Evan Fournier...

[G-Dawgg]

Fournier is not that good.

[SAGirl]

Like virtually every prominent or even semi-prominent restricted free agent, Fournier's not going anywhere. He's playing a significant role for them and though they may seem overloaded on the wings, Harris is starting at PF and Hezonja is playing spot minutes.

If/when Gordon and Hezonja become the caliber of players they project to be, they can sort out their SG-PF situation then. For now, it's not difficult to divide the minutes among the five (Oladipo being the fifth, of course).

If all goes according to plan, down the line, they should have the makings for a package for a disgruntled star.

Your scenario is actually a lot more likely.

For our scenario, we can hope Anderson develops and either becomes a serviceable role player for us, or a guy that we can trade in the future. That is why I don't see him getting fully benched all year, like some fans here who hate him claim he should. They don't see the full picture. He needs chances and opportunities to develop his game because maybe he can come through for us in the future, or another team falls in love with him and you can get another player in exchange. By all reports from Pop and the coaches, they do love several aspects of his game, and his teammates have him in high regard. He's a young kid compared to the vets in this team, and they are bringing him along slowly because they can afford to do that.

Heck even Rasual Butler was reported by his agent to have been recruited because of his veteran leadership and the help he can provide in developing the younger wings (presumably in Anderson and Simmons, who could very well project to be career roleplayers/journeymen like him).

[TD 21]

Your scenario is actually a lot more likely.

For our scenario, we can hope Anderson develops and either becomes a serviceable role player for us, or a guy that we can trade in the future. That is why I don't see him getting fully benched all year, like some fans here who hate him claim he should. They don't see the full picture. He needs chances and opportunities to develop his game because maybe he can come through for us in the future, or another team falls in love with him and you can get another player in exchange. By all reports from Pop and the coaches, they do love several aspects of his game, and his teammates have him in high regard. He's a young kid compared to the vets in this team, and they are bringing him along slowly because they can afford to do that.

Heck even Rasual Butler was reported by his agent to have been recruited because of his veteran leadership and the help he can provide in developing the younger wings (presumably in Anderson and Simmons, who could very well project to be career roleplayers/journeymen like him).

We're probably only going to get a legit read on Anderson if/when Ginobili get's injured for a few weeks. He's predictably been a poor fit alongside him and it's highly unlikely that will change.

He probably avoids being permanently dropped from the rotation because of the lack of an obvious replacement. Of course, if Butler begins to shoot out of his mind from 3 like he did in the first half of last season, that could change.

That's also probably the only thing that would prevent them from scouring the market for a fourth wing, as the season goes along. But ultimately, an external option is more than likely required.

[sasaint]

Your scenario is actually a lot more likely.

For our scenario, we can hope Anderson develops and either becomes a serviceable role player for us, or a guy that we can trade in the future. That is why I don't see him getting fully benched all year, like some fans here who hate him claim he should. They don't see the full picture. He needs chances and opportunities to develop his game because maybe he can come through for us in the future, or another team falls in love with him and you can get another player in exchange. By all reports from Pop and the coaches, they do love several aspects of his game, and his teammates have him in high regard. He's a young kid compared to the vets in this team, and they are bringing him along slowly because they can afford to do that.

Heck even Rasual Butler was reported by his agent to have been recruited because of his veteran leadership and the help he can provide in developing the younger wings (presumably in Anderson and Simmons, who could very well project to be career roleplayers/journeymen like him).

Of course, the possibility exists that with more court time Kyle could actually lose value. I suspect that PATFO expect Kyle to make it (on some level) in a Spur uniform or get cut. Trades are not much of a tool in our box. Heck, one of the biggest trades in Spur history was the Splitter dump.

[sasaint]

We're probably only going to get a legit read on Anderson if/when Ginobili get's injured for a few weeks. He's predictably been a poor fit alongside him and it's highly unlikely that will change.

He probably avoids being permanently dropped from the rotation because of the lack of an obvious replacement. Of course, if Butler begins to shoot out of his mind from 3 like he did in the first half of last season, that could change.

That's also probably the only thing that would prevent them from scouring the market for a fourth wing, as the season goes along. But ultimately, an external option is more than likely required.

