Pacers have traded this pick to the Spurs for George Hill sources say

[Mugen]

crofl Hoopz Czar

[Mel_13]

So basically the unthinkable happened and the Spurs moved RJ. When RJ was still a Spur, he was starting and Kawhi was glued to the bench. Then he was moved and that opened up time. That was one of my biggest beefs with the original trade (RJ still being here) as I've mentioned 100 times

Except that it wasn't unthinkable and that Kawhi was not glued to the bench before the trade.

[cjw]

In less than two years, from the end of the 2010 playoffs until March of 2012, the Spurs added Splitter, Green, Leonard, Diaw, and Mills. The only real asset they surrendered was Hill. They also traded RJ and the 30th pick in the 2012 draft for Jack and more than 10 million dollars in salary savings.

Splitter probably had been in their plans longer (can't believe he's almost 30) but couldn't pry him away from Europe yet. Still pretty amazing, not to mention finding two other productive rotation guys for the league minimum in Neal and Blair, no matter what their faults were.

[DPG21920]

Except that it wasn't unthinkable and that Kawhi was not glued to the bench before the trade.

Ok. Are you trying to be literal in saying it was "unthinkable" or are you really trying to imply it was likely the Spurs would be able to move that contract/find a taker for RJ?

[DPG21920]

Also, IIRC, while RJ was with the team, I believe he started every single game and played close to 30MPG. I believe Kawhi was hovering around 20MPG until the trade..

[Mel_13]

Ok. Are you trying to be literal in saying it was "unthinkable" or are you really trying to imply it was likely the Spurs would be able to move that contract/find a taker for RJ?

You make it sound like getting rid of RJ was a long shot.

They were ready to amnesty RJ before Kawhi's rookie season, but couldn't sign a reasonable alternative for the MLE.

Kawhi was not glued to the bench with RJ on the team. He was in the rotation from the first game of his rookie season. With Kawhi proving himself to be ready for the NBA, RJ would not have been back for the 2012-13 season, either through trade or amnesty. As it was, the opportunity to him offload him earlier presented itself and the Spurs jumped on it, but your contention that Kawhi was glued to the bench just doesn't stand up to a fact check.

[Mel_13]

Also, IIRC, while RJ was with the team, I believe he started every single game and played close to 30MPG. I believe Kawhi was hovering around 20MPG until the trade..

RJ was the starter, but you're wrong about Kawhi's minutes.

[RD2191]

Let's keep this clean. No bellow the belt. No 3 knockdown rule. Bell can't save you.

[benefactor]

In less than two years, from the end of the 2010 playoffs until March of 2012, the Spurs added Splitter, Green, Leonard, Diaw, and Mills. The only real asset they surrendered was Hill. They also traded RJ and the 30th pick in the 2012 draft for Jack and more than 10 million dollars in salary savings.

[DPG21920]

RJ was the starter, but you're wrong about Kawhi's minutes.

How many minutes was Kawhi playing per game pre-RJ trade.

[DPG21920]

You make it sound like getting rid of RJ was a long shot.

They were ready to amnesty RJ before Kawhi's rookie season, but couldn't sign a reasonable alternative for the MLE.

Kawhi was not glued to the bench with RJ on the team. He was in the rotation from the first game of his rookie season. With Kawhi proving himself to be ready for the NBA, RJ would not have been back for the 2012-13 season, either through trade or amnesty. As it was, the opportunity to him offload him earlier presented itself and the Spurs jumped on it, but your contention that Kawhi was glued to the bench just doesn't stand up to a fact check.

Getting rid of RJ was absolutely an long-shot. Spurs had not shown the willingness to amnesty anyone for any reason and were the only team not to use their amnesty, no? RJ's contract was terrible and just because one stupid team made a stupid trade, doesn't mean it was at all likely. When that contract was signed, the vast majority of people here and pundits knew it was a VERY difficult contract to move.

[Mel_13]

How many minutes was Kawhi playing per game pre-RJ trade.

40 games pre-trade: 23.4 mpg

24 games post-trade: 25.0 mpg

Jack basically took RJ minutes while Kawhi permanently moved in the starting line-up, but Kawhi was part of a 4-man wing rotation from Game 1.

[DPG21920]

40 games pre-trade: 23.4 mpg

24 games post-trade: 25.0 mpg

Jack basically took RJ minutes while Kawhi permanently moved in the starting line-up, but Kawhi was part of a 4-man wing rotation from Game 1.

Well, that is more minutes than I remembered. I thought he was closer to 20MPG pre-trade. Despite that, I contended that RJ would be the starter and play big minutes which would limit the impact of the trade. Many argued that RJ wouldn't play and he started 41 of 41 games and played close the team lead in minutes. But yes, Kawhi playing 23MPG isn't glued to the bench.

[Mel_13]

Getting rid of RJ was absolutely an long-shot. Spurs had not shown the willingness to amnesty anyone for any reason and were the only team not to use their amnesty, no?

Your opinion. The amnesty reports before the 2011-12 were quite believable, imo.

[MI21]

crofl Hoopz Czar

crofl

[Mel_13]

Well, that is more minutes than I remembered. I thought he was closer to 20MPG pre-trade. Despite that, I contended that RJ would be the starter and play big minutes which would limit the impact of the trade. Many argued that RJ wouldn't play and he started 41 of 41 games and played close the team lead in minutes. But yes, Kawhi playing 23MPG isn't glued to the bench.

One other thing. RJ's minutes were declining before the trade.

22 games in Dec/Jan: 31.0 mpg
19 games in Feb/Mar: 25.5 mpg

Jack came in and played 23.8 mpg.

[Aztecfan03]

So basically the unthinkable happened and the Spurs moved RJ. When RJ was still a Spur, he was starting and Kawhi was glued to the bench. Then he was moved and that opened up time. That was one of my biggest beefs with the original trade (RJ still being here) as I've mentioned 100 times

Out of the 41 games while RJ was here, kawhi played in 40. And in those games he averaged over 23 mpg and about a half minute under his season average. I would hardly call that glued to the bench.

[DPG21920]

Out of the 41 games while RJ was here, kawhi played in 40. And in those games he averaged over 23 mpg. I would hardly call that glued to the bench.

Did you hear we landed on the moon?

[Malik Hairston]

Hoops Czar has managed to slide under the radar for a while now but he's easily one of the giest/dumbest posters that venture upstairs tbh.

, tbh..

[apalisoc_9]

Hoops czar

[lefty]

A 6'7" power forward? I'm not a huge Hill fan by any stretch and the Spurs are pretty loaded at the backup 2, but do the Spurs need another undersized power forward? CROFL Hill homers at least though.

I guess

[baseline bum]

I guess

lefty coming hard with his vest and cellphone

[100%duncan]

He can't spread the floor aka Sprs=Fcked

lol got

[baseline bum]

The biggest factor is that Leonard has the potential to be the best perimeter defender we've had since Bowen. Of course not on Bowen level (remains to be seen if he can elevate it that high) but defending and rebounding is his skillset.

Young Ron Artest maybe but without the drama.

Nice

[baseline bum]

lol got

To be fair, Leonard was a horrible shooter in college. No one knew he'd develop a jumper during the lockout.