Ludden: Oberto nears agreement to remain with Spurs

[mbass]

The thing Oberto has going for him is that he's a cerebral player that doesn't rely on superior athletic ability to get the job done. He's like TD in that way, and to big men like that 32 isn't very old. It's those players that have an impact into their late 30's due to their basketball IQ and fundamental strengths.

I agree - he is smart and VERY compatable with Duncan. I guess 3 or 4 yr and 12 or 14.

[AFBlue]

Wasn't stirring you up, Tony. Like your takes.

Like you, I want to see a lot more of Butler next year, and I think we will. The kid dropped a heap of weight, and as long as his brain doesn't let him down, he'll see the court next year. I quite like our 3-headed centre if he pans out because Oberto/Elson/Butler are 3 very different matchups.

I know you weren't stirring anything up. I was freely admitting that I was wrong. I figured some team in need of that veteran presence to put them over the top would come calling. Truthfully, I was thinking Toronto might take a stab at getting him...instead they opted for Kopono.

Like the idea of a three-headed monster. Oberto plays best alongside Duncan, Butler probably plays best with Duncan off the court as the Spurs' second-best low post threat, and Elson....well Elson can run up and down the court and be a diversion or distraction away from the ball.

[AFBlue]

I agree - he is smart and VERY compatable with Duncan. I guess 3 or 4 yr and 12 or 14.

Well he's reportedly only asking for 3yrs and $8M, so if the Spurs went 4yrs and $12-14M I'd be suprised.

Spurs usually get their guys on the cheap....so I'd say 3yrs, $9M with some sort of option in yr 3.

[Buddy Holly]

I'd say 3 year 9 million.

[Supergirl]

You can tell Duncan likes Oberto playing alongside him, and they play well together...better than anyone other than DRob I think.

I agree...I think Oberto has been our most effective center since David retired.

Rasho was our best defensive center, but never fit into the offensive scheme, and wasn't quick or athletic enough to keep up with a faster pace. Nazr had terrible hands, as we all know. Elson is good to put in when teams want to try and run and push the pace, but he's not as smart a player, defensively or offensively. Oberto is a lot like Duncan - understated, yet highly effective. And the Spurs offense and defense runs smoothly with him in there. Both Manu and TD really play well off of him.

[Spurs Dynasty 21]

good



now BRING SCOLA, then Noc, then Delfino

[wildbill2u]

I'd rather see more money next year with team option on the third year. He'll be pushing 35-36 and may be on downside of physical ability.

We should have someone like Splitter or Mahini ready by then.

[Darkwaters]

Wasn't stirring you up, Tony. Like your takes.

Like you, I want to see a lot more of Butler next year, and I think we will. The kid dropped a heap of weight, and as long as his brain doesn't let him down, he'll see the court next year. I quite like our 3-headed centre if he pans out because Oberto/Elson/Butler are 3 very different matchups.

We definitely have a decent player in Franjackicio Butbertson.

MPG - 45.7
FG% - .51
FT% - .774
PPG - 13.1
RPG - 11.5

Hes athletic and runs the court like a deer, has a high basketball IQ, can score in the low post, has the savvy of a veteran but is really young and has upside, is from the US, Netherlands and Argentina, has an Olympic Gold Medal, is an Isiah Thomas' Knicks surviver, and has a knack for making uncontested rebounds look absolutely epic.

Plus, unlike many centers in this league, Franjackicio Butbertson gets 18 fouls a game before he completely fouls out unlike the typical 6.


I think we have a winner.

[spursfan09]

Good I'm glad. I think he and Tim present one of the best frontcourts in the NBA.

[urunobili]

GET Rid of Butler... Bring SCOLA NOW!!!!

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

GET Rid of Butler... Bring SCOLA NOW!!!!

Butler with the same PT as Scola>Scola

[T Park]

agreed.

I think Butler will be better than scola in that hes a better rebounder, and maybe not AS good but close to good in the post scoring wise.



Think of Butler as a nice FA addition this year to the bench that could take Elson's minutes, and eventually start ahead of Oberto, and Oberto coming off the bench with manu, but finishing with Duncan.

