Simmons waived; Quinn signed

[TJastal]

I don't think the team is as nervous about the lineup as posters here.

Anderson is the backup SF. That's pretty clear.

There are four active big men and Bonner will make it five when he comes back.

I'd like it if they got someone else, but won't be surprised if they stand pat as far as rotation players go for months.

So who's going to run backup point then?

[ChumpDumper]

So who's going to run backup point then?

Hill and Manu. Pretty much as always.

[Big P]

Interesting...

[Blackjack]

The Spurs should be fine in terms of outside shooters.

Better to have one too many than not enough, as has been the case the last couple of years -- Mason's clutch play and Bonner's percentages didn't translate to the postseason.

For whatever reason, Anderson is almost forgotten as a shooter at this point.

I don't understand how. It's Neal and Anderson that are their snipers, everyone else is someone capable or a streaky to decent shooter.

At this point, the Spurs are in line to need Anderson playing a role similar to that of Jackson in '03. People laughed when I suggested he should start as soon as possible, whenever he's up to speed and playing at full bore, but I still maintain the same belief.

By year's end I believe Anderson and Splitter need to be be starting for the Spurs. And I've recently come to the thinking that it should be Parker, Anderson, Jefferson, Splitter and Duncan when it's all said and done. At least that's the lineup I believe they need to have, meaning Anderson and Splitter are deserving of their roles, if they have any hope of winning a championship.

For now, I'm fine with them sticking to Blair in the starting lineup. His play hasn't exactly warranted it but I believe these are necessary growing pains. Better to deal with them now while Splitter's getting up to speed and the team can manage to win in spite of them.

As for Quinn, he's nothing more than a flier. Someone who'd be nice to have if he can pan out. Like I said earlier, between he and Neal the Spurs would have a choice of snipers on the bench should the opposition be too big on the wing or the Spurs need some 3-point shooting at the point for a stretch. It's just another option and a steady hand to take the wheel when needed.

I don't think the team is as nervous about the lineup as posters here.

Anderson is the backup SF. That's pretty clear.

There are four active big men and Bonner will make it five when he comes back.

I'd like it if they got someone else, but won't be surprised if they stand pat as far as rotation players go for months.

Agree.

[mattyc]

Simmons is done. It sucked because on the paper he was a great fit for that team.

This.

Simmons would have worked a few years ago, but he really didn't look like he has it in him any more. Good luck to the lad though.

Not fussed about Quinn. Can't see him sticking with the team long but might fill a nice stopgap for some minutes over the coming weeks.

[roycrikside]

Bobby Simmons getting waived isn't too much of a surprise. Barely getting any minutes with Bonner out wasn't a good sign. And now that he's basically a power forward, being the sixth big behind Duncan, Blair, Splitter, McDyess and Bonner made him expendable.

But Chris Quinn? Not a big fan. He can shoot the ball but that's about it. Gives effort on D and decent ball-handler and passer ... but overall a not too interesting prospect with a low ceiling.

Signing Quinn could be a sign that Temple is a goner (either to Austin or the waiver wire). Temple has been pretty damn horrible so perhaps the Spurs view Quinn as a player who can step in right away and backup Parker while Hill is out. Quinn could step in and be better than Temple just due to being a better shooter and ballhandler.

Speaking of Hill, signing Quinn might or might not mean that Hill could be out a little longer than expected.

I don't like this move at all. Simmons gave the Spurs some much-needed toughness and an enforcer type, like they had with Massenburg. My favorite part of the Clippers game was the way he popped Griffin "accidentally" after Craig Smith clotheslined Hill with a cheap shot. Simmons made it look like he was going for the ball, but I think he absolutely knew what he was doing and sent a message there, like, "You hit one of our guys, we'll go after your best guy."

I really thought it was the kind of thing that would impress Pop and endear him to his new teammates. Guess I was wrong.

[Spursmania]

Wtf?

