Who guards the scoring wings?

[Kawhitstorm]

Think Cunningham starts at PF against James, Durant (DeRozan would guard Green), Antetokounmpo, etc. There's no other way to make sense of his inclusion on this roster. Just imagine playing the Lakers or Warriors in a series and a fringe rotation player averaging something like 20 mpg.

As far as Harden, I don't know. Murray is too slight and DeRozan is too slow laterally. Paul is the best suited, but he may not even be on the roster in 10 days. White is a bit slight too, but he might end up the primary option, in part because it wouldn't require rotational gymnastics.

It's not just the elite ones who'll be issues though. Even non stars, like Harris and Gallinari, DeRozan and Aldridge aren't suited to defending them.

Whatever hope their is of acquiring someone who can will vanish if Ginobili returns (and he's hinted at doing so multiple times), because there won't even be room in the rotation.

To give up Green, not get Anunoby and not have a backup plan to fill this hole (while trying to remain as compe ive as possible), is negligent.

tyFO has had their head up their ass since the summer when Tim stopped carrying them....

[Kawhitstorm]

I just got done banging a busty and this breathing queef has a picture of Pop?! WTF?! Get laid, bro. (And no, you shagging your sister doesn't count.)

I was banging your mom in the living room while your were in the basement beating off to her moans

[objective]

Pretty much nobody in this league can guard the Lebrons and Durants, that's why these guys are in the Finals every year. The league has turned into a 3 point chucking contest, and ticky tacky fouls for everything. Harden is a great talent, but he's also a guy that adapted to the rules, knows every trick in the book and lives at the free throw line.

I'm not complaining about it, just pointing it out. The biggest leap the Warriors took was when they added a third player that guarantee to drop on average 20+ points per game. It wasn't some magical defensive scheme (not saying KD isn't a solid defender when he wants to be, just that his scoring on any given night is more than enough for them). Their defensive bastion is an undersized PF known more for his moving screens and whining than anything else. (We'll see this season with Boogie in the middle)

The Spurs' offense has been absolutely putrid for a minute now, and one thing I'm excited about this season is seeing what direction the coach takes with regards to that. I'm not going to reminisce about the beautiful game, but I do think having smart off the ball players like Marco do change the complexion of what you do, and as many things there's to criticize DD for, there's also a couple that this team needs badly: getting to the line, and an able and seasoned penetrator that commands attention and can open up the game for other guys.

Some people still won't admit it, but for all the defensive prowess that made nephew had, his offense was a ing black hole. Rudy Gay looks like Steve Nash next to him. We also got rid of a kid was scared to shoot for 20+ mins a night, and Danny, who I'm not going to hate, but the minute he tried to expand his game, everything else regressed.

Here's a few more tidbits from last season:

- The Spurs finished tied for #1 place in opponents points allowed the last regular season, Warriors ranked #18 and Cleveland #26.
- The Spurs finished #4 in Defensive Rating, Dubs #9, Cavs #28.

We just couldn't score. Spurs finished the season ranked #27 in scoring, with the Dubs #1 and Cavs #5.

Nephew certainly liked to shoot and he sure took shot opportunities off of screens from Aldridge where he could have passed to Aldridge for a shot, that happened maybe most of all.

But to me, that was the price for greatness and worth paying. He was delivering on defense like no one else in the league and winning games on offense single-handed, or at least keeping the Spurs in games. It was him who almost beat Memphis in one of the greatest player games in playoffs history, certainly Spurs history. He was the one who had the Spurs up in game 1 vs GS while supporting casters like Mills was ting bricks.

The Spurs might be compe ive in the regular season, similar to the Jefferson, Bogans and Roger Mason years, not fun years.

[hooperflash]

Who guards Durant? LeBron? Kawhi? Harden? Booker? George? Giannis? Mitc ?

Wait wuuuuuut? Did I miss something?

