Spurs contact Pau Gasol reportedly

[FireMicoHalili]

Holy crap, 17 pages? How does anyone think the Spurs have even the smallest chance to land Gasol? Not even worth discussing IMO.

Great job adding to the discussion though

[Prime Time]

You don't say?

My apologies, I thought the intention of your post was to 'correct' me.

Great job adding to the discussion though

Thanks I try.

[MaNu4Tres]

Can't believe some people here wouldn't want Gasol on the team for the MLE.

[Seventyniner]

Proof that you learn something new every day. Today I learned that hubris has an adjectival form. My expanded vocabulary thanks you.

I didn't even know that "adjective" had an adjectival form tbh.

[Texas_Ranger]

this is looking like a Kirilenko thread.

[pgardn]

The problem with this speculation is not knowing what Gasol wants.

Another ring: take a spot on our bench and gather lots of minutes is his best bet.

City and Money: A number of options, stay with LA, NY...

Raise his stature as an individual player: Hard to say

Comfortable situation with money but no pressure?

I would rather hear speculation on what the masses think Gasol wants, then the team speculation becomes easier.
So what does Pau want?

He could also alternate starts with Duncan and play with Diaw. Pop is clearly willing to try new lineups in the regular season, and give Duncan even more rest. So I guess automatically assuming he is coming off the bench is not sound.

[spursparker9]

Man...Will Melo and Lebron decide already?

[xmas1997]

I can't help thinking this all depends on what Melo does,
which all depends on if Bosh stays in Miami or goes to Houston,
which all depends on what James does.
If Bosh gets tired of waiting for James to decide to come back to Miami and goes to Houston, that opens up room for Melo to go to Miami and that would draw James back there.
All speculation of course, but what can anyone do at this point?

[Mel_13]

I didn't even know that "adjective" had an adjectival form tbh.

[Jimcs50]

Spurs are set. If Pau comes, that is cherry on top.

Either way, if Spurs stay healthy, and Patty fully recovers, it's another ring for TD.

[xmas1997]

I think the Spurs have plan B to follow plan A, and then plan C if neither work out.
You know CIAPop.

[Uriel]

I don't understand why people are acting like there's no chance Gasol will come to the Spurs. This isn't like one of those situations where an agent name drops the Spurs as a team fielding interest in his client in an effort to improve his value. This is legit.

Multiple news outlets have been reporting for months (since before the season ended) that there is mutual interest between both parties. If Gasol decides that he's willing to play for the MLE, the Spurs would immediately move near to the top of his list of preferred destinations.

[Mr. Body]

I don't think desire is the issue, the issue is playing time and rotational fit. No doubt Gasol would work on the Spurs, but the frontcourt is loaded and I don't see where he plays in the crunch-time rotation. I'd have to think that's pretty important to him, and I don't blame him.

[pgardn]

I don't think desire is the issue, the issue is playing time and rotational fit. No doubt Gasol would work on the Spurs, but the frontcourt is loaded and I don't see where he plays in the crunch-time rotation. I'd have to think that's pretty important to him, and I don't blame him.

Then he does not want a ring. He could easily end up in Duncan's spot if the group he is playing with is performing leading into crunch time. We have seen Pop leave the effective rotation on the floor.

[Mr. Body]

Then he does not want a ring. He could easily end up in Duncan's spot if the group he is playing with is performing leading into crunch time. We have seen Pop leave the effective rotation on the floor.

That's pretty easy to say. Any great player worth his salt would like a defined role and, what's more, a sense of importance to his new organization. Gasol won't want to coattail his way to a ring.

[AFBlue]

Spurs are set. If Pau comes, that is cherry on top.

Either way, if Spurs stay healthy, and Patty fully recovers, it's another ring for TD.

This. Seriously not sweating the decision either way tbqh. Whether they use the MLE on Gasol, some other player(s), or not at all is probably immaterial to their chances for 6.

[pgardn]

That's pretty easy to say. Any great player worth his salt would like a defined role and, what's more, a sense of importance to his new organization. Gasol won't want to coattail his way to a ring.

Then he is not a Spur. Subs ute teammate for coattail. He could be very important to the Spurs. People seem to forget we were healthy enough during the playoffs to rely on others to step in for the niggles some players had ac ulated.

The older the Spurs get, the more likely we are to have a serious injury. Gasol is ready made for elbow picks, pass, shoot. He loves the range that Duncan could not hit during the playoffs. So he wants more individual glory in your opinion. I can see that as well.

[TampaDude]

This. Seriously not sweating the decision either way tbqh. Whether they use the MLE on Gasol, some other player(s), or not at all is probably immaterial to their chances for 6.

You mean the good 6, right?

[gameFACE]

That's pretty easy to say. Any great player worth his salt would like a defined role and, what's more, a sense of importance to his new organization. Gasol won't want to coattail his way to a ring.

Yeah, this shouldn't be a difficult concept to understand. Gasol doesn't want a John Salley type ring. He wants to work for it.

[pgardn]

Yeah, this shouldn't be a difficult concept to understand. Gasol doesn't want a John Salley type ring. He wants to work for it.

So Gasol does not think he could add any real value?

Thats pretty sad. We really must be a lock with the assurance of no injuries. And of course in the longer term he must not think he could fill Duncan's spot adequately enough to make Pop stay. So Pop has no pitch that could convince Gasol he would be a factor in the short and long run... Ok.

[N0 LyF3 ScRuB]

So Gasol does not think he could add any real value?

Thats pretty sad. We really must be a lock with the assurance of no injuries. And of course in the longer term he must not think he could fill Duncan's spot adequately enough to make Pop stay. So Pop has no pitch that could convince Gasol he would be a factor in the short and long run... Ok.

get real

[SpursRock20]

Yeah, this shouldn't be a difficult concept to understand. Gasol doesn't want a John Salley type ring. He wants to work for it.

I know that the Finals are fresh on everyone's memory, but the road to a championship was not exactly a cakewalk this past season. We were very close to going to game 7 against OKC with either an extremely hobbled Parker or not with him at all. Furthermore, the Mavericks were very close to knocking us out in the first round and thankfully we turned it around and won 3 games out of the last 4 after looking very mediocre to start the series (that 10 point comeback late in game 1 was a major reason we escaped that series). Going back to the regular season, do you remember how the Spurs struggled for a large part of the year against playoff teams? That was a very real problem, and luckily, the Spurs began playing at their absolute peak and were healthy at the same time at the most crucial time of the season. Finally, this Spurs team dodged quite a few major injuries and were very fortunate to be healthy for the postseason.

I say all of this to hammer the point home: Gasol would be more than just a fifth wheel and he is not simply a pipe dream to entertain. It's quite possible that Duncan could go down for an extended amount of time next year. This is a league where the Western Conference simply gets stronger and stronger every year. Two teams that were already dangerous next year, Houston and Golden State (both teams that we were fortunate enough to not play), are probably going to get even better next season. Nothing is ever easy for these Spurs, Gasol would definitely have some work to do on this roster.

[Steve-O-Matic]

Keep in mind that by getting Pau this year, you're automatically putting yourself in the lead pack to get Marc Gasol next year, which could be very important if Duncan retires after this season.

[xmas1997]

Keep in mind that by getting Pau this year, you're automatically putting yourself in the lead pack to get Marc Gasol next year, which could be very important if Duncan retires after this season.

Why do people say this, because they are brothers?

[Steve-O-Matic]

Why do people say this, because they are brothers?

Umm, yes, and because they have both stated that they'd love the opportunity to play on the same team together again if it works out that way.