The Spurs Will Be Back Next Season

[TE]

We'll be back.

[DrSteffo]

Spursfan after being 1 point from another le: "We suck, let's rebuild" smh

[Darius McCrary]

The bottom line is that no team in this conference comes close to being as good as us except the Thunder. And you know what? We whoop the out of the Thunder this year if they're healthy. This Spurs team was absurdly good.

Next year? Who even knows if chuckbrook's knee holds up ever again.
Spurs could very well make it to the finals again.

I will never doubt this team EVER again. I just switched from lifelong pessimistic fan to lifelong spurs homer optimistic fan.

[ElNono]

The bottom line is that no team in this conference comes close to being as good as us except the Thunder. And you know what? We whoop the out of the Thunder this year if they're healthy. This Spurs team was absurdly good.

Next year? Who even knows if chuckbrook's knee holds up ever again.
Spurs could very well make it to the finals again.

I will never doubt this team EVER again. I just switched from lifelong pessimistic fan to lifelong spurs homer optimistic fan.

The switch back to defense is what made me a believer again. I pointed it out earlier in the season, and I thought with Kawhi and Green, and especially shedding RJ last season, we actually had the personnel to put it together.

I understand this team can't play D like they did in these playoffs for 82 games, but overall, this team can be a top 3-5 defensive team and have a higher ceiling on that department. And when you play that kind of D, you always have a chance.

[ChumpDumper]

What worry me about if the spurs will come back next season is the damage that this heartbraking loss of the le could cause them mentally and effect their atmosphere and will to make another run. I think the way we loss is the worst and most painfull way that could happened, it leaves to big and deep of a scar to continue with, I think the spurs because of it on their way to years of melancholy.

[Kidd K]

I don't share the same level of confidence anymore.

I was confident from the 2010 offseasson (yes, really, when everyone was writing them off) until tonight. Actually until the end of game 6.

Now I feel like Duncan just wasted his last really good season and Ginobili seems to be rapidly declining. He's certainly become very unreliable both on court and with his health.

I will not be confident going into next season unless the Spurs add something. A replacement for Manu specifically. Manu can be brought back, but I do not want to see him in the same role he had this year. The lion's share of his duties need to be taken over by someone younger and less prone to sucking badly for weeks at a time.

Manu should just be a super role player, not a key piece. With being so injury prone and his very disappointing Finals, I think it's time to make this move. If, and only if they do that, will I have any real confidence going into the season that the Spurs will be anything more than a 2nd round and done team, or a WCF loser at best.

I forsee multiple guys phoning it in and coasting most of the year being tired of trying hard all season only to not get out of it in the end. I predict a lower seed and a "well we can just flip the switch" situation.

I have respect for them trying extremely hard (well most of them) for the last three seasons. I think that mental energy, effort, and reinvogoration for a le has been expended though.

[Johnny RIngo]

They will end up like the 2010 Celtics - old players breaking down every post-season. Spurs were fortunate last year and this year with their relative lack of injuries. More than likely one of Duncan/Parker/Ginobili won't be making it though a grueling a regular season.

Can we really expect Duncan to have another comeback season?
Can we really expect Ginobili NOT to get any worse?
Can we rely on Parker to lead this team despite his track record as a mediocre playoff performer?

[Darius McCrary]

The switch back to defense is what made me a believer again. I pointed it out earlier in the season, and I thought with Kawhi and Green, and especially shedding RJ last season, we actually had the personnel to put it together.

I understand this team can't play D like they did in these playoffs for 82 games, but overall, this team can be a top 3-5 defensive team and have a higher ceiling on that department. And when you play that kind of D, you always have a chance.

It starts and ends with Duncan, tbh. And I will never doubt that man, I think he can continue to play into his 40's so long as Kawhi continues to improve, and we get him more help.

That brings me to a very huge point:
Kawhi Leonard will play with the HUGEST chip on his shoulder the rest of his career after tonight.
He's gonna give us performances like his offensive 1st half and defensive 2nd half, but for WHOLE GAMES...not only whole games but WHOLE SEASONS.

Kawhi will be avenging this loss the rest of his career. In fact--where the is the Kawhi postgame? That's the one i really wanted to see.

[ElNono]

It starts and ends with Duncan, tbh. And I will never doubt that man, I think he can continue to play into his 40's so long as Kawhi continues to improve, and we get him more help.

That brings me to a very huge point:
Kawhi Leonard will play with the HUGEST chip on his shoulder the rest of his career after tonight.
He's gonna give us performances like his offensive 1st half and defensive 2nd half, but for WHOLE GAMES...not only whole games but WHOLE SEASONS.

Kawhi will be avenging this loss the rest of his career. In fact--where the is the Kawhi postgame? That's the one i really wanted to see.

