Bleacher Report saying Spurs will make a serious run at M. Gasol

[FlAVaK]

http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/stor...medium=twitter

I think this is more speculation than fact. It looks like a good pairing etc. However I would be shocked if Gasol leaves Memphis.

Bleacher was not the source! It is mentioned here...

[FlAVaK]

...
“It depends on what Tim and Manu and everyone there does,” one Western Conference executive told Sporting News. “But if they’re going, the Spurs are not going to step back and rebuild, no one thinks that. The understanding is Gasol would be their top target.”
...
“They tend to fly under the radar on this kind of thing, then pop up and make the George Hill trade or almost get Jason Kidd,” one general manager said. “With their situation, you’d expect that to be the case again. If it is not Gasol, it will be a trade for a draft pick, something on draft night, it will be someone you’re not expecting. It’s not an organization that has gotten where it is without being prepared.”
...

But still mostly speculation...

[K...]

The above discussion re Tony Parker assumes that there are competent players who can run the spurs offense, want to play here, and play defense existing.

Regarding gasol, we should just keep an open gasol thread since the rumors will keep coming. It's a 5% chance at best.



Please list these elite two way defenders.

[cjw]

I stopped reading at Bleacher

[Cry Havoc]

Of course either would be fantastic, Gasol and Aldridge are my 1a and 1b candidates. I'd give the slight nod to Gasol because he's a better defender and he would fit perfectly with the Spurs style.

I think the only way either one moves is if they get badly beaten in the first round. I wouldn't be surprised to see Portland get swept without Wes Matthews.

As much as I value defense, I'd almost take Aldridge because he's such a superior offensive player, and at times it would be nice to have that guy who could step up in the post when Duncan retires. I don't think Gasol would ever be able to "suck defenses in" like LMA can when he's on.

Of course, this is all fantasy. I doubt we even have a decent shot at getting either.

[RD2191]

The above discussion re Tony Parker assumes that there are competent players who can run the spurs offense, want to play here, and play defense existing.

Regarding gasol, we should just keep an open gasol thread since the rumors will keep coming. It's a 5% chance at best.



Please list these elite two way defenders.

No one said elite. And running the Spurs offense? Are you kidding me? Pass pass PASS. There is no such thing as Spurs offense. It is all based on ball movement. Mills did a great job last night with his youth and athleticism. As for list? Don't have to. That's what the front office is for. These are just suggestions on a forum. And quit being a got. You're as annoying as chump.

[Uriel]

This isn't news at all. It's just an assumption made by league executives that's obvious to anyone with half a brain.

[cantthinkofanything]

The above discussion re Tony Parker assumes that there are competent players who can run the spurs offense, want to play here, and play defense existing.

Regarding gasol, we should just keep an open gasol thread since the rumors will keep coming. It's a 5% chance at best.

Please list these elite two way defenders.

I'm pretty sure there are competent players out there who can both pass AND play better defense than Parker. Yes...I'm pretty sure. Even run the PG by committee. TP is below average in defense and passing and 3 point shooting. THe only thing that he was great at was penetration (ha ha). But now, he's just above average at best.

So anyone that can move the ball and is average at everything else is going to be an upgrade from Parker. And if that PG excels at any one of those things, even better.

[Agloco]

Gasol won't leave Memphis. No chance. Spurs should go after Anthony Davis (hard ) whenever he is available.

This.......and nothing else.

[BatManu20]

Yet another thread of an All-Star who won't sign with the Spurs as a FA. People on ST like to set themselves up for being let down a lot, it seems.

[BatManu20]

Anthony Davis isn't coming here either. He'll have his choice of any team in the league in 2 years, and we'll be without Timmy and Manu by then. Zero shot he comes here.

[K...]

I'm glad to play my part in creating a Parker thread. But I still don't know who is battle tested and will take Parkers salary. Mills is not a point guard. His defense is a gimmick. Love him, but I hope he never is more than our sixth man.

