Kravitz: Pacers must deal their No. 10 pick for point guard

[ajh18]

But you're simply not addressing one huge issue: what's the alternative?

The Spurs' veteran presence is now in its core, the Big 3. And though your premise isn't off base (i.e. corporate knowledge and veteran knowhow), I just can't come to the same conclusion: the Spurs are lacking in the requisite talent at key positions to just add a couple of vets and be done with it, IMO.

The Spurs shouldn't look to get rid of Hill. He's got a bright future and he's really a of a player, one that's become undervalued and nitpicked to death because of a perceived overvaluing. But the fact remains that his talent lies in an area of strength for the Spurs and he's not going to make his best contributions in this league solely at the 2; he's actually gonna end up playing the point position when it's all said and done (even if people dismiss him playing the position because he's not the prototypical or quintessential point guard -- as if those are what we see winning les).

So if the Spurs could get a guy like Rush to play the now infamous "centerpiece" role and a player at 10 that should be able to contribute off the bench in his first year and potentially grow into a star at the 2/3 in the future, it's hard to see much downside in it. They'd now have the requisite talent and size across the board to get the job done and, really, that's all you can really hope for. I'd much rather have the arsenal to get it done anchored by warhorses like Tim, Manu and Parker, than a team consisting of little-to-no margin of error that's in need of extenuating cir stances or outside factors to get the job done.

If the Spurs were able to roll out: Duncan, Splitter, Rush, Ginobili, Parker in their starting lineup and have a bench that consisted of RJ, 'Dyess, Blair, the #10 pick (George for arguments sake) and whomever makes it from THG (Temple, Hairston and Gee), Mahinmi and a possible vet minimum or two?

I think I could roll with that. I'd take my chances with the youth; and it's not like the team you start the season with is necessarily the team you finish with.

Looking at your proposed lineup, I guess the question really comes down to whether over the next two years, which combination of Hill and pick 20 or Rush and pick 10 has the greater net positive impact on the Spurs. My argument is that in the short-term (Tim and Manu's window), particularly given the amount of time it takes to learn the Spurs' system and the fact that we'll likely not use a full 10-man rotation come playoff time, the former is the better option.

Come playoff time, I want to see a 3-man backcourt of Manu, Parker, and Hill. I want to see Duncan, Splitter, Blair, and 'Dyess taking up the available minutes at the 4 and 5 spots. I think those 7, plus RJ, take up most of the post-season minutes. I'd draft the best SF available and let them compete with Hairson for the backup small forward spot. Then have the loser of that pair, as well as Temple and a vet or two, eat minutes during the year to rest the top 8. Under that scenario we'd be integrating just one new player into the system (in Splitter) who'd be getting significant minutes, two at most if our draft pick could beat out Hairston for the backup forward slot.

[ducks]

Pacers may take Orton at No. 10

By Mark J. Miller

Daniel OrtonIf the Indiana Pacers don't trade its No. 10 pick in next week's NBA draft, they might take Kentucky center Daniel Orton with the selection, the Indianapolis Star reports.

The 19-year-old who declared himself ready for the NBA after his freshman year worked out for the team on June 1. The team is setting up a second workout, according to the paper.

The 6-10, 260-pound Oklahoma native averaged 3.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks for Kentucky.

[ducks]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/p...urn=nba,249475

[Blackjack]

Seems a pretty big reach, quite literally, but that would make sense why he canceled all of his workouts.

He just seem too black, though.

[MateoNeygro]

I'd do it for Granger although he has injury issues.

[lurker23]

For the record, the blue text for sarcasm has been around quite a while. I've used it several times the past couple years, but I certainly didn't invent it. Via Google, the oldest reference I could find to it was in July 2006:

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/show...t=46239&page=3

Then, I offer my sincere apologies - as we all know, it is hard to pick up on sarcasm sometimes!

That's why the blue text can be your friend.

Blue text denotes sarcasm? Didn't know that but sarcasm loses some of it's luster if you have to broadcast it as such.

