Monroe: Replacing Old Guard With New Blood

[anakha]

A team full of lottery picks doesn't mean they will be worth a damn.

Signed,

The Los Angeles Clippers

[Buddy Holly]

Even as a Spurs fan, I'd be feeling more optimistic about the Blazers line-up for the next 5-10 years than I do the Spurs.

5-10?

[ChumpDumper]

What? Are you attempting to make a point?

Yep.

Point made.

[Tully365]

Their execution sucked. They used a first round pick on George Hill? From IUPUI? Give me an effing break! The Spurs got lucky drafting Parker and Ginobili several years ago, but have been brain-dead ever since.

So when they pick good guys, it's luck, but if a pick turns out to be not-so-good, it's proof that they suck? Strange logic. Using this method of analysis, there's no way they could ever make a wise move in your opinion. I call your style of debate the "Hamster running in a wheel" method. No matter how fast you think you may be going, you're still actually stuck in the same place... take a rest... go take a tug off of the water bottle...

[ehz33satx]

Their execution sucked. They used a first round pick on George Hill? From IUPUI? Give me an effing break! The Spurs got lucky drafting Parker and Ginobili several years ago, but have been brain-dead ever since.

Brain dead to the point of winning a total of 4 championships. I will tell you this right now, your beloved Trailblazers will not be winning any championships anytime soon. You can bet your homely looking ass on that.

[Spurs Brazil]

Good to know Monroe is in Las Vegas.

Let's see if he can bring some news from the Summer League

[SenorSpur]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...n.4007bb0.html

Spurs: Replacing old guard with new blood
By Mike Monroe

We're older than dirt. — Gregg Popovich

Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on children. — George Bernard Shaw

LAS VEGAS — The 13 players who suited up for the Spurs in their playoff run last season averaged 32.46 years old. That made them, if not quite as ancient as dirt, the oldest team in the NBA.

“That's the popular thing to say or write,” said assistant coach Mike Budenholzer, Popovich's top assistant and head coach of the summer league team. “But we didn't lose (to the Lakers, in the 2008 Western Conference finals) because we were too old. If you were inside the walls, you'd know we don't believe we lost because we were too old.”

I call bull ! Who is he kidding? I don't give a damn what Coach Bud, Coach Pop or anyone else on that coaching staff says publicly. They watched that team perform during the playoffs just like the rest of us. They saw the same warts and deficiencies that rest off us saw. If they're honest in their assessment, they know that was a team that was tired, old, and injured. A team that got routinely outhustled, outquicked, outrebounded and outplayed - despite their so-called age and experience.

The coaches can bristle at these claims, from fans and media, all they want. They can publicly blame Manu's injury as the reason for their playoff failures, but we all know the truth - even if they wont admit it publicly. They need to get over themselves. Even their prized, all-star PG makes the same claims.

Age and experience certainly have their place and they are absolutely key elements toward championship contention. However, the Spurs had gone too far in that direction, where it became detrimental. CIA or no CIA, the Spurs draft and FA strategy is a private admission and an indictment as to how old and unathletic this team had become - even if the coaches wont say it publicly.

[TJastal]

I call bull ! Who is he kidding? I don't give a damn what Coach Bud, Coach Pop or anyone else on that coaching staff says publicly. They watched that team perform during the playoffs just like the rest of us. They saw the same warts and deficiencies that rest off us saw. If they're honest in their assessment, they know that was a team that was tired, old, and injured. A team that got routinely outhustled, outquicked, outrebounded and outplayed - despite their so-called age and experience.

The coaches can bristle at these claims, from fans and media, all they want. They can publicly blame Manu's injury as the reason for their playoff failures, but we all know the truth - even if they wont admit it publicly. They need to get over themselves. Even their prized, all-star PG makes the same claims.

Age and experience certainly have their place and they are absolutely key elements toward championship contention. However, the Spurs had gone too far in that direction, where it became detrimental. CIA or no CIA, the Spurs draft and FA strategy is a private admission and an indictment as to how old and unathletic this team had become - even if the coaches wont say it publicly.

I agree in part with this assessment from Senor Spur. Seems to me however that the other half of the problem with the spurs is their lack of athleticism they have overall, especially on their frontline. Age is one thing, and can be overcome with guys getting proper rest for the playoffs, but lack of athleticism cannot be suddenly just turned on when needed.

If you take a look at the spurs from top to bottom they have almost no athletic players on their roster, outside of Parker, and that is really stretching the defenition to include him. Ginobili used to bring good athleticism every day, but those days are over sadly. Just for laughs, lets quick look at the spurs front line from last year in terms of athleticism:

Tim Duncan - gets by nowadays on height and length, used to have some minor hops, but that's pretty much gone

Kurt Thomas - uses his size and strength well, but cannot jump either.