[TJastal]

Better to have one too many than not enough, as has been the case the last couple of years -- Mason's clutch play and Bonner's percentages didn't translate to the postseason.



I don't understand how. It's Neal and Anderson that are their snipers, everyone else is someone capable or a streaky to decent shooter.

At this point, the Spurs are in line to need Anderson playing a role similar to that of Jackson in '03. People laughed when I suggested he should start as soon as possible, whenever he's up to speed and playing at full bore, but I still maintain the same belief.

By year's end I believe Anderson and Splitter need to be be starting for the Spurs. And I've recently come to the thinking that it should be Parker, Anderson, Jefferson, Splitter and Duncan when it's all said and done. At least that's the lineup I believe they need to have, meaning Anderson and Splitter are deserving of their roles, if they have any hope of winning a championship.

For now, I'm fine with them sticking to Blair in the starting lineup. His play hasn't exactly warranted it but I believe these are necessary growing pains. Better to deal with them now while Splitter's getting up to speed and the team can manage to win in spite of them.

As for Quinn, he's nothing more than a flier. Someone who'd be nice to have if he can pan out. Like I said earlier, between he and Neal the Spurs would have a choice of snipers on the bench should the opposition be too big on the wing or the Spurs need some 3-point shooting at the point for a stretch. It's just another option and a steady hand to take the wheel when needed.




Agree.

I think its pretty silly to shove Anderson into the starting lineup and put an enormous pressure on his shoulders. Manu is doing just fine right where he is, and so is Anderson.

Splitter otoh, I can see where a move maybe necessary.

[timtonymanu]

Meh. Simmons sucked anyway.

Temple has been disappointing too so giving Quinn a shot makes sense. It's not like we're signing a major rotation player anyway so I don't see the big deal in giving him a chance.

[admiralsnackbar]

Over the last few years the Spurs have tried out marginal players throughout the first half of the season. I don't see any difference here except there could be slightly more of a need in this case with Hill's injury.

Oh, I know that, man Half the fun of being a fan is having completely unrealistic expectations with respect to unknown quan ies.

[TD 21]

I like this signing. and I do think it makes a lot of sense to balance the roster.
I also don't expect much from Quinn, he is a 3rd stringer and it would be naive to think he will suddenly be more with the Spurs. but he does add some qualities to the roster. (that's why I use a depth chart with the position our players would play, if you want to use them based on their capabilities)
Quinn is a true PG, most of our guards are SG, who can play some point.
Quinn is smart, he can bring the ball and won't turn it over. never. Pop values that. that's what kept JV on the team. (and not his defense in the first place).

I agree that the Quinn signing and the cutting of Simmons are two different moves. Spurs now even more lack a body at SF/PF. not a 3rd stringer like Quinn, those guys you find via free agency at this point. we need a 2nd stringer, or call it a legit back up. that player we can only get via trade.

When you have a guard with the play making capabilities of Ginobili, or Bryant, or James (even though he's a forward...defensively, at least), or Wade, or Roy, or Johnson, you don't need three true PG's. Because Ginobili doesn't have the durability to play 35-40 mpg and carry the offense throughout, obviously at least one other plus ball handler/creator is needed, which the Spurs have in Parker. Surrounding them with guys who can fill in the gaps (assist them with ball handling, but play off the ball more often than not, offer quality spot up shooting, defend, etc.) is more important than bringing in a true PG.

Quinn may be a PG, but if he's to play even one meaningful (non blowout) second for the Spurs, it'll likely be more so spotting up off the ball. The Spurs aren't going to give the ball to Quinn and have him run the show when they have Parker, Ginobili and Hill.

I don't think the team is as nervous about the lineup as posters here.

Anderson is the backup SF. That's pretty clear.

There are four active big men and Bonner will make it five when he comes back.

I'd like it if they got someone else, but won't be surprised if they stand pat as far as rotation players go for months.

I agree.