Saving Oberto's legs for th end, ala Horry and Ginobili.

[AFBlue]

agreed.

I think Butler will be better than scola in that hes a better rebounder, and maybe not AS good but close to good in the post scoring wise.



Think of Butler as a nice FA addition this year to the bench that could take Elson's minutes, and eventually start ahead of Oberto, and Oberto coming off the bench with manu, but finishing with Duncan.

Saving Oberto's legs for th end, ala Horry and Ginobili.

...and Butler shot 90% from the free throw line last year!

In all seriousness though, Butler has the size and touch around the basket to be a prime candidate for breakout player of the year. I hope he supplants Elson in the rotation and gets primary frontline minutes....especially when Duncan is off the floor, so he can do his damage on the low block.

I do think, however, that Oberto should continue to start. It seems that he plays his best as a complimentary player to Duncan.

[Darkwaters]

The way I look at it right now is that if all of our players fulfill a reasonable amount of their potential then Splitter will be our future starting center with Butler backing him up. A starting lineup of Duncan/Splitter gives us a good defense starting unit with that can play smart basketball. I really feel that Splitter can probably redevelop his jump shot in a couple years if it is made a priority and he could stretch the defense somewhat. Plus, his mobility will give the Spurs the ability to matchup against a variety of post players.

Butler and (assuming again, that he fulfills his potential) Mahinmi could be as formidable of a backup frontcourt as one can find. Butler is an offensive-minded big with a low post touch and Mahinmi is a rebounding and defensive specialist that has a knack for getting to the free throw line (both are good FT shooters).

Of course, Splitter could underwhelm in the NBA and the lightbulb could never fully come on for Butler or at all for Mahinmi. But as of yet I'm optimistic that these guys can put it together.

[T Park]

Butler would be a good low post player to play off of Ginobili off the bench when Duncan is resting.

Oberto also doesn't need to be in the post to be effective.

Yeah Butler has hardly played in the NBA and in the final two games of the year vs Memphis and Denver he looked like twice the player that Elson is.

[whottt]

RE: Nice FA additions

The best addition the Spurs are getting this year is the Tony Parker that emerged in the playoffs last year. A SuperStar addition.

[T Park]

Well we will see how Parker comes out. We will see if hes not tired from the wedding, and working out with the national team and what not.

[whottt]

He still made the mental jump to SuperStar level IMO...he knows he belongs, and that was the hardest jump he had to make. And he knows that he can hold his own with any SuperStar PG in the NBA.....and that he can't really be stopped by any PG in the NBA.

[spursreport]

He still made the mental jump to SuperStar level IMO...he knows he belongs, and that was the hardest jump he had to make. And he knows that he can hold his own with any SuperStar PG in the NBA.....and that he can't really be stopped by any PG in the NBA.

ok. im not going to get into another arguement about Harris. IMO, when he wants to, Harris can own Parker on both ends of the court. but he still has a ways to go to develop the maturity and consistency we need out of him. Parker is a far more consistent player, but IMO, Harris is considerably more talented and explosive. but what about Howard? Stackhouse? they both can score 20-30 any given night. you cant say the same about anyone on the Spurs other than their big 3. but for the Mavs, we have Dirk, Terry, Harris, Howard, and Stack who are all capable of going off for 20+ any night.

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/show...1&page=2&pp=26

[whottt]

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/show...1&page=2&pp=26

He's a Mavfan...a stupid Mavfan is about rare as air.

[wildchild]

He's a Mavfan...a stupid Mavfan is about rare as air.

Mavfan said

yea, but Diop and Dampier don't have the honor of having to guard someone like Dirk. they can handle guys like Duncan, much like we saw Diop own Duncan in game 7 and OT last season. replace Oberto with Diop, and the Spurs win a le.

Now, they hope replace Diop with Oberto to win a le

[T Park]

no theyre saying Oberto is worse than Diop.

The "Spurs" win a le.

[wildchild]

no theyre saying Oberto is worse than Diop.

The "Spurs" win a le.

No kidding...
It´s was just a joke, man. Joke.

But, I read so many times Diop>Oberto in Mavfan's post and I laughs at this.

[T Park]

well uh, ok.