RC talks about Ryan Richards

[dbestpro]

I agree. The problem with Ian was not that the Spurs drafted him, but that they did it in the first round. That set in motion a whole chain of problems that became a tail wagging the dog. It is harder to "draft and stash" first rounders, for example, due to the NBA's salary rules.

Correct, but a major reason of drafting Ian was to avoid paying the 1st round salary. For salary purposes the draft of Ian worked. They could have just sold that pick like a lot of teams do that are trying to avoid the same salary.

[ChumpDumper]

Nah, I wouldn't go with Wilkerson. His lack of size makes hurts him as a prospect. I'd like Gist better, although if he were to remain in Europe, he should be able to continue to progress.

Let them battle it out in training camp.

My preference would be a raw shotblocker or a three-point shooting big that could become Bonner insurance.

Yeah, it's just that the minimum salary types that can do either of those are pretty horrible in most other aspects of their respective games.

[slick'81]

really not a surprise at all

[Silver&Black]

This might turn out to be a blessing. Keep him overseas and polish his game. I don't know if he's NBA ready right now anyways. Hope him the best though...

[lurker23]

A slight surprise about Richards; I thought he was going to be able to pressure the Spurs to bring him to Austin, but I guess the shoulder surgery really put a damper on that plan. I wouldn't be surprised if we see him as early as the 2011-12 season, though if there's a threat of a long lockout, the Spurs may want to keep him overseas one more year and not risk having him lose a year of development due to labor strife.


As for the role of 6th big, the Spurs probably have two major options:

1. A cheap veteran big man who they can shove on the inactive list for long periods of time, but should be able to contribute if called upon (i.e.- what we thought Ratliff was going to do last year).

2. A D-League eligible young big man, who the Spurs can look at for the long haul, and may be able to play in emergency situations.


The more I think about #2, the more I like the idea of James Gist in that role. Out of their options for D-League eligible players, he's more ready to contribute than most, and his length and body-type isn't duplicated by anybody else on the roster. In an end-of-the-bench sort of way, he would actually fill a niche in the roster, a 3/4 hustle-man who can get out in run with some of the other youngsters.

I've said before that this summer is likely make-or-break for Gist as a Spur; he's done his loyalty thing by heading overseas for a couple years, and now they should make some sort of decision one way or another. I said a few days ago that the Spurs have two major options:

a.) Fully take him under your wing, taking responsibility for his development in training camp, practices, and/or in Austin. That's the only way I can see Gist developing a good perimeter game and becoming a true 3/4.
b.) Cut him loose and let him seek his own fortune on other teams who might have use for a thin but athletic 4 who can roam, block shots, and run the floor.

If the Spurs bring him into training camp, they'll likely be choosing between these two options. If he impresses enough that they execute option a, look for him to spend 80% of his time in Austin, shooting perimeter jump shots and guarding small forwards.

[TD 21]

A slight surprise about Richards; I thought he was going to be able to pressure the Spurs to bring him to Austin, but I guess the shoulder surgery really put a damper on that plan. I wouldn't be surprised if we see him as early as the 2011-12 season, though if there's a threat of a long lockout, the Spurs may want to keep him overseas one more year and not risk having him lose a year of development due to labor strife.


As for the role of 6th big, the Spurs probably have two major options:

1. A cheap veteran big man who they can shove on the inactive list for long periods of time, but should be able to contribute if called upon (i.e.- what we thought Ratliff was going to do last year).

2. A D-League eligible young big man, who the Spurs can look at for the long haul, and may be able to play in emergency situations.


The more I think about #2, the more I like the idea of James Gist in that role. Out of their options for D-League eligible players, he's more ready to contribute than most, and his length and body-type isn't duplicated by anybody else on the roster. In an end-of-the-bench sort of way, he would actually fill a niche in the roster, a 3/4 hustle-man who can get out in run with some of the other youngsters.

I've said before that this summer is likely make-or-break for Gist as a Spur; he's done his loyalty thing by heading overseas for a couple years, and now they should make some sort of decision one way or another. I said a few days ago that the Spurs have two major options:


If the Spurs bring him into training camp, they'll likely be choosing between these two options. If he impresses enough that they execute option a, look for him to spend 80% of his time in Austin, shooting perimeter jump shots and guarding small forwards.

Excellent post.

[lurker23]

A few (completely) side notes about my above post:

1. There's no guarantee the Spurs will sign a 6th big. They could get along just fine with 5, barring injuries to two of them at once.

2. In relation to #1, it's actually more likely that Richards staying across the pond opens up a spot for Gee, not for Gist. In that case, the roster would likely look something like this:

Parker/Hill
Manu/Anderson
(Jefferson)/(Jones)/Hairston
Duncan/Blair/Bonner
Splitter/McDyess

Inactive: Temple, Gee

3. While it still seems unlikely that Pop will put a Phoenix Suns type offense on the court at any time this year, one can still imagine what that would look like if he decided to let the youngsters run for 5 minutes a game. With the Spurs current (and potential) personnel, the best fast-break squad would likely contain some combination of the following players:

Parker/Hill/Manu/Anderson/Jefferson/Gist/Splitter

With a slight chance that you could also throw Blair in there; he can rumble down the court when the timing is right, and he can also rebound/throw a great outlet pass.

[TD 21]

A few (completely) side notes about my above post:

1. There's no guarantee the Spurs will sign a 6th big. They could get along just fine with 5, barring injuries to two of them at once.

2. In relation to #1, it's actually more likely that Richards staying across the pond opens up a spot for Gee, not for Gist. In that case, the roster would likely look something like this:

Parker/Hill
Manu/Anderson
(Jefferson)/(Jones)/Hairston
Duncan/Blair/Bonner
Splitter/McDyess

Inactive: Temple, Gee

I agree. I said it in another thread, I think Richards not coming over improves Gee's chances. If the Spurs find him too intriguing a prospect to cut, they could stash him in the D-League for another season and then if Anderson proves to be a knockdown shooter and Hairston a capable one, let Jones go (assuming he's signed in the first place) and have Gee take his spot on the active roster two seasons from now if he shows enough progression next season.

Because the five bigs on this team are all rotation quality bigs, they may not sign a sixth. Plus, assuming Jefferson and Jones are on the roster, they can both play some small ball four.

[intlspurshk]

So there is absolutely no chance to sign another 7-footer that is not named Shaq on the team? Well that's just terrific.

If released, sign Dampier

[SenorSpur]

As for the role of 6th big, the Spurs probably have two major options:

1. A cheap veteran big man who they can shove on the inactive list for long periods of time, but should be able to contribute if called upon (i.e.- what we thought Ratliff was going to do last year).

2. A D-League eligible young big man, who the Spurs can look at for the long haul, and may be able to play in emergency situations.

Could Darryl Watkins be the answer to option #2? I admit I've not seen much of his play during summer league. And from reading Timvp's game summaries, it appears he may have come into the summer a bit out of shape. which IIRC, has hurt his shotblocking ability. However, it also appears that he has had flashes of the raw potential that made him a training camp finalist, a couple of seasons ago.

Does anyone believe that Watkins can be that proposed 6th big?

[ohmwrecker]

If released, sign Dampier

Shaq > Erica

I don't want either one really.

[20beastie45]

didn't Richards say that he didn't want to play over seas? If I remember correctly he said he wanted to play in the states whether it be NBA or NBDL