So far you are right about Manu and Kyle. But it puzzles me. You'd think that two guys with high BB IQs and good passing skills could find a way to mesh. Even if Kyle really doesn't, Manu still moves without the ball better than 95% of the guys who ever played this game.

As for scouring the market for a wing, don't expect a trade. We already have more new pieces, resulting in less continuity and predictability, than any Spurs team I can remember. I suspect adding a new piece via trade this season sounds like moving from discontinuity to chaos to PATFO. Eventually ridding ourselves of Bonner and/or Simmons for a FA or another D-league prospect seems more consistent with PATFO's MO. The more Butler proves he can play effectively for 10-12 minutes/game and hit some 3s, the more Bonner seems like the expendable piece if we do make some minor change.

[SAGirl]

Of course, the possibility exists that with more court time Kyle could actually lose value. I suspect that PATFO expect Kyle to make it (on some level) in a Spur uniform or get cut. Trades are not much of a tool in our box. Heck, one of the biggest trades in Spur history was the Splitter dump.

Well, they also traded G.Hill and took a risk on Leonard, who was promising, but not a sure thing.
And now they traded Splitter and took a risk on coming out empty to go after a star FA.
They have taken a few calculated risks here or there to refresh this roster with real talent. Trading Kyle would not be much of a risk depending on how high you are on him. It is possible with more play time his stock would decrease, but it wasn't very high to begin with, and if he's playing for Pop he's likely to increase his perception, not only bc Pop is a winning coach, but bc of his defensive fundamentals. Already the biggest improvement in Kyle's game is his defensive awareness and use of his physical tools to do a good job on that end.

I do believe they have hope in his potential though, not only bc of the extension he got in his contract, but because they are giving him minutes even now, when his only reliable 3 pt shot is from the corner, and he's not a volume shooter, and his best asset is passing, which is a redundancy in the second unit.

For a coach like Thibodeau, it would be too easy to just simply play Rasual and leave Anderson to rot in the bench. Heck the Wizards did that with an arguably more talented guy in Otto Porter. It would be too easy to just play your vet and completely take the young kid out of the rotation, but I think Pop has seen something that he wants to evaluate, and he can realistically only evaluate it with NBA minutes, bc Kyle's already been a star in the D'league and SL and its not the same league

At the same time, if its the first time that you are giving him small chances, then you have to really give him a chance, which is why picking up his extension fits. He's got to improve more than anything right now his 3 pt shooting.

He gave an interview when he acknowledged that he's not right now at the level the team needs him to be. His actual expression was something like: "I am not yet where WE need me to be." I thought that was cute and at least it shows that he hopes to stay here for the length of his rookie-level deal and not be traded, but if another team falls in love with him and is willing to part with an asset, you have to consider it.

[SAGirl]

So far you are right about Manu and Kyle. But it puzzles me. You'd think that two guys with high BB IQs and good passing skills could find a way to mesh. Even if Kyle really doesn't, Manu still moves without the ball better than 95% of the guys who ever played this game.

As for scouring the market for a wing, don't expect a trade. We already have more new pieces, resulting in less continuity and predictability, than any Spurs team I can remember. I suspect adding a new piece via trade this season sounds like moving from discontinuity to chaos to PATFO. Eventually ridding ourselves of Bonner and/or Simmons for a FA or another D-league prospect seems more consistent with PATFO's MO. The more Butler proves he can play effectively for 10-12 minutes/game and hit some 3s, the more Bonner seems like the expendable piece if we do make some minor change.

Butler is already playing all minutes there are as a stretch 4 and he's been good in that lineup. Bonner is moral support at this point.

Anderson and Manu have played well together. The issue with Anderson is spacing. When he's played with Manu it usually involves the Diaw/West pairing as well, who post up and take spots in the paint, and Kyle's role is to cut to the hoop when someone is posting up, shoot the 3 but only from the corner. He always asks for a switch if he's not spotted up in the corner, and he handles the basketball. Bc he's not a 3 point threat from all over, it messes spacing and causes others to cheat. I think he has generally played well, Pop keeps going to Butler bc of the 3 point shot.

