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The Big three are still the big three, but having someone like Richard Jefferson, and a bench that's older than dirt, and slower than isn't a good mix. Upgrade that bench, and add a big man to the Mix, and you'll see different results next season.
A new foundation or fresh coat of paint?
by Jesse Blanchard
The thing about predicting endings, do it long enough and eventually they will prove pretty accurate some day. Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs have made fools of such scribes for so long most are afraid to write the eulogy until after Duncan and Gregg Popovich ride off together into the sunset.
If ever anyone earned such respect it’s Tim Duncan. But it has been three seasons since the San Antonio Spurs last won a le, and for the first time since being eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in 2006, there are no major injuries to pin the blame on.
As I said in my previous post, anytime a team is swept a busy summer should be expected. Over the next few weeks we at 48MoH will be exploring each member of the roster and how they fit in with the Spurs moving forward, but before any offseason speculation can begin one question must be answered.
Have the San Antonio Spurs taken the core of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker as far as they can go as viable championship contenders?
Keep reading →
The Big three are still the big three, but having someone like Richard Jefferson, and a bench that's older than dirt, and slower than isn't a good mix. Upgrade that bench, and add a big man to the Mix, and you'll see different results next season.
it was a good read. should be an interesting off-season. that's for sure.
agreed just a few tweaks are needed to improve the core is obviously in place take boston they have pierce,rondo and kg only rj is no ray allen and boston has parts that contribute off the pine.Can the spurs find the right pieces this off season?!?!
The article makes a good point about defending the pick and roll - Duncan isn't as mobile as he once was and Bowen isn't there to fight through the screens anymore.
To me the key to the offseason is getting a read on Splitters abilities vs NBA talent. If he can be a solid defender in the Spurs system that can stay on the court with Duncan then that really helps stabilize the defense.
But the other weakness that the article didn't seem to mention is 3point shooting. For the Spurs it disappeared in the playoffs. I'm sure the Spurs will be looking for a player who can defend better than Roger Mason and hit the corner three consistently. Working out Paul George from Fresno State tells me they have already started this search (again).
If Splitter can grasp the Spurs defense (get him over here ASAP this summer to start workouts / training) and they reload on shooters that play at least average defense, they'll be in good shape.
The article also addresses one of the major flaws in the "Trade Parker" meme. You have to get something in return that improves the team in addition to a starting quality PG. I put the chances of this happening at 3%.
Good piece, Blackjack.
Did the Spurs use their bi-annual exception last year, or do they have it this year?
Didn't use it last year.
Groovy.
Duncan needs to play permanently as a 5. He can't deal with mobile big men PF and has an easier time against most of the current crop of centers who also aren't all that mobile.
Splitter can play some PF because of his mobility. and certainly can play center.
That makes it tough for Blair to fit in because (a)he's not tall enough to get his shot off and (b) he's not mobile enough to move out to PF. I still don't see him as the answer to the backup center position.
I don't know why you would say blair is not mobile enough to play pf.
He is not a slasher, so he is not going to drive in like lamar odom from the 3pt line, but that is really a sf game.
He does not have an outside jumper yet, but that is not a mobility issue.
I would like to hear you clarify that thought.
By the way, I've always wanted to know WHY Duncan is so insistent on being referred to as a PF, while smaller guys like Kurt Thomas, Dice, Bonner are misplaced and classified as centers? It's especially interesting because Duncan has actually manned the 5-spot for years.
I just disagree that the Spurs are two rotation players away from being a legit contender. Even if you get Tiago and Bell, which most would agree would be a solid pair, is that really enough? I don't see it as so.
They also need a trade of RJ's contract that can bring back a better fit.
new foundation please
I agree! As excited as I am about the possibility of Tiago joining the Spurs, I dont think it is enough. I think TD needs help on both ends of the court these days (low block). I think Tiago can provide alot on the defensive end, but I don't know about his offensive game. Anyway, you can't rely on a rookie to play heavy minutes and get far. I don't know the options that are available, but one that might be possible to snag is Kaman. Not the greatest, but I definately think he could help the team alot on both ends. If you can snag him, and use the mid-level on Tiago that would definately clear up the bigs. Perhaps I am dreaming haha!
blair is good enough to destroy the other teams big men scrubs off the bench
splitter, bell, long 3, backup pg....call it a summer
Trading Richard Jefferson's contract for a "better fit" is virtually impossible to do.
There's less than a handful of guys out there to begin with that are a great fit for the Spurs. Three criteria exists for such a player IMO:
1) Defensive oriented- great one on one perimeter defender
2) Can hit the three with consistency
3) Long enough to be as effective guarding the longer, taller wings in the league such as( Melo, Durant, LeBron, Roy, Kobe, Joe Johnson ect.)
Wings 6'7 and above (exception Lee)on the top of my head that exhibit one criteria (defensive oriented):In order IMO
1. Thabo Sefolosha
2. Luc Mbah a Moute
3. Trevor Ariza
4. Gerald Wallace
5. Shane Battier
6. Stephen Jackson
7. Courtney Lee
8. Nicolas Batum
9. Ronnie Brewer
10. Martell Webster
Now you filter those guys into the category: Can spread the floor by shooting the 3 ball with consistency.
1. Thabo Sefolosha (barely)
3. Trevor Ariza
5. Shane Battier
6. Stephen Jackson
7. Courtney Lee
8. Nicolas Batum
10. Martell Webster
Now lets see how available these 7 guys are:
1. Thabo Sefolosha- Signed a very cheap-valued extension with the Thunder that runs through 2014. Virtually impossible to pry away from Thunder. Only makes roughly 3 million a year. Virtually untouchable.
