OK. Like everyone else, I wanted to "weigh in" on my plan to fix the Spurs. Since Splitter is likely not coming this year or next, there is still a big hole that exists on the frontline. Even with Mahinmi on the way, the Spurs badly need to fill the backup 4-5 spots as Duncan needs a defensive running mate. Here goes:
Option A:
Desgana Diop (C)
Ronny Turiaf (PF)
Mikael Pietrus (SG)
Option B:
Desgana Diop (C)
Eduardo Najera (PF)
Kelenna Azubuike (SG)
Option C:
Desgana Diop (C)
James Jones (SF)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
I've included Diop in every scenario because I feel he would give the Spurs the added shot-blocker, rebounder and defensive presence they've lacked since D-Rob retired. His arrival will help the Spurs contend against the suddenly taller, bigger frontlines of the West (Fakers, Blazers, Suns) Diop could be had for a 2-year contract, which would offset the expected 2-year wait for Splitter and some leverage in case he never shows. Chip Engelland could work with him on his shooting to help improve his offense (as he's done for Oberto). I would still recommend the Spurs seek to retain Kurt Thomas for at least another year.
Departures:
Finley
Horry
Stoudamire
Bonner or Vaughn
As for the upcoming draft, the Spurs should still plan on drafting a young swingman (SF-type), who has the potential to be a solid defender, at their pick #26. Either Brandon Rush (I'm sure he'll be gone), Nicolas Bantum or Courtney Lee.
They should seek to find a backup PG in the second round. Perhaps packaging those two picks to move up early in the round to get the best PG available. If not, they should seek to trade the two second round picks (and whatever else) for a number one next year.
I would also recommend they give DeMarr Johnson a fair shot to earn a roster spot. He could be valuable to them as a spot-up shooter to replace Finley. He's got NBA experience and has been in the system for a bit. He deserves a long look. If the Sprus cannot obtain a backup PG either via draft or free agency, they should give Darius Washington another look. If he's progressed even an inch since last season, he can't be any worse than Jacque Vaughn.
Overall, part of the Spurs problem is they don't have a ready-to-go pipeline of talent to infuse onto the roster. That said, the siwngman position is the position in the most dire straits. With Manu coming off the summer Olympics and getting a year older, the Spurs need to add at least 2 swingmen into the mix for next year. No less than that. Adding one via draft and one via free agency is the way to go. I still hold out hope that Johnson can work his way into the rotation as a 3rd possible option.
Last edited by SenorSpur; 05-31-2008 at 08:00 PM.
I admire ChumpDumper and SenorSpur for coming up with options, but even if the Spurs added half those D-leaguers and half those free agents, how would that close the gap?
The Lakers, Hornets and maybe even the Jazz will all be able to match or trump are Big Three next year. And then they have better bench players.
I truly believe that the Spurs need a "homerun" type player to keep pace.
It's time to gamble on a guy with a questionable character that can make a difference.
A lot of our trade scenarios need to take account of the cap situation; we only have the M.L.E, rights to Splitter, drafts picks (3),L.L.E, and probably Bonner, Vaughn,Oberto contracts to deal
Najera could be a useful defensive player for our mismaches against mobile PF or big SF
But the first choice for front office would probably be to resign kurt thomas, which will eat a good portion of the MLE, then, with a small fraction of the MLE left, do we really have enough to hire the service of most of the players mentionned above ?
If somebody could make a better and clearer recap of what our assets ( combinations..) are, i would be grateful
I was talking about end of bench projects.
Why do people have such a difficult time understanding this?
We can talk about the big score all we want. The roster will have to be filled whether that score happens or not.
Fine.It's time to gamble on a guy with a questionable character that can make a difference.
Who?
The Spurs have no one of value to trade outside the Big 3.
How do you think they founf their way to the Spurs?
These were players that were to old to get resigned, so the Spurs signed them.
There's like four (4) fvcking waived players on the Spurs roster.
So who?
How will the Hornets trump the Spurs? They had HCA against us and still lost the series.
The Lakers should get better next year if Bynum is healthy, but that doesn't guarantee a trip to the Finals or even the le. They will be a very tough challenge, but if we add the right pieces and draft wisely, we will be right there with them. The only reasons the Lakers beat us was cause they rebounded better and our shooting sucked. Mahimni will help our rebounding....so would Diop. As for shooting....James Jones and a draft pick or two should cover that. Also, Barry showed he is a very nice option to backup Tony.
I really don't know.
I mean, who is going to want to be the fourth option on the Spurs?
I'd love to take a chance on Artest, because I do believe in redemption and he is basically Bowen with the benefit of an offensive skill set. Plus, I think he'd add grit to the team.
Monta Eliis will want to much to come to SA and he'll land somewhere where he can be featured more.
Perhaps, mixing a couple D-leaguers with a couple second tier FAs like you and Senor suggested would be a step in the right direction, but we really need just one impact player and maybe 2 new, younger contributors off the bench.
The b1tch is that I don't see any tradeable commodities on the Spurs and we know our track record in free agency.
The Spurs will go down with the Big Three over the next few years.
