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They let any and all hopes of the uber-legacy slip away. Now they can never reach the same level of greatness as if they had won again this year.
Spurs will make changes to keep pace in West
By Johnny Ludden
LOS ANGELES – For eight days the San Antonio Spurs could feel Kobe Bryant and his Los Angeles Lakers gaining on them. Even in that oh-so-fleeting moment when they announced their return to the Western Conference finals by surging to a 20-point lead, they knew. These Lakers weren’t going away. They were younger, faster, fresher, and, as the Spurs were forced to finally admit, better.
Their championship reign over, their attempts at winning that long-elusive repeat le again dismissed, the Spurs trudged to their locker room late Thursday. The Lakers had overtaken them again, this time roaring back from a 17-point deficit to end the series in five games, and, deep down, the Spurs knew something else.
They might never get this close again.
The Spurs’ championship window hasn’t closed just yet. Tim Duncan likely won’t lose a step because he’s never had one. Tony Parker is young and driven enough to get better. Manu Ginobili ended this series the same way he began it, exhausted and hurt, but he’s also coming off the best season of his career. With Gregg Popovich guiding them, the Spurs’ core should again rank as one of the league’s best.
But these Lakers also aren’t going away. Nor are the New Orleans Hornets or Utah Jazz. The Portland Trail Blazers should be better. All of them are younger.
“We’re going to have to face that reality,” Spurs owner Peter Holt said.
The Spurs will face it the way they always do. They learn from their mistakes and they move forward. After losing the first two games of their conference semifinal series with the Hornets, Popovich and his staff debated how they could have improved their roster during the season. Should they have made a harder push to sign Sam Cassell instead of Damon Stoudamire? They could have acquired Delonte West from Seattle for a first-round pick, but passed after watching West play poorly in a game against them. Was that a mistake?
What’s done is done, Popovich told his staff. They made the decisions with the best information they had. They probably weren’t going to get Cassell and trading for West likely would have prevented them from landing Kurt Thomas later in the season. Second-guessing wasn’t going to help now, so they better focus on finding a way to get past the Hornets.
The Spurs rallied to beat New Orleans in seven games, but that left them spent for the conference finals. They lost a night of rest to airline problems then lost a game when their old nemesis, Joey Crawford, swallowed his whistle on the final play of Game 4. Popovich publicly downplayed the impact of the non-call, but privately he wasn’t too happy Crawford was allowed to officiate the game. League officials can expect to hear from the Spurs at some point this summer.
Still, Popovich also knows bad luck is not why the Spurs lost. The Spurs, he said, “just played a team that was better.”
Popovich downplayed the need for the Spurs to “wholesale change things.” Duncan also said he did “love what we had this year.” Both, however, know the team is headed for a bigger transition this summer than last. Robert Horry hasn’t decided whether to retire, but his stay with the Spurs is likely over. Same for Michael Finley and Stoudamire. Thomas also will be a free agent, but the Spurs want to re-sign him.
There will be pressure on San Antonio GM R.C. Buford to rediscover some of his draft-night magic. Finding an athletic and a backup point guard are the priorities. The Spurs also will have their $5 million midlevel exception to spend. Corey Maggette figures to be out of their reach, so they might resort to trying to pry away a restricted free agent. The Spurs have had previous interest in Toronto’s Carlos Delfino, but the most likely target was standing across from them on Thursday.
Sasha Vujacic impressed Spurs officials throughout the series. He isn’t well-liked among other international players, which might not work considering the Spurs have a couple of them, but he’s an active defender and he can shoot – two traits Popovich covets. The Lakers don’t figure to let Vujacic leave, particularly if he goes on to help them win a championship. At the least, though, the Spurs will try to drive up his price.
Even before the Lakers ran past them, the Spurs knew they needed younger legs. They were short on energy from the start of the conference finals, and not all of it can be blamed on the night they spent on a New Orleans tarmac. The short turnaround between series didn’t work in their favor, but there’s no guarantee they won’t run into the same situation next season.
“That’s got to be in the back of our minds going forward,” Holt said. “We had a good regular season injury-wise, but we were tired. Is it an age factor? Was it just the timing of everything? I don’t know yet.”
Ginobili particularly struggled with the every-other-day schedule of the conference finals, and it didn’t help that he was playing on a bad left ankle. He lacked his usual explosiveness, scoring more than 10 points in only one of the five games. Not surprisingly, that was the only game the Spurs won.
“I never felt like this in a postseason since I’ve been here,” Ginobili said. “It was kind of hard for me to fight through it and try to forget it.”
Ginobili will now spend part of his summer playing for Argentina in the Beijing Olympics, which naturally has Holt “very worried.” He will have September to recover and Popovich won’t hesitate to rest him early in the season, if needed. Still, the Spurs will need to strengthen their bench, and Thursday’s news from Spain won’t help.
