The Spurs 'bigs' situation

[thOOdee]

I can't believe bonner has been on this team since 2006! when will it end!

[JonNOKC]

Probably nothing to this, but fwiw

http://forums.hoopshype.com/forums/i...?topic=76187.0

I remember RC liking the guy before draft two years ago

[ElNono]

As for Tiago, I don't know if you guys watched him in Spain, but he was never a low-post scorer. I don't even know why some of you guys are complaining about it. He is a p&r roll BIG and has always been one.

I don't know about that, tbh... I recall seeing him play quite a bit with his back to the basket... you look at videos like this:



and nearly half his stuff was down low with that weird ass hook that has no place in the NBA.

[elemento]

It's basically HL stuff. Even though he appears in the low-post in the HL, that wasn't a big part of his game at all.

His hook shot has an ugly form and the release is not very high. May work sometimes, but probably won't most of the time. (in the NBA it did not)

I am Brazilian and i could be a homer here, but the fact is that Splitter's low-post game is basic and nothing special. He may improve in this area, but simply keep your hopes not really high.

Now if Pop works more in p&r plays involving Manu, Parker and Splitter, then we may have a different story.

[ElNono]

It's basically HL stuff. Even though he appears in the low-post in the HL, that wasn't a big part of his game at all.

His hook shot has an ugly form and the release is not very high. May work sometimes, but probably won't most of the time. (in the NBA it did not)

I am Brazilian and i could be a homer here, but the fact is that Splitter's low-post game is basic and nothing special. He may improve in this area, but simply keep your hopes not really high.

Now if Pop works more in p&r plays involving Manu, Parker and Splitter, then we may have a different story.

He has all the tools to be a back to the basket guy. Maybe he'll develop it, I dunno. We definitely need variety out there, IMO. Everything is outside-in and OKC made it look easy in those last 4 games...

All that said, as far as Splitter is concerned, I'm much more disappointed in his defense, tbh... he's young and can probably improve, but even in Brazil you can see him getting manhandled a lot by even smaller guys. I think he's going to need to bulk up a bit and even then I'm not sure he really can be a solid solution for defense inside.

[dunkman]

Really.

Never took any credit from Manu or Parker in Duncan's ternure. Both are great players and I am a huge Manu fan.

I simply said they're not good enough as go-to players to carry this team to a championship. No shame on that. Only a few players in the NBA can truly carry a team to a championship as go-to players. Duncan could, but can't anymore. Parker and Manu can't.

Once Timmy's game declined, our chances to win went from big to slim, just like that. But if you guys believe Parker or Manu can lead the Spurs to win a championship, feel free to disagree.

As for the situation of our BIGs, I feel that the FO is fine with Duncan and Boris as their starting BIGs and with Splitter as Duncan's backup. I disagree with the OP about Diaw's defense. To me his defense was really good, especially considering how out of shape he was. His low-post defense is very good and he is a really smart defender. He knows how to be in a good position and when to help. He simply needs to be in shape and motivated.

Offensively, yes he is very passive and it's not old news. Once OKC realized it, they simply ignored him and SA's offense took a big hit. Let's see if a whole pre-season with SA helps him in this aspect.

As for Tiago, I don't know if you guys watched him in Spain, but he was never a low-post scorer. I don't even know why some of you guys are complaining about it. He is a p&r roll BIG and has always been one. It's just like complaining about Neal's lack of ball-handling/PG skills when he is a spot-up shooter SG. He shouldn't be playing big minutes as a PG, just like Splitter shouldn't spend too much time in the low-post. That's not their "thing".

With only 19 minutes a game, i'd say Splitter is doing a good job backing up Duncan.

9.3 points/5.2 rebounds/0.8 block FG 61.8% / TS 64.9% PER 20.5 19 min per game

Those are solid numbers for a backup Center.

As for Blair and Bonner I simply don't know what to say. Bonner is the RS fool's gold and Blair is the BIG body that could play significant minutes in the RS to keep the Duncan/Diaw fresh for the playoffs, but once SA gets there, he is useless.

I think that a good backup PF ain't be sufficient to get out of the west. Diaw and Splitter should be backups, Duncan is still one of the best NBA bigs, what is missing is a starter quality PF. The Spurs will try to sign K-Mart or some other player to get released mid-season, but maybe they should make a trade.

[racm]

I'm thinking that the Dwight trade has forced PATFO to work out a trade. Quality bigs don't sign for the vet min so easily.

But they're the kind of FO that hides their hand until everything's worked out (just look at the recent re-signings; we knew they were happening, but the news didn't leak until 24 hours before it was official).

