6th big ?

[superbigtime]

There is no way players like Shaq or Dampier accepts to sign as the 6th big. If Spurs sign a vet 6th big, it will be a marginal player. I'm not even sure a player like Rasho would agreed to be a 6th man.

Personally, I rather see Spurs signing a young player as 6th big and letting him work in Austin. Richards could have been that guy but his shoulder surgery rules him out.

Shoulda kept athletic 24 yr old bigman Mahinmi. With some more muscle he could be like Serge Ibaka. Makes me ill that Dallas got him for less than 1 mill. What did Spurs have to lose in keeping him for that price for 2 more years? Did he get labeled as stupid or uninterested or lazy? Letting go of a young big with hops and athleticism who has been in the system as long as Ian still just boggles the mind. Look at the crummy names tossed about for a possible 6th big in this post, it's not encouraging. Maybe Nazr; he had some nice games for Larry Brown. I hope Ian does well in Dallas but not against the Spurs.

[venitian navigator]

After the Ratliff and K. Thomas signing some more option are gone...
Imho the best way to fill the spot was Mahinmi...but we all know what's been the end of that.
However, at this point, considering we already have our youg big stashing overseas (Richards), I don't see a reason why not sign another big with experience.
The only other opytion I see otherwise, is Gist ... just because he could finally be that "long three" and defensive oriented option we've been searching for years....but the point is that forb that role he olso need a good shooting skills...that probably he still don't (and probably never will) have.

On the other side, looks like there are still some intersting veterans namens outside.
Ir order of potential :

1) Shaq
2) Rasho
3) Mahammed (everybody says he's a free agent but in Hoopsype looks like he's under contract for one more year)
4) Elson
5) K. Brown
6) .....

I just took that five 'cause i think any of them has obvious reason to be considered valuaable in our system...

the Shaq potential is obvious and coming play off time he could be a veru valueable option is certain situations.
Rasho, Mohammed and Elson already knows our game plays.
Brown is still decently young and has the best body (he could become a better version of Mahinmi).

[hsxvvd]

+ Splitter
- Nobody

Haven't we already gotten bigger?

Duncan, Splitter, Dice, Blair, Bonner

But our wings are a little on the short side.

[Zelophehad]

Why on Earth would Damp or Shaq go to the Spurs to be the 6th big and never play?

[venitian navigator]

Why on Earth would Damp or Shaq go to the Spurs to be the 6th big and never play?

I really don't think they would never play.
Don't forget Tim and Dice are 34 and 36...in some games could be wise simply not play them...and a veteran like a Dampier or (better) Shaq could be just what the doctor ordered to mantain a good playing level and a more than decent offensive option.

[biziofromdowntown]

Let The Gist free!

[DrSteffo]

I don't really care who is the 6th big so I would say sign Chinese big old man "Dancing Panda". He has a cool name and I heard he once lost some of his teeth when attempting to dunk the ball, his mouth hitting the rim, so he would be entertaining during pre-game warm ups.

[Zelophehad]

I really don't think they would never play.
Don't forget Tim and Dice are 34 and 36...in some games could be wise simply not play them...and a veteran like a Dampier or (better) Shaq could be just what the doctor ordered to mantain a good playing level and a more than decent offensive option.

You seriously think Dampier or Shaq will sign on to be the 6th big man on a team when they could potentially start elsewhere? , Dampier is the starter on a playoff team in Charlotte if they can't trade him, they'll just release and re-sign him.

[bigfan]

Woundnt Oberto be a cheapo alternative? He's available, knows the system and though not very tall has some pretty good basketball smarts.

[dbestpro]

Woundnt Oberto be a cheapo alternative? He's available, knows the system and though not very tall has some pretty good basketball smarts.

This would not be a bad move.

[Darkwaters]

This would not be a bad move.

For all the talk of Duncan developing and teaching the young talent - Oberto might be just as good at this role. If theres not a young big that looks interesting enough to sign then Oberto might be a great pickup.

Just staple him to Splitter's side and have him mentor him in the system and conversion to the NBA. Afterall, I've heard more than a few descriptions of Splitter as a younger more atheletic Oberto...and Splitter does have a good rapport playing next to Argentines.

[venitian navigator]

You seriously think Dampier or Shaq will sign on to be the 6th big man on a team when they could potentially start elsewhere? , Dampier is the starter on a playoff team in Charlotte if they can't trade him, they'll just release and re-sign him.

Don't know about Dampier...about Shaq, it's him that already said he's interested in playing in S.A.
That said, for what I know, nobody, and this include Tim, has minutes guaranteed in our team...and the sure thing, for what I see, is that our possible two starting big need their minutes to severly be controlled, at the point to avoid playing a number of games.
The "start" concept is really overvalued when your main goal (like should be for everysportsman) is winning more les or at least games with your team.

So yes, I see Shaq more intrigued in playing some games like a starter and a lot of games for 5/10 minutes here than in another team...that cannot be a contender for the next two seasons (and that means practically every team not named Lakers, Miami, Boston or Orlando...'cause Phoenix should be not so dangerous without Stad, Cleveland is no more a contender without James and the others are some pieces and experience away from really contending).