[Snaq O'Meal]

I’m the system, I can turn Bryn into Bowen as you witnessed in the postseason. #watchmework

Centerpiece 2.0!

[ElNono]

Nephew certainly liked to shoot and he sure took shot opportunities off of screens from Aldridge where he could have passed to Aldridge for a shot, that happened maybe most of all.

But to me, that was the price for greatness and worth paying. He was delivering on defense like no one else in the league and winning games on offense single-handed, or at least keeping the Spurs in games. It was him who almost beat Memphis in one of the greatest player games in playoffs history, certainly Spurs history. He was the one who had the Spurs up in game 1 vs GS while supporting casters like Mills was ting bricks.

The Spurs might be compe ive in the regular season, similar to the Jefferson, Bogans and Roger Mason years, not fun years.

Nobody is saying kid isn't extremely talented and hard working (I'm not sure yet he's the next Lebron, if healthy, but wouldn't be shocked either), but Kawhiso wasn't conducive to make players around him better either. Maybe he'll learn over the years, much like other players have. Heck, his attempt to team up with Lebron is somewhat a tacit admission that he doesn't want to carry the load on his own (which is fine, BTW, not the first guy that does that, see: Lebron himself, KD, etc).

What I'm pointing out is that despite nephew only playing 9 games, the defense didn't really rank all that terribly last season, what did really suck was the offense, and the inability to keep up scoring-wise with a lot of these teams.

But our eyes don't deceive us (we're spoiled childs of watching great D from back in the day), and a lot of our players are really terrible defenders, but very few teams these days have defensive specialists, simply because the game has changed from the Bowen, Tony Allen, etc days, big men now step outside and shoot threes, the pace is faster, offense-only teams like D'Antoni make it all the way to the conference finals, etc.

Yes, guys like Harden are still extremely terrible on defense, and in the past, he would've been targeted mercilessly, but in today's NBA, Harden can go to the other end, flail a bit, and get the points back from the line.

Point is, in this day and age, the onus on the game is putting the ball on the basket, not keeping it away from it. It's clear that's the product Silverstein wants.

The Spurs are actually not very well positioned for this with LMA in the fold and dinosaurs like Pau around, but some of the additions and subtractions could actually be conducive to move more towards that, and I think that's a subplot to watch this season.

[SAGirl]

As it stands we are in the luxury tax. But that's with Milutinov's cap hold. Depending on whether Ginobili comes back or not or we drop Paul, we have one spot to work with and the BAE if I'm not mistaken.

I think they are waiting to see what Manu does before deciding on Paul. I think if Manu comes back we drop Paul and look for some wing help.

Actually, your guess about the roster spot is a good one. It’s very quite possible that they haven’t made a decision on BP3 bc they are waiting to learn from Ginobili.

[SAGirl]

What's with these y players and their y relatives?

Complaining about a sons jersey not being sold in the store isn’t even remotely in the same parking spot as Uncle Dennis territory...

[HarlemHeat37]

Some of the arguments in this thread don't make any sense..

Of course defense still matters, the Warriors always have an elite defense and the main reason for Houston's success was due to their much improved defense..they were able to shut down GS for the most part in the WCFs..

Individual defense is overrated in today's NBA, inconsistent handchecking calls, the allowance of illegal screens and lenient carrying rules make it more difficult to play iso defense, but team defense is still just as important as ever..

The Spurs will be lacking in team defenders, as well..the system will help, but don't forget that the players that left all had continuity and chemistry that took years to build..

It'll be interesting to see how the clueless defenders on the team(DeRozan, Belinelli, Forbes, etc) adapt..

[Immortal Spur]

Actually, your guess about the roster spot is a good one. It’s very quite possible that they haven’t made a decision on BP3 bc they are waiting to learn from Ginobili.

one can only hope...

[ceperez]

Think Cunningham starts at PF against James, Durant (DeRozan would guard Green), Antetokounmpo, etc. There's no other way to make sense of his inclusion on this roster. Just imagine playing the Lakers or Warriors in a series and a fringe rotation player averaging something like 20 mpg.