Ofcourse it starts and ends with Timmy. I like the Spurs also going away from bad defensive players like Neal and Bonner. We're kinda transforming back into a defensive powerhouse.

My only concern with Kawhi is his knees. Other than that, I think he's primed to be a monster, and likely in line for the next max-deal the Spurs hand out.

[spursince#99]

, I thought the Spurs were done when they got swept in 2010 by the Suns. I'm never counting out the Spurs until TD retires.

THIS

[Darius McCrary]

Ofcourse it starts and ends with Timmy. I like the Spurs also going away from bad defensive players like Neal and Bonner. We're kinda transforming back into a defensive powerhouse.

My only concern with Kawhi is his knees. Other than that, I think he's primed to be a monster, and likely in line for the next max-deal the Spurs hand out.

nahhhh brah, Kawhi's tendonitis is acute. If the Spurs have paid ANY physical trainer worth a lick, Kawhi will outgrow that. Tendonitis is a result of muscle imbalance 99% of times in kids that young. He just needs a proper therapist to point him in proper muscle building directions.
I felt his knee worries were overblown anyways, in fact, he could have been feeling knee tendonitis pain all game tonight and still played like a straight up gangsta

[SayTown]

Durant and Westbrook being better than they were two years ago and Spurs being older, no way we are done

[rascal]

Who was the other injury other than Westbrook?

Bryant

[milkyway21]

Last offseason, I wasn't confident that the Spurs could sustain a championship level team. I know everyone has written this team off again (for like the 7th offseason in a row, literally) but I'm actually more optimistic than I was a year ago.

Main reason: Kawhi Leonard's wide open potential. I don't know how good he can become but he he could develop into a great player. It's within the realm of possibilities. , he was there at times during this playoff run at only 21 years old.

Green didn't respond well to the Heat's defensive adjustment on him but he's legitimately a top 10-15 starting shooting guard. Sure, he's a specialist but he's really damn useful when he's able to stay within his role.

I'm going to stop counting out Duncan. Maybe he finally slows down next season. But maybe he doesn't. He looked better this year than any of the previous five or so seasons.

Bring back Ginobili and work him into a more specialized role. He's not capable of being a main distributor any longer but he's still damn valuable. As a fourth or fifth best player on your team, Ginobili is gold.

Parker has gotten better and better and better. There's a chance he finally stops getting better but with advancements in his basketball IQ and ability to manage games, he should stay elite for a couple more years.

Diaw is a solid role player. Joseph has very nice potential and could blossom if given a full season as the backup point guard. Splitter at a reasonable price is worth bringing back and is a proven, high-quality regular season player. Neal at a reasonable price would also be worth bringing back, especially if the Spurs believe his late season unevenness was due to his chronic foot injury.

The Spurs also have some roster and salary cap flexibility. If they can add even one more dependable piece, have Leonard and Green continue progressing as players, and the Big 3 avoid any drastic cliff falls, this team can get back here next season.
Write these guys off at your own peril. I believe it's a strong possibility that the Spurs can put together another great playoff push next season.

Miami won't be the same team next year. Allen will go back to Boston. LeBron to Cleveland(maybe).
Kobe will back December yet. No idea if Howard will stay as a Laker. or go East.
Memphis has a new coach. Nuggets too.
More West teams are into building new core of players.

Whereas the Spurs know the system already.

So, maybe your idea of this team to make a run again for last one push for Duncan might happen.
Just don't dismantle this team...just sign one more who can really help.

[smaka]

duncan will be back in a wheelchair. the old fart is 38!

The only fart I see here is you.

[benefactor]

I'm really unsure of what I want from Manu but I am leaning toward retirement. I don't trust Pop not to lean on him too hard if he comes back. I'm not sure though.

I want him back, but this is a legitimate fear, tbh... kinda like Finley...

I really think he should retire for this reason alone. As long as he is on the roster Pop will see him as one of the Big 3...no matter how much he has declined.

As far as the team goes I think they have a shot as the West is weak, but regardless they will be good. That alone is good to know. I'll take one more year in the Duncan era and whatever outcome accompanies it.

[therealtruth]

Got to get a decent backup PG. Tmac can possibly the SF. Get some low post scoring when teams to try to use small ball.

[TheGreatYacht]

Got to get a decent backup PG. Tmac can possibly the SF. Get some low post scoring when teams to try to use small ball.

Sign Jarret Jack so that he can replace Manu and be Parker's backup. Then sign Al Jefferson so that he can carry some of the load in the post. Duncan can anchor the defense in the paint just like David Robinson did in his final years. With Manu's contract out of the way, Stephen Jackson's contract out of the away, and if the Spurs amnesty Bonner, isn't that about $30 million right there? Split that $$$ for Al Jefferson and Jarret Jack. I'm not an expert on this stuff but would this scenario work?

