Random thoughts following 30-point victory and franchise record for 3PM...

[Brazil]

Well, I did say longshot. But the Pistons right now I'm not sure they know what they want to do. They're $10m under the cap, and Magette and Hamilton comes off the book at the end of the season for another $15m in cap space. But Maxiell and Will Bynum are probably going to look to get paid. Monroe is fairly cheap, but he's one of the few long term deals they have and like you said, it's hard to figure out he's a guy you can make the centerpiece of your team. They're still losing games left and right, and probably end up at the bottom again. The question is if you can make them bite playing on their desperation if they decide to fully tank again.

well I am lucky enough to hang around former and actual players (mainly Vinnie the micro wave and Prince who btw is one of the coolest guy I saw) and imo they think the franchise wants to build around Drumond and Monroe, they also like a lot Maxiell but he is 29 y/o. I am not sure they are that high on a guy like Bynum. They are clearly looking for a nice draft pick next year but don't want to be embarrassed by a full tank mode, the arena is mostly empty and they need to fire up a bit the fans. Now if Maxiell is going to ask for too much they maybe will be interested by trading him.

[Manufan909]

Never say never, though... Both Diaw and Jack fell on our laps last season. Spurs have enough expirings in Bonner/Blair... possibly Jackson to take a look at some bottom-feeder teams and see if they can pry some guys off in exchange for cap relief. For example (and this might be a longshot), a guy like Greg Monroe in Detroit or Gortat in Phoenix.

Acquiring Monroe would be so improbable as to basically be impossible, but Gortat is someone to keep an eye on. Even as he's going through the motions, a la Boris in Charlotte, he's averaging 11/8 with 2 blocks whilst shooting 52%, iirc. From what I've gleaned reading Suns fans comments on this page: http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/20...ey-out-whos-in, Gortat is acting like a petulant child because he isn't getting as many touches as he'd like.

I don't know if that negative will carry over to the Spurs, unless Pop allows him a long leash on offense. If Blair and Bonner are traded along with SJax to Phoenix for Gortat he'll get the touches he wants, and the Spurs frontline will become way better... At the expense of the SF position of course. The Spurs will feel the loss against OKC and MIA in the POs, but the Heat in particular will be incredibly vulnerable to a big trio of Timmy/Marcin/Tiago.

P.S. I haven't used the trade machine to see if my trade works, but as long as Leonard/Splitter/the Big 3/Nando aren't in the trade I'm happy. I'd prefer both Blair and Bonner be in the trade, but if it could only be one I'd prefer it be Bonner, if for no other reason than that Pop will at least sit Blair in the playoffs if he under performs in the POs. Blair is sucking more so far this season, but he's cheaper and on the last year of his contract.

[ElNono]

There's no cir stance where they salary dump Monroe at 4M next season. They have to meet minimum payroll and minimum roster spots. Monroe for less than the MLE is a bargain in NBA terms. If they do choose to move him, they'll get real assets in return.

You're probably right. I think they just had great expectations about Monroe and he hasn't (quite) delivered (yet), but I agree he's a cheap talent as it is.

well I am lucky enough to hang around former and actual players (mainly Vinnie the micro wave and Prince who btw is one of the coolest guy I saw) and imo they think the franchise wants to build around Drumond and Monroe, they also like a lot Maxiell but he is 29 y/o. I am not sure they are that high on a guy like Bynum. They are clearly looking for a nice draft pick next year but don't want to be embarrassed by a full tank mode, the arena is mostly empty and they need to fire up a bit the fans. Now if Maxiell is going to ask for too much they maybe will be interested by trading him.

The problem with Maxiell is what kind of raise he wants from the $5m he's making now. Do you go for him as just a rental until season's end? tbh, I like his hustle.

[Brazil]

You're probably right. I think they just had great expectations about Monroe and he hasn't delivered, but I agree he's a cheap talent as it is.



The problem with Maxiell is what kind of raise he wants from the $5m he's making now. Do you go for him as just a rental until season's end? tbh, I like his hustle.

I like Maxiell a lot, he is one the rare guys to fire up the Palace. He would be a great addition for the Spurs especially on the D end, his blocking capacity is very nice. As you said he is a perfect hustle player, he creates a lot of momentum for his team to turn around a game.

