Change is in the air...

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Last year at the same time the Spurs were 30-13 but coming off a 97-93L at Utah (!). This was about the time that Pop benched Beno permanently, brought Jacque Vaughn into the rotation, and gave a speech to the effect that there would be no trade - the team would either sink or swim as cons uted.

The Rodeo road trip was an inconclusive 4-4 against mediocre opposition, but it seemed to bring the team together for their 20-3 dash after all-star break, and we all know what happened after that…

However, this year does not feel the same as last year. The team has been beset by injuries which has broken their beautiful early rhythm into shards of Spursball, interspersed with long periods of stagnancy on offense and lacklustre defence. It looks as if father Time has finally caught up with this team. Pop is unusually calm and quiet on the bench as if confused about what to do next, but something needs to change if this team is to contend.

In this post I do not pretend to know better than those who run our beloved team. They know their stuff and have proven that time and again. But I have some ideas, and I'm sure you do too, and I think we should throw them out all out there.

1. sign Stoudamire and bench Parker whenever his heel is hurting.

Yes, we are talking about the guard who said that the Spurs would never win with Avery Johnson as point guard. Yes, I hate Mighty Mouse as much as the next man. However, he is the best available cheap point guard out there, and we have trade exceptions that he will probably bite on because he wants to win a ring. If Brent Barry wasn't injured, we wouldn't need another point guard as he/Manu/JV could take over the reins, but Barry's injury has really screwed the team’s balance.

Another alternative would be to put together some sort of package and have a go at trading for one of the good point guards available at the moment (Miller, Bibby, etc), but they are all paid far too much, and all we need here is a stopgap option to take some pressure off Parker.

2. offer Francisco Elson (and a second-round pick or cash if necessary) to Golden State for Mikael Pietrus.

The trade works monetarily and for both teams - the Spurs get a promising bench player, a three who can shoot from long-range and defend, and the Warriors get an up-tempo backup centre who can run the floor in their offense. At the moment all they have is Biedrins and Harrington, so Elson may be attractive to them. He is also an expiring contract if they want to let him go. http://games.espn.go.com/nba/feature...9~24&te=&cash=

That leaves us a little short on bigs, and maybe that means picking up a cheap FA (someone who can bang and rebound for 10 minutes a game), like Dale Davis or PJ Brown, for the minimum, or bringing in Mahinmi, and if so, so be it.

Pietrus will add scoring to the second unit in place of my next move which leaves Manu as the only scorer on the second unit.

3. move Udoka to the starting lineup and Bowen to the bench.

Now I know that this is going to cause many people consternation, but please read on. I am NOT saying that Bowen shouldn't play 20-30 minutes a night (he currently averages 30) - he should continue to do exactly that. However, the offensive doldrums that the team is suffering in most first quarters is largely to do with the fact that at the moment they are playing 3.5 on 5 due to Parker's injury and Bowen's complete shooting inep ude. It has gotten so bad that other players will not pass him the ball any more unless they absolutely have to.

I would suggest that Udoka play the first six minutes of the game, in an attempt to get the team off to a good start, and then for the rest of the game he should come in as needed, with the starters or the second team (it doesn't matter). Udoka should play a minimum of 30 minutes a game as he is a good defender, a great rebound for his size, and tough as nails. More than that, he can hit the three and jump shots off the curl, and he gets offensive rebounds.

The reason I would not bench Finley instead of Bowen is that past experience has shown that his production evaporates when he is on the bench.

Finally, Bruce should continue to play at least half a game and rotate onto the hottest player on the other team. Hopefully, he can find his stroke again and be moved back to starting. Right now, he is killing us.

4. settle on a rotation!

All this musical chairs is not helping the players find any sort of rhythm. It's time to start cutting down from an 11 or 12 man rotation to 10 players. I would go with the following:

Oberto
Duncan
Udoka
Finley
Parker/Stoudamire (depending on Parker's heel on the day)

Ginobili
Bowen
Vaughn
Pietrus
Bonner


The only change would be to continue to play Horry for Oberto/Bonner sometimes during the road trip to see if he has anything left in the tank. If he continues to show nothing as he has been, he becomes insurance only.

I think 1 and 3 will happen (although it will probably be Finley or Oberto going to the bench for Udoka, depending on the team we are playing and whether small ball makes sense to Pop). 2 is unlikely given that at the very least Elson knows of the system, even if he doesn't use it very well. 4 has to happen, but the uncertainty about Horry is making it difficult.

Thoughts?

[lefty]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3221245

Source: Stoudamire to talk with Spurs, Suns as Celtics fade
By Chris Sheridan

The Boston Celtics were fading fast Tuesday as a possible next destination for soon-to-be free agent point guard Damon Stoudamire, ESPN.com has learned.




Stoudamire

Stoudamire, who would like to decide Wednesday where he'll spend the rest of the season, was expected to speak by telephone Tuesday with San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com.



