Harvey: Long but gone, and Spurs see the loss

[Obstructed_View]

I believed it wasn't true long before I ever read Harvey's column. Think about it. You're going to believe the Spurs' warroom started cheering when a projected backup point guard from a small school whom every other team felt was a 2nd round pick fell to them? Really?? I mean REALLY?

Since you suggest that Mike Monroe was told by multiple members of the Spurs something that's completely untrue, then that means the Spurs organization were conspiring to get that story out. Why would the Spurs go to so much work to lie about it when they've never lied about it before? They didn't owe Hill anything, and he can read the interview with Batum, so it's not like the Spurs are hiding anything. What do they have to gain?

They admitted they wanted Daequan Cook instead of Splitter. Why wouldn't they say they'd like to have had Batum? Was George Hill lying when he said the Spurs told him they'd take him if he were there? That certainly fits with the other facts. Again, they have no reason to make it up. You have every reason to doubt it because you've been bad mouthing the pick from the beginning, and you now have an interest in talking it down whenever you can. Really, nobody else is that invested. I mean REALLY!

[The Truth #6]

I don't understand the focus on Buck having to prove how he claims to know the FO didn't cheer in the war room.

We really don't know either way, but if people are going to be skeptical of Buck, we might as well be just as skeptical of the majority of Spurs articles, which many of us probably are to various degrees depending on the cir stance. Having said that, I'd still trust Buck over McDonald or anyone else at the Express but that's me, I realize many people can't stand Buck.

It seems like a stretch that the Spurs would go to all those steps regarding Batum, and even tell him they were going to draft him, all as a ruse to draft a relative unknown in Hill. Who knows, they probably could have done a better job of hiding their intentions by telling every team in the league that they were going to draft Batum. The non-release of his medical records probably fooled the morons for GMs (which are many) but it obviously didn't fool Pritchard.

Anyway, it sucks we lost out on Batum but I'm not sure what the excuse is for letting Gist go away after he proved to be a unexpected gem in Summer league. That only compounded the pain of not drafting an athletic 3/small 4. I guess Gist wasn't cultured enough. Joking?

[Obstructed_View]

I don't understand the focus on Buck having to prove how he claims to know the FO didn't cheer in the war room.

We really don't know either way, but if people are going to be skeptical of Buck, we might as well be just as skeptical of the majority of Spurs articles, which many of us probably are to various degrees depending on the cir stance. Having said that, I'd still trust Buck over McDonald or anyone else at the Express but that's me, I realize many people can't stand Buck.

I like Buck a lot, but there's a difference between someone who reports news and someone who writes columns. A reporter is supposed to verify a story with multiple sources, and a columnist can basically say whatever he wants. If Buck knows that the story's false, then he should probably explain how he knows that instead of just throwing his own news department under the bus. It has nothign to do with "proving" anything; if the story's wrong, you and I and all the other Spurs fans would love to hear about it, but instead it's a throwaway snippet that just serves as a device for him to write the column about how Batum would be starting if he were here, which we know is factually bull because Batum reported that he'd compete for the job down the road.

Again, I like Buck, but the column is lazy. It's like half the people at that paper are going through the motions. I wouldn't be surprised of Monroe made the story up, but I'm damn sure not going to believe Buck in a column where he gets so much wrong.

[SenorSpur]

The original French interview with Batum on draft night said that Pop told him that he'd get minutes in anticipation of taking over the spot within the next couple of years. If he were a Spur and were playing that well I'd consider starting him at the 4 until Oberto comes back.

Now I'm really getting sick to my stomach. As far as I'm concerned, this is a devastating blow to a roster that has no transition plan to offset the decline of one of the best perimeter defenders in NBA history.

If he were a Spurs and playing that well, I'd sit Oberto's ass. I just don't feel there should be any obligation to continue force-feeding minuted to players, whose skills are in decline - especially when there is a talented backup waiting in the wings. Unfortunately, the Spurs don't have that problem because there is no talented backup SF.

I'm going to go throw up now.

[Ice009]

Settle down ya'll. Forget about Batum. He's not on the team. I like George Hill. I love defense and George has shown that he has the tools to be an awesome defender. I hope George is ready to go soon and Pop gives him minutes.

[spurscenter]

Did the Spurs Assistant GM tip off the Rockets or what?

[Obstructed_View]

Did the Spurs Assistant GM tip off the Rockets or what?

It's possible, but it's more likely that Pritchard saw through the smokescreen the Spurs put up. When Batum didn't work out for anyone after he worked out for the Spurs, Batum's camp didn't release his medical records to anyone but the Spurs, and then the Spurs started publicly shopping pick 26, KP might have realized that the Spurs were convinced that Batum was the three they'd been looking for and figured it was worth buying the pick to steal him. If so, he certainly seems to have been right.

[urunobili]

this is stupid. Bowen will get tons of minutes vs. teams with a great perimeter player. LA, Boston, NO, etc, etc.

regardless of who we drafted. we just happened to play 2 teams with no great perimeter players the first 2 games.

yeah right Roy is not great....

[mrspurs]

Good to see Buck Harvey still reads SpursTalk

But I'd find it damn hard to believe Pop would bench Bowen for Batum. As good as Batum looks like he'll be down the line, Bowen would have to play more than two bad games to get benched after all he's done. Batum would be in the rotation but more likely taking Udoka's minutes than anyone else.

