Report: Spurs interested in pursuing Marc Gasol to replace Tim Duncan

[Janko]

al harrington anyone?

[Roger Freemason Jr.]

Kevin Love anyone?

[beirmeistr]

The lure of a possible ring will bring him here

[Mikeanaro]

Marc Gason replacing Tim? Fatty doing bankshots, hugging the ball and playing with a poker face?

[baseline bum]

Spurs will be the most handsome suitor for Monroe. He'll be in silver and black, and we'll be grateful to have him.

I'd much rather have Gasol, but yeah, Monroe is gone after signing that QO and he is a pretty strong possibility if Duncan and Ginobili retire.

[spurraider21]

how is Monroe defensively?

[baseline bum]

how is Monroe defensively?

Pretty ty at PF where he'd play with Splitter.

[BillMc]

I asked Mike Wallace of ESPN about it on his chat:

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat...ichael-wallace

Here is the question and response:

Bill (Riga, Latvia)

With the way Tim Duncan is playing, do you think he's likely to retire at the end of this year? Seems like he could play 2 or 3 more. And if he does go, the rumor is the Spurs are after Marc Gasol. As good as an organization as the Spurs are can they pry him away from his adopted home in Memphis?
Michael Wallace (2:11 PM)


Marc Gasol would be an absolute ideal recovery plan should Duncan elect to retire after this season. I think if the Spurs win another le and repeat for the first time, Duncan might walk away while at the very top. But as he said, as long as his body feels good and he's having fun, why not riding it out as long as possible. If Gasol is the plan B if Ducan retires, the Spurs are potentially in a win-win situation.

[cjw]

Gasol went to high school in Memphis, has played his entire NBA career in Memphis, is on a winning team and can get paid. Don't imagine it's a situation he would be desperate to get away from.

Circa 2010, Lebron went to high school in Akron and played his entire NBA career in Cleveland... people do make decisions for basketball reasons. But agreed, it's not like he's in a terrible situation like LBJ was.

[spurraider21]

Pretty ty at PF where he'd play with Splitter.

that's what i assumed, and it's why i really think his signing would just be a flash move that doesn't really help us get the big one. i mean i'd rather have him than not have him, sure. he's talented. but i'm not optimistic about our ability to compete... of course unless kiwi improves even more.

i dont think gasol and monroe are even close

[Uriel]

How is this news? Any casual observer with half a brain would've figured this out by now.

[baseline bum]

that's what i assumed, and it's why i really think his signing would just be a flash move that doesn't really help us get the big one. i mean i'd rather have him than not have him, sure. he's talented. but i'm not optimistic about our ability to compete... of course unless kiwi improves even more

That's pretty obvious winning a le is out of the question without Duncan, even with Gasol over Monroe though. No way you're replacing Duncan and Ginobili with $15 million or so.

[spurraider21]

That's pretty obvious winning a le is out of the question without Duncan, even with Gasol over Monroe though. No way you're replacing Duncan and Ginobili with $15 million or so.

Marc does things differently than Tim. In some ways he's a better fit considering what we ask Tim to do. He's a better shooter from the top of the key area, and is a better high post passer. He's not as good a finisher near the rim though...

Defensively, he's not a liability when asked to move laterally. He's a much better PnR guy than Duncan at this stage, albeit he isn't the same rim protector.

i don't really see a player who can replace manu out there.

[Baam]

Pretty ty at PF where he'd play with Splitter.

This team doesn't revolve around Splitter...

[gilmor2002]

You said Tim is hard to replace. And we win in a unique way with him. Also, it's not wise to replace him with Gasol. Thus my points from my previous posts.

Please enlighten me.

I think what Buck is saying is that with the way Spurs is playing nowadays, it takes years to build up that kind of chemistry/execution. if we get an older player, the up-side of him fitting into Duncan's role is extremely difficult, because he may not necessary open to the adaptations and changes. If we get a younger player, chances is that we can more flexibly adapt and the up-side of him morphing into Spurs system is easier..

[Baam]

Gastrong is a beta version of Tim, it's obviously the best case scenario but imo Tim isn't retiring at the end of the season.

Anyway I said it in the trade thread, the Spurs should try to go after someone like Mirotic who could hep both now and in the post Duncan era.

[100%duncan]

I think what Buck is saying is that with the way Spurs is playing nowadays, it takes years to build up that kind of chemistry/execution. if we get an older player, the up-side of him fitting into Duncan's role is extremely difficult, because he may not necessary open to the adaptations and changes. If we get a younger player, chances is that we can more flexibly adapt and the up-side of him morphing into Spurs system is easier..

I kinda got that though but like I said there's no young player out there now that can anchor a team even half as Duncan did besides from AD. In our case, we have limited choices and FatGas is probably the most realistic and best one.

[Baam]

I think what Buck is saying is that with the way Spurs is playing nowadays, it takes years to build up that kind of chemistry/execution. if we get an older player, the up-side of him fitting into Duncan's role is extremely difficult, because he may not necessary open to the adaptations and changes. If we get a younger player, chances is that we can more flexibly adapt and the up-side of him morphing into Spurs system is easier..

Not convinced, you simply need high bbiq and great passing and Gasol like Diaw has both...

[Roger Freemason Jr.]

I'd much rather have Gasol, but yeah, Monroe is gone after signing that QO and he is a pretty strong possibility if Duncan and Ginobili retire.

Oh me too, but I'll be happy.

[BatManu20]

The difference between Gasol and Monroe is the Spurs might actually have a chance at Monroe... Might.

[100%duncan]

The difference between Gasol and Monroe is the Spurs might actually have a chance at Monroe... Might.

The difference between Gasol and Monroe is that Gasol is better.

There simple.

[unleashbaynes]

Replace Tim Duncan....good one.

There's no such thing as "replace Tim Duncan".

tbh

[Richie]

Obviously he doesn't have the leadership or the big game experience, but in terms of production a prime Marc Gasol (i.e. the player he is now) is about the same player as a 39 year old Timmy. He is every bit as good a passer, defender and mid range shooter that Tim is, possibly better in all 3 categories. Obviously he doesn't have the polished post game but Tim doesn't get the ball in the post so much these days, and Gasol is no slouch there either.

No other player in the league is a more perfect fit for the Spurs. He's big enough to anchor the defence alongside Diaw and has the mid range touch and passing so that he could play with Splitter. Very few players in the league have that combination.

[RD2191]

The difference between Gasol and Monroe is that Gasol is better.

There simple.

Monroe is only 24 though and can grow with Kawhi.

[BatManu20]

The difference between Gasol and Monroe is that Gasol is better.

There simple.

Far better. I really think the chances of Gasol leaving Memphis for anywhere is slim to none though, imo.