The Official Meltdown Thread

[Budkin]

So glad I didn't watch this debacle.

[HI-FI]

This thread just shows spur fans have unrealistic expectations of the front office. Signing Ayers was a mistake by front office and you could argue paying Ginobilli that money was a mistake but outside of that what could they have done differently. San Antonio is not hot spot like NYC,LA,Miami for FA's and it never will be. I remember in '03 the spurs tried to get Kidd,J.Oneal,Brand and they all shot down the Spurs. The spurs had a lot of cap space that summer and still couldn't get a marquee FA. A team like Miami has the edge in FA due to their location guys will be willing to play there for a dollar ala Allen,Beasley,Oden. The only way the spurs will ever be able to build a contender is through scouting internationally, and the draft. Some of you guys say the spurs should make a trade but who can they trade for with what they have? I just don't see that happening either. If you don't like the reality of SA not being a desirable place to play in you should just root for another team.

but how much of that is SA vs the System?

I don't consider SA a very undesirable location.

[ChumpDumper]

but how much of that is SA vs the System?

I don't consider SA a very undesirable location.

Are you a young professional basketball player with a choice of major media markets in which to play?

[ElNono]

Oh come on dude... Spurs suck have no heart beli is not an hofer Manu is done Enrique ahahaha....

tim does not deserve that... Man he has only 4 rings, he just made 100m in his career and he is obliged to bb instead of being accountant at 38 y/o... That's tough man

Yeah, but can you dunk at 36?

[Aremid]

This thread just shows spur fans have unrealistic expectations of the front office. Signing Ayers was a mistake by front office and you could argue paying Ginobilli that money was a mistake but outside of that what could they have done differently. San Antonio is not hot spot like NYC,LA,Miami for FA's and it never will be. I remember in '03 the spurs tried to get Kidd,J.Oneal,Brand and they all shot down the Spurs. The spurs had a lot of cap space that summer and still couldn't get a marquee FA. A team like Miami has the edge in FA due to their location guys will be willing to play there for a dollar ala Allen,Beasley,Oden. The only way the spurs will ever be able to build a contender is through scouting internationally, and the draft. Some of you guys say the spurs should make a trade but who can they trade for with what they have? I just don't see that happening either. If you don't like the reality of SA not being a desirable place to play in you should just root for another team.

i agree that it's not the most attractive destination but when you have the big 3 you have to maximize all their years together. That means you have to pay for the talent even if it means going over the cap. If you own a bball team you can afford to anyways or else why even own a team if your goal isn't to win? That's the Milwaukee bucks right there for you!

[cd021]

You're whining about whining about whining.

Well played. Seriously ST is so dramatic.

[timtonymanu]

So glad I didn't watch this debacle.

Wasn't the worst of losses considering how we play against elite teams.

[TMTTRIO]

By the way if you want to get all over Manu you might as well blame the Spurs front office. Like he said at the beginning of the year he was ready to retire until the Spurs asked him back.

[DMC]

We needed this loss so people like Cojo and Jeffers will step it up and play like the superstars they are. This is a ring year for us.

[cd021]

but how much of that is SA vs the System?

I don't consider SA a very undesirable location.

But Houston or Dallas is? Alot of the "undesirable" talk is a bit overrated. Its not like someone is signing on to play in Utah or even Alaska. If The Spurs can pony up enough money it matters significantly less where the team is located.

[HI-FI]

Are you a young professional basketball player with a choice of major media markets in which to play?

I guess this is where you try to instigate things and then try to get people banned.

My point is that people often debate whether its SA or Pop's role requirements that turn away players. I don't know the answer, but I don't consider SA a total hole, it may not be top 10 but the SA/Austin area is better than a lot of NBA areas.

[DMC]

Manu is earning his keep. He's not a consistent producer, but he's as consistent as any other bench player in the league. If you want to hear the band, you got to pay the man.

[daslicer]

but how much of that is SA vs the System?

I don't consider SA a very undesirable location.

SA is not a hole to live in but the problem is that it can't compete against the big markets for the top FA's. Its been shown time in time again that if an FA has to chose between a big market like NY,LA,Miami vs picking SA they will pick the big market every time. they are some people complaining the spurs should have got Ellis but I doubt he would have turned down Dallas for SA especially with them guaranteeing him a big role. The spurs went hard after Oden during the summer and I think they even had David Robinson talk to him but in the end he turned them down because he wanted to live the party lifestyle in Miami. Its not even a knock against SA that they can't get top FA's considering other small markets such as Indiana,Portland,OKC can't do it either. Whenever these guys get an above average FA its only because a big market team didn't have the money to offer that FA.

[ElNono]

Media/sponsorship-wise it's a dumpster... it's not just SA, but a lot of other small markets too.... we're talking about top/high-visibility free agents here...

I agree that if you throw more money they might think twice, but because the Spurs are on a small market with a strapped income, that's why we're also on a budget...

