Pop Returning for his 24th Season; End of Year Interview Notes

[JeffDuncan]

People who want Pop gone are gonna be in for some serious disappointment with whoever gets picked to succeed one of the greatest coaches of all-time.

Prove it.

[SpurPadre]

How so? White should shoot more, they discussed DeRozan shooting more, Lonnie will shoot them and Murray should too. There are concerns that I see for sure, but right now at least we can address defense and ball handling and shot creation. Plus, there is free agency and the draft to address that.

The draft yes, but he made it sound like free agency is an after thought. I just don't get the logic of standing pat the way this team is constructed vs. how the game is being played now. We were respectable against a #2 seed and would've been respectable against the 3 seed but the Dubs and Rockets are clearly head and shoulders above us with the Clippers likely to take a bigger step next season...and we're standing pat? Isn't this just Pop conceding le aspirations for the forseeable future? With that said, I'm glad he's coming back.

[MoSpur02]

As I've mentioned in other threads Pop signed an extension for I believe 2 more years, but could be three. However, he has options to opt out from what I was told.

[SpurPadre]

People who want Pop gone are gonna be in for some serious disappointment with whoever gets picked to succeed one of the greatest coaches of all-time.

Unless that person is Manu or even Tony, tbh.

[DPG21920]

The draft yes, but he made it sound like free agency is an after thought. I just don't get the logic of standing pat the way this team is constructed vs. how the game is being played now. We were respectable against a #2 seed and would've been respectable against the seed but the Dubs and Rockets are clearly head and shoulders above us with the Clippers likely to take a bigger step next season...and we're standing pat? Isn't this just Pop conceding le aspirations for the forseeable future? With that said, I'm glad he's coming back.

It’s not an afterthought (free agency) but SA has the real difference makers on the roster already. Adding Lonnie / Murray isn’t standing pat. Think of them like free agents.

[BillMc]

Lonnie looks to be capable too

He was atrocious on defense though.

[BillMc]

People who want Pop gone are gonna be in for some serious disappointment with whoever gets picked to succeed one of the greatest coaches of all-time.

Yep.

[Mugen]

People who want Pop gone are gonna be in for some serious disappointment with whoever gets picked to succeed one of the greatest coaches of all-time.

I'm willing to gamble.

[Dex]

Also, in before someone tries to point to the the last 27 seconds of Game 7 to nullify Pop's legacy.

[talkspurs]

I have heard of people trading away mills and maco. I doubt the Spurs would trade either of these because Mills is the longest running Spur and pop seems to like and trust him. Marco was brought in to help the spurs so I doubt we trade him either. That being said if I was the Spurs I would trade to trade mills, marco, forbes and our 29th pick to ATL for their 35, bazemore, and Prince. If they wanted to keep 35th i would try and keep our 39th. I dont think the Spurs would do this because of loyalty. Atl has looked at getting rid of prince before and Bazemoore they feel is a bad contract. to get rid of a bad contract you have to take on a bad contract. They also get a slightly better pick as well as forbes who is young. They dont do this because Mills contract is worse then Bazemoore (more years and only saveing 7 mil).

[DPG21920]

He was atrocious on defense though.

I think he’s fine one on one. Way better than Mills & Beli there. He struggled with team defense but tools are there.

[Hoops Czar]

Becky must not be ready yet.

[SpurPadre]

It’s not an afterthought (free agency) but SA has the real difference makers on the roster already. Adding Lonnie / Murray isn’t standing pat. Think of them like free agents.

I'm a big Murray fan and believe he is superior to White but he will be coming off major injury and is still only 22. We shouldn't have to put all the pressure on him to carry LMA and DeRozan when they make their usual playoff disappearances...not yet. And Walker is still green as . We should do more than this if the plan is to win a le but I think PATFO are just content to be compe ive.

[exstatic]

Unless that person is Manu or even Tony, tbh.

All Star type players normally aren't interested in coaching, or aren't qualified. Both Manu and Tony have young children still at home. Why would they want to spend all of that time away from them?

