Heading into the offseason these Spurs didn't have too much in terms of a weakness (as with most teams that make the Finals), but here are a few:
Key Weaknesses:
-No "iso" superstar to bail you out when plays go to
-Soft big men. The Spurs have 3 versatile big men with above average passing skills, but one of them is Charmin soft (Splitter), and two of them are subpar rebounders (Splitter and Diaw)
-ZERO rim protection when Timmy sits
-Broken 6th man
-No serviceable backup SF
How the weaknesses have been addressed:
-Getting an "iso" superstar who can get his own shot off against almost anybody is a luxury that the Spurs could not afford. As of now, their best isolation player is still Tim Duncan, but Kawhi is showing potential.
-Diaw opts in and the Spurs resign Splitter to a contract that seems a bit puzzling, but with the seemingly endless stupidity/desperation of NBA GMs for a decent big, Tiago's final contract doesn't look too terrible.
-The Spurs still don't have any rim protection when Timmy sits. Splitter is simply not strong enough, long enough, or athletic enough to intimidate drivers.
-The Spurs looked to solve their broken 6th Man issue by resigning Manu to a cheaper deal and signing Bellinelli. Bellinelli is a solid shooter and passable defender with inconsistent playmaking ability. Spurs fans hoping for Bellinelli to be our savior need a reality check, but he definitely helps with team depth.
-Bellinelli may struggle as a SF, but it looks like either he or Manu will have to play SF.
Assessment:
-The Spurs seemed intent on resigning Splitter. There were rumors that they might do a sign and trade for Gortat, but that deal never went through. I'm not sure if the Spurs are better off, worse off, or if it's all a wash.
-Manu's new contract was too high, imo, but I'm hoping that he proves me wrong. With a summer of rest and healing, Manu might be poised for a resurgent season.
-Bellinelli seems like another Manu, and it would've been nice to get somebody with a little bit more athleticism on the wings, because we're sorely lacking in that department.
-The Spurs still have the MLE left, and who knows what they'll do with it, but I'd like to either get a big body or maybe a serviceable backup SF.
-The fact remains that our oldest player and most important defensive piece is once again going to be asked to carry a HUGE load, and the defense will once again be utter whenever he sits.
Overall, I'm not sure how I feel about this offseason. I know better than to expect blockbuster deals, but adding more athleticism and toughness would've been nice. What do you guys think?
Spurs were ed because they had only 2 players, who could handle the ball vs Heat aggressive defense. One was hurt, one was passing to the wrong teammates. They didnt solved it. 2nd unit is ed with Manu being only one who can handle the ball.
Spurs didnt have good lineup for smallball. Kawhi is too thin, Diaw is too fat.
Free agency isn't over quite yet. As of right now, I am not amused with the off season. But there are still names out there and I expect the Spurs to do one more move before the start of the season.
Best iso player is Timmy? I'd have to go with Parker tbh. Also, they need to get a small ball 4. Hopefully AK47 is still an option.
Yup they haven't addressed except keeping splitter which they'll need with dwight and josh smith in Houston.they still don't have a back up pg and haven't replaced Jackson as a sf with length and scoring off the pine.they need another player who can create his own shot
IMHO the Spurs really didn't make any improvements, at least so far. They needed a backup PG to Tony Parker or a ball handler off the bench. They didn't address that issue. The Spurs needed a versatile PF that can punish point guards and shooting guards on mismatches since Splitter is incapable of doing so. They didn't really address that issue. If the Spurs are healthy come playoff time, god willingly, I think the biggest threat will be OKC, GSW (assuming they resign Jarrett Jack), and the Heat. The Spurs have the necessary tools to deal with big teams such as the Clippers and Rockets.
I expected more. Not some big super signing, but I really hoped we would bring in an extra playmaker to help carry the load when Parker's not on the floor. Manu cannot be trusted to carry that load when it really counts anymore. We need someone to help him out, which by proxy actually helps relieve the load Parker has to carry too which would allow him to be more rested as games close out.
I agree about the big man problem (though I don't think Duncan's soft at all), but I didn't expect it to be addressed. Unlike playmaking guards, a good or even decent big man is usually a lot more expensive. I just expected Splitter to be gone and a cheaper defensive big (but bad offense) to replace him, then use the extra money to help add a backup SF and a playmaker for our backcourt.
Anyway, I guess there's still the possibility of adding an MLE, but I don't see anybody any good coming. Belinelli, I think you're really overrating as well. "seems like another Manu"? He really doesn't. Manu at his worst handling the ball is about as good as Belinelli at his best. More like just another Gary Neal but with worse shooting and slightly better defense. Lateral move at best there imo.