Fabricio Oberto - can't dunk the ball and he's 6'10

Matt Bonner - not really what I'd call athletic

Robert Horry - at one time was quite the athlete, but that was at least 5 years ago

This is probably the least athletic front line in the NBA right now by a good margin. Is it any wonder the hornets and lakers practically scored at will at the front of the rim with Chandler and Gasol? Freakin Gasol even..

Thankfully the spurs are finally now taking steps to address this by adding some athletic rookies to the mix. However, the addition of Roger Mason, while he does shoot well, seems pretty stationary to the floor and doesn't really help the spurs athletically. What I think they really needed was an athletic 2/3, someone like Pietrus, Azubuike (especially Azuibuike). I would've even taken a flyer on JR Smith over Mason, the situation is that desperate. But who knows maybe one of these rookies Hairston or Gist will provide some athletic punch, but that remains to be seen.

[Sway]

I agree in part with this assessment from Senor Spur. Seems to me however that the other half of the problem with the spurs is their lack of athleticism they have overall, especially on their frontline. Age is one thing, and can be overcome with guys getting proper rest for the playoffs, but lack of athleticism cannot be suddenly just turned on when needed.

If you take a look at the spurs from top to bottom they have almost no athletic players on their roster, outside of Parker, and that is really stretching the defenition to include him. Ginobili used to bring good athleticism every day, but those days are over sadly. Just for laughs, lets quick look at the spurs front line from last year in terms of athleticism:

Tim Duncan - gets by nowadays on height and length, used to have some minor hops, but that's pretty much gone

Kurt Thomas - uses his size and strength well, but cannot jump either.

Fabricio Oberto - can't dunk the ball and he's 6'10

Matt Bonner - not really what I'd call athletic

Robert Horry - at one time was quite the athlete, but that was at least 5 years ago

This is probably the least athletic front line in the NBA right now by a good margin. Is it any wonder the hornets and lakers practically scored at will at the front of the rim with Chandler and Gasol? Freakin Gasol even..

Thankfully the spurs are finally now taking steps to address this by adding some athletic rookies to the mix. However, the addition of Roger Mason, while he does shoot well, seems pretty stationary to the floor and doesn't really help the spurs athletically. What I think they really needed was an athletic 2/3, someone like Pietrus, Azubuike (especially Azuibuike). I would've even taken a flyer on JR Smith over Mason, the situation is that desperate. But who knows maybe one of these rookies Hairston or Gist will provide some athletic punch, but that remains to be seen.

[MarHill]

I call bull ! Who is he kidding? I don't give a damn what Coach Bud, Coach Pop or anyone else on that coaching staff says publicly. They watched that team perform during the playoffs just like the rest of us. They saw the same warts and deficiencies that rest off us saw. If they're honest in their assessment, they know that was a team that was tired, old, and injured. A team that got routinely outhustled, outquicked, outrebounded and outplayed - despite their so-called age and experience.

The coaches can bristle at these claims, from fans and media, all they want. They can publicly blame Manu's injury as the reason for their playoff failures, but we all know the truth - even if they wont admit it publicly. They need to get over themselves. Even their prized, all-star PG makes the same claims.

Age and experience certainly have their place and they are absolutely key elements toward championship contention. However, the Spurs had gone too
far in that direction, where it became detrimental. CIA or no CIA, the Spurs draft and FA strategy is a private admission and an indictment as to how old and unathletic this team had become - even if the coaches wont say it publicly.

Oh boy....let's go back revisit history. When the Spurs won the championship in 2007, both Pop & R.C said they were going to give the team an opportunity to defend their championship. So they didn't do anything last off-season...but brought every back.

At that time, a lot of people (including myself) thought it was a good move. Keep the core together and give them an opportunity to defend their championship.

Well...how did the season go? They had 56 wins and got to WCF. Okay...so they didn't win another championship. Wow...that can actually happen? Even in Spurs Country!!!!! Yikes!!

Yes...the team did have some offensive droughts and their play look spotty during the regular season. But, the fact they won a game 7 on the road in New Orleans (when they got smashed the first three games in NO) told me a lot about this team.

A championship every year isn't guarantee to anyone (I know that's hard to admit even for some spoiled Spurs fans). But the fact that injuries...had something to do with their performance in the WCF!

Even Lakers knew that Manu wasn't healthy and he would made a difference in the WCF.

Sometimes...the spoiled Spurs fans act like this team has gone from first to worst!! Geesh!!

