Zach Lowe: Spurs losers in Free Agency

[Chinook]

Duncan was better than Gasol last year

He wasn't, especially considering that he was a part-time player. If you can't accept that, then it's no wonder why you don't think the team has a chance at improving.

I don't have much confidence in Anderson or Simmons being difference makers. They dominated summer league because they were among the oldest and most experienced guys there.

They're far from the oldest guys on the team and the league for sure. Especially Anderson. And yes, being young and experienced is a good thing.

[Spurtacular]

Golden State never feared the Spurs.

They did; and they should've feared the Cavs.

[BatManu20]

Spurs will be a good team but a second round exit to the Clippers or Warriors is probably what we're looking at next year.

Yep.

[coachmac87]

Calling the Spurs losers in Free Agency is a stretch and seems like an attempt to click bait, tbh..however, Lowe is correct about their flaws, and it's difficult to be encouraged about contending when they still don't have a dynamic guard on the roster..

They certainly have a puncher's chance(this year's Cavs were probably the 4th best team in the NBA, for example), but they would need a lot of breaks to go in their favor..

Blows my min how Spurs are labeled "losers" but the Heat are not lol

[Leetonidas]

What a garbage article. I normally like Zach Lowe but this is re ed. aside from losing out on Durant and Duncan retiring which spurs have no control over they had a solid off-season and added an all star C, an athletic shotblocker/rebounder, and added some youth. what else were they supposed to do with only 10 mil in space

[Kawhitstorm]

I don't know what he expected son

He expected the Rockets to be better than the Spurs, that's all.

I'm just saying that that quote you posted of him isn't some completely laughable horrible prediction, tbh.

He sighted OBVIOUS flaws the Spurs had BEFORE Aldridge arrived to claim they will disappoint. Why would he expect anything more than 67 win & almost making it to the WCF a "disappointment"?

Disappointment is when a team like the Rockets underachieves & losing in free agency isn't signing Pau to replace Tim w/ roasted knees when that was the only feasible option other than trading Porker. (His logic lacks relativity)

[Yuixafun]

We're one Westbrook type away from a threepeat.

The Dubs just lost all their contunuity, chemistry is key.

[GSH]

Duncan was better than Gasol last year, sorry. Even last year, he was the number two reason the Spurs had a historic defense.

Timmy was still a force on defense last season, even though his offense was strangely lacking. It got commented on regularly. Until December, when he hurt his "good" leg. After that he wasn't a force on either end. He barely limped through the remainder of the season. Say what you want, but after December he wasn't better than Gasol. I won't even argue about who was better before that, because it's immaterial. The Spurs finished the season with a shadow of Duncan, who wasn't better than Gasol.

[BatManu20]

Need Westbrook or CP3 to miraculously come to SA next summer IMVHO

[DAF86]

He expected the Rockets to be better than the Spurs, that's all.

Should have posted that, tbh.

[Spurtacular]

It feels like San Antonio needs a placeholder season to figure out what to do next. At least the Thunder are gone.

I fear that's what this season will be. My hope is a solution at PG emerges and that KL, LMA, DG play like a true Big Three.

[Obstructed_View]

Calling the Spurs losers in Free Agency is a stretch and seems like an attempt to click bait, tbh..however, Lowe is correct about their flaws, and it's difficult to be encouraged about contending when they still don't have a dynamic guard on the roster..

They certainly have a puncher's chance(this year's Cavs were probably the 4th best team in the NBA, for example), but they would need a lot of breaks to go in their favor..

Agreed on all points. The Spurs had a lot of leaks, and did literally everything in their power to try to plug the most urgent ones, and did so WITHOUT hamstringing themselves financially going forward. The goal of free agency is to improve your team. He's saying "they can't beat the Warriors so they failed" which is re ed.

[SPURt]

One thing everyone needs to keep in mind - none of these jackasses were picking the Cavs to beat the Warriors this time last season. No matter how stacked the Warriors are, there's a reason they still play the games.

This. As Spurs fans we know how hard it is to win chips. Based on the regular season and getting a 73 win team it felt like why even play the playoffs?

[TheGoldStandard]

So many defeatists... The season will be a success Post Duncan.

