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20something dudes making tons of money dont want to live in san antonio, texas.
Going to reference the Spurs collapse here versus OKC a few years back. After winning 20+ games and winning 1st 2 on CF, the Spurs lose 4 Straight. Why? In my opinion, their over confidence lured them into thinking they couldn't be beat. All they heard was about the huge streak. Losing 1 game probably didn't effect them as bad as the second game. From there, all confidence was lost the end was at hand.
I kind of see a similarity with the Heat. Undefeated at home during playoffs. Not losing 2 straight in X amount of games. 2 Time defending champions. They know SA pissed about last year and can see it in how they have won in MIAMI. Mentally the Heat wont have it and the only question is who the MVP will be. I kinda think Timmy will be huge tonight and get the vote even though it should go to Boris or Leonard.
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Why is it that San Antonio is rarely in the mix when it comes to BIG NAME free agents?
Think of the biggest names we have gotton. FInley? Jefferson? Now there is a host of other names, but mostly veteran players or marginal players. Every Year , whether is was someone like KOBE, MELO, Shack, ( just names off the top) ITs never even been a talk about SA.
Check out this this of names who have some through SA.
Richard Jefferson, Neal, Rasho, Ferry, Willis, Kersey, Porter, Rivers, Perdue, Chuck Person, Elie. A ton more interesting names I could come up with, but the point being were seldom in the hunt for the price. The closest being Jason KIdd back in the day. Is it because they keep saying Spurs are older then dirt and they think Spurs are at end of legacy? Been this way a long time. Just erks me that were NEVER in the conversation when there is a Huge name out there.
Thoughts?
Yoda
20something dudes making tons of money dont want to live in san antonio, texas.
Because when all is said and done most players only worry about making the most money they can. That's why Carmelo will not go to Miami
I think one of the reasons is related to discipline and adherence to the Spurs system. International or unknown players are more prone to obey Pop without ego or locker room issues. Stephen Jackson is a typical example of what can go wrong when you don't meet those standards.
Free agents use the excuse of the day not to come to San Antonio. First, their agent throws out SAs name as a first choice destination. Then......
-When SA has money, "it's not about the money."
-When SA doesn't have money, "I have to think about what's best for me and my family. I might not get another contract like this."
- When SA wins rings, "I want to be a part of helping someone get over the hump."
-When SA doesn't ring, they join the champ, "i feel like I can help them keep winning."
Etc etc
The Spurs haven't had a high draft pick in 15 years and their salary cap has never given them a chance to spend a ton of money on big-time FAs because they already have 3 all-star and HOF players that have played with them their entire careers.
Miami's only exception is Wade. OKC drafted Durant, West , and Ibaka so they're in the same situation as SA is. Houston was able to get Harden and Howard b/c they didn't have anyone before them.
The Spurs have not really had the opportunity to land a big free agent in the past 10 years. They were close to snagging Jason Kidd back in 2003, and Kidd actually wanted to sign, but couldn't convince his wife to leave the New York area. After that, the big 3 exploded, thus requiring much of the Spurs cap space. No need to land big free agents when you can develop stars yourself.
Lots of reasons> Small market means less celebrity. San Antonio has small black community/culture. Many free agents egos simply won't fit into the team vs. me system. we'd have to trade off one of our Big 3 because of salary cap situation. FO, POP and Holt are probably pretty satisfied with the way they are operating without big name free agents since they are in finals two years in a row. Not interested in head cases that couldn't lead their own team.
I remember Admiral for Weber deal almost going through. Man was I an idiot for wanting that. He was on the decline and Weber was still younger. Would have changed the face of the organization. So careful what you wish for. I mean look how is Oden and Granger doing right now???
I agree with this. The thing that's annoying is the agent always drops the spurs name with no intentions of the players ever coming here.
I guess its the small market, but winning is winning. I would have thought someone like Kobe or James would have at least visited the idea.
Yoda
Simple truth is that they listen to Charles Barkley...
You can't attract top free agents without sufficient cap space. The Spurs haven't had that sort of cap space since 2003.
Don't believe in this big FA won't come cause it's a small market. Truth is, the Spurs have only had the money to offer a bigtime FA once during the Duncan era. That one time they almost got their man and if it wasn't for his wife they would have lost Tony Parker for the priviledge to pay 20 mil to a 40 year old. #hindsight
The Lakers last "Big Name" FA acquisition was Ron Artest. Before that were the corpses of GP/Mailman. Shaq was their biggest haul and that was almost 20 years ago....
Basically, what I'm saying is that being a FA draw doesn't guarantee contention unless you can pull off a once in a lifetime coup like Riley did in 2010. Having a Front Office that can identify talent through the draft and have the coaching staff develop that talent is much more important IMO and the Spurs are the best in the business in that regard tbh....
What about AK47?
Presti is the best when it comes to the draft...
Presti had three Top 5 picks in 3 years. The Spurs haven't drafted in the lottery in 17 years tbh.
Like most things, it's many factors. Spurs have had the same money as other teams when it comes to ability to spend, but willingness to spend has not always been there.
Even the times the Spurs were willing to spend equal/similar money, players have spurned SA. They don't like the city, it's a small market with limited opportunity for additional endorsements/money making & they would be playing 4th fiddle at best. Then you factor in the defense/playing for Pop and that's not everyone's cup of team. This is just a job for many and while they like to win, it's not at the top of the list. Having fun, making money and getting the spotlight is important for most and SA is not the place for that overall.
It is true that the family oriented type of player is more apt to come here, unless worried about TP stealing their wife.
Omg I remember that!!!
I don't believe that's true.
All teams play under the same rules, but the Spurs have not had the cap space to pursue major free agents in any summer since 2003. In nearly every year since 2003 their payroll has been greater than it would have been had they pursued a strategy of creating large amounts of cap space.
Name the significant free agents since Jason Kidd that meet your descriptiion.
Four:
Durant
Green
Westbrook
Harden
Spurs on numerous occassions have forgone the opportunity to pay luxury tax, this seems to be pretty well understood. In order to do number two, I would need to know the context of your definition of "significant" free agents as my thoughts may differ. I think the question truly is, list all of the players the Spurs have been linked to, then sort into categories of "likely" vs "completely fabricated", and then review the reasons.
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