first step to rebuilding is to lower your expectations for this team. the Spurs can try all they want to re-structure the team but they still will not have a go-to post-player next year. i can't remember a team other than the Chicago Bulls that didn't have a low post player they could throw the ball to consistently for high % buckets. it's a hard reality to accept, but it's one you have to accept. no amount of re-structuring will fill that fatal hole. that's what it comes down to for me.
Spurs need to just break the Big 3 up. and hate to say it, but they're pretty much a big 2 now anyways with Duncan being where he is. flush this team down the toilet, and get to the complete suckage phase of re-building as fast as you can. trade Parker, or trade Ginobili. or both. i really, really, hate the prospect of giving any one of those guys up, esp. both, BUT THEY CAN CRY THEMSELVES ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK. i respect them both for all that they've done, but keeping them here will only prolong mediocrity, the standary of which is not being able to get past the first round.
obivously, i want RJ gone, but it's not happening. his contract is f'n ridiculous. Duncan isn't going to turn down 20 million, and i don't blame him one bit.
i'm hoping that next year we go into training camp with RJ & Tim as the only guys out of the starting five left. we'll be really then, and probably only win 30 games, and in the West not even make the playoffs. , sit Duncan for back-to-backs and maybe the team wins 25. hard pill to swallow, but we'd get a lotto pick. the following year, Duncan retires. so we only got RJ & Bonner in the books. the team would suck so bad that year (it'd be the 2012-13 season), we'd have to get a high pick for sure. 2013-14 we'd suck again, but we'd have another high draft pick. and guess who will be a FA in summer of 2014? Blake Griffin. maybe by that time we have enough in young talent to lure him.
best case scenario is we give ourselves a chance to be really good again by 2014-2015 season.
Well, I'm smarter than Pop. Again. The Spurs waste another year of Duncan's career. Again. I don't feel any better, but talking about how they're going to re-tool for next year has been cathartic. Have a good night guys. I wish I could say it was a fun season.
Great plan. I agree for the most part. However, this team, as currently constructed, will likely not challenge for conference supremacy any time soon. And while a wholesale rebuild can't possibly start until Duncan retires, some hard decisions can be made now.
That said, it turns my stomach to see this team continue to invest dollars and court time into weak-minded, rotation players, who are either one-dimensional or poor defenders or both. Because the Spurs desparately need an injection of more size, skill and athleticism into this rotation, they can no longer afford to allow players to simply take up space on the court and in the rotation. That much is painfully obvious. If you'll indulge me, I want to go a bit more drastic.
1. The first way this team is going to get better is by shipping out the dead weight. Bonner and RJ CANNOT be on this roster next year. By whatever means necessary, these two players, along with their contracts, need to be shippied out. Even if it takes throwing in either Hill, Blair and McDyess' partially guaranteed contract, as an asset, to make it happen. Besides, getting rid of Bonner and RJ would help evolve away from the perimeter-oriented, outside-in, style that Pop has been foolish enough to adopt.
2. Incorporate Tiago Splitter into the starting lineup.
3. Draft either a lockdown, defensive-minded SF (Chris Singleton or Tyler Honeycutt) or a long PF/C (JaJuan Johnson, Jordan Williams or Lucas Nougiera). If somehow they could come out of the June draft with players that fit both positions, that would be a huge win.
4. Prep Ryan Richards for a contributing role off the bench. His development should be accelerated, as his skills could come in handy in support of an aging Duncan.
5. Have an open compe ion for all positions. Allow James Anderson, DeSean Butler and Danny Green each the opportunity to compete and win the starting SF job. Unless of course, somehow the Spurs are fortunate enough to draft a SF like Honeycutt or Singleton.
6. Get better defensively by incorporating better defenders onto the roster and into the rotation. That's why having Splitter, a new defensive-minded SF or PF, and another backup rim-protecting big, would work wonders. Gone are the days where Duncan should be the longest, tallest and best defender on the roster.
7. Consider moving Tony Parker. While I don't advocate this whole-heartedly, I would listen to offers for Parker. It's not that I want him gone, but if some team knocks the Spurs socks off with an offer, I would consider it. However if said offer should include a nice, young player and a high draft pick, the Spurs would be foolish not to listen. It would be a nice way to start stockpiling some assets.
8. No more players as old or older than Duncan. It's long over due, but the time has come to put even more youth and skill around Manu and Duncan. Those two should be the oldest players on the roster.
