Jawad Williams...

[Blackjack]

Tyrus was exactly what the Spurs needed in terms of skill set to compliment Tim and overall youth and athleticism. There's no doubt about that.

There also wasn't any doubt, at least in my mind, that the team that got him was going to get a player on his best behavior and playing at his highest level possible; Thomas is out of guaranteed money.

But acquiring Thomas wouldn't have made this team a champion and the questions about whether he'll mature or be the player he's capable of are legit. And if the Spurs didn't view him as a better prospect or fit than Splitter (fit as in Spurs material; Thomas would be a much better fit with Tim, imo), than it'd be hard to justify essentially taking a flier on a player for next year that could cost you someone you hold in higher regard.

There's no guarantee Splitter will be coming over, and there's no guarantee he'll be anything more than serviceable at the NBA level. But the Spurs believe he'll be here next year (from the mouths of both RC and Lindsey) and not pursuing Thomas makes sense in the aforementioned scenario.

They just better hope they're not left standing at the altar (and that the Thomas-Splitter comparison is viewed in a favorable light a few years from now).

[TD 21]

Tyrus was exactly what the Spurs needed in terms of skill set to compliment Tim and overall youth and athleticism. There's no doubt about that.

There also wasn't any doubt, at least in my mind, that the team that got him was going to get a player on his best behavior and playing at his highest level possible; Thomas is out of guaranteed money.

But acquiring Thomas wouldn't have made this team a champion and the questions about whether he'll mature or be the player he's capable of are legit. And if the Spurs didn't view him as a better prospect or fit than Splitter (fit as in Spurs material; Thomas would be a much better fit with Tim, imo), than it'd be hard to justify essentially taking a flier on a player for next year that could cost you someone you hold in higher regard.

There's no guarantee Splitter will be coming over, and there's no guarantee he'll be anything more than serviceable at the NBA level. But the Spurs believe he'll be here next year (from the mouths of both RC and Lindsey) and not pursuing Thomas makes sense in the aforementioned scenario.

They just better hope they're not left standing at the altar (and that the Thomas-Splitter comparison is viewed in a favorable light a few years from now).

Splitter better come, for the big three's sake, because next year is it. The lockout is looming the following season and even if it doesn't come to fruition, who knows what level those three, particularly Duncan and Ginobili, are playing at by then? So it has to be next season, Splitter has to come over (because there's probably no realistic big that the Spurs can acquire that's better and better suits their needs) and they have to find a credible wing stopper.

People will say "trade Jefferson", "trade McDyess", but they, particularly Jefferson, are more likely to be moved at the '11 trade deadline and even if the Spurs get a good return, they'll be the chemistry issue and limited time left to work out the kinks and look like a cohesive team. Honestly, barring something unforeseen, the Spurs are, if they're going to at all, going to have to get it done likely with those two in tow.

[Blackjack]

No doubt; this championship window is only here by the grace of a couple of ping pong balls and only open as long as what they netted is still here (and playing at their prized level).

This whole thing is so up in the air and could go in so many ways, for better or worse, but I don't see how they improve their team enough to be a true contender if they lose Ginobili and Tim isn't a capable number-two offensively.

The Spurs are either going to have to get it done with a more balanced approach like the Pistons of '04 or somehow acquire a stud number-one and either way (finding the perfect complimentary players or getting their hands on a player to supplant one or two in the Big 3 pecking order) isn't going to be easy; nor highly probable.