Only hope would be that Parker and LMA stay, but if Kawhi is gonna run them out lottery bound with system player.
The sensible answer is 0, but we'll make the playoffs and with another free agent or draft steal, who knows? An all-defensive big man to pair with Aldridge will be the main thing and you can find those guys in the mid-late first round (Hibbert, Ibaka, Jordan, Gasol, Gobert). If we're lucky we already have one in Milutinov
Only hope would be that Parker and LMA stay, but if Kawhi is gonna run them out lottery bound with system player.
^^
I think a better question would be how long can the Spurs consecutive playoff streak go? This will be the 19th season. They should pass a quarter of a century pretty easily(longest streak of all time is 22 held by the Sixers). It's amazing to think that there are some people on this site who weren't even alive the last time the Spurs missed the playoffs.
Hmm. I voted 1.
Having top 5 (or even best player in the league) does not guarantee a championship. Replacing what manu and tim are providing is not possible with our current roster.
Boban is great, and brings a lot, but not nearly what Tim does, or did.
We have talent to bring parts of what manu brings, but no one guy can do all of what he does: passing, key rebounds and steals, creating of the drive.
Manu and tim are 2 and 3 in PER on the team; don't see that going away, if not replaced, without some production dropoff.
How many ships will win Parker and Kawhi...? Zero. Kawhi's getting his first shot in the game when Pop sits Parker, they definitely aren't a duo on the court.
They'll need to find a 3rd option. I think 1 imho.
Zero.
They are trading Parker once TD and Manu retire.
Less chance of that happening than Duncan playing until he's 50.
Possibly none together as he won't play long after Tim and Manu retire, he's been around forever and is 33. It'll be interesting to see who RC and Pop decide to build around LMA and Kawhi and see if they can win a 'chip together before Tony retires, hopefully so.
Then the real question should be 'can a team led by Leonard and LMA compete for a le?' Hopefully they find some nice pieces to surround those 2 into the future. Will there be another big 3 or will it just be LMA, Kawhi and complimentary pieces, who knows.
0. I don't think Parker's staying past 36 years old. He's 33 now and will be 34 by the end of the season. Duncan or Ginobili (or both) will play one more year. So Tony would be 35, when both are gone. Leaving possibly one year to win a Championship without them, assuming Parker retires at 36.
That was really my issue. I think Kawhi is a generational talent the way he's going at just 24 and I do hope b4 his career is over he can get 2 more. I think with good teammates the team can win again, and I have hope that PATFO will find him guys bc they know what they are doing and the kind of guys they need. Already we got him Aldridge.
Tony is the real ? in this equation. He wants to play for a long time, but he's just not built for that. His kind of game is not meant to age well, he needs to switch his role but will revert to old habits.
100% agree. Not many point guards, especially with Tony's skillset last past 35/36. He just won't be able to keep up with the speedy youngsters coming into the game. The thing that could help him stay longer is the Spurs system, i.e., team defense, playing with elite defenders like Kawhi and Danny.
I have a lot of faith in R.C. Buford... The Spurs have consistently found gems to put around Duncan when they didn't have a ton of money to throw around... They found Parker, Manu, G Hill, and Kawhi with later draft picks and lured Aldridge & West as FAs. I think smart players will be drawn to a mature, drama-free environment with calm personalities like Kawhi & LaMarcus... First up might be Nick Batum, who has close personal connections to Parker, Boris, Party, and Aldridge.
Honestly I think it will be 0.
We're not losing just Duncan (massive loss, way more than many here give it credit), but do not forget Gregg Popovich will be gone too. For all the hate he gets, he's a big reason we don't have Gilbert Arenas type players on the team chucking 25 shot a game and turning the locker room and practices into a playground rather than a workplace.
Kawhi Leonard may win a le years from now and possibly on another team, but it likely won't be with SA unless we fluke some amazing draft picks again. Losing Duncan and Popovich will be a massive blow. Yes, it may not be felt completely the following year, but the ship will steadily slow down and lose it's direction imo.
Enjoy this great Spurs teams while we still have it rather than take it for granted and assume it will always be great.
Pop said he's staying for the duration of LMA's contract (health permitting I assume)
I was between 0 and 1.
Clearly of the 3 Tony is the less compe ive. So that will be important. LA and Green seem to be on the same mold as TP and i dont see Kawhi at Tim or Manuīs level of compe iveness. And i am talking about the mental factor here.
Secondly, i think both Manu and Tim where 2 of the most inteligent basketball players of either generation, that would be lacking in the post them era.
I still trust Popīs IQ and Kawhi and Aldridge potential development as a one two punch along with Tony staying a relatively reliable 3rd option, Danny a very competent 4th player and a very strong group in general, so iīll give them one.
If you could pick 2 top players in mental toughness its Duncan and Kawhi hands down. They are the most consistent forces in the Spurs roster since Kawhi came on board. They might have their occasional off games but for the most part, they are forces you can count on day in day out.
Maybe i wasnt clear, I DONT SEE KAWHI AT NETHER TIM OR MANUS LEVEL OF MENTAL TOUGHTNESS.
Then you are a dumbass. Kawhi has one of the best mental toughness in the game. Do you see his ing game? Dude isn't even fazed by . Dude is the epitome of mental toughness.
Well its all fine and dandy for some long time fans who have seen battle, after battle, season after season with Tim, Manu and Tony and a cast of characters who hit big shots in playoffs, to doubt what a team without them will accomplish.
Perhaps bc I am a new era fan, I can't be that pessimistic about the team's future. It will be a test for the younger generation, but they have the opportunity to create their own legend and I think Kawhi at least is a quiet beast who will want to stomp anyone in front of him. It's a matter of finding him guys. He will have to rise, so will Aldridge.
We are probably going to hit a rough year when Tim/Manu do retire bc whoever steps up in their stead is not going to be up to par, and the team will have to adjust, but the transition is looking less traumatic than it did 2 or 3 years ago.
Maybe i am, but i am sorry if i doubt about a kid that had 1 great playoff series, over two players that have been so consistent and amazing in championship and elimination games.
Kawhi, for me, is not near that level yet.
At least he wasnt last year.
you guys still not realize how difficult it is to win a championship ...
Boston actually had a succession plan in place, had Bias not snorted his life away days after the draft, and Reggie Williams not died of that congenital heart defect. No one really really knows how it would have gone, save that it would have been better than what actually happened.
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