I vision Ratliff and this year's version on Kevin Willis.
Yeah, that's pretty much the impression I've been getting lately.
The first thought was to go to the immediate Willis analogy but the more I see and hear about him, the more prominent his role seems to get; not that he's going to be a huge contributuor or minute-eater, but that he's seen as a piece to the puzzle and not some insurance policy/luxury-item.
It'll be nice to have Theo out there but I don't think he'll have any significant contritbutions until the playoffs.
I wouldn't say it's out of the question. He actually signed his extension at the beginning of last season and it only goes through next season. He did say he wanted to retire there...but that was before the economy went into the crapper and the salary cap became questionable. The Pacers may need to move someone for expirings to stay out of tax territory next season. Money >>> Loyalty.
Oh...and MaNu4Tres was being sarcastic. He lives on some strange planet where trading expiring contracts for Jeff Foster would not help our front line one bit.
He'll play more than Caldwell Jones did, but I think it will be situational and there will be several games where he doesn't play at all.
He'll get about 10 minutes a game but if he can contribute defensively it's well worth it.
Not really my friend. That is not what I said.
I said that I just don't think trading our trading assets for a guy that would come in and play the role Theo would 8-14 minutes a game is worth it. That's what I've said from the beginning of free agency. Signing a defensive post player like Theo Ratliff for the minimum to take on the back up center role playing 8-14 minutes a game is smarter ( business wise) than using your trading assets and 1st round pick for a player that would be given the same role.
I rather hold on to those chips to the trading deadline and see if Blair lives up to expectations and to see if Mason's defense has improved. And make a move then if there's a possibility at improving our 3rd big man spot or 3rd wing spot in the rotation.
Foster and Ratliff are not the same...but I am not getting into all the reasons why...again...for those that don't understand this truth. The reasons why can be found here for those that are interested.
I never said they were the same I said they would play the same role.
Provide interior defense help, rebound, contest shots around the rim, set solid screens and convert open opportunities by Tim, Manu, Tony, RJ creating, or score on second chance opportunities after grabbing offensive rebounds. All this in 8-14 minutes a game.
There are some things Foster does better like rebound, and theres some things Ratliff does better like contesting shots around the rim and shot blocking but since Foster has the better durability I'd give him a slight edge over Ratliff. I don't think that slight edge is worth trading our trading assets and a 1st round pick.
Last edited by MaNu4Tres; 10-03-2009 at 04:18 PM.
Jeff Foster? The always hurt white stiff in Indiana? Really? I mean, really!?
true
he could start and help duncan not get in foul trouble early
Speaking of Ian, I haven't read anything on him yet this week. Is he scrimmaging at all? Still injured? What's the latest on him, anyone know?
mando
first off, I do think it's not a bad idea to add a veteran like Ratliff for the minimum. I lot can (and will) happen over a season and every team needs some additional options and insurance.
this doesn't mean it is a given thing Ratliff will be a part of the frontcourt rotation at all. (as most here seem to assume)
Spurs won't play a 7-man frontcourt rotation this season, nor a 6-man rotation.
but fact is, we have 7 bigs on the roster (with guaranteed contracts) and the only one who could go to the D-league is someone nobody wants to see there. (Blair)
so (unless a trade happens till season start) two bigs won't play a role at all and be on the inactve list. IMO there is a good chance that Ratliff will be one of them.
for the spot of the 5th big there likely will be a compe ion between Haislip, Ian and Ratliff.
currently I would think Haislip has the edge.
yes, it's been pointed out that in Ratliff Spurs add shot blocking, something they lacked last season. but Haislip is by far the best athlete and most mobile of the 7 bigs and Spurs had a big hole in that department either.
at the beginning of the season the rotation might look like this: Tim 32- Dice 24 - Blair 20 - Bonner 15 - Haislip 10 - Ratliff 0 - Mahinmi 0
ratliff will be a big factor when playing teams with frontcourt depth such as the lakers, celtics, blazers and cavs.
Pop and Ratliff might be a good match. Ratliff may see more time here than he has in awhile. He may have younger legs than a typical 36 year old NBA vet since he's had really limited numbers the last few years.
now, THAT's a great example of a glass-half-full approach.
ratliff seems like he will be a great leader he seemed to understand the system, he was communicating with the guards and yelling at his players, he was playing tim tough giving him problems, and he does alter alot of shots I wonder if he player over Ian the way he did he should defenseivly, but Ian can put up points if he wants too
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