Spurs... can they get better?

[024]

Spurs have two positions they can upgrade at the moment. One is a true back up SF so we won't see Green/Ginobili/Belinelli playing out of position at SF. The second is a stretch PF to pair next to Duncan, Splitter, or Baynes. The series against the Thunder showed that a Bonner-type player is still effective at forcing the opposing defense to adjust. This led to less Ibaka in the paint. But even though Bonner helped, he didn't exactly shoot very well. I think he went 0-6 during his start before finally hitting a couple 3's. Some of his 3's were just ugly.

[coopdogg3]

Spurs have two positions they can upgrade at the moment. One is a true back up SF so we won't see Green/Ginobili/Belinelli playing out of position at SF. The second is a stretch PF to pair next to Duncan, Splitter, or Baynes. The series against the Thunder showed that a Bonner-type player is still effective at forcing the opposing defense to adjust. This led to less Ibaka in the paint. But even though Bonner helped, he didn't exactly shoot very well. I think he went 0-6 during his start before finally hitting a couple 3's. Some of his 3's were just ugly.

I can see that. Kyle Anderson can maybe help with some of that. He can probably play a little SF when we go big, and we will see what his 3-point shot looks like in the pros. He has the potential to be a stretch 4. Still could use a TRUE back-up SF, maybe a TRUE stretch 4. We can maybe get one of those with the MLE if the Spurs let Bonner and/or Ayers go. Otherwise, I think we have what we have, and we can see what Kyle Anderson brings to the table.

[Horse]

With Parker resting the summer he will be back to his old self. I could definetly see cojo, baynes and belli getting better. And if kahwi keeps this up they should just hand over 6 now.

[DesignatedT]

The Spurs will be coasting until March. They will still rack up a lot of wins though. Just gotta stay healthy.

As far as the team being able to get better or not that all depends on how the younger players keep developing for the Spurs (Kawhi, Danny, Tiago, etc) and how well Parker comes back next year. Some drop off should be expected by our old guys but probably not a ton.

There's no reason why the Spurs can't play at least at a similar level to last year as long as the younger guys keep improving and they stay healthy though.

[Purch]

Within 3 years you guys will be arguing that Kyle Anderson is surpassing Kawhi

[ceperez]

The Spurs will be coasting until March. They will still rack up a lot of wins though. Just gotta stay healthy.

As far as the team being able to get better or not that all depends on how the younger players keep developing for the Spurs (Kawhi, Danny, Tiago, etc) and how well Parker comes back next year. Some drop off should be expected by our old guys but probably not a ton.

There's no reason why the Spurs can't play at least at a similar level to last year as long as the younger guys keep improving and they stay healthy though.

The team has a lot of really young players that can pick up the slack during the regular season.

I'm hoping we get a decent big or that Baynes becomes somewhat serviceable.

Cojo has been on the team like forever and he really needs to show improvement in his shot.

Anderson looks promising, but I don't know what position he'll be playing.

Daye is a specials teams kind of guy, unless he miraculously can bulk up.

I still can't see if Ayres can ever improve. Hopefully he re-constructs his shooting.

Belinelli needs to figure out how to make a contribution come play off time.

Splitter needs a mid-range shot.

.... actually.... the more you think about it... considering the youth of these players... the Spurs are going to be unstoppable.

[Taking it to the Hole]

The Spurs can definitely get better but it is going to be much harder. They are going to be contending with improved teams in the West and they are going to be getting every team's best shot every night. If their role players can carry the burden even better than they did this past year then I can see long stretches of rest for the Big 3 and that should keep them fresh for the playoffs. Losing Mills to injury early in the season is going to hurt and I worry Mills won't be able to get into a rhythm like he did this past year. Green and Bellinelli are going to have to step it up as well as Kawhi. Kawhi has to consistently put up numbers like he did in the Finals. I think he is capable of doing it but time will see. I don't expect much from Kyle Anderson. He is going to be a rookie trying to learn the hardest playbook in the league. If the Spurs want to stay on top, there bench is going to have to carry them. That is the only way I see us getting better this coming year.

