Not to derail the thread, but Noah? Noah-thanks!
If you are looking at the individual vs the sum of the parts, sure, I can see why people think losing Manu/Tim isn't a big deal. But both because of money, but mostly because of culture and skill, it's so hard to replace those guys and LMA/Kawhi could suffer with them gone if you don't get a noticeable replacement.
Plus, Kawhi is really re-defining how people view superstars and even we as Spurs fans don't know quite how to peg it. He's a star, but not in the sense of someone to relentlessly take over games offensively like Durant/Harden/Lebron. The fact he's not a creator really is what seperates him from those guys. But he brings so much on both sides that he's definitely a winner to build around.
Not to derail the thread, but Noah? Noah-thanks!
Pau Gasol 50 page thread incoming? He's pretty much done in Chicago
Dude, he had a bad game, it's ok to admit it. But he wasn't the reason why we lost
He is probably the top role player in the league, in the top 3 at the very minimum. You need those kind of guys to win a le, but they can't lead you to one. Don't have the testicular for ude.
Spurs desperately need a PG more than anything, going forward..in today's NBA, you can survive with role players at the wing positions(especially SG, which is the worst position in the league, right now), but there aren't many relevant teams(10+ games above .500 or better) that don't have an above average or better PG..
GS: Curry
OKC: Westbrook
LAC: Paul
Portland: Lillard
Cleveland: Irving
Toronto: Lowry
Atlanta: Teague
Charlotte: Walker
Miami: Dragic(horrible in the 1st half of the season, but has been one of the best PGs in the league in the 2nd half since Bosh went out)
They desperately need a playmaker on the floor, it's something they're severely lacking..
I agree! Just imagine where we could be with an above average PG. I mean, we wouldn't beat the Dubs right now but I bet we could be a strong contender for 2nd in the west.
Troof nuke
An LMA/Pau frontline is unplayable against the Worriers & dude is too proud to accept a bench role. Pau had an atrocious 0-8, 1 pt performance against the Worriers this season at the United Center: http://www.basketball-reference.com/...601200CHI.html
Noah would essentially play a Bogut role as a defensive minded passing bigman & is actually very mobile like Splitter. He won't have to play over 30 minutes b/c Diaw/West would provide depth thus it should preserve his body. He was still an elite rebounder/passer/defender this season even when he looking like a s of himself physically. You aren't getting any 7 footer better than Noah for 10 mill & his market value is as low as it has ever been.
Well, we're talking about going forward, and being the 2nd best team and just a darkhorse in a very weak NBA season isn't that special, despite the record
FYI, Parker was playing like a really good PG in the 1st half of the season, which was when the Spurs were playing their most impressive basketball..not a coincidence that they haven't been nearly as good in the 2nd half of the season as he has fallen off a cliff..
Doesn't matter who we have or could have the warriors are going to win it all again. They are the new darling.
This - KL still can't take over a big game, or control the pace. Until he is able to do this he will be in between a role player and "the future." Lots better than I thought he would be - but lots worse than all the KL fans say he is.
Every coach in the NBA would take Kawhi if given the chance...
Coach K would take Kobe and Mason Plumlee over Kiwi, tbh.
He's the future of the Spurs, role player or not.Is he the future or a role player?
First year as the first option led to a first round exit.
Thankfully he made up for it by begging LMA to come along and be his Shaq
Trolls judging young talent
They would have called 25-years-old-LeBron-17.8 ppg "role player" "choker" "never show up for big games "will never win a ring" after 2011 Finals.
Kawhi has improved, added something new to his game, every season, and he can still get a lot better...24 years old Kawhi isn't a finished product.
Second year as Spurs leading scorer led his team to 2nd best NBA record.
And...#6 in PER, #2 in RPM, #1 in Def Rtg/BDPM/every defensive stat among perimeter players, +50 FG%, 45 3FG%, 88 FT%, in top 2-4 MVP discussion almost whole season, not bad at all.
I would say, present and future.
Nah. Kawhi will never call LMA out in public...and LMA won't rapping "Kawhi, tell me how my ass tastes".Thankfully he made up for it by begging LMA to come along and be his Shaq
I expect him to get better during the playoffs. He will be more tuned in. He also can lean on LMA now so he won't feel as much pressure to score when he's struggling. It's good he doesn't give up when he is struggling.. need to see him convert now. He seems very indecisive on his drives and ISOs. That's normal, as he has very little experience with it. All the big time scorers were doing that since their college days. He's just starting to really establish that mentality at 24. He will develop with experience and reps.
We got a veteran team that was playing out of system. That won't be going down in the playoffs. Pop seems way too committed this year to the post season. Those moments were good for Kawhi development. Losing is not something he will get accustomed to on the spurs. You learn a lot from losing. Pop knows this.
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