[HarlemHeat37]

I fear that's what this season will be. My hope is a solution at PG emerges and that KL, LMA, DG play like a true Big Three.

from where?

Spurs have a legit big 3(Kawhi, LMA, Gasol) and 1 legit role player(Green)..they have major question marks at PG, on the bench(only Manu and Mills are proven) and in the frontcourt(depth)..

The problem with the top 3 is that they're all frontcourt players, unfortunately..in today's league, you better have at least 1 PG or combo guard that can consistently create for himself and others..

[Darius McCrary]

What's funny is how many teams have absolutely hamstrung themselves by throwing good money after bad free agents. The Spurs went after the one guy who was worth a max deal, and then got Pau Gasol at about ten million dollars less than his market value. So they have two, maybe three all-stars in their starting lineup and they still have money to have a shot at a Russel Westbrook next summer.

Sounds like a winning plan to me.

I would spooge like ElNoNo during an East Coast road game winner if we got ChuckGod.

[Kawhitstorm]

Should have posted that, tbh.

1. Houston Emerges As the Biggest Threat to Golden State in the West

I love this team. They are freaking loaded with relentless athletes who will never stop running, flying to the rim, launching 3s, and whipping the ball up the court in transition. They are exhausting to play against. They got Lawson for free! K.J. McDaniels may be ready for more time on the wing, Clint Capela is a player, and Harden is going to make a run at MVP again. And for all the anxiety about the shaky makeup, these guys held together during the same tense moments in which the Clippers quaked. Howard was great in the playoffs, and he has already led a team to the Finals. Why do we act as if he has accomplished nothing on the big stage?

[HarlemHeat37]

Ya, I don't really know what Lowe expected..the options in FA for penetrating/explosive guards were scarce, tbh..

There's no way in I'm paying 150 million for a 3rd-tier PG like Mike Conley

[Perry Mason]

The Warriors players didn't fear the Spurs... Who gives a ?

Im sure they didn't fear Cleveland when they blew them out by 40 in the regular season. Still got smacked the up when it mattered.

This times 1000. Lowe's points just mean GSW was overconfident; and probably using that confidence to mask underlying fear. They very well can lose to a Spurs team if it can fire on all cylinders. An improved Kawhi plus an effective Pau and LMA can go a long way in the playoffs.

Let's see how bad they want it.

[Spurtacular]

from where?

Spurs have a legit big 3(Kawhi, LMA, Gasol) and 1 legit role player(Green)..they have major question marks at PG, on the bench(only Manu and Mills are proven) and in the frontcourt(depth)..

The problem with the top 3 is that they're all frontcourt players, unfortunately..in today's league, you better have at least 1 PG or combo guard that can consistently create for himself and others..

I'm not saying a PG will come to the front. I said that's my hope. Odd things can happen; but it doesn't mean I'm expecting it. Personally, I'd got with Jimmer.

[InRareForm]

Sounds about right.. You are a sensitive Homer if you think otherwise

At least we got 2014

[elbamba]

Losing Diaw on a contract year, on the other hand, is very factual. Will it be the right decision or not? Only time will tell. Boris is a guy that went from terrible to amazing to terrible in the span of three-four seasons.

While there is no way to tell now, I don't think losing Diaw in a contract year is too risky considering his age. He was 30 when he decided to get back into shape and become a good player again. At 34 I think it was a smart calculated gamble to get rid of him, pick up a prospect, and sign Gasol to a short 2 year deal.

[Spurs9]

Spurs are still the 2nd/3rd best team in the league. Anything can happen in the playoffs.

[Obstructed_View]

Ya, I don't really know what Lowe expected..the options in FA for penetrating/explosive guards were scarce, tbh..

There's no way in I'm paying 150 million for a 3rd-tier PG like Mike Conley

Precisely ing this. If losing Duncan and Durant is automatically a loss, then not compounding the problem by signing Mike Conley for 150 million is at least a wash.

[Spurs9]

I'm so glad the Spurs didn't overpay for someone like a ton of other teams. That won't bode well for them in the future being stuck with a bunch of those contracts. I rather the Spurs take chances on a bunch of cheaper rookies/euros along with the guys we already have.