You can’t expect the Spurs to be the same forever,

[Yogurt210]

It is very clear after last post-season, and this whole season, that Spurs are on their way down the hill.
The dynasty stood strong for a very firm ten years. The Duncan-era is now coming to a slow close.
Granted, the Spurs are not completely in the dark hole of the abyss yet, we can still compete, but we don’t have what it takes to be a very consistent and solid contender for another ring. The Spurs are very off from what they have been a couple years back. I’m in no way jumping off the ledge or calling quits for my team, I’m just realizing that great things don’t last forever. It’s reality. Spurs fan have become very spoiled and very laid-back, we expect our team to win, we expect them to do great every game and if they don’t we become very upset. Given our lack-luster energy at homegames. We want this to last forever with little or no change. Time and age kicks everybody in the butt and it seems it has finally crept up on the Spurs whether you like it or not. Manu’s body can only take so much after playing all those season/post-seasons/Olympics etc. Duncan knee’s have always posed a small problem and as he becomes older it gets harder for him to fully rest them up and recover. Out of our big three, Tony is the only one that is still in great condition. Out of our big three we are a below average team. Without our big three fully operational, we don’t stand a great chance with the other top contenders, Maybe we need to get some players to compliment Tony. Come 2010 I expect the Spurs organization to make some changes, some of those changes will probably include letting go of players we loved for so long. It’s all part of the business, expect it. So to shorten this up, enjoy and love Spurs for who they are and all the great times the players in the Duncan-era have given us. You never know, you might see them on another team in a few years.

[SenorSpur]

I agree with your post for the most part. The only way to have staved off this decline was a gradual infusion of young talent. We thought this was happening. However, that's not the case. It's not surprising considering how little Pop trusts rookies and how much he relys on vets - almost to a fault. Now with his stubborn insistence on relying on those end-of-career vets, and with health issues of both Duncan and Manu, for now it would seem the Spurs are primed for a premature playoff exit.

The one thing I would disagree with is the wait for 2010. This organization cannot wait that long. They MUST get younger and more athletic at certain positions. It's long overdue. There will be gradual changes needed immediately at the conclusion of this season. I expect some mild roster changes, with at least 2-3 new spots, possibly even 4.

Unless the do what should have been done about 2 seasons ago, they will continue an inevitable decent down the standings and end up like PHX and DAL - fighting for an 8th seed in the playoffs.

[Yogurt210]

^ very true

[Bukefal]

Good post, I agree with players getting older, their times as superstars getting over. But I don't think this is the end, nor do I think we are on the hill down yet. As for this season, spurs were on 2nd spot long time and still can grab it. Spurs do have a chance in the playoffs, so long we get in (which we did) everything can happen in the playoffs. And yes it's going to be time for the spurs to focus on young talented players to strengthen the team along side TP, but changes are good!

[TampaDude]

While other teams are getting younger, the Spurs are getting older...experience is great, especially in the playoffs, but sooner or later, youth and athleticism will prevail. The Spurs don't need to blow up the team, they just need to get a few different pieces and they'll be back in top form. Just gotta make the right moves, Pop!

[Borosai]

We can and should expect a proven system to continue working by replenishing it. How? By developing young talent who fit the system. Right now, it would be really nice to have guys such as Hill, Hairston, and even Gist in the mix - as true parts of the team - but that's not the case. Instead, the Spurs are in the same situation as last year (inconsistent offense), but with more injuries and less defense. And that won't change until they develop new players.

[xtremesteven33]

While other teams are getting younger, the Spurs are getting older...experience is great, especially in the playoffs, but sooner or later, youth and athleticism will prevail. The Spurs don't need to blow up the team, they just need to get a few different pieces and they'll be back in top form. Just gotta make the right moves, Pop!

Rasheed Wallace and a young wing player

[TampaDude]

Rasheed Wallace and a young wing player

Knowing the Spurs' proclivity for grabbing veteran players, I expect to see Sheed in a Spurs uniform next season. What he'll bring to the team remains to be seen, but he is a force on the basketball court.

BTW, how the is JV still on the team??? Does he have incriminating photos of Pop or something???

[Dr. Gonzo]

Fantastic thread!