That's why I see a decline as an inevitable.
True, I disagree with the contention that the Spurs are now done if they don't get a fourth max level player. It would be nice, but getting some young guys who can play and preserve the big three or step in for one of them if necessary could work just as well. In short, the Spurs could use some young guys who can score while playing Spurs defense.
All apologies to Barry, he did a nice job filling in, but if Pop has to resort to that again, he's in trouble. I'd just as soon he get a true backup PG or bring back Darius Washington for another look.
The Hornets will only get better. The only weak link in their starting 5 is Mo Pete and the Spurs used their will and experience to beat them in 7.
Chump, I don't know about max level, but we need a fourth scorer from an unexpected source... a trade, the draft, etc.
The one thing that we do know is that no one can emerge if we continue to restock with guys that are past their prime.
Nawmeen?
I really think Dermarr should get a shot at making the roster, a long athletic guy who can shoot from the outside...i don't know what kinda D he plays though.
I think JR Smith is a realistic target since Denver is in tax right now and could be making several moves this summer.
I am and have always been for getting young guys. It's unfortunate our projects the last two seasons didn't pan out, but that is the nature of projects.
In that list of D-leaguers ...where does/would Keith Langford fit? He's in Europe now but he might be back in the states in the offseason, no?
Since it's alphabetical, he would fit between Jefferson and Mitc .He's certainly near the top of any list of players who could possibly break through to the NBA, though he needs to prove he can run the point. If he follows his usual MO, he should be back in summer league and with the Toros if another team doesn't pick him up.He's in Europe now but he might be back in the states in the offseason, no?
The Spurs have had tunnel vision for about three years now. They were extremely fortunate to have available talented older players who fit the system like Oberto and Finley. Finley was a cast-off of a one-time only rule, after all.
But when they needed to adjust, they failed to do it. They needed to adjust two things: 1) the front office needed to adjust their 'all foreigners all the time' route to drafting; and 2) Pop needed to adjust to different kinds of players and personalities.
Instead the F.O. still looks woefully behind in finding talent, while Toronto is finding Jermario Moon, New York and then Portland are finding Ime Udoka (finally a Spur), and they are almost hopeless when it comes to drafting.
Pop has not been good at using the talent available. They're kind of crappy, but he had Bonner and Udrih and Devin Brown, all guys who had some talent in some degree, but they didn't fit his type of basketball. And Luis Scola apparently didn't, either.
Now the team is forced to switch into these new modes. Can they adjust before it is finally too late? Or will they slowly decay? I'm seeing a few years of 2nd round exits, like Utah 'suffered' through in the end of the Malone/Stockton era. That's not bad, but it's not greatness.
I really like everything i've seen from him and heard about him, the only problem is his size...and i seriously doubt he could ever play backup point, he'd have to stick with being an undersized 2.
Bruno, does this mean the well is dry on Siskauskas, or is this to be taken with a grain of salt?
And Mike Miller would require a trade: Splitter rights, Bonner and what? Memphis is not going to take a sign and trade for Horry, correct? Finley is not eager to spend a year in Memphis.
Pietrus, Delfino, and Vujacic (asshole) make sense. I'm surprised that James Jones, especially given his unrestricted status, is not in the mix. His inability to put the ball of the floor hurts him, I bet. Of the above, I prefer Delfino.
Last edited by tav1; 05-31-2008 at 07:37 PM.
Damn -- short term solutions have only brought 3 les!! What terrible management efforts.
You mean other than Ginobili and Bowen?
In other words, the Spurs have found the players that fit their needs, they just haven't been able to keep them because other clubs can offer more minutes and more money. Reality bites.
Weren't you just arguing a few months ago that the Spurs should approach free agency and trades more like those Jazz did and denying that it took the Jazz getting really bad before they could get really good again?
I know a lot of people like Diop - but there are a couple of downsides to him IMHO.
His presence would make it easier for opponents to double Duncan in the post. I'm also not sure that Fab isn't actually a better option to defend the quicker PFs in the league.
I wouldn't necessarily be against his addition, but I think he'll be pretty pricey for a guy who is more of a match-up guy. A better defensive, lesser offensive KT.
I understand his lateral quickness is not what it once was, since he came back from that near-fatal car accident. However, I fully agree with you. He's got a good stroke and I believe he can get to the basket against an average or below average defenders.
He's got length, some offense, and can run the floor. Defense can be learned.
DerMarr completely shut down people in Austin when he put his mind to it. He just didn't do it all that often. I can't quite get a line on his motivation. He certainly was the best option for a call up from the Toros at the time. I guess well see if the Spurs think he is worth keeping.
Problem is, where would he fit in? I'm assuming Ginobili, Bowen, Barry, and Udoka return. The 5th swingman spot would appear to be the place, but if the Spurs add a FA swingman then there's no room on the active roster. And of course Sanikidze could be coming in.
Maybe the Spurs look to sign a big man (assuming Splitter doesn't come) and/or a quality backup point. I dont think it's the case, but maybe Sanikidze or Dermarr could be the 5th swingman and the spurs just look to fill the other 2 spots.
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