2. Trevor Ariza- IMO was underpaid by the Rockets with the MLE. Highly doubt Rockets are looking to trade him due to his relatively cheap contract for the amount of production he puts on the court on both ends. Most likely not available
3. Shane Battier - Could be available at the trade deadline if Rockets aren't in contention due to his expiring contract. Won't know his availability til mid-February. Even so it's less likely Morey gives such a valuable piece to a division rival.
4. Stephen Jackson- Leading the Bobcats to the playoffs for the first time makes him virtually untouchable being owned by Jordan's compe ive spirit, unless Bobcats are the Nets of the league by the trading deadline. Then Bobcats may consider parting ways with their long-term expensive contracts. (Won't know his availability til mid-February)
5. Courtney Lee - Still on a very cheap rookie scale salary. His productivity output surpasses his salary by a wide margin. Making his availability less likely.
6. Nicolas Batum- See above
7. Martell Webster- Has a contract that pays him 4.8 next year and 5.2 the next with a team option for the 3rd year in 2013. Could be trade-able with the improvement of Batum, if they draft a wing with the 22nd pick. They were interested in Jefferson at the 2009 trading deadline. Jefferson plus 20th pick for Webster+Pryzbilla's expiring(player value insignificant with torn patella tendon)+ maybe Fernandez or Cunningham may get the Blazers to think for at least a second. (Possibly available)
As you can see there's virtually no "better fit's" out there that are realistically possible for the Spurs to attain.
All in all, Spurs fan's underestimated the value Bruce Bowen brought to the Spurs. He was a key component in the efficient well-oiled machine on both ends of the court that lasted from 2003 to 2008. Looking for such a player will be virtually impossible to attain.
IMO With this reasoning Spurs are better off keeping Jefferson. Perhaps a summer with Chip can do wonders for his confidence and revitalize the 40% clip he shot from the distance with the Bucks just a year ago.
In regard of the thread...
IMO These things need to happen for Spurs to have a better chance at competing for a championship:
1. Sign Splitter
2. Find a 5th wing to step up and be consistent on both ends night in and night out. ( Through the draft, free agency or have Hairston or Gee really improve and step up to the plate.) *Preferably a wing with height and length*
3. The improvement of Richard Jefferson. Sick Chip Engelland on him the entire summer and revamp his confidence. A more consistent Jefferson on the offensive end would do wonders for his overall hustle and activity on the defensive end.
4. The improvement of Blair and Hill.
Those 4 things plus Manu and Tony having the summer off to rest and work on their respective games can catapult the Spurs into contention for number 5. IMO
In other words....A fresh coat of paint
Last edited by MaNu4Tres; 05-19-2010 at 04:41 PM.
I still look at the biggest liability being more the lack of a bigman who can play large minutes than anything else. Jefferson wasn't what we had hoped but he's more vastly overpaid than useless. I don't know that splitter is the answer, I do know that Duncan is currently more center than powerforward (was true for 2008-2009 and 09-10 before that no. Its a mobility issue more than anything else. As well as the trend of forwards away from the rim.
Speed and athleticism isn't the only answer if it was Mahinmi would have seen lots of playing time. with drive and athleticism on the current spurs team comes alot of opportunity for scoring though he likely wouldn't have much called for him.
Blair is in a tough spot he's kinda short to go against some of the bigger players inside, and kinda slow against some of the faster players outside. He's not going to get faster but has shown the ability to learn from fill and be able to predict where people will be by knowing their tenancies Great reserve to have on the bench and start when the match-ups look to be there, He's not as immobile as what some people like to believe but he's not really quick either.
I don't know who the spurs really should go for in the draft as anyone who has the physical tools to be a high end powerforward or small forward isn't going to be there at 20 and be close to ready mentally or skills wise.
I really like the current spurs guard rolls of Parker, Manu, Hill and Temple, Pretty young overall. has decent shooting size and speed. All are capable of distributing or scoring as needed.
Small forward is Jefferson then who? This needs something done here.
Power Forward Dyess, Blair, Duncan, Bonner. Dyess is old and can only show about 1/3rd the games somewhat mobility limited. Blair situational and more described above. Bonner specialist mostly bench guy, Duncan getting really mobility limited to call a powerforward at this point.
Center Duncan, ?Splitter? Mahinmi, Blair. Duncan needs to have a decent powerforward pairs with him or there are match-up problems, as speed is lacking. Splitter will he come> Is he NBA ready? Mahinmi, will his mind ever stop the fouling? Blair Why oh why aren't you 3 inches taller man? please grow over the summer..... (yeah I know not happening.)
I think you dropped your thesaurus somewhere back there.
That is why I proof-read before submitting any final copies to my professors.
Luckily this is just a sports forum.
Slight mistake. Fixed.
Good breakdown on the RJ issue. I agree with your conclusion on that as well as your conclusion that 'a fresh coat of paint' will be the path followed this summer. 'A new foundation' will be pursued after the current foundation retires in 2012. The only nit I'd pick is that I would have Tony and Manu resting this summer as #1 and Splitter as #2.
No way do we blow it up.
Although a fresh coat of paint may not be enough to even make it back to the WCF, its worth a shot.
Son-of-a- . . .
Well, I had one of those really long posts. Keyword: Had.
It was all in fun, just joking around. No offense was meant.That is why I proof-read before submitting any final copies to my professors.
Luckily this is just a sports forum.
Slight mistake. Fixed.
You can throw all of the paint on this that you want to. , add some sport stripes with lighting package, brembo brakes and dubs while you're at it.
The engine still has 200k on it and it's not exactly performing like a diesel now is it?
Overhaul that engine, it's what actually moves the Watermelon Wagon down the street and over the finish line.
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