Point guards will never be able to defend both size and speed.That's why you run schemes and switch off bigger defenders. There is no magic competent defender point guard in the league who can also match Parkers production....let's set a low bar of 17pts a game. Find me this player. Tell me his salary

[daslicer]

I'm glad to play my part in creating a Parker thread. But I still don't know who is battle tested and will take Parkers salary. Mills is not a point guard. His defense is a gimmick. Love him, but I hope he never is more than our sixth man.

Point guards will never be able to defend both size and speed.That's why you run schemes and switch off bigger defenders. There is no magic competent defender point guard in the league who can also match Parkers production....let's set a low bar of 17pts a game. Find me this player. Tell me his salary

Agreed with pretty much what you said in the sense that PG's can't usually guard each other if both are quick and athletic. Gary Payton was the only great PG I have seen in my life that could score and shut down opposing PG's.

[K...]

We will have to replace Parker soon. Possibly before the end of the contract. But I am not going to tank next season or blow my free agency $ on a pg when this team has several good options.

[cantthinkofanything]

Yet another thread of an All-Star who won't sign with the Spurs as a FA. People on ST like to set themselves up for being let down a lot, it seems.

maybe it's guilt for feeling so good about 5 ing rings

[TD 21]

This isn't news at all. It's just an assumption made by league executives that's obvious to anyone with half a brain.

Yeah. Gasol and Aldridge obviously aren't going anywhere, but by the .1% chance they did, I do think both would choose the Spurs.

The more realistic target, is Love. He's obviously unlikely too, but less so than the others, since he has no connection to the Cavs or the city and is clearly unhappy with his role. He's clearly been unhappy for a while and like Howard, might be at the point where that might trump all.

The Spurs would have a lot to offer, too. Take out Duncan and Ginobili and add him and they're not contenders, but they're still firmly in the second tier. Throw in that they're known for being first class in every way, that they'd still have a lot of playoff experience, plus a quality defensive center to protect him (the rare times he's both healthy and engaged) and the lack of a definitive pecking order between Parker, Leonard and him.

[apalisoc_9]

Leonard-Splitter-Love-Green-Parker

is a contending Starting lineup IMO.

just gotta find a 6th man with Manu's departure.

[TD 21]

Leonard-Splitter-Love-Green-Parker

is a contending Starting lineup IMO.

just gotta find a 6th man with Manu's departure.

I'd put them just below the Warriors, Thunder and Cavaliers. Not impossible that they could legitimately contend though and intriguing enough to sell him on them doing so.

With how pricey that starting lineup would be, they'd probably just re-sign Belinelli and Baynes to go with Diaw, Mills and Anderson, as the primary backups. That's obviously a terrible defensive lineup, but offensively, that's not bad. Also, with Love, Leonard and Green, all capable of playing significant minutes, the need for depth wouldn't be quite as pronounced as it's been in recent years.

With the significant e in the cap coming, it's also not impossible to sign Love even if Duncan and Ginobili don't retire.

[Dex]

This isn't news at all. It's just an assumption made by league executives that's obvious to anyone with half a brain.

Bingo. Can a rumor really be a rumor if it's the most obvious course of action?

"This just in! Spurs will browse the free agent market this offseason!"

The real question is...will Gasol really want to leave Memphis...and that may very well have a lot to do with their postseason run this year.

[Silver&Black]

Spurs should go after Anthony Davis (hard ) whenever he is available.

robdiaz for Spurs General Manager 2016....

mi negro.

[FkLA]

Leonard-Splitter-Love-Green-Parker

is a contending Starting lineup IMO.

just gotta find a 6th man with Manu's departure.

Love sucks. Just a glorified stretch four that can rebound tbh.

[K...]

The best way to get Anthony Davis is to buy the team. Or the state.

[RD2191]

robdiaz for Spurs General Manager 2016....

mi negro.

Mah

[cantthinkofanything]

Love sucks. Just a glorified stretch four that can rebound tbh.

I don't think Love sucks but I don't like him as a starter.

[DJR210]

Stopped reading at Bleacher..