I'm not saying the FO isn't above criticism. However, when you have won 3 championships in the last 6 years....you get the benefit of the doubt. Also, in the years you didn't win the championship...you got the Western Conference Semis twice & the Western Conference Finals once. That means you were able to maintain a championship contending level team consistently.

I know consistency, productivity, and be always right there in the hunt is (oh my)...boring!!

It seems like some Spurs fans would rather have the team suck like the LA Clippers or Minnesota Timberwolves than rather be in the hunt for championship each year. Please....I rather be a fan of team who has a chance each year for a championship and actually WON IT (that's for you Dallas & Phoenix fans) multiple times!!

[ShoogarBear]

Good to know Monroe is in Las Vegas.

Let's see if he can bring some news from the Summer League

Let's hope he gets the address of the building correct.

[peskypesky]

Their execution sucked. They used a first round pick on George Hill? From IUPUI? Give me an effing break!

So players from obscure colleges can't shine in the NBA? This guy might disagree with you:
http://www.nba.com/history/players/a...d_summary.html

[ShoogarBear]

So players from obscure colleges can't shine in the NBA? This guy might disagree with you:
http://www.nba.com/history/players/a...d_summary.html

Actually, UTEP is not a good example, since they had won an NCAA championship just a year or so before Archibald got there.

[peskypesky]

Actually, UTEP is not a good example, since they had won an NCAA championship just a year or so before Archibald got there.

OK, then how about this guy?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_...etroit_Pistons

[peskypesky]

and this guy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Cheeks

[Tully365]

There are lots of good examples: Willis Reed, Scottie Pippin, Steve Nash. Plus Hill is a special case-- he got recruited by big time colleges but stayed near home for family reasons.

[picnroll]

Jerry Rice

[SenorSpur]

Oh boy....let's go back revisit history. When the Spurs won the championship in 2007, both Pop & R.C said they were going to give the team an opportunity to defend their championship. So they didn't do anything last off-season...but brought every back.

At that time, a lot of people (including myself) thought it was a good move. Keep the core together and give them an opportunity to defend their championship.

Well...how did the season go? They had 56 wins and got to WCF. Okay...so they didn't win another championship. Wow...that can actually happen? Even in Spurs Country!!!!! Yikes!!

Yes...the team did have some offensive droughts and their play look spotty during the regular season. But, the fact they won a game 7 on the road in New Orleans (when they got smashed the first three games in NO) told me a lot about this team.

A championship every year isn't guarantee to anyone (I know that's hard to admit even for some spoiled Spurs fans). But the fact that injuries...had something to do with their performance in the WCF!

Even Lakers knew that Manu wasn't healthy and he would made a difference in the WCF.

Sometimes...the spoiled Spurs fans act like this team has gone from first to worst!! Geesh!!

I'm not saying the FO isn't above criticism. However, when you have won 3 championships in the last 6 years....you get the benefit of the doubt. Also, in the years you didn't win the championship...you got the Western Conference Semis twice & the Western Conference Finals once. That means you were able to maintain a championship contending level team consistently.

I know consistency, productivity, and be always right there in the hunt is (oh my)...boring!!

It seems like some Spurs fans would rather have the team suck like the LA Clippers or Minnesota Timberwolves than rather be in the hunt for championship each year. Please....I rather be a fan of team who has a chance each year for a championship and actually WON IT (that's for you Dallas & Phoenix fans) multiple times!!

I expected some posters to miss the point I'm making here. This isn't to deride the accomplishments of last year's team or to display a lack of appreciation for FO's past decisions that have produced the dynasty that we're fortunate enough to be in. Not at all. Don't confuse criticism wiht a lack of appreciation of success.

This is simply about the FO continuously bristling at criticism from some fans and media, that I believe is fair. A FO that has seemingly been defiant that this team didn't need youth or athleticism on the roster. When you're winning, it's easy to give the rest of the world the "middle finger". Though at some point, age and an eventual decline in sklls catches up to all players. If you're not making an honest, adequate evaluation of the roster talent, the compe ion will catch up. A couple of bad personnnel decisions and the results can be overwhelming.

All I'm pointing out, is the fact that the FO's decision to address the age and lack of athleticism issue with this roster, was long overdue. I'm thrilled they've finally decided to do so and applaud them for it. I just think it's delusional or hypocrtical of the coaching staff to keep maintaining that the team isn't old, yet the decisions made so far this summer are in direct contrast with their statements.

In other words, don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining.

[ChumpDumper]

But Pop said they were older than dirt. How is that maintaining that they were not old?

[SenorSpur]

But Pop said they were older than dirt. How is that maintaining that they were not old?