The Spurs had hoped to bring over last year’s first-round pick, Tiago Splitter, to improve their frontline next season, but the Brazilian forward reportedly has decided to sign a larger contract to remain in Spain. With the U.S. dollar weakening against the Euro and Russia’s big-money teams inflating the Euroleague market, Splitter figures to receive millions more than he would get from the Spurs. Spurs officials, who haven’t received official word from Splitter’s representative about the contract, could have to wait another two years to sign him.
One coach said Splitter’s decision could be a “blessing in disguise” for the Spurs because it would force them to take a longer look at their 2005 first-round pick, 21-year-old French forward Ian Mahinmi. But even that’s wishful thinking. A number of NBA scouts predicted Splitter to become a productive rotation member, if not a starter, while Mahinmi, despite his tremendous athleticism, is still learning the game.
The Spurs still hold the rights to another international big man, Lithuania’s Robertas Javtokas. But not getting Splitter makes the team’s decision to trade Argentine forward Luis Scola to the Houston Rockets appear that much more regrettable. One of the reasons the Spurs said they traded Scola was that Splitter would be a better fit alongside Duncan. Popovich, however, simmered over the Scola deal throughout the season because it violated one of his long-held edicts: Never help a rival.
Unless he had a spare ankle to lend Ginobili, there’s no guarantee Scola would have helped the Spurs beat the Lakers. But he’ll likely be starting for the Rockets again next season, and if Yao Ming finally stays healthy? The West will be that much tougher.
Andrew Bynum’s knee also is on the mend, which should only strengthen the Lakers. The Hornets will try to improve their bench. Deron Williams will come back hungrier in Utah.
Deep down, the Spurs know all of this. That’s why Ginobili looked so frustrated as he finally left the locker room late Thursday.
“We feel,” he said, “like we let another opportunity get away.”
They let any and all hopes of the uber-legacy slip away. Now they can never reach the same level of greatness as if they had won again this year.
One of the reasons the Spurs said they traded Scola was that Splitter would be a better fit alongside Duncan. Popovich, however, simmered over the Scola deal throughout the season because it violated one of his long-held edicts: Never help a rival.
Popovich publicly downplayed the impact of the non-call, but privately he wasn’t too happy Crawford was allowed to officiate the game. League officials can expect to hear from the Spurs at some point this summer.
Vujacic?? no, he isn't what we need.
Holt needs to realize his chintziness led to a premature decline of this team's championship contention. Not saying he should have spent freely, but his hard cap has cost at a greater multiple than his savings.
Yes, they should have went for Cassell instead of Stoudamire. That was obvious.
Yes, they should have traded for Delonte West, if that was available.
No, they shouldn't have wasted yet another draft pick in trading for Kurt Thomas.
No, absolutely they shouldn't have traded Luis Scola, much less to a rival.
Yes, they should have drafted Tiago Splitter last year. That was a great pick at the time.
No, they shouldn't have resigned Bonner for more than minimum salary.
Yes, they should have played Bonner if they had him. At least he was youthful.
Draft coming up. Here's hoping they pull a rabbit or two out of the hat.
why dont the euros like sasha....
He's a ? Just guessing.
Probably because you were averaging about 40 minutes there for a stretch in the regular season so that the Spurs can beat the likes of the Knicks and stay in the playoff hunt.“I never felt like this in a postseason since I’ve been here,” Ginobili said. “It was kind of hard for me to fight through it and try to forget it.”
Spurs overrealiance on the Big 3 in the regular season and in the first 2 games of the postseason was a big factor in thier fatigue. Those 3 guys have to play at such a high level, even in the regular season we saw, for the SPurs to have a chance.
And Spurs think they'll actually be able to land Sasha Vuijic?No way the Lakers are letting him go, especially after the series he just had against us.
Four (4) failures at a repeat. We give a pick for Thomas when the damn FO could have had a young Kyle Korver. Instead, he not only goes to a rival (see Scola comment above), but to a team that will be contending for at least the next five years.
Nice non-moves you cheap idiots!!
Couple thoughts:
I think that Cassell was always going to Boston. Probably felt like he could take crunch-time minutes away from Rondo. That would not have been the case here. Stoudamire was a gamble which cost us next to nothing.
While I would not have given up the pick for Thomas, I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that the Spurs get by the Suns without him. He was much better on Shaq than Elson would have been, and our margin of error in that series was small enough that it might have made a difference.
Pretty much agree with everything else. But we're here now, no changing anything else, so the FO needs to push all regrets out of their mind and do what they need to from this point forward to put the team back on top.
Believe it or not, I'm glad to hear Holt weigh in with an opinion. He has been very frugal and the Spurs FO has done a tremendous job of working within that financial model. I'm also glad to hear Holt speak up because perhaps it means he sees, and is willing to admit, what the rest of us have already known. This team is old, slow and unathletic. A point that causes Pop to bristle publicly. It didn't show up as much last year - but it's painfully evident now.