The hand wringing about the "lack of a true backup PG" continues to amaze. If Parker were to miss significant time, I get it, it would be nice to have another true PG. But healthy, this team is more than fine at that position.

Up front, it would be nice to have a sixth big for insurance purposes, but if two injuries arise to the bigs at once, they could always bring in some run of the mill stiff on a non-guaranteed contract.

SF is the position I'm most concerned about, more so from a depth standpoint (or lack thereof) than anything. An injury to one of Jefferson or Anderson and Ginobili would probably be pressed into a lot more SF minutes than he should be playing.

So who's going to run backup point then?

A combination of Ginobili/Hill, which is more than adequate

Better to have one too many than not enough, as has been the case the last couple of years -- Mason's clutch play and Bonner's percentages didn't translate to the postseason.

I don't understand how. It's Neal and Anderson that are their snipers, everyone else is someone capable or a streaky to decent shooter.

At this point, the Spurs are in line to need Anderson playing a role similar to that of Jackson in '03. People laughed when I suggested he should start as soon as possible, whenever he's up to speed and playing at full bore, but I still maintain the same belief.

By year's end I believe Anderson and Splitter need to be be starting for the Spurs. And I've recently come to the thinking that it should be Parker, Anderson, Jefferson, Splitter and Duncan when it's all said and done. At least that's the lineup I believe they need to have, meaning Anderson and Splitter are deserving of their roles, if they have any hope of winning a championship.

For now, I'm fine with them sticking to Blair in the starting lineup. His play hasn't exactly warranted it but I believe these are necessary growing pains. Better to deal with them now while Splitter's getting up to speed and the team can manage to win in spite of them.

As for Quinn, he's nothing more than a flier. Someone who'd be nice to have if he can pan out. Like I said earlier, between he and Neal the Spurs would have a choice of snipers on the bench should the opposition be too big on the wing or the Spurs need some 3-point shooting at the point for a stretch. It's just another option and a steady hand to take the wheel when needed.

I agree, but they've got to be able to play. Quinn isn't good enough to crack the rotation.

"Somewhat capable or streaky to decent" is what most teams have. I don't see a whole lot of teams that have four or five legit snipers in their rotation. Speaking of snipers, Bonner should be considered one. Sure, he can't shoot under pressure, but he's still a legit 40% 3-point shooter for his career in the regular season. It's really three snipers if Anderson and Neal prove to be legit.

If you're talking about doing it under pressure (as in the playoffs) and are excluding Bonner for that reason, then I agree, but the point remains. In the highly unlikely event Quinn is around at that time, barring a serious rash of injuries, he wouldn't be in the rotation anyway and the same goes for any other minimal type the Spurs bring in between now and then.

I agree with Splitter needing to eventually become a starter this season (the way it's going for Blair, that could happen sooner than later), but not Anderson. I'm also fine with sticking with Blair as the starter for now.

[Blackjack]

I think its pretty silly to shove Anderson into the starting lineup and put an enormous pressure on his shoulders. Manu is doing just fine right where he is, and so is Anderson.

Splitter otoh, I can see where a move maybe necessary.

Long-term/short-term.

That's just the way it is with the roster as currently constructed. Anderson's that important to their championship aspirations if this is the roster they plan on going with, sans a trade or 13th or 14th players.

I'm not sure if it's because where the Spurs drafted him, the injury he had that didn't let people see who he was, the fact that he's not even playing at full bore since returning from injury, the fact that he looks 35, or maybe some combination of the aforementioned, but people seem to think James is just some "guy."

James Anderson was a stud college player, Big 12 Player of the Year, and he possesses NBA size, skill and athleticism. He's humble and a hard worker. He doesn't get phased by much if anything; this is not some guy trying to convince himself that he can play at this level. He's got that "star" confidence in himself and his abilities. He's more than capable of being a solid role player for this team, which is what I believe he needs to be.