I've seen Pop literally bristle during press conferences when asked about the age of his team. He's seemed pretty sensitive about it even.

I was mainly referencing Coach Bud's "pre-rehearsed", defiant comments, that were referenced in the article.

[ChumpDumper]

Pop knows they're old. He just didn't give a about it and hates answering stupid questions.

Older teams win. You just can't get too old. As a single-topic poster, one can second-guess all day about when that point is reached.

[Tully365]

I expected some posters to miss the point I'm making here. This isn't to deride the accomplishments of last year's team or to display a lack of appreciation for FO's past decisions that have produced the dynasty that we're fortunate enough to be in. Not at all. Don't confuse criticism wiht a lack of appreciation of success.

This is simply about the FO continuously bristling at criticism from some fans and media, that I believe is fair. A FO that has seemingly been defiant that this team didn't need youth or athleticism on the roster. When you're winning, it's easy to give the rest of the world the "middle finger". Though at some point, age and an eventual decline in sklls catches up to all players. If you're not making an honest, adequate evaluation of the roster talent, the compe ion will catch up. A couple of bad personnnel decisions and the results can be overwhelming.

All I'm pointing out, is the fact that the FO's decision to address the age and lack of athleticism issue with this roster, was long overdue. I'm thrilled they've finally decided to do so and applaud them for it. I just think it's delusional or hypocrtical of the coaching staff to keep maintaining that the team isn't old, yet the decisions made so far this summer are in direct contrast with their statements.

In other words, don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining.

Haha! Funny stuff. The Spurs have 5 young guys hoping to make the roster (Hill, Mason, Mahinmi, Hairston, Gist) so maybe it's a case of raining and pissing at the same time! I think letting Barry go was the main sign that getting younger was a priority. I guess running a Front Office will always involve a bit of public relations fudging, slick advertising, and saying things with a wink. I love watching Popovich, because he always seems so exasperated with the questions of reporters-- unlike many other coaches who answer even the dumbest ones as if they were insightful gems...

For the record, SenorSpur, which bothers you more: the actual pissing, or the rain lie being told to cover it up? Tough choice, huh? I hate being lied to, but I've never been a fan of the good ol' honest "hey buddy, I'm pissing on you right now" approach either!

[K-State Spur]

OK, then how about this guy?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_...etroit_Pistons

You really don't have to support that claim with names from the distant past.

Anybody who pays any attention (which might exclude tlong) knows that the league has always had numerous effective players who came from unlikely places.

[K-State Spur]

I've seen Pop literally bristle during press conferences when asked about the age of his team.

If Pop thinks the team is not too old, he's going to bristle during press conferences.

If Pop thinks the team is too old, he's going to bristle during press conferences.

His reaction was going to be consistent regardless of his actual feelings, that really doesn't prove anything.

[BOHOLANO#21]

Oh boy....let's go back revisit history. When the Spurs won the championship in 2007, both Pop & R.C said they were going to give the team an opportunity to defend their championship. So they didn't do anything last off-season...but brought every back.

At that time, a lot of people (including myself) thought it was a good move. Keep the core together and give them an opportunity to defend their championship.

Well...how did the season go? They had 56 wins and got to WCF. Okay...so they didn't win another championship. Wow...that can actually happen? Even in Spurs Country!!!!! Yikes!!

Yes...the team did have some offensive droughts and their play look spotty during the regular season. But, the fact they won a game 7 on the road in New Orleans (when they got smashed the first three games in NO) told me a lot about this team.

A championship every year isn't guarantee to anyone (I know that's hard to admit even for some spoiled Spurs fans). But the fact that injuries...had something to do with their performance in the WCF!

Even Lakers knew that Manu wasn't healthy and he would made a difference in the WCF.

Sometimes...the spoiled Spurs fans act like this team has gone from first to worst!! Geesh!!

I'm not saying the FO isn't above criticism. However, when you have won 3 championships in the last 6 years....you get the benefit of the doubt. Also, in the years you didn't win the championship...you got the Western Conference Semis twice & the Western Conference Finals once. That means you were able to maintain a championship contending level team consistently.

I know consistency, productivity, and be always right there in the hunt is (oh my)...boring!!

It seems like some Spurs fans would rather have the team suck like the LA Clippers or Minnesota Timberwolves than rather be in the hunt for championship each year. Please....I rather be a fan of team who has a chance each year for a championship and actually WON IT (that's for you Dallas & Phoenix fans) multiple times!!

agree. as what pop always tell the media before, everytime the SPURS loss they are old as dirt and everytime they win they are a veteran and experienced team.