As far as Harden, I don't know. Murray is too slight and DeRozan is too slow laterally. Paul is the best suited, but he may not even be on the roster in 10 days. White is a bit slight too, but he might end up the primary option, in part because it wouldn't require rotational gymnastics.

It's not just the elite ones who'll be issues though. Even non stars, like Harris and Gallinari, DeRozan and Aldridge aren't suited to defending them.

Whatever hope their is of acquiring someone who can will vanish if Ginobili returns (and he's hinted at doing so multiple times), because there won't even be room in the rotation.

To give up Green, not get Anunoby and not have a backup plan to fill this hole (while trying to remain as compe ive as possible), is negligent.

With Cunningham signing, I had su ion that Spurs would get rid of Green. Now it makes sense.

[look_at_g_shred]

Cunningham

[Mr. Body]

Complaining about a sons jersey not being sold in the store isn’t even remotely in the same parking spot as Uncle Dennis territory...

Did I say it was? But it sure as is babyish. Grow up, dad. Be a man.

[John B]

Bertans is going to prove a lot of people wrong. tbh

[HarlemHeat37]

Bertans is going to prove a lot of people wrong. tbh

As a defender? That would be quite the surprise, it's not like he's a rookie and we haven't seen him play

[TD 21]

Due to his quasi expiring, Gasol and a 2nd are the commonly referenced bait for this type. But if they trade him for it and Ginobili returns, White will be blocked from a rotation spot. Even if he doesn't return and the player takes his rotation spot, Walker will be blocked from a path to the rotation until '20-'21, when Belinelli is up.

The only way for the pieces to fit and make sense of the Belinelli signing and to a lesser extent Forbes re-signing, is to trade Mills. On his own, he's obviously not fetching this sort, so they'll need to attach the Raptors 1st, making it essentially half value / half salary dump. The Raptors just pulled the trick on the Spurs and the Pelicans did it last season, in the Asik and a 1st for Mirotic swap.

Unfortunately, the best that can probably be done, is Snell. He looks the part, but doesn't rate well defensively.

[objective]

Don't know about Bucks trading Snell, don't think Mills fits with all the point guards they have.

How's Terrence Ross looking these days?

Might as well assemble every former raptor.

Besides, I think there was a way to include Mills in the Kawhi deal instead of Green by adding Delon Wright to the deal. I just think the Spurs are really into Mills. I don't know why, his 'culture' benefit and 'good teammate' rep has coincided with the most problems in the locker room in team history.

I can't see them ever trading Mills.

[anon]

Might as well assemble every former raptor.

What about that scrub Shumpert? He held Derozan to losing 3pt percentages the past two years. I think he's in Sacramento now. RC should get as many shooting guards Derozan has faced in the postseason as he can to lighten Engelland's workload.

[TD 21]

Don't know about Bucks trading Snell, don't think Mills fits with all the point guards they have.

How's Terrence Ross looking these days?

Might as well assemble every former raptor.

Besides, I think there was a way to include Mills in the Kawhi deal instead of Green by adding Delon Wright to the deal. I just think the Spurs are really into Mills. I don't know why, his 'culture' benefit and 'good teammate' rep has coincided with the most problems in the locker room in team history.

I can't see them ever trading Mills.

The Bucks, courtesy of the Bledsoe acquisition, are out a future 1st that could convey as soon as '19. He's a questionable fit alongside Antetokoumpo, who supposedly doesn't like playing with him. If the situation doesn't improve, they might let him walk, leaving them with only Brogdon and Dellavedova, combo guards with enough size to cross match with Mills.

Also, Snell's shaky confidence had him in and out of the doghouse last season.

Ross missed most of last season due to injury. He's even leaner than Snell and has T-rex arms.

