Spurs score an F- in my book

[KoriEllis]

The only thing that could cost the Spurs a dynasty was signing Kidd for seven years.

Wow, Russ. I didn't know you were so against Kidd. Me too -- here was my view.

[Cassius Clay]

but he also failed miserably in 2000 when Chuckie Brown, Terry Porter, and Samaki Walker was the best he could do with Elliott's medical exception and the MCX).

In 1999 he went after Nesby and we know how that ended. Other than him who was out there? In addition he made a play for Jermaine O'Neal that summer but Portland took care of that by giving JO'Neal $24 mil over the next 4 seasons.

It's easy to say "oh he could've done things differently" but a lot harder in action. It's not like the Spurs don't have staff committed to this working throughout the year. Some of you seem to think that the Spurs just wing it or that somehow we forum jocks have better info and insight than the front office. No one here thought that Parker would blow up like he has. , no one was aware of who the F he was prior to June of 2001.

[timvp]

1) How do the Spurs have $90M in capspace?

2) Why the would O'Neal take 3-4 years for the max when he can get 7 years for the max?

3) Why are the same people who were calling for Pop's head now trying to play the offseason up to be a huge bust? The only bust is because they didn't succeed in pulling a miracle by stealing another team's best player.

4) If the Spurs didn't have the capspace they have, how were they going to replace a starter and upgrade their bench?

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Jax vs Spree - I'll take Jax. Spree is old, over his peak and not a SF anyway, Jax still developing - Manu must start soon anyway, so why logjam the 2?

Rasho - I have faith that he will be a good role player here, a 10/8/2 type, but I worry about his D. He'll have to guard the opponent's best bigman to keep Tim out of foul trouble and I'm yet to see him defend well 1-on-1. He's a good role addition though (although I'd have preferred Kandi, who I hate, for only 4.9mil!).

As for expecting JK/JO/EB to sign with us being hypocritical in the light of Duncan's loyalty, no way. Tim's been here 6 years, is the future of the franchise, and has enormous control over its future direction - he'd be a fool to leave as he'll never find a better situation.

JK has been in Jersey 2 years and lost 2 championships, then he takes less money to stay there without a second star? He could have played with Tim as he said he wanted to (which is rather hypocritical, or just plain dishonest).

Sure, Jermaine owes loyalty to Indy since they gave him his shot, and they do have a good young core - but not a young core that just won the whole thing, and you forget about his angry proclamations after this year's first round exit.

Elton owes the Clippers not one wit of loyalty or anything else, and yet he chose the Heat over us (I know it doesn't matter since the Clips were going to match any offer, but it's the diss that gets me). I'm still stunned. Players, except our own, seem to hate SA. To them I say STFU!

As for the Spurs' grade - D- from me. This summer was about getting Tim a second star, and replacing DRob. We have achieved the secondary objective, but not the primary one, and it will be difficult for us to be as good next year as this year. However, I don't blame management - I think they do a good job... I blame bling-seeking, bright-light hos who, when it comes down to the crunch, have other priorities rated above the "will to win" (even though they spout rhetoric which would suggest that winning is no. 1).

[T Park Num 9]

I love how amateurs who couldnt even dribble a basketball, love to rip pop

who found manu parker jax rose, and others, win 2 rings, but yet

of course, thats never enough.


Wha wha wha wha.

[Truthsayer]

Its way to damn early for grades. Horry & Piatkowski are still in negotiations. Others are still available.

It has been proven time and time again that the best FA/trade move you could make is not making one when the price or contract terms aren't right.

As far as I know aside from Juwan Howard and Gary Payton, the Spurs made a strong pitch towards every top tier free agent. We probably bypassed Payton because 1) he started out this summer talking about wanting $8 to 10 million on a long term contract, and 2) we couldn't have an open offer to him and Kidd at the same time because if they both said yes then no money left to sign a center.

There is much moaning and groaning over nothing.

[tlongII]

The Spurs should have signed Pippen to a 2 year, $11 M deal. They have no chance at the le now.

[Ghost Writer]

Some of you make me sick.

The same @ssh0les who argued with me for over two years about how the Holt-ing Pattern was going to bring the Spurs a star in the summer of 2003 are the same idiots who are trying to spin this summer failures into something positive.

We cleared cap space for two years for a star, people.

Not Nesterovic.

Not Piatkaowski.

Get a f'n grip.

We should've known better.

Name the last star to willingly come to the Spurs as a free agent.

[bigzak25]

if the spurs can get the backup point,
a clutch shooter,
and another bigman to help keep shaq outa the paint...

the Spurs will be very tough for any team to beat.

[Ghost Writer]

The Spurs cleared cap space for two years to get a star.

They failed in that respect.

Name the last time the Spurs signed a star free agent.

Or traded for a star for that matter.

If not for the dumb luck of the draft, the Spurs would never bring in star talent.

[Rick Von Braun]

The Spurs should have signed Pippen to a 2 year, $11 M deal. They have no chance at the le now.