[ChumpDumper]

i agree that it's not the most attractive destination but when you have the big 3 you have to maximize all their years together. That means you have to pay for the talent even if it means going over the cap. If you own a bball team you can afford to anyways or else why even own a team if your goal isn't to win? That's the Milwaukee bucks right there for you!

Owners are in it first and foremost to make money. This is true of all owners in any sport. The truth is the Spurs ownership did more than any ownership group to make teams like the Spurs able to win multiple championships, while being able to make money.

But yeah, SpursTalk trolls should own the Spurs.

[DMC]

But Houston or Dallas is? Alot of the "undesirable" talk is a bit overrated. Its not like someone is signing on to play in Utah or even Alaska. If The Spurs can pony up enough money it matters significantly less where the team is located.

No it's not overrated. It's a running joke in the league that SA is a retirement system for old players. That's because they have a glass ceiling where even a true superstar would have to play 2nd fiddle to Tim Duncan. It's not Tim's fault, but it's how the system is designed. There's no way for a Carmelo or James like player to get their minutes and stats in SA, and there's absolutely no endorsement money in SA short of HEB.

[HI-FI]

SA is not a hole to live in but the problem is that it can't compete against the big markets for the top FA's. Its been shown time in time again that if an FA has to chose between a big market like NY,LA,Miami vs picking SA they will pick the big market every time. they are some people complaining the spurs should have got Ellis but I doubt he would have turned down Dallas for SA especially with them guaranteeing him a big role. The spurs went hard after Oden during the summer and I think they even had David Robinson talk to him but in the end he turned them down because he wanted to live the party lifestyle in Miami. Its not even a knock against SA that they can't get top FA's considering other small markets such as Indiana,Portland,OKC can't do it either. Whenever these guys get an above average FA its only because a big market team didn't have the money to offer that FA.

fair answer.

[ChumpDumper]

I guess this is where you try to instigate things and then try to get people banned.

Not at all. I asked you a question.

My point is that people often debate whether its SA or Pop's role requirements that turn away players. I don't know the answer, but I don't consider SA a total hole, it may not be top 10 but the SA/Austin area is better than a lot of NBA areas.

Shockingly, NBA players may have an opinion different from yours.

[DMC]

Media/sponsorship-wise it's a dumpster... it's not just SA, but a lot of other small markets too.... we're talking about top/high-visibility free agents here...

I agree that if you throw more money they might think twice, but because the Spurs are on a small market with a strapped income, that's why we're also on a budget...

Exactly, and that's very obvious if you look over the history of the team's rosters you'll never find a top tier player outside of the draft picks. Why lose millions of dollars just to live in SA? It's not like talent across the world just wants SA to win.

What small market team ever gets big name free agents? Just name one. In fact, even mid level guys rarely come here. That's why it was a big deal that we got Finley and Horry.

[DPG21920]

NBA players often make bad decisions, so not exactly a fair argument. I works both ways. Yes, major FA's see SA as a less desirable location. But the mid-tiers should see it as better. Those guys aren't getting endorsements and plenty of players have gotten paid big bucks coming from the Spurs system because they played for Pop.

Those guys should see SA as more viable.

[DMC]

NBA players often make bad decisions, so not exactly a fair argument. I works both ways. Yes, major FA's see SA as a less desirable location. But the mid-tiers should see it as better. Those guys aren't getting endorsements and plenty of players have gotten paid big bucks coming from the Spurs system because they played for Pop.

Those guys should see SA as more viable.

I think they will once Tim retires. Saying "big 3" instantly conjures up bench images for a potential FA.

[ElNono]

Exactly, and that's very obvious if you look over the history of the team's rosters you'll never find a top tier player outside of the draft picks. Why lose millions of dollars just to live in SA? It's not like talent across the world just wants SA to win.

What small market team ever gets big name free agents? Just name one. In fact, even mid level guys rarely come here. That's why it was a big deal that we got Finley and Horry.

Yeah, OKC is in the same boat, tbh... They got Durant through the draft and while they were in Seattle... they're not there anymore, lost Harden and even guys like Kevin Martin jumped ship ASAP...

NBA players often make bad decisions, so not exactly a fair argument. I works both ways. Yes, major FA's see SA as a less desirable location. But the mid-tiers should see it as better. Those guys aren't getting endorsements and plenty of players have gotten paid big bucks coming from the Spurs system because they played for Pop.

Those guys should see SA as more viable.

this is true too

[ChumpDumper]

NBA players often make bad decisions, so not exactly a fair argument. I works both ways. Yes, major FA's see SA as a less desirable location. But the mid-tiers should see it as better. Those guys aren't getting endorsements and plenty of players have gotten paid big bucks coming from the Spurs system because they played for Pop.

Those guys should see SA as more viable.

That might be more true for lower tier/unknown players.

[DPG21920]

I think it's true for the Corey Maggette types too, but there is no accounting for bad decisions at times (and the regret later about it).

[HI-FI]

I think they will once Tim retires. Saying "big 3" instantly conjures up bench images for a potential FA.

good point and agree with DPG. I consider SA a mid tier location, better than OKC. There should be mid tier players interested, just things are set a certain way for now and for obvious reasons.