We're still short an extra ballhandler, and that's going to be our undoing again just like it was last season. We don't have anyone who's shown the potential to take over that role that we have right now. We had to bring someone in, and so far, haven't. That's my biggest worry going forward still. It's a big, glaring weakness. Our big men could've been improved, but priority one was to get another playmaker in here imo.
Now the best we can hope for is a backup SF to be added, and we'll be going without that extra playmaker.
I think the Spurs are really hoping that Kawhi will be there go to guy outside of Parker when they need to "iso" lets not forget that Manu runs a lot of iso stuff with the 2nd unit which is probably not a good thing given his turnover problems.
Soft big men outside of Duncan can only be solved if Tiago goes to the weight room and gains another 20 pounds of muscle especially in his legs but that'll just slow him down even more. He's affective against un-athletic big men on the defensive end because he can react faster but when it comes to anyone who has any kind of athletics he folds up because he doesn't have power to back them down or he holds the ball too low so he gets stripped easy and blocked easy. I think Spurs will keep him around for 2 years while this last run is in order and then dump him when they're trying to free up salary to bring in other players to replace the Duncan/Manu when they walk away. Tiago has reached his ceiling offensively.
The Bellineli deal is good though, they went lateral replacing Neal but Marco offers a little more oomph. He's a better ball handler
Yes, they have not addressed some needs this offseason I hoped they would. This sucks so far.
Good points. What issue do you think should be resolved first: the extra ballhandler issue or another SF? I believe that both need to be addressed. It might be pricier to sign another SF but it's probably more important. As for as an extra ballhandler that might be had for cheap, I liked what I saw out of Prigoni last season in New York. He is not a scorer but he is a very good passer and can take care of the ball. I know he's pretty old, but he might like to come play with his fellow countryman. What's your thoughts?
Not worried here. I don't think they're done in the market yet, but I'm not expecting anything major.
I think the Spurs are going to take their time to see what the team looks like with some internal improvement, and they might address any needs by flipping Bonner's expiring within the season. Frankly, with the next draft being loaded, a lot of teams might just decide to tank early, and there might be some interesting pieces to be grabbed next February.
Overall, this team was good enough to win a championship, so I didn't expect them to make any major moves.
There is only one player on the team that the Spurs consistently run iso plays for, and that guys is Timmy. Tony's skill set is better suited to pick and roll play.
Prigioni is resigning with the Knicks so don't count on it. I think Chauncy Billups for the veteran's minimum would be great.
Parker is the Spurs' best iso player, but the Heat's defence is pretty effective in dealing with guards.
What the Spurs lack is a big man who can expose their weakness in the low post, like a Roy Hibbert. Tbh, there aren't many such options in free agency. Bynum is a head case, and the Spurs never showed any interest in Pekovic. Even a healthy Oden may not be a good option, since he was never one who demanded the ball to impose his will on offence.
Damn, didn't know that he was resigned. Looks like he got a 3 year deal worth 6 million. Good for him. I think Chauncey is a really big shot in the dark, the guy looks beyond done.
Internal improvement from KL, CJ, and Splitter (although I just don't think he understands post play...) would be fantastic, but unless Manu has a resurgent season and Tiago's balls drop, I think we're missing a few pieces.
For 20 games.
They need size and people here are asking them to waste it on bull perimeter players.
This thread is premature by about two months.
We have two 7 footers whose combined talent is arguably better than any other tandem in the entire league. (And yes I know Tiago shat the bed in the Finals)
I see KL having a pretty good year, not much changing though offensively though, he'll just get more plays run for him out of timeouts and when Parker is not in the game. Still going to run a lot of Pick N Roll and look to kick to shooters. CJ needs minutes next year, can't stress that enough, he's shown flashes but unless he gets the minutes that the backup PG should have he won't get chemistry with this team. Splitter, I think is over paid for his skill set but given the mediocrity of GM's someone would have overpaid him so The Spurs didn't want to match a huge offer and paid him. Given that, I think his numbers are masked by the fact that he plays along side Tim Duncan, it would help anyone in fact playing that Center position especially given Tim's resurgence and dedication to do more things within himself. Pop trusted Tiago to be alone on the court too many times in the Finals in critical moments and almost every time we lost a lead. I don't think he develops a post game, still think he continues to use his up and under moves and that sweeping hook. Most of his points are on put backs and pick and roll situations when Manu is in the game.. Could turn out to be a flop of a deal.
Pop still coaching - no le next year either.
(If healthy.)
Tiago has zero offensive game and is totally dependent on being setup by the pass. Duncan spends the majority of time outside the paint on offense. Maybe you'v noticed how badly the defense slips when Duncan is on the bench. You don't want a 37 year old playing 30+ minutes during the regular season and Tiago doesn't do rebounds or blocked shots.
We need someone to bail out TP when the defense is focusing on him.
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