Rude Awakening for us Spurs fans. We need to accept it.

[portnoy1]

Better but, not solid.....just yet We're still getting beat too many times on the pick & roll and getting killed on baseline slams because of losing a player (4 on 5) on defense on the baseline. This will clear itself up through film and practice time. The advantage we used to have on defense when we had two legitimat bigs (like a Tim & DRob) was Pop's system of funneling from the outside into the paint. Tim & Dice playing together at the same time should get pretty good at this but, it'll take a little time because all 5 on the floor have to understand and believe in it. It would still be nice if we had a legit 7'er with long arms to be able to compete with the likes of LA and Boston, among a few others.

That 2 7footers thing was BEAUTIFUL. Tim was agile and would come over and block or alter a shot and DROB would secure the paint and grab the rebound. If anyone has a chance, watch the 99' finals and what this guy said up above is exactly what the spurs would do. Its something we continued doing till DALLAS 06' WSF. Thats when the spurs started to decline and the tires started getting more and more nails stuck in them. We have cleaned the body of the spurs W/ additions of RJ/DICE/Blair/Ratliff/Bogans but the we cant go anywhere if the paint is not defended.

[HarlemHeat37]

Our defense was fine even without legit 7 footers though..Oberto was a respectable defender that wasn't spectacular, similar to McDyess..Horry was a very good defender, but he was old and wasn't anywhere near 7 feet tall..

The perimeter defense is significantly worse than it used to be..Parker was a better defender before, Ginobili used to be a very good defender(he's still good), Bowen was one of the best in the NBA..

We don't have a Bruce Bowen anymore, but we still have some capable guys on D..more depth on the perimeter from a defensive standpoint compared to the last few years of the elite era..Hill, Hairston, and Bogans are all good defenders..but the team continues to rely on Mason and Finley to play defense, and that's suicide..that's step 1..

[UnWantedTheory]

No it didn't, and because Bruce hardly ever played.

Yes of course! I see it now! A 38 year old Bruce who lost a few steps is our savior.

[Sisk]

[SpurNation]

our defense was fine even without legit 7 footers though..oberto was a respectable defender that wasn't spectacular, similar to mcdyess..horry was a very good defender, but he was old and wasn't anywhere near 7 feet tall..

The perimeter defense is significantly worse than it used to be..parker was a better defender before, ginobili used to be a very good defender(he's still good), bowen was one of the best in the nba..

We don't have a bruce bowen anymore, but we still have some capable guys on d..more depth on the perimeter from a defensive standpoint compared to the last few years of the elite era..hill, hairston, and bogans are all good defenders..but the team continues to rely on mason and finley to play defense, and that's suicide..that's step 1..

this.

[Höfner]

I am rudely awakened every morning by the alarm clock.

[Marcus Bryant]

Manu for Andrew Bogut?

I hate Spurs fans.

[manu the best]

right now everything about the spurs sucks .. the spurs fans have been too nice to the team .. the spurs are forgetting the worth of the fan .. they should realize our worth really soon .. or else at&t will like the bobcats arena ..

[NRHector]

right now everything about the spurs sucks .. the spurs fans have been too nice to the team .. the spurs are forgetting the worth of the fan .. they should realize our worth really soon .. or else at&t will like the bobcats arena ..

or the Supersonics

[Chomag]

I hate Spurs fans.

If you honestly thought I was being serious with this then you sir need a life.

However I do thank you for calling me a "Spurs fan", but what does that make you I might ask?

[Blackjack]

Like Brendon Haywood?

Like who? Unless that front-court player is an actual star, I don't think they would...

I hope the Haywood suggestion was tongue-in-cheek, at least as it pertains to Tony and Manu..

My point wasn't who they could get as much as what Pop would do if given the opportunity. If you want a name or two though, I'm willing to bet Manu and his expiring contract could get you your choice of Okafor or West..

My question is more of a hypothetical.

Let's just say, again, hypothetically, that Toronto gets wind that Bosh has no intention of re-signing. The team's a middle-of-the-pack bunch that has no delusions of championship grandeur. Felt they've got the proverbial gun-to-the-head they're forced to explore the trade market.