[Yogurt210]

Rasheed Wallace and a young wing player

I’m sorry to say, but going with Rasheed Wallace is pretty much the same direction. He is only good for short term, and he too is getting old.
I say go with the young guys, players like an OJ Mayo, Brandon Roy etc. Players with that kind of potential would be great. J

[Libri]

I.E. get rid of Finley (which they should of done last yr), Udoka (which they should of done last yr), JV (which they should of done last yr), and Bowen. They are over the hill and don't have it anymore (JV never did). MAKE A SHOT ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a feeling that Pop might want to keep Udoka, just because he's the youngest of the four.

[xtremesteven33]

I’m sorry to say, but going with Rasheed Wallace is pretty much the same direction. He is only good for short term, and he too is getting old.
I say go with the young guys, players like an OJ Mayo, Brandon Roy etc. Players with that kind of potential would be great. J

Realistically dude....haha

[Josepatches_]

What we really need is a new franchise player.We can't win the NBA without one of the best NBA players and right now we are far away to have one of them if TD can't feel better.

Magic,Jordan,Olajuwon,Duncan,O'Neal,Wade.....

Only Detroit and Boston won the NBA the last 20 years without IMO one of the top5 players in the NBA.
Right now we don't have one of those top5 players in the NBA and we are not going to have it next year either

[new_N_town]

duncan is 0nly 33..malone retired when he was 40..and even at that age he was averaging close to 20 ...duncan is fine cant say the same bout manu.....

[new_N_town]

Please don't keep that guy. He is a waste of a roster space. He's had one good game in the 60 or so he's played in. That's a ty ratio, but knowing Pop he would keep him. He does play JV instead of Hill and Mason at PG when Manu is in the game. MAKE A SHOT SPURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lol u forgot oldburto he needs 2 go aswell

[duncan228]

duncan is 0nly 33..malone retired when he was 40..and even at that age he was averaging close to 20 ...duncan is fine

Duncan is not fine. He's got a chronic problem with his left knee, and tendonosis, which is degenerative, in his right. Neither are going to go away or get remarkably better. The tendonosis might feel better after an off season of rest, but it will be back when he starts playing again next season.

It's a matter of how he feels on any given night, and how well he can play through pain.

[Yogurt210]

Realistically dude....haha

anything is possible

manu for roy

it can be done

[new_N_town]

Duncan is not fine. He's got a chronic problem with his left knee, and tendonosis, which is degenerative, in his right. Neither are going to go away or get remarkably better. The tendonosis might feel better after an off season of rest, but it will be back when he starts playing again next season.

It's a matter of how he feels on any given night, and how well he can play through pain.

do you really think its time to close the book on duncan??

now im sad

[rascal]

Manu is a broken down player on the downside, now with what seems to be chronic ankle problems. They should have traded him at the end of the 2007 season like I said instead of standing pat with the team they had.

[TMTTRIO]

anything is possible

manu for roy

it can be done

Why would they trade an upcoming star in this league for someone who's career is coming close to an end? No way in the world would that happen.

[duncan228]

do you really think its time to close the book on duncan??

now im sad

I'm not closing the book. I just don't think he's going to play until he's 40. IMO this contract is it, he'll retire at the end of it.

Duncan is injured and it's not going to 'heal'. He has proven he can play through pain, but I think the knees have had more impact on his game than the ankles or the Planter Fasciitis did.

I believe in him, if he can rise he will. We'll know soon how much his knees are going to take from his game.

[Yogurt210]

Well, on the goodside.
Pop made Bonner look good, for awhile. Great 3 point shooter big-man. Few teams might want him.
Gooden looks good, maybe because he is the only one on our team that can still dunk lol, so teams may want him.
Mason still has time to freshen up his game and look good before the end of the season, making more teams want him.
Manu needs to stay un-injured, I’m sure plenty teams want him.
TD, which team doesn’t want him? But I’m pretty sure he’s a Spur for life.
TP most likely will stay in SA for another few years. But teams would kill for him.
Finley can still play the vet roll. Couple teams may like him.
Bowen can also play the vet role still and is still a great defender. Def. not in his prime tho.
KT is a vet player still. Not sure who would want him though.
Oberto has a couple of health issues. Very concerning.

But How do we get rid of IME,JV? Haha. Just waive them fools.

We still have good trade value, but in order to get something good back. We will need to trade one of the big three.
Anything is possible

[Yogurt210]

Why would they trade an upcoming star in this league for someone who's career is coming close to an end? No way in the world would that happen.

why would a team trade pau gasol for scrubs?
haha..anything can happen

[tlongII]

You just need to suck bad for a year or two and then make good choices at the top of the draft.

[Yogurt210]

or make really good trades