The Raptors weren't giving up Wright, but I agree that it's difficult to envision the Spurs trading Mills (even though it's the only way to make sense of the Belinelli signing). Still, if they want a 3 and D wing and to create room for Walker by '19-'20, it has to be done.

[ElNono]

Some of the arguments in this thread don't make any sense..

Of course defense still matters, the Warriors always have an elite defense and the main reason for Houston's success was due to their much improved defense..they were able to shut down GS for the most part in the WCFs..

Individual defense is overrated in today's NBA, inconsistent handchecking calls, the allowance of illegal screens and lenient carrying rules make it more difficult to play iso defense, but team defense is still just as important as ever..

The Spurs will be lacking in team defenders, as well..the system will help, but don't forget that the players that left all had continuity and chemistry that took years to build..

It'll be interesting to see how the clueless defenders on the team(DeRozan, Belinelli, Forbes, etc) adapt..

I do agree with that. Things like transition defense are the kind of things the Spurs are going to have to focus on. Just that there's no designated stopper for beasts like Lebron or Durant.

[Kawhitstorm]

Individual defense is overrated in today's NBA, inconsistent handchecking calls, the allowance of illegal screens and lenient carrying rules make it more difficult to play iso defense, but team defense is still just as important as ever..

Individual defense is overrated except against LeBron who you can't double & has destroyed many elite team defenses......

[Chinook]

Don't know about Bucks trading Snell, don't think Mills fits with all the point guards they have.

How's Terrence Ross looking these days?

Might as well assemble every former raptor.

Besides, I think there was a way to include Mills in the Kawhi deal instead of Green by adding Delon Wright to the deal. I just think the Spurs are really into Mills. I don't know why, his 'culture' benefit and 'good teammate' rep has coincided with the most problems in the locker room in team history.

I can't see them ever trading Mills.

I totally think the Spurs' plan going into this season is to play Mills/Murray/DeRozan on the perimeter. I just think they would have tried harder to get a forward if this wasn't their goal. I can certainly see reasons to be cautious here, but ultimately, there isn't that ideal three who's going to do everything Patty does on offense and everything necessary on defense. Just have to top that Murray can become a more interesting Danny Green.

Obviously, the hope would be that Murray comes in and shows he can legit contribute from outside the arc, and the Spurs are able to trade him to Philly for Bayless and then use Bayless plus assets for a defensive wing, whether than be Mids or Harkless or Ariza or whomever. But I agree that Pop seemed to be envisioning this back court for a while now. He's going to give it a try before considering changes.

[objective]

I do hope that Pop would go with either a Murray-White-DeRozan trio or a big Murray-DeRozan-Gay trio though I know that spacing isn't great

Mills starting and having to watch him run around doing nothing and getting shot over just gives me a headache.

At least White on defense is as close as you can get to smaller Green with the blocks and contests. After Murray, White is probably the best wing defender on the team, and he has three point range.

Rotation should be Murray-White-DeRozan backed up by Mills-Marco-Manu and Forbes as emergency. Some staggering of course.

It's too bad White isn't bigger. If he was a legit 6-6 they'd be in better shape.

[Mugen]

I totally think the Spurs' plan going into this season is to play Mills/Murray/DeRozan on the perimeter. I just think they would have tried harder to get a forward if this wasn't their goal. I can certainly see reasons to be cautious here, but ultimately, there isn't that ideal three who's going to do everything Patty does on offense and everything necessary on defense. Just have to top that Murray can become a more interesting Danny Green.

Obviously, the hope would be that Murray comes in and shows he can legit contribute from outside the arc, and the Spurs are able to trade him to Philly for Bayless and then use Bayless plus assets for a defensive wing, whether than be Mids or Harkless or Ariza or whomever. But I agree that Pop seemed to be envisioning this back court for a while now. He's going to give it a try before considering changes.

WTF? Why would that be the ing hope?

[Chinook]

WTF? Why would that be the ing hope?

Why would it not be the hope?