Learning From San Antonio (Good Article)

[Thomas82]

Learning From San Antonio
by Net Income on Jan 23, 2011 8:29 AM EST


There's been a lot of talk about which team the Nets should emulate as a model not that they've moved away from the pursuit of Carmelo Anthony.

There's the Thunder model, building around a superstar that as luck would have it was found in the draft. Mix in successive lottery picks, filling in holes with an occasional veteran. There's the Trail Blazer model, warehousing draft picks of all sizes and shapes and molding a young team...with minimal veteran leadership other than a tough taskmaster coach. There's also the model the Celtics. Heat and Knicks followed, and which the Nets were flirting with: blowing off draft choices and young players in favor of acquiring multiple superstars.

All have had some success, but really, there's no need for speculation. The Nets have a model. Mikhail Prokhorov has said so, has identified it. It's the San Antonio model, the Spurs. Prokhorov mentioned his desire to emulate the Spurs last summer when he hired Avery Johnson, noting that he is a graduate of the Spurs "school" of basketball.

So what is that San Antonio model? Yes, it's about chemistry, loyalty, risk-taking and stars but it's mostly about a winning culture, one driven by pride and being in the forefront of everything. Here's our summary...

http://www.netsdaily.com/2011/1/23/1...om-san-antonio

[Slippy]

Reward Loyalty

Between April and July, the Spurs signed Parker, Ginobili and Jefferson to contract extensions worth more than $125 million. All three were surprises...and all were criticized, Ginobili's and Jefferson's in particular. Parker was headed to free agency and even at age 28, there were some who thought he was done. A solid young point, George Hill, was in the wings. Parker got a four-year, $50 million deal. Ginobili is 33 and also coming up injuries. The Spurs rewarded him with a three year $39 million deal. Jefferson who opted out of a $15 million player option to much ridicule, signed a three-year, $39 million deal. He's 30. The Spurs are having a career year, even if none of the Spurs individual Spurs aren't. The biggest risk may have been Jefferson who did not have good year with San Antonio last season but who the Spurs thought would adapt better this year after an intense summer of workouts...and a new understanding of the San Antonio model. They were right. The Spurs also gave Duncan a big contract extension in 2007. It runs out after next year, when he will be 35. If the Spurs follow the model of Parker and Ginobili (and David Robinson), expect one more deal...if that's what the "Big Fundamental" wants.

Spurs came up trumps here.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Excellent article. Got one detail (RJ's contract info) wrong.. but a great article.

[DBMethos]

Nice find.

[Trainwreck2100]

I

Learning From San Antonio
by Net Income on Jan 23, 2011 8:29 AM EST


There's been a lot of talk about which team the Nets should emulate as a model not that they've moved away from the pursuit of Carmelo Anthony.

There's the Thunder model, building around a superstar that as luck would have it was found in the draft. Mix in successive lottery picks, filling in holes with an occasional veteran. There's the Trail Blazer model, warehousing draft picks of all sizes and shapes and molding a young team...with minimal veteran leadership other than a tough taskmaster coach. There's also the model the Celtics. Heat and Knicks followed, and which the Nets were flirting with: blowing off draft choices and young players in favor of acquiring multiple superstars.

All have had some success, but really, there's no need for speculation. The Nets have a model. Mikhail Prokhorov has said so, has identified it. It's the San Antonio model, the Spurs. Prokhorov mentioned his desire to emulate the Spurs last summer when he hired Avery Johnson, noting that he is a graduate of the Spurs "school" of basketball.

So what is that San Antonio model? Yes, it's about chemistry, loyalty, risk-taking and stars but it's mostly about a winning culture, one driven by pride and being in the forefront of everything. Here's our summary...

http://www.netsdaily.com/2011/1/23/1...om-san-antonio

Please refrain from blaming the spurs for avery