I've read lots of sarcasm here but haven't seen it blued.

It's actually an older reference arising, I think, out of a discussion in the Spurs forum. I agree with you that sarcasm is less effective if it has to be illustrated to be sarcasm.

In a written medium like this one, though, resorting to sarcasm always brings with it a terrific risk that your point will be lost in sarchasm.

[Blackjack]

For the record, the blue text for sarcasm has been around quite a while. I've used it several times the past couple years, but I certainly didn't invent it. Via Google, the oldest reference I could find to it was in July 2006:

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/show...t=46239&page=3

Yeah, I'm aware of it. I made mention of it a few times, even in the last page:

Ya know, the re-implementation of the blue should probably be helpful. Why we abandoned it in the first place? Complacency. We assumed that every one had caught on and forgot there are new members joining every day.

I take great shame in our collective incompetence.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/p...urn=nba,249475

How is a big that averaged 3.4 and 3.3 going in the lottery?

[Muser]

How is a big that averaged 3.4 and 3.3 going in the lottery?

If Kwame Brown can go 1st anything can happen.

[dbestpro]

How is a big that averaged 3.4 and 3.3 going in the lottery?

There was a former Spur who was a first round draft pick of Milwaukee (number 16) who never started a college game for the 4 years he was in college. He almost averaged a double double for his NBA career and was an allstar twice. He name is Swen Nater.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

There was a former Spur who was a first round draft pick of Milwaukee (number 16) who never started a college game for the 4 years he was in college. He almost averaged a double double for his NBA career and was an allstar twice. He name is Swen Nater.

Did he put up 3 & 3?

[Blackjack]

Did he put up 3 & 3?

Not sure.



But he'll give you 2 and 2.

[E-RockWill]

Wow, this thread is simply amazing.

It will not die......

[Blackjack]

Of all my started threads ...

I consider this my masterpiece.

[DynastyBuilder]

Fify

Of all my started threads ...

I consider this my centerpiece.

[Seventyniner]

Fify

Of all my started threads ...

I consider this my centerpiece.

Yeah, and when the centerpiece sees more than 4 minutes of playing time, we're screwed.....wait, what thread is this again?

[Blackjack]

Yes, this is the thread which all my other threads are dependent on. I agree; this thread gave ST the ability to reach it's best potential on my behalf.

[Mel_13]

You just keep raising the bar, Bluejack, just keep raising that bar.

[Blackjack]

That's what Black/Bluejack does. He raises the bar.

His Omnipotence's blueman groupies are well aware.

[DPG21920]

I just don't see them as a trade partner if the Spurs want to move up. I can't really see the Spurs moving up in this draft.

[lurker23]

I just don't see them as a trade partner if the Spurs want to move up. I can't really see the Spurs moving up in this draft.

I believe the reports that the Spurs like the idea of moving up. However, a couple questions remain:

a.) What pieces exactly will the Spurs be using to move up?
b.) Is the scouting in this draft good enough that what you find at #10-15 is really all that better than a guy that drops to #20?

[Blackjack]

I actually don't see a lot of separation in the 10-20 range, so it'd be more about need and position than talent. And that would make sense given the immediacy of the times for the Spurs to get it done and the draft being one of their few tools to acquire a piece or two to get it done.

There has to be a player they've really targeted as being a real help for their particular needs if they're as adamant about moving up into that 10-20 range as we've been made to believe, IMO. The talent discrepancy just isn't all that great -- I've got to believe it's someone like Henry, Babbit or George.

[DirkISaCocLuvinPuSSy]

Hey I would mos def trade G Hill for the Pacers 10th pick and Brandon Rush, and with the 10th pick get Hassan Whiteside to play along Timmy.

Timmy
Whiteside
Rush
Manu
Parker

would be nice to me

[MaNu4Tres]

Babbitt!!!

[jimo2305]

i swear theres ppl that dont wanna change a thing on the team lol.. listen i love george hill... but even i would pull the trigger on this one..