing), they might actually pull the trigger.
It's one of those deals that gets mentioned on this forum and never materializes...but it's not that rediculous is it?
I hope it's not that ridiculous. Prying a nice prospect like Outlaw away for a shambolic near-bust like Butler would be a dream.
Give Butler some regular PT and I think you'll see he's not the bust you seem to think he is. And Outlaw isn't exactly a finished product himself...
Gonna ask T Long...see what he says...
The Clipps are in need of bigs, Butler or Oberto(& a pick) traded for James Singleton(PF/SF rebounder, on a minimum contract & FA next year) and Korolev(6'9 SF & FA next year) works on the trade checker. Neither one are playing hardly at all this year. These are the types of players IMO we would be able to get before the deadline, not any star or semi-star. If we didn't get these guys this year, I hope both of them get a look by the Spurs this summer. We could potentially fill our 2 biggest needs (rebounding & a long SF) for a minimal amount of money.
I've been massively disappointed with Butler, so perhaps am discounting him. I didn't expect the stars, but some minutes of productivity wasn't too much to ask. I just see Outlaw as too valuable to give up for a someday-maybe big man. The guy (Outlaw) has been averaging nearly a steal and a block a game this year in limited minutes.
If Ely is resigned, I think he makes Butler expendable, but we'll see. The aside in the recent article, that the Spurs would consider trading him this week was pretty telling.
Yea, cuz it's winning them a lot of games......
You know what's sad? You probably sat there for five minutes working on that one, and it still wasn't even that funny.
It is kinda sad how you follow me around like a lost little puppy dog though.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
