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how about zaza pachulia?
I don't know how highly the Spurs rate Gist. When Pop and RC talked about him, they didn't give any indication that he's a lock to make the team. He might just be someone they take to summer league to see if he's worth anything.
If the Spurs want to bring back Horry, they could find a way to fit him on the roster. Waiving Vaughn, not re-signing Thomas or letting go one of the rookies would open up room.
how about zaza pachulia?
zaza is not available, and we don't have the chips to trade for him.
and beside, if we're resigning Thomas, why would we want Zaza?
If it comes down to Horry or Gist, who do you bring back?
Gist, assuming he plays well in summer league. If not, Horry. But I really think it's a false dichotomy.If it comes down to Horry or Gist, who do you bring back?
Who's summer league squad is Benson on?
Horry...the goal is to win a championship this season after all.If it comes down to Horry or Gist, who do you bring back?
My question for you...
Who is the most overpaid player on this roster given their annual salary VS their oncourt role?
That's the guy the Spurs will be trying to dump.
Hint: He sucks under any semblance of pressure.
Malik Hairston?
I really don't get this "athletic swingman" crap. We struggled against the Hornets and LA because we needed Manu in the game too much. What we need is a younger # 2 starter who will allow Pop to utilize Manu optimally as a 6th man. Finley can't come back in that role and he sucked as a sub. We probably should resign Horry for the minimum just so he doesn't go to the Rockets. That leaves us going for JR Smith or that Aziubika kid from GS. A #2 guard by committee didn't work last year & it will not next. We need a #2 who is not a shooting specialist. I don't think Finley will play for the minimum.
We do need someone like JR, but to back up Manu not start in place of him. They need to start Manu, and just limit his minutes.
There's ton's of good posts going on here.
When it comes to the roster, I believe the Spurs will bring back Horry and Thomas, and let Finley and Stoudamire walk. I wish they would just bring back Thomas and go forward with all the Rookies.
Hill is definitely on the team. Pop talked highly about Hairston and pretty much hinted that if he worked hard, and brought it to the Summer League and Camp then there would be a good chance he could have a roster spot.
On the other hand, Pop complimented Gist's game, but did not mention anything about a roster spot possibility. Thus, Gist will have to work extra hard and show the Spurs that they made the right choice and that he is worth the Spurs letting go of a vet, which is highly unlikely. That is unfortunate because there is some talent with Gist, and I can see a potential SF in him, but he will have to prove his game.
So, with that said....the Roster would look something like this:
PG: Parker, Hill, Vaughn
SG: Ginobili, Barry, Hairston
SF: Bowen, Udoka,
PF: Duncan, Horry, Bonner
C: Oberto, Thomas, Ian
The above roster leaves one spot left. Obviously, that is for the impending free agent.
Now, some have mentioned JR Smith. Ideally, I would love Smith, but I believe Denver knows they have a potential Super Star on their hands and will indeed match any offer. Unless JR tells Denver that he has no desire to come back, then I would imagine it would be extremely difficult and risky to try and grab Smith from Denver.
As a result, the Spurs have a better shot at landing Kelenna or Pietrus.
Some have mentioned possibly buying-out Vaughn, but I believe Pop finds him too valuable. He runs the team well, and he does what Pop enjoys most out of his players....hustle and defense. He is a silent leader and a great team player. I believe he sticks.
I wish the Spurs could move Bonner, but that is unlikely.
Thus, I am going to go with this roster for the moment.
PG: Parker, Hill, Vaughn
SG: Azubukie, Ginobili, Barry
SF: Bowen, Udoka, Hairston
PF: Duncan, Horry, Bonner
C: Oberto, Thomas, Mahinmi
I picked Kelenna because he plays defense, and is a dynamic offensive player. He can slash and shoot from the arc. He might be able to grabbed with the full MLE. He is still young and very coach able.
Azubukie is unlikely cause he is restricted, Pietrus is more likely but he is not suit well cause he is not good shooter.
Sign James Jones!!! he make sense the most, he is cheap, he is good defender and a good shooter. he suit well on the spurs.
the roster shoukd be:
PG: Parker, Hill, Vaughn
SG: Ginobili, Hairston, Barry
SF: Bowen, Jones, udoka
PF: Duncan, Mahinmi, Gist
C: Thomas, Oberto, Bonner
they come back with the same bigs as listed......and ladys and gentlemen, dont expect a ring...our biggest problem imo is still having noone to help duncan......
Vaughn is going to be an assistant coach.
The only thing Bonner is guaranteed is money and a chair on a different team.
Indeed it is, or it better be.
Gist if he plays well. He's going to have to earn his spot...that's for sure. No disrespect to Horry, but he's old and not what we need right now.If it comes down to Horry or Gist, who do you bring back?
Mahinmi?