Now, let's just say Parker gets you Bosh. There's definitely pros and cons for and against making that deal but, nonetheless, you could make an argument Bosh gives you more than what you'd lose in Parker; at least in terms of the championship window with Tim and Manu.

So if Pop believed that to be true, what would he do; not what would you or I do, but what do you think he would do?

I honestly don't know the answer..

[ElNono]

I hope the Haywood suggestion was tongue-in-cheek, at least as it pertains to Tony and Manu..

My point wasn't who they could get as much as what Pop would do if given the opportunity. If you want a name or two though, I'm willing to bet Manu and his expiring contract could get you your choice of Okafor or West..

My question is more of a hypothetical.

Let's just say, again, hypothetically, that Toronto gets wind that Bosh has no intention of re-signing. The team's a middle-of-the-pack bunch that has no delusions of championship grandeur. Felt they've got the proverbial gun-to-the-head they're forced to explore the trade market.

Now, let's just say Parker gets you Bosh. There's definitely pros and cons for and against making that deal but, nonetheless, you could make an argument Bosh gives you more than what you'd lose in Parker; at least in terms of the championship window with Tim and Manu.

So if Pop believed that to be true, what would he do; not what would you or I do, but what do you think he would do?

I honestly don't know the answer..

I honestly believe Pop thinks he's got enough for a championship with the current roster...

[Blackjack]

I honestly believe Pop thinks he's got enough for a championship with the current roster...

That wasn't the question I was asking, though.

The question strikes more to the heart of making a good basketball decision or one of loyalty. (Thanks for the Manu translation, by the way.)

[SpurNation]

I hope the Haywood suggestion was tongue-in-cheek, at least as it pertains to Tony and Manu..

My point wasn't who they could get as much as what Pop would do if given the opportunity. If you want a name or two though, I'm willing to bet Manu and his expiring contract could get you your choice of Okafor or West..

My question is more of a hypothetical.

Let's just say, again, hypothetically, that Toronto gets wind that Bosh has no intention of re-signing. The team's a middle-of-the-pack bunch that has no delusions of championship grandeur. Felt they've got the proverbial gun-to-the-head they're forced to explore the trade market.

Now, let's just say Parker gets you Bosh. There's definitely pros and cons for and against making that deal but, nonetheless, you could make an argument Bosh gives you more than what you'd lose in Parker; at least in terms of the championship window with Tim and Manu.

So if Pop believed that to be true, what would he do; not what would you or I do, but what do you think he would do?

I honestly don't know the answer..

As pertaining to Tony and Manu...yeah...Haywood was a tongue and cheek response.

But since you elaborated more...your scenario (hypothetical) analysis bares more intuitive thought to this season. Especially considering a very small window in the career of Tim Duncan and what he might (might not) be able to do in the next few years after this season.

Let's take a closer look at this season. Who's the main compe ion going into a playoff series and finals scenario? Argueably it would be the Lakers and the Celtics.

How do the Spurs match up with those two teams? Not very well considering the depth and talent the Lakers and Celtics have in the post.

Could the Spurs win against those two teams with Parker, Duncan, Jefferson, Ginobili, Hill, and Mcdyess as this team's key players? Or would they have a better chance of winning with a team that is sans Parker for another post player such as Bosh?

I wouldn't even try to enter the mind of Pop. Most probably would go insane if they did. So just from a pure basketball perspective of what the Spurs might have to face in the playoffs...I would not be opposed to trading Parker for Bosh if it also included a decent PG in that trade.

I look at the window the team has now to win. I don't know if Pop does the same.

And like you...I honestly don't have an answer either.

[admiralsnackbar]

Bosh would be a fine replacement for Duncan, but I don't see the two of them playing well together given the similarity of their styles. Bosh has patterned himself after Duncan too much for him to not crowd Timmy's space.

[portnoy1]

As pertaining to Tony and Manu...yeah...Haywood was a tongue and cheek response.

But since you elaborated more...your scenario (hypothetical) analysis bares more intuitive thought to this season. Especially considering a very small window in the career of Tim Duncan and what he might (might not) be able to do in the next few years after this season.

Let's take a closer look at this season. Who's the main compe ion going into a playoff series and finals scenario? Argueably it would be the Lakers and the Celtics.

