Spurs re-sign Richardson

[T Park]

@ Kori's le

[ChumpDumper]

I just thought he was joking. I guess it would shake things up.

[Dingle Barry]

I'm glad I read further to discover that Que Gee is some sort of insider before blasting him/her.

Starting a 10-day contract would be just too ing nuts. I refuse to believe it.

[Das Texan]

The better story is who gets taken off the 12 man if Richardson does well today.....

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

The better story is who gets taken off the 12 man if Richardson does well today.....

Pray to the Lord it be Elson.

[MoSpur]

Well, didn't Pop say sometime earlier that there would be changes if things didn't get better or soemthing like that?

[Tu Pac]

We're talking about practice.

Practice?

[Kori Ellis]

Well Que Gee was right. Richardson is starting in Oberto's place.

[timvp]

He is going to start tomorrow.

Richardson is officially starting.

Nice call

[ttdog]

Que Gee usually knows what he's talking about. I'm not suprised Pop would go super small against Charlotte. Though kind of surprised it would be Richardson/Manu rather than someone else with Manu. Richardson must be really impressive in practice. Or they must really be disappointed in the effort by Oberto/Elson/Bonner/Horry lately.

I'm guessing in that scenario, Bowen would guard GWallace, which is what he would do anyway. So it's not that bad matchup-wise.

Interesting.

We'll see! Thanks for the info, Que Gee.

Wow! Bill Schoenig just confirmed it. Richardson is starting!

[loveforthegame]

None of the other call ups got the chance Richardson is getting today. I hope he makes the most of it and we see what the Spurs see in him.

[Mr. Body]

That little 12-year old must be pissing his pants in excitement right about now.

[timvp]

Either Richardson was a hoss in practice .............. or Pop really doesn't care about winning

[Dingle Barry]

Que Gee is legit. Wow.

[tav1]

If the Spurs do sign J-Rich, then I assume they will do so with at least the following two intentions: 1) they would assign him to Austin and 2) there is a strong change they seem him being on the squad next season, assuming some of the free minutes left by the departure of Finley and Barry. If this is the case, Richardson will probably sign an inexpensive multi-year deal with an option.

This is important to me because I envisioned the Spurs going after two fairly decent wings in the offseason and one inexpensive vet big to play along with Bonner, Oberto, Mahinmi, Splitter or a vet minimum pg. If Richardson works out, this could change that.

If Richardson works out, what do you think that portends for the upcoming trade deadline and free agent season, if anything?

Udoka is ahead of where I thought he would be at this point in the season and Richardson would presumably come in to next season with a decent understanding of the system.

[Mr. Body]

This is a move akin to retiring AJ's jersey. It's a bit drastic (this more than the other), but it's intended to light a fire under people's asses.

[remingtonbo2001]

Do you guys really think Finley is retiring next year?

Seriously?!?.....I still think he has at least 2 years left in the tank.

You need to keep at least 5 vets on board that know the system. I think Finley is definitely one of those 5 you keep.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

If the Spurs do sign J-Rich, then I assume they will do so with at least the following two intentions: 1) they would assign him to Austin and 2) there is a strong change they seem him being on the squad next season, assuming some of the free minutes left by the departure of Finley and Barry. If this is the case, Richardson will probably sign an inexpensive multi-year deal with an option.

This is important to me because I envisioned the Spurs going after two fairly decent wings in the offseason and one inexpensive vet big to play along with Bonner, Oberto, Mahinmi, Splitter or a vet minimum pg. If Richardson works out, this could change that.

If Richardson works out, what do you think that portends for the upcoming trade deadline and free agent season, if anything?

Udoka is ahead of where I thought he would be at this point in the season and Richardson would presumably come in to next season with a decent understanding of the system.

First off, I wouldn't count on anything at the deadline. If there's any trade at the deadline, it will be a minor trade that won't significantly affect the rotation.

Keeping Richardson next year would show a lot about him. He comes in halfway through the season and is able to show enough to keep him on the roster the following season.

That being said, assuming he comes back next season, I would say it is pretty much guaranteed Finley or (or should I say nor? ) Barry will not be back. My money is on Barry. Either way, I'm gonna miss those guys.

Let's say we sign Richardson for a 3 year contract for cheap. This would mean that the Spurs can change their direction in the draft assuming they were already looking for the wing replacement through the draft. They can then look for a point guard (or give Darius Washington, or dare I say, Vassilis Spanoulis another shot) or the long 3. Keep in mind that this is all based on the progress of Richardson.

If he does turn out to be a nice player, we're in a great situation.

Roster outlook next year if Richardson makes it:

C OBERTO/SPLITTER
PF DUNCAN/BONNER/MAHINMI
SF BOWEN/UDOKA
SG RICHARDSON/MANU/(Finley, Barry, or other wing)
PG TONY/(other point guard)/VAUGHN

List of players we should look at:
Draft:
Brandon Rush (wing)
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (wing)
Goran Dragic (point guard)

Free Agency:
James Posey
Demetris Nichols
Jose Juan Barea
Kelenna Azubuike
Matt Barnes
Bonzi Wells
Corey Maggette
Trevor Ariza
Ryan Gomes
Bostjan Nachbar
James Jones
Jose Calderon

Europe:
Viktor Sanikidze
Darius Washington
Vassilis Spanoulis?

D-League:
Marcus Williams
Keith Langford
DerMarr Johnson

[loveforthegame]

I don't think Finley is retiring. Whether he's with the Spurs or not next year is another matter. I don't think you can keep him and Barry though. Ime is going to need more minutes and it would be nice to have a young project. Be it Jeremy Richardson or someone they draft or pick up in the off season.

[SenorSpur]

Rather than keep both Barry and Finley, I'd rather they pursue one of the wings listed by Mr. Bottomtooth. Barry's shooting, ball-handling and passing would be hardest to replece, but they could certainly get by with the likes of a James Jones, James Posey or Corey Maggette.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Que Gee was half right - Richardson started, Manu didn't, but still props.

[duncan228]

Que Gee was half right - Richardson started, Manu didn't, but still props.

To be fair Que Gee said "probably" about Manu.

[Mr. Body]

List of players we should look at:
Draft:
Brandon Rush (wing)
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (wing)
Goran Dragic (point guard)

I wouldn't expect Mbah a Moute to come out this year. He's not distinguished himself enough to get drafted and UCLA players have tended to stay for more years lately (Love will be an exception).

There are a few senior guards in the PAC-10 that might be worth a look, inlcuding Malik Hairston. I'd love to take an extended look at Josh Shipp. He'd be what the doctor ordered to replace Finley.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I wouldn't expect Mbah a Moute to come out this year. He's not distinguished himself enough to get drafted and UCLA players have tended to stay for more years lately (Love will be an exception).

There are a few senior guards in the PAC-10 that might be worth a look, inlcuding Malik Hairston. I'd love to take an extended look at Josh Shipp. He'd be what the doctor ordered to replace Finley.

I agree with you on Shipp but I don't know about Hairston.

[Mr. Body]

Shipp wd easily by my first pick. Bryce Taylor might be okay. Right now they're 2nd round if anything.