1. Agreed on Duncan. He and Splitter need to be starting together next year.
2. Get rid of Jefferson. Dude is worthless. Find some sucker to take him + whichever of Neal, Blair, Anderson it takes to get him off the team.
3. Get rid of Matt Bonner. Dude sucks. Memphis spent the last two minutes of the 3rd and first four of the 4th scoring on him or drawing a foul on him every single play. It was a joke. It was the 'Sheed principle all over again. And it's the Finley principle. As long as his scrub ass is on our roster, Pop will squint, see a white Robert Horry, and trot him out there to get abused.
4. Embrace athleticism on the wing. Ryan Richards, James Anderson, Dasean Butler, come on down.
5. We need fresh ideas on the bench. Whether it's some new assistants that have the balls to stand up to Pop, or Pop himself goes, I don't care. But Pop has gone to this jacked up mix of Nellie's mad lineups mixed with Larry Brown's stubborn love affair with corporate knowledge that results in only guys over 35 getting any serious run. That has to stop or Tim ain't winning another ring.
6. I'd actually keep Novak as that end of bench big that can shoot from the wing that you can trot out for 5-8 minutes a game and see if you can get some cheap threes from the corner (you know, what Bonner should have been).
7. Go back to defense. This fun 'n gun is fun to watch, but you can't win with it.
8. Get tough. We need the Horry/Bowen mentality to return to this squad. No more sissy ball. Find a tough post presence that can block some shots and a perimeter wing. It's comical that Memphis went out and got two guys who should have been on this squad (Allen and Battier) while we re-signed Richard ing Jefferson for $40 million.
We should be able to find a team to take this season's three point fg% leader...
We've had years to bolster the big 3. All these rebuilding/retooling plans amount to more of the same, and don't recognize that we don't have a franchise player anymore. Yes, we've arrived at that point in history.
I don't know where to go from here - how do you acquire a franchise player and surround him with the right pieces?
I think the Spurs will take the most conservative option as they always do & we're going to be like the Utah Jazz during the last days of Stockton/Malone.
I just dont see trading RJ as a possibility. Maybe if this was 2005 and it seemed like our franchise could make no mistakes.
I don't think we'll see significant changes with our roster. We just have to make some internal changes. Starting and playing Taigo 25+ minutes is a must. I like playing Blair as the 3rd big because I don't see us adding on another capable big.
I think an exciting part of training camp will be Neal vs. Anderson vs. Bulter. Hopefully they all emerge as contributors so we have RJ insurance.
Don't touch Tim/TP/Manu if you can help it. Other than that, I don't care at the moment.
Oh, and I'd like to point out that both Marc Gasol and Shane Battier will be free agents next season.
Just sayin'.
What's maddening is--all of your points could have been started this year.
if westbrook continues to be a clown thinkn his the top dog on the thunder which hurts his team and whose the real franchise player, would the thunder do a deal with the spurs, trading starting pgs?
1. George Hill or Gary Neal? Spurs have to choose one of these guys. Pretty much the same player as in they are undersized SG. I think they even have somewhat of vaule. I'd prefer Neal, but I bet Pop has George Hill on this one. Just pick one.
2. Manu off the Bench. Going back to #1 depending on who the Spurs pick, that person must start IMO. Both play out of their minds at times when they are aggressive or have their # called.. We all know what Manu can do on the bench and I doubt anybody will complain
3. Spurs need another low post scorer. Not sure how many people thought of this, but yeah having an talented offensive big next to Duncan would be more ideal than another shot blocker/or rebounder. Not sure how many people thought Splitter would be the solution to that but he is just waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy behind offesnively. Don't have options on the top of my head but, Scola would be nice..
4. Trade RJ. He is the player I blame for a lot of things. He set us back 3 years. Will go down as one of the biggest Spurs bust and possibly one of the most overrated basketball player I have ever seen. Jason Kidd truly did him wonders. It's truly to the point where it doesn't matter what we get....just get rid of him somehow.
5. Stress Defense. Spurs defense was just pitiful at times this year, we couldn't get a rebound or stop when it counted mostly all season. It starts with Pop and his rotations IMO. I know why Bonner plays because he shoots 50% from 3 and he WORKS HARDER CONSISTENTLY THAN ANY SPUR ON THE ROSTER. <<<< Real reason Pop has a man crush. He can stress defense all he wants but if the players he puts out there night in and night out can't play it becasuse of physical limitations. You can't blame them. Only the coach.