I just like the makeup and continuity of the team much more when Tony's got a catch-and-shoot player on the floor alongside of him and I think Anderson and RJ makes the most sense. Then you've got Manu, Blair and Hill coming off the bench to ignite the second unit.

I'm talking long-term when I suggest Anderson and Splitter starting, not how someone is playing today. They're who I believe need to be starting by year's end for this team to have their best chance. Again, sans a trade.

[Blackjack]

I agree, but they've got to be able to play. Quinn isn't good enough to crack the rotation.

He's a third-stringer. He's an option, not someone guaranteed minutes -- somewhat of a Kerr at the tail end of his career.

If you're talking about doing it under pressure (as in the playoffs) and are excluding Bonner for that reason, then I agree, but the point remains.

Yeah, that's exactly what I was alluding to.

In the highly unlikely event Quinn is around at that time, barring a serious rash of injuries, he wouldn't be in the rotation anyway and the same goes for any other minimal type the Spurs bring in between now and then.

Again, best-case scenario, he's an option. Third-string point guard and designated shooter.

[bigdog]

Simmons wasn't much to this team anyways, but I'm not a huge fan of the Quinn signing. I do think he is a pretty decent player, though. He can come in and shoot the ball well, and is a decent passer and ball handler.

[Trill Clinton]

So we lose a scrub to gain one? what thee .

[Man In Black]

The Low-Low Budget Steve Blake.

[Obstructed_View]

People laughed when I suggested he should start as soon as possible, whenever he's up to speed and playing at full bore, but I still maintain the same belief.

I don't know that I disagreed with you at the time, but considering the play of Ginobili and Jefferson, may I just say

[The Truth #6]

I'm not that worried about the small forward position at the moment. RJ is extremely durable and playing out of his mind. Anderson is playing very well for the moment. Bringing in a better backup SF (which is highly unlikely to happen without trading Hill or Blair and possibly someone else) makes no sense because we would then be giving less minutes to Anderson, who, obviously is playing well and learning the sytem.

Pop values point guards and so we signed another point guard. Makes sense.

The only real moves left to make would be to cut Temple or Gee and take a chance on someone else, most likely for defense. But other than that I don't see us making a lot of changes unless one of our new guys plays so well that someone else with value becomes redundant...and that would be a good problem to have.

[Obstructed_View]

He's a third-stringer. He's an option, not someone guaranteed minutes -- somewhat of a Kerr at the tail end of his career.

I know I keep reminding people of this, but Kerr was the backup point guard for the Spurs the second half of the season when Speedy Claxton was hurt. That was the last year of Kerr's career. Dude may not be guaranteed minutes but he'd better be prepared to play and contribute if asked.

[jjktkk]

I know I keep reminding people of this, but Kerr was the backup point guard for the Spurs the second half of the season when Speedy Claxton was hurt. That was the last year of Kerr's career. Dude may not be guaranteed minutes but he'd better be prepared to play and contribute if asked.

Which I believe Quinn can do.

[Leonard Curse]

i think pop soberd up and realized theres no more defensiv players available, hopefully next summer he wont go to alcoholic paradise for too long so we can pick up some defense

[ElNono]

I bet all my vBookie money this guy won't be around come March...
It's the end of the bench anyways. I'm surprised this thread reached 9 and counting pages.

[JR3]

after last game, i don't trust temple anymore.. I feel like he could have the rock stollen from him at any point when pressured. I don't think Quin is that much of an upgrade.. He shoots really well.. .basically doesn't miss.. but why get another gary neal type player? I'm good if we are just renting him while Hill is out. I just would like to limit the number of players that we have that get burned on defense... simmons was one of them.

[bigfan]

I hope he left his attire back in Miami/Philly.

[TJastal]

I hope he left his attire back in Miami/Philly.

I'm sure he brought it with him, along with his enema syringes, leather blindfolds, and whips.

There's really no other explanation for this signing other than being Pop's way of rewarding RJ for his improved play.