big things
“That’s why he waited,” Austin said. “He looked carefully at all the rosters, who was coming back, all that.”West’s commitment to winning over money is believed to be unprecedented in its scope. Veteran front office executives, including NBA vice president of basketball operations Kiki Vandeweghe, couldn’t recall another player choosing to give up as much money as West forfeited — $11.1 million — in the pursuit of a chance to win a championship.
“Never,” said Vandeweghe, who will replace Rod Thorn as the league’s President of Basketball Operations when Thorn retires in August. “Amazing.”
A two-time All-Star with career averages of 15.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, West’s selflessness might have opened the floodgates to the Spurs for other veterans looking for what they believe to be their best chance to win a championship.
West’s addition covers one of the roster spots left vacant when the Spurs traded Tiago Splitter to the Hawks, and free agents Cory Joseph, Marco Belinelli and Aron Baynes agreed to sign with other teams. More importantly, it positions the Spurs as a “superteam,” with appeal to other free agents.
Because Aldridge is to get a maximum, four-year contract from the Spurs, starting near $19 million for the 2015-16 season, the Spurs are limited to minimum contracts for the players they’re trying to lure.
They aren’t apt to find another player willing to give up as much as West did to accept the league minimum.
“It was never about money for him,” Austin said. “Having given up $12.6 million what it was about was finding the best fit for him. Obviously when he decided what the best team was we looked for the most money but his choice of team was paramount. Period.”
West played only 66 of 82 regular season games for the Pacers last season, and his scoring average dipped from 14.0 points per game in 2013-14 to 11.7 points per game. A solid mid-range shooter, he has a career field-goal percentage of 48.9 and a career free throw percentage of 82.0.
big things
Told people in the other thread tbh. Hard to match mutual interest
Maybe these ringless clowns are finally learning from the mistakes of others.
Blue font = sarcasm
Spurs won't have Bird Rights, but the cap increase should get them the money to pay him his true market value next summer.
What the ? lol
No team should out rebound the spurs.
dammit![]()
Still warranted that response whether typed in blue or whatever color... You never can tell in here Skull, some people are really that dumb at times. Blue font though I will remember that next time, cool.
So Pop's master plan has finally kicked in. Infiltrate the rest of the league with former Spurs brass. Have the media sing the Spurs praises as the best organization in sports. Unleash the "Beautiful Game". And now, take over the NBA with unprecedented free agent signings. Great to be a life-long Spurs fan!
Im almost certain he will stay after the year is up. More funds available and higher cap space. DW will get something back for sure.
brb going to take a shot
I'm still kind of freaked out that West actually signed. The more I looked at it, and the $12.5M he had passed on, the more sure I got that he wouldn't settle for less than about $6M. He was looking like another one of those guys you'd love to see on the Spurs, but know you never will.
This has been the most amazing few days. I know a lot of things still have to go right to win the whole thing, but damn they've won the first battle convincingly. I'm really anxious now to see how the fill out the rest of the roster.
classic
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/46ce2...mum-join-spursA person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press that the veteran forward is taking a one-year, minimum salary contract worth $1.4 million to join the San Antonio Spurs. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced.
Still geeked about this. Just crazy.
Good morning from the Philippines guys, dear Sirs
i just logged in!
my god, is this confirmed??
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