[ceperez]

The Spurs can definitely get better but it is going to be much harder. They are going to be contending with improved teams in the West and they are going to be getting every team's best shot every night. If their role players can carry the burden even better than they did this past year then I can see long stretches of rest for the Big 3 and that should keep them fresh for the playoffs. Losing Mills to injury early in the season is going to hurt and I worry Mills won't be able to get into a rhythm like he did this past year. Green and Bellinelli are going to have to step it up as well as Kawhi. Kawhi has to consistently put up numbers like he did in the Finals. I think he is capable of doing it but time will see. I don't expect much from Kyle Anderson. He is going to be a rookie trying to learn the hardest playbook in the league. If the Spurs want to stay on top, there bench is going to have to carry them. That is the only way I see us getting better this coming year.

The team is definitely going to get better, but likely they will have a worse record than last season.

There's no motivation to get home court advantage.

In fact, I want to see the young players get a lot of burn in the first half of the regular season.

Duncan, Ginobilii and Parker should probably go on vacation during that time.

[dbreiden83080]

Back to back is the only goal left..

[Malik Hairston]

A lot of these reasons are false IMO..

The Spurs have always "gotten the best shot" from their opponents, that isn't going to change because they're the champs, tbh..such a cliche..

Also, none of the teams in the West are going to improve dramatically, with the possible exception of Gasol to OKC, and even then, that move looks better on paper than it would actually look on the court..

The reasons to be skeptical: Age of Duncan, Ginobil's age and health, Mills's injury, Diaw's hunger and most important of all, the 2014 season was potentially the beginning of Tony Parker's decline, as he struggled for most of the year..

[Kindergarten Cop]

A lot of these reasons are false IMO..

The Spurs have always "gotten the best shot" from their opponents, that isn't going to change because they're the champs, tbh..such a cliche..

Also, none of the teams in the West are going to improve dramatically, with the possible exception of Gasol to OKC, and even then, that move looks better on paper than it would actually look on the court..

The reasons to be skeptical: Age of Duncan, Ginobil's age and health, Mills's injury, Diaw's hunger and most important of all, the 2014 season was potentially the beginning of Tony Parker's decline, as he struggled for most of the year..

Houston will be SIGNIFICANTLY better if they land Bosh - or even if they miss out on him and chase Rondo (as Windhorst suggests).

[Mr Bones]

Houston will be SIGNIFICANTLY better if they land Bosh - or even if they miss out on him and chase Rondo (as Windhorst suggests).

I agree. The funny thing is, Miami could potentially get better if Bosh left, too. If they use the 15-20 mil earmarked for Bosh to land a couple of free agents like Greg Monroe and Al Farouq Aminu to go along with Josh McRoberts, they'd be a deeper team for sure.

[Malik Hairston]

Houston has one of the worst coaches in the NBA, which is suicide in today's advanced era of basketball..their star player's style of play has not translated to the playoffs, so far, in both his attempts as the primary option of the team..there's no reason to fear them..

Bosh and Dwight would be a frightening defensive combination, but McHale has shown no ability to utilize his offensive weapons..their 3rd option last year, Parsons, was a complete non-factor in the playoffs, party due to being under-utilized in the McHale-Harden system..

I was actually optimistic about Houston heading into this season, but seeing McHale and Harden in the playoffs has soured me on their future..

[Kindergarten Cop]

Houston has one of the worst coaches in the NBA, which is suicide in today's advanced era of basketball..their star player's style of play has not translated to the playoffs, so far, in both his attempts as the primary option of the team..there's no reason to fear them..

Rondo, can't shoot from past 5 feet..

Houston was a match-up nightmare for us this past season, regardless what you think of their HC - and they would be an MUCH bigger nightmare if they were to get Bosh or Rondo without losing much (obviously needing to retain Parsons, which would be likely). Lin and Asik are nice players, but they are nothing compared to either Bosh or Rondo.

You can choose to discredit them (and I certainly hope your assessment is correct), but I think your opinions are far too hubristic*.









*Thanks Chinook.