Monroe: Replacing Old Guard With New Blood

[Tully365]

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.

Yeah-- in the playoffs, when the Spurs blew a 20 point lead, it was proof that they were old. But when the Lakers or the Hornets did the same, they were unfocused. The Spurs sure didn't look old winning game 7 in New Orleans...

[SenorSpur]

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!

Boy Tully, your question puts me in quite a quandary. I can't decide. Both are equally as offensive and insulting to me.

I fully realize the responses from both the Spurs FO and coaching staff are often very calculaated and usually quite measured. However, there are always exceptions that disprove the rules.

For example, I mean we never thought I'd live to see the day that Pop would implement "small ball" or a zone defense. Which is proof positive that even Pop and his staff have to, at times, adhere to the norms of the NBA.

Getting younger and more athletic was inevitable. We all knew it was coming. It's the passionate denials by the staff that is what kills me.

[Tully365]

Boy Tully, your question puts me in quite a quandary. I can't decide. Both are equally as offensive and insulting to me.

I fully realize the responses from both the Spurs FO and coaching staff are often very calculaated and usually quite measured. However, there are always exceptions that disprove the rules.

For example, I mean we never thought I'd live to see the day that Pop would implement "small ball" or a zone defense. Which is proof positive that even Pop and his staff have to, at times, adhere to the norms of the NBA.

Getting younger and more athletic was inevitable. We all knew it was coming. It's the passionate denials by the staff that is what kills me.

I hear ya-- I think Pop gets a little bit of a sadistic thrill from toying with the media. Actually, I sometimes get that same thrill watching it.

[MarHill]

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.

Senor Spur,

I actually agree with this last post of yours. The Spurs FO are not perfect and deserve legit criticism.

But the criticism I've read since I have blog on Spurstalk. com and especially on local talk radio.....have been over the top and unrealistic. And I thought your previous post when in that direction.

If I misunderstood that post....my apologizes.

However, if Pop & R.C. had decided last summer after winning the '07 championship that they were bringing everybody back to the "give the team a chance to defend their championship"...then the team was going to be a year older.

Of course a championship contending team will get older and you do have to look at your roster and decided what is the next direction for the team. That is legit concern.

Also, the team last year had some offensive droughts and lost some games that they should have won (like the game against the Celtics @ the AT&T Center). But the media and some spoiled Spurs fans was already...putting this team on the deathwatch prematurely.

Look at these records:


1999-00 season 53-29 (1st Round Playoffs)
2000-01 season 58-24 (semis)
2001-02 season 58-24 (semis)
2002-03 season 60-22 (championship
2003-04 season 57-25 (semis)
2004-05 season 59-23 (championship)
2005-06 season 63-19 (semis)
2006-07 season 58-24 (championship)
2007-08 season 56-26 (semis)


That is average of 58 wins in that time span and 3 of those years brought the team championships!!!! And I'm not including the 1999 championship!

So I haven't seen this great drop-off....that a lot of Spurs fans are ready to declare. Now it could happen next year (I hope not) but with a resume like that...I still have to give the FO the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise.

I'm for legit criticism of the FO. However, I hope that spoiled Spurs fans appreciate this golden age of the franchise. Because it will be gone one day!!

[Marcus Bryant]

I'm for legit criticism of the FO. However, I hope that spoiled Spurs fans appreciate this golden age of the franchise. Because it will be gone one day!!

The Spurs have been the top performing franchise in any North American pro sports league over the last ten years, and yet some who frequent this board act as though it's been torture. Then again, there are some dumb mother ers in this world.

[SenorSpur]

I'm for legit criticism of the FO. However, I hope that spoiled Spurs fans appreciate this golden age of the franchise. Because it will be gone one day!!

Couldn't agree more. No question about it. I rue the day that Duncan retires.

[MarHill]

The Spurs have been the top performing franchise in any North American pro sports league over the last ten years, and yet some who frequent this board act as though it's been torture. Then again, there are some dumb mother ers in this world.

Thanks Marcus!


That's what I don't get from spoiled Spurs fans!! This franchise (while not perfect) has done an incredible job of being a championship contender and remaining financially sound as well.

I'm glad I'm not a Clippers, Knicks, Timberwolves fan....boy those teams have some real issues! LOL!!

[MarHill]

Couldn't agree more. No question about it. I rue the day that Duncan retires.

Senor Spur,


I'm with you about Duncan! That will be tough for me as a fan..not seeing him play basketball anymore for SA.

I have followed his career since he was at Wake Forest! He is my favorite player.

But that day...will come! Just appreciate what has happened and what will continue for at least the next 3-4 years...I hope!

[FuzzyLumpkins]

This is going to be the most important summer league I can remember. Two potential rotation players and a total of four players who are good bets to make the team? I'm not going to expect domination but they need to play much, much, much better than Marcus Williams did last year.

Speaking of Williams, he's shooting 11% for the Clippers in their first two games. I guess all those Spurs fans who thought I was being mean when I said he sucked and was a bust after the first summer league game last year will begin to see the light soon . . .

Itd nice and all to pat yourself on the back when your instant evaluation comes to fruition. I still don't put much stock in them.

[SpursFanInAustin]

Senor Spur,

I actually agree with this last post of yours. The Spurs FO are not perfect and deserve legit criticism.

But the criticism I've read since I have blog on Spurstalk. com and especially on local talk radio.....have been over the top and unrealistic. And I thought your previous post when in that direction.

If I misunderstood that post....my apologizes.

However, if Pop & R.C. had decided last summer after winning the '07 championship that they were bringing everybody back to the "give the team a chance to defend their championship"...then the team was going to be a year older.

Of course a championship contending team will get older and you do have to look at your roster and decided what is the next direction for the team. That is legit concern.

Also, the team last year had some offensive droughts and lost some games that they should have won (like the game against the Celtics @ the AT&T Center). But the media and some spoiled Spurs fans was already...putting this team on the deathwatch prematurely.

Look at these records:


1999-00 season 53-29 (1st Round Playoffs)
2000-01 season 58-24 (semis)
2001-02 season 58-24 (semis)
2002-03 season 60-22 (championship
2003-04 season 57-25 (semis)
2004-05 season 59-23 (championship)
2005-06 season 63-19 (semis)
2006-07 season 58-24 (championship)
2007-08 season 56-26 (semis)


That is average of 58 wins in that time span and 3 of those years brought the team championships!!!! And I'm not including the 1999 championship!

So I haven't seen this great drop-off....that a lot of Spurs fans are ready to declare. Now it could happen next year (I hope not) but with a resume like that...I still have to give the FO the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise.

I'm for legit criticism of the FO. However, I hope that spoiled Spurs fans appreciate this golden age of the franchise. Because it will be gone one day!!

Great post!

Just only wanted to correct this part; The 2001 and 2008 Spurs team reached the Conference Finals, not the semis.

[MarHill]

Great post!

Just only wanted to correct this part; The 2001 and 2008 Spurs team reached the Conference Finals, not the semis.

Thanks for correction Spurs Fan In Austin!

They did make the Conference Finals in 2001 & this past season (oops!!).

[wildbill2u]

The fans' demands for the 'perfect' often overlooks the 'good'.