Free Agent: Carlos Delfino

[angelbelow]

Is it for 3 years and $73 million?

theres no way artest refuses that. so it must be false

[loveforthegame]

I'm not crazy about Delfino but I can understand the Spurs interest in him.

[Tully365]

My guess is Delfino is part of Plan C.

Yeah, I think so too. For the LLE, he's not a terrible option. At least with him you can picture a sometimes on-court trio of Delfino/Manu/Oberto that have a built-in familiarity, and just as Oberto seems to operate a liitle better when Manu's on the court with him, maybe the same would be true for Delfino.

[Tully365]

There is probably more money in europe for delfino than the LLE. That's basically what he made last year for the Raps.

Hmmm.

If that's the case, then the Spurs probably plan to use Udoka at the 4 quite a bit, especially if they sign both Maggette (MLE) and Delfino (LLE). It's also makes things look bleak for Malik Hairston and impossible for Gist. But it would explain Barry's eagerness to leave.

Parker/Hill/Vaughn
Delfino/Ginobli/Finley
Bowen/Maggette/Hairston(?)
Duncan/Udoka/Bonner
Thomas/Oberto/Mahinmi

That's a roster that would see tons of small ball sets. But it's damn good.

I think you're cheating a little, listing Udoka as a back-up PF-- he's 6'5".
The above roster would have 7 swing position players-- wouldn't it be better to lose one of those for an extra big body? If Hairston makes the team and they sign Maggette & Delfino, I don't see any reason for keeping Finley.
If Bynum and Oden are healthy next year, they will present problems.

[Fiestadog]

Reminds me of a tier 04 Hedo

Just ask the Pistons...he's a loser.

[T Park]

Delfino > Hedo

[Bruno]

Delfino for the LLE will be a good signing, if he can live with few and inconsistent playing time. He can shoot and defend, that's enough to me.

[tav1]

I think you're cheating a little, listing Udoka as a back-up PF-- he's 6'5".
The above roster would have 7 swing position players-- wouldn't it be better to lose one of those for an extra big body? If Hairston makes the team and they sign Maggette & Delfino, I don't see any reason for keeping Finley.
If Bynum and Oden are healthy next year, they will present problems.

1) Delfino at the LLE is great value, and even those on the board whom are low on him would take that, especially if Maggette is at the wing

2) Udoka logged quite a few minutes at the 4 last season--Pop likes to play small. So, yes, I think it's odd. But if, and were specuating here, they have offerred Maggette the MLE and Delfino the LLE, then I don't think it's a stretch that they plan to use Ime at the 4.

Like everyone else on this board, I watch a lot of Spurs basketball. I can't imagine that I'm the only one to note that Pop likes to play him at 4--where he's a surprisingly good rebounder.

[Tully365]

1) Delfino at the LLE is great value, and even those on the board whom are low on him would take that, especially if Maggette is at the wing

2) Udoka logged quite a few minutes at the 4 last season--Pop likes to play small. So, yes, I think it's odd. But if, and were specuating here, they have offerred Maggette the MLE and Delfino the LLE, then I don't think it's a stretch that they plan to use Ime at the 4.

Like everyone else on this board, I watch a lot of Spurs basketball. I can't imagine that I'm the only one to note that Pop likes to play him at 4--where he's a surprisingly good rebounder.

I understand your reasoning-- but do you still think keeping Finley is preferable to adding a Big?

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

When I first thought about this, I was totally against it (read my post in the first page of this thread). But now that I've come to think about it, he could be a good signing for the LLE. He could be converted into a Spurs-kind of player, improving his work ethic. If that happens, then I'll declare Pop a genius, because so far, Delfino has had problems with almost every coach he's worked under in his career.

He's got an at ude problem and the worst part is that he doesn't know it. He seems to underrate himself on the court, never reaching his potential or exploiting his conditions. At the same time, he overrates himself in front of the press, always blaming the coaches for his failures. He's Manu's exact opposite.