The Spurs have slowly been putting to use their own NBDL team.
Now, it is time to put it into full effect.
Last year, they used Mahinmi down there and let him grow. Hopefully, we will be able to see how far he has come this year with some solid minutes.
They also briefly used their 2nd rounder (Marcus Williams) down there, but eventually cut him loose, and he would eventually wind up on the Clippers.
I believe the Spurs should bite the bullet for next year. They should wave good-bye to the vets, with the exception of Kurt Thomas. I know it may cost them in the playoffs, but it is worth the future of the franchise.
If they decide to do so, they can send Hairston and Gist down to the Toros and let them learn the system and develop as players. Have the Spurs tell them what they both specifically need to work on and let them go crazy down there.
As a result, the Spurs would have insured themselves at least solid young bench players in Hill, Hairston, and Gist....with one at the very least becoming good enough to be a sixth man or day I say....All-Star...one day.
It is time for the Spurs to start putting their farm system to use, and start rebuilding this franchise the proper way....rebuild slowly and effectively.....rather than attempting to rebuild all at once and having to endure 3-4 years of pure ....ala....New York Knicks.
Benson has been to three minicamps that I know of -- Miami, Toronto and SA. He could definitely be on more than one SL team.
I'm fine with if the Spurs drop one of the second rounders in favor of some free agent who beats him out in SL play. If Benson is typical of the talent level being brought in, this might actually happen.
Thanks, CD. I'd prefer Benson to Gist, unless Gist goes off in summer league, because he is more seasoned and probably more ready for an NBA gig. Plus, I like him. Fun blog.
From a basketball standpoint, it'd be good to have a guy like Benson who is an accomplished and dedicated board man. He might play in Austin the whole year, but were Pop to put him in a game, he'd know his role.
Udoka a year in, Mahinmi, and our MLE is probably enough added scoring.
I want to see how much fire power Ian can bring to the court.
Ideally, I would like for him to be a rebound machine who can clog the lane, but I won't get my hopes up.
I think he will struggle throughout the season, but he is so young and the game is so new to him that struggle is expected.
I know we will see dunks, put-backs, and possibly some short jumpers/hooks. I just hope he can bring more.
I don't know how the Spurs can package him or what we can get for him...but, I sure do hope the Spurs can trade Matt Bonner.
Ian is not a rebound machine. Although, he showed flashes of being a decent reboundin big last season. His problem, as you know, is foul trouble. He can't stay out of it. If he overcomes that, he'll have a good career. Otherwise, he won't be in the league more than a few years.
Some thoughts-- Oberto, Thomas, Bonner and Horry all coming back would be a mistake to me. They need to lose one of those guys. I would think that Bonner could be traded under the right cir stances. He isn't that overpaid for a big guy.
I like James Jones to replace Finley, if they could sign him. He is a lot like Finley as a player, but a much better shooter. I saw him play last year quite a bit and he is good. That long win streak the Blazers had last year was all about him, and it ended when he went on the IR.
Pietrus is doable, but I don't think he is a good enough shooter.
Taking a step back to look at the "big picture"-- what the Spurs need most is another Big to play along Duncan. As long as the Spurs have Duncan, Bowen, Ginobili and Parker-- those are 4 players who will play big minutes. The missing piece is the other big. In 2003 it was DRob. Then the Spurs tried Rasho, Nazr, and then Oberto and finally Thomas. Oberto played well enough in 2007 to win, but I think he has lost a step. While I like Thomas for certain situations on defense, I don't think he is the player the spurs need next to Duncan.
Spurs need more shot-blocking.
Spurs need 3-pt shooters who can spread the floor.
Spurs need a replacement for Finley.
Spurs need to play Bonner a little or trade him.
Spurs can win another championship in 2009.
That about sums it up for me. Whether it's JR Smith, Ron Artest, Mickael Pietrus, Kelenna Azubuike, or someone I'm forgetting....pick them up and call it a day.
I also wouldn't mind if the Spurs flipped Bonner for one of the guards mentioned above in a sign-and-trade, then picked up a guy like Najera or Hermann to replace him using the MLE (i.e. Pietrus for Bonner, cash to cover, and future pick).
JR Smith or Pietrus and I would be thrilled. I would believe that we could win a le with them as a starting 2 guard.
Is Azibuke that good? Artest would never make the team because of character issues.
Ginobili clearly can't play more than 23 minutes a game or he contributes nothing in the post season.
Big questions:
1. Is Tim Duncan on the decline? Yeah, he's had some bad shooting games (by pct) in the past playoffs, but he had a lot more than ever before this post season. Has his game deteriorated to the extent that he is a 15 and 8 guy in the post season with 1 or 2 really good games in him?
2. Will Ginobili be able to contribute significantly to our post season runs if we limit his minutes and have him finish games?
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