[Bruno]

Probably nothing to this, but fwiw

http://forums.hoopshype.com/forums/i...?topic=76187.0

I remember RC liking the guy before draft two years ago

I don't know if they are some kind of truth to it but Patrick Patterson would be a good target fort the backup PF spot. Trading Blair and Neal for him would be a fine deal. I wouldn't go as far as giving up too a first round pick after his bad sop re season.

[JonNOKC]

I don't know if they are some kind of truth to it but Patrick Patterson would be a good target fort the backup PF spot. Trading Blair and Neal for him would be a fine deal. I wouldn't go as far as giving up too a first round pick after his bad sop re season.

Bruno or anyone else do you know what player might be involve or why the trade would not be able to be complete until after 8/27 - I couldn't think of anything significant about that date but maybe I am missing something obvious

[Capt Bringdown]

Bonner is still here so our bigs situation is pretty much ed.

Blair too.

Bottom line, I'm sick of these turds and would love to see the Spurs roll the dice on other options.
"Maybe this year Bonner/Blair will stop sucking," is an ironclad plan for playoff failure.

[racm]

Bruno or anyone else do you know what player might be involve or why the trade would not be able to be complete until after 8/27 - I couldn't think of anything significant about that date but maybe I am missing something obvious

Rookies who have signed their contracts cannot be traded until one full month after they signed, IIRC.

[ace3g]

Rockets do have 25 players on their roster right now (if you include Delfino)

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/hou/roster

So maybe there is some truth to this trade rumor, Houston needs to unload some of those players

[MR-Clutch]

July 27th the rockets signed lin. I think I saw they introduced Asik on that date. Terrence jones was signed on the 25t, not sure about the other rookies. I also saw that they completed that trade with Boston on that day. On my phone or I would research it more.

[ace3g]

Based on ESPN trade machine:

Shaun Livingston trade restriction ends Aug 27th? Same for Jon Brockman.

Royce White and Jeremy Lamb restriction ends Aug 26th, but I doubt Rockets trade them.

So some of the details from the post do line up... I guess we will have to wait and see.

I'd easily take a PF/C roster of: Timmy, Diaw, Splitter, Patterson, and Blatche? over Bonner/Blair.

[8FOR!3]

They have 25 players on their roster and I think 11 or 12 of them are bigs. Yeah, considering they could legitimately have an entire roster full of bigs...it's probably safe to say they're trying to make a few trades.

[SpurNation]

So maybe there is some truth to this trade rumor, Houston needs to unload some of those players

I'd be happy to take Marcus Morris off their hands.
(at this point I'd insert a smilie to indicate I know that won't happen...but there isn't one.)

[SenorSpur]

I don't know if they are some kind of truth to it but Patrick Patterson would be a good target fort the backup PF spot. Trading Blair and Neal for him would be a fine deal. I wouldn't go as far as giving up too a first round pick after his bad sop re season.

If there is any truth to this rumor, I'd say YEAH!. DO IT!.

[monkeypunk]

I don't know if they are some kind of truth to it but Patrick Patterson would be a good target fort the backup PF spot. Trading Blair and Neal for him would be a fine deal. I wouldn't go as far as giving up too a first round pick after his bad sop re season.

If the Rockets have a surplus of players, I don't see them taking back 2 and giving up 1.

[bklynspursfan]

If the Rockets have a surplus of players, I don't see them taking back 2 and giving up 1.

Well the original post did say something about a 3rd team needing to be involved. But I agree, I don't see why the Rockets would take more than they are giving out at this point.

[elemento]

If that rumor has some merit, the Rockets probably get a pick from a 3rd team involved. SA sends Neal + Blair to a 3rd team and receives Patterson from HOU.

I would be ok with that.

[monkeypunk]

Missed the part about the third team. I'd give up Blair and Neal for Patterson all day, as long as we aren't throwing in a first as well. I might give up a second.

[pad300]

Another reason why they might take a 2 for 1 with Neal and Blair: IIRC Blair is un-guaranteed.

[-21-]

I'd do that trade if we don't lose a 1st rounder.

[SpurNation]

It won't allow it to list as a successful trade because Washington would need to cut only $10,500.00 in order to work. But Blair and Neal to the Wizards...Patterson to the Spurs and Jordan Crawford to Houston would work if some how a mere $11,000.00 could be negotiated.

Neal's hometown team and Blair's east coast return? Houston solidifying their SG position? Spurs with a young and talented PF to develop?

[MR.SILVER&BLack]

a trade with the Hawks being the 3rd team works.

Patterson to Spurs

Teague to Rockets

Blair, Neal, & Forbes to Hawks

probably some 2nd round picks to Hawks as well.