[sasaint]

It is quite clear that fans only catch an occasional glimpse of something in games that Kyle demonstrates more in practice. As a result, he has far more value in the Spurs' eyes than anybody else's. He is still too much of an unknown quan y for another team to initiate a trade for unless that team wants to dump a player of its own, or it loses a name player to serious injury or somebody on the coaching staff has a good history with Kyle, say, going back to AAU and UCLA. I would be shocked if PATFO initiated any trade talks this season involving anybody unless a core player suffers severe injury.

[sasaint]

Butler is already playing all minutes there are as a stretch 4 and he's been good in that lineup. Bonner is moral support at this point.

Anderson and Manu have played well together. The issue with Anderson is spacing. When he's played with Manu it usually involves the Diaw/West pairing as well, who post up and take spots in the paint, and Kyle's role is to cut to the hoop when someone is posting up, shoot the 3 but only from the corner. He always asks for a switch if he's not spotted up in the corner, and he handles the basketball. Bc he's not a 3 point threat from all over, it messes spacing and causes others to cheat. I think he has generally played well, Pop keeps going to Butler bc of the 3 point shot.

Until last game, the best I could say about his court time was that he no longer looked lost, and he hasn't been making stupid mistakes. IMHO Kyle has not played "well" (not to say he has payed poorly) until last game when, ironically his two best plays were negated. (His clear blocked shot that the refs negated, and a nifty shovel pass to Danny for a corner 3 that was negated by Danny's stepping out of bounds.) It is also a bit ironic that, as you say, one of his real strengths is his team defense, and his increasing ability to understand how to use his great length to his advantage against NBA compe ion. (Before last game, his best play IMO was a nice mid court steal of a bounce pass against...) I say "ironic" because many posters here berated his defense and expected him to be a real liability on that end of the floor. As for his offense, he hasn't shown me he is a "threat" from the deep corner. I keep my fingers crossed every time he shoots the ball. But after last game I am interested to see if his confidence was boosted by his play, especially including the negated plays. Tonight could be very interesting.

[SAGirl]

Until last game, the best I could say about his court time was that he no longer looked lost, and he hasn't been making stupid mistakes. IMHO Kyle has not played "well" (not to say he has payed poorly) until last game when, ironically his two best plays were negated. (His clear blocked shot that the refs negated, and a nifty shovel pass to Danny for a corner 3 that was negated by Danny's stepping out of bounds.) It is also a bit ironic that, as you say, one of his real strengths is his team defense, and his increasing ability to understand how to use his great length to his advantage against NBA compe ion. (Before last game, his best play IMO was a nice mid court steal of a bounce pass against...) I say "ironic" because many posters here berated his defense and expected him to be a real liability on that end of the floor. As for his offense, he hasn't shown me he is a "threat" from the deep corner. I keep my fingers crossed every time he shoots the ball. But after last game I am interested to see if his confidence was boosted by his play, especially including the negated plays. Tonight could be very interesting.

Yea, like you I noticed his improvement the most in his defense. He hasn't played much in the RS, but in the preseason games he was fearless when he was matched up with quick guards or scorers. He seemed ready to take the challenge to guard in the perimeter. He didn't have that when he came in.

He's shot well from the corner and in the midrange in the d'league. Even in SL he took a lot of long 2s. He's got a nice shot but not range. I think him extending his range is the issue with his shooting and he's not there yet.

[sasaint]

He's shot well from the corner and in the midrange in the d'league. Even in SL he took a lot of long 2s. He's got a nice shot but not range. I think him extending his range is the issue with his shooting and he's not there yet.

But D-league and SL were in another lifetime. In his NBA incarnation Kyle's value has been on defense. I just hope and pray that Chip can wor his magic on Kyle as he has Kawhi. Just think what a nice weapon Kyle would be as a 38-40% 3-point shooter!

[SAGirl]

But D-league and SL were in another lifetime. In his NBA incarnation Kyle's value has been on defense. I just hope and pray that Chip can wor his magic on Kyle as he has Kawhi. Just think what a nice weapon Kyle would be as a 38-40% 3-point shooter!

Yes, I hope he can improve it. He's not there yet, that is for sure.

