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Well shouldn't we get A for mission accomplished, since we did get younger?
I mean D is worse than Bush's approval rating.
San Antonio Spurs... The Grade So Far
By: Yannis Koutroupis Last Updated: 7/31/08 9:24 PM ET
After falling in five games in the Western Conference Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers the Spurs knew they had a big offseason ahead. The Western Conference is always getting tougher and the Spurs were no longer considered the elite in the West. The Lakers obviously surpassed them, New Orleans was already on the brink of doing so before the acquisition of James Posey, and with the recent trade of Ron Artest to the Houston Rockets they are now possibly the third-best team in their own division. Are we witnessing the end of a dynasty?
Players added via free agency
Roger Mason Jr.: Signed to a two-year contract.
Grade: B-
One of the biggest problems for the Spurs last year was offensive production. Mason averaged a career high nine points a game last year off the bench for the Wizards and showed that he can provide an offensive spark. It's believed that the Spurs settled for Mason knowing that the chances of getting J.R. Smith from the Nuggets were very slim. That said, Mason should give Popovich a reliable source of some offensive production next year and is still improving. His development continuing is key for the Spurs.
Kurt Thomas: Re-signed to a two-year contract.
Grade: B+
Unlike some of the other veterans that the Spurs had the option to re-sign Kurt Thomas still has something left in the tank. Thomas was a major part of the Spurs' rotation after being traded to San Antonio right before the February trade deadline. With Tiago Splitter signing a 2-year extension overseas and Ian Mahinmi being too young to depend on consistently, Thomas needed to be re-signed. He provides a defensive presence that the Spurs need alongside Tim Duncan and the experience he has.
Anthony Tolliver: Signed to a one-year contract.
Grade: C
One of the biggest surprises on the Spurs' summer league team was the play of the former Creighton product. At 6'8 Tolliver can really shoot the ball, but the chance s of him contributing next season are slim. Free agent Devin Green and James Gist, who the Spurs drafted in the second round, arguably were more impressive – but neither of them can space the floor like Tolliver can.
Players Acquired in Draft
George Hill: 26th pick in 2008 NBA draft.
Grade: B
Because IUPUI is not a traditional powerhouse in college basketball few people had ever heard of George Hill. He fits a need for the Spurs as their backup point guard position was a major area of concern for them last season. Hill showed the flashes in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City that put him so high on the Spurs' draft board, but not flashes that would lead you to expect he can be counted on night in and night out. Barring any moves though Hill will have an opportunity to be the Spurs main backup for Tony Parker.
James Gist: 57th pick in the 2008 NBA draft.
Grade: B+
Only if you're the San Antonio Spurs do you expect to get an impact player at 57, which is the same spot where they got Manu Ginobili in the 1999 draft. The reviews on Gist from summer league were good, but he has yet to receive an offer from the team. Most likely scenario is they retain his rights while he goes and plays overseas for a season or two. Gist is a bit of a tweener, but he's extremely athletic and could help this Spurs in the future.
Malik Hairston: Acquired in draft night trade with Phoenix Suns.
Grade: B
Despite being called a sleeper by many going into the draft Hairston didn't do much to stand out during summer league and whether or not he receives an offer from the team is up in the air at this point. Like Gist, Hairston will likely be encouraged to sign overseas and continue to work on his game for at least a season or two.
Business to be done: With 13 players under contract for next season and most of their mid-level exception spent there is very little chance the Spurs make any signings other than maybe bringing back Michael Finley. With the big three (Parker, Ginobili, Duncan) San Antonio will be one of the better teams in the West, but if they are going to win it all some major question marks will have to be answered:
• Will George Hill and Ian Mahinmi be able to contribute? On an awfully thin Spurs' bench their readiness is absolutely vital.
• Can the big three stay healthy? Last year injuries were a major problem for the Spurs and with Tim Duncan aging and Manu Ginobili participating in the Olympics it could be again this season.
• Can they improve significantly via trade before the deadline? As currently assembled the Spurs need everything to go right in order to win it all. Considering that nothing ever goes perfect the Spurs may need to make some adjustments in order to get past the Lakers, Rockets, and Hornets.