[objective]

timvp
Also, I don't think Pop is the type of coach that would let a player, who is worthy of getting playing time, rot on the bench. Do you think that eventually the Spurs will give one of these players an opportunity to succeed elsewhere? Moreover, who's skillset do you think they would value more?

Actually, Pop is exactly the type of coach who would let a player rot. He had Splitter rot his whole rookie year. He had George Hill rot behind Jacque Vaughn. There are other examples, but you get the point.

[SA210]

Actually, Pop is exactly the type of coach who would let a player rot. He had Splitter rot his whole rookie year. He had George Hill rot behind Jacque Vaughn. There are other examples, but you get the point.

[AFBlue]

While the comparisons between Nando and Manu are overblown, I believe that they apply with respect to Pop. His experience with Manu has made Nando's path a little easier. An earlier version of Pop would not have shown this much patience so early in Nando's NBA career.

Also, credit to Nando for being ready to take advantage of the opportunity presented with the injuries to Leonard and Jackson, much like Gary Neal was ready when Anderson went down two years ago. Now, the two of them will be competing for one spot in the rotation once Jackson and Leonard return.

Very good point about Manu paving the way for Nando's success. I think he does have a similar profile from a risk/reward perspective, though his ceiling isn't nearly as high. Maybe he'll make up for that by being more consistently available than Manu has been throughout his career.

[spurs10]

Great write-up! Your assessment of Nando, Bonner, Manu, and savoring these great times with Tim is a joy to read. It's amazing to me that we are playing like this without Jack and Kawhi. I suppose it's been a blessing in disguise, as we might not have witnessed this impressive Nando run.
The good news for me is I was working during the game last night and get to watch it today!

[AFBlue]

We have too many guards and a somewhat suspect frontline, if we don't trade for size and at least try to get someone better than Blair than I'd think the FO is not even trying. Not saying it's easy but doesn't seem like it's mission impossible either, doesn't have to be a star at all to make us better.

If Blair's replacement isn't better than Splitter or Diaw, then it isn't worth trading excess guard depth because that player wouldn't sniff the court in the post-season. You'd essentially be trading one "minute-eater" for another and losing depth in the process.

[TD 21]

I don't think De Colo will gain trade value this season. Maybe by the offseason.

I tend to agree. Once they get/stay healthy, he won't be in the rotation and even if he continues playing well in snippets, that's probably not going to alter his trade value much, if at all. Neal, on the other hand, has legit trade value, so if they're confident in De Colo/Mills replacing him in tandem, they could part with him.

I don't think the Jazz do that. I don't think the Spurs would jump at that either. Millsap has a history of fading late in seasons and doesn't really fit great passing-wise or defense-wise. Having a PF that can be guarded pretty easily by a SF doesn't strike me as the missing ingredient. It'd amount to an expensive couple month rental that may not even offer an upgrade in retrospect.

I think they might. But I'm more interested in whether the Spurs would do it.

It's not that Millsap is necessarily the missing ingredient, it's that he's probably the best they can realistically do, because the Varejao ship has sailed. And it wouldn't be a rental; the idea would be to re-sign him to something like a 4 year/$40-44M contract. It might seem pricey, but they'll have the flexibility to offer it and they're not doing better in free agency.

[biskvito]

I think Bonner had an epiphany when Anderson Varejao became an All Star candidate.

[AFBlue]

I don't care what lights go on for Bonner. He has a long, consistent history of disappearing in the playoffs. Making him a part of the rotation again, no matter how well he plays, is a mistake. Being dependent on Bonner to win is suicide for this team.

Fools Gold.

Win what? If the guy contributes points/boards during the season keeping the likes of Duncan, Splitter and Diaw fresh by eating up minutes then what's the harm? I don't think anyone is saying this is the Bonner we'll see in the playoffs, but it shouldn't be viewed as anything but a positive IMO.

[Obstructed_View]

Glad they're rebounding well, and I'm glad they're shooting well. Not so sure that 34 3PA is something you want to get used to long-term, but they're just buying time until they get the whole team back together.

[maverick1948]

When I see De Colo now, I wonder if his early struggle were really related to basketball.
How is/was his English? Could he get everything Pop was saying?
He looked so shy... which is really uncharacteristic of is game (he was really a leader in Europe)... and now he looks so confident.