[kobyz]

i would like to bring back most of the team, only to replace Blair with an athletic big, maybe try to land Darrell Arthur in a trade from Memphis with a draft pick.
and i change my mind, i think we winning the le next year, always after an heartbrake we come back the year after: the Fisher shot, the Manu foul...

[Soul_Patch]

This Series was lost two days ago. It's sad. Miami left the door wide open and the Spurs couldn't walk through it. I will not watch any ABC or ESPN crap for a couple of days as they fawn over Lebron. We all know they were let off the hook ten different ways on Tuesday. Yes, they got very, very lucky. That's what pisses me off about the whole thing. They basically spit the bit and got their sentence commuted by way of 2 or 3 missed free throws and lack of defensive rebounding at the end of a game.

I don't know how we can really expect this team to get back to the finals anytime soon given the age of several core players. The stars aligned this year in so many ways - it was absolutely amazing that this roster got to the finals and should have won it. The brass ring was there and it slipped through their fingers. It's a shame..... this one hurts.

I'd like to be optimistic, but getting to this point is an unbelievable grind and so very hard. This roster really could not get to the finish line intact.

The Spurs were good enough to win it all.......they just couldn't quite get it done at the end.

BTW did the low rent Heat fans stick around til the end this time? A bunch of losers from the worst sports town in America.

Couldn't have said it better.

[jjktkk]

Last offseason, I wasn't confident that the Spurs could sustain a championship level team. I know everyone has written this team off again (for like the 7th offseason in a row, literally) but I'm actually more optimistic than I was a year ago.

Main reason: Kawhi Leonard's wide open potential. I don't know how good he can become but he he could develop into a great player. It's within the realm of possibilities. , he was there at times during this playoff run at only 21 years old.

Green didn't respond well to the Heat's defensive adjustment on him but he's legitimately a top 10-15 starting shooting guard. Sure, he's a specialist but he's really damn useful when he's able to stay within his role.

I'm going to stop counting out Duncan. Maybe he finally slows down next season. But maybe he doesn't. He looked better this year than any of the previous five or so seasons.

Bring back Ginobili and work him into a more specialized role. He's not capable of being a main distributor any longer but he's still damn valuable. As a fourth or fifth best player on your team, Ginobili is gold.

Parker has gotten better and better and better. There's a chance he finally stops getting better but with advancements in his basketball IQ and ability to manage games, he should stay elite for a couple more years.

Diaw is a solid role player. Joseph has very nice potential and could blossom if given a full season as the backup point guard. Splitter at a reasonable price is worth bringing back and is a proven, high-quality regular season player. Neal at a reasonable price would also be worth bringing back, especially if the Spurs believe his late season unevenness was due to his chronic foot injury.

The Spurs also have some roster and salary cap flexibility. If they can add even one more dependable piece, have Leonard and Green continue progressing as players, and the Big 3 avoid any drastic cliff falls, this team can get back here next season.

Write these guys off at your own peril. I believe it's a strong possibility that the Spurs can put together another great playoff push next season.

My question is what kind of player would that dependable piece be? Another playmaking guard would be nice. A dependable post scorer would be great as well.

[ezau]

Resign Manu at discount. Resign Splitter at reasonable rate (~8M). Let Neal & Blair walk. I'd be interested in Re as FA if his price is semi-reasonable. Team probably needs to get creative to add a shotblocker to front line rotation.

It was our own health where the luck primarily resided - injuries throughout the year but (mostly) full strength for playoffs (although I'd like to have seen full strength Parker down the stretch of Finals). Even with Kobe, Lakers barely made the playoffs and I think Spurs get past OKC even with Westbrook - they wouldn't have beaten our guys last year without Harden.

However, if the health gods are with us next year, no reason that this is the end.

Red is intriguing. He'll be perfect in an off-the-bench role because he can create and hit shots.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Spurs seriously need to explore their cap options. They need a swing to fences trade or free agent acquisition. That would involve giving up Splitter.

Sticking with the same core, even with Leonard's emergence (unless he becomes the second coming of Scottie Pippen next year), just won't do. They need a viable superstar who can score during crunch time.

OJ Mayo. He is not a Superstar but he clutch shooting off the dribble. He is probably the best FA available when it comes to shooting of the dribble. And he is IMO the 2nd best defensive SG in this FA next to Tony Allen.

[sventhedog]

remember when people were saying, "no manu, no renewal of season tickets" from season ticket holders during manu's contract year. now it wouldn't surprise me if people say "with manu, no more season tickets." lol.

i know parker and green sucked but manu has just outsucked every other spurs player in the finals.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Red is intriguing. He'll be perfect in an off-the-bench role because he can create and hit shots.

I rather have Mayo than Red . Better passer, better shooter off the dribble and better defender. Red is just a slightly better 3 point shooter, but Mayo would be a much improved shooter with Chip's tutelage.