If the Spurs coaching staff can work him on the psychological side of his game, then this is a steal for the LLE. Of course, Manu and Fabricio would have a say too, since both are the National Team captains now, and they've always spoken very well and were supportive to other Argentinians playing around the world, but they have always been strangely silent about Delfino.

[Tully365]

When I first thought about this, I was totally against it (read my post in the first page of this thread). But now that I've come to think about it, he could be a good signing for the LLE. He could be converted into a Spurs-kind of player, improving his work ethic. If that happens, then I'll declare Pop a genius, because so far, Delfino has had problems with almost every coach he's worked under in his career.

He's got an at ude problem and the worst part is that he doesn't know it. He seems to underrate himself on the court, never reaching his potential or exploiting his conditions. At the same time, he overrates himself in front of the press, always blaming the coaches for his failures. He's Manu's exact opposite.

If the Spurs coaching staff can work him on the psychological side of his game, then this is a steal for the LLE. Of course, Manu and Fabricio would have a say too, since both are the National Team captains now, and they've always spoken very well and were supportive to other Argentinians playing around the world, but they have always been strangely silent about Delfino.

I imagine Pop has at least spoken to Manu & Oberto about this possibility to gauge their interest and opinions about Delfino's maturity, locker-room presence, etc. It would be strange to take such a chance on an average talent if he's a trouble-maker and two of his team-mates from the Argentine National team have secretly told you that he's not worth the effort...

[T Park]

Delfino would be a fantastic fit in SA.

Hope its for the LLE, and if so, its a steal.

[Avitus1]

Guess we'll wait and see how this works out. Hopefully good...

[T Park]

Delfino by that description, sounds like almost an argentine Stephen Jackson.

Dunno how clutch he is.

[SPURS21]

Umm Delfino is crap. Here in T.O. I think everyone will be glad to see him go.

[timvp]

Delfino by that description, sounds like almost an argentine Stephen Jackson.

Delfino is more like the Argentine Jerry Stackhouse -- the homeless man's version.

[T Park]

Delfino is more like the Argentine Jerry Stackhouse -- the homeless man's version.

If he played like the 2006 version, bring him the F on.

[ShoogarBear]

All the bad things noted, but the nice thing about Delfino is that he would give the Spurs incredible defensive flexibility in the swing spot in addition to Bowen and Udoka. If the Spurs sign Maggette and Pop can get him to play just adequate defense, that would be a huge upgrade for the Small Ball defense.

[T Park]

Umm Delfino is crap. Here in T.O. I think everyone will be glad to see him go.

Toronto treated Matt Bonner like a god.

Thats all I need to know about Toronto.

[T Park]

All the bad things noted, but the nice thing about Delfino is that he would give the Spurs incredible defensive flexibility in the swing spot in addition to Bowen and Udoka. If the Spurs sign Maggette and Pop can get him to play just adequate defense, that would be a huge upgrade for the Small Ball defense.

Yeah if they pulled both, you could almost give Bowen and Ginobili november through January off.

[SPURS21]

TPark you are right, what does that say about Delfino

[Sway]

What position does Delfino usually play? On the first page he is listed as a SG, but on his draft profile he is listed as a SF/PF. He doest seem that big, but is listed at 230lb which is pretty big for a SG.

[Tully365]

Using any part of the MLE on Delfino would be an awful move and kill any chance of scoring Maggette, Smith, Pietrus, or Gomes. Landing him with the LLE would be perfect-- this FA market is not that great and lots of teams will be looking for a guy who defends and the worst thing that could happen would be the Spurs getting shut out completely. Grab him right away & still try to make a big splash with Maggette.

[tav1]

I understand your reasoning-- but do you still think keeping Finley is preferable to adding a Big?

Depends. I think Delfino/Maggette is better than Maggette/Javtokas or Maggette/Benson. I'd gladly take a small ball front courts at times for that sort of wing flexibility.

And I think Finley is done. He just strikes me as a guy who has worn down. I think he should retire and continue to collect his checks from Cuban and think about coaching.

[tav1]

Delfino for the LLE will be a good signing, if he can live with few and inconsistent playing time. He can shoot and defend, that's enough to me.

You said in 30 words what I tried to say in 300.