The Toronto Raptors also remained in the picture, the source said.



Although Stoudamire would seem to be the perfect fit for a Boston team needing an experienced playmaker behind second-year point guard Rajon Rondo, Celtics president Danny Ainge has expressed misgivings about tinkering with his team's chemistry.



Stoudamire has apparently taken that as a signal that the Celtics are not as interested in him as he had believed just a few days ago.



In San Antonio, Stoudamire would supplant Jacque Vaughn as a backup behind Tony Parker. In Phoenix, he would play behind Steve Nash and allow the Suns to move Leandro Barbosa to shooting guard from point guard when Nash is on the bench, and in Toronto he would give the Raptors some insurance behind Jose Calderon in case T.J. Ford is unable to return this season from his neck injury.



Stoudamire will be free to sign with any NBA team after he clears waivers at 6 p.m. ET Wednesday.



Chris Sheridan pretends to cover the NBA for ESPN Insider.

[Mr. Body]

Boston passing on Stoudamire seems foolhardy.

[ChumpDumper]

I missed the precise dates when Pietrus and Udoka became offensive juggernauts.

[MaNu4Tres]

For one,

Warriors just signed Chris Webber. I highly highly doubt they would trade one of their wings that are in the rotation for a big guy now that would ride the bench.

Secondly, the last thing Spurs need is to trade a Big for a wing. With Bowen Manu Finley Udoka and Barry theres only 96 minutes to go around at the position. You figure Manu gets his 31-33, Bowen gets his 28-30 that leaves another 27-30 minutes for Udoka Finley Barry. You can also add another 15-20 minutes to that thirty if they decide to go small for a portion of the game. Pietrus would not see the court over any of those players under Pop's obsession and trust in his veterans. So that trade would only make our depth of big men extremely thin. I really am appalled on how everyone is a Elson hater. The man gets the least opportunity than any of the big men. If your going to dog Elson you better damn well dogg Oberto, Horry and Bonner.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I was aware of the impending signing, and it makes good sense for us to give Parker more rest, but I thought I'd amalgamate all of the changes I'd make to the team into one post.

[ducks]

Boston passing on Stoudamire seems foolhardy.

why ?
if spurs are healthy they will kick boston's balls

they started hot and are not playing great anymore

[Ghost Writer]

I endorse everything that RuffnReadyOzStyle suggested in this thread.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I missed the precise dates when Pietrus and Udoka became offensive juggernauts.

They're not, but we don't need "juggernauts", we need guys who the rest of the team will pass to. Right now Bowen is a non-en y on offense because no-one trusts him enough to give him the ball, let alone shoot it.

The idea is to improve the poor starts by having Ime out there (he's shot 50% during January), and Pietrus can do similar things to Ime for the second team.

If Barry was around, Pietrus would be moot, but Barry's injury seems recurrent so Pietrus would be useful now and insurance for the future. What exactly is Fran offering???

[MaNu4Tres]

Even if Pietrus would be a better option than most of our wings. You as well as I know, when it comes down to playoff time, Pop will live and die with his veterans and give them the PT and benefit of the doubt before he puts the season in the hands of a Pietrus.

[Joe Schmoogins]

My Plan To Repeat

-get everyone healthy
-set the rotation

everything will fall in place

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

For one,

Warriors just signed Chris Webber. I highly highly doubt they would trade one of their wings that are in the rotation for a big guy now that would ride the bench.

Secondly, the last thing Spurs need is to trade a Big for a wing. With Bowen Manu Finley Udoka and Barry theres only 96 minutes to go around at the position. You figure Manu gets his 31-33, Bowen gets his 28-30 that leaves another 27-30 minutes for Udoka Finley Barry. You can also add another 15-20 minutes to that thirty if they decide to go small for a portion of the game. Pietrus would not see the court over any of those players under Pop's obsession and trust in his veterans. So that trade would only make our depth of big men extremely thin. I really am appalled on how everyone is a Elson hater. The man gets the least opportunity than any of the big men. If your going to dog Elson you better damn well dogg Oberto, Horry and Bonner.

Webber will be a be a bust in GS. He can hardly move, so how is he going to keep up with that team? However, you are correct that the Webber signing does reduce the likelihood of them wanting Elson.

As for your calculations of the swingman minutes, reduce Bowen's to 20 (but when he is on the court he goes full out), Finley plays 15 and Udoka 25. You also omit the small ball power forward minutes.

Horry has been horrible (personally, I think he's done as an NBA player), but I'll take Oberto and Bonner over Elson any day. Elson plays great in garbage time, but makes far too many mistakes to be a rotation player. Enthusiasm only gets you so far.

As I said in the OP, the Elson for Pietrus idea is unlikely to happen. However, it is also a move that looks ahead to next year and beyond - Elson is definitely gone (Splitter and Mahinmi will come in), so why not bring in a player who could be a part of next year's swing rotation (given that Finley and Barry will be gone, and Bowen on his last legs)?

