The Last Roundup

[SenorSpur]

Besides how much will Ariza play behind Rashard Lewis? I would think he would want to someplace where he can play some significant minutes.

[timvp]

As I thought about this more, this is how I think it'll play out:

2007-2008 Regular Season Swingman Rotation
Manu Ginobili - 28 minutes
Bruce Bowen - 28 minutes
Michael Finley - 25 minutes
Brent Barry or Ime Udoka - 15 minutes

There are basically four roles available. It'd be difficult and probably bad for the team to try to play all five of the options every night. The roles of Manu and Bowen should be pretty set. The starter at shooting guard should get somewhere between 22 and 25 minutes a night. The fourth swingman in the rotation will get between 15 and 18 minutes. The fifth swingman would get spot minutes here or there. The jobs for the starter, fourth and fifth swingman are basically interchangeable. Udoka probably will be the fifth swingman to begin the season, with Barry the fourth and Finley the starter but I'm sure Pop will give each a shot to move up the food chain.


2007-2008 Playoffs Swingman Rotation
Manu Ginobili - 30 minutes
Bruce Bowen - 32 minutes
Michael Finley - 24 minutes
Brent Barry or Ime Udoka - 10 minutes

This is virtually the same rotation the Spurs used last year. It worked rather well for the most part even though playoff teams usually play only three swingmen in their rotation. Pop is the master at keeping players fresh throughout a season and last year he even extended that into the playoffs. It worked well enough that I expect to see it again.


2008-2009 Regular Season Swingman Rotation
Manu Ginobili - 28 minutes
Ime Udoka - 30 minutes
Bruce Bowen - 20 minutes
Brent Barry, Michael Finley or Newcomer - 18 minutes

If all goes right this year, this is when Udoka moves into a more prominent role. However, if Bowen continues to defy age, he could get a bit more minutes which would then bring down Udoka's minutes. The Spurs would still have a role for either Barry or Finley if they return. If neither player returns, the Spurs have the MLE next year and could bring in a young wing and start the grooming process. A young player who could be had for a reasonable contract such as Dorell Wright would make a lot of sense.


2008-2009 Playoffs Swingman Rotation
Manu Ginobili - 30 minutes
Ime Udoka - 32 minutes
Bruce Bowen - 24 minutes
Brent Barry, Michael Finley or Newcomer - 10 minutes

It's actually kind of scary to think how much the Spurs need Udoka to pan out. There are big minutes in the not too distant future for him if he can live up to his potential. If Udoka is a bust or isn't able to play extended minutes, the Spurs almost certainly will have to go out and find a wing to add to the mix. Ginobili isn't a guy who plays big minutes. Bowen, Finley and Barry are all closing in on retirement. If Udoka isn't the answer for at least the next couple years, the Spurs will be in trouble unless they can find a swingman who can be the answer.

[T Park]

im confident that Senor Sanikidze will be with the team next year, and will produce at a Ginobili like pace 02 03.

[ShoogarBear]

That's a nice breakdown, timvp.

I'm not sold on Udoka yet. Oh, I'm sure he'll be a capable enough defender and he has a Spur mindset, but
a) he's still a guy who played a lot of minutes for a crappy team, and for role players that doesn't necessarily translate into playing a lot of minutes for a good team
b) even if the best-case scenario pans out and he proves near-equal to Bowen across the board, he still just isn't big enough to provide the same flexibility. Think about it: the only players in the NBA Bowen can't guard are post players. Anybody else, from 6 ft to 7 ft, if they on the perimeter, they're his.

Realistically, I see Udoka as a valuable 20-25 minute guy who'll never be the starter. Which is one of the reasons I posed the question. I think the only solution will be a good FA pickup.

[whottt]

Yeah, I guess we'd all be smart to just put you on ignore.

By all means do so...it'll keep you from hijacking other threads

[Obstructed_View]

By all means do so...it'll keep you from hijacking other threads

Yeah, keep believing you're the one bringing good takes.

[whottt]

If you left click on my name and select view public profile, you'll find the ignore button

I look forward to it every bit as much as you do...please hurry.


I know you consider senseless ing to be a good take...but really, it isn't. Do yourself me and the board a favor and just hit that little ole ignore button...in fact, I demand you do so.

[AFBlue]

I know he's more of a combo forward type, but I would really love to see Ryan Gomes in a Spurs uni. He could be the long 3, small ball 4 for this team.

[Obstructed_View]

I know you consider senseless ing to be a good take...

If I did, I wouldn't have any problem with your posts in the first place.

[whottt]

Then by all means...keep reading them, because that's what a bag does....