I heard the same thing last year... and you know what.. we are the CHAMPIONS pal... give us respect until proven otherwise.

What does it feel to lose your leader to Chicago anyway?

-R

[alamo50]

"I don't know if I could be a Spurs fan anymore"

GO!

[kohai]

Kori, I just think the spurs could have made a stronger effort in signing players that would have been far more useful than Rasho.

WTF are they supposed to do? PUT A GUN TH THEIR HEADS? They cleared the caproom, and made their pitch. The players decided not to come. End of story.

Oh, and I got yer F-. Spurs signed THE BEST ING PLAYER ON THE MARKET: Tim Duncan

[Ghost Writer]

khoaia, our offseason has fallen way below our expectations. Wake up.

[Truthsayer]

:pc2
This myth has already been debunked GHOST, but you're still clinging on for dear life.

The Spurs did not clear cap space for the express purpose of getting a "Star". They knew when David Robinson retired they would have to replace him and they knew they would have to replenish the bench and resign Tim Duncan. It was only logical for them to plan in advance for that. As a bonus, they knew that Kidd, O'Neal, and Brand would be free agents this Summer so the ability to make them an offer was a bonus to having clear cap space. Another factor was that Pop knows and history shows that championship teams are built by putting together the right mix of players and then doing as little as possible to disrupt team chemistry. This plan has been no secret and Pop has discussed it many times without mentioning the names of any particular FA's.

Now read the above ten times and get it through your thick skull. :evil

There were some trades over the past two years, but none involving big name players. If there had been an opportunity to improve the team then I'm sure Pop would have done so. He's a very brilliant man and wouldn't let such an opportunity slide. Remember that rumours do not equate to opportunities.

The last two notable FA's to sign with the Spurs were Derrick Anderson and Bruce Bowen. DA split to play with the Jailblazers, and Bruce helped us to win a championship. Without injuries to Dave and Ferry plus death of Tims dad in 2002, we might have had two championships over the past two years instead of just one. Not bad for your so called "Holt-ing Pattern".

All of your negativity over the past two years resulted in nothing. Spurs are NBA champs regardless.

[MannyIsGod]

damn ghost, you sure do alot.

[Cassius Clay]

Wow. Ghost whining like a little girl because the Spurs took a shot at some franchise players in free agency and didn't land one. Of course he told us the Spurs weren't doing what was necessary to win a championship a couple of years ago.

Yeah.

[bigzak25]

as mentioned, the stupid plan was going after JKidd, when they could have been pursuing payton. But the FO had to make tim happy. So it's spilt milk now. We gotta deal with it.

If they can get boykins, pike, and some muscle, then this team will have the talent to be better than last year...which is good enough for me. Horry is gravy. Spree is fools gold.

If the FO only lands Rasho and fills the backup point with our sommer league phenom....then yeah, that deserves an F-, cuz the FO job is to give the spurs the best chance to win a le...and Rasho and a summerleaguer does not fit the bill.

[Ghost Writer]

You guys are too much.

Trying to rewrite history and spin what happened to suit your own comfort level.

The Sours weren't only trying to replace David RObinson this summer. If that were the case, why clear out enough cap space for a max player?

The fact that we won this past season in spite of the Holt-ing Pattern should not be confused with winning because of the [/i]Holt-ing Pattern[/i].

Where's the star you people promised?



Question.

[ducks]

maybe gp's legal troubles were big trouble with pop. how mnay would if the spurs signed gp and then had to leave the team to go to court?

[Cassius Clay]

No one "promised a star" poor boy. That's your construct. All that was said was that the Spurs woud have the flexibility this summer to pursue a franchise level player through free agency.

You have proven that you will complain about anything with regards to the Spurs. Even if that means just winning a le with the crew that you complained about last year and told us would never win. You are the worst type of fan...the one who just es 24/7.

Do us all a favor and stop your crying. Go talk to a shrink if you can't handle the stress of being a Spurs fan.

[Truthsayer]

You have proven that you will complain about anything with regards to the Spurs. Even if that means just winning a le with the crew that you complained about last year and told us would never win. You are the worst type of fan...the one who just es 24/7.

That's the bottom line with Ghost. He wants so deperately to be considered a basketball authority that he es when the Spurs don't win HIS way. Winning isn't enough. Ghost wants to be right.

In fairness, everyone likes to be right. But when I'm wrong and the result is a Spurs win, then I'm GLAD to be wrong.

[Ghost Writer]

Cassius, you have zero credibility in my book.

While I told you the Spurs' only chance at a le this seaosn would be to get the youth and athleticism in the regular rotation, you insisted that there was no way Steve Smith would be benched.

You also dreampt up more fnatasy trade scenarios during the Holt-ing Pattern than an of us.

Don't tell me you're not the slightest bit disappointed in this summer's signings.

And if you think I am "b1tching", you have no idea how I really feel.

[Cassius Clay]

Seek help.

[Ghost Writer]

I guess we should rejoice at the Lakers recent moves in comparison to ours.