From what I could tell, he reworked his whole shot. It looks very different from UCLA to the way it looked in the d'league. I think Chip did his magic in reworking his shot, but its likely something he needs continued repe ion on. I do hope he can improve his shooting, to at least a Diaw like rate. I think he, like Diaw would never be a volume shooter, but you want to be able to shoot it when you are wide open. Right now they have him cutting a whole lot, and setting screens. He's not spotted up, and its not like he's gotten a whole lot of open looks precisely bc he's always moving, but that can be seen as Pop masking his lack of a shot.

I think if he could shoot, that would really open up his game much like Diaw, who drives past guys when they come out to close on him. He's got potential for sure, its just not realized right now, and we are probably not going to see it much. Like you say, a lot goes on behind close doors that we don't know about. More than anything I think the time he is actually getting is meant as an evaluation tool for his game. Like you say, D'league and SL is a whole other existence. You need some footage of actual NBA game to evaluate where he's really at.

[sasaint]

Chip has been working with Kawhi for a lot longer than Kyle. Kawhi is just now showing the effect of Chip's tutelage on a consistent basis. If Kyle shoots like Boris by the end of the year, he will have made himself a valuable rotation player. If he does reach that level we can more realistically expect it to come next year. But here's hoping!

[TD 21]

So far you are right about Manu and Kyle. But it puzzles me. You'd think that two guys with high BB IQs and good passing skills could find a way to mesh. Even if Kyle really doesn't, Manu still moves without the ball better than 95% of the guys who ever played this game.

As for scouring the market for a wing, don't expect a trade. We already have more new pieces, resulting in less continuity and predictability, than any Spurs team I can remember. I suspect adding a new piece via trade this season sounds like moving from discontinuity to chaos to PATFO. Eventually ridding ourselves of Bonner and/or Simmons for a FA or another D-league prospect seems more consistent with PATFO's MO. The more Butler proves he can play effectively for 10-12 minutes/game and hit some 3s, the more Bonner seems like the expendable piece if we do make some minor change.

It's all about Anderson's lack of three-point shooting. He's also not an adept off ball cutter, as many limited-non shooters are, from years of being disregarded on the weak side. This is likely because Anderson has always played with the ball in his hands.

Obviously, they're not going to do anything significant, if they do anything at all. But fourth wing is an issue that's unlikely to be resolved anytime soon and will only become more glaring when one of the top three is either injured, or in Ginobili's case, sat out of a game.

[SAGirl]

It's all about Anderson's lack of three-point shooting. He's also not an adept off ball cutter, as many limited-non shooters are, from years of being disregarded on the weak side. This is likely because Anderson has always played with the ball in his hands.

Obviously, they're not going to do anything significant, if they do anything at all. But fourth wing is an issue that's unlikely to be resolved anytime soon and will only become more glaring when one of the top three is either injured, or in Ginobili's case, sat out of a game.

I think we are actually fine bc Kawhi, Danny, Manu and Butler are playing really well. The key is probably not overplaying Manu and Butler.

I agree they are unlikely to make moves midseason. When Manu retires it will be a blow regardless, and the team will deal with it at that point I suspect. Spurs have not been prognosticating his retirement. When it happens, they will deal with it. I suspect Anderson is groomed for the passing aspect, then you probably want a very athletic wing to be the recipient of those passes, who can cut and such. Simmons fits nicely, but who knows if he'll develop. We have to give time to the younger guys to develop and if they don't then deal with it.

[mystargtr34]

And please for God's sake DO NOT GOOGLE HIS LAST NAME.

No really don't do it. I'm warning you.
DON'T. DO. IT

Holy

[NameLess Scrub]

At least Evan seems to be on his way to baldness like Manu was.

[SAGirl]

Emerging as the Magic's best player. A terrific closer, coming up with game winning clutch shots.

He looks to be out of reach, as I suspected, and is having a breakout season.

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/11/...magic-breakout

[dabom]

Emerging as the Magic's best player. A terrific closer, coming up with game winning clutch shots.

He looks to be out of reach, as I suspected, and is having a breakout season.

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/11/...magic-breakout

[lefty]

He is part Algerian, I guess I can't hate him

[ceperez]

Damn... I didn't know that this guy could become this good.

[apalisoc_9]

I the offseason i wanted the spurs to trade for him. I knew he was going to explode