Random Thoughts: Spurs vs. Suns - Oct. 13 (Preseason)

[Boomersgold]

One thing i realized about Nando a year ago: he needs good players around him, we saw what Nando can do when paired with good teammates, it's no surprise that he can't play well paired with 3rd stringers.

Anyone would play well if they had good players around them. Put Bonner on with Duncan and Tiago, and his ineffectiveness is masked by their effectiveness.

[Hoops Czar]

One thing i realized about Nando a year ago: he needs good players around him, we saw what Nando can do when paired with good teammates, it's no surprise that he can't play well paired with 3rd stringers.

What I found out, almost instantly since he got here was that Nando wasn't that good and everybody spent a year making excuses for him..... "He doesn't know the system", "Wait until he gets his confidence", "Pop doesn't give Nando consistent playing time" etc. It was the foolhardy members that were so blinded by a few of his "manu-esque" passes that were far and few between, they couldn't see the stink.

Actually, his best games were against Miami and Chicago and in both cases, the starters sat. So, on a rare occasions, he has had success with 2nd and 3rd stringers.

He's not even worth a second round pick and most NBA teams would rather keep theirs rather than take De Crapo in a trade. At roughly 1.8M, the Spurs should just release him outright.

[OrEmuN]

Anyone would play well if they had good players around them. Put Bonner on with Duncan and Tiago, and his ineffectiveness is masked by their effectiveness.

Well, not anyone. RJ managed to suck regardless whom he is playing with

[Vash StampedE]

Great to hear Jeff Ayres' contributions. Solid offseason signing, so far.

[mountainballer]

the De Colo situation might be a bit of a gamble on both sides. not sure if he already asked for a buy out, but let's guess he did. what happens next. it's a business and you don't need to keep a good relationship with someone who wants to leave. so let's guess the Spurs offered him a "buy out" for more or less nothing. Nando might have asekd for a million at min. so, both sides play the waiting game.
best case for Nando: Spurs just waive him, have to pay the full salary, he returns to Europe and get's a decent contract, likely in Spain.
best case for Spurs: Nando is afraid of a career setback b/c he won't play for a whole season and available spots in Europe vanish quickly. he agrees to a buyout close to zero.

I can't see Nado traded. who would take him at this point? even for a top 59 protected 2nd rounder. and I don't see the Spurs carry an unhappy player till deadline, just b/c they might need him as a filler in a trade.

speculation: Nando gets bought out for half of his salary within the next 10 days.

[will_spurs]

In comparison mills lights it the up for his NT, and doesn't about his minutes for he spurs, he just puts his head down and works hard

The thing is, we shouldn't even have to compare Mills with De Colo. It's apples and oranges, really.

On one side you have a guy whose ceiling is to be a role player anyway, who plays a big role for his national team (which says all you need to know about the Australian NT, really).

On the other side you have a guy who had a really good contract for top European teams, who just won the Euro with his NT (even if not being one of the stars of the team, he contributed), and who would definitely get paid if he were going to back to Spain.

De Colo jumped to the NBA aiming to be a starter. As that's obviously not going to be the case (there are 3 players ahead of him for his position and he's being forced to play spotty backup minutes out of position), I'm with Bruno that I can understand why he's unhappy and wanting out. It's not rocket science. And I'm not defending him either, it's just not that hard to see what's going through his mind right now.

[Boomersgold]

The thing is, we shouldn't even have to compare Mills with De Colo. It's apples and oranges, really.

On one side you have a guy whose ceiling is to be a role player anyway, who plays a big role for his national team (which says all you need to know about the Australian NT, really).

I'm not really sure what you meant to say by this, but your post seems to suggest that the French National Team is heads and shoulders above the Australian National team, and that Mills having a large role for the Australian NT is your primary reason for this. You're completely wrong, if that's the case.

According to the official FIBA World rankings, France and Australia are ranked 8th and 9th respectively. And who's the reason for Australia ranking one spot behind France? Patty Mills! Australia's ranking is even more impressive when you consider the fact that their biggest star, Andrew Bogut, hasn't played on the team in years, and that the French NT boasts much more talented, proven NBA players such as Parker, Noah, Diaw and Batum.

[will_spurs]

I'm not really sure what you meant to say by this, but your post seems to suggest that the French National Team is heads and shoulders above the Australian National team, and that Mills having a large role for the Australian NT is your primary reason for this. You're completely wrong, if that's the case.

According to the official FIBA World rankings, France and Australia are ranked 8th and 9th respectively. And who's the reason for Australia ranking one spot behind France? Patty Mills! Australia's ranking is even more impressive when you consider the fact that their biggest star, Andrew Bogut, hasn't played on the team in years, and that the French NT boasts much more talented, proven NBA players such as Parker, Noah, Diaw and Batum.

That's exactly what I meant and you're proving it It's nice for the Australian NT if they overachieve (and for the record I like Patty Mills and his at ude), but it also explains why De Colo has a lesser role with the French NT. As for rankings, they mean nothing, but that's another matter.

In any case, it's impossible to compare Mills' career with De Colo's.

[benfti]

The thing is, we shouldn't even have to compare Mills with De Colo. It's apples and oranges, really.

On one side you have a guy whose ceiling is to be a role player anyway, who plays a big role for his national team (which says all you need to know about the Australian NT, really).

To be fair, Australia and France come right after one another in the world rankings, and also bear in mind that Bogut has not suited up for the Australia in over 3 years. So im not sure your point is that valid. Australia is that high up the FIBA rankings because of Mills.

[look_at_g_shred]

So Kawhi and Diaw didn't play?

[elemento]

I want to Maggette making the roster tbh. He won't be part of the playoff core anyways. He can definitely play and he is still in great shape. I don't think it hurts to have him as a backup insurance. I mean, SA got T-Mac when he looked like Dejuan Blair. Why not Maggette ?

[monkeypunk]

So Kawhi and Diaw didn't play?

Nope, they'll likely play tonight with TD sitting.

[eric365]

De Colo is pretty bad but it could be confidence issue
I would still give him a shot at the backup PG since he is the closest thing to a playmaker after Tony and Manu and they'll miss games in the season for sure

CJ is a better defender, a better scorer but he is not a good playmaker at all

[monkeypunk]

I liked what I saw of Maggette, the assists were a nice bonus and if the play breaks down, we know he can take it in and get fouled. He seemed to try to stay within his skillset and was decent enough for a fringe rotation player.

However, I would really like to see him get the and-1. Looked like he was content just to get to the stripe. He needs to try to complete the play, otherwise he won't make the bunnies when the defense sags off not wanting to foul again. Plus and-1's are demoralized to the opp. team. If he could convert some of those, he'd be much more valuable.

[Brunodf]

Anyone would play well if they had good players around them. Put Bonner on with Duncan and Tiago, and his ineffectiveness is masked by their effectiveness.

Decolo is a playmaker and can't shoot, so he needs good shooters/scorers around him.

[Roger Freemason Jr.]

De Colo isn't strong or fast enough for the NBA. He wasn't even that exceptional in Europe, so, even with low expectations, he has somehow still managed to disappoint. He needs to go back to Europe, or concede and realize that he needs to be a much better player.

[Kineto]

Decolo is a playmaker and can't shoot, so he needs good shooters/scorers around him.

I often read this here, and i still don't understand where it come from.
Nando is not ray allen, but he is a decent shooter (38% from 3pts range last year, 80% ft-line)

He made to many TO, he can be better when he finish near the basket, but his shooting is not an issue for me...