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I endorse everything that RuffnReadyOzStyle suggested in this thread.

Thanks Casper, that makes me all warm inside...

[ChumpDumper]

Right now Bowen is a non-en y on offense because no-one trusts him enough to give him the ball, let alone shoot it.

So Bowen will never shoot well again? If we think he's that done, waive him.

Also I just don't see any reason for GS to get rid of Pietrus for Elson. They play Pietrus and they already have three big men who don't play for them.

But sure, try anything at this point. We're desperate.

[baseline bum]

I'd love Pietrus, but he would veto a trade here, since he would lose Bird rights in the deal (to a team with no capspace). Benching Bowen is a bad idea too. What's his use if he's locking down scrubs off the bench who aren't going to impact the game one way or the other?

I'd put Ginobili back in the starting lineup, because the team is getting killed to start games. This team moreso than any other in recent memory plays well from ahead and can't get over the hump when they get behind early. I'd also start Oberto, since he's the closest we have to a center right now. Platoon Elson and Bonner in the primary backup role, playing whoever did better in his first stint, and move Rob to the Steve Kerr role. He obviously doesn't have enough left in the tank to be a major rotation player, but he can still be very useful for short stretches. That, and say 100 Hail Mary's every day that Tony can be healthy enough and in shape for a deep playoff run.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

So Bowen will never shoot well again? If we think he's that done, waive him.

Also I just don't see any reason for GS to get rid of Pietrus for Elson. They play Pietrus and they already have three big men who don't play for them.

But sure, try anything at this point. We're desperate.

When did you stop reading what people posted?

"Finally, Bruce should continue to play at least half a game and rotate onto the hottest player on the other team. Hopefully, he can find his stroke again and be moved back to starting. Right now, he is killing us."

[Kori Ellis]

You are really overrating Udoka. Udoka has had a few good games but he's not worthy of playing 30 minutes a night on the Spurs. He isn't that good.

And it makes absolutely no sense to have Bowen not start. The best offensive player starts. You have to have your best defensive player in when the opponent's best offensive players. Bowen is still lightyears ahead of Udoka defensively.

If you aren't going to start Bowen, you shouldn't use him at all. He'd be useless off the bench. You might as well trade him.

Right now, he is killing us.

No, Bowen's shooting slump isn't the reason the Spurs are losing.

[Kori Ellis]

no-one trusts him enough to give him the ball, let alone shoot it.

False. He's averages just under 5 shots a game. Pretty much the same as he always has.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

False. He's averages just under 5 shots a game. Pretty much the same as he always has.

For the season, Kori, but recently he's hardly touching the ball. Shots for last 6 games: 4, 5, 6, 2, 2, 1. However, that's not an accurate representation of touches either. I've been watching closely and other players are thinking twice before passing to him in the last few games.

As I've already said, moving Bowen to "the bench" is more about the first Q than anything. He can play with the starters the rest of the game, just sit him for the first 4-6mins and put someone out there who can nail a jumper. Udoka can do that - he's shooting 50% this month. Also, he's a better rebounder than Bruce.

I concede that a lot of the slow starts are also down to TP's troubles, but we have to try something, and if you sit Finley you'll probably lose anything he has to offer.

The team is in a real bind. Like you, I really hope Bruce can at least find his corner 3 and offer the team something on O.

You think the D is what's losing games?

[ChumpDumper]

When did you stop reading what people posted?

"Finally, Bruce should continue to play at least half a game and rotate onto the hottest player on the other team. Hopefully, he can find his stroke again and be moved back to starting. Right now, he is killing us."

So take Bowen out of the starting lineup just because of a temporary shooting slump?

Udoka is 0-4 so far this game and Bruce's +11 is the best on the team.

[Kori Ellis]

. I've been watching closely and other players are thinking twice before passing to him in the last few games.

I think you are seeing things.

As I've already said, moving Bowen to "the bench" is more about the first Q than anything.

Look for every star player to put up 15-20 in the first Q.

It's just bad theory all around. You might as well trade Bowen if you aren't going to start him.

Anyway Udoka's 0-for-4 tonight so far. We'll see how it goes.

[SequSpur]

Whatever, this topic is a P E.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

So take Bowen out of the starting lineup just because of a temporary shooting slump?

Udoka is 0-4 so far this game and Bruce's +11 is the best on the team.

Come on CD, you're better than that. You can't judge it on one game - we're talking about a month here.

Sit him at the start of games to give the team a shot not to put themselves in a hole, then play him with the starters after that.

[ChumpDumper]

Come on CD, you're better than that. You can't judge it on one game - we're talking about a month here.

Sit him at the start of games to give the team a shot not to put themselves in a hole, then play him with the starters after that.

So if Bowen is perfect from the field tonight with the highest +/- on the team and Udoka gets an 0fer, bench Bowen.

[lefty]

My Plan To Repeat

-get everyone healthy
-set the rotation

everything will fall in place