Were Spurs Too Deep?

[polandprzem]

Lose Ratliff, Lose Finley, neither very big role players this year, but guys that took minutes away.

Now without Parker, team gels better. Better tighter rotations.
This is going to get interesting when Parker is ready to play, does Pop pull a Jameer Nelson.

Pop would set his rotation like it is now.
One exeption would probably be fin<->malik minutes


parker is too much important for our ofense to even say the spurs are better without him

[ManuTastic]

What it lead to was Pop playing mad scientist with the rotation way too much. Essentially, the first fifty games were an extended training camp.

This is how I see it too. Great post!

[Dex]

The Spurs have played well in Parker's absence, but that should be a credit to the team, not a knock against Parker.

Still, all of these wins have still come against weak compe ion. Could be nothing more than fool's gold.

As constructed, this team isn't going anywhere in the playoffs unless it's with Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili leading the way.

[VBM]

Big games coming up = @ Orlando, @OKC, Lakers, Cleveland, @ Boston.

If we win 3 out of 5, then I'll truly buy into this whole gelling argument. That said, the Spurs are doing what they're supposed to do, and that beat up on the bad teams this month...

[in2deep]

what? Rattliff was not playing any minutes anyway, and neither was Finley, that's why he was ing in the first place.

I think it was a really stupid move to get rid of Rattlif.

[dbestpro]

I have to believe that there are at least 4-5 games (maybe more) we could have and should have won if Pop had not gone small and allowed Theo to contribute.

[E-RockWill]

Big games coming up = @ Orlando, @OKC, Lakers, Cleveland, @ Boston.

If we win 3 out of 5, then I'll truly buy into this whole gelling argument. That said, the Spurs are doing what they're supposed to do, and that beat up on the bad teams this month...

This is it exactly.

[JR3]

As much as I like Parker, I wouldn't cry myself to tears if this team found another direction in the next few years

I agree. Spurs with jefferson are better with a point gaurd that can distribute and score and defend.. not just a scorer.

[Chomag]

Meh, Spurs have been playing some pretty crappy teams latley so I think it might be to ealy to judge this.

[NFGIII]

The dream I have every night is this:

DWill is iing pissed at Utah, and has all but said he's leaving when his contract is up because they salary dumped his boy Ronnie Brewer to the Grizz. Utah wins the lottery. They draft John Wall, but rather than have a long term issue, they swap an unhappy DWill to us for Parker as a one year mentor for Wall. They save two years of high salary and avoid a conflict while still drafting the best available player.

That would be something. Though I do like TP when he loses that explosive first step and blinding speed - and he will it's just a matter of time - then he is an average PG at best. Little if any drives into the paint due to his now lacking the speed he once had and he dosen't have a 3 point shot. And this year his midrange J has been suspect though this may be due more to injury and fatigue than it actually going south. On the other hand Dwill is a mcuh better passer and can score adequately to replace TP's share. And if Malik/Hill/Blair continue thier development then a pass first PG is more of a nessicity than a score first one.IMHO

dwill is not a leader
parker is a better leader then that
dwill is a better passer though

Don't really know if he isn't up to being the leader TP has been but as stated above - once TP loses his speed then it's game over for his career. He's just another average PG after that since he never developed his court vision and passing skills like a Nash, Paul and Dwill have.

I don't hate Tony. I just think it may be time for a true play maker. When we had the versatile vets like Horry and Bowen, Tony could get away with just driving and either scoring or kicking out to a clutch shooter. We don't have those players or premier shooters any more, and we need someone who can REALLY RUN a half court offense. Tony isn't that person. He's just shown the complete inability to mesh with too many players who could REALLY help us like Blair and RJeff. In a way, it's almost tragic just watching how well a play maker like Manu can run this offense and find not only spot up shooters, but people on back cuts or dives down the lane, things Tony is pretty much blind to.

I had similar thoughts, too. The makeup of this team is changing and we have more players needing to get the ball on the move rather than spot up shooters or ones that can create their shots from a standstill - Kobe/Lebron/Manu...etc. Would it be better for the Spurs to use a priceton type of offensive scheme due to this team's makeup?

Just wondering.

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[Obstructed_View]

Lose Ratliff, Lose Finley, neither very big role players this year, but guys that took minutes away.

Now without Parker, team gels better. Better tighter rotations.
This is going to get interesting when Parker is ready to play, does Pop pull a Jameer Nelson.

Fear is an excellent motivator. Funny how fear seems to make players try harder on both ends and makes coaches start their best players and play guys at their proper position. Funny how those two things translate into wins when you have plenty of talent.