Spurs must evolve and be more like the rockets

[TD 21]

But by your logic, there are only 2 teams that matter in the West that are real. If that is the case, SA with a few things can get to the WCF. You don’t blow that type of team up.

They don’t need to be stars. I would not call White a star yet but if SA added 2 more White caliber players? That is huge. I don’t see how you can downplay that.

Regarding the defense there is the draft and free agency to help with that wing problem too.

The problem is, a bunch of teams in the West can make the same argument and this one is has a lower floor than them.

It's nice, but it doesn't win you a championship when 3 of your 4 best players play archaic styles and none a superstars (I'd argue only one is even a legit star).

But Murray will complete the rotation. The only possibility of a change, is Forbes being traded (likely with a pick, if it happens).

For teams that don't have an MVP type player, the key is team cohesion and a collection of net positive players. What I like about D White is he can play with anyone. He plays D and isn't a high usage player so the team doesn't have to be designed around him. If Murray and Walker can replicate that profile, then you've got few weak links on the floor. Even when Holiday was paired with Anthony Davis, there were often at least two players on the floor that were below average, and that's where opposing teams attacked. I wasn't that high on Walker earlier in the year, but he really came on strong in the last couple of months, so I'm a lot more optimistic about him now. Aldridge and DeRozan (if they're still here next year) are still productive players despite some other issues, so it's not like they're glaring weaknesses-- if they're providing a steady 40 ppg next year and the roster around them improves through youth and one or two more useful players, I don't think an improvement of 10 regular season wins is out of the question at all.
I like Houston, but they have their issues too. For one, they're small with Paul, Gordon, Harden, and Tucker. Two, I'm never surprised by a Chris Paul injury, especially in the playoffs. Their depth is not great. And, finally, D'Antoni has had a bunch if talented players in the past-- including an MVP-- and is still ringless.

Good post . . . but none of that gets them in championship contention either. This is a league where the bar is so high that Lillard, probably the 3rd or 4th best guard in the league, isn't good enough to be the best player on a championship team.

[Arcadian]

Oh yeah, just "be like the Rockets"...what a simple, elegant solution to all of our problems! If only the Spurs staff had thought of that!

you.

[DPG21920]

The problem is, a bunch of teams in the West can make the same argument and this one is has a lower floor than them.

It's nice, but it doesn't win you a championship when 3 of your 4 best players play archaic styles and none a superstars (I'd argue only one is even a legit star).

But Murray will complete the rotation. The only possibility of a change, is Forbes being traded (likely with a pick, if it happens).

Good post . . . but none of that gets them in championship contention either. This is a league where the bar is so high that Lillard, probably the 3rd or 4th best guard in the league, isn't good enough to be the best player on a championship team.

Well ya Other teams can be good and improve. Unless you are GS everyone else is just doing the best they can. SA is in that spot with other teams with a reasonable chance to make a jump. I don’t see what the issue is.

I am not in the boat of “unless you are GS, tank”. SA may not be able to build a team that is GS-level clear cut above everyone else, but they can put themselves on “we have a legit chance to make the WCF” level.

[Down Under]

As well as Houston being handicapped with cap space, the chance of getting 2 all-nba calibre player is pretty high IMO. White is very likely to hit this level. Walker has the physical tools, skills, footwork & fundamentals to get there. I know G League isn't much of a guide, but there are certain players you can tell by watching, that they can make it, even at that level. I never got that feeling watching Marcus Williams or anyone else like that dominate the D League. Dejounte has the physical tools, but is a complete unknown.

[EricB]

You keep trying to put a positive spin on everything. Who cares if the Spurs have better youth and draft capital than the Rockets? Unless one of White, Walker or Murray becomes an MVP level player, which is obviously beyond highly unlikely, they don't even have so much as a road map back to championship contention. Meanwhile, the Rockets, like the Raptors, have it now.

Lol the Raptors will be in the lottery for the foreseeable future after this year. Yeah let’s copy those jokers.

[daslicer]

Lol the Raptors will be in the lottery for the foreseeable future after this year. Yeah let’s copy those jokers.

Raptors next year without #2 will be a lowly 6-8 seed at best and at worst a lottery team. I don't buy into that garbage of how they had a great record when he didn't play. It's easy for them to win in small stretches without him of him not playing for a game or two but I don't think they could do it for a full season. Raptors without #2 is just Siakam and a bunch of good role players. I don't buy into Siakam being a superstar. Teams will be able to game plan against him next year.

[RC_Drunkford]

Don't be like the Rockets

[monty4329]

Playing like HOU is not evolving.

I don't even call that basketball, it is just a videogame where the hero with superpowers has a special no-touch armour. With basketball rules HOU would be OKC.

