Big Baby to San Antonio? Grant Hill to Boston?

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I'm sure the front office is aware. If they are comfortable doing so, then they likely have other plans in place.

Indeed.

The front office do this 'assembling a basketball team' thing full-time, y'know?

Marcus - who is that in your avatar? He looks like a race horse trainer from the 50s.

[Marcus Bryant]

I wonder if the reaction about Big Baby possibly joining the spurs be different had he not cried and the media taking it way out of proportion.

Nah, the first reason is that most fans respond to names. The second is that fans see the motive behind personnel moves as attempting to construct an all-star or fantasy league team instead of trying to construct a championship team. On a championship team, you need role players who fit, not statistical juggernauts at every position.

[Slinkyman]

RC did say getting Blair would allow them to look at some players they wouldn't have otherwise. Could be that they think they have enough rebounding in Duncan/Blair that they aren't concerned with Davis' rebounding numbers.

[Marcus Bryant]

Indeed.

The front office do this 'assembling a basketball team' thing full-time, y'know?

They do? They don't rely on this forum to do their work like Buck and Jeff?

[DPG21920]

Maybe the Spurs' biggest need this off-season was to get someone to take the pressure off of Tim defensively; someone capable of legitimately guarding the bigger, longer, post-players of the world.

Davis does not fill that role.

Blair should help with the rebounding but hasn't proven to be much of a defensive-player. He's capable of being that immovable object once his feet are set and he's between the his man and the basket, ala Davis, so he can at least force the opponent to make a shot over the top, but that's not exactly comforting. Especially considering the post-players on the current champion are skilled and coordinated enough to not have much of a problem shooting over smaller, stout, defenders.

So, Davis can move his feet pretty well and use his girth in the post fairly well when given the opportunity, but he's not a good defender. Nor is the foul-prone college player Blair, who will also have his rookie status going against him. (And please don't cite how someone plays Tim as proof of being a good defender. Anyone who watches Tim, especially during the regular season, knows how much harder he makes things on himself and how good average defenders can look on him from time-to-time. I guess he likes a challenge?)

So unless you're going to tell me that Mahinmi is going to be able to stand up to the bigger front lines of the world or that Haislip is all of a sudden the Bruce Bowen of 4's, the Spurs have got a pretty big void to fill if they're going to make Holt's money/generosity actually look like a wise investment.

Tim's health is a major concern going forward and the load of his, especially defensively, has to be lightened.

'Sheed was ideal because of what he did on both ends of the court (for Tim defensively and overall spacing offensively) but since he's out of the picture, they've got to at least find a legit big defender for Tim. (Trade or otherwise)

It's a must.

Don't tell MB this, he is dug in with his bs logic trying to defend this potential signing. Davis is not a good defender.

His whole argument is based off of Duncan carrying players on the defensive end. I guess he is worried about Duncan's fantasy stats.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Nah, the first reason is that most fans respond to names. The second is that fans see the motive behind personnel moves as attempting to construct an all-star or fantasy league team instead of trying to construct a championship team. On a championship team, you need role players who fit, not statistical juggernauts at every position.

Spot ing on. Can everyone re-read that a few times please!

RC did say getting Blair would allow them to look at some players they wouldn't have otherwise. Could be that they think they have enough rebounding in Duncan/Blair that they aren't concerned with Davis' rebounding numbers.

Except that it's no good having Blair rebounding wonderfully, and then when he sits and Davis plays the rebounding going to . We really need a guy who can hit the midrange J and rebound as well, like Dice.

[Slinkyman]

Nah, the first reason is that most fans respond to names. The second is that fans see the motive behind personnel moves as attempting to construct an all-star or fantasy league team instead of trying to construct a championship team. On a championship team, you need role players who fit, not statistical juggernauts at every position.

exactly, everyone thinks that since the Lakers got Artest when need to counter with another big name. This could be a thread about Bass, Zaza or any other roll player out there.

[Spursmania]

They do? They don't rely on this forum to do their work like Buck and Jeff?

[TheProfessor]

Don't tell MB this, he is dug in with his bs logic trying to defend this potential signing. Davis is not a good defender.

His whole argument is based off of Duncan carrying players on the defensive end. I guess he is worried about Duncan's fantasy stats.

