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Duncan turned 32 in APRIL.
People keep complaining or chastising the Spurs being too old. The reason the average age on the Spurs is high is because of the role players. They are the ones who are old.
Duncan is 32**.
Ginobili is 30 right now (31 in July).
Parker is 26.
Average is 29 over these 3 players.
That's not that old. Jordan was still doing those high-flying moves in his 30s and the 2nd time he retired (after the 6th ring), he was 35. The reason Jordan's legs are mush now is because of all the jumping he does throughout his career (Wade, LeBron, and Kobe's legs will be mush soon because of this factor as well).
Tim Duncan on the other hand, doesn't even jump 5 inches off the ground. It's not because he can't. It's because he doesn't have to. He's smart. He's not here to impress with explosive dunks. He's here to win. Yes, it's nice to have a crazy dunk or two in the game, but you still get the same points with a layup. Furthermore, layup doesn't shock your legs as bad. This is why Duncan's legs will still be with him even in his late 30s and his skills won't wither away as long as he keeps his fundamentals.
Ginobili and Parker are similar. The only time I see Ginobili jump is when he takes jump-shots and even then, he doesn't jump high. Sometimes he doesn't even look like he jumps when he takes 3's. Also, when he drives for a layup, it also doesn't look like he jumps most of the time. As much as I like Manu as a player, he doesn't really have finesse while finishing. It almost looks like he falls over himself when he goes for a layup. Parker is still young. Leave him alone for now.
As for the rest of the team:
Brent Barry is 36 (37 in Dec.).
Bruce Bowen is 36 (37 in June).
Michael Finley is 34.
Robert Horry is 87..err...37 (38 in August).
Oberto is 33.
Damon Stoudamire is 34 (35 in September).
Kurt Thomas is 35 (36 in October).
Jacque Vaughn is 33.
Udoka is 30 (31 in August).
*Matt Bonner is 28.
*Ian Mahinmi is 21 (22 in November).
Average age is 32 over 11 players
*With these young guys, it's 34 over 9 players.
Now, these guys (maybe not Bowen as much) are all role players. They can be replaced and the team's dynamic will be intact. I think if we get some young guys to surround the big three, then the Spurs won't get the scrutiny, but there are pros and cons with both situations:
Older Role Players
PROS: Experience, maturity, take direction well
CONS: "Washed-up," slower, less endurance and explosiveness
Young Role Players
PROS: Fast, explosive, can last longer, skills can still be molded
CONS: Inexperience, may not be able to fit into Popovich's big picture because he won't take direction as well as the older players
Parker, when he first came on, was inconsistent as anyone can ever be, while older role players, like Kurt Thomas, fit into his role after coming onto the team almost instantly.
Anyway, when we look at age, we should be looking at the star players. As long as the role player can effectively do their role, I don't care if they're 50 years old.
**Edited for mistake
Duncan turned 32 in APRIL.
One minor mistake. Not a big deal.
What troubles me is how the FO has cast their lot so far to the other end of the age spectrum. That's my criticism. Because the problem with older players, and we've seen this play out, is:
- High-injury potential
- Struggles on B2B nights
- Difficulty defending younger, quicker players
Having 1 or 2 younger or mid-career players would give the better balance to the roster. Which, in turn, would allow Pop to reduce the reliance on the big three without losing as much production. Overall, this type of roster balance would allow for better matchups with the ever-changing landscape of talent in this league.
There's little merit in having the perennial "oldest team in the league". The FO is playing with "house money" that will eventually run out.
Last edited by SenorSpur; 05-21-2008 at 09:21 AM.
I love my Spurs, but if we don't come up with another le this year, we definitely need some younger blood. Well. Even if we take the le, there are some adjustments that need to be made to support our big 3, and that definitely includes some younger players. Most importantly, can we hav a backup to TP who is closer to his age and/or explosiveness? I mean, I love Jaque Vaughn, but I've been waiting all season for him to be traded with someone who can step it the up. Mighty Mouse hasn't impressed me since the trade either...
We need a young and strong big man to support Duncan. Dwight Howard, come to the Spurs! We'll teach you to be dominant which the Magic can't do!
he's signed long term and we couldn't afford him.We need a young and strong big man to support Duncan. Dwight Howard, come to the Spurs! We'll teach you to be dominant which the Magic can't do!
The age catagory is where Scola would oh helped out with his younger legs and what not. And not only this year but in years to come. But we should be compe ive for the remainder of the playoffs. But we do have to get younger in the offseason if we are going to max out the championships we can win with the Big 3 in tact.
Hey don't forget guys we have the rights to some young international prospects. Also if you want to see a good standard of rebuilding while keeping your core intact look at the pistons, thats what the Spurs need to do.
That's all well and good. However this roster needs some of that production starting next season. Or at least production from other sources than the Big Three. Whether that be from the international stash or some future FA signing.
Well Duhhhh...Spurs management has been planning a partial reload this summer for years. Why do you think they have Barry, Finley, Horry, and Stoudamire on ending contracts?
Barry is ending NEXT summer...
My point was, Mr. Brain Surgeon, is that they've squeezed just about all they can get out of this current roster.
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