How do the Spurs match up with those two teams? Not very well considering the depth and talent the Lakers and Celtics have in the post.

Could the Spurs win against those two teams with Parker, Duncan, Jefferson, Ginobili, Hill, and Mcdyess as this team's key players? Or would they have a better chance of winning with a team that is sans Parker for another post player such as Bosh?

I wouldn't even try to enter the mind of Pop. Most probably would go insane if they did. So just from a pure basketball perspective of what the Spurs might have to face in the playoffs...I would not be opposed to trading Parker for Bosh if it also included a decent PG in that trade.

I look at the window the team has now to win. I don't know if Pop does the same.

And like you...I honestly don't have an answer either.

There it is, you said it I didnt. Bosh/Calderon for Parker/Mason/Bonner. Bosh playing next to Tim and Calderon being a solid backup to hill or starter if you want a nice smooth offense to start the game.

[SpurNation]

Bosh would be a fine replacement for Duncan, but I don't see the two of them playing well together given the similarity of their styles. Bosh has patterned himself after Duncan too much for him to not crowd Timmy's space.

I see Duncan (in a Bosh/Duncan tandum) more in the role Robinson played when Duncan first came to San Antonio. I don't think he would mind relinquishing some of the more physical and athletic demanding parts of his game if a young Bosh were on the team to play that role.

[portnoy1]

Bosh would be a fine replacement for Duncan, but I don't see the two of them playing well together given the similarity of their styles. Bosh has patterned himself after Duncan too much for him to not crowd Timmy's space.

Bosh is more of a perimeter PF with some post moves, ala DWEST. He can also shoot the 3. He would not invade Timmys space by any means. He can also guard the athletic PF's in the league. DIRK/WEST and importantly ODOM.

[Chieflion]

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wir..._disrespected/ -Bosh working on the media. Since some of you guys are on the topic.

Raptors forward Chris Bosh doesn't understand why he doesn't get as much attention as some of the NBA's other stars. "Every day I turn on the TV and they're talking about guys, especially my draft class, '03 draft class, and this and that," he said. "They keep bringing up all these and I never hear my name, unless I'm like second honorable mention or something like that. I got tired of that.
"I don't even think people know I've made all-star teams or know what I've done in this league."
Bosh is averaging 26.8 points and 12.3 rebounds this season.
He ranks seventh in scoring and second in rebounding.
"I always thought of myself as a good basketball player, but after a while I really wanted to turn the corner. I looked at all the other guys who are considered top guys and I was tired of not having my name mentioned," he added.
"I wanted to do the necessary work to make sure I put myself in a situation to be successful."




What does he mean? Is he considering leaving Toronto? Is he hinting managment to something? Is his motivation to win?

[SpurNation]

You think Tony would like to be in a predominately french city?

[admiralsnackbar]

You think Tony would like to be in a predominately french city?

Montreal doesn't have a team, alas.

[SpurNation]

Montreal doesn't have a team, alas.

Talking about a rude awakening. I was thinking of Quebec (not far from Toronto) and in general the high populas of French speaking people and culture of Canada. But you're correct...Toronto has the least French influence of all the major cities in Canada.

Still...it does boast a high number of French influenced activities and culture as does a lot of Canadian cities.

Also...with regards to Eva I just found this out:

http://www.personaltours.ca/toronto-info.htm

Toronto's theatre district is second in size, only to New York city. Award-winning, theatre productions enjoy long runs, large audiences and world premieres in the theatre district of Toronto.

[SpurNation]

There it is, you said it I didnt. Bosh/Calderon for Parker/Mason/Bonner. Bosh playing next to Tim and Calderon being a solid backup to hill or starter if you want a nice smooth offense to start the game.

Would be nice if it were allowed. But that trade scenario does not satisfy the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

And even if it did...it would place the Spurs at paying appx. 4 mil more in salary than already paying. Not including penalty.

[ElNono]

What does he mean? Is he considering leaving Toronto? Is he hinting managment to something? Is his motivation to win?

That whole 'I don't get enough respect and I need to talk to the media about it' tantrum wouldn't bode well with the likes of Pop...

[HarlemHeat37]

We aren't getting Bosh..