Still, GS will dispose of HOU easier than they beat the Clippers. Call that evolution?

[vavvi]

HOU would never be able to "play like HOU" without 2 things:
1. Harden
2. Favorable officiating of Harden

Even if we had Tucker, Capela and Gordon (all three are decent, playoffs-proof players; two can defend) we would never be able to "play like HOU" with DDR or White or Murray in Harden's role. Just like the Bucks "playing like Bucks" without Giannis would be doomed in the post-season. We just don't have this kind of talent. It's not about system, it's about special talent with a tailor-made system

[TD 21]

Lol the Raptors will be in the lottery for the foreseeable future after this year. Yeah let’s copy those jokers.

No, they won't. With Siakam's emergence and the Gasol pickup, they'll probably more or less standpat if s bag leaves. If they can get Green re-signed, they still have a good chance at being a top 4 team in the East and winning a round.

If at some point they want to change course, they can trade the expirings (Lowry, Gasol, Ibaka), get back some of the draft capital they've shipped out in recent seasons and add that to Siakam, Anunoby, Van Vleet, Powell and cap flexibility going forward.

Well ya Other teams can be good and improve. Unless you are GS everyone else is just doing the best they can. SA is in that spot with other teams with a reasonable chance to make a jump. I don’t see what the issue is.

I am not in the boat of “unless you are GS, tank”. SA may not be able to build a team that is GS-level clear cut above everyone else, but they can put themselves on “we have a legit chance to make the WCF” level.

No, I mean it's so tight between so many teams in the West, that there's about as much possibility of stagnating or regressing as their is of progressing. The issue is, the Spurs pieces don't fit and the core is both aging and bereft of a superstar.

Who said anything about tanking? I'd offer DeRozan and Belinelli for Batum, Bridges, Parker and a future lottery protected 1st.

[Coach X]

There is no reason for copying a model still unproven as successful. Dantoni&Harden haven't won a championship yet.

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

Also, don’t get me wrong. Im not in love with this team. I am in love with the youth sa has assembled while still being a playoff team and how they have flexibility coming up in one year along with multiple first round picks.

I would not be mad if SA decided to move on from LMA/DeRozan and go a different direction. I am simply saying they are good and if they can make a few moves and the youth does what Derrick did this year then SA for the next two years can be in damn good shape.

If it fails? Ok, still have that youth and it’s only two years (really one before they have cap space) before the full on reset.

I look at the team the same way. If White, Walker and Murray continue to improve along with mainly the same cast we have now, this team could be really good sooner than some think.

I really think Walker has a chance to be something special if this offseason he stays healthy and listens to the coaching staff. The guy already has an NBA body and athleticism, not to mention his shot mechanics look solid. He just needs more film study and game time to really excel, I believe.

I'm super excited about the draft and summer league this year

[DAF86]

Personally, I would prefer the Spurs to be more like the Bucks or Raptors, tbh.

[DPG21920]

I look at the team the same way. If White, Walker and Murray continue to improve along with mainly the same cast we have now, this team could be really good sooner than some think.

I really think Walker has a chance to be something special if this offseason he stays healthy and listens to the coaching staff. The guy already has an NBA body and athleticism, not to mention his shot mechanics look solid. He just needs more film study and game time to really excel, I believe.

I'm super excited about the draft and summer league this year

Me too. Seeing how great of a defender White is morphing into gives me sweet dreams of him and Murray locking people up. With Poeltl as a great defensive anchor too possibly? This team could very quickly have one of the best defenses in the league and it will be spearheaded by 3 guys 24 and under (I think).

Offense may be an issue but I trust Pop to figure that out and balance things out.

[RC_Drunkford]

this team has good upside with 3 young players who got the potential to be something close to All-Star level players. Additionally some young ones who are solid NBA role players and they are all on cheap deals. Add to that 2 All-Stars in Aldridge and DeRozan and 2 draft picks in this years draft.
The development of the young players will improve this team in the most significant way. What the FO has to do is sign championship caliber role players like a Marcus Morris for example, especially SFs. And not just 1, this team needs 3. Preferably 2 of which are good enough to play big minutes.
All the dead weight needs to get outta here as well as old ass end of the bench scrubs. I don't think I have to mention names, we know who they are

[superbigtime]

Spurs should give away 3 NBA les and be like the rockets -

OP is re ed.

[Seventyniner]

Going in to the draft and free agency last summer, Number Two and Danny were still on the team. This roster as presently constructed is rather flawed, but that doesn't mean that the FO can't improve it this offseason. There will be much more clarity this summer as to who will be on the team, etc.