Going into the off season we needed a backup PG and a SF...

[ace3g]

Say the Spurs don't get a SF from a potential S&T deal involving Blair; what vet SFs would you want included on the Spurs training camp roster?

Childress, Gomes, Pietrus, etc.

[Chinook]

Probably Pietrus or Childress.

Pietrus is a solid player, even though he's really about the same size as Green. He seemed to play well on the Magic during its height. He was an okay three-point shooter, and he at least had some nice athleticism.

Childress has the size that people want, but he's beanpole. He's had some good seasons shooting, but he's never been even an average defender. His win-shares with the Hawks look great. He's a very intriguing small-ball four option as well. He was horrible with the Nets last year, though.

[BackHome]

All I know is I don't want CoJo, Manu, Green, Diaw having to play SF if Kawhi has to miss any games.

Would be nice to get a vet PG...I am not sure about CoJo but I was hating on him his first year and the difference from his first season to second season was HUGE. I hope he can make another leap like that in his third year and if so then we will be good to go.

[ace3g]

Bruno do you know of any other available international SFs?

[xmas1997]

All I know is I don't want CoJo, Manu, Green, Diaw having to play SF if Kawhi has to miss any games.

Would be nice to get a vet PG...I am not sure about CoJo but I was hating on him his first year and the difference from his first season to second season was HUGE. I hope he can make another leap like that in his third year and if so then we will be good to go.

I predict he will make another leap as long as Pop plays him.

[ace3g]

I have great confidence in CJ for next year; considering how late in the year he became part of the rotation and still had an impact in the first 3 rounds of the playoffs.

He is the type of player the recovers 50/50 balls and is a good rebounder for a PG.

And for those mad about his awkwardness and super aggressiveness during SL, that was due to instruction by the coaches, to put him out of his comfort zone.

[Bruno]

Bruno do you know of any other available international SFs?

Not really. It's late in the off-season and Spurs can only offer a min contract. Maybe Malik Hairston but he is small.

You can add some names to Gomes, Childress and Pietrus like Ronnie Brewer, Rip Hamilton, Xavier Henry, Corey Maggette, James Johnson, Josh Howard, Sam Young, Luke Babbitt or Devin Ebanks.

[Bruno]

I also don't think at all Spurs need a backup SF. With Leonard and Ariza, they are damn fine at this spot.

[Chinook]

^?

[xmas1997]

I also don't think at all Spurs need a backup SF. With Leonard and Ariza, they are damn fine at this spot.

What, Bruno, did we get Ariza? Because I haven't heard of it if we have. Or was that wishful thinking?

Also, Bruno, do you know if Odens' agent, Duffy, have a good working relationship with the Spurs FO, or not so good?

[TD 21]

The only two names out of the leftovers that Bruno listed that I could see them having interest (and I use that word loosely) in, are Pietrus and depending on where he's at physically, Howard.

ace, what impact did Joseph have in the first 3 rounds? I've never seen a rotation player with less responsibility in the playoffs. He'd literally come in for 2-3 minute segments, advance the ball, give it to Ginobili and go spot up. He didn't show a single discernible offensive skill outside of cutting . . . which is nice, but much like rebounding (for PG's), it's a secondary skill.

Chinook, in those cases, they had no one better, limited means to get someone who they thought might be and as usual, they were turned down by them anyway. Besides, none of Splitter, Leonard or Green, were projects. People pretend Green was, but he was always the 3D role player he is now, he's just gotten better in both areas.

[Vic Petro]

The only two names out of the leftovers that Bruno listed that I could see them having interest (and I use that word loosely) in, are Pietrus and depending on where he's at physically, Howard.

ace, what impact did Joseph have in the first 3 rounds? I've never seen a rotation player with less responsibility in the playoffs. He'd literally come in for 2-3 minute segments, advance the ball, give it to Ginobili and go spot up. He didn't show a single discernible offensive skill outside of cutting . . . which is nice, but much like rebounding (for PG's), it's a secondary skill.

Chinook, in those cases, they had no one better, limited means to get someone who they thought might be and as usual, they were turned down by them anyway. Besides, none of Splitter, Leonard or Green, were projects. People pretend Green was, but he was always the 3D role player he is now, he's just gotten better in both areas.

He had developed a pretty good mid range jumper out of the pick and roll. I'd bet this is a reliable shot for him next year.

My problems with CJ are that he doesn't shoot the 3 well, isn't a creative passer, and isn't the best decision maker with the ball in his hands. These are all skills he can and probably will improve over the course of this summer and next regular season. However, as last season showed us, in the playoffs when single possessions are so crucial, the Spurs are desperate for a guard who is a creative passer and makes good decisions with the ball in his hands. These are CJs specific weaknesses. I'd bet he'll improve these areas, but will he improve them enough by next season's playoffs that we'll collectively be confident he'll make a play against a good playoff defense? I have my doubts. But if the front office and coaching staff and teammates believe in him, then I support it even though I dont agree. Lets go CJ.

[Bruno]

do you know if Odens' agent, Duffy, have a good working relationship with the Spurs FO, or not so good?

Duffy is one of the biggest NBA's agent and, as far I know, he doesn't have some kind of issues with Spurs.

He is also Danny Green agent. The story on how Green re-signed with Spurs after being waived also showed that Duffy hasn't some issues with Spurs: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...green/2432815/

I truly think Oden and his entourage have highlighted Spurs as a great destination for him to make his come back. The issue is that there are other great destinations.