Total offseason grade: D
Plain and simple, the best of the West has improved significantly while the Spurs barely held steady. Is a more experienced Ian Mahinmi, George Hill, and Roger Mason Jr. really enough to match the Lakers getting Bynum back, the Rockets acquiring Artest, and the Hornets signing Posey? This writer doesn't think so, and if the Spurs do than they are in for an eye-opening season.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9654
Well shouldn't we get A for mission accomplished, since we did get younger?
I mean D is worse than Bush's approval rating.
we not you
I know we isn't me but who is we and you?
Five B's, one C, and the final grade is a D.
Is it asking too much for a sportswriter (and his editor) to know the difference between "than" and "then"?
kind of like rockets adding artest and their chance of getting better is worse..
you know, any mavs fan on this board can corroborate that with more evidence.
I was about to post the same thing. I didn't get that either.
That's more on the editor or copy editor, as you noted. Even the best writers make typos and grammatical mistakes from time to time. That's the job of the editors to catch.
Senior editor in chief Mr. Jose de Diego is currently involved in a legal matter with the INS, and cannot be reached at this moment.
What's the gist with Gist going overseas?
If Hoopsworld says Gist is going overseas, I'm looking forward to seeing him in the silver and black next season.
I give the writer an C for grammer, a D for talking about Gist going overseas and a C for questioning our dynasty. So according to the system he uses to average grades he gets an F
I think the writer had the analysis correct even if his grading system isn't. Thomas is a NG since we had him and he doesn't improve us over last season. Hill is a B if he comes in and takes over at backup point guard. If not he's a C at best. If Mason plugs into the #2 starting slot and gives us more defense and explosiveness than Finley did last year he's a B+. If he can play quality minutes he allows Manu to come off the bench all year--that might be a A for us. If Gist or Tolliver need time overseas or in the D-league they become F's- no improvement. The writer failed to include a grade for Mahimni who is the X-factor. If Mahimni spend's the year like Bonner did the second half of the season on the DNP list--- he too is an F. Essentially, we've added Mason and a lot of what if's. Compared to what other teams have done a "D" sounds about right.
I don't know what the Spurs COULD have done though. Could have signed Posey to a longer-term full MLE deal. But would that have been a good thing? I just don't know what else the Spurs could have done to ensure a better team. There's still some money left, they may sign someone who slips through the cracks.
no Gist is not going overseas. Worst case he will play NBDL this year and NBA next year.
As stated by some and perhaps I'm offbase on this, but I don't see Gist doing an apprenticeship overseas. He's a good enough defender that he should be able to do time in D-league with occasional callups from Austin.
I really believe the Spurs needed to have made another move to shore up the frontline. The fact that the Najera move didn't pan out is very unfortunate. I believe he could've been a difference-maker because of his ability to provide defense, rebounding and outside shooting.
Getting Hariston gets a B...but signing Tolliver get a C?
Fortunately, Hoopsworld gets just about everything wrong, so I'm pretty sure this statement actually bodes well for our future.Total offseason grade: D
Plain and simple, the best of the West has improved significantly while the Spurs barely held steady. Is a more experienced Ian Mahinmi, George Hill, and Roger Mason Jr. really enough to match the Lakers getting Bynum back, the Rockets acquiring Artest, and the Hornets signing Posey? This writer doesn't think so, and if the Spurs do than they are in for an eye-opening season.
Hoopsworld gets an F.....every offseason.
Pretty fair assessment to me. Its gonna be a tough year. IF we stay healthy and IF our bench and draft picks produce, we have a shot. I think we still have the best "big three" in the west but thats alot of IFs.
By: Yannis Koutroupis
Im gonna say C plus. I donk think Hairston is gonna make the team, he just doesnt look like an NBA player to me. Hill I think will be Ok by mid season as long as he doesnt get in pops donghouse, and I think Ian will add some quickness and a running bigman we have lacked. If he can ave a block or so a game and 7ppg 5rpg that will be a huge upgrade of the bench.
The offseason is gonna depend on how mason and thomas pan out. If mason can give use 13-15ppg and thomas shows us a consistent jumper and gives us 8ppg-8rpg with hill and ian giving us 12 min each I think we will have done well.
But if mason cant avg at least 12ppg and ian and hill fail to give us a lift of the bench then no doubt we get an F.
i honestly think this whole thing hinges on Manu's health next year. we went so far with a hobbled manu and a VERY lacking bench play. i have full faith if Manu is 100% next year come playoff time. there is no team that can beat us.
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