Hopefully, Holt will be more amenable to allowing Pop and R.C. spend a bit more than usual, provided the acquisitions make sense. I hope they rethink their philosophy of "pro-Euro only" draft picks. It's not a bad strategy and certainly one that's been successful, but it's not the only strategy that should be employed. There ARE players in THIS COUNTRY that can play too. How about looking at some of them too?
This franchise owes it to Tim and Manu, who both left money on the table in order for the team to remain le contenders for years to come. It would be a disservice to them, if they continue with their present philosophy of only acquiring AARP- eligible players.
time to reload. Only players to keep are Manu, Duncan, and Parker.
If they drive up his price then at least they make the Lakers spend more money which is a good thing.Probably because you were averaging about 40 minutes there for a stretch in the regular season so that the Spurs can beat the likes of the Knicks and stay in the playoff hunt.
Spurs overrealiance on the Big 3 in the regular season and in the first 2 games of the postseason was a big factor in thier fatigue. Those 3 guys have to play at such a high level, even in the regular season we saw, for the SPurs to have a chance.
And Spurs think they'll actually be able to land Sasha Vuijic?
Pop rode the Big Three the way Bum Phillips rode Earl Campbell - especially Manu. Obviously, the success of the team is tied to this trio, but this team played poorly and inconsistently when one or both were out in the lineup. There's nothing on the bench to offset the enormous workload of this trio.Probably because you were averaging about 40 minutes there for a stretch in the regular season so that the Spurs can beat the likes of the Knicks and stay in the playoff hunt.
Spurs overrealiance on the Big 3 in the regular season and in the first 2 games of the postseason was a big factor in thier fatigue. Those 3 guys have to play at such a high level, even in the regular season we saw, for the SPurs to have a chance. .
Screw Sasha. The Spurs would be better off going after Ronny Turiaf.And Spurs think they'll actually be able to land Sasha Vuijic?
As stated in another threat I think another scorer is the priority this summer. With Gino playing this summer he should get even more rest during the 08/09 regular season to be fresh in the playoffs. Tony and Tim can't carry the offensive load on their own, at least not without being exhausted come playoff time. It should be an explosive scorer who is able to create his own shot. It will not be easy to find a player for reasonable money who helps right away.
I think RC and Pop know that they need some changes to be successfull next year.
Lakers will be as good, if not better.
Hornets will (try to) improve.
Blazers might as well make a push for the playoffs.
Utah will be tough again.
It will be even harder next year. Barry and Udoka will stay because of their small contracts.
Stoudamire really has lost his game quickly. It wasn't that long ago that he was a very dangerous player, now he looks like a s of his former self.
Combination of too much weed + age
In my opinion, the Spurs need to figure out some way to get Corey Maggette. It will take a sign and trade, but maybe they can figure out some way to entice the Clippers to do that.
Other than that, I don't see a whole lot out there that will help in free agency, it is kind of a weak year in that regard.
They would be foolish to get rid of Barry and if Thomas signs cheap, he is a good guy to have on your team. Bowen is a very solid player in your system, I would certainly keep him.
I think Udoka is worth keeping around also.
Horry, Vaughn, Oberto, Bonner wold not be missed much.
That's terrible.Ludden: Thomas also will be a free agent, but the Spurs want to re-sign him.
Why re-sign a guy the Spurs couldn't even count on for minutes in the WCF who due to age and wear-related breakdowns will ONLY get worse next year?
A first round pick was wasted on him to go 2 rounds farther in the playoffs, but let it go. Don't compound the issue by then re-signing him. It won't make the trade any better. He was a rental, let it go.
Uh he couldn't play in the WCF due to matchups, not age and breakdowns dumbass.
I disagree with that. Really, Pop just played his stars about as much as other teams do.
The difference is that he is usually much more restrained during the regular season. OTOH, usually the Spurs have a much bigger cushion for playoff seeding.
he couldn't match up because he's slowed due to age.
If he's re-signed, there's no time for Mahinmi. Pop won't sit Thomas and Oberto both, the temptation to quit on Mahinmi after one dumb foul with both Thomas and Oberto available will be too great.
Uh no, because he was a center going against a long 4 who really is a 3.
If Bynum is healthy he plays Bynum, Duncan Gasol, and Ginobili on Odom.
So you'd get rid of your best post defender outside of Duncan just because he couldn't play much against a small ball lineup?
Thomas isn't much less athletic (or fatigued) now than he was 10 years ago.
Most of his problems were the match-ups we faced + inexperience in the system.
He's not a good complement to Duncan, but he's not a bad subs ute for him.
i think the 3 biggest blunder in the duncan era the FO d up on was
1. lowballing stephen jacksons extention offer...fukn lame as
2. not drafting josh howard who was still on the board
3. trading barboza
the season jax left, we couldve repeated had we kept him instead of signin turgo...
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