If getting orders from Pop in english was a problem, Tony and Boris could tell him in french. After all, they have played together before. When he is on the court with Tiago, they look good in the pick and roll. I think his early problems dealt more with finding his spot on the team. He had no idea what he would be called on to do. After the preseason, he started stepping up his game and now he is ready for backup duties. On question, last night, in the 4th quarter, what position was Nando playing? Would you believe some of it was at SF. With Mills and Joseph on the court at the guard position, Nando had to be at the 3.

[Darius McCrary]

LOL, nalgas

[therealtruth]

Actually, Pop is exactly the type of coach who would let a player rot. He had Splitter rot his whole rookie year. He had George Hill rot behind Jacque Vaughn. There are other examples, but you get the point.

Pop tends to have misplaced loyalties and ideas about fairness which you can't do if you're trying to win.

[DPG21920]

Glad they're rebounding well, and I'm glad they're shooting well. Not so sure that 34 3PA is something you want to get used to long-term, but they're just buying time until they get the whole team back together.

That's one of the many encouraging things though to me so far - with removing Bonner from the rotation, Spurs 3 point shooting would natrually take a hit. Yet they are still finding ways to win games even when they aren't hitting 3's. I definitely want the 3 point shooting to be more consistent (which with Manu rounding into form it likely will), but it's nice to see them winning despite taking a hit from 3 point land so far.

Also, I know a few have mentioned it but this has been an incredibly fun season so far. So many great things, games and moments. The team is starting to gel and morph and it's incredible how Pop has found essentially boundless combinations of players and how everyone is having their moments. This team is so different from last year's regular season team yet every bit as capable of winnig a ton of games. It's awesome to watch.

[racm]

The team is winning games even without the 3 ball falling because of the improved defense. When the Spurs hit 3s the 4th quarter is already garbage time.

[Mark in Austin]

Win what? If the guy contributes points/boards during the season keeping the likes of Duncan, Splitter and Diaw fresh by eating up minutes then what's the harm? I don't think anyone is saying this is the Bonner we'll see in the playoffs, but it shouldn't be viewed as anything but a positive IMO.

Winning is a habit. It's incredibly difficult to have a set rotation throughout the season that has to be changed come playoff time because Bonner can't perform the same way in the post season.

[SenorSpur]

I agree with everything mentioned - even Bonner's resurgence. While he's been rebounding very well, I still see too many instance where he stands around, forgets to put a body on an opposing player and allows for an offensive rebound and putback by an opposing player.

[Splits]

Winning is a habit. It's incredibly difficult to have a set rotation throughout the season that has to be changed come playoff time because Bonner can't perform the same way in the post season.

Except that's not what is happening this year. Bonner's role has been limited to pace-changer or garbage time basically. With Jack out he plays a little bit more and sometimes in the first half, but that seems to be only because we're not full strength.

[Darkwaters]

Hmmm ... that's a good question. Between De Colo, Mills and CJ, the one with the most valuable skillset is probably De Colo. His vision and passing abilities can't be taught. You either have it or you don't. We'll see if he can keep up this level of play once the NBA gets a scouting report on him but as of this second, his skillset is the one that stands out as most unique and thus most valuable.

Even more intriguing, De Colo is a big PG at 6'5 and could easily create mismatches against other teams. It also allows the Spurs to consistently play an undersized SG next to him (in the mold of Patty Mills or even De Colo's draft class comrade, the player formerly known as Jack McClinton).

I really like De Colo. He might not be fully ready yet, but hes picking it up quickly.

If both De Colo and Cory Joe fulfill their potential and grow at this same rate into next year, it could make for an interesting rotation clog next season (and would probably encourage Mills and Neal to walk).

[Slippy]

Tiago's defense since getting here is the best it's ever been. From rotations, positioning, to simply
helping out teammates and altering shots. He's doing it all.

He's also running the floor better than before.

[Fireball]

The team is winning games even without the 3 ball falling because of the improved defense. When the Spurs hit 3s the 4th quarter is already garbage time.

Agreed ... the defense is still pretty good although Kawhi and SJax are out. Statistic defensive categories just take a blow in the 4th quarter because of our recent blowout victories ...

[racm]

Agreed ... the defense is still pretty good although Kawhi and SJax are out. Statistic defensive categories just take a blow in the 4th quarter because of our recent blowout victories ...

And the Spurs are still 4th in defensive rating, 3rd in eFG%, and 3rd in FT/FGA. They don't let opponents get good shots and they don't foul a lot.