Ryan Richards is not ready for the NBA... seriously folks... he needs D-League time first...
i don't agree. don't reload, rebuild.
you guys can close your eyes and cross your fingers all you want but this trio is done. they were done after the phoenix sweep and the grizzlies defeat is just confirmation. start rebuilding now instead of risking more crappy contracts like jefferson and bonner's. spurs wanted to hold on to this core so badly they desperately took these contracts and now they are digging themselves a hole. stop digging and accept the fate. rebuild.
The spurs need more active bodies in the front court. Duncan and McDyess were very competent skill-wise in the series, but they didn't have the energy and speed to get the loose balls and rebounds that are needed and make the rotations in time.
I think a little bit of that kind of stuff that was lost when Blair went to the bench (of course, Blair had to be benched because he can't credibly guard quality big men).
Fortunately, the Spurs have a guy in Splitter who can bring the energy Blair brought, but with the necessary size. However, I think they also need to look for an energetic small forward.
1. I think we need more size. McDyess is gone now. I think we need another 7 footer and someone who can match up with the more athletic 4s in this league. Z-bo was a tough cougher, but Arthur chewed us up as well. We got out muscled and out hustled.
1b. Trader Bonner? I don't see Pop moving him down the rotation. He's great as a 4th big off of the bench. Not as your first one. He hustles and a great piece for the team. But he's being over utilized.
2. We need a more effective perimeter player. RJ is not it. He started off the season great and disappeared. I think him moving on would be good for the team and for himself. Just not sure what he will get us. Most likely a worse contract for a player playing below expectations.
3. Need a a perimeter player with some at ude and defensive ability. Honestly, someone like Tony Allen. Someone who will get after you.
4. Slow the game down for the team. Make them a top 3 defensive team again.
In Tim's early days, they built around him by adding key vets. Now, this team needs to add talent and youth to an older Tim. While we've found guys like Hill, Neal and Blair. They really haven't addressed the areas that were needed.
5. Maybe more of a pure point guard to back up TP? GHill is more of a 2 who can handle the ball. Or maybe someone like Nate Robinson?
6. Keep Neal coming off of the bench. He's instant offense kind of player. Not a starter.
Battier.To me he is the closest thing we can get to a Bruce Bowen. Dude is a pro, and he can shoot the 3. ANd he wont be expensive.
These two bolded statements are not mutually exclusive.
Above all else, I think everyone should enjoy what is left of the Big Three, even if the Spurs fail to contend the next few years.
Even tonight, I marveled at some of the difficult drives to the paint by Manu and Tony, and some of Duncan's blocked shots.
Timmy is not the player he used to be, but guys like him come around very rarely. Enjoy every last bank-shot and jump-hook you see.
Manu and Tony have their limitations (which have been exposed since Duncan's decline), but they are still very special players. Ginobili does some incredible things. Watching him drive to the basket is a thing of beauty. Tony Parker is not in the same league as, say, Chris Paul as an all-around point guard. But I don't think I've ever seen any point guard finish around the basket as well as Tony.
Kevin love
Minesota is stupid
Kevin love
Minesota is stupid
Kevin love
-We have to accept that the Tim Duncan of this playoff is the Tim Duncan we're going to see mostly from now on.
-Even if you move Splitter to the starting lineup, you still need another true big if you're going to play playoff basketball. I like Blair and think he can still be a factor, but for the Spurs to be serious they need Splitter AND an upgrade on McDyess.
-I think we've seen about everything George Hill is going to be. And while I'm happy with Neal, he's 26 and doesn't have much more of a ceiling either.
-Anderson is the only true undeveloped talent currently on the Spurs. He has potential, but not as the shutdown perimeter defender they need. I'd like to see a lot more of Green. Butler is still a shot in the dark.
-Nobody is taking Jefferson for more than 50 cents on the dollar in value. The only thing you can really hope for is cap flexibility.
-Bonner actually was a step up from being completely useless in the playoffs this year. But if the Spurs are still using him to guard scoring 4s next year, the season will be over before it's begun.
-Truly, the best thing for the long-term future of the team would be to break up the big 3, so I don't blame people who advocate that. But I don't want to do that and am willing to exchange that for a few painful years of mediocrity.
10) Pop needs to get his together and revert back to the system that those championship teams were built upon. Don't have the players? Get them. Can't get them? Well, it then. We'll have to wait to rebuild after a few more years.
IMHO.[/QUOTE]
Let's all be real we can post all we want to post. But this one nailed it.
Trade splitter, hill, Blair, for Kevin love and rights to Ricky Rubio.
Trade RJ, james Anderson, bonner, and mcdysse for Danny granger.
Try to sign Olden only at MLE.
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