[DPG21920]

I'm a big Murray fan and believe he is superior to White but he will be coming off major injury and is still only 22. We shouldn't have to put all the pressure on him to carry LMA and DeRozan when they make their usual playoff disappearances...not yet. And Walker is still green as . We should do more than this if the plan is to win a le but I think PATFO are just content to be compe ive.

There is nothing SA can do reasonably my friend to vault then into surefire contender status. For now draft and leaps from youth are the best and quickest way to improve. This draft is huge as is free agency in a year or two when cap space is more attainable

[exstatic]

I'm a big Murray fan and believe he is superior to White but he will be coming off major injury and is still only 22. We shouldn't have to put all the pressure on him to carry LMA and DeRozan when they make their usual playoff disappearances...not yet. And Walker is still green as . We should do more than this if the plan is to win a le but I think PATFO are just content to be compe ive.

LW IV was supposed to play THIS YEAR. They had plans for him. To minimize his role next year would be foolish beyond measure for anyone here, as long as he stays healthy, and gets a full camp. That was really the issue this season.

[Mugen]

Hopefully Messina is poached away this summer.

[SpurPadre]

All Star type players normally aren't interested in coaching, or aren't qualified. Both Manu and Tony have young children still at home. Why would they want to spend all of that time away from them?

Yeah, I know...just wishful thinking.

[SpurPadre]

LW IV was supposed to play THIS YEAR. They had plans for him. To minimize his role next year would be foolish beyond measure for anyone here, as long as he stays healthy, and gets a full camp. That was really the issue this season.

I'm not saying not to play him. I'm saying we shouldn't play Murray and Walker and say it for the rest of the off season and expect to be le contenders.

[BSfromTX]

Pop coming back is not the end of the world. People act like he's Tark.

We will be adding DJ, Lonnie, two potentially good picks, and an improving D. White. I do hate how slow Pop is to give the youngsters a chance, but his system does produce good players.

I will be disappointed if DD and LMA are back. If we could somehow shake those salaries our future would have some good flexibility.

[SpurPadre]

There is nothing SA can do reasonably my friend to vault then into surefire contender status. For now draft and leaps from youth are the best and quickest way to improve. This draft is huge as is free agency in a year or two when cap space is more attainable

Thing is, and you're right on your point, that by the timeline you're mentioning, LMA will be in his late 30s and DeRozan will be past his prime. If the plan isn't to be an instant contender, then shouldn't they explore trading those two while they still have value?

[SpurPadre]

Pop coming back is not the end of the world. People act like he's Tark.

We will be adding DJ, Lonnie, two potentially good picks, and an improving D. White. I do hate how slow Pop is to give the youngsters a chance, but his system does produce good players.

I will be disappointed if DD and LMA are back. If we could somehow shake those salaries our future would have some good flexibility.

Well, one good pick and another long shot to be a good pick, considering it's 29th, tbh.

[exstatic]

I'm not saying not to play him. I'm saying we shouldn't play Murray and Walker and say it for the rest of the off season and expect to be le contenders.

You need to adjust your expectations. Nothing we can do in the short run will make us that. There's no magic pill, or secret cap room that will appear this summer. We'll have last year's squad, DM back, and more Lonnie. The draft picks will spend time in Austin, for the most part. A good goal, and expectation, might be top 3 seed in the WC. If the team stays healthy, and the guards progress nicely, it might happen. We were only 6 games out of 2nd this past season.

[SpurPadre]

You need to adjust your expectations. Nothing we can do in the short run will make us that. There's no magic pill, or secret cap room that will appear this summer. We'll have last year's squad, DM back, and more Lonnie. The draft picks will spend time in Austin, for the most part. A good goal, and expectation, might be top 3 seed in the WC. If the team stays healthy, and the guards progress nicely, it might happen. We were only 6 games out of 2nd this past season.

Agreed. Expectations need to be adjusted.

[exstatic]

Thing is, and you're right on your point, that by the timeline you're mentioning, LMA will be in his late 30s and DeRozan will be past his prime. If the plan isn't to be an instant contender, then shouldn't they explore trading those two while they still have value?

They're the bridge to the next generation, so the kids are never on a terrible team. Many players who come into this league highly touted never develop properly, because all they do is learn to lose on the lottery team that drafted them.