Spurs leading race to sign McDyess...

[mattspurs]

Is there a way for spurs to get both Antonio and big baby

[RodNIc91]

True. Pop calls those plays for Duncan out of a timeout. Probably about once ever other game. However, if there is a physical defender on Duncan, Pop will call it multiple times per game.

Duncan is definitely capable of finishing those plays. IMO, the only reason Pop doesn't go to it more is because it doesn't allow Duncan to create -- it's only a catch and shoot.

That said, with Pop looking to have Duncan post-up less in the regular season, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw those types of plays more often in the next few years. Pop could revert back to the perimeter plays he ran for Duncan back when the Triple Towers were in effect

Who were the triple towers?

[anakha]

Is there a way for spurs to get both Antonio and big baby

Not anymore.

[poeticism707]

He's played alot at the C position for us the last couple of years. At least 50% of the time if not more. When he and Sheed were on the floor together, Sheed would cover the more perimeter oriented PF's, and Dice would defend the rim. Depending on matchups, they might switch up. We've been fortunate to have lots of versatility with the 2 of them in the frontcourt. Just like you will hopefully have when this signing happens!

If it was me, I'd have Dice as my starting C and keep TD at the 4.

Great insight!

By the way, the Pistons were very fortunate do have one of the BEST frontcourts in NBA history: prime Sheed, prime Ben, and near Prime McDice?!? Just nasty.

[vander]

why did we never talk to birdman. hes apparently signing for less than the full MLE with the nugs

yeah, I think I'd prefer that, cheaper, younger, brings more D, TD could still play PF much of the time

[poeticism707]

yeah, I think I'd prefer that, cheaper, younger, brings more D, TD could still play PF much of the time

Birdman over Dice?!?

No way.

[anakha]

yeah, I think I'd prefer that, cheaper, younger, brings more D, TD could still play PF much of the time

Less range on his shot than Chris Dudley.

[lurker23]

If it was me, I'd have Dice as my starting C and keep TD at the 4.

Don't worry, as long as Duncan is in the starting lineup, he will be listed at the 4, and the other player in the low block (even if he's 6'5") will be listed at the 5.

As for the practical basketball applications, 4/5 has been largely interchangeable in the Spurs system, with defensive and offensive assignments largely decided by match-ups and Duncan's rhythm in a particular game.

[mosdef17]

Theres a HUGE difference between a good help defender and a good defender. Birdman isn't much of a defender. He just uses his athleticism to come over the top at the last second. We need someone that can body up Pau, body up Howard, body up Boozer etc

[poeticism707]

Theres a HUGE difference between a good help defender and a good defender. Birdman isn't much of a defender. He just uses his athleticism to come over the top at the last second. We need someone that can body up Pau, body up Howard, body up Boozer etc

Exacly: Birdman might've been in the Spurs sights, but now way before Dice.

[tempest186]

Triple Towers - Robinson, Duncan and Will Purdue

[scottspurs]

Who were the triple towers?

50\Duncan/Will Purdue

[Russ]

When he and Sheed were on the floor together, Sheed would cover the more perimeter oriented PF's, and Dice would defend the rim.

That's what we want to hear.

Sheed would not have helped as much.

[clubalien]

Who were the triple towers?

will purdue

[NewJerSpur]

Theres a HUGE difference between a good help defender and a good defender. Birdman isn't much of a defender. He just uses his athleticism to come over the top at the last second. We need someone that can body up Pau, body up Howard, body up Boozer etc

He can actually defend guys head on....he's not JUST a good help defender who catches guys off guard.

[mosdef17]

He can actually defend guys head on....he's not JUST a good help defender who catches guys off guard.

He CAN defend guys head on but he is not the greatest at it, a lot of the time people mistake blocked shots for good defense. This is not always the case.

[vander]

Birdman over Dice?!?

No way.

Less range on his shot than Chris Dudley.

we'll have plenty of offense from the rest of the team.
and I don't know why everyone thinks we're going to see the same McDyess as the last few years, he'll be in a much more limited and structured role here, plus he's going to be 35 next season, his late-career resurgence was nice, but we're on the wrong side of it now.

[timvp]

For all the attention the Celtics got for landing Rasheed Wallace, McDyess is the real prize for any team hoping to add a touch of rebounding and scoring while giving max effort on every shift. My Eastern Conference bias hopes he lands with the Magic, but considering he lives in Houston in the offseason, the chance to finish his career in Texas must be appealing.

http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archiv...cdyess-leaves/

[anakha]

we'll have plenty of offense from the rest of the team.
and I don't know why everyone thinks we're going to see the same McDyess as the last few years, he'll be in a much more limited and structured role here, plus he's going to be 35 next season, his late-career resurgence was nice, but we're on the wrong side of it now.

With the game adapting as it is, playing 4 on 5 on offense is no longer as workable as it used to be.

[MaNu4Tres]

I don't understand all this "Center" talk. A post is a post now a days and a wing is a wing. There's not a difference.

[NewJerSpur]

He CAN defend guys head on but he is not the greatest at it, a lot of the time people mistake blocked shots for good defense. This is not always the case.

The timing, anticipation, body control it takes to block shots with any type of consistency to me makes a good defender, especially if you can continually do so without fouling. It's a skill. Chris Paul is highly regarded for his thievery and a nice portion of his steals actually do come from the blindside.

[scottspurs]

He's coming to San Antonio, you heard it here.

[Shastafarian]

Why the does he live in Houston?

[picnroll]

He's coming to San Antonio, you heard it here.

Is this the news you were talking about coming out Wednesday?

[scottspurs]

Is this the news you were talking about coming out Wednesday?

Patience.