Jesus Christ, we get it, you disagree with him.

[ElNono]

There's no one else in free agency who is going to make up for that.

I disagree. I don't know the availability of a guy like McDyess, but I think he's a lot closer to what we need than Big Baby.
And if he's not good enough maybe we should be looking at trades instead of spending the MLE on a guy that, IMHO, makes as much of a difference as Bonner as far as improving our interior defense goes.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

They do? They don't rely on this forum to do their work like Buck and Jeff?

I think they do...

Buck has the occasional original idea. Can't say the same for Jeff though.

[Blackjack]

Don't tell MB this, he is dug in with his bs logic trying to defend this potential signing. Davis is not a good defender.

His whole argument is based off of Duncan carrying players on the defensive end. I guess he is worried about Duncan's fantasy stats.

Should I have just sent a pm?

[objective]

sorry to pile on

but speaking of FANTASY . . .

Boston won a le with this guy getting significant minutes in the frontcourt

[DPG21920]

People wanting Gortat (or someone in a similar mold) is not about a big name. It is about his defensive presence. I think everyone here knows the Spurs need a role player who is strictly defensive/rebounding minded.

Big Baby is one of the biggest FA names out there.

[Slinkyman]

Spot ing on. Can everyone re-read that a few times please!



Except that it's no good having Blair rebounding wonderfully, and then when he sits and Davis plays the rebounding going to . We really need a guy who can hit the midrange J and rebound as well, like Dice.

Maybe they called Dice and he said no thanks, what do you do then?

[ElNono]

Maybe they called Dice and he said no thanks, what do you do then?

You look to trade?

[DPG21920]

Jesus Christ, we get it, you disagree with him.

Why don't you say this to him every time he responds to me? It is going back and forth.

It is not like I am posting 5 times and he has said only one thing to me.

[HarlemHeat37]

I really don't see who we can trade for..nobody seems to suggest anybody..there isn't a realistic trade that will get us a significant big man..

[Marcus Bryant]

People wanting Gortat is not about a big name. It is about his defensive presence. I think everyone here knows the Spurs need a role player who is strictly defensive/rebounding minded.

Big Baby is one of the biggest FA names out there.

Gortat was about Spurs fan ing themselves over a player who didn't help his team push the Lakers. The Magic had to leave their top horses on the court to defeat a Celtics team in 7 games with Davis playing heavy minutes.

[HarlemHeat37]

LOL..DPG isn't making many friends today..

[Marcus Bryant]

I disagree. I don't know the availability of a guy like McDyess, but I think he's a lot closer to what we need than Big Baby.
And if he's not good enough maybe we should be looking at trades instead of spending the MLE on a guy that, IMHO, makes as much of a difference as Bonner as far as improving our interior defense goes.

I don't have a problem with McDyess. I think he would fit the Spurs well. But you're not going to find anyone in free agency who can play at TD's level defensively.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

this has to be a red herring

hopefully the real CIA here is another team the spurs are competing with for player X is also after Big Baby. This will nudge the team to set the money mark with an offer to BB, then we go hard for player X.

I'm trying here..

[TheProfessor]

Why don't you say this to him every time he responds to me? It is going back and forth.

It is not like I am posting 5 times and he has said only one thing to me.

Sorry, next time I'll make sure to have responses for each of you. I guess you just sounded more whiny.

[ElNono]

I really don't see who we can trade for..nobody seems to suggest anybody..there isn't a realistic trade that will get us a significant big man..

Camby? Haslem? I'm thinking of players that can actually help anchoring the interior D.

[scottspurs]

RC did say getting Blair would allow them to look at some players they wouldn't have otherwise. Could be that they think they have enough rebounding in Duncan/Blair that they aren't concerned with Davis' rebounding numbers.

Exactly,

And on another note I saw someone post that Duncan can't anchor the defense anymore. BULL . DUNCAN WILL CARRY THE DEFENSE. The last thing Duncan will lose is his ablity to carry the defense. He could do that until he was 40. It's his offense that will probably start to decline in a couple of years, but he still has it there too. Did you watch the series against the mavericks. Duncan was a beast on both sides of the court even with bad knees. With a offseason of rest his knees he should be great next year and even if they are not Duncan will still be great because he is TIM DUNCAN and thats what TIM DUNCAN does.