The only real other chance apart S.A. is Atlanta, but if they're low-balling Shaq offering him more or less what Spurs can offer him, I don't see why he should choose them...however, imho (and I think also in Shaq opinion) Teague isn't already the point guard for a contending team.

Add to that that we frankly need some character in our team...and that ther's already a good relationship and a lot of respect between the big fella and our players and coach...

[TJastal]

I really don't think they would never play.
Don't forget Tim and Dice are 34 and 36...in some games could be wise simply not play them...and a veteran like a Dampier or (better) Shaq could be just what the doctor ordered to mantain a good playing level and a more than decent offensive option.

We saw what happened last year when Popped sat Duncan out..... team in disarray, and either lose (raptors) or almost lose (thunder)

.. and it's almost a gaurantee that Pop will pick the most un-wise games to sit his veterans.

[TJastal]

For all the talk of Duncan developing and teaching the young talent - Oberto might be just as good at this role. If theres not a young big that looks interesting enough to sign then Oberto might be a great pickup.

Just staple him to Splitter's side and have him mentor him in the system and conversion to the NBA. Afterall, I've heard more than a few descriptions of Splitter as a younger more atheletic Oberto...and Splitter does have a good rapport playing next to Argentines.

Great idea. +1

[Bito Corleone]

Back up SF first, and then maybe a 6th big.

[Agloco]

I would take Damp over all of those, Rasho second

This. Damp is probably the most solid choice still available. When motivated he can be a good interior presence. Unfortunately, he's not motivated that often.

[venitian navigator]

We saw what happened last year when Popped sat Duncan out..... team in disarray, and either lose (raptors) or almost lose (thunder)

.. and it's almost a gaurantee that Pop will pick the most un-wise games to sit his veterans.

That's a good pointo to sign Shaq over Dampier or Rasho, for example.
He still has the charisma and personality for being "the player" that commands confidence from teammates and attenction from our counterpart.
As I said, we need these "characters" and till now nobody has had this kind of role in our team (also 'cause till now Tim didn't need to rest for a large amount of minutes in the R.S. for being fresh in play offs).

[bishopospurs]

Back up SF first, and then maybe a 6th big.

Agreed

[coyotes_geek]

Woundnt Oberto be a cheapo alternative? He's available, knows the system and though not very tall has some pretty good basketball smarts.

Nothing personal against Fab, but if the Spurs are going to get a 6th big they should be thinking about the lakers when making their decision. The Spurs already have enough guys who are undersized to guard Gasol or Bynum. Guys like Shaq, Dampier or even Rasho would be better options IMO.

[ohmwrecker]

Nothing personal against Fab, but if the Spurs are going to get a 6th big they should be thinking about the lakers when making their decision. The Spurs already have enough guys who are undersized to guard Gasol or Bynum. Guys like Shaq, Dampier or even Rasho would be better options IMO.

There is no way that any of those guys are going to sign for the vet. min. to be a 6th big on the Spurs. If we can't beat the Lakers with the 5 bigs we have, a 6th isn't going to make much difference.

[Bruno]

Spurs are now damn close to the luxury tax, they will likely be cautious with every dollar spend and there is a good chance they go with only 5 bigs.

If Spurs decide to sing a young player, James Gist has the huge edge of costing less against the tax because he is a secodn round pick.

If Spurs wants to add some vet depth for the playoffs, they could wait March to save some money.

[coyotes_geek]

There is no way that any of those guys are going to sign for the vet. min. to be a 6th big on the Spurs.

Shaq probably wont take vet min, but Dampier might. Rasho certainly can't be expecting much more than vet min.

If we can't beat the Lakers with the 5 bigs we have, a 6th isn't going to make much difference.

Probably true. But it's not like having one more 7 footer on the roster is going to hurt the Spurs chances. So if it can't hurt and might help, it's worth a shot.

[ohmwrecker]

Shaq probably wont take vet min, but Dampier might. Rasho certainly can't be expecting much more than vet min.

Bigs are overvalued in this league. I think Dampier, and to a lesser extent Rasho can probably get slightly more than the vet min. And as far as any FA being willing to sign with the Spurs for less money . . . that hasn't really worked out so far.

Probably true. But it's not like having one more 7 footer on the roster is going to hurt the Spurs chances. So if it can't hurt and might help, it's worth a shot.

Maybe, but then you're looking at a Theo Ratliff situation and that didn't really work out so well either.

[bigfan]

Somebody is going to pay Dampier over the min and I hope its not us. I think for the minimum Oberto would be the best fit. Oberto is not as tall as Rasho but Rasho hasnt grown new hands and Elson probably hasnt grown new brains since he was here last. I agree Oberto would be a great help for Splitter and when he was here I though I can remember him getting out hustled by some, I dont remember hardly any particular bonehead moves by the guy. I know we still need a backup SF but Id rather have an extra big dude on the bench that could sub for either Tim or Dice or Splitter (esp in case of injury). Just a thought.

[PDXSpursFan]

We need a veteran 7-footer (maybe Rasho?)