No joke. I dont see Ime as a backup as well. Ime is a 3rd option off my bench. Roger is showing just how good Ime is. In just 2 games. And Ime has been a spur how long? Fact is Ime isnt gonna get any better. He may hit a shot here or there. But truth is he isnt fast enough to guard the players his body is fit to. So even on the defensive end he is nothing compared to what we are used to seeing. From Sean into Bruce into Ime. If some fans believe Ime was gonna back up Bruce then take over boy they best stay fans.

[spurscenter]

It's possible, but it's more likely that Pritchard saw through the smokescreen the Spurs put up. When Batum didn't work out for anyone after he worked out for the Spurs, Batum's camp didn't release his medical records to anyone but the Spurs, and then the Spurs started publicly shopping pick 26, KP might have realized that the Spurs were convinced that Batum was the three they'd been looking for and figured it was worth buying the pick to steal him. If so, he certainly seems to have been right.

seems right.


Always though that Asst GM we hired from the Rockets is still talking to Rockets GM on the down low, second cell phone type of communication.

Since he got here, we seen everything from B. Barry, L. Scola, Batum, u name it.

[Obstructed_View]

I've had my doubts about him as well, but the Rockets wouldn't have picked Batum if the Blazers hadn't bought the pick.

[boutons_]

I expect Bruce's age is causing him to start slow this year, not really in game shape, yet, and probably not for a couple more weeks, maybe December.

Then factor in the fact that Pop plays a lot with the lineup in Nov/Dec, and Bruce may not see consistent mintues to obtain and retain game shape until after January.

[Mr. Body]

Now I'm really getting sick to my stomach. As far as I'm concerned, this is a devastating blow to a roster that has no transition plan to offset the decline of one of the best perimeter defenders in NBA history.

If he were a Spurs and playing that well, I'd sit Oberto's ass. I just don't feel there should be any obligation to continue force-feeding minuted to players, whose skills are in decline - especially when there is a talented backup waiting in the wings. Unfortunately, the Spurs don't have that problem because there is no talented backup SF.

I'm going to go throw up now.

Imagine this team, even with Manu down, with the crap bench we have including these three players:

1. Luis Scola
2. Tiago Splitter
3. Nicholas Batum

Now, not every one of these is their fault, but they were each a mis-play. It's stupid. That team has the versatility to beat the best teams in the league; the current team does not.

[picnroll]

Funny. As I recall most of the praying during the draft as Spurs pick was coming up and ing when the Spurs took Hill was about getting Chalmers, Douglas-Roberts, Walker.

According to Hill Spurs gave him a promise. They worked him out several times and had followed him for a long time. The Spurs MO isn't to make a promise to a player and not follow through. Pop was gushing afterwards like no player since Parker. No reason to believe he wasn't their target. He was looking damn good in pre-season before the injury and he fills two needs, back-up PG and lock down defender on the tough small like Paul, Deron Williams, Nash. Batum looks great, would have been outstanding to get both he and Hill but like was pointed out you can't outspend the Blazers.

[Obstructed_View]

To my recollection, Pop didn't gush about Parker like he has about Hill. I hope he holds Hill to the same standard he did for Parker and Manu. If he doesn't bark at Hill when he s up, it's time to worry.

[picnroll]

Pop does most of his barking for play at the defensive end and it looked like he wasn't going to have much to bark at Hill for from that end of the court.

[lotr1trekkie]

We have George Hill. Let's see who in more valuable by the end of this season.

[wildbill2u]

The interesting thing about this story isn't that we missed Batum or that he might have been playing in place of Bowen.

No, it's about the sneaky backdoor manuvering by CIA Pop to mislead the rest of the GMS and get Batum to drop after getting the youngster and his agent to work with Pop in the deception. Smart moves but Pritchard was on to POp and his ways and figured out a way to outfox the fox.

[Obstructed_View]

Pop does most of his barking for play at the defensive end and it looked like he wasn't going to have much to bark at Hill for from that end of the court.

I assure you that Hill's going to be in the wrong place more than once during his rookie season.

[DMX7]

Good to see Buck Harvey still reads SpursTalk

But I'd find it damn hard to believe Pop would bench Bowen for Batum. As good as Batum looks like he'll be down the line, Bowen would have to play more than two bad games to get benched after all he's done. Batum would be in the rotation but more likely taking Udoka's minutes than anyone else.

It's not that Bowen played bad, it's that he doesn't have the potential to go out there and score 10+ points on his own without other people creating everything for him.

[SenorSpur]

The interesting thing about this story isn't that we missed Batum or that he might have been playing in place of Bowen.

No, it's about the sneaky backdoor manuvering by CIA Pop to mislead the rest of the GMS and get Batum to drop after getting the youngster and his agent to work with Pop in the deception. Smart moves but Pritchard was on to POp and his ways and figured out a way to outfox the fox.

I curse Pritchard for hoarding all the talent. I wish him and his franchise a nice, long banishment in eternal lottery . (I'm just being petty because there are about 2 of their players that I'd like to have on our team)

[spurscenter]

The interesting thing about this story isn't that we missed Batum or that he might have been playing in place of Bowen.

No, it's about the sneaky backdoor manuvering by CIA Pop to mislead the rest of the GMS and get Batum to drop after getting the youngster and his agent to work with Pop in the deception. Smart moves but Pritchard was on to POp and his ways and figured out a way to outfox the fox.

we might have a mole in the spurs org.