[xmas1997]

Duffy is one of the biggest NBA's agent and, as far I know, he doesn't have some kind of issues with Spurs.

He is also Danny Green agent. The story on how Green re-signed with Spurs after being waived also showed that Duffy hasn't some issues with Spurs: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...green/2432815/

I truly think Oden and his entourage have highlighted Spurs as a great destination for him to make his come back. The issue is that there are other great destinations.

Thanks for the info. It is what I expected the situation to be. I still wouldn't bet on him coming here though, the money is more lucrative elsewhere.

[raybies]

I'm surprised Sam young hasn't been signed. Thought he was solid for the pacers and for a third string sf, we could do worse.

[rascal]

Diaw is incompetent? Corey Joseph isn't a pg?

Diaw plays small just like Splitter. Diaw is not a true big. Those guys can't even get rebounds.

[ace3g]

I also don't think at all Spurs need a backup SF. With Leonard and Ariza, they are damn fine at this spot.

Well that is IF the Spurs get Ariza, of course I'd be fine with the SF depth.

[Spursfanfromafar]

I also don't think at all Spurs need a backup SF. With Leonard and Ariza, they are damn fine at this spot.

Is Bruno privy to something the rest of the fan universe isn't?

[Mal]

Sam Young is available ? Go get him.

[Chinook]

Chinook, in those cases, they had no one better, limited means to get someone who they thought might be and as usual, they were turned down by them anyway. Besides, none of Splitter, Leonard or Green, were projects. People pretend Green was, but he was always the 3D role player he is now, he's just gotten better in both areas.

Leonard was supposedly a project on offense. He was going to need a couple of years to work on his handles and shooting. He was penciled in as a defense and rebounding guy. Green wasn't a project, and I didn't say he was. I said that people didn't have much faith in him and didn't think he'd be a factor for the starting-two spot. Are you going to disagree with that? I didn't say Splitter was a project either. I was he was unproven, or at least seen as such.

As I said earlier in the thread, the team tried to get an upgrade to Jefferson through free agency. Butler, Prince and Howard are the names I recall off the top of my head. Butler and Prince took more money elsewhere, and Howard signed a smallish contract with Utah. The Spurs were supposedly considering trading Green for him mid-season. What a mistake what would have been.

The whole reason I said that was because Baam said the front office filled the holes at the starting two and competent three by making moves that seemed satisfactory at the time. They didn't. Many Spurs fans were very concerned about those positions, especially after Anderson laid and egg. It all worked out because the team relied on young players to pick up the slack. No reason not to do it again this time, at least until they prove they can't.

[Baam]

Leonard was supposedly a project on offense. He was going to need a couple of years to work on his handles and shooting. He was penciled in as a defense and rebounding guy. Green wasn't a project, and I didn't say he was. I said that people didn't have much faith in him and didn't think he'd be a factor for the starting-two spot. Are you going to disagree with that? I didn't say Splitter was a project either. I was he was unproven, or at least seen as such.

As I said earlier in the thread, the team tried to get an upgrade to Jefferson through free agency. Butler, Prince and Howard are the names I recall off the top of my head. Butler and Prince took more money elsewhere, and Howard signed a smallish contract with Utah. The Spurs were supposedly considering trading Green for him mid-season. What a mistake what would have been.

The whole reason I said that was because Baam said the front office filled the holes at the starting two and competent three by making moves that seemed satisfactory at the time. They didn't. Many Spurs fans were very concerned about those positions, especially after Anderson laid and egg. It all worked out because the team relied on young players to pick up the slack. No reason not to do it again this time, at least until they prove they can't.

Who is the young player at SF tho, I strongly feel that you should be stacked at SF with the league being what it is to be good enough defensively, it's way better than being stacked at SG like the Spurs were and decided to be again by signing Belinelli...

Look at the Pacers : three legit Lebron defenders in Stephenson, George and Granger... The Spurs don't have anything close to that...

So I'll wait and see of course but so far there isn't even a prospect to develop, maybe they get a Singleton in a sign and trade but I don't have much faith right now...

[BackHome]

I guess TMac is going to stay on our team?

[Chinook]

Who is the young player at SF tho, I strongly feel that you should be stacked at SF with the league being what it is to be good enough defensively, it's way better than being stacked at SG like the Spurs were and decided to be again by signing Belinelli...

Look at the Pacers : three legit Lebron defenders in Stephenson, George and Granger... The Spurs don't have anything close to that...

So I'll wait and see of course but so far there isn't even a prospect to develop, maybe they get a Singleton in a sign and trade but I don't have much faith right now...

Well, since you love Diaw so much you should be inclined to believe that the Spurs could obtain the small-forward they need by picking up a cheap vet later in the season. We've seen players like Fisher, Martin and Anderson come in mid-season and give their teams a boost. Perhaps that kind of player (Josh Howard or Ariza after the trade deadline passes) will come in to help the Spurs if they need it. Otherwise, there are still players like Thomas and Thompson who could fill that role. Thompson in particular has the size and shooting to develop into something serviceable.

[FireMicoHalili]

Mo Will + Ariza, still holding my breath on this one. Both have championship experience. IMO yeah CoJo showed some resilience but we would benefit having someone raring at a chance to win a ring

[callo1]

With the work ethic Cojo has, and his massive improvement last offseason, I expect him to be ready to lead the team off the bench next season.